The Nation Newspaper

Tag: health

  • ‘We’ve renovated 120 health centres this year’

    ‘We’ve renovated 120 health centres this year’

    Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim Getso in this interview with KOLADE ADEYEMI, evaluates the state’s health sector under the administration of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. Excerpts:

    How has the health sector fared under Governor Abdullahi Ganduje?

    Let us look at the provision of infrastructure, equipment, facilities, furniture and other important structures in the health. We can also talk about the provision of adequate human resources for health-care delivery programs like drugs and other consumables. Generally, the efforts that the government is making in healthcare services delivery have recorded a huge success.

    On infrastructure, I will want to start with the project that was undertaken in Danbatta. The General Hospital was totally renovated and upgraded. This is a project in collaboration with MDGs which His Excellency commissioned in August last year. The hospital is now wearing a new look; when you go there, you will think that it is an entirely new facility.

    Also, the two mega-hospital projects that were inherited from the administration of the former governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau: The Dental Hospital in Zoo Road and the Giginyu Specialist Hospital have been completed with state-of-the-art facilities.

    On assuming office, Governor Ganduje directed the contractors that were handling the projects to go back to site and complete these important projects. As I speak to you now, even the installations like furniture and equipment have started. These two projects will go a long way in providing healthcare services to the teeming population of the state.

    There are other facilities that have been renovated and upgraded; the maternal and childcare facility in Sabon Gari, along Middle Road, is a small healthcare centre because we observed that there are so many women in that area. The government then found it necessary to upgrade the facility. It was previously a primary healthcare centre which had just about three offices, but now, it has been upgraded to a maternal and healthcare centre to provide excellent healthcare delivery in the area.

    It is the only facility that is serving the entire local government with some neighbouring local governments and border states like Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto. Accidents do occur along these highways and when they occur, victims are always stranded. So, with the upgrading of this facility, as a cottage hospital, it can now cater for such emergency cases. Apart from that, we also have another hospital, Yadakunya Leprosy Hospital, which is the only skin hospital. The hospital has been existing for more than 30 years. So,  the state government has also commenced a comprehensive upgrade of the facility. Also, the hospital at Makoda, the primary health centre is now being upgraded to a cottage hospital. We have such facility too at Filin Muchi in Gwale Local Government.

    This year, we have renovated 96 healthcare centres, excluding the ones I earlier mentioned. This is in collaboration with MSCH2. Most of them have been completed and we will soon start commissioning them. In summary, we have been able to upgrade and renovate over 120 of such health facilities across the state within these nine months, including primary and secondary healthcare centres.

    On Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, it’s a premier hospital for us in Kano. We have done a lot of interventions in this hospital, particularly, in the Accident Ward and the Maternity ward.

    We have embarked on more than 10 projects. There are some collaborative projects we have done along with some partners, for example, the Baby Care Unit has been renovated, and we have also established the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit. These were not available before. This unit is established to cater for neo-natal patients with special attention. Alhaji Aliko Dangote Foundation has carried out some renovations and upgrading by expanding the blood bank consisting of six wards, two antenatal wards, laboratory, isolation ward and other facilities at the cost of N200 million, while also the maternity and diagnostic center, which construction is ongoing will gulp N7 Billion.

    The health sector is one of the few sectors in Kano State that has not placed embargo on the employment of health workers in the provision of health services in the state. Also, in the provision of furniture within nine months, from May 29 to date, Kano State government has spent about N4 Billion for the supply of equipment and furniture, like the provision of special equipments valued at over N400 million. Some specialist hospitals such as CT Scanning Machines, Anaesthetic Machines and other vital hospital equipments. No government since the creation of Kano state 50 years ago, has ever bought such sophisticated scanning machines.

    The government has procured two of such scanning machines. One has already been installed at Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital which would be commissioned very soon, while the other one in being installed at Giginyu Specialist Hospital and is near completion.

    On malnutrition

    The Kano state government has been making efforts so that they get interventions that are meant to address malnutrition.

    The health sector has a lot of collaborations to other sectors like education, agriculture, water resources. So, these are sectors that impact directly or indirectly to the health of the people, that is why Kano state government wants to boost agriculture to make sure that there is availability of foods that will improve the health of the people and the society. This will also help to reduce the burden of prevalent malnutrition especially among the children.

    On maternal mortality

    Pregnant women are provided with free services till the time of their final delivery. For instance, when pregnant women are to undergo operation, in some areas, they are charged between N200,000 to N250,000, Kano State government provides such services free of charge.

    One of the major causes of maternal mortality is delay in reaching the health facility centres. So in order to avert such delay in transporting them even though 88 of such tricycles were procured and with this intervention was equally collaborated by the Clinton Foundation. Additionally, we observed that most of our pregnant women, especially in the rural communities like to patronise our local TBS. We felt that we need to sanitise what these local TBS are doing. So, Kano State government selected 1936 TBS and trained them. They were trained to be able to identify danger signs of pregnancy, so that as soon as they see the signs, they will now immediately refer them to the health facilities for delivery.

  • Buhari’s health : Gloating is of no value

    Buhari’s health : Gloating is of no value

    I learnt an enduring lesson on the day General Sani Abacha died. It was June 8, 1998, and death had laid its icy hands on the maximum ruler, and the scepter had fallen from the grip of the king. I was deputy editor of National Concord, the newspaper owned by Basorun M.K. O Abiola, the man Abacha not only inveigled out of his mandate as democratically elected President, but whom he had also locked up in military gulag for five years.

    Mr Dele Alake, who was to become Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State for eight years, was editor, but he had travelled on the fateful day. So, the lot fell on me to produce the newspaper, as the deputy editor. Dr (Mrs) Doyin Abiola was Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief.
    Naturally, on a great news day like that, an editor would leave his office, and be on the shop floor, ensuring that the newspaper was swiftly produced.

    Time was of the essence, if you would partake in the harvest of sales the next day. So, I was in the computer room downstairs, editing the news stories as they were typed at the speed of light. It was there that Dr Abiola met me, as she prepared to go home about 7 p.m. She said something that both baffled and amazed me: “Editor, no gloating. We have every reason to rejoice that Abacha is dead, but no gloating. Just present the news as professionally as possible. Don’t gloat!”

    I thanked her, and she left. Her instruction continued to ring in my ears, and was followed to the letter. Those who read National Concord the next day would recall that there was no sense of triumphalism, no newsman’s orgasm of any kind, in the treatment of the story. Just professionally done. “Don’t gloat!”

    Did Doyin Abiola have reasons to instruct her newspaper to preen and gloat about Abacha’s death? Every. He had given the impression that he would take over power, and hand over to Abiola, who had won the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which the military annulled. Instead, he locked the man up in solitary confinement. Doyin did not see her husband for five years.

    Also, Abacha had shut down Concord Press for about two years, causing the company grave economic afflictions. Under him, Kudirat Abiola, one of Doyin’s mates, had been murdered, shot down in the streets, allegedly on the orders of the state. And many more evil deeds. Dr Doyin Abiola had every cause to waltz, and do a jig, at the death of Sani Abacha. But she did not. She even told her editor: “Don’t gloat!” I never forgot, and will never forget that lesson. It is human, and it is also divine.

    Between January 19 and March 10, of this year, President Muhammadu Buhari was away in London, first on routine holiday where he would do normal medical check-ups, and then, it became a medical vacation, in which he had to ask for an indeterminate number of days. Yes, who is he or she that never falls sick, let that person cast the first stone. As the President frankly confessed on his return, he had never been that sick in his life. Human, just human. Presidents, kings, queens, potentates, wealthy people, are also human, aren’t they? They itch as well, and scratch as hard. Sickness, not only death, is often a leveler among all mortals, young, old, poor, rich, dull, brilliant, ugly, beautiful, everybody.

    And we know what attended the President’s medical sojourn from certain quarters in the country. Wild news. Hate news. Rumour. Evil thinking. Even, gloating. They did all kinds of photoshops, and spewed all kinds of evil stories. They passed round outright wickedness on WhatsApp, and those of us who debunked their evil tales became enemies. They tried to tag us with all kind of labels, saying we were liars and deceivers. But wise was the man who said: “The truth is incontrovertible. Panic may resent it, ignorance may deride it, malice may distort it, but there it is.” Or our own Professor Tam David-West, in his book, Philosophical Essays, also said: “Truth like the cork cannot sink. It cannot be sunk. It always floats.”

    When President Buhari spoke with me on phone from London on February 25, I was elated, and issued a press statement, detailing our conversation. Many Nigerians, good people from a great nation, who could get hold of my phone number, called. They would ask if truly we had spoken. Once I confirmed, they broke into tears of joy, crying like babies. They brought tears to my eyes many times. Till this son of hate, a purveyor of evil and tragedy, called. He identified himself as Jude (I decide to withhold his other name for now). He said: “Mr Adesina, you claim to have spoken with President Buhari. When are you going to stop this political deceit? How can you speak with a man who is long dead, and you are deceiving the public that he’s still alive?”

    I didn’t argue with the man (though I was tempted to call him sonofagun, the son of a gun). I held my peace, let him finish his orgy of evil, and calmly cut off the phone. Doomsday prophets. Evil thinkers. Peddlers of mischief.

    Then, on March 10, the President returned. Ecstasy and pure rapture from good Nigerians, who had been praying and supplicating unto God. Mai Gaskiya was back. The honest man had returned. Ramrod straight, man of integrity. He had been spared by God, and restored to us. Oh, glory!
    Did you listen to that short speech that President Buhari read on his return? Did you listen to his off the cuff remarks? Was there any gloating? None. Did he rub it in on those who had peddled evil news, fake news, hate news? No. That is maturity. That is how to be the father of a country. And I remembered Dr Doyin Abiola: “Don’t gloat!”

    Do you know what some other people would have done in the same circumstance? They would have taken evil minded people to the cleaners. But not President Buhari. They would have made snide remarks about peddlers of hate news, calling fire and brimstone to fall upon them. But not our President. He would have been justified if he did so. The Good Book says, “He that digs a pit shall fall into it. He that rolls a stone, a stone will roll back at him. He that breaks the hedge, a serpent shall bite him.” So, President Buhari would have been justified, if he gave evil people some jabs. But he did not. What a heart!

    Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.

    How did that Jude Somebody feel when the President returned? He even bears Jude, a Christian name. How embarrassing! But he was full of bile, in the gall and throes of bitterness. May God forgive him. Amen.

    With President Buhari’s health saga, some truths have been brought to bold relief once again. Anybody can be sick. Big or small man. A man of power, or a man of no consequence. Let us therefore be conscious of our mortality at all times. I can testify, from my many private discussions with him, that President Buhari is a man keenly aware of his own mortality at all times. A worthy example to follow.

    Another lesson. Life and death are the sole preserves of God Almighty. Despite all those concoctions and contraptions, fake pictures, false stories on WhatsApp, mendacious newspaper reports, President Buhari came back alive. Who says anything that God has not said? There are many devices in the heart of man, but it is the counsel of God that shall stand. The counsel of God has prevailed concerning Nigeria, and concerning our President. Let us learn the eternal truth. No matter the devices in the heart of man, the counsel of God stands. It is not me that says so. It is straight from the Good Book.

    From March 10, when President Buhari returned, purveyors of evil have disappeared. Vanished! Utterly transmuted, like Brother Jero, in that work by Wole Soyinka. Even on social media, where they had held sway for many weeks, they evaporated. Like a beaten dog, they had their tails between their feet, and ran for cover. But should we rejoice? “Don’t gloat!”

    There is nothing we have, that we did not receive from above. So, why boast? Why gloat? Rather, we should be thankful to God. The President has thanked millions of people who prayed. And they continue to pray. Olorun da Baba si fun wa. God, please, spare Baba for us. Let him take us to the Promised Land. A land that is secure, free completely of Boko Haram, flowing with milk and honey. A land where corrupt people get their just desserts, ending behind bars. A land where human life has value, where wanton killings stop, where justice and equity covers the space, like the waters cover the sea. A land where mischief makers repent, and turn to God.

    Where is that Jude Somebody? I kept his number. I feel like calling him, saying “Son of a gun, how now?” But I shouldn’t do it. And I won’t do it. Because I remember Dr Abiola’s instruction: “Don’t gloat!”

    Adesina is Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President

  • NGO sensitises Ibadan residents to good health

    Population Media Centre (PMC), an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) that educates the people about the benefits of having small families, elevating the status of women and motivating behavioural change for prevention of HIV/AIDS among other activities has organised road shows that educate residents of Ibadan on how to achieve good living condition.

    The organisation recently stormed major streets and markets in the Ibadan metropolis educating residents of the city on the effective use of family planning methods to help the people live better and move out of poverty.

    The NGO noted that much could be achieved in terms of having happy family life if the lessons learned during advocacy carnival were carefully applied by the residents of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    The ancient city was agog as hundreds of people who trooped out to receive the PMC team who stormed the city on a sensitisation road show of the popular Radio Drama “Jangala” (song of life) and “A Dade Ana Yi” (pit of lies).

    From Agbeni Market to Oje Market, to Oja’ba to Beere and Bodija Market, many residents were enthusiastic about the message.

    Other areas visited by the team included Ring Road, Challenge, Molete, Oke-Ado Market, Dugbe Market, Queen Cinema, Mokola, Sabo and Iyaganku.

    The crowd comprising mainly women and children paid attention to the messages during the programme. They appreciated the message that urges them to plan for a better future.

    Some market men and women left their shops for the venues to listen to the thrilling road show on family planning and accepted the kits distributed to them by the PMC officials.

    While addressing the crowd, the Country Representative of the NGO, Mr Abom Ephraim Okon, said the organisation had used different methods to reach its target audience, including house to house visits, radio dramas and conferences to help people make informed choices on how to bring about stability of human population numbers at a level that can be sustained by the world’s natural resources.

    While expressing satisfaction with the level of acceptance, Okon revealed that his organisation was deploying the serialised radio drama to promote several health-related issues about humankind and the environment.

    He said: “Among the issues we are promoting are the family planning and reproductive health, environmental protection, gender equity, peace building and social cohesion.”

    On the radio drama, Okon explained that many people were being thought the rudiments of safer and secure lifestyle.

    Maintaining safer and secure lifestyle, he noted, has much to do with maternal and child health, nutrition, safe delivery and contraceptive options.

    According to him, the radio drama has sensitised the people to the harmful effects of agricultural and cooking practices which accelerate deforestation, resilience building, pipeline sabotage and pollution. He described the radio drama as most effective tool in reaching the people.

    He further explained that the organisation would not relent in its efforts to educate the people on the problems associated with non-education of the girl child, the harmful traditional practices such as early marriage and female genital mutilation, as well as the benefits of overcoming differences, conflict resolution and non-violence.

    At the show, there were demonstrations on the effective way of using contraceptives for both male and female, and customised gift items from PMC given away to the public and winners of different competitions.

  • Coca-Cola products safe for consumption, says Ministry of Health

    Coca-Cola products safe for consumption, says Ministry of Health

    The Federal Ministry of Health has certified Coca-Cola products manufactured in Nigeria safe for consumption.

    The Ministry stated this on Friday in a statement by its Director, Media and Public Relations Mrs Akinola Boade on behalf of the Minister after a meeting with the Department of Food and Drug Services, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) following a recent court order.

    A Lagos High Court in its judgement on a case filed by Fijabi Holdings and another versus Nigeria Bottling Company and NAFDAC ruled that Fanta and Sprite when taken with Vitamin C is poisonous.

    It asked NAFDAC to compel the Nigerian Bottling Company, makers of Coca-Cola products to include a warning label warning consumers not to take Fanta and Sprite with Vitamin C.

    However the Ministry after the meeting with the concerned agencies said a routine inspection conducted at Nigeria Bottling Company by NAFDAC officers in December, 2016 which was satisfactory

    It stated that risk assessment was conducted to ascertain maximum limits of food additives acceptable in foods.

    The assessment takes into consideration the environmental, storage and distribution conditions as well as the shelf life of food products, while NAFDAC and SON regularly monitor the manufacturing practices of Food industries and conduct laboratory analysis to ascertain continuous compliance with required national standards.

    The full findings of the meeting is as follows:

    1. Both Benzoic acid and Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) are ingredients approved by International Food Safety regulators and used in many food and beverage products around the world.
    2. Are levels of additives introduced as preservatives within specification?
    • Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is the organ established by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) to set internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines relating to foods, food production, and food safety.
    • In the case of Benzoic acid, the standard set by Codex was 600mg/kg until recently reviewed to 250mg/kg and adopted in 2016. (CODEX STAN 192-1995 revised 2015 and 2016).
    • With reference to the Codex standard and other relevant documents, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) as the standard setting body in Nigeria in consultation with technical experts and relevant stakeholders elaborated the standard of benzoic acid in soft drinks to be at 250mg/kg based on the National climatic and storage conditions. This standard has been in existence since 1997 and revised in 2008. (NIS 217:2008)
    • The levels of benzoic acid in Fanta (1 batch) and Sprite (2 batches) presented by the claimant in the court are 188.64mg/kg, 201.06mg/kg and 161.5mg/kg respectively.
    • These levels are in compliance with both the Codex and Nigeria Industrial Standards.
    1. Are Coca-Cola products manufactured in Nigeria safe for consumption?
    • Yes, the Coca-Cola products manufactured in Nigeria are safe for consumption in view of the following reasons:
    1. Risk assessment was conducted to ascertain maximum limits of food additives acceptable in foods.
    2. This takes into consideration the environmental, storage and distribution conditions as well as the shelf life of food products.
    3. NAFDAC and SON regularly monitor the manufacturing practices of Food industries and conduct laboratory analysis to ascertain continuous compliance with required national standards.
    4. There was a routine inspection conducted at Nigeria Bottling Company by NAFDAC officers in December, 2016 which was satisfactory.
    5. Why is there difference between the standard of Fanta and Sprite in Nigeria and the United Kingdom?
    • With reference to the Codex standards, each country or region is permitted to adapt a standard/limit based on country specific scientific evidence such as environmental, storage and distribution conditions.
    • Benzoic acid as a preservative prevents the growth of microorganisms which thrive more at higher climatic temperatures like in Nigeria.
    • Due to the different environmental conditions obtainable in the UK, the standard for benzoic acid was set at a lower limit of 150mg/kg while in Nigeria it was set at 250mg/kg even below that of Codex (as at time of production of that batch; Codex limit was 600mgkg).
    • Food products being imported into a country must comply with the relevant standards of the destination country. NAFDAC has processes in place to ensure products imported into the country are evaluated to ascertain compliance with required Nigeria Industrial Standards.
    • The claimant did not obtain NAFDAC certification before export, otherwise, he would have been advised on the required standard of the destination country.
    1. In view of the above, we would like to advise all Nigerians to take medicines with potable water. This would help to prevent unexpected drug-food interactions.
    2. For the benefit of the health of all Nigerians, all bottling companies are encouraged to insert advisory warnings on all products as necessary.
  • Ansarudeen Women walk for health

    Ansarudeen Women walk for health

    Walking for fun and fitness, experts say, is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. Just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers.

    Recently, the Women’s Committee of Ansarudeen Society,  Lagos  branch, organised its annual health walk in Lagos. In attendance were dignitaries, including the state Chairperson Alhaja Shakirat Adeyinka Koiki, Chairperson of the program, Alhaja Modinat kike Layeni, Alhaja Tinuade Bambe and secretary of the Women’s committee, Modinat Mojisola Lawal.

    The walk took off a few minutes past 8 am at the National stadium, Surulere, Lagos through Adeniran Ogunsanya, Bode Thomas and back to Shitta, Masha, Ogunlana Drive and finally to Babatunde Street to Ajao Road location of the Ansarudeen Mosque.

    The members of the organisation who were dressed in white and green outfits sang, danced and networked with other members of the public who were excited with the messages from the women.

    By 9.10am, Alhaja Sikirat Adeyinka Koiki welcomed everyone back and they prayed and thanked Allah for the event, their families and the nation.

    Dr T.A. Basorun, consultant Physical Medicine and Medical Rehabilitation gave a health talk. He said “It is good to exercise the body and walking is one of the best ways to do this. The truth of the matter is a lot of women get married and do not take care about themselves. It is important to be healthy and smart’.

    According to Koiki, awareness of healthy living is very important. She said “We thank God that we decided at our meeting that we were going to hold a health talk; it’s the first of its kind in this branch. We thank God that we have gone out today and everything went well. We can’t be doing everything spiritual; we need to take care of our health as well….”

    She said almost two hours of walk is not a joke and thanked Allah for his grace: “Personally, I am an aerobic club member and I am used to it. I will be 65 this year. We just have to be conscious of our health, we have to be medically conscious, we have to go for checkups; we have to go for screening, moreso now that cancer is so rampant in our society today. We pray for Allah to help us to avoid all this calamities of the world.”

    She reminded the women that prevention is better than cure, noting that ailments such as BP, diabetes, arthritis and even menopausal problems abound.

  • Health Matters

    Health Matters

    I had not planned to write about Nigeria’s poor health status, clearly evident in my column this week. But last week there was a mild protest in Lagos by health care workers to call the nation’s attention to the deplorable state of health care delivery system in Nigeria and the appalling conditions of health care workers. Then there were one or two articles in the media warning about the deteriorating situation of health care in our country. Shortly after that I received an alarming tweet that Nigeria ranked 187 of 190 nations whose health status was surveyed in 2000 by the World Health Organization (WHO). I found this shocking and disturbing. I had no idea that health care in our country was that bad. Of the African countries on which the survey was carried out, only the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Central African Republic (CAR) ranked below Nigeria in terms of health care, with Myanmar bringing up the rear.

    Even though I was fully aware of the appalling state of Nigeria’s health care delivery system and its deterioration in recent years, I still found the alarming report attributed to the WHO incredible. I decided I would google the WHO report myself. What I found out about the global health ranking of Nigeria was even more disturbing. The WHO report for 2014 showed that of the 200 countries surveyed, Nigeria ranked 197 in health care delivery. Again, only the DCR the CAR and Myanmar still ranked below Nigeria. All other African countries on which the WHO carried out a medical survey in 2014 ranked above Nigeria. Absolutely shocking.

    Here are some of the randomly selected incredible WHO rankings for African states in health care: Morocco, the African leader (29), Senegal (59), Libya (87), Benin Republic (97), Burkina Faso (132), Ghana (135), Cote d’Ivoire (137), Burundi (143), Uganda (149), Zimbabwe (155), Cameroon (164), Rwanda (172), Chad (178), Somalia (179) and Ethiopia (180). All those countries, including war- torn Sudan (134) and Somalia (the failed state), ranked incredibly above our own country, Nigeria. How come Nigeria, an oil producing country, touted as the largest economy in Africa, ranked so low in WHO’s ranking of global health care? All our relatively poorer West African neighbours, including Chad, Niger, Togo, Burkina Faso, were ranked higher than Nigeria in health care delivery. So were Ghana and Cameroon.  Further afield, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Burundi, all vastly poorer than Nigeria, were reported as having better health care delivery systems than Nigeria. Now, Nigeria’s low ranking is not due solely to its large population. China, India and Brazil have large populations too, but rank far ahead of Nigeria. They spend a lot more on health care than Nigeria.

    When I checked the WHO data for health care in Nigeria it was even more disturbing. In virtually all cases we were worse off than other African countries. From 85 in 2000, infant mortality has increased to 110 per 1000 live births in 2014, globally one of the worst. The rate of maternity deaths has also increased substantially. The WHO had recommended that all states should commit 15 per cent of their annual budgets to health care. Nigeria signed the protocol to this WHO recommendation, but it has always fallen way below it. In the last two or three decades Nigeria’s total annual expenditure on health care has averaged only 3.7 per cent instead of 15 per cent prescribed by the WHO. The average for Africa was given as 8 per cent, more than double that of Nigeria. In 2016, while Nigeria spent only US$40 million on its health care, Kenya, a much smaller and poorer country, spent over US$100 million on its health care. It was only in 1998/9 and 2002/3 that Nigeria spent 5 per cent of its budget on health care. These figures include expenditure on health care by the states. The WHO recommends the annual expenditure of US$3400 per head on health care. Nigeria’s average as at 2014 was only US$217. As the WHO report observed, “Nigeria lacks a serious approach to health care”. In fact, the situation is worse at the level of primary health care which, due to wilful neglect, has declined very rapidly over the years. When he was Minister of Health, the late Professor Olikoye Ransome Kuti tried very hard, and with some success, to reform and stabilise our primary health care system.

    But the improvements he made in our primary health care have not been sustained largely due to our failure to increase public expenditure on health care. The WHO report also referred to poor training facilities for health care workers and lack of the necessary medical equipment in our hospitals, including the most advanced. We have over 50 university teaching hospitals, but they all lack the necessary medical equipment to function maximally. This situation applies to the private hospitals as well. Very often surgeries cannot be performed on patients because of the irregular and uncertain power supply, In both urban and rural areas of our country, access by the poor to health care is very poor. The limited private health care available mostly in the urban areas is very expensive. Children, women and the elderly are highly vulnerable to this appalling lack of an efficient and affordable health care delivery system. Where it exists at all, the facilities are very poor and inadequate. The national health insurance scheme is a total failure. It covers only a negligible few. To further complicate matters, drugs, most of which are imported, have become outrageously expensive, due to the exchange rate adjustment of the naira.  Only the rich can afford them. The poor now resort increasingly to self medication, quacks, or dubious herbalists for their health care. It is estimated that there are 4,000 Nigerian trained doctors now living and working in the US and Britain. There could be another 1,000 of them working elsewhere. Most of them emigrated abroad because of poor pay and poor working conditions here at home. Our rich now routinely go abroad for medical treatment because they know what is available locally is wholly inadequate. And because they can afford private health care they care very little about the appalling state of public health care in our country. Right now, President Muhammadu Buhari is receiving medical attention abroad. President Yar’Adua died while receiving medical care in Saudi Arabia. This is a national shame and embarrassment.

    Now, despite competing financial needs, I believe Nigeria can afford an efficient and respectable health care delivery system. What is lacking is the commitment of its leaders to this objective and the vast public corruption that diverts huge financial resources away from investment in human development. Cuba, under its late leader, Fidel Castro, showed, within a generation, what a committed leadership can do for health care, particularly at the primary level. Cuba, despite its financial constraints, has one of the most advanced health care delivery programmers in the world. It concentrates mainly on primary health care. The development of physical infrastructure (roads, electricity and public transportation) is important. But the development of social infrastructure (health and education) is even more important. Investing in the development of social infrastructure is even more profitable. It should be treated as a priority in public expenditure. It creates more jobs and has a more positive effect on the economy.

    Health care matters. Health is wealth. A healthy nation is a prosperous nation. Its workers are more productive. Some of the social divisions and conflicts in our country are made worse by the existing poor health care. Though there can be no justification for it, the poor are tempted to take to crimes, such as kidnapping and armed robbery when they are unable to meet their health challenges and medical bills. A good and affordable public health system will reduce some of the violence in our country. Nigeria does not lack the financial resources to improve on its health care. In 1953, when Chief Obafemi Awolowo introduced his free health programme in the then Western Region, he committed 50 per cent of his government’s budget to health and education. That gave the Western Region a good start in health care, which it has maintained since. The region is far ahead of other regions of Nigeria in health care. We must find a way of getting our governments at all levels to commit themselves to meeting the WHO prescription of spending 15 per cent of our annual budgets on heath care. The National Assembly must take the bull by the horns. It should pass the necessary legislation that will compel the Federal Government to meet its financial obligations in that respect to a better health care delivery system. In addition the importation of vital drugs should be made easier and cheaper by lowering the tariff or duty on imported drugs.

  • Islamic clerics offer special prayers over Buhari’s health

    Islamic clerics offer special prayers over Buhari’s health

    Sheik Ibrahim Fari, Chairman of Imams Forum of Niger, said that the organisation had embarked on special prayers for quick recovery and save return of President Mohammadu Buhari.

    Fari told the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in Minna that the imams would sacrifice their time for special prayers for God’s intervention on President Buhari’s health.

    He said this was the moment Nigerians needed the president to reposition the country for optimal growth.

    ” He has started very well, especially the fight against corruption, insurgency, militancy, cattle rustling and kidnapping.

    He observed that only unpatriotic elements would not support the fight against corruption for their selfish interest.

    ” We will continue to pray for God’s guidance, to enable President Buhari to return and implement policies and programmes that will better the lots of the governed ”

    He explained that already arrangements had been concluded for all imams in the state to converge on the metropolis for the special prayers.

    Fari, who is also the  Chief imam of Minna Central Mosque, urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of praying and wishing their leaders well, to have all things right.

    He also called on the residents, irrespective of political, tribal, religious and ethic differences, to continue to pray fervently for God’s intervention in the nation’s affairs.

  • Wike sacks health commissioner

    Wike sacks health commissioner

    Governor  Nyesom Wike of Rivers has sacked his Commissioner for Health, Dr Theophilus Ndagene.

    Wike in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, in Port Harcourt on Wednesday wished Ndagene luck in his future endeavor.

    The statement, however, did not disclose any reasons for the sack. (NAN)

  • Beat Arthritis by checking your teeth

    Beat Arthritis by checking your teeth

    Gum/tooth disease is a common complaint that comes with aging, which is the reason many elderly people lose their natural teeth with age. One thing many physicians and their patients are yet to realize is that tooth/gum trouble is a symptom of a much more serious health challenge. Pain in the joints is a well known symptom of Rheumatoid Arthritis, but a much less known fact is the relationship between arthritis and gum/tooth troubles. Physician/researcher Al Sears points this out when he says, “But one problem with modern medicine is that specialists often miss the bigger picture. Every part of your body is biologically connected. And what’s going on in your mouth can reveal a lot about your health.”

     

    New research studies published in the Nature Reviews Rheumatology journal provide evidence to corroborate Sear’s theory. Sears states, “In a study published just a few weeks ago in the journal Nature Reviews Rheumatology, researchers followed 6,616 people for more than 10 years. They found that those who had moderate to severe gum disease had more than twice the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.”

     

    Sears continues, “Other research suggests that clearing up gum disease could help prevent or treat Rheumatoid Arthritis. Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine found that people who were treated for gum disease had significantly more improvement in their Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms than those who were only treated for their Rheumatoid Arthritis.”

     

    There are a lot of bacteria in your mouth, something like 100 billion bacteria. The bacteria form a sticky film called plaque that hardens into tartar. Plaque and tartar cause inflammation in your gums. If you have plaque and tartar buildup, your gums may bleed when you brush your teeth. But those bacteria can also travel around your body. And left unchecked, they can cause inflammation in other parts of your body, like in your joints.

     

    The good news is that treating gum troubles could treat or prevent Rheumatoid Arthritis. The Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine study found that people who were treated for gum disease had significantly more improvement in their RA symptoms than those who were only treated for their Rheumatoid Arthritis. Sears continues, “Scientists found that one of the bacteria involved in Periodontitis may trigger a process called citrullination. Researchers who study this process believe it’s what sparks the immune system and drives the cascade of events that lead to Rheumatoid Arthritis.” In other words, gum disease could be triggering RA.

     

    The secret of Healthy Teeth is therefore Healthy Joints. To prevent and treat your RA, simply take care of your teeth. Besides just brushing and flossing, do the following for healthy teeth AND joints:

    1. Coconut Oil Pulling. Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic detox practice. It pulls toxins out of teeth and gums. And the oil leaves a film on teeth to help prevent plaque and bacteria from sticking. It can reduce both plaque and gum disease in just seven days.

    To do this, in the morning before eating or drinking anything, gently swish one tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and between your teeth for 10 to 20 minutes. Don’t swallow. Spit the used oil into the trash or a jar, not the sink. It will clog your plumbing. Rinse your mouth and brush your teeth as normal.

     

    1. Rinse Your Mouth With Aloe. Aloe Vera has 23 polypeptides that stimulate the immune system and fight infections. In a study in India, 345 healthy people used aloe mouthwash twice a day. After just four days, aloe stamped out plaque and gingivitis. It also significantly lowered bleeding and inflammation.

    Use it just like regular mouthwash. Look for cold-processed aloe juice that uses the whole leaf. It should be at least 85% pure aloe Vera with no sugar or additives.

     

    1. Chew On Coenzyme Q10. People with gum disease have a deficiency of CoQ10. But replacing CoQ10 reserves can turn that around, and reverse gum disease.

    Look for a chewable form of CoQ10, and leave it in your mouth for a few minutes to coat your gums. Or gargle with a natural mouthwash containing CoQ10.You can also take 60 mg per day of a CoQ10 supplement. Just make sure it’s the “reduced” or ubiquinol form. If you already have gum disease or an infection, take 100 mg twice a day. I’ve seen it help repair visibly damaged gum tissue.

  • ‘Food answers all health needs’

    ‘Food answers all health needs’

    One is inclined to take a pill when sick, but healthcare givers say good food holds the key to a healthy life, OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA writes.

    Everything is not about drugs.But people are inclined to first look for drugs whenever they feel that something is wrong with them. Most times, they feel  that they must take a pill to get better if they experience a cold, headache, or any other symptoms.

    But, healthcare givers believe that good food holds the key to a healthy life.

    According to a Naturopath, Dr Adebisi Lambo of LamboDebs Nature Clinic, Ojota, Lagos, most health problems can be treated or prevented by a healthy diet. “Only most of the time, we find out after we get sick. The fact is your body is a machine. It needs high quality food, sleep and exercise. That’s it,” said the doctor.

    He said food is any material that provides living things with the nutrients they need for energy and growth. He said the food we eat has two sources- Synthetic based foods like dairy foods and beverages and plant based foods. Plants have always been used medicinally throughout history and in diverse cultures. In Europe and Asia for example, citizens grow herbs for food and medicinal purposes, knowing well that the secret of good health and long life lies in what goes into the mouth.

    “Years back they packaged herbs into potent natural medicines like juice, body cream from pawpaw seeds, bitters, teas and many more. Today, they are probably the largest exporter of natural drugs and foods in the world. I need to let people know that one can hardly treat a disease without reference to food intake. Food is the most natural medicine one can find. One hardly treats a disease without reference to food intake. The food we take consists of six classes- the carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. These foods are necessary for the survival of any mortal. However, to have good health, we need to maintain a balance of these foods in our diets,” said Dr Lambo.

    He added that  food is a much cheaper form of medicine and readily available,therefore, people should learn how to eat healthily. “Majority of diseases and Health issues can be cured, managed or even be prevented by the right diet. You don’t hear your doctors tell you most of the health problems that you have can be treated or prevented by a healthy diet. Only most of the time, we find out after we get sick. The fact is that your body is a machine. It needs high quality food, sleep and exercise. And human body is meant to be cured naturally.”

    He said: “Humans have lived on this earth for several years. For the majority time on this earth, humans have relied on what Mother Nature provided for them. The fact is, humans, just like any other insect or animal, thrive on fruits, vegetables, nuts, etc. No human made product will ever replace that. So when problems with health arise, your body is meant to be cured naturally as well. This is why unlike nature-made food, every single drug that is made, contains side effects. I remember when we were young doing our work on farm. We sometimes sustain wounds from our farm implements. To stop the bleeding from these wounds, we usually apply sand on them. I doubt if anyone will attempt such in today’s world without taking anti tetanus drug or injection. At that time, the immune system in us was able to defend our bodies and prevent it from attack especially from tetanus. This is nothing but a result of what we ate then which are plants based foods.”

    He explained that today, immune system in some people have drastically reduced and consequently cannot withstand the ‘foreigners’ coming into the body to fight it. For instance, Dr Lambo said, “What could make an 18-year-old boy complain of polyurea (constant urination), a sign of diabetes or a spinster who was diagnosed of having multiple fibroid. One can also observe today that many students cannot calculate without using calculator or refer to the internet. These and more of what people suffer today are as a result of what enters into their mouths. Some of which are inimical to their health.”

    In the same vein, Dr Lambo said due to memory loss today, one often sees some people, elderly and young ramming into people as they walk on the street. Some elders will climb a staircase or enter a room to get something only to forget what they wanted on getting to the top of the staircase.

    The Naturopath said treatment of any disease should start with food combination, according to the type and severity of the disease. “For instance, in treating diabetes, use small quantity of ugwu leaves, beans, carrots, boiled unripe plantain or its flour (elubo kelukelu) with vegetable enriched with locust beans. One can add cucumber or water melon which can be taken as lunch regularly.

    “Spinach is also recommended for memory loss because the intake of it improves the memory of individuals. The phyo-chemical contents in spinach reduce inflammation that causes harm to the brain function. But it must be taken according to prescription by a naturopath, or holistic/natural health care practitioner. So also to treat high blood pressure, eating one or two Garcinia kola (orogbo) otherwise called bitter kola with Abamoda leaves (Bryphyllum thonumigii) three hours before breakfast for 30 days is good. It is also recommended for boosting of immune system.

    Dr Lambo appealed to people not to self diagnose. “If you have a symptom please consult a qualified doctor of medicine (D.M)/natural health care practitioner. Preferably a naturopath, holistic M.D or a chiropractor,” said Dr Lambo.