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Tag: health

  • Diet, lifestyle, health profile impact manliness

    Diet, lifestyle, health profile impact manliness

    Does a man’s food play any role in his sexuality? Yes. According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nature Healing Alternatives, Dr Leye Popoola, whatever a man ingest plays active role in his masculinity and reproductive ability.

    Man’s prowess, Dr Popoola said, is influenced directly and indirectly by his diet hence, it is good to eat foods that contain muscle and blood building ingredients. A diet that is bad for a man’s heart is also not good for his ability to have erections.

    He said: “Research has shown that the same eating patterns that can cause heart attacks due to restricted blood flow in the coronary arteries can also impede blood flow to and within the male sexual organ. The blood flow is needed for it to become erect. Diets that include very few fruits and vegetables with lots of fatty, fried, and processed foods can contribute to decreased blood circulation throughout the body. Anything that is bad for a man’s heart is also bad for his genitalorgan.”

    He continued: “It is my candid advice to men to watch what they eat as this may be the cause to their sexual weakness, especially, men suffering from impotence, otherwise known as erectile dysfunction (ED). My personal study and researches have pointed to the fact that it is due to their lifestyle and the food they eat.

    “The food they consume often predisposes them to weak libido or ED. Men should keep off denatured or devalued food, especially bread. They should abstain from  smoking and taking of alcohol. I observed that many men complain and actually have ED this day. It is alarming the rate at which they go for orthodox drugs as respite. I want to state that medication is not the only solution for treating impotence or ED, because there could be underlying factors, such as lifestyle, or stress that  should be addressed.”

    Dr Popoola said there are herbs, such as gboingboin (Yoruba) and sombo (Yoruba) cayenne which can solve their problem without side effects.

    He said there is need to understand how man’s body is composed in order to understand ED and the way out. “When a sub-system is disabled the entire system is affected. Even headache and cough can affect sexual relationship. Similarly, high blood pressure can also predispose men to low libido. If a man is stressed up; experiences sleeplessness or eat too much fatty foods that clog the blood stream, impressive libido will be impeded.

    “In fact, impotence is an early warning sign that cardiovascular disease (CVD) may be looming. ED caused by narrowed arteries commonly develops years before any symptoms or problems of CVD, hypertension or diabetes become apparent,” he said.

    Describing impotence, Dr Popoola said: “Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotenceis sexual dysfunction characterised by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of men genital organ during sexual activity. Most homes have broken because of men’s inability to attain and maintain erection to carry out normal sexual intercourse. This can also be caused as a result of medication ingested by them.

    “Some drugs have side effects, especially hypertensive drugs, which can reduce men’s libido. This is why some men would experience lack of erection.”

    Diabetics, he said, experience impotence or have problem sustaining an erection. “Diabetes affects blood circulation to the extremities of the body, such as the tips of the fingers, toes and male organ. Most  impotent people often have a very high blood sugar level. Tests often confirm this,” he said.

    People with heart problems, he said, are also susceptible to poor libido.

    According to him, this is because the heart pumps the blood to the body. “When the heart cannot perform its functions effectively, there would be problems with other parts of the body,” he said.

    Popoola said people, who have Parkinson’s disease would not be able to have an erection. Backache, he said, may also not allow them engage in any sexual act because the back is the engine room of sexual intercourse apart from the male genital organ.

    He said men should not smoke or be hooked on drinks, as “smokers and drunkards are susceptible to ED. These substances will increase estrogen. Excess estrogen could lead to a  reduction in the progesterone level. It will affect testosterone and the urge to have intercourse will reduce. Just as ulcer medications can cause impotence or hamper erection, likewise, antidepressant drugs and sleeping pills affect sexual urge and limit libido.”

    Prostate drugs, he said, has some inscriptions on it that it may cause impotence. “People, who take such drugs will eventually not be able to have an erection again in their lifetime. So, it is expedient for the person with the problem to choose whether he wants to stay alive by taking his drugs or enjoy his sexual life and die afterwards. The drug may boost their sexual performance in the short run, but later in life it will wear them out ,“ he added.

    Any way out? Popoola recommended vitamins A, B, C, E for strong libido and energy.

    He said: “Vitamin A, which is beta carotene, is good for the body and it is converted by the body to sexual hormones. So, people who use Vitamin A will have long lasting sexual life. B-complex (B-Co) is very important. B6, B12 and B3 make the heart function properly and as such aid an erection. A functional heart will assist in good libido.

    “Vitamin C, which is an antioxidant, repairs the body tissues. It repairs elastin and collagen. It works as a scavenger of any tumor within the body system and as such extracts clog within the vein. Vitamin E, is known as sexual vitamin because it aids good intercourse. It is also a scavenger. It supports the heart. Zinc also ensures that the prostate is in good health.”

    Dr Popoola warned that people should consult  practitioners to handle their ED challenges, rather than buying over the counter (OTC) preparations or aphrodisiacs that litter the markets. “Sufferers should let their health providers prescribe herbs for them because many have died as a of result drug misuse to aid their sexual performance. For instance, herbs such as Yorinbe is good, but it has adverse effect because it aggravates high blood pressure.

    “There is Damiana. It can be used by all. It is good for blood circulation, especially to the genitals. Damiana enhances libido. Also, there is Gingko biloba, which helps blood flow to the brain and the system. Macca helps to enhance stamina. Ginseng promotes reproductive health,” he said.

    Popoola said Gboingboin (Yoruba) is a local herb that has been in use for over 100 years to enhance sexual prowess. This, he said, can be given to men suffering from impotence to invigorate their sexual organs without any side effect. “Cayenne is good because it helps the blood to circulate,” Popoola added.

  • The Polls are here… Watch your health!

    Election bells are ringing hardest and loudest in Nigeria’s polls history. By Saturday, we would be done with the presidential poll and begin to prepare for the election of governors to elect state and federal lawmakers. Thereafter we would come down the leader over the next three or four Saturdays. This has been a testy time for all, politicians and their followers alike. I am neither a politician nor a follower of politicians. Always, I seek the good of society from them, and sympathise with manifestos of trusted politicians which promise public good. Many people say we have a choice between two evils or the choice is between the devil and deep sea. My prayer is that we all make the right decision. Whether we do or don’t, we will not escape from the recurring decimal in which ever decision we take. That recurring decimal is that “a people will get the government it deserves” that means either a good government or bad one. The event of the next few days will rattle our health in no small measures. I remember 1979 and 1983. I was too young in 1964 to appreciate the impact of that year’s election on health. In 1979, I suffered mild depression when my preferred candidate, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was rigged out of the polls by the forces of the State. By 1983, I had become aware that democracy was not the ideal way of choosing the leaders of one men. In ideal situations, leaders of men are anointed and prepared for their mission well beyond the earth, sent to this earth at the right time, guided through events and experiences that will fire their interest in the right direction so that, when the time of fulfillment of their task arrives, they would be recognized by people they are to lead, and followed like the herd without much ado.

    Last Saturday when I witnessed the march of troops through Agege area of Lagos, led by armored tank, the point was driven home to me that these are not normal times. The days before had been stuffed with political rallies in which the followers of politicians crambled for either #2,000 in envelopes, DVDs or electric fans or refrigerators. One semi Literate woman who roasts plantain by the roadside, said of the unprecedented traffic jam which accompanied the soldiers march through Agege. “Na soldiers dey do dem own rally”. For the more politically conscious and educated, the message is clear. And, so, as we prepare for Saturday’s presidential election and the aftermath, I would like to suggest that we do not forget our health. Election upsets may raise or aggravate blood pressure, cause heart palpitation, worsen argina pains, induce digestive disorders, insomnia, restlessness and other health challenges. So, this week, I am reminded not only of new health promoting products in the market, and also of many health enquires from some readers of this column. It is like our CLINIC DAY of old. I hope you find it useful.

    Question 1

    I was placed on a drug at 25mg twice daily for high blood pressure. But at a point, the BP started going down so much. So, I was placed on 25mg ER. That is extended release. But after taking it in the morning, the blood pressure would rise to 160/101 before evening.

    Answer

    From the point of view of alternative medicine, it is better not to suppress symptoms but to understand their root cause(s) and remove them. Elevated blood pressure has many possible causes. These may include,

    •Cellular dehydration

    •Potassium deficiency and sodium elevation in the blood/potassium/sodium ratio.

    •Elevated cholesterol level.

    •Blood vessel damage by cholesterol, homocystane or other substances.

    •Blockage and hardening of some organs, such as the liver, kidneys, pancreas which is often overlooked in the treatment of hypertension. These organs may have been blocked by toxins which the body may have crystallized and hidden in the intercellular spaces. Thus, when the heart pumps blood, and these congested organs resist blood flow, the heart tries to pump blood with more force. This new pressure may be alright for these blocked organs but may be excessive for others. This may be why these other organs become damaged by hypertension. Thus, to normalize blood pressure, the root cause(s) of it has to be determined. Most Alternative Medicine practitioners, therefore, begin the therapy with a detoxification programme which cleans these organs up inside out, unblock the blood vessels, heal any damage in them, reduce or reverse enlargement of the heart, improve mechanical pump action of the heart without stressing it, energize the heart and feed it with the nutrients it requires to do its work well.

    Traditionally, Co Enzyme Q10 is given to heart and hypertension patients to improve energy level in the heart cells. CoQ10 (Co enzyme Q10) helps to increase the number of mythochondria in cells. Mythochondria are energy producing centres in cells. So, the more the CoQ10 available in the heart, the more its energy yields. There are two types of CoQ10… ubiquinone and ubiquinol. The latter is the preferred CoQ10 because it is more bio available. Ubiquinone has to be converted to ubiquinol before the body can use it well. In that process, some materials are lost.

    Hawthorn berries is another heart herb. It strengthens the muscles of the heart, dialates blood vessels of the heart and decreases blood pressure.

    In many studies, Calcium and Magnesium have been found to lower blood pressure. Magnesium relaxes the nerves and the muscles and promotes sleeps.

    Thick blood may be thinned and blockages in blood vessels dissolved with a number of natural products which do this job and promotes blood circulation without side effects. Some of these include Cayenne, Kyolic aged garlic, Serrapeptase, Bromelain, Nattokinese and Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) among others in an inexhaustible list.

    We cannot forget omega 3 fish oil which studies have also shown reduces blood pressure when taken for some time at say, 3,000mg daily.

    Potassium – rich foods, such as oranges, vegetable juices, banana, Avocado pear, water melon and the likes of them have proven helpful in the treatment of primary hypertension.

    Ditto Vitamin C at about 1,000 to 3,000mg daily.

    Detoxification is crucial as explained earlier. Diatom is now one of my favourite detox products. It moderates blood sugar, lowers high blood cholesterol, improves digestion, especially protein digestion, removes heavy metals, toxins and micro-organisms from the system. So does Zeolyte, formed from the reaction of volcanic lava with the sodium of sea water centuries ago. Wheatgrass alkalizes. chickweed detoxifies the liver. Bitters are good also. A change of the diet which eliminates bread, milk, sugar, fried foods and makes salads, fruits and vegetable juices, the heart of nutrition should help this condition.

    Question 2

    I am 50, and have taken many sugar-reducing drugs. The sugar level is now alright after I stopped alcohol intake. Now, my problem is from December 2014. I started having weakness and outright pain from my waist to my toes. I have refused to buy the evil attack options. The pains are basically muscular.

    Answer

    ometimes, pains from the waist may be due to colon congestion or inflammation of the sciatic nerve. There may be poor blood circulation and toxin build up in the affected areas. I suggest you detoxify your intestine, especially the colon, and, after that, repopulate the friendly bacteria flora in them. You may need to also improve your posture, as a wrong posture may affect muscles and nerves in this region. Additionally, it shouldn’t be out of place if you have your doctor check your backbone for possible arthritis, herniated or disc slip. Herniated disc is one which has broken and spilled its contents on surrounding tissue. The disc is pressure packed, to serve as a shock absorber. It does not make us feel the impact of running, jumping, falling etc, just as the shock absorber in a car do not make the passengers feel  the impact of the car when it drives over bumps. Herniation of a disc may bring pressure on a nerve root and this may set up pains in the region described. If the problem is in your colon, as is often the case with many people, you may try calamus root, diatom, cayenne, a colon cleansing formula and probiotic. Some people do not easily tolerate Calamus root. They may vomit if they take it on empty stomach. Some people say they tolerate it if taken with yoghurt or pap. Some people do not experience adverse reactions. Calamus root is one of the best herbs for cleaning congested colon and healing damage to this part of the intestinal tract, including ulcerative colitis which may present a breeding ground for colon cancer.

    If osteoarthritis is the cause, help may be found in a product called Oesteocalm, especially if taken with Diatom which has been found to support calcium absorbtion, a problem for some ageing people and cause of their arthritis or eosteoporosis.

    Question 3

    My mother-in-law has stroke of the right side about eight weeks ago, what can I do?

     

    Answer

    I have heard of case stories in which Jobelyn, in high dosages, reversed fresh cases of strokes. Generally speaking, strokes can be treated early by normalizing blood pressure, cleaning blood clots, healing injury in the brain and helping nerve revival.

    The suggestions made for hypertension apply. To these may be added an oxygen capsule, such as CLEAR AIRE, for Oxygenation, Lion’s Mane, to help the brain produce more Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and, of course, GUARDIAN ANGEL, a hand held acupressure device which the patient holds in his or her hands to improve nerve function. The devise may also be used by a therapist or a relation of the patient to massage acupressure points on the body related to the parts affected by the stroke.

    Question 4

    I am 51 and always experience premature ejaculation. Anytime I see my wife, I release within seconds. Please what do I do to enjoy sex with my wife?

    Answer

    Premature ejaculation has been attributed to incordination of the pubocoxugeal muscles and nerves. When they are well co-ordinated, we make urine when we defeacate, to slow a relationship between two regions of our body at work simultaneously. Some doctors believe fear or psychological pressures cause it. Dr. Kegel developed the DR. KEGELIS EXERCISE, information about which is available free on the internet. Some other doctors and researchers link this condition to Magnesium deficiency. This deficiency may cause nerve spasms which are also experienced in palpitation of the heart or in urinary incontinence, when urine drops before we arrive in the rest room to discharge it. I was approached some time last year by a degree research student who wished to know what natural agent she could use to stop premature ejaculation in rats induced with chemicals. Having experienced spasms of my blood vessels just before then which made it somewhat difficult for laboratory officers to take my blood samples, and having overcome this condition with magnesium supplementation in my diet, I did not hesitate to suggest magnesium to her. And it worked. Above all, the nerves need strengthening and Guardian Angel are available for this.

    Question 5

    I have uterine fibroids, and appear to be about five months pregnant. Please help me.

     

    Answer

    There are about 20 possible causes of this condition, going by many research findings this column has featured many of these possibilities, singly or jointly. Some of them are

    •Back up menstruation i.e. incomplete menstruation which is retained in the uterus.

    •Poor blood circulation in the uterus which cause blood retention over a long period of time, This causes deoxygenation and these blackened clots or clumps of blood found in the menstrual flow.

    •Hormonal imbalance in which estrogen exceeds its ratio in the estrogen/progesterone ratio.

    •Free radical damage which goes with antioxidant deficiency.

    •Microbial activity, as viruses, bacteria, and candida in particular have been found in uterine fibroid tissue.

    •Deficiency of potassium, a factor which leads to growths

    •Vitamin E deficiency.

    •Longing for an unfulfilled “fruit of the womb” which is compensated for by a fibroid pregnancy.

    •Energy loss in the chakra.

    This is an eastern medicine belief. The third chakra is in the region where the uterus is. It is believed that people who seek to control and manipulate other people but cannot do this and feel so bad about it that they nurse pathological hatred for these people they cannot subjugate suffer energy loss and diseases in this region.

    As stated, there are many possible causes of uterine fibroids. It requires an understanding of them and a willful reversal of the inputs to achieve a fibroid-free uterus. For even when surgeries had been carried out to extract them, but the root causes were unattended to, these fibroids regrew.

    Question 6

    I need your help. How do I use wonder herbs to take care of hepatitis and rheumatism?

    Answer

    do not know what precisely you mean by wonder herbs. There are many herbs so named, depending on the fascination of the people who have done extensive research on them or who use them therapheutically. Lately, this column has so referred to herbs such as ELIPTA ALBA and BELLACO CAPSI. They are good for hepatitis. This condition is caused by a viral infection. To address it, liver protective herbs such as milk thistle are used along with Liver clearance herbs such as Carqueja and Liver balance and anti viral herbs such as Zeolyte AV, Amazon AV, Chanka Piedra and a host of them.

    Question 7

    My wife is 56, has ringing in her ears.

    Answer

    Ringing in the ear may be caused by poor blood circulation or an infection. The Russians instill garlic oil into such an ear with cotton wool or a diopper. To improve blood circulation, not only to the ear but all parts of the body, ginkgo biloba or cayenne may be used. If an infection is confirmed, Echinacea and Golden seal root, as tincture or capsule is advised. When garlic oil is dropped into the ear, it must be certain that the eardrum is not perforated or that fluid is not draining out of the ear. Maria Treben suggests the Swedish bitters herb drops be used. The formula she prescribes is that given her by a 103-year-old man just before he died after falling off a horse. It is the Maria Treben Bitters sold world-wide, including Nigeria. I look forward to the end of the elections, so we all can have some peace and free ourselves of nauseating comments on public matters by illiterate and commentators and tribal jingoists who are leading us to back to pre-civil war years.

    Some part of Nigeria are preserved remnants of that great atlantean civilisation which was destroyed in the age of asralasia when the moon was lowered closest to earth to destroy. Falsehood in this preserved part today is an anchorage for those forces of life which ultimately will annihilate falsehood. Falsehood is anything that is wrong. Even when we pretend about it all of us can feel to our fingertips anything that is wrong. Who does not know that corruption is the cancer in Nigeria blood stream.

    Behind the shield of ethinicity and religion, the thieves have hidden from the votes and swords of the adrout and upright. If there are more thieves in Nigeria than are clean hearts. Do not blink an eye if they sweep the states. It would simply mean the time for the crash of falsehood and the onset of upbuilding has not come. Who can hurry time.

  • Firm, group walk for health

    In its determination to achieve its corporate social responsibility, the Tempo Group, a nonprofit, nongovernmental organisation at the weekend joined forces with Orange Drugs Limited to deliver value towards their host communities in Lagos.

    Justifying the need for the collaboration with Orange Drugs, Tempo Group, which is passionate about women and children, through its Country Manager, Johannes Goenawan, said the organisation teamed up with Orange Drugs in order to deliver real value to its host communities.

    Specifically, Goenawan said the aim and objective of the exercise was to achieve total well-being for women and children, considering their high level of vulnerability.

    Some of the highlights of activities carried out by the group include a health walk. Speaking on the highpoint of the occasion, Goenawan said: “The Sudrex tablet for headache and fever is the brand that is supporting the event. It is manufactured by PT Tempo Scan Pacific in Indonesia and our sole distributor is Orange Drugs Limited .This is the fifth annual health walk organised by the Lagos State women council of the Ansar Ud Deen Society. It is very good and we are proud to be part of it.”

    Goenawen adds that:  “It is a great initiative from a volunteer organisation and these women’s campaign would reach to a larger audience.  It would be a good idea if things like this are organised regularly to produce a very healthy nation. For the period that I have been in Nigeria.”

     

  • Nigerian leads global panel of health experts

    Nigerian leads global panel of health experts

    Laolu Osanyin, Nigerian, lawyer, has been appointed as the lead of the Global Panel of Health Law Experts by the American College of Legal Medicine.

    Osanyin’s appointment into the prestigious group was at the 55th Annual Conference of the American College of Legal Medicine at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas United States of America recently.

    Also appointed into the Global Panel of Health Law Experts was Prof Kate Diesfeld from New Zealand and Dr. Santosh kakade from India.

    Speaking as a guest speaker at the conference with the presentation of a paper titled: ‘The Development of Health Law in Nigeria- The Open Season of Malpractice Suits’, Osanyin opined that there is a new medicolegal environment in Nigeria, evidenced by the steady and consistent increase in petitions and litigations against Nigerian doctors.

    Some of the reasons alluded to this increase in patients awareness are the increase in literacy level amongst Nigerian patients and their families, medical tourism which allows patients to compare standards of treatment given in Nigeria with those rendered in other countries, the effectiveness of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, amongst other reasons.

    Mr. La-olu Osanyin is the Course Director of the Medicolegal Department of Medical Tutors Ltd which is accredited by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria as a Continuous Professional Development Provider.  He also serves on the Editorial Board of Medical Malpractice Law Report published under the authority of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

  • FG sealed off about 15 health facilities in Abuja

    About 15 health facilities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has been placed under lock and key by the Federal Government for operating medical laboratory which was regarded to be below standard.

    Other part of the country, it was gathered would be the next point of call for the inspecting team which will be visiting health facilities.

    The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Science Laboratory Council of Nigeria ( MLSCN) Prof. Anthony Emeribe said henceforth, government will not hesitate to wield the big stick in dealing with arbitrary practices in medical laboratory services.

    Emeribe said: “Bequeathing a culture of quality service in our medical laboratories is an onerous task and we are rising to the occasion.  Regardless of the successes already recorded in reducing quackery and the preponderance of fake or substandard medical laboratory products in the country, we still have a lot to do.

    “In the past we were conducting field inspections more frequently, however a disturbing pattern emerged and caused us to tarry and reconsider our strategy.”

    Emeribe stated that this change of strategy has resulted to positive steps leading to sealing off about 15 health facilities in Abuja and the arrest of a culprit in Onitsha,  Anambra State.

    Details of the sealed off health facilities by the MLSCN include “4 private hospitals and clinics, 9 standalone medical laboratories and 2 pharmacy laboratory testing sites.”

    Further details revealed that about 58 health facilities were visited by three separate teams. There were also cases of 13 private laboratories operating with the MLSCN approval.

    He said, “those who are benefitting from the rot in the system are reluctant to embrace the transformation we are working towards.  But they will not deter us.”

    The Office of the Head of Service has directed that no science technologist should practice again in any medical laboratory in the country.

    In the circular sent to the MLSCN and other agencies, government said it will no longer tolerate the practice where science technologists and laboratory scientists are allowed to work in medical laboratory environment.

    The circular urged all science technologists and laboratory scientists to rather restrict themselves within the purview of science laboratories regulated by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

  • Health workers’ strike paralyses activities

    Barely two weeks after the National Joint Health Sector Union called off the three months nationwide strike, the Joint Health Sector Union,  Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Kogi State chapter, yesterday embarked on an indefinite strike over internal crisis.

    This paralysed activities at the medical centre,  as patients were asked to go home, while the workers refused to attend to them.

    When reporters visited the hospital, it was deserted,  as the Records Office, Accounts Section, Pharmacy and other departments were shut. Patients were not allowed access to the hospital.

    The workers, it was learnt, demanded the payment of the backlog of unpaid allowances.

    A source said the union was worried over the inability of the management to remit union dues deducted from the workers’ salaries.

    It was gathered that the management owed the newly-employed workers one month salary.

    The source said the union was also asking the management to upgrade the entry point salary of laboratory scientists from Grade  7-2 to 9-2, as obtained in other federal hospitals.

    The union was said to have written a warning letter to the management, but when there was no response, it embarked on the strike.

    Contacted on the phone, the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Debo Elesho, urged reporters to visit the hospital, but later said he could not attend to them because the management was in a meeting with the union to sort out things.

  • Shell to execute N1b Oloibiri health project

    Shell to execute N1b Oloibiri health project

    Shell has inked an agreement with the General Electric for the execution of a N1 billion health project, as part of three initiatives to mark 100 years of Nigeria’s nationhood.

    The project, which is phased over three years, aims to provide affordable and quality health care delivery through a population-wide approach in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

    The project will involve the delivery of care through a network of four primary health centres and one general hospital using a Health System Strengthening model.

    It will also involve the establishment of a health research centre at Oloibiri to disseminate best practice for replication.

    A project steering committee has been set up, comprising representatives of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC), the General Electric, Bayelsa State Government, Federal University, Otuoke and Ogbia Local Government Council.

    “The Oloibiri project is one of the single biggest social investment initiatives we have undertaken in the Niger Delta and underlines our commitment to a better future for the people there,” said SPDC Managing Director & Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, at the signing ceremony in Lagos.

    “We’re looking to see a holistic community health improvement in poverty alleviation, water and sanitation, safe/clean housing and household renewable energy among many others,” he added.

    The incoming SPDC MD and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, agreed.

    “This is a game changer in the provision of health care in the Niger Delta,” he said.

    Also reacting, Lazarus Angbazo President & CEO General Electric, Nigeria, added: “We’re pleased to act as implementing partner on a project that will significantly touch lives and improve the lot of community people.”

    The Commissioner of Health Dr. Ayibatonye Owei and the Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Otuoke, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, pledged their support for the project.

  • ‘Pay attention to your health’

    ‘Pay attention to your health’

    The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Rural Development, has held its first free health initiative in five communities in Otto Awori Local Council Development Area of the state.

    No fewer than 50 Corps members attended to the residents, who were tested for high blood pressure, malaria and HIV/AIDS, among others.

    Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner for Rural Development Cornelius Ojelabi said the scheme was organised to educate people on the need to “give utmost attention to their health.”

    He said: “If you know your health status, then, you will know how it should be managed. I commend the services that the NYSC has rendered to residents living in the riverine areas. This has gone a long way to complement the efforts of the state government. So, I urge you all to embrace this opportunity. I understand that those with high blood pressure have been advised to visit the nearest Primary Health Centres (PHC).”

    The NYSC state coordinator, Akhanemhe Cyril, said the management took the screening to the rural communities to assist those who could not afford the high cost of medical treatment.

    “Some will be treated, while others suffering from several ailments will be given referrals. We intend to go round the rural areas in the state,” he added.

    The Baale of Otto-Awori, Pa Abel Ojelabi, thanked the organisers for bringing free medical services to his domain, adding: “for some time, I have been attending my monthly medical check up at a very distant hospital. So, this initiative is most welcome.”

    One of the medical personnel, Dr Ogunnaya Tosin, said though none of the residents had malaria, he encouraged them to maintain  good environment.

  • Striking health workers urged to return to work

    Striking health workers urged to return to work

    THE Acting Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Chris Bode has urged striking health workers under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) to return to work.

    Appealing to the striking workers yesterday, Bode said the prolonged strike has worsened the cases of patients.

    The paediatric surgeon said striking workers should not prevent workers on duty from doing their job, adding that this negate the rules of engagement.

    “The rule says that a striking worker should stay at home; cannot travel, no work no pay,” he said.

    He said health care was a team work, which needed unbroken harmony for successful operation.

    The strike, Bode said, has affected training and services in the hospital, especially doctors’ residency, nursing programme and pharmacy students, and others.

    Bode said LUTH was operating skeletal services in the out-patient clinics, accident and emergency unit, intensive care unit and Engineering Unit.

    Besides, patients who could not be discharged have remained on treatment in the wards.

    He urged striking workers to embrace dialogue, adding that government policies take time, “because the country is in a democratic setting”.

    The acting CMD said every group in the sector was trying to become independent of one another, adding that it was meaningless.

    “There should be a legal framework to refrain medical workers from embarking on strike. This would curb incessant strikes by all the groups in the sector,” he said.

    JOHESU members yesterday protested in the hospital.

    Its Lagos State chairman, Comrade Stephen Ibe, alleged that the hospital was trying to employ some casual workers to take over the jobs of striking health workers.

    He said the union would resist it as it was against the labour law.

    Ibe urged the Federal Government to release the circular prepared to ensure proper emolument for workers.

  • Resident doctors to politicians: invest in health

    Resident doctors have appealed to politicians to invest in the health sector.

    The doctors said politicians should give priority to the provision of excellent health infrastructure and invest more in the sector because the well-being of the populace depends on it.

    President of the association in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Dr. Isaac Akerele made the call at a news briefing on the implementation of the consolidated salary structure in Abuja.

    Akerele said : “Politicians should take the agenda of health very important. Health for all Nigerians. Investment in health should be dear to their heart and be the first.  If that will be the only thing they will focus on.

    “Doctors have to be de-tribalised to be a good doctor. We believe that health care should be given equally irrespective of the political parties. “He urged them to avoid travelling overseas for treatment that could be provided locally.

    Speaking on their welfare,  the ARD disclosed that the Federal Capital erritory Authority (FCTA) is yet to implement the new consolidated salary structure for the association.

    He urged the FCT Minister  to hasten implementation of the new structure to adequately cater for their welfare.

    “Our arrears must be paid before the end of January to douse tension of medical workers especially the resident doctors before end of January,” Akerele added.