The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • ‘Abuja residents won’t pay more hospital bills’

    Tt is a relief, thanks to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed.

    He took a good look at the a proposal for an upward review of charges on the existing services in hospitals in the capital city and said “no”. The people should not pay more, he ruled.

    Giving reason for turning down the proposal, he said that the idea was not in tandem with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    This was one of the decisions reached during the FCT Executive Meeting at the Banquet Hall, FCT Minister’s Official Residence Gwarinpa I District Abuja.

    The minister, however, stated that new minimal charges would only be allowed in the case of new services introduced in the hospitals such as CT scan.

    He further explained that in order to enhance the world-class healthcare services being rendered to the residents of the FCT, the FCT Executive Council has approved minimal charges on the new services in the hospitals.

    According to him, some of the new services include intensive care unit (ICU) N15, 000 per day; hemodialysis with vascular access-N14, 000 per session and hemodialysis without vascular access-N19, 000 per session.

    He said: “Other new laboratory services including Hbe surface antigen test and H-Pylori test, will go for N2, 600 an N2, 000 respectively.”

    The minister revealed that for the new radiology services like trans vaginal scan  (TVS)-N2,500; CT intravenous urography (IVU)- N60,000; CT angiography- N70,000; trans rectal scan- N2,000; CT scan (Abdomen) – N40,000; CT scan (brain) N30,000; echocardiography-N10,000.

    Senator Mohammed insisted that the FCT Administration, as a government, has a responsibility to the people dwelling in the Federal Capital Territory and would continue to do that for their utmost benefit.

    The Executive Council warned that “all other charges for services currently being provided in hospitals in the FCT must not be increased in whatever way either directly or indirectly, as this administration is, more than ever, prepared to serve the people.”

    On the proposed review of the scope of the free antenatal care services in the FCT hospitals, the Council directed that the status quo ante should remain.

    It further directed that if there were shortcomings in funding the laudable programme, efforts would be made to augment any shortfall through SURE-P and other sources for the needed funds.

    The minister expressed the FCT’s commitment to continue in the provision of free antenatal services as initially conceived, even as he said that it would expand the package to all the nook and cranny of the Federal Capital Territory.

    He emphasised that the people-oriented programme has been conceived to enhance healthcare delivery in the Federal Capital Territory; especially to the indigent people.

    Meanwhile, the Executive Council has set up two different committees headed by the FCT Chief of Staff and the General Counsel/Secretary of Legal Services Secretariat, Alhaji Mohammed Yau Gital and Mr. Ima Okpongete respectively.

    The two committees are expected to look into the memos on the autonomy for the Abuja Central Medical Stores as well as the establishment/collection of entertainment and event centre fees in the FCT.

  • US volunteer team gives free medicare 

    A 20-man volunteer team from the United States is currently in Abuja for a two- week free medical service for Abuja residents.

    Dr Ijeoma Nduka Nwosu, CEO, E Jays Charity, a non-profit organisation based in New York who led the team to Kubwa General Hospital as the first port of call,  said the multi-disciplinary group had visited other Nigerian states during its nine-year sojourn in the country.

    She said they will conduct general surgery, appendectomy and treat fibroids among others, for people who cannot afford to pay for their services.

    Alice Massa, an occupational therapist on the team, said she will coordinate rehabilitation services for children with birth defects and difficulty in eating, standing or dressing themselves.

    She added that the team will also handle neurological cases and older patients with diseases that come with age and generally rehabilitate them so that they can function normally where they live.

    She also said that local health staff will be engaged in the services offered so as to share experience and impart knowledge.

    The FCT Secretary of Health, Demola Onakomaiya who received the team  said surgical, medical and therapeutic cases will be handled by the visiting team.

    Chief Medical Officer, Kubwa General Hospital, Dr. Ahmed Danfulani, said it is a good thing that the team is visiting to deal with chronic illnesses.

    He called on residents to take advantage of the opportunity, adding that he’ll make the visitors’ stay a successful one.

    Also, an emergency pediatric unit (EPU) and doctors’ quarters have been inaugurated at the Kubwa General Hospital.

    Secretary, Human and Health Services Secretariat, Dr. Ademola Onakomaiya, who performed the commissioning, the third in a series, said it has been a two-year success story despite the challenges of lack of capacity and funds.

    He said the paediatric unit at Kubwa hospital will ensure speedy delivery of health services to children and added that there is an intensive care unit, a dialysis centre, CT scan and mammography machines in various FCT hospitals.

    The secretary said the officers’ quarters will accommodate interns to be recommended for training by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

    He said FCTA provides quality healthcare service to all and sundry in the nation’s capital and will sustain such.

  • NEMA, FRSC partner on disaster management

    The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is set to partner with the FCT Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps to tackle disaster in the country’s capital city.

    The FEMA Director-General, Mallam Abbas Idris revealed this in Abuja when he visited the FCT Sector Command of the FRSC.

    The areas of collaboration, according to the Director-General, will include information sharing, evacuation of victims in disaster situation and training of its personnel.

    He said plans had been concluded with the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to organise training for its staff in Kaduna later in the year, with a view to acquainting them with the newly established agency to carry out the task ahead.

    The FCT Sector Commander, Mr. Joshua Fanola, praised the FCT Administration for setting up emergency outfit to tackle disaster situations.

    Fanola explained that, in view of recent happenings across the country, the issue of disaster management should not be left in the hands of one agency, stressing that synergy among relevant agencies should be encouraged.

    He said: “ Human and natural changes in recent times have made it imperative for government to set up more emergency outfits.

    “It is very clear that one single agency cannot tackle the issue of disaster management in this country.”

    He commended the FCT Administration for coming up with this noble emergency outfit.

    He harped on preventive measures, noting that prevention rather than control should be the hallmark of disaster management.

    The Sector Commander equally urged the FCT emergency agency to embark on aggressive enlightenment campaign and monitoring of disaster-prone areas in the territory, saying “it is only by enlightenment that the people will know the right thing to do.”

    While canvassing for three digits toll-free line for the agency, he pledged the support of his command to FCT Emergency Management Agency to tackle any emergency situation in the territory.

  • Bulldozers pull down structures on rail line

    The Development Control Department of the  Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has begun the demolition of structures on rail line in Kubwa and Bwari area of the FCT.

    The demolition exercise which lasted for about five hours last week affected the structures built along the proposed light rail lines.

    Affected residents said although they had earlier been notified, the demolition was sudden as it took them unawares.

    They also accused the government of what they described as ‘selective’ demolition, saying some houses along the rail lines were spared during the exercise.

    A woman, whose house was affected by the demolition close to the Court of Appeal Quarters, in Byazhin area of Kubwa, bemoaned the inhuman approach of the officials, saying that she lost  property worth millions of naira to the exercise.

    “We pleaded with them to give us at least 10 minutes to remove our belongings but they refused. If they had agreed we wouldn’t have lost all these properties,” lamented the woman, who craved anonymity.

    Another resident, an owner of a three- bedroom flat, who gave his name as Mustapha, said he was not around when the bulldozers stormed the area.

    “I was away when they came, and when I arrived, my building was already down with none of my properties recovered,” he lamented.

    He said although some of them were compensated, but the amount is so meagre that it cannot afford a land, not to talk of the structure.

    When our reporter visited the area, the affected persons were busy retrieving the remaining items, with the assistance of some bricklayers and friends.

    Scavengers also took advantage of the opportunity to loot people’s property.

    The director, FCT Development Control Department, Yahaya Yusuf, said those affected were duly compensated and given enough notice to move out their things, adding that the time given to them had since elapsed before the date of the demolition.

    On the allegation of selective demolition of houses, the director said those houses that were spared are  yet to be compensated and would also be pulled down after due compensation.

  • Free hypertension screening for residents

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has embarked on free hypertension screening for the staff and residents of Kuje Area Council.

    The Medical Personnel with the Public Health Department of the FCT Administration, Dr. Adeyemi Olubunmi, told newsmen that the hypertension screening exercise was being conducted in Kuje in order to commemorate the World Health Day which took place on April 7, 2013.

    She called on the residents to always go for hypertension check-up in order to know their status, as, according to her, hypertension is a silent killer.

    She advised that “Nigerians should eat healthy food with plenty fruit, roughage and vegetable. They should also avoid excessive use of salt.”

  • FCT assures residents of jobs

    Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, has assured residents of the territory that the FCT Administration was committed to wealth creation and employment generation.

    She stated this at the inauguration of the pottery crank wheel at the pottery centre in Giri community of Gwagwalada Area Council.

    Akinjide, who was represented by her Special Assistant on Area Councils, Alhaji Ibraheem Aminu Ibraheem, said the support of the FCT Administration for employment generation, poverty alleviation, business growth and wealth creation was consistent with the aspiration of the Federal Government to create employment for the growing youth population.

    “The FCT Administration is dedicated to ensuring the provision of an enabling environment for business growth in the territory for the benefit of the people; especially the residents of communities.

    “It is expected that the introduction and popularisation of the pottery crank wheel would facilitate the resuscitation of cottage pottery production, attract new entrants, create jobs and eradicate poverty among the residents of the territory,” she said.

    The minister noted that the crank wheel was a mechanical device that would replace the drudgery and laborious process of traditional molding and forming techniques.

    “The pottery wheel enables the pottery to quickly form, in minutes, shapes which would otherwise have taken days to produce.

    “The provision of this modern equipment to the Giri pottery producers is imperative in order to create the enabling physical environment to encourage members of the co-operative group to operate under conditions that will generate ultimate productivity,” she noted.

  • NHIS seeks more funds for universal health coverage

    The Acting Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr AbdulRahman Sambo, said inadequate funding was needed to attain universal health coverage in the country.

    Sambo told journalists in Abuja that there was the need for special funds to take care of the health needs of vulnerable persons in the country.

    He said the scheme had developed key elements to achieving universal health insurance through compulsion for those who could afford health care and subsidy payment.

    The subsidy payment, he explained, would ensure that the indigent were taken care of from some of the contributions of those who could afford to pay.

    “The major challenge that we have is our law, which makes participation under the health insurance scheme optional, voluntary; number two, the non-logging in of the programmes of the NHIS by states and local governments; these are the two major that has been impeding the NHIS in attaining universal coverage.

    “One other major thing that has been clearly defined by us and other stakeholders is the absence of a fund that will provide contribution or pay for the contribution of the vulnerable, the poor, the indigent and those with some forms of disease vulnerability.

    “We have identified two key elements that are required to ensure universal coverage, and those elements are compulsion – compelling individuals who have the means to pay for their contribution to do so.

    “The second one is the touchy issue of subsidy, we believe that there have to be some subsidy payments for those who can’t afford to make their own contributions.”

    Sambo said the NHIS currently covers only 7.5 million Nigerians, adding that the law establishing the scheme was being amended by the National Assembly.

    He said it was also important for Nigerians to change their mentality on the notion of health insurance as the advantages out-weighed the disadvantages.

    “We currently have covered about 7.5 million persons; the NHIS law is going through amendment in the National Assembly and the amendment will strictly look at making it compulsory and identifying some form of financing mechanism or options to give cover to the poor and the indigent in the society.

    “We are going round the country sensitising people, paying advocacy to states governors and local government chairmen, to political leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders, across the country.

    “We are partnering with the media because without the media we cannot be able to reach out to Nigerians; we need to educate Nigerians on the value of health insurance which is a cultural shift.

    “Culturally, Nigerians wouldn’t want to pay in advance for their healthcare; this notion that doing so may connote one’s wish of being ill; this is common in quite a number of cultures across the country.

    “People say it is not my portion to get sick. Some think health insurance or insurance in general is against their faith; those are some of the little challenges that we are facing.’’

    The acting executive secretary said NHIS was also partnering with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to reposition the scheme, adding that continuous sensitisation would go a long way to improve the health status of Nigerians.

    “The scheme is being redesigned to ensure that it is well structured to attain universal coverage.

    “We are consulting with the International Finance Corporation (IFC); we are actually partnering with the IFC.

    “We have engaged the services of a company to look at the NHIS; examine the scheme in four broad areas, policy, regulation and legal framework; that is one area.

    “The second area is the business processes of the NHIS; the third area is finance and funding requirement needed to attain universal coverage, and fourthly the IT platform that will be required to move the process forward.

    “Sensitisation and advocacy of ordinary Nigerians is a big issue, and that is why we are going round sensitising our partners to assist the scheme in reaching out to Nigerians; let them know the value of health insurance as it’s being done in other countries of the world.

    “We have seen countries that are less endowed than Nigeria being able to attain universal coverage within a very short time, largely arising from the political will and commitment of government at various levels in those particular countries to ensure that their citizens are covered.

    “This is what we hope to see happen in this country; it’s difficult but it is not impossible. With the support of each person, and those of all stakeholders, we are certain that universal health coverage for Nigerians will be a reality.’’

     

  • ‘Land-swap will enhance development’

    ‘Land-swap will enhance development’

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has reiterated that the Abuja Land Swap Model is a practical innovation of his administration to fast-track the development of the FCT.

    Mohammed stated this while hosting Abuja stakeholders in Gwarinpa I District of the city after the FCT Muslim Community paid a courtesy call on President Goodluck Jonathan.

    According to him, we have brought innovation to leave landmark and fast-track development of the entire 8,000 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory.

    I urge peaceful co-existence among all residents of the Territory irrespective of religious or political inclinations. We will respect the sensibility of all.

    The minister expressed gratitude to the residents for their support his administration has been enjoying from them, even as he assured that all actions taken by the government are for public good.

    He pleaded for forgiveness if anyone was wronged by any step taken in repositioning the wheel of governance in the Territory. He also said that whoever has offended the administration has also been forgiven in the spirit of the

    season.

    The minister thanked the Christian brothers; especially the FCT chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), for always being together with the Muslims during their festivities. He urged Muslims to reciprocate the same gesture during Christian festivities in order to foster unity in the overall interest of the country.

    The Senator representing the FCT, Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda congratulated the Muslim Ummah on Eid-el-Fitr, commending the robust and brotherly relationship between the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed and the FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide.

    In his opening remarks, the FCT Permanent Secretary, John Obinna Chukwu, on behalf of the bureaucrats, expressed unflinching loyalty to the FCT Administration.

    Chukwu described Eid-el-Fitr as very significant because it has afforded the residents an opportunity and platform to always meet and rub minds; adding that frank discussions during iftar (breaking of fast during Ramadan) and Sallah celebration with stakeholders has further cemented the existing cordial relationship among residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

    The chairman of the FCT chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) who is also the Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Mr. Micah Jiba thanked the FCT Minister for the wonderful innovations he has brought to bear in the governance of the FCT.

    Mr. Jiba promised that they would continue to support the FCT Administration under Senator Bala Mohammed because he has been carrying them along.

    The FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, the Chief Iman of Abuja National Mosque, Ustaz Musa Mohammed, Chairman of the FCT chapter of CAN, Rev. Israel Akanji, chairmen of the FCT area councils and some Associations of the FCT Original Inhabitants were among prominent residents that attended the get-together.

  • ‘Protect yourselves with perimeter fencing’

    ‘Protect yourselves with perimeter fencing’

    In order to reduce the crime rate in estates within the Federal Capital Territory, Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Ogunbayode has called on residents to address the issue of perimeter fencing.

    Ogunbayode gave the advice during an interactive session with the Abuja chapter of Nigerian Union of Journalists.

    “The issue of perimeter fence must not be taken lightly. Most of these estates do not have perimeter fences. In most of the estates, you can count the ones with perimeter fences.

    “We have a common task to fight crime. There is no city in the world that is crime-free.

    “Abuja is about the safest place in the country. Everybody comes here. This increases the challenge because everybody has been displaced. But we have been able to sustain an acceptable level of security in the capital,” the FCT police chief said.

    He noted that the presence of police officers in the capital city has helped in reducing the fears of residence in the capital.

    “When you see a policeman, there is the re-assurance that you are safe. Indeed, you are safe because a criminal will not operate where there is a police officer. If there is to be any incident, we believe that the presence of that police officer will prevent it,” he said.

    Ogunbayode acknowledged the challenges experienced by the command because of influx of persons to the capital. This, he said, has over-stretched the resources of the force in fighting crime.

    He said: “The resources that we have are being over-stretched to a limit. We have little problem with undercover operations in daytime. We experience most of the challenges from 6:00 p.m. to about early hours of the day.

    “This has placed additional burden on us because of the presence of additional persons in the capital. We are not relenting. We will continue to fight crimes in the FCT in order to maintain peace.”

  • Group tackles Yerima on child-marriage

    Group tackles Yerima on child-marriage

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Association for Orphan and Vulnerable Children in Nigeria (AONN) has said they believe that Senator Sani Yerima and his group which supported a child-marriage law were not in their right frame of minds when they rose in support of the Bill at the red chamber recently.

    Addressing a press conference tagged: “Slavery disguised”, in Abuja, FCT co-coordinator of the group Mrs. Priscilla Nwachukwu said “it is madness” for somebody to marry a child without considering health, social and economic challenges, adding that marrying off Nigerian girls in childhood will only deepen their trauma and further enslave them.

    “Child-marriage has far- reaching health, social, economic and political implications for the girl-child and her community. It truncates a girl’s childhood, creates grave physical and psychological health risks and robs her of internationally recognised human rights.”

    While identifying poverty, social ties and protection as reasons why some parents indulge in child-marriage, Nwachukwu noted that research has shown marriage by the age of 20 years has a risk factor for HIV infection in the girls, adding that the girls’ virginal status and physical immaturity increase the risk of HIV transmission.

    The group therefore called on governments at all levels to implement health outreach programmes for girls and boys and also incorporate preventive and treatment programs for the for reproductive health issues into their health services.

    The coordinator enjoined all Nigerians to “say no to this form of slavery and join in educating the girl-child”