The Nation Newspaper

Tag: health

  • 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.

  • A health boost in Plateau constituency

    A member of the House of Representatives Hon Solomon Maren has strengthened health facilities in Bokkos/Mangu constituency of Plateau state, which he represents.

    The lawmaker, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) serving his first term at the House, made his constituents happy when he donated medical facilities to a hospital in Bokkos Local Government Area as well as to  Mangu General Hospital in Mangu Local Government Area.

    Hon. Maren said, “My decision to supply these health facilities to these two hospitals is for two basic reasons; first, it is part of my free medical outreach for my people, secondly it is to uplift these hospitals because the last time I came to these hospitals for a free medical outreach I was not impressed with the state of facilities in the hospitals, they were in such deplorable conditions that if left that way they will not be able to deliver quality health care to rural people.

    “You remember, during my last medical outreach when we carried out surgery on 148 persons, the facilities at the hospitals were obviously inadequate for a comprehensive medical programme that I intended. And I vowed to myself that before I return here fo another free medical outreach, I must do something about the poor facilities in these hospitals. Today, I’m here with those facilities to equip the hospitals because the health status of people of my constituency is important to me.”

    The lawmaker a complete set of metallic sterilisers used for sterilising surgical equipment. Until now, the hospital in Bokkos lacked the equipment, a situation that compelled its management to often take surgical kits to Jos or Pankshin for sterilising.

    Other facilities donated were stethoscopes, blood pressure monitoring machines in each wards complementing the only one in the cottage hospital. There were other items donated by the lawmaker, including mattresses.

    Hon Maren also kicked off his youth empowerment programme by providing a take-off grant for 150 youths whom he had earlier trained in skill acquisition in Gombe, Ibadan and Ilorin.

    The lawmaker said, “The youths are the working class in any society, and for them to be useful to the society, they need to be empowered, hence I sent them for skills training outside the state. But the training alone will not be enough; they need capital to start their business. With the startup fund I’m providing for them today, these youths have become self-employed. This is just the second batch because in 2016 over 300 youths benefited from a similar programme. Another group of youths will soon be sent on training outside the state”

    The beneficiaries were trained in bakery, weaving, knitting, juice making, food preservation, fashion design, tailoring and hairdressing, among others.

    Senator Jonah David Jang, who witnessed the event, urged Governor Simon Lalong to look into his administration’s handover notes, which he said, contained the list of all equipment needed for all upgrades and renovation of general and cottage hospitals in the state.

    Senator Jang said, “This is not an issue of politics anymore, it is time to look into the pain of our people. I urge Governor Simon Lalong to looked into our handover notes, it has the list of every equipment that is to be procured for all the upgraded and renovated hospitals in the state as time was not by our side to finish these projects.”

    The Chief medical surpritendant of Bokkos Cottage hospital, Dr. Geoffrey Kumven represented by Metron Kemza Shendam thanked the lawmaker for the gesture, appealing that the cottage hospital should be connected to the national grid for effective utilization of the donated equipments. The hospital is also in need of functional toilets and power generating sets.

    At the Mangu General Hospital, the medical superintendent, Dr. Daplet Ezra thanked the lawmaker for coming to their rescue, adding that he had, at some points, bought some of those equipment out of his own pocket.

  • ‘Create enabling environment to tackle cancer’ expert urges FG

    An Oncologist, Dr Adewunmi Olaniyi, has advised the Federal Government to create a conducive environment for Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders to reduce the burden of cancer.

    Olaniyi, who works at the Bravi Foundation Centre, Abuja, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that the burden of cancer had increased globally.

    “ The burden of death from cancer is more in the low income countries due to late diagnosis and lack of facilities in which Nigeria is listed.

    “Lack of facilities has been a great challenge in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer as most cancer patients here don’t have access to early detection,

    “Cases are picked up at advance stages where it becomes too late to handle and this has contributed greatly to the increase in the burden of death from cancer.

    “Government should establish infrastructure to ensure that people suffering from cancer have adequate access to such facilities.

    “Government should also support non profitable organisations and the private sector in creating a wide coverage for cancer treatment across the nation.

    “Cancer is the most expensive disease to treat globally and it requires support; but if it is detected early, it is cheaper and less of a burden, “Olaniyi said.

    She, however, urged the public to focus on the prevention of cancer by adopting healthy lifestyle.

    “About 80 per cent of cancer cases are due to lifestyle factors like sedentary lifestyle, smoking or unhealthy food.

    “A lot of our staple foods are rich in vegetables and fibres which have good nutrients for the body, but these days, people prefer to go for processed foods that are totally unhealthy, “she said.

  • Council sets up nutrition committee, trains 48 health workers

    Ikara Local Government of Kaduna State has set up Food and Nutrition Committee to curb rising cases of acute malnutrition in the area.

    The Nutrition Focal Person in the council, Mrs Theresa Marcus, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Friday.

    Marcus explained that the committee is made up of civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, youths and local government officials.

    She said that the council had also organised a five-day training for 48 health officers on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), which opened on May 2.

    She added that the council earmarked N250,000 for the committee to implement its work plan, in line with the state’s work plan on nutrition.

    According to her, the money will be released monthly to address the increasing
    cases of malnourished children in the area, which she described as alarming.

    Miss Jessica Bartholomew, a Nutrition Officer, Positive Hope Support and Care Initiative, a Kaduna-based NGO supporting the fight against malnutrition, poverty and HIV and AIDS in the area, described malnutrition indices in the area as disturbing.

    She, however, commended the council for the efforts, particularly the immediate past Caretaker Committee Chairman, Alhaji Bayyabu Paki, who facilitated the allocation and timely release of funds to tackle the problem.

    Bartholomew revealed that a recent survey in the area helped to uncover more than six cases of acute malnourished children in less than a week, adding that the number kept increasing by the day.

    She said “these children would die if not treated. Although we have been able to place most of them on treatment, some parents rejected the offer.

    “Not only that, there are hundreds of malnourished children out there that are yet to be discovered.”

    The nutritionist said that with support from another NGO, Save the Children, the Food and Nutrition Committee was able to scale-up intervention from 10 to 20 communities in the area.

    She called for more support from stakeholders to help stem malnutrition in the area and the state at large.

    She blamed the rising malnutrition cases in the area to ignorance on the part of
    mothers and caregivers on how to properly feed infants and children.

    She said the training of the health officers and care givers on IYCF with focus on exclusive breastfeeding, early initiation of breastfeeding, complementary feeding and homestead garden among others was a sure step in addressing the problem.

  • ACF to Nigerians: Stop speculations on Buhari’s health

    ACF to Nigerians: Stop speculations on Buhari’s health

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has asked Nigerians to stop speculating and drawing conclusions on the state of President Muhammadu Buhari’s health.

    The Northern socio-cultural pressure group said a situation where Nigerians speculate and draw conclusions on the President’s state of health will do Nigeria nor anyone no good.

    The forum in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu however said  what Nigerians need to do at the period is to pray for their leader’s sound health to enable him serve the nation better with more vigor.

    ACF frowned at individuals whom it said were carelessly making unnecessary remarks pertaining to the health of the President.

    According to the statement, “Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has observed with concern that some individuals are carelessly making unnecessary remarks pertaining to the health of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “What Nigerians need to do now is to pray for his good health and not to speculate or draw conclusions which will do no one any good.

    “ACF advises Nigerians to please pray for the improvement of Mr. President’s health so that he can serve the Nation with more vigor.

    “On the speculated disorder and lack of cohesion between the National Assembly and the Presidency, ACF advises the National Assembly to think of Nigeria above all other considerations,” it said.

  • ‘Anxiety, stress triggers migraine headache’

    A consultant neurologist, Dr Rufus Akinyemi, on Monday in Ibadan, said migraine headache could be triggered by anxiety, work overload or stress.

    Akinyemi, a Senior Research Fellow at Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that “migraine is severe headache that can be debilitating.

    “It can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on just one side of the head. It’s often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound,”

    He advised that people who experienced migraine should know the trigger factors and prevent a full-blown attack by acting upon the warning signs.

    He added that “while the exact cause of migraine is unknown, it is however, thought to be due to abnormal brain activity which causes temporary alteration in the nerve signals, chemicals and blood flow in the brain.

    “Migraine can begin in childhood or early adulthood. There are those people who are known to have family history of migraine.

    “Some people who suffer from migraine can clearly identify the triggers that cause the headaches.”

    According to him, potential migraine triggers include physical or emotional stress; work overload; anxiety; dehydration, depression, allergic reactions and the lack of sleep.

    Other triggers, he said, include bright lights, loud noises, smoking and exposure to cigarette smoke.

    “Some typical symptoms my include headache usually confined to one side of the head during an attack; feeling sick and physically being sick, temperature changes and diarrhoea,” he said.

    The neurologist said that while migraine would generally not get worse over time, it could result in more serious complications.

    “Although stroke happening as a result of migraine is not usually common, we don’t see many such cases, but it can still happen,” he warned.

  • Health benefits of mango

    Health benefits of mango

    Mangoes are here again. It’s the season. Fresh and juicy mangoes are sold now. However, apart from being tasty, do you know that this fruit referred to as the king of fruits and love fruit also offers a number of health benefit.

    Nutrition chart

    One cup of mangoes (225 gms) contains the following percentages that apply to daily value.

    105 calories

    76 percent vitamin C (antioxidant and immune booster)

    25 percent vitamin A (antioxidant and vision)

    11 percent vitamin B6 plus other B vitamins (hormone production in brain and heart disease prevention)

    9 percent healthy probiotic fibre

    9 percent copper (copper is a co-factor for many vital enzymes plus production of red blood cells)

    7 percent potassium (to balance out our high sodium intake)

    4 percent magnesium

    1. Fights cancer

    Antioxidants like quercetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, fisetin, gallic acid and methylgallat present in mango protect the body against colon and breast cancers.

    1. Keeps cholesterol in check

    Mango has high level of vitamin C, pectin and fibres that help to lower serum cholesterol levels. Fresh mango is a rich source of potassium, which is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps to control heart rate and blood pressure.

    1. Skin cleanser

    Mangoes help you unclog your pores and add freshness to the face. Mangoes are applicable to any skin type. They help clear clogged pores that cause acne. Just slice a mango into thin pieces and keep them on your face for 10 to 15 minutes and then take bath or wash your face and see the results.

    1. Alkalises the body

    According to natural health school.com, mango is rich in tartaric acid, malic acid and traces of citric acid that primarily help in maintaining the alkali reserve of the body.

    1. Weight loss

    Mango has a lot of vitamins and nutrients that help the body feel fuller. Also, the fibrous fruit boosts the digestive function of the body by burning additional calories, helping in weight loss.

    1. Regulates diabetes

    Not only the fruit but the leaves of mangoes are healthy too. For people suffering from diabetes, just boil 5-6 mango leaves in a vessel, soak it through night and drink the filtered decoction in the morning. This helps in regulating your insulin levels.

    Mango has a low glycemic index (41-60) so going a little overboard will not increase your sugar levels.

    1. Aphrodisiac

    Mango has aphrodisiac qualities and is also called the ‘love fruit’. Mangoes increase the virility in men. Vitamin E, which is abundantly present in mangoes, helps to regulate sex hormones and boosts sex drive.

    Additional information from Mae Chan. She holds degrees in both physiology and nutritional sciences. She is also blogger and technology enthusiast with a passion for disseminating information about health.

     

     

    1. Eye care

    Did you know that mango is rich in vitamin A. One cup of sliced mangoes equals 25% intake of your daily need of vitamin A. Mangoes help in promoting good eye sight, fights dry eyes and also prevent night blindness.

    1. Helps in digestion

    Mango contains enzymes that help in breaking down protein. The fibrous nature of mango helps in digestion and elimination. It is rich in pre-biotic dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals.

    1. Heat stroke

    When the sun is bogging you down, just chop of a mango in a juicer; add a little water and a table spoon of  honey. This juice will instantly cool you down and prevent heat stroke.

    1. Strengthens your immune

    The deadly combination of vitamin C, vitamin A and 25 different kinds of carotenoids keep your immune system healthy.

    1. Body scrub

    Make a paste of mashed mango, honey and milk and use as a body scrub, you will feel that your skin is tender and smooth.

    1. Aids concentration and memory

    Studying for exams? This fruit is rich in glutamine acid– an important protein for concentration and memory. Feed mangoes to children who find it difficult to concentrate on studies.

    1. High iron for women

    Mango is rich in iron, hence it is a great natural solution for people suffering from anaemia. Menopausal and pregnant women can indulge in mangoes as this will increase their iron levels and calcium at the same time.

    1. Reduces kidney stones 

    In Chinese medicine, mangoes are considered sweet and sour with a cooling energy also capable of reducing the risk of kidney stone formation.

    1. Stomach tonic 

    Before going to bed put some 10 or 15 mango leaves in warm water and close it with lid. The next day morning filter the water and drink it in empty stomach. Do this regularly.

    Additional information from Mae Chan. She holds degrees in both physiology and nutritional sciences. She is also blogger and technology enthusiast with a passion for disseminating information about health.

     

     

  • Lagos prepares health workers for NHI

    Lagos State Health Service Commission has commenced activities to reposition public health care facilities for the National Health Insurance Scheme, whose implementation begins next month.

    One of such activities is the on-going tour of General Hospitals and health centres, with the aim of auditing infrastructure and sensitising the workforce in preparation for the scheme.

    At the various staff assemblies during the tours, the Commission Chairman, Dr. Adebayo Aderiye, said since there was no going back on the implementation of the health insurance scheme next month, it was inevitable for stakeholders to make adequate preparations to function effectively and seamlessly blend into the scheme.

    Aderiye said the scheme which is mandatory will not only change the face of health care service delivery in the country, but also keep operators of public health facilities on their toes as they will henceforth have to compete with privately owned hospitals since members of the public will have the option of choosing to either patronise public hospitals or privately owned ones.

    Dr Aderiye said going by Governor Akinwumi Ambode’s administration’s commitment to taking health service delivery in the state to international standards, health workers can be rest assured of state-of-the-arts tools and better working conditions that would enhance their performance. He, therefore, charged staff members across government hospitals to be ready to go the extra mile in providing quality services to patients at all times.

    Permanent Secretary, Health Service Commission, Dr. Jemilade Longe called on members of staff to demonstrate that public health institutions parade the very best of manpower as the scheme takes off by using ethical virtues such as dedication, responsiveness and empathy to showcase the specialist advantage they have over their counterparts in the private sector.

    Dr. Longe, however, said in view of the possibility of litigation in cases of perceived negligence or professional misconduct as provided for in the Health Insurance guidelines, erring staff members should be ready to face the ultimate penalty, if found wanting in this regard.

    As part of the sensitisation effort on the Health Insurance Scheme, some of the issues being emphasised were the quality of care, which include maternal and newborn health services, reproductive health, prevention and control of communicable diseases, emergencies and blood banking service.

    Also on the front burner are issues relating to diagnostic services, theatre facilities and anesthetic services, in patient care and information management, among others.

  • Create environment for health firms’ success, govt told

    Create environment for health firms’ success, govt told

    An indigenous equipment manufacturing firm, FINLAB Nigeria Limited, has called on the Federal Government to create an enabling environment for local manufacturers to thrive.

    Its Director of Marketing (Fine Furniture/Finished Laboratories), Uzo Nwaije Jr, who made the call, said such an environment would include improved factors of production. According to him, the first step at doing so should be by making it easier for manufacturers to get funds to operate.

    “That will improve the economy because when there is fund, demand will be met by supply. Federal Government should create the enabling environment for us to succeed better as manufacturers. It should mandate its contractors to patronise indigenous manufactures of equipments. Governments at all levels should improve on their patronage of local goods,” Nwaije said .

    He said another way was for the government to improve on its patronage of indigenous products.

    “That will guarantee return on investment. Lagos has taken the lead in that. We are hoping for more patronages. The quality is there, and buyers are able to save more money when they buy indigenous manufacturers instead of buying from imported representatives,” he said.

    On some of the factors ailing the sector, Nwaije named electricity as the main constraint.

    He said: “Our firm has three generators, which we fuel daily. The issue of electricity is so germane to production that once we go on the generators we do not switch off until end of production. This is followed by non availability of forex. Another issue is accessing loans from banks.”

    When asked how the company had managed in the last three decades, Nwaije said: “We are members of Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and International Training Fund (ITF). We follow Standard Organisations of Nigeria’s (SON’s) standard. It is gladdening that we are able to train people, who can go ahead with full confidence into setting up their factories. This was decided upon from a simple experience-the need to either expand or shed weight.

    “When the ultimate choice of weight shedding is inevitable it could really be emotional. Nigerians are zealous, and full of ingenuity, so laying off doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t good at their jobs, but for logistic reasons. So, to assist such, we decided to go into training. That experiment paid off and people were able to run their own companies over the years. We do not turn people down when it comes to training. NECA is also assisting in this. One major setback is imitation in the furniture sector. But buyers, who are wary, do not fall victim. Buyers hardly fall victim in the equipment sector. Lagos State is enterprising and it can improve on its patronage. We support Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Lagos at 50, too.”

    Though the firm’s headquartres is at Anthony, Lagos, its factory where medical furniture and laboratory equipment are manufactured is at Sango, Ogun State.

    According to Nwaije, the company is run seamlessly and since commencing business in 1981, it has consistently designed, manufactured and installed many laboratories in many educational institutions (Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, Secondary and Primary Schools), hospitals, industries, and research centres in almost every local government area in Nigeria.

    “The quality of our products and services in this regard has continued to improve over the years. Our services have also extended to some West African Countries with installations in Republic of Benin, and Cote d’Ivoire,” he said.

    “You see the company’s operations are divided into three: Supply of Laboratory Equipment, Installation and Maintenance. Manufacture and installation of laboratory furniture and fittings. And manufacturing and supply of audio-visual materials,” he said.

  • Shocking results of a health screening in rural schools

    Shocking results of a health screening in rural schools

    The health screening conducted, with parents and teachers’ consent, in 20 public schools mostly in the rural fringes of Abuja, highlights serious health challenges, Jide Babalola reports

    Volunteer doctors and nurses from the Nigerian Turkish International Colleges Foundation (NTICF) on a medical outreach to about 20 public primary schools in rural communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja in conjunction with the Federal Capital Territory’s Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB) got a rude shock when the result of the test conducted on some students returned.

    “Among the urgent cases we see are some of the pupils with body temperature of 41.3 degree which is too high for their little bodies. It’s like burning fire and it is sometimes accompanied with some throat infection and it is clear that we have cases of serious malaria.

    “For example, in the statistics  gathered by the school teachers and volunteer medical staff, out of the 498 pupils that we have screened in this school (LEA, Aleyita), the doctor wrote prescriptions for 135 who have one medical challenge or the other; out of these 135 pupils, we have· seen 45 or 30% of them having malaria.

    “Out of a batch of 566 pupils, we that were screened in another school, we have seen 35 or 19% having malaria while six percent have· urine infection. In the sample from a school in Galadimawa, there were 370 pupils out of whom 117 have malaria and 43 percent of the school population has urine infection.

    “In one school where we have screened 644 pupils, 44 pupils have malaria in their system; at another school, 35 out of 135 pupils have malaria,” Behlul Basaran, the coordinator of the NTICF said.

    Since the year 2000 when Basaran arrive Nigeria from Turkey, his life has been intertwined with the NTICF and has been involved in the group’s many charitable works in Nigeria. The NTICF, since its inauguration, has been engaged in one of the largest humanitarian works across Nigeria.

    Indeed one of its cardinal visions is “to relieve the challenges in the areas of education, poverty, psychological and physical disadvantages with all modern instruments and most effective methods while creating a communal awareness of such through campaigns.” Much of its humanitarian work is accomplished largely through the use of volunteers drawn from NTIC, mostly school principals and teachers who act as representatives of NTIC Foundation and travel to various states or Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and distribute relief materials.

    A grim statistic

    The United Nations Development Program’s (UNDP) National Human Development Report 2016 states that Nigeria’s almost 170 million populations has a 62% population rate of people living under the threshold of poverty. This has multiple implications for families whose only way of accessing primary school education lies in the virtually tuition-free public schools.

    Amongst other factors, the UNDP’s HDR 2016 notes that Nigeria’s current doctor: patient ratio is 1:53,333 against the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended standard of 1:700; Nurse: patient ratio is 1:1,066 against WHO standard of 1:700; while Pharmacist: patient ratio is 1:12,000 against WHO standard of 1:2,000.

    The situation justifies the decision of the NTICF and Nizamiye Hospital, to come to the rescue of children from low socio-economic status background that are attending public schools, nursing their potentials for future greatness.