The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Care

  • It’s season to care for the poor —Senator Tinubu

    It’s season to care for the poor —Senator Tinubu

    The senator representing Lagos Central in the National Assembly, Senator Oluiremi Tinubu, has described the Eid-el-Kabir as an opportunity to remember the poor and the needy.

    Congratulating the Muslim faithful in the Lagos Central Senatorial District, Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole in a statement she issued in Lagos yesterday, the senator also called for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians irrespective of tribe of religion.

    She recalled that the Eid-el-Kabir, “otherwise known as the ‘festival of sacrifice’, in honour of Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God, is symbolic of our willingness to give up the things we value in obedience to God’s will.

    “Marked by charitable giving, we must at this time, remember the poor and needy in our society.

    “This season is a reminder that we must put aside our personal interests, desires and ambitions, shunning divisive comments for the greater good of family, community and country.

    “Thus, I urge us all to adhere to the tenets of faith, living peacefully with all our brothers regardless of religion, in furtherance of the peace of our great nation.

    “May the blessings of the season remain with us now and always; and may Allah accept your good deeds,” she said.

  • Umbilical cord care: Dos and don’ts for parents

    Umbilical cord care: Dos and don’ts for parents

    A newborn’s umbilical cord stump usually falls off within about two weeks after birth. If a baby’s umbilical cord stump is not treated gently, it can lead to sepsis or infections and eventual death. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA writes on modern way of umbilical cord care.

    • Chlorhexidine has the answer, say experts

    During pregnancy, the umbilical cord supplies nutrients and oxygen to the developing baby. After birth, the umbilical cord is no longer needed — so it is clamped and snipped. This leaves behind a short stump.

    A baby’s umbilical cord stump will change from bluish white to black as it dries out and eventually falls off — usually within three weeks after birth.

    Why that natural process is on-going, experts say there is no need to rub alcohol, use hot heat or do anything to the cord.

    They said the use of Chlorhexidine Gel, now widely available across the country, is the recommendation of the World Health Organisation (WHO). That takes care of the formation of sepsis or any other infection that arises from the cord.

    The President, Paeadiatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), Dr Ibeziako N. Stella,  said parents were once instructed to swab the stump with rubbing alcohol after every diaper change.

    “Researchers now say the stump might heal faster if left alone. If the stump becomes dirty or sticky, clean it with plain water – then dry it by holding a clean, absorbent cloth around the stump or fanning it with a piece of paper. The application of Chlorhexidine Gel is the gold standard now.

    “All a mother needs do is to apply same immediately the child is cleaned after deliver just once in a day. It works for 24 hours. One application is all that is required as it takes care of formation of any sepsis or other infections,” explained Dr Ibeziako.

    She said one should expose the stump to air to help dry out the base. “Keep the front of your baby’s diaper folded down to avoid covering the stump. In warm weather, dress your baby in a diaper and T-shirt to improve air circulation.

    “Sponge baths might be most practical during the healing process. When the stump falls off, you can bathe your baby in a baby tub or sink. Please let the stump fall off on its own. Resist the temptation to pull off the stump yourself. Do not give the child drinks including Gripe water which is already banned by NAFDAC. Just continue to breast feed the baby for six months on exclusive breast milk. No water. No herbal solutions or concoctions,” she advised.

    Giving further insight on the gel,

    Dr Ibeziako said: “ There is a greater risk of infection which is a major cause of newborn deaths – in developing countries like Nigeria.

    “To ensure a pragmatic change in behavioural for parents, even caregivers, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) in partnership with the USAID’s Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP) has organised a two-day Southern Zonal Dissemination/ Stake-holders Workshop on Chlorhexidine Gel for care givers that cut across health service devivery.”

    She said as with all medications, care must be taken to ensure that the product is used appropriately. 7.1 per cent chlorhexidine digluconate for umbilical cord care should be kept out of eyes and ears and should be applied only to the umbilical stump.

    In 2015, it came to the attention of the global Chlorhexidine Working Group (CWG) that 7.1 per cent chlorhexidine digluconate aqueous solution (liquid) for umbilical cord care was mistakenly applied to the eyes of at least five children in Nigeria, causing eye injury.   Chlorhexidine has been in use for over 50 years and has a well–characterised safety profile when used as directed.

    “The formulation of chlorhexidine digluconate used for cord care when used as directed, is effective in preventing neonatal sepsis due to bacterial exposure through the fresh umbilical stump.  However, it can cause serious harm if applied to the eyes and should also not be put into the ear canal.”

    Chlorhexidine scale-up specialist, USAID’s Maternal and Child Survival Program(MCSP), Dr. Olayinka Umar-Farouk said: “It is important that persons and organisations responsible for chlorhexidine for umbilical cord care programmes and for the distribution of the chlorhexidine for umbilical cord care product to caregivers ensure that instruction is provided on the appropriate use of the product, including appropriate warnings, that is part of why this program was put in place.”

  • Skin Diseases: Your open secret that needs care

    Skin (otherwise called dermatological) diseases along with respiratory (breathing) and gastrointestinal (food related and its ingestion) disorders are the commonest illnesses that somehow and somewhere and at any time, we will all get either as individuals or together as a community. The reason why these three categories are sources of common diseases include the fact that as humans, we interact with each other via contact through the skin, we breathe air that are common to all and we share food that we, as individuals prepare or share food meant for the community wherever that we may belong. We cannot run away from getting any of the three disorders irrespective of our age or individuality.  It does not matter your position in life, your wealth or your colour. There is no escaping it. It’s almost a destiny that a human being will fall prey to any and all of the three classes of illness that I mentioned above.

    While gastrointestinal illness may be hidden and to some extent, respiratory disorder may be concealed, the same thing may not be true of skin infirmities. Even when the skin illness is in veiled areas of our body such as our armpit and “private parts”, expect if we failed to socialize with friends and families, can we truly hide our dermatological disorder:  Shame of the skin illness may in fact, make us a recluse.  In that way, one can argue that a person can “hide” his or her skin illness.

    What is so unique about skin illness is the fact our skin is the largest organ and the most exposed as well as the most visible part of our body. We are lucky as human beings that unlike the animals, we do wear clothing to cover our bodies. Even despite this obvious fact, for most people who are not under any obligation to cover up, our face or hands reveals our skin concerns as well as our likely infirmities.

    Women, by virtue of their glamour, self-awareness and their biological needs to be desired by men are especially more concerned about their appearance and men, in general, are less so. This is not to say that men don’t look after their skin. They do have every reason to, in fact, look after their entire body.  Thus, significantly more than men, women are often intolerant of any blemish on their skin.

    Children are often afflicted by skin disorders too. This affliction frequently compel their caring parents and guardians to bring them to the medical doctors.  Similarly, significantly, a worrying group are the teenagers that though neither yet an adult nor children, are highly concerned about their look.  We will take a detail look at skin diseases of children and teens under “The Skin Disorders in Children and Teenagers” in the coming weeks.

    In the weeks ahead, we shall be looking into and also discuss common skin illnesses that are peculiar to us and our environment. Environment do have a lot of impact on development of skin diseases.  Due to our location such as resulting from the effect of the Sun (weather in general) and parasites do affect the way we look and the appearance of our skin—for good or for ill. Our occupation (or if you prefer, a person’s profession) such as factory workers, chemical workers, farmers, our conducts, what we eat, the way we look after the rest of our body, what we apply to our skin and whom we associate or mix with do have a lot of impact on the health or otherwise on our skin.  Similarly, internal illnesses such as cancer of other body organs or even illness affecting internal organs (such as liver disease) may have its first and major manifestation in the skin. It does matter that we do not dismiss a particular appearance simply because we look upon it as a “minor thing” on our skin.  Such “minor thing” may be a sign of “bigger thing” inside.

    In coming weeks, we will take a look at such illnesses as the common disorders that frequently bother individuals such as pimples, allergy, other rashes (eruption), wrinkles, skin swelling, skin ulcer, excessive sweating, body odour and skin colour changes including skin bleaching. It could also be that a truly doctor-prescribed medication may produce undesirable side effects leading to a skin disorder.  We will also deal with more serious illnesses of the skin such as cancer and benign or what can be termed as “innocent” growths.

    Amazingly (though not such a surprise to qualified medical doctors), skin may also suffer from and be afflicted by sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as HIV and syphilis to mention a few. We will take a look at this in the coming days under (Skin Manifestation of Systemic Diseases).

    For a start, next week, let us deal with common complaints of the skin such as pimples.

  • Health care delivery receives boost

    PharmAccess Foundation, a leading non-governmental organisation has entered into partnership with Nigeria Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA 2017) in a bid to improve access to better health care in Africa.

    Speaking on the essence of the partnership, the Project Coordinator of NHEA, Dr. Shola Alabi, say: “We were very excited to welcome PharmAccess on board last year and are happy that they will be continuing the partnership this year. Their commitment and steadfastness to improve health care in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasised.”

    Alabi also reiterated the fact that nominations for the 4th edition of the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA 2017) are still ongoing. He called on stakeholders in the health sector to visit www.nigeriahealthawards.com.ng to either make their nominations online or download the nomination form.

    Country Director PharmAccess Mrs. Njide Ndili, spoke about their motivation for supporting the award. “This is our second year of partnership with NHEA to recognise excellence in health care quality. At PharmAccess Foundation, our objective is to facilitate innovation to improve access, efficiency in service delivery with continuous and sustained improvement in health care, especially for the low-income communities in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular.

    “NHEA presents one of those credible platforms to recognise and reward excellence supporting these objectives.”

    Winners of the various categories will be honoured on Friday, June 23, this year at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. Nominations will close on May 26, before the commencement of online voting to enable the award jury to select the winners of the various categories.

    About 23 awards and recognitions will be presented at the ceremony. The awards comprise three main categories namely Special Awards, Healthcare Delivery Services and Biomedical Technology.

    PharmAccess Foundation mobilises public and private sector resources for the benefit of health care providers and patients through clinical standards and quality improvements, loans for health care providers, health insurance, health innovations and operational research.

    NHEA is organised by Global Health Project and Resources (GHPR) in collaboration with Anadach Group, USA.

  • Eye care services receive boost

    The nation’s health sector has received a major boost, as Skipper Seil Group, in partnership with Eye-Q, unveiled a state-of-the-art facility, known as Skipper Eye-Q Super Specialty Eye Hospital in Lagos.

    It was aimed at providing world-class diagnostic, medical, surgical and optical ophthalmic services in Nigeria.

    The facility was inaugurated in Victoria Island by the Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade in the company of President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Special Adviser on Entrepreneurship to Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Jikamshi; Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Daily Times, Mr. Fidelis Anosike and Chairman, Eko Atlantic Group, Mr. Ronald Chagoury, among others.

    According to the founder, Eye-Q Eye Super Specialty Hospital, India, Dr. Ajay Sharma, who rolled out various plans of the hospital to improve eye care services in Nigeria, said the hospital was established in order to assist Nigerians who suffer from visual impairments to regain their sight and also to save them the trouble of travelling abroad for treatment.

    Sharma, one of the most renowned eye surgeons in India, said having such a facility in Nigeria was long overdue considering the fact that 4.5 million adults in Nigeria aged 40 years and above, were visually impaired or blind, based on the National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey conducted between 2005 and 2007.

    He said: “In a bid to enable more people to access medical care, the JV-Skipper Eye-Q Nigeria-aims to improve medical services in the region. It is committed to deliver its services using the most advanced, progressive and highest standards of quality eye care at affordable price and we have a team of highly qualified and experienced ophthalmologists to provide the best possible service.”

    According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 285 million people are estimated to be visually impaired worldwide: 39 million are blind and 246 million have low vision. WHO also revealed that about 90 per cent of the world’s visually impaired live in low-income settings such as Nigeria.

    Sharma also said the hospital would invest $20 million in eye services in Nigeria through the establishment of 30 eye centres in the next few years. This, he said, would further help the country to achieve the global eye health action plan 2014–2019, which seeks to reduce avoidable visual impairment as a global public health problem and to secure access to rehabilitation services for the visually impaired.

    Already, he said Skipper Eye-Q Super Specialty Eye Hospital had started partnering with four states in the country, namely Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Cross River to improve their ophthalmology clinics and upgrade their facilities.

    According to him, the hospital will be involved in the training of Nigerian doctors with ultra modern facilities on surgeries and different eye cares so as to enhance their performance and services. Apart from offering Corporate Social Responsibility services, Sharma also noted that the hospital will be creating jobs for Nigerians.

    Inaugurating the hospital, Ayade said Nigerians will be happy to see the actualisation, as it will help in reducing medical tourism.

    “We have intelligent and smart doctors, but the equipment are not there. Now that we have this state-of-the-art facility in place, it is an opportunity for our doctors to learn and upgrade their knowledge in eye care services”, he said.

    To enable the people of Cross River State to access quality eye care at a very affordable price, the governor said he had already signed MoU with the hospital.

    He said: “Vision is important. Without vision, you are nothing. My responsibility after the inauguration is to take the innovation and technology home. I have given a contract to the management of the hospital to replicate same in my state.”

    In his remarks, Alhaji Dangote, who expressed delight at the establishment of the facility, said his foundation will work with the hospital to provide free eye care services to the poor, stressing that provision of effective and accessible eye care services is important in order to effectively control and minimise cases of visual impairment and or blindness. He said the foundation will also support the training of doctors.

    Group President, Skipper Nigeria, Mr. Jitendra Sachdeva, said Nigeria has an alarming number of visually impaired people and therefore, needs such specialised state-of-the-art hospitals that can treat all kinds of eye ailments.

    “With the launch of this centre, we look forward to catering for the country’s population and provide best eye care facility to the people. As a community health care provider, our main focus will be on the primary and secondary eye care needs of local people of Lagos and its neighborhoods,” Sachdeva said.

    Also, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, said having Skipper Eye-Q Super Specialty Eye Hospital in Lagos remains a plus for the state as it will boost the state’s services on eye care. Apart from improving eye care in the state, Idris pointed out that the hospital will assist in building capacity locally and also update the knowledge of eye care professionals.

    He said: “We have shortage of human resources in all specialties and eye care is one of them. Establishing the hospital in Lagos State is more like a plus to us. It is a positive thing because they have compact equipment that will help boost our services in eye care.

    “I urge Nigerians to carry out regular eye check to help prevent glaucoma which causes irreversible blindness if detected late.”cate same in my state.

  • SNEPCo trains medical workers in emergency care

    SNEPCo trains medical workers in emergency care

    Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) has facilitated the training of medical workers from hospitals in Anambra State on emergency resuscitation, delivering a critical component of its commitment to providing skilled and timely response to emergencies in the state.

    The training of the 70 workers on Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support which took place at the Iyi-Enu Mission Hospital, Ogidi, according to Shell’s spokesman, Bamidele Odugbesan, was delivered by Emergency Response International, a body accredited by the American Heart Association for this specialised skill building.

    “SNEPCo is pleased to carry out these important trainings in Anambra State,” said Regional Community Health Manager, Dr. Akin Fajola. “Timely response to emergencies is a matter of life and death, and even then, deploying an unskilled medical staff to an emergency is itself an emergency. We now expect the 70 skilled responders to positively impact their areas of work in the state.”

    Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Commissioner for Health in Anambra State, Dr. Josephat Akabuike, thanked SNEPCo for helping to save lives in medical emergencies by improving the skills of healthcare professionals.  A participant at the training, Dr. Nathan Elochukwu Ojekwu, said: “This initiative requires a lot of resources, but SNEPCo did it for free. I promise to put this training to good use by saving lives.”

    The training is a key aspect of the intervention of SNEPCo – with the active support of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and co-venture partners – in strengthening the quality of healthcare services at the Iyi-Enu Mission Hospital and emergency skills in Anambra State, which began in 2013. The intervention has also seen the commencement of breast cancer and dialysis services and the donation of medical equipment worth over N120 million.

    In addition to the project at Iyi-Enu Mission Hospital, SNEPCo developed the capacity of health workers in seven states in the South West and South South regions, and supported the BEARS Foundation for the repair of congenital cleft lip and palate. Late last year, thousands of residents in Lagos benefitted from a health outreach organised by SNEPCo, which offered free medical services and education at strategic areas in the mega city.

    In the past four years, SNEPCo worked with an NGO (Extended Hands) to undertake corrective surgery and treatment of over 150 women suffering from Vesical Vaginal Fistula (VVF) across the six geo-political zones.

  • WHO: Mental health care and treatment

    In the context of national efforts to develop and implement mental health policy, it is vital to not only protect and promote the mental well-being of its citizens, but also address the needs of persons with defined mental disorders.

    Knowledge of what to do about the escalating burden of mental disorders has improved substantially over the past decade. There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating both the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of key interventions for priority mental disorders in countries at different levels of economic development. Examples of interventions that are cost-effective, feasible, and affordable include:

    • treatment of epilepsy with antiepileptic medicines;
    • treatment of depression with psychological treatment and, for moderate to severe cases, (generically produced) antidepressant medicines; treatment of psychosis with older antipsychotic medicines and psychosocial support;
    • taxation of alcoholic beverages and restriction of their availability and marketing.

    A range of effective measures also exists for the prevention of suicide, prevention and treatment of mental disorders in children, prevention and treatment of dementia, and treatment of substance-use disorders. The Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) has produced evidence based guidance for non-specialists to enable them to better identify and manage a range of priority mental health conditions.

    Mental health is an integral and essential component of health. The WHO constitution states: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” An important implication of this definition is that mental health is more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities.

    Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.

    Mental health and well-being are fundamental to our collective and individual ability as humans to think, emote, interact with each other, earn a living and enjoy life. On this basis, the promotion, protection and restoration of mental health can be regarded as a vital concern of individuals, communities and societies throughout the world.

     

    Determinants of mental health

    Multiple social, psychological, and biological factors determine the level of mental health of a person at any point of time. For example, persistent socio-economic pressures are recognised risks to mental health for individuals and communities. The clearest evidence is associated with indicators of poverty, including low levels of education.

    Poor mental health is also associated with rapid social change, stressful work conditions, gender discrimination, social exclusion, unhealthy lifestyle, risks of violence, physical ill-health and human rights violations.

    There are also specific psychological and personality factors that make people vulnerable to mental disorders. Lastly, there are some biological causes of mental disorders including genetic factors which contribute to imbalances in chemicals in the brain.

     

    Mental health promotion and protection

    Mental health promotion involves actions to create living conditions and environments that support mental health and allow people to adopt and maintain Rather, they would have done professionally well, and commended. The place where they treat should also be hygienic. When they do not refer to the appropriate hospital promptly, some serious damages would have been done to the patient and they come in, highly damaged. Trado-healers should see us as working together because of the patient involved and not as rivals,” said Prof Adewuya.

    He noted that there are different forms of mental disorders, that required different treatments but it has been observed that healers apply the same format in handling their patients, “There are many different mental disorders, with different presentations. They are generally characterised by a combination of abnormal thoughts, perceptions, emotions, behaviour and relationships with others.

    “Mental disorders include: depression, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia and other psychoses, dementia, intellectual disabilities and developmental disorders including autism. There are effective strategies for preventing mental disorders such as depression. There are effective treatments for mental disorders and ways to alleviate the suffering caused by them. Access to health care and social services capable of providing treatment and social support is important,” he explained.

    Prof Adewuya said: “As a professor of psychiatry I have analysed these herbal plants and other ingredients used by the healers, I know what works therapeutically. I can only advocate on regulation of the dosage so no damage is done to other organs As scientists we are promoting what we have around here, we are not throwing out the bath water with the baby”.

    He said Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder, affecting about 21 million people worldwide. Psychoses, including schizophrenia, are characterised by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, sense of self and behaviour. Common psychotic experiences include hallucinations i.e. hearing, seeing or feeling things that are not there and delusions fixed false beliefs or suspicions that are firmly held even when there is evidence to the contrary. The disorder can make it difficult for people affected to work or study normally.

    “Stigma and discrimination can result in a lack of access to health and social services. Furthermore, people with psychosis are at high risk of exposure to human rights violations, such as long term confinement in institutions. Schizophrenia typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood. Treatment with medicines and psychosocial support is effective. With appropriate treatment and social support, affected people can lead a productive life, be integrated in society. Facilitation of assisted living, supported housing and supported employment can act as a base from which people with severe mental disorders, including Schizophrenia, can achieve numerous recovery goals as they often face difficulty in obtaining or retaining normal employment or housing opportunities,” said Prof Adewuya.

    End.

     

     

  • ‘Take care of your kids’

    The police in Oyo State have decried the behaviour of some students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan and called on parents and guardians to ensure that they take good care of their wards.

    The students, led by the Student Union President, Oluwadamilola Peter Edema, marched on the police headquarters, Eleyele Ibadan and assaulted policemen.

    In a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Adekunle Ajisebutu, parents and guardians were advised to caution their children.

    The command also warned the students and any other persons who participated in blocking major roads and causing apprehension and breach of the peace to avoid engaging in such unlawful behaviour.

    The statement reads: ”About 1.45 pm of February 10, a group of students invaded the police headquarters.

    On arrival at the gate, they pretended to have come to worship at the mosque hence they were allowed in. Instead of going to the mosque, they drove recklessly towards the commissioner’s office, singing solidarity ,war songs.

    “Some policemen who attempted to stop them were attacked.”

  • Club urges govts on cancer care

    Club urges govts on cancer care

    Nigeria could do with more diagnostic equipment, especially for cancer, the old students of Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, also known as Landers ’88 Reunion Club, have said.

    The President, Mr Soji Adekogbe, who spoke at the third edition of Omolara Jolaoso Memorial Lecture, urged federal and state governments to provide adequate funding to equip hospitals with tools required for early diagnosis and prompt treatment of cancer.

    He also said the status of cancer care was worrisome as few centres with equipment were not offering services due to one reason or the other.

    Adekogbe, who was represented by his Vice President, Mr. Dipo Komolafe, said some time ago, two institutions with radiography equipment experienced a break down for months.

    “We are aware that only two teaching hospitals: Lagos University Teaching Hospital -LUTH and University College Hospital (UCH), Ibandan have radiography equipment, and there was a time when the two equipment broke down for months. My last check revealed that it is only the one at LUTH that is functional at present and patients are held up on waiting list for several months.

    “You can imagine someone coming from Maiduguri to Lagos for treatment and there is only one machine functioning in the whole of Nigeria. Sadly, many die before it gets to their turn. This definitely cannot be the blue print for cancer treatment in Nigeria. The Federal and state governments need to wake up to their responsibilities and declare a purpose driven state of emergency in the health sector,” he said.

    Komolafe noted that their classmate’s death from cancer, still lingered in their heart. “This lecture is in memory of our dear member and friend, Omolara Jolaoso, who was diagnosed with breast cancer around 2010 and later died in 2013 as a result of late detection.”

    Komolafe said: “Omolara was a dedicated member of Landers ’88 and was desirous of sharing her experience and providing succour to those that newly discovered their breast cancer status, which was the role she played effectively until her death on December 3, 2013. It was her desire that inspired Landers ’88 to partner a reputable Cancer Foundation, Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria, to immortalise her name by institutionalising a breast cancer awareness lecture in her memory.”

    Managing Director, Apapa General Hospital, Dr. Adebajo Adewole, called for more awareness and regular medical check-ups, considering that early detection of the disease is vital to its treatment.

    Dr Adewole said: “In Nigeria, members of the public still see cancer as a disease of the wealthy, the elderly and developed countries. Many sufferers  still regard it as their fate and as such, a death sentence. But cancer is a global epidemic that affects all ages with low and middle income countries.

    “Nigerians should be enlightened on what causes the condition, preventative measure and available treatment options. The disease should no longer be treated as a death sentence or something that has to do with fate. The public should be sensitised on predisposing lifestyle factors like smoking, drinking, obesity, lack of exercise and exposure to carcinogenic products and elements such as body creams with mercury or lead.”

  • Lawmaker partners NHIS, NGO on health care delivery

    Lawmaker partners NHIS, NGO on health care delivery

    Mindful of the United Nations (UN) stance that access to quality and affordable health care will solve most of health challenges confronting humankind, especially those dwelling at the rural areas, the member representing Ilaje Constituency 1 in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr. Abayomi Akinruntan, has provided quality health care services for members of his constituency.

    The gesture was in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). It was aimed at giving medical support to the people.

    Also involved in the collaboration is Equitable Health Access Initiative (EHAI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

    To this end, the representatives of the NGO and the NHIS in Ondo State had visited two out of the 18 health centres in the constituency in preparation for the commencement of the health insurance scheme.

    The two health centres visited were Ilowo Comprehensive Health Centre located on the riverside communities which serves the people residing at the riverside, and Ugbonla Basic Health Centre in Ugbonla.

    The team observed that the health centre in Ilowo community, which was built some years ago by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to provide quality health care to the people  and being managed by the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) on contract basis, was in a terrible shape.

    During the visit, the two members of staff on duty, who took the team round the facility, decried the level of neglect by OSOPADEC. They urged the state government to show more interest in the maintenance of the health centre.

    One of the workers said: “All the equipment here are obsolete as a result of which we can’t treat patients. I have been working here for over 10 years. This place was serving the people of the riverside area but since three years now, we’ve not been getting support again from OSOPADEC that is managing the facility.

    “The only thing we get is our salaries; no equipment, no drugs and the staff quarter is dilapidated. We now refer our patients from here to the upland in Ugbonla Basic Health Centre or Igbokoda General Hospital. It has not been easy for members of staff here.”

    However, the condition was somewhat better at the Ugbonla Basic Health Centre as the place had just been renovated by Consolidated Oil Company, (Conoil).

    The Head Nurse, who took the team round the health centre, appreciated the regular support of the local government, adding that even though they are still experiencing some challenges, with time they will overcome them.

    Speaking at the palace of Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan, the lawmaker said he had decided to bring relief to his constituents after realising the challenges they face in accessing affordable and quality health care.

    His words: “Our people, especially in the riverside area, face a lot of problems before they access quality health care in their communities. It’s expensive and not easy moving pregnant women and emergency cases with boat or canoe from the riverside to the upland.

    “I realised the need for urgent intervention on their health facility in the riverside area and I have decided to take it upon myself to foot the bill of delivering quality health care for my people; not minding the harsh economic situation. This tour was for us to assess the level of readiness of the centres to provide such services.”

    Responding, the NHIS Director in Ondo State, Mr. Simon Adeniji, commended the lawmaker for giving them a platform to deliver the Federal Government’s initiative to the people of Ilaje Constituency 1.

    He said the aim of the NHIS was to ensure that communities, especially those at the rural areas, have direct access to quality health care across the country at no or low cost, adding that the purpose of their visit was to assess the infrastructure at the health centres and strategise on how to deliver good and quality health care to the people.

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EHAI, Dr Akinmurele Timothy, admitted that Mr. Akinruntan has done a noble thing by caring about the welfare of his people. He added that only those who have their people in mind will decide to bear the cost which he put at N800 monthly per person.

    After the inspection of the facilities, the team visited the Olugbo of Ugbo land.

    The monarch said the state of the health centres in Ilaje is worrisome, even as he called on the state government to intervene for the benefit of people living in the riverside areas. He promised to collaborate with the team in achieving their goal of delivering better health care to his people.