By Damian Duruiheoma, Owerri

 

It was happiness galore as the people of Atta Nwambiri town and neighbouring communities in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, numbering more than 5000, received free medical services from their kinsmen who are medical doctors practising in the United States and other parts of the world.

The initiative started in 2017. In this year’s event, which lasted three days, the medical mis­sion was designed to address some of the medical condi­tions associated with aging like high blood pressure, diabetes and eye problems, including surgeries in some cases.

Officials of Atta Nwambiri Governing Council/Eze’s Cabinet and those of the Transformation Ambassadors of Atta Nwambiri (TAAN), who led the medical team, were also there early enough to attend to the surging crowd who turned up for the exercise.

Attendance at the occasion cut across age and sex barriers as the old, young, youths and children came out in their large numbers, as people from nearby Okwudor, Nkume, Amucha, Umutanze, Awo Omamma, Omuma and Amiri communities also graced the event to benefit from the exercise.

On the whole, no fewer than 5,000 people were attended to by the medical team, with many going home with eyeglasses during the three-day exercise.

Also, there were about 19 medical doctors of various specialisations and other medical personnel led by Dr. Alexander Nnabue, Dr. Stanley Aham Okoro, Dr. Onyinyechi Obinna-Agbasi and Dr. Willy Akubuo, who incidentally is the chairman of the medical committee set up by the Atta Nwambiri Governing Council/Eze’s Cabinet.

Dr. Nnabue and Dr. Aham Okoro, along with the other medical personnel, travelled from the US, while Gladys Obi led the personnel from the United Kingdom to Atta town to assist their people with a physiotherapist, Andy Egbuwohia leading others from Nigeria to the programme.

However, the number of people in attendance also strengthened the fact that primary health centers (PHCs) need to be accorded a serious attention, as without the personal equipment brought home by doctors, there was no functional equipment in the primary health facility in the area to assist the medical personnel.

The chairman of Atta Nwambiri Governing Council/Eze’s Cabinet, Chief John Agbasi, who was accompanied to the event by the members of the governing council, said that the leaderships of the three autonomous communities that make up the town under the umbrella of TAAN decided to organise the programme in order to enable the community benefit from the service and use same to foster a sense of unity among the three autonomous communities in the town.

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CAgbasi, who expressed delight at the massive turnout by the people for the free-medical service, said the TAAN was moved to introduce it in Atta to ameliorate the plight of those who could not easily access medical services as a result of cost or other factors.

While thanking the team of doctors and other medical personnel for successfully performing a number of surgeries, he noted with dismay that a lot of people often die because their ailments were not detected early enough until they attained dangerous heights.

“This is the third in the series. And we want to specifically thank Dr. Alex Nnabue would came from the USA with over 6000 eye glasses and as you can see, he distributed them free of charge. We must also thank Dr. Aham Okoro, who also returned from America and provided his personal facility for all the surgeries that took place.

You know this health center doesn’t have any facility for handling surgeries or serious ailments. I want to use this opportunity to call on the Imo State government to come to our aid and provide Egwedu Health Centre and that of Umunam with medical facilities that would help our people in the area of quality health delivery.

We have written to the state commissioner for health, Dr. Vin Udokwu. We’re still expecting his response,” Agbasi said.

Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Atta, His Royal Highness Eze Edwin Azike commended Chief Agbasi and TAAN for initiating the move to bring development to Atta Nwambiri while hailing the doctors for answering the clarion call to come to the aid of their kinsmen.

By Adekunle Yusuf

 

For couples battling with how to access IVF treatment and offset the prohibitive charges usually involved, there is good news.

Access Bank Plc has stepped into the fray by offering to provide financing options for women to enable them receive quality healthcare services. This is evidenced in its recent partnership with the University College Hospital (UCH) IVF Centre to provide affordable fertility treatments for the public.

With this initiative, IVF, which is an expensive process that is unaffordable for many couples, will not only be accessible to only the rich. Access bank said the partnership with UCH IVF Centre will help many people to find a way to enable them achieve results they desire.

The bank said the partnership is supported by its “W” Initiative flagship health solution – maternal health service support (MHSS), designed to help families overcome financial challenges in their quest for parenthood and wellness.

On the collaboration with UCH IVF Centre, Victor Etuokwu, Executive Director, Retail Banking Division, at Access Bank. said the decision of the bank is to show its commitment to the total well-being of women and couples generally.

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“One of the challenges faced by individuals and couples trying assisted reproductive conception is the high costs involved. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) number 3 on global health and well-being for all, we believe that this partnership will ease the burden of affordability and increase accessibility to quality fertility treatments.

We are proud to have this laudable partnership with a renowned health institution such as the UCH. Hundreds of families have benefited from the MHSS financing solution in accessing quality fertility and maternal health treatments and we have recorded scores of babies birthed from this scheme,” Etuokwu said.

Also, worthy of note is that the MHSS is not limited to fertility treatments; natal support and other specialised procedures, such as hysterectomy (uterus removal), myomectomy (fibroid removal), dental, bariatric (weight loss), orthopedic treatments are also covered.

Women interested in fertility treatments can visit the UCH IVF centre for consultations and access financial support from the Bank through their service touch points.

Experts say the number of couples battling with infertility is high, while there are not enough fertility doctors to help restore smiles on their faces. About 10 per cent of Nigerian couples are estimated to have issues with fertility.

While it is not everybody that experiences difficulty in getting pregnant that requires IVF procedure to have a baby, experts always advise that it makes sense for all couples who have struggled to get pregnant for upward of one year to subject themselves to clinical investigations without any further delay, preferably both wife and husband.

And for couples who are 35 or older, fertility doctors said it is advisable that such couples do not wait for up to a year before carrying out investigations because age is not on their side. After trying to get pregnant for six months without success, IVF doctors say such couples should seek help so as not to waste more time as delay can be dangerous.

Experts say emergency care management is a serious affair that requires meticulous planning, massive funding and other things to make it work for the people, reports Associate Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF

 

All over the world, any successful accident and emergency system rests on adequate capacity at the reference centre, an organised referral system within the community, an efficient ambulance system and rapid transfer to next-level follow-up as its four major pillars.

That was the verdict of Prof Wasiu Adeyemo, the Chairman of Medical Advisory Committee, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and Dr. Babayemi Osinaike, head of Accident and Emergency Services, LUTH, after reviewing the state of emergency medical care in the country.

The two medical experts said Nigeria has a high hill to climb before its dream to join the rest of civilised world where premium is paid to every life, especially in life-threatening situations, become a reality.

Tertiary hospitals, such as LUTH and its counterpart, the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), exist to provide the highest qualitative top healthcare for patients referred to them. As such, experts explain that the apex health institutions’ mandate therefore includes service, training and research as enablers to meet their obligations to the public.

However, in practice, medical professionals stressed that the above-mentioned establishments merely function as ‘welfare centres,’ striving to give succour to thousands of Nigerians, even as they labour under out-dated systems in a society that is rapidly transforming into a capitalist enclave.

According to Adeyemo, using a hospital-based practice of one emergency room bed to 5,000 persons, Lagos State, with a population of 20 million, should ideally have more than 4,000 emergency beds.

Although Lagos has two teaching hospitals, 26 registered general hospitals, 256 public healthcare centers, 2,886 private hospitals or specialist clinics and laboratories, there are, unfortunately, fewer than 300 emergency beds at the tertiary level in the whole megacity. For instance, LUTH, which is the most-patronised referral facility in the state, only has 80 emergency beds.

 

How the referral system works

 

There are codes and ethics guiding patients’ referral, said Dr. Osinaike. A patient is mostly referred for enhanced care only after due consultation with another doctor or hospital believed to be capable of rendering specific care unavailable from the referring centre.

Sometimes, lack of facility, manpower, skills or bed space may necessitate such a transfer and in that instance, the receiving hospital needed prior information, earlier preparation and must have indicated readiness to receive such patient(s). Only accident victims and rarely, a few walk-ins patients, are exempt from this procedure, experts explained.

Sadly, there is no effective referral system for emergencies among the almost 3,000 healthcare facilities in Lagos. In its place is a “dumping system” where helpless patients at the several private facilities are asked to seek relief at the two state’s apex health institutions. Consequently, many of such patients usually exhaust their financial resources before referral while some others are abandoned by relations in hospitals.

Some unfortunate cases can explain the dilemma and frustration apex hospitals are made to suffer on a regular basis. Sometimes in September 2019, it was discovered that five pregnant women accessed LUTH emergency services with complicated labour, each requiring a Caesarian Section, blood transfusion and admission into the Intensive Care Unit.

Unfortunately, none of them was able to pay for these high-end treatments costing about N450,000. The women who were expected to plan for the delivery of their babies waited till the last moment, believing that LUTH would bear the burden.

In another instance, also in LUTH, a diabetic patient was brought in unconscious with a foot-rot spreading up the leg by the day. He needed aggressive resuscitation, surgery and months of hospitalisation, even in the face of penury.

His medical state forbade him to seek financial assistance as condition for continued treatment; doing so would translate into condemning him to death regardless of the fact that his bill ran into millions. Experts insist that such shortfalls should be borne by government because no Nigerian should be turned back from the hospitals for inability to pay. It is therefore now more urgent to evolve an integrated referral system among all hospitals in Lagos State, medical professionals said.

 

Efficient ambulance system

 

Same way, a robust ambulance system is a precondition in managing medical emergencies. To this end, Lagos blazed the trail 18 years ago when LASAMBUS, a state-wide ambulance service which largely responded to many accidents and emergencies within and outside the metropolis, was established. Sadly, this noble effort has suffered a regression in the last four years and is only minimally active now.

Experts say the new administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu should, therefore, accord priority to the resuscitation of LASAMBUS and expand it to operate within all government hospitals patronised by Lagosians. A close observation reveals that critically ill patients are usually conveyed to emergency clinics in taxis, tricycles and all manners of dilapidated vehicles. In fact, reports indicate that less than 25 per cent of all patients arriving at LUTH are brought in with proper ambulances.

 

What transpires inside the emergency room

 

According to Osinaike, every patient arriving LUTH is triaged and assessed to determine the severity of his condition. This is not a random process, but an obligatory, immediate step for every patient. It is a global best practice in every emergency room setting. He said: “LUTH prides itself as one tertiary centre with a defined triage process based on the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) system.”

This is an objective set of scoring standards for doctors to operate because doctors are trained to identify critically ill patients and act in an organised manner. Therefore, through the triage system, hospitals can reduce unnecessary waiting time for critically ill patients at the emergency room.

The ESI categorises each patient as follows: ESI 1 – patients requiring immediate life-saving interventions; ESI 2 – those that may die within hours if unattended; ESI 3 and 4 are patients that may be seen later or in Outpatient Department; while ESI 5 are those patients that should have gone to a primary or secondary healthcare facility.

At LUTH, for instance, it was discovered that only 20 per cent of patients in emergency fall into the ESI 1-2 categories; 40 per cent belong to ESI 3 and 4 and another 40 per cent classified as ESI 5. The last category comprises simple ailments as skin rash, common cold, fevers, cuts and bruises that can be treated at primary and secondary care facilities.

Records in LUTH also reveal that about 80 per cent of patients seeking care at the hospital could be conveniently treated in other hospitals to allow the hospital cope effectively with its role as a centre for referral and complex cases.

According to Osinaike, the ER in LUTH is run by a team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare workers under the supervision of a consultant. “There is a consultant in charge at Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Surgery and Paediatrics.

There is always a consultant covering each of the three shifts every day of the week. They in turn can request on any and many specialists who are on call each day to take over the management of patients after resuscitation and stabilisation.

“After triage, a patient is provided a bed based on availability and resuscitative care continued in the ER. This tackles conditions as breathing airway obstruction, maintaining the airway, breathing, bleeding, inadequate heart functions and any other immediate threat(s) to life.

The patient is then stabilised and made ready for the next stage on the treatment “conveyor belt”. The patient is either sent for laboratory tests, x-ray or other imaging tests, transferred to the operation theatre or admitted onto the ward. He may also be sent to collect prescribed drugs at the pharmacy and then, home to come back for out-patient appointment.”

Although disposal from the ER should not take more than 6-8 hours, in practice, a patient can spend 24 hours. During this period, emergency treatments for resuscitation and stabilisation are given to all, notwithstanding their ability or not to pay.

However, Osinaike disclosed that the average ER stay in LUTH is between three and five days. Patients sometimes stay a week or more. In a few cases, family members disappear one after the other once the need arises to pay for services.

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“At LUTH, many of these next-step requirements are either provided through revolving funds or by PPP facilities, which require payment for services. Unfortunately, most patients, having exhausted their resources, are unable or unwilling to pay. No thanks also to the misconception that LUTH is a government establishment where no fees should be charged. This is a great impediment to bed availability in the tertiary centres.”

 

Who pays for healthcare?

 

Healthcare financing is the biggest elephant in the room and until this issue is adequately addressed, experts believe that no number of bed-spaces will be enough to cater to the flood of those who need healthcare.

The National Health Insurance Scheme is designed to act as a buffer for the rich and the indigent in accessing healthcare. Sadly, less than 10 per cent of Nigerians are covered till date. This is time to review the operation of the NHIS to enable Nigerians get universal coverage.

Access to emergency care has become increasingly challenging as widely reported even in the Western world. Two recent stories in the United Kingdom underscore this: the story of a boy who was managed on the floor of a hospital in Leeds and the long queue of 39 ambulances waiting for a bed space with consequent sad outcome of the death of one of the patients while waiting.

These stories, as with several others, have been the major source of concern for policy makers and end users globally. “The order of attending to emergency room patients is not based on the time of arrival alone, but more on severity at presentation.

This is the basis of triaging internationally in order to avoid abuse of scarce emergency resources. Even at DC General Hospital in Washington DC, a patient may wait up to three hours if considered low on the priority index while attention is focused on more critical patients,” Adeyemo said.

In Lagos, coordination of referral system is being planned among the three tertiary centres, state general hospitals and a number of big private health facilities in the state. Experts say this will definitely streamline the referral process and ensure reduction in the unnecessary burden borne by patients waiting to access care.

Revamping of the primary health centres started by the federal government is on-going.  “This should be backed it up with adequate, direct funding. The buy-in by state governments has been encouraging in various geo-political zones. Uncomplicated cases are sorted out by primary care or GP in western systems.

These cases therefore do not queue up in tertiary centres. With adequate confidence-building measures, these new PHCs and state general hospitals should soon become the bedrock of healthcare in Nigeria, as they once were.

“Health care financing must be swiftly addressed as done in all countries where short turnover times are achieved in the ER. Citizens of such countries have universal health insurance coverage and patients do not pay out-of-pocket before accessing care.

There is need to increase the number of tertiary-level care centres in Lagos state. To expect a patient to travel 88km from Epe to LUTH to access tertiary care is great disservice to our people. If Abidjan, with a population of eight million, has three large teaching hospitals (Yopougon, Treichville and Macory), Lagos, with 20 million, will comfortably require six or more.

Increasing the bed capacity of LUTH alone will not solve the problem; the ease of access to tertiary care must increase in the state and country,” Adeyemo said.

Active private sector participation in healthcare financing is required in the pursuit of   patient-friendly, efficient hospitals. The government alone cannot finance healthcare. Stanbic IBTC Bank helped in renovating the triage section of the ER in LUTH.

This renovation has helped in no small way to ease the burden experienced by critically ill patients. Globally, individuals and corporate bodies endow funds into research and healthcare to complement the efforts of government.

Nigeria cannot be different. Indeed, a vibrant universal insurance coverage will rapidly promote investment by the private sector in healthcare. Currently, investors shy away from investing in emergency care and trauma facilities because they are perceived as nonviable.

While orthodox healthcare came to Nigeria  as a ‘welfare package’ by colonial authorities, it has since transformed into a viable business which, if properly harnessed, will greatly contribute both directly and indirectly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

By Okechukwu Emeh, Jr

 

The prospects of our fatherland have become a matter of intense speculations in different quarters.

Obviously, this is owing to what has been described as the sad Nigerian condition – a miscellany of seemingly unending stream of debilitating and heartrending political, social, economic and developmental crises that are beyond the wheel of fortune or Sod’s law but mainly the net result of many years of lacklustre leadership and lackadaisical followership and their corresponding misery, despondency, instability and backwardness.

These crises are not just out of step with any effort to build a formidable nation-state of our dreams but have the likelihood of leading to national collapse if urgent and preventive measures are not taken by all and sundry in the polity.

Amid the festering sad Nigerian condition, many of our compatriots have missed the point or get it wrong by being eager to solely see the authorities that make up the governmental system in the country, namely the executive, the legislature and the judiciary (but chiefly the executive that implements policies and programmes of government), as the villain of the piece.

They blame them for the incapacity of Nigeria to realise its Manifest Destiny as pride of the “black” race on account of its enormous human and material resources that should have been leveraged upon for national greatness.

At that, many Nigerians always like to cite the ineptitude of many of those in the corridors of power, apart from their relative lack of vision, missionary zeal, pragmatism, dynamism and patriotism, as being at the heart of our somewhat interminable political, social, economic and developmental crises and the precipitate stagnation, mass suffering and upheavals.

Although such arguments may hold water – as the blame for such crises lies squarely on the shoulders of our “leaders” – one cannot exculpate almost the whole strata of the governed in Nigeria for her dismal condition because of their failure, in one way or the other, to discharge their civic responsibilities and obligations properly – possibly due to their action(s) or inaction(s) or act(s) of commission or omission.

By and large, the strata include the family (which is, unarguably, the basic unit of society), the individual (who is a sub-set of both the family and society), members of the political class and the wealthy elite, the clergy (i.e. religious leaders), the traditional institution (comprising of natural rulers, traditional title-holders and suchlike), educational institutions and civil society organisations, CSOs (including non-governmental organisations, NGOs, and the mass media).

This is not to exclude exogenous or external factors that are partly behind why Nigeria has been caught in a web of political, socio-economic and developmental misfortunes because of overt or covert vested foreign interests that are afraid about this most populous “black” state with a plenitude of natural and material resources becoming a world power.

To begin with, it hurts like a bullet wound that both the leaders and the led in Nigeria, out of apparent lack of commitment to civic duties and obligations in one form or the other, have jeopardised the country and made her to face uncertain future.

No doubt, the polity is supposed to be the hope and pride of members of the “black” race anywhere in the world by virtue of her population density – the highest in Africa – that ought to be the engine of economic growth if well maximised.

She is also endowed with abundant natural and material resources – another significant growth drivers – which are perhaps second to none on the continent after those of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), seemingly one of the accursed states in this part of the world due in part to many years of serial leadership failure, rampant institutional corruption, gratuitous mismanagement, political maelstrom and communal turmoil, plus subversive foreign interests.

It can be admitted that the knock-on effects of somehow a complete absence of civic-minded leadership and followership in Nigeria have made the present “democratic” order in the country to be fragile and threatened by various centrifugal forces.

These include those of endless infighting among our politicians, virulent ethnic nationalism (including separatism and secessionism), religious extremism, inter-communal disturbances, militancy, insurgency, terrorism and heinous acts of violent criminality (including armed robbery, kidnapping, hostage-taking and banditry) and the resultant bloodletting, destruction, insecurity and generalised sense of agoraphobia.

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Giving oxygen of life to centrifugal forces like communal conflagration and violent crimes in Nigeria are serial corruption and mismanagement in government and the associated neglect of basic amenities, deprivation, mass poverty, chronic unemployment, misery and despondency, which have aroused the rumblings of public discontent and anger and fuelled widespread insecurity.

To be sure, these unfortunate times in the chequered history of Nigeria are a wake-up call to our compatriots to go the whole hog to make amends to the terrible mistakes that have jeopardised the prospects of our country.  The times also demand a deep sense of resilience, forbearance and reconciliation.

And despite our trials and tribulations as a people, we should be alive to the fact that we have not reached the end of the road because “where there’s a will there’s a way”. Accordingly, we should refuse to be crestfallen or surrender to fatalistic resignation, as punctuated by hopelessness and despair, which would do no service to us in trying to arrest the drift in Nigeria.

Rather, we should be bound and determined, in the face of adversities, to chart a viable course for our homeland. While doing so, Nigerians are advised against reminding themselves or agonising about the bitter experience of the past or the present, which we need to make a complete break with them.

Doing otherwise would not only be tantamount to backward-looking or self-defeatism, but would also put a damper on any hopeful signs about our troubled country, alas making them appear bleak or gloomy. Again, this is not the time to equivocate on the future of Nigeria, especially considering its dreadful condition; it is time for us to try our level best to outline grand vision for progress in all aspects of our national life.

This is imperative because we cannot afford to fail in such no easy task of reclaiming the future for our fatherland, which should be part of the search for Africa Rising – a rosy picture of a new continent in the offing that will work for its expectant population through a marked change in all her facets for the better.

It is apt to say that without Nigeria realising its full potential, politically, socially, economically and developmentally, there is no way Africa will rise. This could resonate with or amplify the need for all the stakeholders in our national project to rise with a ball of fire and shout “stop” to the multiple challenging problems afflicting us as a people.

Considering that most of the socio-political and economic calamities that Nigeria is swamped with are mainly man-made, as they are self-inflicted by the citizenry, which explains why our chickens have come home to roost, it is inadvisable for both the leadership and the led in the country to sit on their hands and do nothing by continuing the platitudinous calls for divine intervention to reverse such problems that have befallen us as a people.

Such calls are reflected in hackneyed or well-worn phrases like “May God help us” (He cannot help us until we help ourselves by being godly or living right) and “It is well with Nigeria” (It is not well based on the adverse situations on the ground in the country but shall be well if we show keen desire to change things for the better).

Let us face it – though many of our people would see this ineluctable fact as a bitter pill to swallow – reversing the sad Nigerian condition, based on the way things are, would mainly come from the bottom (i.e. the led), not the top (i.e. those in the corridors of power).

Put differently, the capacity of our nation-state to be better is contingent on our willingness and determination to change the mind-set that hinders its stability and development.  This is especially considering that leaders emerge from the people, not from the moon.

Even those in authority in Nigeria could acknowledge this hard fact, hence the launch of the “change begins with me” campaign by the Buhari administration, but many Nigerians who are wont not to accept part of the blame for the Nigerian crises would be ready to scoff at this very useful slogan that is necessary for social regeneration in the country.

• Emeh, wrote from Abuja.

The global Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is partnering with the Federal Government as well as Lagos State Safety Commission in Nigeria to run its first conference in West Africa.

The event launches a range of training opportunities in West Africa, including the NCFE IOSH Level 3 Certificate in Safety and Health for Business as well as marking the launch of IOSH’s No Time Lose campaign tackling occupational cancer.

Shaping the Future of Occupational Safety and Health in Africa is a free day-long event so popular that it is now fully booked. This milestone for developing safer, healthier workplaces in Africa will happen on the 22 January at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island

IOSH,the world’s only chartered body for safety and health, and leading membership organisation for safety and health professionals, helps workers around the worldto create workplaces that are safer, healthier and more sustainable.It is privileged to be partnering with the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Lagos State Safety Commission to support training and building competencies that enhance safety and health in Nigeria.

This collaborative work is designed to address the negative social and economic impacts of poor safety and health at work. For example, as a proportion of GDP, the average cost of work-related injuries and ill-health in Nigeria is 4.38% That’s higher than the international average, 3.94%.

Speaking at this event are high-level representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, IOSH Chief Executive Bev Messinger, IOSH Vice-President Kayode Fowode, IOSH West Africa Consultant Funmi Adegbola, the Director-General of Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr LanreMojola, as well as the Nigerian Insurers Association and Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.

All registered delegates who attend will benefit from presentationsby key business leaders, with workshops as well as panel discussions designed to build safety and health competencies and capabilities in Nigeria and beyond.

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To celebrate the launch of a major qualification, the NCFE IOSH Level 3 Certificate in Safety and Health for Business, in West Africa, IOSH Chief Executive Bev Messinger said: “We are delighted to be building on the important memorandum of collaboration we signed in 2019 with the Lagos State Safety Commission to support the development of strong workplace safety cultures promoted by businesses and government agencies.

“This innovative event promises great opportunities to network with peers, share knowledge and ideas and enable Nigeria’s health and safety professionals to receive essential career advice and insights into making significant professional development progress.”

In Africa, cancer caused by work claims the lives of an estimated 46,494 people a year. Globally, at least 742,000 lives are lost to work-related cancer annually.

The No Time to Lose campaign launch in Nigeria will focus on two main occupational cancer challenges in West Africa, asbestos and diesel engine exhaust emissions, giving practical ways businesses can tackle these and keep workers safe and healthy.

No Time to Lose is not only a tool for education but is a flagship of research and advocacy. By attending the event, business leaders will find out how they can support the prevention of occupational cancer through creating a pledge with No Time to Lose.

IOSH Vice-President Kayode Fowode, who will present the campaign, said: “We are pleased to hear that Nigerian organisations the Environment and Safety Management Institute and Gokada Rides Limited have already signed-up as supporters. We look forward to receiving backing from many more organisations in Africa for our No Time to Lose campaign.”

From Damisi Ojo,Akure

 

Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has urged management and staff of the Millennium College of Health Technology, Akure, to remain committed to production of globally competitive health professionals needed for  the advancement  of the country’s health sector.

Akeredolu stated this at the second combined convocation ceremony which involved three sets comprising 2016/2017, 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 academic sessions.

The event  marking the 10th anniversary of the private institution was  held at the College main auditorium, Aaye, Oda Road, Akure.

The college, at the occasion, conferred on Akeredolu, an Excellence Award for his sustainable health policies and programmes, which the institution noted are impacting positively on the lives of the people of the state.

Receiving the award, the governor   represented by the Head, Standard and Quality Assurance, Ondo State Contributory Health Commission, Dr. Toyin Adeyalo-Ogundare,  thanked  the College for the award.

He also reassured the people of the state that his administration would not relent in its commitment to ensure that every  resident of the state is captured under the State Contributory Health Insurance.

He lauded the institution for its tremendous progress in the training of middle health professionals within the relatively short period of its establishment, urging the college to sustain the outstanding achievements.

The Chairman,Governing Council, Mrs Caroline Ogunbadenusi, said the  health policies and programmes of Akeredolu-led administration have not only made qualitative healthcare services affordable but also more accessible to the people of the state.

She specifically lauded the governor for his free medical services for pregnant women and children of 0-5 years, recruitment of more health personnel, establishment of more health facilities and upgrading of the existing ones, among others.

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Ogunbadenusi said the college would not rest on its oars until it becomes the best private  health institution in Nigeria.

She disclosed that the college had concluded affiliation with some Nigerian and foreign universities for degree programmes to provide a veritable platform for graduates to pursue Bachelor /Master degrees and enable them climb to the pinnacle of their respective careers, right from the college.

The Provost of the College, Mrs. Ayodele Adinlewa, said all programmes of the institution including the Higher National Diploma (HND) have been fully accredited by the relevant Federal Government Regulatory Bodies/Council.

She added that the school is fully committed to theoretical, practical training and entrepreneurship skill development.

Speaking on behalf of other graduating students, Akinwumi Esther, thanked the management and staff of the college, their parents and guardians, for their unwavering commitment to ensure their success in all ramifications, promising to continue to be good ambassadors of the college.

 

Our Reporter

 

ALL is set for the 70th anniversary of the Ijebu Muslim College, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

The weeklong celebration will kick off on January 27 at the school hall in Ijebu Ode. The event will end on February 1, with an awards night where some ‘’outstanding old students’’ will be honoured.

Some alumni of the Ijebu Muslim College Old Students’ Association (IMCOSA), who visited The Nation on Tuesday, said the anniversary was an opportunity to celebrate their alma mater.

Chairman of the anniversary’s publicity and publications sub-committee Maj-Gen. Abiodun Role, who led some members of his team to The Nation’s corporate office in Matori, Lagos, said the celebrations would begin with a lecture.

In his entourage were Alhaji Olalekan Ajia, Mr Olawale Ajia, Alhaji Obafemi Akinsanya, Alhaja Aolat Mojisola Falade, Mr Kola Adekoya and Mr Dipo Onabanjo.

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Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar Prof Ishaq Oloyede will deliver the  anniversary lecture titled: ‘’Investing in education to secure the future of our children’’.

Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Ibadan the Most Revd (Dr) Felix Alaba Job will chair the lecture.

The anniversary would feature among other things, arts exhibition by students; inter-school athletics and football competitions; and  a stakeholders summit to forge a centenary vision for the college.

At the February 1 grand finale to be hosted by Governor Dapo Abiodun, the ‘’outstanding old students’’ will be  inducted into the college Hall of Fame. Projects executed by various sets of IMCOSA will also be commissioned.

 

Our Reporter

 

Two students of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, have been offered scholarship in the recent 2018/2019 Federal Government Scholarship for Students in Nigeria Public Tertiary Institutions.

The two beneficiaries are Jaiyeola Sofiat Omoniyi an ND 2, Accountancy student and Olagoke Oladele Williams an HND 1, Mechanical Engineering student.

As contained in the award letter signed by the Director, Federal Scholarship Board on behalf of  the Minister of Education; the scholarship is for two years and it is valued at 100,000.00 (One hundred thousand naira only) per session.

The Rector, Dr. Lateef Ademola Olatunji, while  congratulating  the beneficiaries,  charged them to be relentless in  their commendable academic performances, adding that more valued scholarship opportunities awaited them  in the future. He urged other students to be serious with their studies and be confident enough to apply for scholarships whenever it is available.

Dr. Olatunji lauded the Federal Government for coming up with series of programmes designed towards eradicating illiteracy in the country and for  availing the less privileged access to quality education.

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The beneficiaries thanked the President Muhammed Buhari-led administration for coming up with programmes that will make academic activities flourish in the country. They also thanked the polytechnic management for creating an enabling environment for students of the polytechnic to benefit from the scholarship.

In another development, Dr. Lateef Olatunji, while unveiling  the newly- constructed relaxation centre named ‘Love Garden’, in the main campus, said that the management of the Polytechnic is concerned about the welfare and wellbeing of their students.

He disclosed that  the main objective of the centre is for students to relax and interact when they are free. He, however, warned students not to turn the it into a place for nefarious activities or an avenue for social vice adding that, the polytechnic will not hesitate to rusticate any student caught engaging in illicit acts at the centre.

He further assured the students of the commitment of his administration in ensuring a conducive  learning environment and availability of all necessary facilities needed for academic activities and technological advancement to flourish in the institution.

 

All Saints University School of Medicine Dominica is located in Commonwealth of Dominica, a small island across the Caribbean.  In this interview with ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA, the institution’s Admission Officer and African Representative Ms Kemi Amusan, says lots of goodies awaits Nigerian students desirous of studying either Medicine or Nursing , which are the two disciplines the institution offers.

 

Could we have a brief introduction?

I’m Ms. Kemi Amusan.  I am also the President of the Nigerian Canadian Association in Greater Toronto Area, in Ontario, Canada which in other words, is the African representative of All Saints University School of Medicine, DOMINICA.. I am the admission officer. The university offers two courses-Medicine and Nursing.

Generally, how would you rate the performance of Nigerian undergraduates in Canada?

It’s neither here nor there depending on what you are looking for. Some undergraduate students from Nigeria are able to get jobs right away. In the same vein, some professionals like doctors, nurses etc must be licensed in Canada to be able to practise. They fall under the category of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and they have to be licensed by the Medical Council of Canada (MCC), or the United States Medical Licensing Exams (USMLE) should they intend to practise in the United States of America later on.

Is there any similarity between the system of education between Nigeria and the Commonwealth of Dominica?

The system of education in Commonwealth of Dominica and Nigeria is similar. They are both English-speaking, Commonwealth countries.

What do Nigerian students stand to gain by enrolling in your university?

One, All Saints University, School of Medicine, DOMINICA is accredited. Second, it is fast paced. It only takes four years for a student who already has a B.Sc degree in a science-related course and less than five years for a high school graduate due to intensive nature of the courses.

There is also the advantage of doing a part of the training in the United States of America. It is called Clinical Rotation. The tuition is also affordable. Besides, Nigerians students are exposed to multicultural environment that makes them blend in right away.

What are some of your facilities that are endearing to students?

We are endowed with the state-of-the-art equipment comparable to what obtains in Canadian and US medical schools. We also have simulation technologies.

Could you mention some of the associations your university is affiliated to?

We are affiliated to the World Directory of Medical Schools; World Health Organisation (WHO); Association of Commonwealth Universities; Medical Council of Canada and Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates(ECFMG).

 We have heard stories of mushroom universities in the diaspora. How genuine is yours and how valid are your certificates?

All Saints University, School of Medicine in DOMINICA is accredited by the ACCM (Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine) Ireland. The university is also recognised by the Medical Council  for Colleges of Medicine of Canada, General Medical Council (GMC) of the United Kingdom, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), as well as the government of Dominica.

What do students desirous of admission in the university need to do?

All a prospective student needs is to get in touch me on my personal email.  With candidate’s submission of requirement, I can get such candidate admission within 24 hours. Besides, also in my personal capacity, I  also offer counsel to student desirous of securing scholarships in the university

And what assistance do you give them especially in the area of perfecting their travel documents?

We process their visas fully. They have nothing to worry about.

Do you actually get enough students from diaspora?

Most of our students are actually international students.

We have provision for students coming from Canada and the United States especially. All Saints University is recognised by the various governments prompting ability for students to get students loan to pay their fees and living expenses.

Are there loan facilities and other opportunities for Nigerian students studying in your university?

Yes. Nigerian Students from Canada are able to get Canada Student loans from government of Canada such as the Ontario Student Assiostant Programe (OSAP). Students from USA also get students loans to study in our university. Also, we have sponsorships from Niger Delta Commission and some state governments in Nigeria.

Being an island, what are their peculiar opportunities available students studying there?

Dominica is a small close-knitted Island. This enables students to concentrate on their studies without distractions. As you know, Medicine and Nursing are intensive courses that need concentrations on the parts of the students. Many parents are happy at the serene, peaceful, home-like environment that enables students finish their courses on time.

What kind of incentives does the government of Dominica offer Nigeria and other students studying there?

The government is continuously encouraging international students to come to the country as a means of showcasing their beautiful Island and beautiful people to the world. There is emphasis on security. This makes the parents relaxed knowing full well their wards are in good hands.

The Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM), Ireland has accredited Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree programs of All Saints University School of Medicine, Dominica. This was effective since May 2019. Interestingly, All Saints University, Dominica represents the medical school with the most affordable tuition for accredited MD degree programs in the Caribbean.

Read Also: Warwick University honours genocide prosecutor Adeogun-Phillips

 

Your institution recently acquired American University of St Vincent. What inspired the initiative?

It is because American University of St Vincent was declining and having a bad review. It was almost closed down. We acquired it over a few months ago. We are going through the accreditation process as we speak. However, being under the same management with All Saints University St Dominica, we are able to prepare students for international certification as needed under same management.

 

What provisions have you in terms of accommodation?

Accommodation is guaranteed as practised worldwide. International students are responsible for their own accommodation. However, the institution offers a high degree of support in referral of students to appropriate buildings on the island. As you may be aware, it is a small island which makes it easy for students to concentrate on their studies as distractions are minimal.

 

Our Reporter

The founder of Bendel Schools Reunion UK, Ambassador Oloye Ken, paid a visit to Nigeria during the Yuletide season. During the short visit, he took out time to visit associates, communities and supportive corporate organisations to inform them about the successes of the Bendel schools Reunion and Friends Annual Summer get-together in the UK in previous years.

In Edo state, he was received warmly by the Edo State APC Chairman, Barrister Anslem Ojezua, who is also an old boy of Immaculate Conception College (ICC) and Ambrose Ali University respectively. Ojezua applauded Ken for bringing old school mates and Nigerians together in the United Kingdom, stating that “we shouldn’t relent in our efforts in giving back to our community.”

Ken also paid courtesy visit to Mr. Tony Anenih Jnr. the Commissioner of Environment in Bayelsa state and also made stop overs to see Mrs. Regina Jemide, the Vice President of Emotan Primary Schools (EPSOSA).

Read Also: Sweet-bitter reunion for Bida old boys after 50 years

He was also with ace comedian Ali Baba, Mr Udens Eradiri, who graduated from University of Benin and the former President of Emotan Primary School Old Students Association, Mr. Tunde Olukoga, Dame Omololu,  Ojehomon,  Honourable Emmanuel Usoh, Ewere Osaigbobu, Vice President Ehizogie Agenmomen, Mr. and Mrs. Amadasun (UOSA), Mr. Sulai Aledeh and a few others who he presented with the re-union publications.

Ken said: “Most of us have not seen each other for over three decades, decades since we left school and that is why I understand that the reunion get-together is always so dear to the heart of many of us and it gives us an opportunity to see one another and re-kindle age long friendships.

“I want to congratulate Western Boys High school Old Boys Association (WOBA) on the success of their first ever reunion and end of year Party held in London recently and also St Maria Goretti Alumni UK and Eghosa Grammar School Alumi UK end of year Party which took place in London recently.

“Bendel Schools Reunion and Friends is not affiliated to any political, religious or ethnic organizations. Our goal has always been reuniting old friends and lost school mates, sharing progressive social-economic aspirations, ideas and projects whilst creating new associations and foundations.

“Our uniqueness remains our connectivity for a stronger collective goal for the empowerment of our community where we are our brothers and sisters’ keepers. Our re-union event will be held next year in Nigeria, God willing.”