The Nation Newspaper

Tag: health

  • ‘We’ll improve residents’ health’

    ‘We’ll improve residents’ health’

    The Sole Administrator of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Mr. Bashir Abiola Are has pledged his administration’s commitment to make life worth living for the residents.

    The council chief stated this when he visited the Sura Primary Health Centre which he said is in a sorry state. The visit was part of the sensitisation campaigns on the need for the people to live in a safe and healthy environment which he said trees could provide.

    He noted that trees are very important in the life of humankind and the environment.

    Speaking at St George Lodge Broad Street during this year’s tree planting campaign, he appealed to residents to form the habit of planting trees.

    The council chief enumerated the various benefits derivable in planting trees which include safe and healthy environment. He added that there is a compelling need to plant and nurture trees so as to mitigate the hazards of global warming and climate change.

    He urged the people to develop a culture of tree planting to enhance the beauty of the environment.

    Are said Park and Garden Department would soon be set up to safeguard trees which the council would plant, even as he said the council plans to plant more trees.

    Expressing his worry over the sorry state of Sura Primary Health care Centre, he pledged the council’s commitment to renovate the centre.

    ‘‘We will renovate the Sura Primary Health Centre; we will also provide potable water and good drainage system. We will continue to do what we can till our environment is safe because health is wealth,” he said.

    In an address, the Commissioner for the Environment Dr Babatunde Adejare said tree planting day is more than a campaign; it is a ‘project’ and a strong symbol of expression of our common determination and commitment to make a significant positive difference in our common heritage the environment.

    Represented by Mrs. Adeeko Olubisi, he further said: “It is extremely important for all of us not to only take keen interest in the cause of environment protection, but also to implement these ideals in action to sustain same by planting more trees. This is the only way we will be impacting and demonstrating our own little but significant contributions to the protection of nature.

    “The tree planting programme is to further help in propagating the green Revolution Campaign geared towards climate change mitigation and adaptation. Besides beautifying the environment, the planted trees help to convert criminal hideouts and open spaces into orchards and woodlands.

    “It is a fact that the destruction of trees and other woodlands is on a steady increase and according to the state Ministry of Agriculture, our forest cover stands at less than 3% against the recommended 10% of the landmass.

    “Today, human infrastructural activities are threatening the survival of trees, hence the theme: ‘lend a hand to save trees’. We are therefore soliciting that irrespective of human needs for survival, we must also ensure that environmental degradation is minimised so that we can jointly protect the environment.’’ he said.

    In his address, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said this year’s event which had the theme ‘‘lend a hand to save trees’’ is one of the most reliable and cheapest means of combating the effect of global warming and climate change.

    Represented by the Sole Administrator of the council, Governor Ambode said: ‘’Planting of trees is very important for our environment because trees provide oxygen, cool the atmosphere, help conserve energy, save water, prevent erosion, save our children from ultra-violet rays, provide food and brings diverse groups together as we are doing today.

  • Health boost for newborns in Enugu

    Health boost for newborns in Enugu

    The Minister for Health, Prof. Isaac Adewale has re-affirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to continue to partner with relevant organisations with a view to improving the welfare of newborn babies.

    The dropped the hint in Enugu while declaring open the 9th annual and scientific meeting of the Nigerian Society of Neonatal Medicine at the Nondon Hotel.

    The minister who was represented by the Chief Medical Director of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, Dr. Chris Amah said that apart from partnership which was inevitable for effective coverage of the large Nigerian population, government was taking the issues of primary healthcare very seriously.

    While expressing government’s readiness to work with NISONM to ensure better welfare for newborns and reduce maternal mortality in the country because of its abilities, the minister promised Nigerians a better and functional healthcare programme that would address all issues of maternal health

    He expressed: “I note with interest the theme for your 2016 meeting, “Newborn health in the context of the sustainable development goals” and sub theme: “establishing partnerships for maternal and newborn health, how far, so far?” and observed that the choice is apt for a country like Nigeria against the backdrop of our health challenges.

    In her opening remarks, the president of the Nigerian Society of Neonatal Medicine (NISONM), Prof. Chinyere Veronica Ezeaka, said that the organisation had committed technical skills, promoted quality newborn care and facilitated national and international collaborations to strengthen the implementation process of reducing Neonatal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria.

    Ezeaka, who is of the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH), stated that those momentous strides were supported by their strategic objectives and operational plan which hinged on massive advocacy, capacity building, social mobilisation, dissemination of best practices approach, development and strengthening of partnerships, operational research, monitoring and evaluation.

    According to her NISONM’s vision is “a Nigeria in which there are no preventable newborn deaths or still births, where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth celebrated and women, babies, children survive and reach their full potentials.”

    The renowned paediatrician explained that the theme of the conference “newborn health in the context of the sustainable development goals”, and the sub theme, “establishing partnerships for maternal and newborn health: how far? So far” were quite apt to address our current challenges, especially asphyxia, newborn sepsis, prematurity and neonatal jaundice.

    “Our activities span through community mobilisation and health talks at Ndiabor, in Aninri Local government area of Enugu State , on prevention of newborn infections, use of 4% chlorhezidine gel for cord care; pre-conference workshops with skills practice sessions on-helping babies breathe/essential newborn care for community respiratory support-C bubble CPAP, Pumani CPAP and mechanical ventilation; venous access with central venous catheters (PICC) and C) Didactic scholarly presentations on newborn survival, prematurity,  neonatal jaundice and newborn nutrition!”

     

     

  • Army cleans up community, provides health services

    Army cleans up community, provides health services

    The 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu has endeared itself to its host community by ridding it of garbage and treating ailing residents, reports CHRIS OJI

    Things are looking much better in army-host community relationship. In Enugu, the 82 Division of the army has not only cleared garbage at a market and the railway corporation premises but also its medical corps treated ailing residents for free. The people loved it and expressed their gratitude. This helps to foster a cosy relationship between professional combatants and their civilian hosts.

    The medical exercise was tagged ‘Know your Blood Pressure: Avoid Silent Killers’. The beneficiaries were communities around the Enugu metropolis, and it was to mark this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).

    The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru said the exercise was for all categories of people.

    He said, “The exercise is in line with the Nigerian Army compassion for offering humanitarian services in the health sector to communities around its barracks and its environ. The main event which is scheduled to hold on 6th July 2016 motivated the sanitation exercise, free medical outreach among series of other activities earmarked for the occasion.”

    General Attahiru explained that the activities would provide the usual platform to further strengthen the longstanding civil military relations between 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and its host communities.

    The sanitation exercise took place at the Old Artisan Market and the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Enugu North local Government Area while the medical outreach was held at Umuatugbuoma Akegbe Ugwu Awkunanaw in Nkanu West Local Government Area.

    The beneficiaries described the gesture as most outstanding.

    General Attahiru who moved around the Old Artisan Market, encouraged the shop owners to always keep their environment clean to avoid infectious diseases and as well ensure total neatness of their environment to maintain and improve on healthy living.

    The free medical outreach was also accepted by all as it witnessed a massive turnout of the residents who seized the opportunity to get free medical care.

    The traditional ruler, Umuatugbuoma Autonomous Community, Igwe Okechukwu Nwobodo told journalists he was happy that the army came to his community with the free medical outreach.

    A community resident, Mr. Nnamchi John Ogbodo who came with Igwe Ifeakandu to witness the exercise and also to take part in the free medical care described the exercise as a marvelous one, saying, “It is what the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be doing to the rural areas like ours. Sometimes, we don’t have access to medications because of some certain limitations of life but this army team brought it to us, to our door step. It is a marvelous thing. We appreciate. It’s worthy of emulation by other organizations and we appreciate the move without reservations”.

    The leader, Medical Team, 82 Division Medical Services and Hospital, Colonel Olufunke Omoyemi Kayode told journalists that their choice of selecting the community by the team was based on the fact that no medical center is very close to them. In her words, “by the grace of God, we’ve really achieved a lot. So far, we have identified a lot of cases both medical and surgical cases and we have treated a lot of them”.

    She added that the team is divided into sections like dental care, eye care, general medical care as well as HIV testing and counseling unit.

    In her words, “we are really making progress. We have seen cases that have stayed for a very long period which ought to have been reported to the hospital but maybe because of health centre not being closer to them and we have identified some of them.

    “We have also identified about two cases we cannot handle here and we’ve given them appointment to come to the hospital on Monday,” she added.

    She used the medium to appeal to other agencies and NGOs to come to communities like this because many people who do not have access to medical care maybe because of financial constraints are suffering.

    She asked NGOs and agencies to go round communities to solve their health problems.

  • ‘Eat right to avoid health complications’

    •Professionals meet at NiBUCAA roundtable in Lagos

    A group, the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA), has urged Nigerians professionals in the workplace to eat correctly to avoid health challenges or medical complications.

    NiBUCAA noted that wrong eating habits could cut short their lives and careers.

    The group spoke at a roundtable at the Civic Centre on Victoria Island in Lagos.

    The event was attended by business officials from various companies, led by billionaire business, Dr. Pascal Dozie, who is the Chairman of MTN Nigeria and Co-Chair of NiBUCAA.

    The keynote presentation, with the theme: Basic Nutrition: Tips for Healthy Living and Maintaining Healthy Living and Work-life Balance, was delivered by Dr. Anslem Audu, an HIV and AIDS specialist at the Lagos office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

    Goodwill messages were also delivered by officials from the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), besides the presentations by other speakers at the Access Bank-sponsored event.

    NiBUCAA, whose members include Access Bank Plc, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), MTN, Julius Berger, Dangote Group, Total Nigeria Plc and Nestle, was set up in 2003 during President Olusegun Obasanjo administration as the voice of the private sector response to HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.

  • Govt warned on poor health financing

    Healthcare providers have advised the Federal Government against poor health financing as it may affect the planned Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC).

    President, Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN), Dr. Adenike Olaniba, gave the advice in her lecture at the 30th anniversary of Healthcare Magazine/ 2016 HCPAN’s Mid-Year Capacity Building Meeting in Lagos. It was titled Universal Health Insurance Coverage: The Role of Healthcare Providers.

    Dr. Olaniba said less than five percent of the country’s population  was insured under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), adding that there was a need for the review of NHIS Act 35 of 1999 to make it mandatory for citizens to sign up in the scheme.

    Dr. Olaniba, Consultant Public Health Physician, said the existing structure of health financing would not enable the country achieve the desired health outcomes.

    She said Nigeria spends $67 per head on healthcare.

    She continued: “WHO report shows that South Africa spends seven times more than Nigeria while Angola’s health budget is three times more than ours. In the United States, healthcare expenditure is $7,000 per head and $6,000 per head in Switzerland. Currently, 59 percent of Nigerians pay for healthcare out-of-pocket”.

    Dr. Olaniba said health is wealth, stressing that the government should have long-term commitment to increasing health spending and exploring innovative health financing mechanisms.

    “The health indices in Nigeria are poor and need to be improved upon. Nigeria has the eighth-lowest life expectancy at birth and one of the highest maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in the world. Though we have the largest economy in Africa, yet only 3.5 per cent of this year budget is given to health. That is a serious issue with funding.

    “To ensure equity in the distribution of enrollees, NHIS should put a peg on the maximum number of enrollees per facility. For example, 5000, so that all accredited providers can participate in the scheme.”

    On his part, the Chairman, Lagos State, HCPAN, Dr. Ademola Aina said the capacity building meeting was for all health professionals to harness strategies to ensure UHC for all because as professionals health insurance is the only way the rich and poor can access to health.

  • Commissioners call for health reforms, financing

    Lagos State Commissioner for Health Dr Jide Idris, and his  Ogun and Kwara state’s counterparts, Dr Babatunde Ipaye and Mr Abolaji Alege, have canvassed proper financing, capacity building and health reform to move the sector forward.

    According to Idris, stakeholders need to pressure the government to fund healthcare and ensure the sector is reformed.

    Idris spoke in Lagos during PharmAccess Strategy Day on Nigeria. The theme was Making health markets work for low-income people in Nigeria.

    The major problem, Idris said, lies with those who run the country’s health system, stressing that many lacked the capacity to function effectively.

    “Many of them are not computer literate. This was disturbing as it did not allow for improvement in the use technology in the hospitals,” he said.

    He said the reality of poor funding of the sector came to the fore during the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the country.

    “When Ebola struck, we saw issues of logistics coming up. But we the government what we need and the money came,” he said.

    Idris whose topic centred on health delivery and sustainability, said technology has a role to play in improving access to healthcare delivery system.

    Dr Ipaye identified poor funding of healthcare as the primary issue affecting the growth of the sector.

    He advised the Federal Government to invest in the sector, adding: “Nobody can give what he does not have”.

    The Ogun State Health commissioner said the present three percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to healthcare was poor, stressing that more fund should be invested in the sector.

    Ipaye said the country’s per capita income has bearing on the state of health.

    The Country Director, PharmAccess Foundation Nigeria, Njide Ndili said her organisation was interested in increasing access to inclusive quality health care for low income communities in Nigeria.

    According to her, lack of access to inclusive quality health care is one of the primary challenges facing Nigeria.

    This, she said, was in spite of the efforts being undertaken by stakeholders in the industry.

    She said the programme was organised to facilitate discuss among key players to get response from stakeholders, long standing partners, new and potential partners.

    The programme, she said, would enable the company find a way forward to advance access to quality healthcare to low income communities.

  • Govt warned on poor health financing

    Healthcare providers have advised the Federal Government against poor health financing as it may affect the planned Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC).

    President, Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN), Dr. Adenike Olaniba, gave the advice in her lecture at the 30th anniversary of Healthcare Magazine/ 2016 HCPAN’s Mid-Year Capacity Building Meeting in Lagos. It was titled Universal Health Insurance Coverage: The Role of Healthcare Providers.

    Dr. Olaniba said less than five percent of the country’s population  was insured under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), adding that there was a need for the review of NHIS Act 35 of 1999 to make it mandatory for citizens to sign up in the scheme.

    Dr. Olaniba, Consultant Public Health Physician, said the existing structure of health financing would not enable the country achieve the desired health outcomes.

    She said Nigeria spends $67 per head on healthcare.

    She continued: “WHO report shows that South Africa spends seven times more than Nigeria while Angola’s health budget is three times more than ours. In the United States, healthcare expenditure is $7,000 per head and $6,000 per head in Switzerland. Currently, 59 percent of Nigerians pay for healthcare out-of-pocket”.

    Dr. Olaniba said health is wealth, stressing that the government should have long-term commitment to increasing health spending and exploring innovative health financing mechanisms.

    “The health indices in Nigeria are poor and need to be improved upon. Nigeria has the eighth-lowest life expectancy at birth and one of the highest maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in the world. Though we have the largest economy in Africa, yet only 3.5 per cent of this year budget is given to health. That is a serious issue with funding.

    “To ensure equity in the distribution of enrollees, NHIS should put a peg on the maximum number of enrollees per facility. For example, 5000, so that all accredited providers can participate in the scheme.”

    On his part, the Chairman, Lagos State, HCPAN, Dr. Ademola Aina said the capacity building meeting was for all health professionals to harness strategies to ensure UHC for all because as professionals health insurance is the only way the rich and poor can access to health.

  • Commissioners call for health reforms, financing

    Lagos State Commissioner for Health Dr Jide Idris, and his  Ogun and Kwara state’s counterparts, Dr Babatunde Ipaye and Mr Abolaji Alege, have canvassed proper financing, capacity building and health reform to move the sector forward.

    According to Idris, stakeholders need to pressure the government to fund healthcare and ensure the sector is reformed.

    Idris spoke in Lagos during PharmAccess Strategy Day on Nigeria. The theme was Making health markets work for low-income people in Nigeria.

    The major problem, Idris said, lies with those who run the country’s health system, stressing that many lacked the capacity to function effectively.

    “Many of them are not computer literate. This was disturbing as it did not allow for improvement in the use technology in the hospitals,” he said.

    He said the reality of poor funding of the sector came to the fore during the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the country.

    “When Ebola struck, we saw issues of logistics coming up. But we the government what we need and the money came,” he said.

    Idris whose topic centred on health delivery and sustainability, said technology has a role to play in improving access to healthcare delivery system.

    Dr Ipaye identified poor funding of healthcare as the primary issue affecting the growth of the sector.

    He advised the Federal Government to invest in the sector, adding: “Nobody can give what he does not have”.

    The Ogun State Health commissioner said the present three percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to healthcare was poor, stressing that more fund should be invested in the sector.

    Ipaye said the country’s per capita income has bearing on the state of health.

    The Country Director, PharmAccess Foundation Nigeria, Njide Ndili said her organisation was interested in increasing access to inclusive quality health care for low income communities in Nigeria.

    According to her, lack of access to inclusive quality health care is one of the primary challenges facing Nigeria.

    This, she said, was in spite of the efforts being undertaken by stakeholders in the industry.

    She said the programme was organised to facilitate discuss among key players to get response from stakeholders, long standing partners, new and potential partners.

    The programme, she said, would enable the company find a way forward to advance access to quality healthcare to low income communities.

  • Fed Govt warned on poor health financing

    Healthcare providers have advised the Federal Government against poor health financing as this may affect the planned Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC).

    President, Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria, (HCPAN), Dr. Adenike Olaniba gave the advice in her lecture during the 30th anniversary of Healthcare Magazine/ 2016 HCPAN’s Mid-Year Capacity Building Meeting in Lagos. It was titled Universal Health Insurance Coverage: The Role of Healthcare Providers.

    Dr. Olaniba said less than five percent of the country was insured under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), adding that there was need for immediate review of NHIS Act 35 of 1999 to make it mandatory for all citizens to sign up under the scheme.

    Olaniba, Consultant Public Health Physician, said the existing structure of health financing will not enable the country achieve the desired health outcomes’

    She said Nigeria presently spends $67per head on healthcare.

    She continued: “WHO report shows that South Africa spends seven times more than Nigeria while Angola’s health budget is three times more than ours. In the United States, healthcare expenditure is $7,000 per head and $6,000 per head in Switzerland. Currently, 59 percent of Nigerians pay for healthcare out-of-pocket”.

    Olaniba said health is wealth, stressing that the government should have long-term commitment to increasing health spending and explore innovative health financing mechanisms.

    “The health indices in Nigeria are poor and need to be improved upon. Nigeria has the eighth-lowest life expectancy at birth and one of the highest maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in the world. Though we have the largest economy in Africa, yet only 3.5 per cent of this year budget is given to health. That is a serious issue with funding.

    “To ensure equity in the distribution of enrollees, NHIS should put a peg on the maximum number of enrollees per facility. For example, 5000, so that all accredited providers can participate in the scheme.”

    On his part, the Chairman, Lagos State, HCPAN, Dr. Ademola Aina said the capacity building meeting was for all health professionals to harness strategies to ensure UHC for all because as professionals health insurance is the only way the rich and poor can access to health.

  • LUTH holds oral health education for children

    LUTH holds oral health education for children

    The Department of Child Dental Health, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), has organised an oral health education session for children to commemorate the Children’s Day.

    The event was to educate the children on the importance of their teeth.

    Addressing the kids, a dentist, Dr. Akangbe Oluwatobi, said: “In a child’s life, there are two stages of teeth; the milk teeth and the permanent teeth. Good and healthy milk teeth will pave the way for the permanent teeth.Take good care of your teeth at your young age, because from ages six to seven, the adult teeth start to grow, and are 32 in number”.

    Speaking on brushing techniques, Akangbe advised that mothers should start brushing their children’s teeth immediately milk teeth appear at the age of six months, using, a smear of the appropriate paste. Meanwhile, brushing, he said, should be supervised for children below the age of seven years.

    Akangbe also warned that children below the age of five should not be allowed to brush their teeth without the supervision of their parents or guardians.

    “When there is bleeding in the gum, report to your parents and see a dentist immediately,” he counselled. Flossing is done to remove food particles between the teeth where the toothbrush may not be able to remove. It is necessary to floss regularly,” Akangbe added.

    He also stressed the importance of monitoring the texture of the bristles of toothbrushes used by children, noting that children should always use soft brushes. He added that, those under three years should use a little smear of toothpaste, compared to that of children above three years. Toothbrushes should be changed every three months or when the bristles are worn out.

    He said that there are toothpastes designed for each age grade, while also commenting on th0e ingredients. He said: “Toothpaste contains fluoride, which helps to repair and strengthen the tooth’s enamel as well as gentle abrasives to help polish the teeth, and remove stains and plaque. There is toothpaste for every age.”

    Regarding healthy diet for the formation of strong teeth, he advised mothers to feed their children exclusively with breast milk for at least six months. He added that at 12 months, parents should stop feeding children with feeding bottles.

    Warning on the insalubrity of giving children sweet drinks in feeding bottles, he admonished parents to give fresh milk, water and fruits to the children.