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Tag: Diseases

  • Ridding Africa of diseases

    Ridding Africa of diseases

    At the annual conference of Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN) at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), parasitologists resolved to rid the country of preventable diseases by promoting hygiene. OLADELE OGE (Mass Communication) reports.

    How can Nigerians collaborate with health workers to rid the country of deadly diseases? They can do so by complementing parasitologists’ efforts in promoting hygiene in all communities.

    This was the conclusion at the 37th/38th Annual Conference of the Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN) last week at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

    During the three-day conference with the theme: National Transformation Agenda: Role of parasitology and public health in disease control, the health workers outlined ways of engaging the citizens to tackle health challenges in their environment. By enlightening people in rural communities on the sanitary and hygienic ways they can cook and bath, diseases can be isolated, it was said.

    The Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairman, Prof Fabian Okafor, explained the reason for combining last year’s conference and this year’s. He noted that the 10-month strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) forced the society to postpone the 37th conference.

    He said the event was an opportunity to evaluate the contributions of public health workers and parasitologists to the success of the Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government and also to help the nation to prioritise methods of mitigating health problems in communities.

    He urged the participants to deliberate in line with the objectives of the conference, saying the Society would achieve its aim by teamwork, innovation, outreach and networking. Okafor also called for interdisciplinary co-operation within the health sector to achieve effective results.

    Declaring the conference open, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof B.C. Ozumba, represented his deputy on Administration, Prof M.I. Igbokwe, charged the participants to design new  way in combating diseases in Africa. He said there could only be prosperity in an environment free of life-threatening diseases that could prevent people from carrying out commercial activities.

    Prof Ozumba enjoined them not allow the recommendations remain a pipe dream, charging them to work with the government and communities in implementing their views.

    In his paper titled: “The global interest in the elimination of neglected tropical disease: The role of African Universities, Prof Dan Ajei Boakye said diseases posed greatest threat to humanity, nothing that there was no country immune to outbreak of life-threading disease.

    To win the war against disease, Prof Adjei said Africa needed well-trained doctors, pharmacists and nurses, who could deploy their expertise to combat any disease. “Trained health workers know how best to educate the people in preventing disease in human communities,” he said.

    While noting that western scholars had contributed immensely in controlling diseases, the don charged participants to contribute to the research geared towards making the African continent free of preventable ailments. He urged government and non-governmental organisations to collaborate with health workers in achieving the aim.

    The president of the Society, Prof Martins Aisien, said that the conference was organised as a wake-up call to African medical scientists to provide solution to the health challenges facing the continent.

  • ‘How to stop trans boundary animal diseases’

    A consultant to the World Bank, Prof  Abel Ogunwale has  urged the Federal  Government  to be vigilant in the face of  trans boundary  animal   diseases that  can  affect  livestock and human  beings.

    Ogunwale, a lecturer in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University, said the  best way to protect animals against these diseases is to improve border checks and strengthen biosecurity on farms.

    He stressed the need to provide  significant support to enhance capacities of animal  health  authorities to play a significant role in making the country better prepared against the threat of transboundary animal diseases.

    These include high impact infectious diseases, including foot and mouth disease and avian influenza, such as H5N1 and H7N9 that can spread easily across national boundaries.

    He said the mechanism and structure, the governance of animal health systems should   be improved to  provide  the most effective response to address livestock diseases.

    As the threat of animal diseases is evolving, driven by various factors, Ogunwale said the situation requires continued vigilance and more work to give the capability to prevent and respond appropriately to them.

    While urging vigorous control measures, temporary closure and disinfection of animals markets and other rapid response interventions, Ogunwale noted that it was imperative to carry out and maintain targeted surveillance in animal populations to understand where and how widespread out breaks are.

    He stressed that it was important to understand risk factors, identify the animal source of diseases, geographical extent and the characteristics of animal diseases.

    According to him, good biosecurity and hygiene measures implemented by farmers, livestock producers, transporters, market workers and consumers represent the first and most effective way to protect the food chain and human health as well as livelihoods.

    Underscoring  the importance of continuing surveillance and strong biosecurity to protect animal and human health, livelihoods and consumer confidence, Ogunwale called    for  surveillance infrastructure and capacities for the early detection and identification of diseases.

  • Why liver diseases are increasing

    Why liver diseases are increasing

    Cases of liver problems and diseases are on the increase.  A lot of habits are responsible for this.  In this chat with Edozie Udeze, Chris Ebaeju, a medical practitioner says that since the liver is the largest organ in the body and performs the highest functions, it is proper to avoid many dirty habits to allow it function well and more.

    Nearly every minute, more new cases of people with liver diseases are reported in Nigeria.  In the past five years or so, the situation has become so worrisome that people are now advised to go for regular medical check-ups to determine the condition of their liver.  Beyond that, medical practitioners have been up and doing by telling people that the best to do is to avoid these habits that help to endanger the state of the liver.

    According to Dr. Chris Ebaeju of Saint Augustine’s Clinics, Ikorodu, Lagos.  Since the liver is the largest and the most complex organ in the body, people should try to treat it with some kind of care.  “Your liver performs many vital jobs.  Among other things, it removes toxins from your blood system.  It also stores vitamins, minerals and then gives you the fuel necessary to survive.”

    He regretted however that in spite of all these functions, the liver is still very vulnerable to damage.  “Since there is no cure for chronic liver disease, this damage can have dire consequences,” he says.

    What to avoid

    In order that the liver be totally preserved and prevented from facing a situation that may endanger it, people are advised to avoid heavy intake of alcohol.  “Heavy alcohol consumption is not good for the body.  People who take alcohol on a regular basis should also consider what effect it has in their bodies.  Apart from that, viral hepatitis, diabetes and excess weight also tend to affect the condition of the liver and when there are gallstones in the pancreatitis, the liver is also threatened,” he said.

    There are some certain drugs when taken in excess or continuously over time that also affect the liver. “For instance, deactivating potentially harmful drugs and medications are hazardous.  Drug breakdown can damage liver cells which can result to acute or chronic liver disease.  Preventable factors that include alcohol and drug abuse, medications, injections and certain health conditions, particularly viral hepatitis should be avoided in order to allow the liver perform its many functions.  Since the liver is responsible for the breaking down and the total elimination of naturally occurring toxins in the body as well as producing bile necessary for digestions, it is usually wise to avoid situations that may make it over work itself.

    Bacterial infections

    Infections may indeed arise from the biliary tract, portal vein, hepatic artery or by direct extension. Ebaeju explains that infections from the biliary tract are the most common and this consequently results in about 30% to 50% of the total number of pyogenic abscesses.  “In other words, this leads to liver abscesses which are frequently multiple.  In fact another common route of entry of infection is the portal vein.  This often results in more serious liver conditions which includes complicated diverticular disease, appendicitis, peritonisis and pancreatitis.  This also contributes to pyogenic liver abscesses.  Other common causes include pneumonia, intravenous drug abuse, staphylococcus aureus which is evident in about 20% of causes that are regularly confirmed and treated.”

    Signs to look out for

    The most common sign that liver problem is on the way is when you begin to feel regular pains associated with the right upper quadrant arm, coupled with general malaise and anorexia.  “At this stage,” Ebaeju says, “examination may reveal tender hepatomaly.  There may also be few occurrences of hypertension and cardiovascular collapse showing as nagging symptoms.  Liver function tests may also show that blood cultures are frequently positive. The tests would include radiological investigations that relate to ultra sound or CT scan of the abdomen to determine the size, characteristics, number and anatomical location of the liver abscesses.  At the state too, a chest x-ray is necessary, and it may show an elevated hemidiaphragm or a pleural effusion.

    He points out that the signs may be slow in manifesting in the beginning.  “But there are situations where it can be sudden, depending on the level of infection or damage that may have occurred.  At this level, weight loss is possible and sweating regularly becomes a problem.  Approximately, 30% of patients have diarrhea at this stage. Occasionally too, signs of jaundice may occur, signaling that the live may have been damaged severely.”

    Treatment

    The first major step to take is to place the patient on medical therapy.  This includes what is called taking a symptomatic measures which includes taking appropriate antibiotic therapy.  Immediately the total drainage of the liver abscesses should be observed.  A patient is usually placed on the appropriate and adequate nutrition and hydration. “Necessary precautionary measures should be take now against further spread of staphylococcus organisms by mitigating it with heavy antibiotic drugs.  This will be done for several weeks with the intention to totally eradicate infection and then avoid reoccurrence.”

    Due to modern medical provisions which have invariably made certain medications easier and more accessible, total drainage is now done through ultrasound control or by repeated percutaneous aspiration.  “In addition, it is usual to have frequent clinical, biochemical, microbial and radiological follow-up are required to access progress and then detect possible relapses.”

  • Coping with Diseases: Prostate Enlargement

    Prostate enlargement is generally a disease of elderly men; and it is characterized by urine retention, leading to severe pains, anxiety, discomfort, and sometimes, loss of consciousness.

    The full function of the prostate is not yet fully understood by scientists all over the world. However, it is known that as a gland, it produces fluid called ‘semen’ which is released by men, at the climax of sexual activity. The prostate gland will only grow and function under the influence of male hormones, the most important of which is called TESTOSTERONE, produced from the testicles.

    The prostate gland surrounds the neck of the bladder and the first part of the urethra goes through it. An enlarged prostate, presses on the urethra and decreases the size of the opening through it, or it forms a dam which holds back part of the urine.

    The causes of prostate enlargement are not very precise, but they are associated with hormonal imbalance; and available information indicates that most men who use drugs to improve their sexual performance tend to activate the level of their Testosterone hormone beyond the threshold, and consequently, they often end up developing prostate enlargement and related complications.

    The enlargement can be a simple type called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or it may be cancerous, that is, Malignant Prostatic Hyperplasia. Both the benign and malignant types usually present similar symptoms of frequency in urination, hesitancy, urgency, trickling flow of urine and in advanced stages, there is acute urine retention as a result of blockage of the urinary tract.

    A man suffering from enlarged prostate will first notice that he has to get up oftener than usual, to pass urine at night. The stream will be small and slow to start. A long time may be required to empty the bladder.

    Many men with enlarged prostate may have no further disturbance than the “nuisance” symptoms stated earlier. Other cases will get worse until the patient cannot empty the bladder, and must resort to a catheter for relief.

    Unfortunately, after the urine has once begun to be drawn by catheter, the danger of bladder infection is great. Also, the symptoms and problems of cystitis are likely to occur.

    Treatment and Control

    In Holistic Lifecare, it is strongly advocated that the best prospects of controlling Prostate Enlargement, is by going back to Nature. When symptoms of an enlarged prostate are noticed, it is advisable to avoid spices, condiments and alcoholic beverages; to lessen bladder irritation, which may promote infection. It is also important to avoid cold conditions or getting the feet wet, or holding the urine for too long.

    Prostate Enlargement is not new in African context. In fact, ethno-medicinal research has shown that herbal remedies are very effective, without complications or side effects.

    The holistic natural remedy being suggested for Prostate Enlargement is a combination of natural extracts of herbs such as Saw Palmetto, Cocos nucifera, Khaya ivorensis and Lycopersicum esculentum.

     

    For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call  on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be. We also have facilities for accommodation, admission and hospitalization in a serene and homely environment.

  • Coping with diseases: Genital herpes

    Herpes is a generic name for a group of viruses that cause a variety of diseases. The ailments people generally associate with herpes are those that produce small blisters on the skin, which open and are replaced by a crust before they heal completely. Genital herpes is caused by a virus called herpes simplex (HSV2), which causes crusted sores, commonly around the lips and mouth (“cold sores”) and the genitalia. The infectious condition itself is also known as herpes simplex.

    The virus is intermittently present in the mouth of healthy carriers and is spread by personal contact; genital herpes is spread by sexual contact with an infected person and is a venereal disease. Although some forms can be transmitted through the air or by contact with infected articles (especially towels) used by someone with active herpes, infection usually occurs through direct physical contact.

    An attack begins with itching of the skin in the affected area, quickly followed by redness and swelling. Within a few hours fragile blisters (vesicles) appear and rupture to exude a sticky serum like fluid which rapidly crusts. Unless secondary infection with bacteria occurs, the lesions heal without scarring within about a week.

    Because herpes blisters individually are the size of a pinhead or smaller, they may not be easily visible. Generally, the affected area will be red, tender, and mildly to severely painful. Fever, headache, and general malaise may also be present.

    Genital herpes infections may cause a painful cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix) in women, with ulceration and a vaginal discharge. The results of recent research studies have suggested that women who develop herpes cervicitis may have an increased risk of developing cancer of the cervix in later years. The condition is now seen as a reason for regular screening by Pap smears, which can detect early cancerous changes at a stage when treatment is simple and curative.

    In men the genital infection is usually less severe. However, those whose immune response is impaired (such as cancer patients, HIV/AIDS sufferers or organ transplant recipients) can be very susceptible to herpes infection.

    Genital herpes may be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby during delivery. Babies infected during birth by their mothers’ active genital herpes are very likely to die or suffer severe brain damage because they have little or no resistance to the virus.

    Once the virus enters the body, in stays there for the rest of the person’s life, unless a natural remedy is applied. Recurrent attacks may occur, usually during periods when the person is feeling run down, anxious, or depressed, before menstruation, or after sexual intercourse.

    In holistic lifecare, the best prospect of prevention and total cure of genital herpes is in going back to nature in terms of personal hygiene, protected sexual contact and use of potent herbal remedies. Also, a body kept healthy by proper nutrition and exercise has the best chance of keeping the virus under control.

    The holistic remedy being suggested for total cure of Genital Herpes is a combination of natural extracts of Eugenia caryophylatta, Citrus lemonis, Euphorbia unispina, Hypericum perforatum and Echinacea augustifolia.

     

    For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be. We also have facilities for accommodation, admission and hospitalization in a serene and homely environment.

  • Coping with diseases

    Stroke is the common name for a sudden paralysis or loss of sensation caused by severe damage to some part of the brain as a result of an interruption of the blood supply to this part.

    Under normal circumstances, the demands of the brain for a continuous supply of fresh blood are so great that one-fifth or 20% of the blood pumped by the heart is delivered to the brain.

    Each artery in the brain is responsible for nourishing a particular territory and the severity of a stroke depends on which vessel is involved. An interruption of blood supply to any part of the brain causes permanent damage to the cells within about five minutes. The general arrangement of nerve fibres is such that when the right side of the brain is damaged, symptoms of paralysis and numbness affect the left side of the body and vice-versa.

    Although the outset of stroke is sudden, the underlying disease condition has usually been of long standing. In fact, little is known of the cause of stroke, except that there is a strong association with high blood pressure (that is, hypertension). Other predisposing factors are diabetes and any condition that makes thrombosis more likely. Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in the body and it may occur as a complication of arteriosclerosis, use of oral contraceptives and polycythemia.

    Stroke may also be caused by the lodging of a floating fragment of blood clot (known as embolus) in one of the arteries of the brain. Or it may be caused by a rupture of the wall of an artery in the brain, with escape of blood into the brain tissue. As stated earlier, the rupture of the blood vessels may be brought about by high blood pressure, forcing blood through the weakened vessel wall, as in arteriosclerosis or in aneurysm.

    The symptoms of stroke may develop instantly or over a period of several minutes. The patient usually collapses and may lose consciousness. His face may be red and there may be vomiting and convulsions. Paralysis may cripple the muscles of one side of the face, causing the mouth to be pulled to the strong side.

    Prevention and Control

    In Holistic Lifecare, it is strongly advocated that the best prospects of reducing the ill health due to stroke lies in the detection and treatment of the conditions that increase the risk. This is best accomplished by going back to Nature through dietary means of detoxifying the blood as well as strengthening the blood vessels.

    Treatment

    The patient should undergo massage and other manipulative therapies aimed at speeding the recovery of the functions of walking and speech, and the learning of day-to-day tasks. The Holistic Natural Remedy being suggested for stroke is a combination of the Natural extracts of herbs such as Allium sativum, Aristolochia albida, Picrlima nitida, Harungana madagascariensis and Viscum album.

    For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be. We also have facilities for accommodation, admission and hospitalization in a serene and homely environment.

  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases (stds)

    Sexually Transmitted Diseases are popularly called venereal diseases. Theyare contagious diseases, easily transmitted by sexual contact from an infected person to a sexual partner who is otherwise healthy.

    The germs causing these diseases vary a great deal, but all depend on the warmth and moisture of the sexual organs for survival. They readily penetrate the delicate skin and moist membranes that come in contact during sexual intercourse. Once the germs have invaded the tissues of the sex organs, they propagate and spread to other tissues, even throughout the body in some cases.

    The sexually transmitted diseases cause various kinds of suffering with tragic results as damage to an unborn child, infertility and even premature death. Once established in a person’s body, the disease tends to persist, if untreated, for the duration of life. Syphilis and Gonorrhoea are the best-known venereal diseases, but the range also includes genital herpes, candidiasis and warts, as well as trichomoniasis, chancroid, staphylococcal infections and Lymphogranuloma venereum.

    The symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases vary, depending on the causative agent. There may be abnormal discharge from the sexual organ, with foul odour and itching sensations, as in Gonorrhoea, Trichomoniasis and Candidiasis. There may be ulcers and pinching sensations as in Genital Herpes Simplex, Staphylococcus, Syphilis, Chancroid and Granuloma inguinale. Thirdly, there are those characterized by the appearance of lumps and bumps in the private parts, as observed in cases of genital warts and Lymphogranuloma venereum.

     

    Prevention

    It should be well understood that when a sexually transmitted disease is diagnosed in a man or woman, the disease has probably already passed on to the sexual partner, it is therefore important that both should treated to prevent re-infection.

    Also, it is strongly advised that any suspicion of a venereal disease or of possible exposure to infection, calls for urgent medical attention. In fact, prolonged cases of venereal infections have been shown to predispose one to more dangerous infections such as HIV/AIDS.

     

    Treatment/Control

    In Holistic Lifecare, it is strongly advocated that in order to avoid suffering in the midst of plenty, we must turn to NATURE. Some of the natural remedies being advanced for the treatment and control of sexually transmitted diseases include the extracts of local herbs such as Allium cepa, Senna alata and Plumbago zeylanica.

     

    For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com.

    Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be. We also have facilities for accommodation, admission and hospitalization in a serene and homely environment.

  • Catholic diseases: Mania

    Mania can be considered colloquially as an excessive interest, love, or devotion to something such as a hobby, e.g., car racing or collection of artworks. A woman might say to a man: “I am mad about you”. Often we refer to a genius as mad. Mania and madness have various connotations in social life. Such colloquial mania or madness is often desirable, acceptable, or admirable.

    The medical condition of mania is not desirable or admirable, and in many cases, not acceptable. Mania is a “mental disorder characterized by extreme excitement and energy” (The American Academy of Physicians’ Family Health and Medical Guide, 1996). The Stedman’s Concise Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions, 3rd Editions defines maniain two ways: “an emotional disorder characterized by euphoria or irritability, increased psychomotor activity, rapid speech, flight of ideas, decreased need for sleep, distractibility, grandiosity, and poor judgement” or “ an abnormal love for, or morbid impulse towards, some specific object, place, or action”. The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (6th Edition) gives a definition from psychology for mania: “a mental illness in which somebody has an obsession about something that makes them extremely anxious, violent, or confused”. Webster’s New World College Dictionary (4th Edition) gives several definitions amongst which are: “a type of mental disorder characterized by an abnormal preoccupation, compulsion, etc.” Mania is difficult to define and for the purpose of this article, I prefer to consider it simply as super-reaction to a person, place, thing, or event; activity that goes beyond the supports of reason and wisdom.

    Every human being becomes medically manic under various conditions, thus mania is a catholic or universal medical condition. Underlying genetic predispositions, cultural, religious, spiritual, social, psychological, temporal, economic, political, and other varied influences can precipitate manic episodes or stable mania in individuals. A manic person is hurtful to self and to others and in many cases more hurtful to others than to self. Thus mania is a condition we should all be aware of and know that we all have the possibility of developing any time, any day, anywhere, anyhow.

    People with stable mania, chronic mania, established manic lifestyles, attitudes, or behaviour, are possibly safer than people who fall into instantaneous and unexpected acute mania. The established known maniacs can often be tolerated, accepted within an understanding society, and cared for to fit into regular life. Persons known to have chronic mania can be regulated medically, legally, morally, and charitably, therefore any possible harm from them is limited, contained, or aborted. Some cases can fit well into family life, with other members of the family being understanding and supportive.

    Instantaneous mania is more common than we can believe and because it may not linger, it may pass unnoticed, yet leaving behind significant harm. We may never think of ourselves as sometimes becoming instantaneously mad or manic therefore we look at historical examples. When King Herod gave an order to kill innocent babies, he was mad. In a moment of madness he initiated significant harm killing all children, two years old and under in Bethlehem and the surrounding coasts. He could not reason in that moment, he was pathologically angry with the wise men that did not return to him. We can recount Hitler’s episodes, Idi Amin’s atrocities, and terrors spread by religious fanaticisms of all faith institutions. Pathologic anger, fear, dread, envy, hate, greed, lust, vengeance, rivalry, etc., can develop in any person instantaneously and precipitate madness. Such madness is never expected by the person who goes mad or by the victims. Because the victims are unguarded, they are surely affected or hurt. Therefore, for all of us, knowing how to not get mad is an important aspect of good health and safe living.

    Within families, manic episodes by persons that were not known as mad have resulted in homes being burnt to ashes; family members being burned and disfigured; family members being stabbed, shot with a gun, poisoned, or hurt for life in various ways; property being destroyed; economic losses; or violation and disruption of good life in various ways. Any of these episodes may happen one pleasant, happy, sunny day when everybody has been feeling good and happy.

    The unpredictable possibility of madness from anyone, anywhere, anytime, anyhow, makes it necessary for us to take a closer look at this medical condition and how to save ourselves from it.

    To be continued.

    Dr. ’Bola John is a biomedical scientist based in Nigeria and in the USA. For any comments or questions on this column, please Email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 07028338910

  • Diseases, malnutrition ravage infants at Bakassi camp

    Diseases, malnutrition ravage infants at Bakassi camp

    Fifteen –year-old Blessing Ene Okon was huddled up with over 2, 000 other returnees in classrooms, until she developed a strange ailment which has left her with a distended stomach and swollen feet since April.

    She is one of the Bakassi returnees who were evicted by Cameroonian gendarmes last March 7 and are now quartered in classrooms at St Marks Primary School and Community Secondary School both in Akwa Ikot Edem in Akpabuyo Local Government Area.

    Her father, Mr Edet Ene Okon, 40, lamented that his daughter, who is presently in the paediatric section of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, is in a critical state and may get worse, if nothing is done urgently.

    He said efforts to get assistance from the state government have so far proven abortive and the over N200, 000 donated to him by the Clan Head of Eyo Edem Clan in Akpabuyo has since been exhausted.

    She needs blood transfusion and is in pains, he said, adding that they were too financially exhausted to even afford food and drugs for her.

    “Since they pursued us from Cameroon, we left everything we had and came here. We don’t have any money and it was only the clan head who has helped us this far. Please government should come to our aid. As I talk to you I don’t even have N10 and the hospital needs money to continue her treatment,” he said.

    Blessing’s situation is the worst of the cases of over 700 children who are presently exposed to unhealthy, poor sanitary and feeding conditions in the temporary camp. Not all of them have a benefactor like Blessing.

    The camp leader, Etim Okon Ene, said the situation in the camp is terrible especially for the children. Besides being exposed to the weather and various ailments without healthcare, they are also malnourished because food supplied by the State Emergency Management Agency cannot meet their needs. They also lack potable water.

    Ene said: “The condition of the children is very bad. Not properly clothed. No financial assistance for the mothers to take care of them. No social welfare for us. The state government has put in place a conditional cash transfer programme. That programme should be extended to us here in the camp. Even when the children are very ill, there is no money to pay transport fare not even to talk of hospital bills or buying medicine.

    “Presently, there is no health facility in the camp. Government has tried by trying to know what is happening here, but that is the only thing they have done for us. The returnees here have no money. Government should help. Blessing’s problem started here; she should not die.

    “We are desperate. It is not until someone dies that something should happen. Some of these children here have been wearing just one cloth for weeks. We need money to manage the camp. When the children are sick, we use bitter leaf and scent leaf to prepare their medicine. That is the only thing we have been using here since.”

    Ene lauded SEMA for always providing them food, but said this was not enough. He said besides the rice, beans, Geisha, noodles, they needed to have some money in their pockets to be able to take care of other vital needs.

    Such vital needs, he said, included mothers’ ability to take their children to the hospital for check-ups and to afford food that will be nutritional to the children.

    Promise Edet is a 17-year- old girl who has been taking care of her late sister’s one- year-old baby, Favour. She said the baby is always sick. “Since we got here she has not taken any medicine or gone to any hospital because we cannot afford it. The baby is just over one year now and she cannot even crawl not to talk of walking. She needs drugs and food and proper healthcare.

    “We have only been grinding bitter leaf and rubbing her and giving her to drink and also use it to give her enema. The place we sleep is also not good for her. It is too open and the cold weather is making her sick.”

    The story is the same for six other mothers, such as Magadalene Okon Etim, who gave birth in camp to baby Esther three months ago. She said: “Since she (baby) was born in this camp, I have not taken her to the hospital. I have not been treating her. It is a miracle that nobody has died here.”

    Another mother in the camp, Magdalene Rita, said her son Moses, who is almost two years old, is always falling ill .

    She said, “The food he is eating here is not good with him. He has not been feeding properly. If we had any money, I would love to be giving him vegetables, fish, meat, eggs and other foods that would really be good for him. He is not having balanced diet here.”

    A camp official, Prince Aston, said it was unforunate that the Federal Government could cater for former militants but abandon displaced persons.

    He said: “Why can they (government) not take care of returnees who committed no crime but are in dire need of government help? These people lost their land and everything and now they are not taken care of. The only thing we have here is camera response. Nothing is coming out of it.

    “You can see the children are not fine. One of them is in a critical state. Most of them are malnourished. We are tired of being told that everything is okay; that things would be fine and then nothing would happen. While we await proper resettlement, essential amenities should be given to us.

    “The state government’s conditional cash transfer which they call Project Comfort should be made available to us. All efforts we have made to the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare to come to our aid have not yielded any result and we beg the Federal Government to intervene.”

     

  • Catholic diseases

    The catholic medical conditions happen to every human being. They are universal in occurrence and varied in manifestation. For each and every one of us, each of these conditions may be mild or severe, transient or enduring, acute or chronic, manageable or overwhelming. We may be at fault or blameless. Such conditions may hurt the bearer alone or may also hurt other people.

    The catholic medical conditions are part of life on earth. They may arise from within us – within our body, mind, or spirit. They may arise from the effects of our environment upon our body, mind, or spirit. One or more component(s) of our environment may be the source(s): a person, a place, a condition, an event, etc.

    The catholic medical conditions are part of the states we go in and out of in a continual flux of reality. They do not necessarily have a negative effect if we understand them and know how to cope and deal with them. This means we need a reality check every now and then and personal effort to direct the outcomes of our experiences towards lasting good.

    The world, every now and then, brings to us things that do not fit us or that we do not like, do not agree with, do not appreciate, or do not want; or things that disappoint, that hurt, that hinder, that diminish, that deprive us; or things that punish, that embarrass, that shame, that humiliate us; or things that surprise, that overwhelm, that undermine, that threaten us, etc.

    In the face of such presentations of the world what do we do? We get stressed, we get depressed, or we get mad. Stress, depression, and mania are catholic or universal experiences of human beings. Say you have never been mad and you are probably mad. Say you have never been depressed and you were probably too depressed to know it. Say you have never been stressed and you are not areal person. If you examine what you are going through presently, or have gone through in recent times, if you are facing reality, if you are really alive, you are most likely to discover some elements of stress, depression, or mania in your life.

    Stress is a result of our limitations of body, mind, or spirit within our human condition presented with realities that overwhelm us. Depression is unfulfilled ego. Mania is derangement of the integral working of body, mind, and spirit. We experience fulfilment of life when we are able to overcome these conditions.

    It is important that we know these things happen to us and we know how to cope with them and overcome them for our own sake and for the sake of those that may be affected by our own conditions. The capability of damage from these conditions differs at different stages in life. A seven year old child may get manic and disturb his parents and companions whereas a fifty year old executive that gets manic will disturb his family, companions, subordinates, charges, and all that he normally influences or controls. We thus have a personal responsibility to check our tendencies towards these catholic medical conditions of stress, depression, and mania for the overall good of our families and society.

    Stress, depression, and mania are catholic conditions indeed. Now, please do not go and be looking at everybody for signs of stress, depression, or mania. You will end up judging everybody and you will most likely lose your peace. Your view would be preconceived, superficial, and self-reflexive. You will misinterpret everything you see and react wrongly to people. Most likely, you will see other people from the point of view of your own stress, depression, or mania. Our discussion here is for our personal uplifting and personal peace, not for screening other people.

    We have recently discussed stress. We now discuss depression and mania and note some tips to save ourselves from such conditions.

     

    Dr. ’Bola John is a biomedical scientist based in Nigeria and in the USA. For any comments or questions on this column, please Email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 07028338910