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Tag: Federal Ministry of Health

  • FMC Ovwian set for take off as FG team inspects proposed site

    FMC Ovwian set for take off as FG team inspects proposed site

    A team from the Federal Ministry of Health has inspected the proposed permanent site for the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Ovwian as well as the temporary take-off site at General Hospital, Otor-Udu, assuring Deltans of a swift commencement of operations.

    During the inspection at the site, located opposite the DSC administrative building in Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, the team leader from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Jimoh Salaudeen, mni, Director of Hospital Services, congratulated the Udu community leaders and Hon. Francis Waive for their efforts in facilitating the establishment of FMC Ovwian through legislative backing.

    He stated: “Today, we are here on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, who has given a marching order to ensure the establishment of the Federal Medical Center, Ovwian. I was directed by my principal to lead this ministerial team to inspect the proposed site.”

    “Our mission in Delta State is to meet with the Governor and assess the proposed federal medical center site. The state government is expected to provide a temporary facility to enable immediate operations while the permanent site is developed. Similar FMCs in Kafanchan, Epe, and other locations have already commenced, and we want the same for Ovwian. We expect activities to begin at FMC Ovwian within three to six months.”

    “We are also inspecting the temporary structure provided by the state government to ensure it meets the required standard. Once a Medical Director is appointed and personnel support from the state government is secured, operations will begin. Subsequently, there will be an advertisement for employment opportunities.”

    Salaudeen commended the community for providing land for the project and urged them to safeguard the hospital’s infrastructure. He also assured that local contractors would be engaged in accordance with the Local Content Act.

    The President-General of Ovwian Community, Comrade Joseph Dele Okuku, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the bill establishing FMC Ovwian into law. He also acknowledged Hon. Francis Waive’s vision and efforts in originating the bill.

    He further called for patronage of local contractors, employment of skilled and unskilled labor from the host community, and other benefits that would ensure community participation in the project.

    Hon. Francis Waive, the member representing Udu/Ughelli Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, described the establishment of FMC Ovwian as a major milestone in healthcare delivery for Delta Central and Delta South.

    “I must thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for signing into law the Federal Medical Center Establishment Bill. This is a significant milestone that will improve healthcare delivery in our region,” he said.

    “Work will commence soon, with the Udu General Hospital serving as a temporary take-off site. The state government has already granted us the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the construction of essential facilities. We also anticipate strong support from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the federal government. With these collaborations in place, we are confident of rapid progress.”

    “I intend to leverage my office to attract investments from companies in the region to support this project. This will be the first federal healthcare institution in this part of the state, strategically positioned between Delta South and Delta Central. Previously, residents had to travel up to three hours to Asaba to access federal medical services. With this new FMC, healthcare will be brought closer to the people.”

    Waive emphasised that the hospital would not only save lives but also stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities, and encourage educational advancements, especially in medical fields.

    Read Also: Nigeria has best Landing Craft, says Australian military

    “The population in Ovwian, covering Udu Bridge, Uvwie, Warri South, and beyond, is significant. The riverine areas also link Warri South-West and Burutu, making this one of the most densely populated regions in Delta State. Due to the lack of a medical facility of this caliber, many lives have been lost. But now, FMC Ovwian will provide top-tier healthcare services locally.”

    He urged the Udu people to ensure a peaceful and conducive atmosphere for the construction and eventual operation of the facility.

    On his developmental strides, Waive highlighted various projects he had initiated, including:

    “A complete renovation of the larger grammar school near the FMC site, with a new perimeter fence and staff quarters. Upgrades to the primary school in the area. Classroom projects across all three local government areas in his constituency. Installation of electricity transformers, classroom blocks, reconnection to the national grid, and solar-powered streetlights in all 32 wards of his constituency.

    “Since Nigeria’s return to democracy, my contributions to infrastructure surpass those of all my predecessors combined. Beyond physical projects, I have sponsored over 50 bills, including the Federal Medical Center Bill, now signed into law. For a legislator to achieve this is no small feat. This is a legacy that will stand the test of time.”

    Udu Local Government Council Chairman, Chief Vincent Oyibode, also expressed joy at attracting a federal medical facility to Udu Kingdom.

    “This hospital will serve both Delta Central and Delta South, bringing rapid development to the area. It will also inspire Udu indigenes and others to pursue careers in medicine and healthcare.”

    He praised Hon. Francis Waive for originating the bill and thanked the Governor of Delta State for his support in making FMC Ovwian a reality.

    The federal medical team was received by Delta Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, with key state health officials, including Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Philo Okewho, and State Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Paul Okubo.

    The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare team for the inspection included:

    Dr. Jimoh O. Salaudeen, mni – Director of Hospital Services (Team Leader) Dr. Abisola Adegoke, mni – Head, FMC Division

    Mr. Paul Daluba – Deputy Director, HRM, Dr. Olakunle Daramola – Technical Assistant to the Minister

    Mr. Murtala Muazu – Representative of the Office of the Permanent Secretary

    Dr. Raymond Ekhator – Coordinating Unit, DHS Office

    Ms. Tina Ugiagbe – FMC Division

    Dr. Adedeji Adesope – Team Secretary Dr. Victor Osiatuma Azubike – Chief Medical Director, FMC Asaba. With all stakeholders aligned and necessary approvals in place, the people of Udu Kingdom and beyond eagerly await the launch of FMC Ovwian, which promises to be a game-changer for healthcare in the region.

  • FG phases out yellow card, replaces it with e-yellow card 

    The Federal Government has introduced the e-yellow card certification for travelers to address the issue of fake yellow cards.

    The electronic card, which will take effect from July 1, replaces the old card.

    Announcing the development yesterday, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Abdulaziz Mashi Abdullahi, stated that the new card has enhanced security features that could be verified anywhere in the world by scanning the bar code or checking the card number on the yellow card portal.

    The introduction of the new e- yellow card, otherwise known as International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), is to address the issue of fake yellow cards which has hitherto constituted a source of national embarrassment.

    Mr. Abdullahi stressed that with effect from July 1, the new e-yellow card would be the only valid documented proof of vaccination against yellow fever.

    Read Also: Passport issuance: Immigration officers are still collecting bribe – Babandede

    On the importance of the yellow fever vaccine for which the yellow card is documented for, the permanent secretary said that yellow fever, a viral haemorrhagic fever, caused by a virus transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito is a potentially fatal illness but vaccine preventable.

    Mr. Abdullahi noted that some countries, including Nigeria, were endemic for yellow fever, as such travelers to affected (endemic) countries were at risk of exposure to infection by the yellow fever virus, hence the mandatory vaccination against the disease.

    To this end, the permanent secretary said that according to the World Health Organisation’s, recommendation, all international travellers, nine months of age and above, who were visiting Nigeria must be vaccinated against yellow fever.

    Also, additional measures have been adopted at points of entry for the prevention and control of yellow fever which involves mandatory requirement of evidence of vaccination against yellow fever on arrival in Nigeria, Mr. Abdullahi added.

    He further noted that some countries also require evidence of vaccination against yellow fever as a condition for entry.

    He stressed that from July 1, travelers arriving Nigeria without proof of yellow fever vaccination would be vaccinated at points of entry and issued the cards after payment.

  • FG phases out old version of yellow card on July 1

    The Federal Government has announced its plan to phase out old version of Yellow Card and replace it with new e-Yellow Card with effect from July 1.

    The information is in a statement by Mrs Boade Akinola, the Director, Media and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health.

    She stated that the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Abdulaziz Mashi, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja.

    Yellow Card is the proof of vaccination against yellow fever, which is a requirement for international travelers from risk countries like Nigeria and as evidence that the carrier is vaccinated against the disease.

    Mashi said that the new card would contain enhanced security features that could be verified anywhere in the world by scanning the bar code or checking the card number on the yellow card portal.

    According to him, the introduction of the new e-Yellow Card is to address the issue of fake cards which hitherto constituted a source of national embarrassment.

    Read Also: Court convicts photographer for yellow card forgery

    He said that with effect from July 1, the new e-Yellow Card would be the only valid documented proof of vaccination against yellow fever.

    He added that yellow fever was a viral haemorrhagic fever caused by a virus transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, and may cause fatal illness but it was a vaccine preventable disease.

    He said that Nigeria and some other countries were endemic for yellow fever, as such, travellers to endemic countries were at risk of exposure to infection by the yellow fever virus; hence the mandatory vaccination against the disease.

    The permanent secretary said World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended that all international travellers, aged nine months and above and are visiting Nigeria, must be vaccinated against yellow fever.

    He added that additional measures were adopted at points of entry for the prevention and control of yellow fever, which involved mandatory requirement of evidence of vaccination against Yellow fever on arrival into Nigeria.

    He noted that some countries also require evidence of vaccination against yellow fever as a condition for entry.

    Mashi said that from July 1, travellers arriving Nigeria without proof of yellow fever vaccination would be vaccinated at points of entry and issued the card, after payment.

    He enjoined the public to cooperate with the ministry through Port Health Services Division, to prevent and control cross-border transmission of yellow fever by taking the vaccination and obtaining the e-Yellow Card.

    He said Nigeria was part of the global coalition and movement to eliminate yellow fever epidemic by 2026.

    (NAN)

  • ERA/FoEN seeks urgent enforcement of Tobacco Control Act

    Commences awareness campaign

    A civil society organisation, Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to commence immediate enforcement of the National Tobacco Control (NTC) Act signed into law in 2015.

    ERA Deputy Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi made the call at media presentation of public awareness materials against tobacco, held at the weekend in Abuja.

    Oluwafemi said three years after the law was created, awareness remained a huge challenge while enforcement is low.

    He said it became imperative for the Federal Ministry of Health and the security operatives in the country to take the lead in the task towards protecting public health and reducing risks associated with public smoking.

    The presented materials detailed nine provisions in the NTC Act which includes: “Prohibition of sale of tobacco products to and by anyone below 18; ban on sale of cigarettes in single sticks, i.e cigarettes must be sold in pack of 20 sticks only.

    Read Also: Tobacco kills 7m people yearly…..WHO

    “Smokeless tobacco shall be sold in a minimum of a pack of 30 grams; ban of sale or offer for sale for distribution of tobacco or tobacco products through mail, internet or other online devices; prohibition of interference of tobacco industry in public health and related issues.”

    Others are: “Prohibition of smoking in anywhere on the premises of a child care facility, educational facility, health care facility among others; prohibition of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship of any kind; compliance with specified standard for content as set out by standards organisation of Nigeria.”

    The right group tasked the Federal Ministry of Justice to process the ratified protocol towards eliminating illicit trade of tobacco products earlier approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in May.

    The National Assembly (NASS) was charged to ensure passage of the National Tobacco Control Regulations Bill such that enforcement of other provisions of the NTC Act would be easy.

    In his remarks, the representative from the Department of Tobacco Control, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Malau Toma disclosed that the ministry would focus on education, enforcement and evaluation strategies as part of steps to implementing the NTC Act.

    Toma, who decried low attention to public health, called for increased public sensitisation.

    He emphasized that the tobacco industry will not be involved in the awareness creation campaign stressing that efforts are ongoing to partner media organisations, especially government media to develop strategic communications expected to reach people at the grassroots against smoking.

    Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Sub Regional Coordinator for West Africa, Hilda Ochefu, in her presentation said enforcing the law is capable of saving millions of lives, thus protecting public health.

    She said the implication of flouting the law means anyone found selling tobacco to minors below 18 would be arrested and prosecuted while tobacco should not be sold via the internet.

  • ‘Why National Tobacco Control Act implementation was delayed’

    The need to regulate some provisions of the National Tobacco Control Act has caused the delay in its implementation, National Co-ordinator, Non-Communicable Disease Control Division, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Nnenna Ezeigwe, has said.

    Dr Ezeigwe made this known in her presentation at a one-day training of some government officials on Tobacco Taxation in Nigeria in Keffi, Nasarawa State during the week.

    The training was organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, in collaboration with Tobacco Tax Advocacy in Africa.

    Represented by the Head  Tobacco Control Unit, Dr Malau Toma, Dr Ezeigwe said 70 per cent of the provisions required regulations before the full implementation of the law.

    She said those provisions had been worked on, presented and approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    According to her, it will be sent back to National Assembly for final approval soon.

    Dr Ezeigwe said: “We have developed a work plan on other ones that require no regulation like tobacco smoking in public places, ban on selling cigarette in one stick as well as sending minor to buy tobacco. Necessary measures are being put in place to commence enforcement on those provisions that do not need any regulation.”

    She further said the Ministry of Health had paid advocacy visits to law enforcement agencies for collaborations to ensure the smooth implementation of the Act, underscoring the need for continuous media sensitisation to educate the citizenry on the act.

    Dr Ezeigwe also suggested ratification and implementation of protocols to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products.

     

     

  • FG recalls 2.4m bottles of cough syrup containing codeine

    The Federal Ministry of Health has recalled 2.4 million bottles of codeine containing cough syrup after a recent audit trail of the substance carried out by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

    According to a statement by Mrs Boade Akinola, Director Media and Public Relations of the ministry on Sunday in Abuja, the recall demonstrated the Federal Government’s resolve to stem the abuse of codeine containing cough syrup and other substances in Nigeria.

    Akinola said the minister had recently received the final report of the 22-man Stakeholders Committee set up by the Ministry to address the worrisome menace of codeine abuse in Nigeria.

    She quoted the Minister of Health Prof Isaac Adewole as saying that the audit trail and subsequent recall of the substance was part of recommendations of Stakeholders Committee set by the ministry to address codeine abuse in Nigeria.

    The minister said the committee was drafted from a broad spectrum of the health sector in collaboration with relevant Agencies as part of Pharmacovigilance and renewed effort to monitor drug distribution channels and sanitise the system.

    The Minister recalled that the committee was an offshoot of the Press release issued by the Ministry on the temporary ban of Codeine production and distribution.

    He said the committee has Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye as the chairman; other members include Muhammad Abdullahi, Chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    Others are Elijah Mohamed, the Registrar of Pharmacists Council of Nigeria; Mr Moshood Lawal, Director, Food and Drugs Services, Federal Ministry of Health; Ahmed Yakasai, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) among others.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on May 1, Federal Government banned the production and importation of codeine as active pharmaceutical ingredient for cough syrup preparations to check substance abuse among Nigerians.

    The minister directed NAFDAC to ban the issuance of permits for the importation of codeine as active pharmaceutical ingredient for cough preparations.

    He also directed the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, (PCN) and NAFDAC to supervise the recall for labelling and audit trailing of all codeine containing cough syrups nationwide.

    Read also: http://staging.thenationonlineng.net/nafdac-destroys-counterfeit-products-worth-n650m-in-kaduna/

    The federal government had also banned the sale of codeine containing cough syrup without prescription.
    The minister said the directive became necessary due to the gross abuse of codeine in the country.

    In this regard, the minister said PCN had been directed to continue enforcement activities on pharmacies, patent and proprietary medicine vendors’ shops and outlets throughout the country.

    He also directed NAFDAC to carry out its functions in compliance with the new directives.

    The minister said cough syrups containing codeine should be replaced with dextromethorphan which is less addictive.

    Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant used to treat coughing, it is also a drug of the morphinan class with sedative, dissociative, and stimulant properties.

  • Kwara sets aside N200m for health scheme

    Kwara state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Thursday said his administration has set aside an initial sum of N200 million for funding of the state health insurance scheme.

    The fund is tagged Kwara State Health Insurance Fund.

    Governor Ahmed spoke this in Ilorin, the state capital at the launch of KHIS, adding that the scheme provides low, affordable premium and associated quality healthcare.

    He said that the scheme would take his administration closer to dream of universal healthcare for the people.

    “With daily contribution of N25, no more will citizens and residents of Kwara State be unable to access critical treatment because they cannot afford to pay hospital fees or buy prescribed drugs”, he said.

    The governor also said that his administration was committed to contributing 1 per cent of annual Consolidated Revenue Fund to subsidize premiums and service delivery to those considered part of the poorest in the society.

    “Furthermore, we are boosting the Scheme with 40 per cent of funds received through the “Saving One Million Lives Performance for Results Initiative”—an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Health, supported by the World Bank and targeted towards the improvement of maternal and child health in Nigeria” he said.

    Read Also: Kwara APC hails Buhari on Saraki’s acquittal

    Governor Ahmed also said that benefit packages of the health insurance scheme include preventive, and curative components of health care delivery, adding that it would have minimum standards of care and service from participating health care facilities in the public and private sector.

    In her speech, the executive secretary of the scheme, Dr. Olubunmi Jetawo-Winter, said that registration of enrollees would commence on August 2, 2018 in all the 193 political wards in the state.

    Also speaking, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ali Ahmad, enjoined political office holders to bankroll contribution of enrollees to enable people in the grassroots to benefit.

     

  • US to donate $90m for humanitarian AIDS survey

    The US government will provide $90m for the Nigeria AIDS Indicators and Impact Survey (NAIIS) which will cover HIV, and hepatitis B and C across Nigeria.

    The aim is to provide answers on the precise number of people infected with HIV for better health planning and results.

    The survey, which will take place for six months, was launched in June 2018 and will run until December 2018.

    Read Also:Don’t discriminate against workers living with HIV/AIDS – NACA

    The National Coordinator, National AIDS/STI Control Program, Federal Ministry of Health, and Secretary for Technical Committee, NAIIS, Dr. Sunday Aboje said this during an interview at the 15th Anniversary of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Photo Exhibition which took place in Abuja on Thursday.

    Aboje said that the survey will be the largest ever population-based HIV/AIDS survey carried out anywhere in the world with a sample size of 170,000 individuals across Nigeria.

    “We did the pilot survey last month. Within a week or two we will begin the major survey.

    “Once the survey is done, every individual found positive will be immediately linked to treatment and not only for HIV, but also viral hepatitis B and C.”

    The Federal Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, commended PEPFAR for their relentless efforts towards bettering the lives of individuals affected with HIV.

    “We celebrate the entire victory of science over death and disease that the landscape of HIV represents.

    “We commend the US government for sustaining this single intervention. They are the most ambitious in this world.

    “We are improving the quality of lives and transforming an entire disease spectrum from a hopeless situation to one where there is hope.”

    United States Chargé d’Affaires, David Young, who also spoke at the occasion, said that the US government has provided over $5b for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and cure programs and developed the capacity of the Nigerian health systems.

    “Before PEPFAR, HIV infection was a death sentence in Nigeria and other African countries.

    “We have made significant progress- over 779,000 men, women, and children are currently on HIV treatment.

    “7.7m people last year received HIV counseling and testing services and 1.6m pregnant women received HIV testing and counseling through Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV.

    “More than 1m orphans and vulnerable children received care and support.”

    “We emphasize that this is an ongoing partnership in the future.”

  • Minimum wage may not be ready by Sept, says Ngige

    The expectations of workers in the country getting a new national minimum wage by the end of September 2018 may not materialize after all as the government said on Tuesday that the September date was just a date to conclude negotiation on the issue of minimum wage.

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige told newsmen at his residence in Abuja that the committee on the new National Minimum wage is expecting to conclude its work by the end of September and present its report to the government for deliberation and approval before an executive bill is sent to the National Assembly on the issue.

    He said however that the issue of capacity to pay is also paramount in the deliberations on the minimum wage, pointing out that it was to get the input of all those concerned including state governments and the organised private sector that the committee embarked on zonal public hearing across the country.

    The Minister said further that in the course of the zonal public hearings, many state governments made different submissions ranging from N22, 000 monthly to N58, 000, adding that the governors were also of the believe that foe the new minimum wage to become effective, the current revenue allocation formula will have to be reviewed in favour of the states and local government.

    Read Also:Minimum wage increase on table, says Oyo-Ita

    He said further that some other states are also of the view that the minimum wage should be maintained at the current N18, 000 in view of the inability of some states to pay the current wages.

    Senator Ngige said when the minimum wage committee concludes its report, it will be submitted to the National Council of State and the Federal Executive Council for approval before a bill is sent to the National Assembly to legalize the work of the committee.

    He said even though it was not an easy task, the committee was making progress in its assigned responsibility, pointing out that it was in other to carry everybody, including the states and private sector along that six governors were elected to be members of the committee as well as representatives of the organised private sector.

    On the threat non-teaching staff of universities to resume their suspended strike as a result of government failure to honour the terms of their agreement, the Minister said government was sourcing the N6 billion needed to pay them their earned allowances as contained in the agreement.

    He said his experience as Minister of Labour said him that majority of about 95 percent of agreement currently being paraded by trade unions in the country were signed before the Buhari government came into office in 2015,adding that most of such agreements had no timeline for implementation.

    He also said many of the agreement signed by the last government were not implementable because of the amount involved, adding that the principles of the International, Labour Organisation allowed employers to renegotiate agreements which they feel they cannot implement.

    He said further that what is important in all collective bargaining agreement is the ability to pay what is being demanded and what is agreed upon.

    He appealed to striking health workers to return to work while negotiations continue on their demands, pointing out that the delay in the implementation of their signed agreement was as a result of failure of the National Salaries, Wages and Income Commission to defend the two different figure presented to a government high powered committee.

    He said the committee has directed the commission and the Federal Ministry of Health to go back and recompile the figures for onward submission to the committee for deliberation.

  • ‘Codeine ban: A breakthrough in fight against drug abuse’

    Northern Governors’ Wives Forum (  NGWF  ) on Tuesday commended Federal Government for banning the production and importation of codeine syrup, saying it is a breakthrough in the fight against drug abuse.

    Hajiya Hadiza Abubakar, Chairperson of the forum and wife of Bauchi State Governor, gave the commendation in a statement signed by her Press Secretary, Rashida Yusuf in Bauchi.

    Yusuf stated that the governor’s wife expressed happiness over the ban, announced by Federal Ministry of Health on May 2, and described drug addiction among youths in the country as canker worm that had eaten deep into the fabric of societies.

    She quoted Abubakar as saying “the NGWF made the fight against drug abuse its priority intervention project.

    “The forum in collaboration with relevant stakeholders took holistic approach to curbing drug abuse in the country, particularly in the North where it was more pronounced.

     Read Also: Codeine: NAFDAC shuts Emzor, two Ilorin firms

    “Following training for northern governor’s wives from the six states of Benue, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kogi and Bauchi, we are at various stages of implementing a work plan.”

    She said that the forum had set up a drug control committee, a drug community volunteer scheme, skill acquisition centres, as well as a female rehabilitation wing to eradicate the menace.

    She explained that the centres were expected to among other things; rehabilitate victims of drug abuse by counselling and providing moral support that would enable addicts to become useful members of the society.

    She urged stakeholders involved in the fight against drug abuse to ensure all hands were on deck to achieve the target of a drug-free society.

    She also urged parents to monitor their wards with a view to nipping detected untoward behaviours in the bud.

    NAN