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Tag: health

  • Health workers sensitised on positive attitude to work

    Health workers have been admonished on the need to have a positive attitude to work and care of patients their watch-word to strengthen health care delivery system.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Hospitals Management Board, Mrs. Modupe Olurin, a pharmacist,  stated this at a two-day capacity building workshop for principal officers in the secondary health care sector in Ijebu – Ode.

    Olurin said the various cadres in the health care system must have a positive attitude to their work and work harmoniously so that patients at the centre obtain maximum benefit.

    Justifying the need for the workshop, Olurin said: “It is very important for the managers of the various health facilities to partake in a meeting like this and share experiences, exchange ideas with the aim of fine tuning the basic administrative processes with a view to achieving an efficient health care delivery system at the secondary level”.

    One of the resource persons from Pharmaccess/Safe Health, Dr. Modupe Oludipe, who spoke on Quality Assurance and Improvement in Health Care Delivery, emphasised the need for the public to be enlightened patronising the Primary Health Centres for consultation to reduce the crowd at the secondary health facilities.

    She added that quality of any health facility could be determined through factors, such as accessibility,timeliness, affordability and technical competence of the attendants.

    The Director of Health Services, Dr. Nafiu Aigoro, advised all the heads of health facilities across the state to make use of what they have been taught to acquire and maintain positive results at their centers.

    The Programme with the theme “Strengthening the Health care delivery system” had in attendance Heads of facilities, Zonal Account Officers and Directors in the Hospitals Management Board.

  • ‘Nigeria can soar higher health wise’

    ‘Nigeria can soar higher health wise’

    Life expectancy at birth is part of the United Nations Development Index (HDI) for evaluating a country’s progress. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA and WALE ADEPOJU take a look at the health sector as the country turns 55.

    Nigeria is not yet there, health wise, but it is heading towards being among the very best in healthcare. President Muhammadu Buhari said this at the just-concluded 70th United Nations General Assembly.

    Buhari said the newly-adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)s’ core objectives of poverty eradication and reducing inequalities must be met within the framework of a revitalised global partnership support by concrete policies and actions as outlined in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

    “For the newly adopted SDGs to be truly global, they must be practical. In this regard, the SDGs’ core objectives of poverty eradication and reducing inequalities must be met within the framework of a revitalized global partnership support by concrete policies and actions as outlined in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.Luckily, these two core objectives of the SDGs are precisely at the centre of Nigeria’s new Administration’s agenda”, President Buhari stated.

    According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) poverty and ignorance are part of the factors that fuel diseases and ill health, especially in developing and under developed countries. Nigeria is a developing country.

    This global partnership is part of what his administration is ready to explore differently. President Buhari acknowledged that his country is at home with global partnership, especially in the area of health. He cited the containment of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    President Buhari said: “Last year, our continent faced the dreadful occurrence of Ebola. We sincerely thank the international community for the collective efforts to contain this deadly disease. We are not out of the woods yet but we would like to record our appreciation to the United States, United Kingdom, France and China for their outstanding assistance in arresting the spread of Ebola and care of those infected in collaboration with host countries.”

    Ebola was not the only disease the country won. It did poliomyelitis, dracunculiasis, also called guinea worm disease (GWD), diphtheria. It also passed the National Health Bill.

    As much as the future is rosy, the sector is still bedeviled with professional rivalry, poor financing and coruption, industrial actions, especially by medics, poor implementation of the National Health Act and many citizens are yet to enroll in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).  So also are the cases of incommunicable diseases on the increase.

    NMA President Dr Kayode Obembe said at 55 the country is moving out of the woods, for a healthier life for its citizens.

    Obembe said: “In 55 years, Nigeria has got a lot to celebrate about in the health sector. Look at infant and maternal mortality rate, it has reduced. The country has improved from 1, 500 deaths of 100,000 per deliveries to about 145 per 100, 000 live births. This can also be further improved upon. We are not going to be static. We just got Polio free certification. We equally kicked out Ebola. The execution of the National Health Act is what should be pursued now. We have human resources. Private Public Partnership (PPP) is working. A lot of brain gain is improving as most of our colleagues in Diasporas are planning to return home. The wind of change is blowing and the country is stabilizing.

    “A lot of work is being done in the area of research.  Some of the teaching hospitals are into high tech operation/treatment. Research institutes such as Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba are into Biomedical training and Cancer research.”

    He said many people are afraid of PPP, “but it is the way to go, as there are experts to work with. The experts that don’t have money to work with can collaborate with the money bags or novel companies or get grants. All these are fruitful and beneficial to all, including the country. We are gradually moving away from having buildings without equipments to work with.”

    Dr Obembe said NHIS is helping out with health affordability as many Nigerians have bought into it. “Small investigations can now be carried out and lives saved. Universal health coverage is the in thing. All Nigerians should be covered and that is the way to go. We are in the period of change. We are moving from MDGs to SDGs. Government should explore Community Health Insurance Scheme. For now, NHIS is selective. It does not capture all children, women, the poor or unemployed nor cover all aspect of human health,” he stated.

    Pioneer Chairperson of National Action Committee on AIDS (NACA) Prof Ibironke Akinsete said Nigeria should have been better than what obtains now at 55 year of independence because, “When I came back from Canada 48 years ago the country was superb and the health sector was in a very good shape. But over the years, things deteriorated. Basically, it is lacking of adequate funding. We then advocated PPP and we can now see that it is working and level of care is being raised. Most people should realize that health is not a money making venture. Most people cannot afford healthcare. And Health reform became necessary, which ushered in NHIS, Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs).”

    She said there are challenges the country should overcome such as ignorance.

    According to her ignorance is one of the greatest impediments confronting the health sector. So there is a need to create awareness on preventive medicine on the part of the government, and the people. “Awareness at all level in different languages and dialects is a necessity. We should be able to sustain that. Part of the challenge is that we initiate good programs in the health sector but we don’t sustain that. Look at the Primary healthcare in the past compared with now.

    “Let us also optimise all those things that are working for us in the health sector. Cancer, for instance is curable is caught early. It is not a death sentence. Finance is a huge problem. If you look at the income of may people, they can’t afford quality healthcare. To treat cancer for instance is capital intensive but with health insurance affordability is feasible. Once you start work you key into health insurance. that is what obtains abroad.”

    Prof Akinsete said there is a need to look at the health sector comprehensively, “let us look at ourselves and address issues honestly. Team work is the main thing in the health sector. People should learn to bury ego and work with other professionals for the betterment of their patients. Strike should be a thing of the past. Identify why there are unrests in the sector, and seek how to address them in all truthfulness and sincerity. We are static in many areas of health. It is time to change and move up and on. We need to create momentum to support it. Corruption should be dealt with. Let us know why the government is not funding the health sector. We need o get a system to support the health of people.”

    To Director General (DG) Nigeria n Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) Prof Ujah the health sector is still wobbling. “The health indices are there for all to see. The current administration is looking at how to sustain the momentum created. The National Health Act is waiting for implementation. A Committee has been set up to implement the Act, which I am aware of. Corruption must be dealt with. If you look at the MDGs, though we did not meet the deadline but we neared same. That has prepared us as a nation to now refocus, restrategise. Look at communicable diseases and non communicable disease how Nigerians are talking about them such as TB, HIV/AIDS, malaria etc these cases have reduced. We have improved in the area of diagnostics. With training, capacity building, well equipped facility and motivation the health sector will meet international standard.”

    President Buhari said Nigeria is ready and willing to partner with international agencies and individual countries on a bilateral basis to confront crimes and corruption. In particular, “I call upon the global community to urgently redouble efforts towards strengthening the mechanisms for dismantling safe havens for proceeds of corruption and ensuring the return of stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin.

    President Buhari hoped that, “In the next 70 years, UN will achieve control of climate; help to eliminate communicable diseases and his country too would have left behind many of the health problems confronting it.”

  • Surgeon seeks improved health sector 

    Surgeon seeks improved health sector 

    A renowned surgeon at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozallla, Enugu State Prof. Arthur Ikeme has said that unless health sector funding improves, the Millennium Development Goals will never be achieved.

    Speaking after receiving the 2015 Gold Merit Award of the Rotary Club of Enugu, Prof. Ikeme of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology observed that due to poor funding, managers of most government hospitals in the country lack modern facilities and do not run the hospitals effectively.

    He stated that apart from inadequate medical equipment, hospital administrators have no funds to meet their financial obligations to staff and medical personnel, giving rise to incessant industrial actions by labour unions.

    He said, “Nigerians will save the huge foreign exchange they spend travelling abroad to access care if our health institutions are properly equipped and the medical personnel well motivated with improved incentives”.

    The medical practitioner, who is also a senior lecturer at the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), also identified multiple taxation and hostile economic environment as some of the factors stifling private sector investment in the sector.

    He called on government to waive import duties on the importation of key medical equipment needed in hospitals.

    Famous economist, Prof. Ukwu I. Ukwu, chairman of the medical and Dental Council of Nigeria Prof. Jonathan Azubuike, Dr. Izuchukwu Okam of UNTH, former club presidents, chief Vincent Odo, Mr. Peter Umeano, Lady Clair Asogwa, current president, Mr. Daniel Ukwu and former chairman of Awgu Local government area in Enugu state, chief. Uche Cyril Anioke were among dignitaries who attended the event.

    Also present at the occasion were the former provost, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Prof. Nene Obianyo, Chief Medical Director of St. Mary’s Hospital Enugu, Dr. Dan Ajawara, secondary school students, former president Rotary club of New Haven, Dr. Eddy Ndibuagu, as well as members of the Prof. Arthur Ikeme’s family from Oraukwu, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

     

  • Your nail as a mirror of your health

    Mother Nature is wonderful and kind. There is nothing which goes on inside our bodies that is not mirrored, one way or the other, by some organs outside the body. The nails of the hands and the toes do this every day without many of us, including many of our doctors, knowing it. But in Asia, the nails are about the first parts of the body that a doctors examines when a patient sits before him or her in the consulting room. The tongue, eyes, hair and skin are also evaluated. Until recently in the Western World when hair and nail analyses became popular, for detecting nutritional deficiencies or elevations, which may be the root causes of ailments, eye, skin and tongue examinations were carried out in orthodox medical clinic for a limited range of ailments. Being aware of the mirror that the nail is, I became naturally concerned for my health recently when I noticed changes in some of my otherwise healthy nails. Thank goodness, there were no white spots on any of the nails. As children, we stupidly believed that white spots on the nails were decorations by the cattle egret which flow in flocks, sometimes seasonally, sometimes around a flock of itinerant or grazing cattle. We sang, beseeching the white birds to lift us unto themselves in the sky.

    Whoever found white spots on his or her fingers considered himself or herself favoured and blessed. Alas, white spots on the nails mean Zinc deficiency in the system. And Zinc deficiency implies that something may go wrong in the more than 250 processes in which the body required zinc. One of these processes is the absorption by the eye of Vitamin A for good vision. Some people may, therefore, consume an excess of Vitamin A in the search for healthy vision, especially at night, without the effort paying off because there is not enough Zinc in the body. The same goes for smooth, supple skin. When the hair is matted at birth or later on in life, Zinc deficiency is suspected. When the immune system is weak, when sores do not heal normally and quickly, Zinc deficiency may be at work. When the growth of a child is stunted, check the Zinc level. When the breast and the penis do not grow well, the outcome of an Egyptians study shows that supplementation of zinc in the diet may help. For people of my age, and perhaps younger people, the fear of prostate gland problems is the beginning of wisdom. While a leaking colon dispatching fecal poison on the nearby prostate gland may be a root cause of prostate enlargement or prostate cancer, Zinc deficiency, too, cannot be ruled out. It is in the prostate that about 80 percent of the zinc in the body of a man is stored. This high store inhibits activities of an enzyme called 5–Alpha Reductase. This enzyme may overstimulate the cells of the prostate to overgrow when zinc deficiency occurs in the prostate gland, because an adequate zinc storage in these organ prevents these enzymes from malfunctioning. These days, when men, young and old, cannot easily take their eyes off women, frequent ejaculations drain or deplete zinc reserves in the prostate gland, exposing it to the havocs of an uninhibited 5-Alpha Reductase. To worsen matters, many sexually active men ignorantly fail to add zinc supplements to their diet. Being a fertility mineral as well, supplementation of the diet with Zinc has helped many couples to become parents. As a matter of routine, I take 15mg of Zinc with my meals every day. That is the minimum daily allowance or requirements in many countries.

    THE CHANGES

    Recently, I noticed on my nails vertical ridges on some fingers in both hands. There are no abnormalities in toe nails. An orthodox doctor friend of mine who incorporates nutritional medicine in his practice, suggests a new study links vertical ridging of the nails to an onset of the formation of stones in the liver, or more precisely in the gall bladder, and says the study also links these development to low blood pressure.

    The liver? Respect for this organ may also be considered the beginning of health wisdom. For the liver is the central clearing house for all biochemical processes in the body.

    s you would soon read, a nail “mirror”view would need to be corroborated by other checks the doctor may consider necessary to do. Often, these conventional checks corroborate what the “mirror” of the nail is telling us. In the search for an authority to lead us on an excursion into the language our bodies speak to us through our nails, I could not find some well treasured books in my library. But in ANNE PIETRANGELO I find interesting and simple explanations. Her work on this subject was reviewed by GEORGE KRUCIK, M.D., in www.healthline.com. Anne Pietrangelo says:

    “What are nail abnormalities? Normally, healthy nails appear smooth and have consistent colouring. As you age, you may develop vertical ridges or your nails may be a bit more brittle. This is harmless. Spots due to injury should grow out with the nail. “Abnormalities such as spots, discolouration and nail separation can result from injury to the hands and fingers, viral warts (periunguan warts), infections (onyechomycosis) and some medications, such as those used for chemotherapy.” Certain medical conditions can also change the appearance of your finger nails. However, these changes can be difficult to interpret, and your finger nails appearance alone is not enough to diagnose a specific illness. A physician will use this Information along with other symptoms and a physical exam to make a diagnosis. You should always consult your doctor if you have any questions about your nail problems.

    Some changes in your nails are due to medical conditions that need attentions:

    “ONE: Discolouration (dark streaks, while streaks or changes in nail colour).

    “TWO: Changes in nail shape (curling, or clubbing)

    “THREE: Changes in nail thickness (thickening or thinning)

    “FOUR: Nails that become brittle

    “FIVE: Nails that are pitted

    “SIX: Bleeding around nails

    “SEVEN: Swelling or redness around nails.

    “EIGTH: Pain around nails

    “NINE: Nail separating from skin.”

    Anne Pietrangelo explains what these symptoms may indicate. In her words:

    BEAU’S LINES

    Depressions that run across your finger nails are called beau’s lines. They are also known as transverse linear lesions. This can be a sign of malnourishment. Other conditions that cause beau’s lines are (1) Measles (2) Mumps (3) Peripherals Vascular diseases (4) Pneumonia (5) Scarlet fever (6) Uncontrolled diabetes (7) Zinc deficiency

    “CLUBBING” is when your nails thicken and curve around your fingertips, a process that generally takes years. This can be the result of low oxygen in the blood and is associated with……

    (1) AIDS

    (2) Cardiovascular diseases (3) Inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) (4) Liver diseases (5) Pnemonary diseases.

    “KOILON YCHIA” is when your finger nails have raised ridges and scoop outwards, like spoons. It is also called “spooning”, sometimes, the nail is curved enough to hold a drop of liquid. Spooning can be a sign that you have (1) heart diseases (2) hemochromatosis (a liver disorder that courses too much iron to be absorbed from food). (3) iron deficiency anaemia (4) lupus erythematosus (an auto immune disorder that causes inflammation) (5) Hypothyrodism (6) Reyriaudi’s diseases (a condition that limits blood circulation)

    “LEUKCONYCHIA” Non uniform white sports or lines on the nails are called leukonychia. They are usually the result of a minor trauma and are harmless”.

     “MEES LINES” Mees lines are transverse white lines. This can be a sign of arsenic poisoning. If you have this condition, your doctor will take hair or tissue samples to check for arsenic in your body.

    “ONYCHOLYSIS” When the nail plate separates from the nail bed, it causes a white discoloration, this is called Onycholysis. This can be due to infection, trauma, or product used on the nails. Other causes for Onycholysis includes Psoriasis and thyroid disease.

    “PITTING” Pitting refers to small depressions, or little pits in the nail. It is common in people who have psoriasis, or a skin condition that causes the skin to be dry, red, and irritated. Some systemic diseases can also cause pitting.

    “TERRY’S NAILS” is when the tip of each nail has a dark band, it is called Terry’s Nails. This is often due to aging, but it can be caused by congestive heart failure, diabetes, or liver diseases.

    “YELLOW NAIL SYNDROME” is when the nail grows thicker and does not grow as fast as normal. Sometimes, the nail lacks a cuticle and may even pull away from the nail bed. This can be the result of (1) Internal malignancies (2) Lymphedema (Swelling of the hands) (3) Pleural Effusions (fluid build-up between the lungs and Chest County) (4) Respiratory illnesses such as chronic bronchitis or sinusitis (5) Rheumatoid arthritis.

    “These are just some of the signs of abnormal finger nails.”

    HERBS FOR NAIL HEALTH

    When we have problems with nail health, we naturally seek a solution to them. Women in particular do not joke with finger and toe nails that is why pedicure and manicure are worldwide big business, slow growing nails may be evidence of some nutritional deficiencies. Traditionally, Horsetail and stinging Nettle have been used for improving nail health. This is because they are high in Silica, which is immensely beneficial to the health of the hair, nail and skin and connective tissue. Today Diatom has joined the league, being between 92 and 96 percent Silica.

    Silica is a hardener and needed by the connective tissue. For people who suffer from brittle nails, Biotin may be all they need. Veterinary (animal) doctors give Biotin to horses to make their hoofs stronger. Nature makes these hoofs from Keratin from which the human nail is also made; Biotin is a vitamin, Silica, a mineral, both underscoring the importance of vitamins and minerals to nail health.

    If human health discomfitures reflects on the nail “mirror” and these discomfitures can be resolved through a resolution of these deficiencies, resolving them will naturally impacts positively on the unhealthy nail. Thus, resolving nail problems through the diet may resolve the internal problems this nail problems mirror.

    Brittle and flaking nail may also be indicators of essential fatty acid (EFAs) deficiency. This can be connected by eating fatty dish such as Titus or by supplementing the diet with flax seed oil. There are many other useful cals rich in EFAs. These include Coconut oil, Olive oil, wheat germ oil (rich in Vitamins A, D and E, Vitamins B, B2 B3 B6, F and EFAs, protein and minerals), Amla Oil, Vitamin E, Jojoba cal Almond oil and pumpkin seed oil. Ingrowing nails can be a nightmare. Naturally, nails grow from the back of the nailbed outwards. But, sometimes, they may reverse this direction, culling through tissue and coursing inflammation, redness, pain, and infection.  Podists (foot care experts) advise against tight and pointed shoes.

    According to the official consumer website of American foot and ankle surgeons: “When a toenail ingrown curved and grows into the skin usually at the nail borders (the sides of the nails), this digging in of the nail irritates the skin, often creating pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in the toe.

    “If an ingrown nail causes a break in the skin, bacteria may enter and cause an infection in the area, which is often marked by drainage and a foul odour. However, even if the toe isn’t painful, red, swollen, or warm, a nail that curves downwards into the skin can progress to an infection. Causes of ingrown toe nail include heredity. In many people, the tendency for ingrown toe nails is inherited. Sometimes, an ingrown toe nail is the result of trauma such as stubbing your toe, having an object fall on your toe or engaging in activities that involve repeated pressure on the toes such as kicking or running. The most common cause of ingrown toe nail is cutting your nail too short. This encourages the skin to fold over the nail. Ingrown toe nails can result from wearing socks that are tight or short. They can also be caused by nail problems such as nail infections or losing a nail due to trauma”.

    he college discourages home treatment where infections have occurred in such medical conditions as “diabetes, nerve damage in the foot that put the foot at risk”.

    “Where these conditions do not apply, the foot may be soaked in room temperature water (adding Epsom’s salt) may be recommended by your (doctors), and gently massage the side of the nail filed to help reduce the inflammation”.

    “Avoid attempting surgery or repeated culling of the nail can cause the condition to worsen over time. If your symptoms fail to improve, it’s time to see a foot and ankle surgeon”.

    “To prevent ingrown toe nail, it is suggested that the nail be cut not too short but in a fairly straight line”.

    “According to the website, every day roofs Nail fungus, be it on your toe nails or finger nails is an unpleasant business to leave to deal with, officially known as onychomycosis, it is most often caused by moisture trapped in warm dark place (because of shoes, that is why it so commonly affects toe nails which is the environment fungus thrives in. In some cases it can be caused by mold or yeast but is still collectively called nail fungus-nail mold or nail yeast. Tea tree oil is a natural disinfectant possessing fungicidal and antibacterial properties that make it popular in treating toe nail fungus”.

    “Orange oil has also shown promising result when it comes to getting rid of fungus and can be added to the mixture as well. Always remember to dilute the essential oil before applying to the nail. You will need one teaspoon of tea tree oil half teaspoon of orange oil (optional), half teaspoon of grape seed oil or Olive oil, cotton baits”.

    “As soon as you notice the tell-tales, signs of nail fungus, mix together, soak a cotton ball in the mixture and apply to affected nail, pressing it on gently but firmly so the liquid comes quietly. Let this dry naturally, then, alternatively, you can place four to five drops of tea tree oil in enough water to soak your feet in and do that for 15 to 20 minutes. Both treatments should be done faithfully morning and evening”.

    Also recommended is vinegar and Baking soda soak. Coconut oil gets a good mention also. It has medium chain fatty acids which destroy the cell membrane of the fungi or mold. This destroys the fungus. This is why coconut oil has been used to destroy parasites in the intestine, especially in HIV patients who are prone to opportunistic diseases. Let us thank the Creator for the Wisdom which makes our nails and other parts of our bodies mirror to us what is going on in this bodies, and for the gifts of foods and herbs which help us to solve this problems.

  • Health screening for pupils

    As the 2015/2016 academic session gets underway, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Modele Osunkiyesi, has urged teachers to monitor their pupils against illnesses.

    In a statement by the ministry, she counseled the teachers to refer those with symptoms of any illnesses to the sickbay or contact their parents to take them to the nearest medical facility for management.

    With poor hygiene being a major cause of illnesses, Dr Osunkiyesi said teachers should inculcate into the pupils the habit of regular hand-washing, while school administrators should provide waste bins and ensure that the school premises are kept clean.

    The Permanent Secretary said the ministry would continue its school health programmes this session when the pupils would be screened for any medical/dental conditions.  She disclosed that over 4,700 pupils have been screened.

     

  • Food and health

    I am one of those who was eagerly looking forward to this weekend of Eid, not because I am a Muslim, but I felicitate with Muslims (though my faith tells me Isaac not Ishmael).  My main anticipation was a needed 4-day week end.  I would just like to spend some time at home, eat well and watch movies which I have not done in a long time, and do some important repairs and chores.  Then, a few days to the feast, there is no electricity in the neighborhood as if the devil was about to gloom and doom this should-be festive weekend.

    Recovering from my recent trip abroad, my budget has been trimmed for the last three months, so trimmed that I dare not publicize my recent menus.  But while I struggled with the lack of cash flow, as many Nigerians have been doing during the recent transition in governance, I discovered that I could eat as good as a feast with what I would not have reckoned with when “things were fine”.  I would look at what was available (seemingly miserable) and ask for grace to make a feast out of it and the resulting meal was always great.  I imagined I could write a book of “Hard Times Recipes” from my miracle meals.

    Whether there is electricity or no electricity, cash flow or no cash flow, as human beings, we must eat well.We should know how to eat well.  We should know what our mind and body need to be strong and thrive, what our body needs to be healthy, what our body needs to survive, and what our body needs to stay alive. Our goals in eating can vary from time to time, according to our means and circumstances.

    Personally, I have experienced food is diverse ways.  As a child of a Nigerian diplomat, I have dined with the Queen of England in the lawn of her palace.   On the contrary, as an adult in a world of strange powers, I have stretched a small 50 cents packet of sunflower seeds from Thursday to Monday in the longest weekend of my life, surviving American racism.  Between the two extremes and decades of life, perhaps I have gained enough experience for a PhD in Eating Habits.  No, I am not an “onijekuje”, as Yorubas might say (in my own translation: “one who eats crazy”).

    Many people in developing countries pass through various eating habits depending on times and circumstances.  In developed countries, an average guy might have three square meals at regular times daily throughout most of his life.

    There is a lot of poverty in the world and, for many people, a festive weekend makes no change in their lives.   Rarely or never is feasting made their goal in eating.  Rather, they are trying to stay alive or to survive.   Those who are rich, whenever they want to, indeed can give some food or money for other people to enjoy some food normally.

    Being educated might be as important as having ample food.  Even in the developed world, food is a source of many modern day diseases, some of which are a tremendous financial burden on government health systems.

    I believe the food we eat,whether rich or  low-budget, should always be good, nice, and delicious otherwise Jesus would not have given best wine to guests at a wedding unnecessarily, and extraordinarily.  Observing the way foods are produced and handled in developing countries, it seems the world has a long wayto go not only in providing food for people but also in helping to refine the way we eat.  A few weeks ago, I bought some okra from a “mallam” in his small neat-looking market outside our upbeat Government Reservation Area.  On untying the nylon bag to remove the okra at home, I saw a clump of rat feces in the okra.  Now if a housemaid had washed and cooked the okra in a hurry, perhaps somebody of that household could be dead by now.  In Africa, government oversight and regulation of food production, preservation, preparation, distribution, and presentation is inadequate.  There is need for massive investment in the food industry to meat modern standards as well as adequate quantities.

    For a person who has lived for a long time in a developed country, some of the third world local food markets are scary.  The dirt and the sight and stench that greet the customer are an appetite killerif not a health hazard for those who are not used to such.Indeed, men should respect their wives for their bravery in going to such markets.

    Why must we continue to pick beans before boiling them? Why continue with insects in grains?  Why sand in gari? Why off-color egusi?  Why dirty vegetables? Why ugly looking fruits? Many of such food issues do not need rocket science and it is actually shameful if we continue to accommodate those deficiencies in our culture.  African entrepreneurs in the food industry need to involve or employ many PhD’s who would work with a sense of research and development instead of sticking to inadequate routine and changeable established procedures.  African scientists need to be change agents towards better and healthier societies.Next we will look at what our body needs.

     

    Dr. ‘Bola John is a biomedical scientist based in Nigeria and in the USA.   For any comments or questions on this column, please email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 08160944635

  • Holistic medicine key to sustainable health

    Holistic medicine key to sustainable health

    A natural health practitioner, Dr Gilbert Ezengige, has advocated holistic medicine for the treatment of diseases. Holistic medicine identifies (diagnoses) and treats diseases from the roots (causes).

    According to Dr Ezengige, this form of medicine allows practitioners to diagnose the major causes of patients’ illnesses because, “that is the best way for treating the problem and preventing future occurrences of diseases. Palliative measures would not take anybody anywhere”.

    Besides, this principle impresses on heathcare service providers the responsibility to ensure that all diagnostic and therapeutic procedures carried out on a patient are safe.

    “The procedures should not worsen a patient’s health status. If this advice is taken seriously by health care givers, over 80 per cent of iatrogenic (doctor- induced) disorders would not occur.

    “The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates says, “If a doctor can’t help, he should be prevented from doing harm”.

    Ezengige said holistic medicine embraces the healing power of nature.

    Moreover, the duty of health practitioners is to facilitate and augment a well-ordered, intelligent and natural healing process.

    “Care givers should facilitate the healing process as they are known to enhance it with their timely intervention. They do not start the healing process because it is inbuilt. The cells in the body follow the inbuilt healing programme as instituted by God and executed by the natural forces.

    “Holistic health care providers at best imitate nature’s ways and cooperate with her to dispense healing to the sick,” he said.

    Holistic medicine practitioners, he said, make out time to teach their patients healthy lifestyles.

    “Some time is devoted to teaching the patient or educating him about his diseases and most especially the role he or she is expected to play towards recovery and indeed good health. The healing approach allows treatment to be directed to the person’s mind, body and soul,” he said.

    Other benefits of Holistics healing,according to Dr Ezengige are, “Adequate attention paid by practitioners to his patient’s words, non-verbal heart transmissions (often sensed by conscientious practitioners), gesticulation, demeanor, carriage, voice and tone. Having identified the area of his clients’ life requiring urgent attention, the practitioner consequently incorporates or modifies his treatment plan to cater specifically for those needs.”

    He said holistic medicine places emphasis  on prevention rather than cure. “This is because prevention of diseases is cheaper and more noble (very befitting of humanity) than seeking for cure. Methods of disease prevention are among the top priorities for holistic medicine practitioners. If all the sophistication, technological ingenuity and efforts are geared towards the development of modern medicine therapeutics and research pursuits channeled in the direction of preventive medicine, the world would become a better place for all,” Ezengige said.

  • Council sensitises residents to health

    Council sensitises residents to health

    The Executive Secretary, Badagry West Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Hon. Joseph A. Agoro has praised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his commitment to the health of the residents. He said the governor’s inauguration of 20 Mobile Care Units Ambulances and 26 Transport Ambulances for general hospitals and primary health care centres was proof for this commitment.

    Hon. Agoro spoke during the sensitisation programme which the council held at Gbaji about the Lagos State Emergency Medical Service (LASEMS) and Lagos State Ambulance (LASAMBUS) unit.

    He said to ensure that all hospitals function at the optimum, Governor Ambode approved the purchase of power generating sets and X-ray machines to be installed in all general hospital to ensure that there is 24-hour power supply.

    The council chief also revealed that the governor had also approved the recruitment of more paramedic staff and special medical coordinators to ensure smooth provision of medical service for the people.

    To this end, he said, it is necessary on our part to enlighten our people on this people-oriented programme and also to let you know the importance of these programmes to our council area.

    Hon. Agoro noted that “rapid urbanisation and industrialisation of Lagos State has led to appreciable increase in the number of road traffic, industrial and marine accidents and medical emergencies. This informs government’s commitment to the strengthening of the Lagos State Emergency Medical Service (LASEMS) and establishment of the Lagos State Ambulance (LASAMBUS) in March, 2001.”

    Both services run on 24 hours a week basis and have led to significant improvement in the response time and quality of care with attendant improvement in morbidity and mortality rates occasioned by medical emergencies.

    These services cover awareness campaign on the preventive aspect of medical emergencies, including home, road, traffic and industrial accidents and how to access services; training of personnel in pre-hospital-based management of trauma and medical emergencies and effective radio communication; establishment of an effective radio communication network linking the public, LASAMBUS, LASEMS and the Ministry of Health, dedicated (easy-to-remember) phone hotline (112) and free treatment within the first 24 hours of emergency policy.

    “As part of measures to enhance prompt response to emergency situations, Governor Ambode inaugurated 20 Ambulances and 14 Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICU) in addition to the existing fleet of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) for public use in which our LCDA was among.

    “Today, we are sensitising our people and also inaugurating this worthy project in our LCDA to the glory of God and to the service of humanity.”

    He thanked the royal fathers, community leaders, Commander of Army, Police, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), members of staff of the LCDA and other guests for attending the event.

  • Gombe to improve maternal, child health

    Disturbed by infant and maternal mortality statistics, Gombe State has declared its intention to strengthen the health system in order to improve the survival indices of women and children in the state.

    Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Ahmed Gana made the commitment yesterday during the opening of a two-day meeting organised by Evidence for Action (E4A) to build the capacity of stakeholders in the state’s health sector.

    Gana decried the rising number of women and children who die in avoidable circumstances while promising government’s support and partnership in ensuring great improvement in maternal and child healthcare.

    “Government is determined to ensure that this situation is reversed; we are going to encourage this platform (E4A) to open up our health facilities because we are transparent and accountable.”

    “They (E4A) will be encouraged to come and see all that we have on ground in terms of our plans, budgets, our activities and even our challenges and limitations.”

    The National Coordinator of E4A, Aminu Magashi Garba said the training/meeting was aimed at forming a platform of the civil society, NGO’s and media that will enhance an accountability mechanism on budgeting system and advocacy on issues related to women and children.

    He said the platform’s advocacy would centre on timely release of funds, proper budgeting and tracking of budgets, among many others.

    He called for the cooperation of all stakeholders, especially government, in ensuring that the platform’s objectives are realised.

     

  • Govt calls for health team’s unity

    Govt calls for health team’s unity

    The Lagos State Government has called for the unity of all members of the health service team to achieve effective medicare delivery in the state.

    The Permanent Secretary Lagos State Health Services Commission (HSC) Dr. Jemilade Longe said this while declaring open the second National Conference of the Association of Medical Laboratory Technicians and Assistants of Nigeria (AMELTAN) and the National Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (NLSCN) Workshop, which held at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, Lagos.

    Describing medical laboratory technicians as the most underrated in the healthcare chain, Longe said the technicians being the first contact between a patient and the health team, must ensure they comply with basic universal safety precautions and work in unity with other members of the health team to get accurate diagnosis of any medical issues presented to them.

    He said though many in the sector have a wrong impression about the technicians, they (practitioners) are critical as they are the gateway to proper medical laboratory diagnosis.

    He charged the technicians not to be limited by their present calling but to aspire to be the best even in their calling through scholarship.

    Longe who admitted that the profession is fraught with risk, cautioned that the technicians must adhere strictly to basic universal safety precautions to protect their patients and not to be unduly exposed to infections through contacts with dangerous body fluids.

    He charged the laboratory technicians and assistants to think outside the box in riding the profession of quacks, who have found themselves providing illegal services at many hospitals across the country.

    NLSCN Registrar/Chief Executive Officer Prof Anthony Emeribe decried the influx of quacks, adding that about 150 per cent of laboratory technicians who have been trained by the council are still jobless because their places are being filled by people who have no business in medical laboratory services.

    To rid the industry of the menace, Emeribe said the council would be partnering with the Federal Ministry of Justice to intensify inspection of medical facilities across the country and arrest anyone suspected to be operating without the Council’s certification.

    “Six months ago, we arrested a suspect in Delta State and he had been sentenced to six months imprisonment by the courts. We are going to storm Abuja and all the 36 states of the country in our renewed commitment to rid the industry of quacks because the lives of Nigerians are in danger if those who are not qualified continue to issue medical results or open medical laboratory facilities as is being presently done,” Emeribe said.

    He said he was satisfied with the success recorded by the association, adding that technicians and assistants should continue to work together in the interest of the people who demand their services.

    Dr Oloruntoba Ekun of the Department of Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, University of Lagos in his keynote paper titled: Phlebotomy and its associated risk, said because these technicians carry out minor surgical operation procedure which deals with the withdrawal of blood or the introduction from a sample, they are open to several risks.

    Ekun, who was represented by Dr Oluyemi Akinloye said the technicians and assistants must be aware of the risks and mitigate them by putting in place quality assurance programme, ensure availability of medical laboratory consumables and the avoidance of used or contaminated samples.

    Liking laboratory technicians and assistants to a building foundation, Ekun said if the technicians get the diagnosis wrong, everything else would be wrong and the result might be fatal and irreversible.