The Nation Newspaper

Tag: health

  • How smoking affects your health

    THERE are no physical reasons to start smoking. The body doesn’t need tobacco the way it needs food, water, sleep, and exercise. And many of the chemicals in cigarettes, like nicotine and cyanide, are actually poisons that can kill in high enough doses.

    The body is smart. It goes on the defense when it’s being poisoned. First-time smokers often feel pain or burning in the throat and lungs, and some people feel sick or even throw up the first few times they try tobacco.

    The consequences of this poisoning happen gradually. Over the long term, smoking leads people to develop health problems like heart disease, stroke, emphysema (breakdown of lung tissue), and many types of cancer including lung, throat, stomach, and bladder cancer. People who smoke also have an increased risk of infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.

    These diseases limit a person’s ability to be normally active, and they can be fatal. In the United States, smoking is responsible for about 1 out of 5 deaths.

    Smokers not only develop wrinkles and yellow teeth, they also lose bone density, which increases their risk of osteoporosis (pronounced: ahs-tee-o-puh-row-sus), a condition that causes older people to become bent over and their bones to break more easily. Smokers also tend to be less active than nonsmokers because smoking affects lung power.

    Smoking can also cause fertility problems and can impact sexual health in both men and women. Girls who are on the pill or other hormone-based methods of birth control (like the patch or the ring) increase their risk of serious health problems, such as heart attacks, if they smoke.

    The consequences of smoking may seem very far off, but long-term health problems aren’t the only hazard of smoking. Nicotine and the other toxins in cigarettes, cigars, and pipes can affect a person’s body quickly, which means that teen smokers experience many of these problems:

    Bad skin. Because smoking restricts blood vessels, it can prevent oxygen and nutrients from getting to the skin which is why smokers often appear pale and unhealthy. Studies have also linked smoking to an increased risk of getting a type of skin rash called psoriasis.

    Bad breath. Cigarettes leave smokers with a condition called halitosis, or persistent bad breath.

    Bad-smelling clothes and hair. The smell of stale smoke tends to linger not just on people’s clothing, but on their hair, furniture, and cars. And it’s often hard to get the smell of smoke out.

    Reduced athletic performance. People who smoke usually can’t compete with nonsmoking peers because the physical effects of smoking (like rapid heartbeat, decreased circulation, and shortness of breath) impair sports performance.

    Greater risk of injury and slower healing time. Smoking affects the body’s ability to produce collagen, so common sports injuries, such as damage to tendons and ligaments, will heal more slowly in smokers than nonsmokers.

    Increased risk of illness. Studies show that smokers get more colds, flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia than nonsmokers. And people with certain health conditions, like asthma, become more sick if they smoke (and often if they’re just around people who smoke). Because teens who smoke as a way to manage weight often light up instead of eating, their bodies also lack the nutrients they need to grow, develop, and fight off illness properly.

  • Deadly stomach cancers on the rise

    Deadly stomach cancers on the rise

    The American Cancer Society reports a record one million new worldwide

    cases of stomach cancer and 800,000 deaths per year.  Stomach cancer has

    been found to be the fourth most common type of cancer and the second

    leading cause of cancer death.

    It is reported that 1 in 114 men and women are at significant risk of

    developing stomach cancer at some point in their lives.  Stomach cancers

    are especially prevalent in the African and Hispanic populations.

     

    *Lifestyle induced cancers*

     

    The risk factors for stomach cancers are very similar to other lifestyle

    induced cancers.  The leading causative factors include smoking, a poor

    diet, lack of physical activity and obesity.  Proactive lifestyle changes

    such as quitting smoking and eating a diet rich in vegetables can reduce

    the risk of developing stomach cancer.

     

    Stomach cancers are known to be more prevalent in men over the age of 50,

    individuals with type A blood and have a history of a H. Pylori bacterial

    infections.  H. Pylori infections are also known to contribute to stomach

    ulcers.

     

    *Do I have stomach cancer?*

     

    Many cancers are actually chronic or long-term in nature.  Cancer’s

    complicating factor is that you don’t know you have cancer until you have

    symptoms.  Individuals that develop stomach cancer commonly have poor

    lifestyle choices for decades and do not know that it is silently

    developing.

    The signs and symptoms of stomach cancers are very similar to other

    gastrointestinal conditions.  You could be at risk if you have heartburn,

    indigestion, nausea or other ulcer-type symptoms.  Other concerning

    symptoms include abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating and a sense of

    fullness.

    Any symptom should not be ignored. Symptoms may not indicate cancer but

    they do indicate that one’s body is not functioning properly.  Lifestyle

    factors play a significant role in maintaining and improving how one’s body

    is able to heal and function.

     

    *Vitamin D3 prevents cancer*

     

    Vitamin D acts more like a hormone than a vitamin. Like a hormone, it has a

    huge impact on how genes express or fail to express themselves. In fact,

    one in every 25 genes in the human body interacts with vitamin D. This

    means that deficiencies may weaken the genetic infrastructure of our body

    and place us at risk for diseases such as stomach cancer.

     

    Without vitamin D our immune system is incapable of producing certain

    antimicrobial substances, leaving our body unable to fight off bacteria,

    viruses and cancer. A vitamin D deficiency will prevent the body from

    killing off precancerous cells before they turn into full-fledged cancer.

    According to the Vitamin D Council, the human body needs from 3,000 to

    5,000 IU daily. Besides preventing cancer, vitamin D is also needed for

    strong bones and calcium absorption in the body.

     

    *Eat cruciferous vegetables *

     

    Broccoli is one of the best cancer-fighting foods on the planet.  This

    super-vegetable is loaded with various nutrients that have been found to

    benefit various cancers including stomach.

    Sprouts of broccoli have been found to be the most beneficial.  A direct

    cancer-inhibiting nutrient can be found in greater concentrations in the

    sprouts than the full mature plants.  Cabbage and cauliflower have very

    similar properties.

    Go with your gut.  Talk with your healthcare professional if you suspect

    something is not right.  Prevention is the most important technique but few

    truly value lifestyle interventions until it’s too late.  Take proactive

    steps to reduce your risk today.

     

     

    Dr. Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker and columnist for

    numerous newspapers, magazines, websites and publications throughout the

    world. He works in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s goals

    of disease prevention and global healthcare education. Views do not

    necessarily reflect endorsement.

     

    Email: drcorycouillard@gmail.com

     

    Facebook: Cory Couillard

     

    Twitter: Cory_Couillard

  • Anxiety over Enugu Governor Chime’s health

    Anxiety over Enugu Governor Chime’s health

    There is anxiety over the health of Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime.

    Chime, who has been away from the country since September 19, reportedly returned last weekend only to be flown back hours after to an undisclosed country on Monday

    But Government House sources said the governor was in town but yet to return to work from his accumulated leave.

    Chime’s last official function was on September 19, when he attended the Council of State meeting in Abuja.

    He reportedly transmitted a letter to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Eugene Odo, before leaving the country, thereby clearing Deputy Governor Sunday Onyebuchi to become acting governor.

    But the letter was not read on the floor of the House of Assembly.

    Although no reason was given for his absence, there were speculations that he was hospitalised in an Asian country for an undisclosed ailment.

    No official of the government was willing to discuss the governor’s state of health. Officials only told our reporter that the governor still has up till early December to return from his accumulated leave.

    But sources claim that the governor was rushed back following complications from the surgery he underwent abroad.

    Chime’s absence is the most discussed issue in Enugu State as government activities are at a low ebb because the acting governor is believed to have an approval limit that is not more than N500,000.

    Chief Press sSecretary to the Governor Mr. Chukwudi Achife, said a statement would be issued. The statement had not come last night.

    Chime was born in 1953 in Udi. He was the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice under his predecessor Chimaroke Nnamani’s administration before being elected the governor in 2007. He was reelected last year.

    He attended College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu (1971-78), graduated in Law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1980 and attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos (1980-81).

    He ran a private legal practice in Enugu between 1981 and 1998. Chime was Secretary of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), 1992-94.

  • Health of boys and men In focus: Andropause

    Boys and men who are biologically normal do not menstruate; and so there is no such thing as cessation of menses in men. Manopause? May be not. However, at some point after the age of 30 in men and in some males a little earlier, something does become irregular , less frequent and finally ceases; early morning penile erection, which may be associated with emissions is very common around puberty, peaks about the age of 20, begins to decline by age 30 and disappears by the time a man celebrates his 70th birth day.

    andropause is the male equivalent of menopause . It is different from menopause in that it occurs over a relatively longer period of time ,and individual variations are more marked.

    Changes which are associated with andropause include the folowing;-

    Decrease in gonadotrophin releasing hormone from a center in the Brain called Hypothalamus

    Steady decrease in the blood level of the male hormone testosterone and it’s active metabolite, Dihydrotesterone (DHT) at the rate of 0.5-1% a year

    Decrease in plasma testosterone level to ½ of the level found in boys.

    Decrease in total testosterone level at the rate of 1.3% a year

    Diminished response of anterior pituitary leutenizing hormone(LH) response to low testosterone

    Decreased response of the cells (Leydig cells ) that produce testosterone to follicle stimulating hormone,(FSH) and leutenizing hormone(LH)

    About 2-3% increase in concentration of SSBG, the agent that is involved in the transport of Sex steroids in blood, consequently leading to decrease in testosterone in the presence of normal or increased LH and FSH

    Decrease in the number of androgen receptors(AR) in the hypothalamus as well as reduced ability of AR-TESTOSTERONE complex to bind DNA

    The problem

    As was discussed in the matter on menopause, changes in sexual and reproductive health occur along a continuum and involve the social, physical and mental status of the individual. So much concern is placed on physical performance that boys and young men now consume large quantities of dangerous drugs and medicines containing codeine, antihistamins, e.g phenergan, antidepressants and sleep preventing agents . There are many drugs being sold all over the place as ‘ manpower or bomb drugs’. Most of them are simply being consumed for their placebo effects.

    There are others a who abuse anabolic steroids either in the form of oral tablets or injections. All these performance enhancing drugs are very dangerous; indeed many persons have lost their lives trying to please their wives or sex partners in bed . Patients on medication for hypertension and related diseases are particularly at risk here and could be driven to take decisions that might prove fatal.

    There are difficulties estimating prevalence of andropause since it is a gradual process and p cofounding variables of age and co morbidities are not easily factored. What one inherits from parents also comes in, as some people are so naturally endowed that reference normal values simply don’t apply , and so a man well beyond 70 can do exceptionally well with a harem of ten wives where a 21 year old fails to perform with one wife, and there is nothing wrong clinically to account for his seemingly natural problem ; in other words, he is biologically normal but functionally, he has a problem.

    Leydig cells from which testosterone, the hormone being discussed, is produced constitute only about 20% of the entire population of testicular tissue, which is quite a small region indeed . Moreover plasma level of testosterone is equally small, about 0.4—0.8 which represents about 2%of the quantity released, remaining 98% is bound to proteins, and not available for the body to use in this direction.

    What makes testosterone so important?

    Testosterone has dual functions and the clinical features of Andropause reflect these .

    1. androgens

    2. spermatogenesis

     

    Leutenizing hormone acts on leydig cells of the testis to produce androgens which include testosterone, androstenedione, dihidroepiandrosterone and other androgens.

    These are responsible for male thinking ,descent of the testis , muscle building by anabolic action, as opposed to catabolism, increased basal metabolic rate, is a feature of testosterone action.

    Major functions of testosterone can be summarized as below;-

    helps body and mind function properly in real matters concerning accidents and anxieties of daily living including sex; it does this by its action on chemicals in the brain such as serotonin, dopamine, while down below, it increases another natural body chemical NITRIC OXIDE(main ingredient in VIAGRA) .There is no bone in the penis; the chemical causes the spongy muscle of the penis to open up and become engorged with blood during sexual stimulation. For this to occur, a man requires about 300ng/d of testosterone

    Builds the body , particularly responsible for the physical muscular appearance of maleness, and it makes a man think, talk and behave like a man. Sarcopenia due to loss of testosterone predisposes to loss of physical stamina, falls and fractures

    Builds up blood also, by stimulating erythropoesis in the bone marrow. Decreased ability to stimulate increase in red blood cells in response to stress partly explains the tiredness associated with low testosterone .

    Makes bone by stimulating chemicals involved in laying down bone

    Helps the body break down fat , and increases the amount of good cholesterol, HDL in the body

    Helps distribute carbohydrates and sugar so they don’t accumulate to cause diabetes

    Testosterone helps the heart, kidneys and the liver function well, by its action on the endothelium and blood lipids

    Basic Science

    Earliest information on the origin of this very important male hormone came from a German Anatomist, Franz Von Leydig (1821-1908). Using histochemical methods he isolated and characterized Testosterone from the cells that bear his name from the testis.

    The general behavior of a human fetus is in the direction of assuming a female appearance . The testis makes its appearance much earlier by 7th wk , compared with the ovary which is seen two wks later, 9th week of intra uterine . By the 8th wk , cells of leydig appear. The genital ridge of a 7 week old embryo Usually contain two systems; Wolfian and Mullerian cells for what would form a male or female baby respectively.

    Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin(HCG)from the placenta stimulates the developing gonad to produce testosterone, which in turn produces mullerian duct inhibitory factor(MDIF). This substance which has not been fully characterized, knocks off the mullerian duct in females, as a result of which the vagina, uterus and fallopian tubes do not develop, whereas male structures, such as, epidydimis, vas deference, Seminiferous tubules , Prostate gland and Penis do develop

    Cholesterol is the major raw material for the synthesis of testosterone. The developing fetus extracts Pregnenolone from Cholesterol in order to synthesize the hormone progesterone

    This is in turn used to produce Androstenedione and Dihydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The final product testosterone, the ultimate, is produced by the cells of leydig which are actually at the receiving end of an axis . The hypothalamus as the control center and the anterior pituitary gland as the integrating center or what Physiologists refer to as the leadership of the reproductive endocrine orchestra. It is interesting to know that the same type of hormone believed to be responsible for the troublesome hot flushes of menopause in females is also associated with the major symptom of ANDROPAUSE in males. This is the Leutenizing Hormone(LH). It is released in pulses by the anterior pituitary in response to equally pulsatile stimulation by the gonadotropin releasing hormone(GnRH) of the brain hypothalamus.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    A mid cycle surge of the leutenizing hormone is essential if a woman with regular cycle is to achieve pregnancy The leydig cells of the testes pick up signals to produce testosterone of about 5-10mg per day, and the levels of testosterone produced are higher, between 6and 8am in the morning when the level is about 20 -25nm/l and lower in the evening , 14-18nm,hence the matter of early am erections in boys and young men . Some mothers can not say for sure who the fathers of their first born kids are , and in some communities, fathers have been known to use this testosterone dependent Physiological response, to determine if indeed a son was fathered by them or someone else.

    From birth to about 10 -12 years, there is usually a pause in the production of this testosterone but it picks up again by puberty, and by the age of 30, a gradual decline ensues, but by the age of 70, most of all the biological apparatus needed for synthesis of testosterone will have become defective .

    A man requires about 300ng/dl of testosterone to initiate and maintain normal sexual activity Testosterone stimulates synthesis of nitric oxide( NO),a potent natural body chemical used in the manufacture of VIAGRA, it relaxes, corpora cavernosa, and at the same time excites the brain via the serotonin and dopamine path ways .

    Androgens stimulate the branching pattern of neurons, in a process necessary for the neuronal connections involved in memory and cognition

    Gene mutation involving the aromatase enzyme may result in reduced androgen from estrogen precursors. A similar mechanism may be responsible for changes in androgen receptors in bone osteoblasts resulting in bony changes such as osteoporosis, osteophytes, low back and waist pain

    Obesity ,hypertension diabetes mellitus , heart disease are probably due to decreased stimulation of lipoprotein lipase, and consequent decrease in high density lipoprotein, the good cholesterol

     

    EARLY ANDROPAUSE

    Andropause occurring in in men aged 30 years and older, may be physiological, but can be due to many other problems

    In men below 30 years and older, it could be congenital or acquired. Acquired conditions could be as a result of infection, traumatic injuries or neoplasia, such as simple enlargement of the prostate gland or prostate cancer. But neoplastic diseases are commoner in older men

    Early andropause may occur in people born without a testis , deformed testis, undescended testis , ambiguous genitalia, or heamaphrodites. Castration may occur by accident, done in the hospital to remove tumor or by error during treatment for something else.

    Depending on pattern of usage, large intoxicating volumes of alcohol can have direct effect by crashing plasma testosterone. Chronic usage is associated with altered metabolism in favor of estrogen ; the active metabolite of testosterone is not produced, and there is increased concentration of sex hormone binding globulin(SHBG),which further lowers body testosterone

    Smokers, may surfer low testosterone by indirectly affecting transcription at the level of the brain, and target tissues.

    Other factors associated with andropause include ;

    Use and abuse of sex performance enhancing drugs

    Overuse of supplements, those containing pain killers

    Herbal and non herbal performance enhancing drugs

    Hypertension and diabetes mellitus , reduced lipoprotein lipase, altered metabolism

    Hydrocele ,meaning build up of watery fluid in a mucous space in the scrotum and

    Varicoceles , caused by abnormal engorgement of veins around the sperm cord frequently on the left side.

    Testicular torsion, characterized by very severe sudden onset agonizing painful swelling of the testis

    Poorly treated viral infections, chicken pox orchitis, mumps,

    indiscriminate use of drugs for pains, arthritis , for recreation

    Any major illness; Particularly those involving the chest, and brain,

    inflammatory conditions of the groin , testis or scrotum

    Clinical features of andropause are similar to menopause in women and include, lack of interest in environment , abnormal enlargement of the male breast, brittle bones, low or no sex drive, problems with initiating and maintaining strong penile erection, unexplained weakness, loss of skin tone, accumulation of fat around trunk, mood swings, anger and outbursts ,depression, memory loss, waist and body pains etc

    what to do

    Just as for menopause in females ,many ways are available, by way of estrogen or testosterone formulations, skin patches , injections and creams . Problem is getting baseline levels to guide treatment and in some cases, treatment by these formulations either produce desired results, poor results, no results at all or cause cancer of the breast or prostate. precipitate heart attack or sudden death, liver failure , obesity or diabetes mellitus. Supervision by a physician is critical before deciding on any such methods

    outside drug treatment, it is often advisable to try and accept what you cannot change, and communicate this to your wife or sex partner if you are extraordinarily and understandably sexually active .It should be understood that there is only one period in a lifetime when you really are a man,

    Avoid excessive medication with performance enhancing drugs, especially those who have been diagnosed as diabetic or hypertensive. Most of them are steroids, and steroids are diabetogenic, meaning, they increase blood sugar to levels beyond which pancreatic insulin can effectively handle. Besides, sex performance enhancing drugs can kill while the super performance is going on , or days after . There is no wisdom in a house wife expecting a husband in his early 40s or late 50s to go on and on in any particular night of bliss as if he had suddenly become a 19 year old boy

    Avoid excessive alcohol, cigarettes , fats, direct sugars and junk diet

    Honesty , truthfulness, understanding , gentle loving expressions of concern about what is happening, good communication towards achieving marital harmony and total family happiness are all possible when individuals and couples passing through menopause and andropause open their minds to access adequate and insightful commentaries on such matters

     

     

  • Salary disparity threatens workers in health sector

    Salary disparity threatens workers in health sector

    The health sector has been in the news for some time. But this time, it is about the disagreement between medical doctors and other health workers. The bone of contention is the demand by registered unions for the scrapping of the Consolidated Health Sector Salary Structure (CONHESS), which gives more cash to medical doctors than other workers in the sector. Medical doctors say the workers’demand is an invitation to anarchy, writes DUPE OLAOYE-OSINKOLU

     

    TROUBLE is brewing as paramedics are up in arms against the medical doctors, who they say, are being over-pampered by the government.

    Medical doctors on their part said unions of other health workers are inviting anarchy by seeking parity in salary with them. The other health workers on the other hand, are asking the government to stop paying the doctors Consolidated Health Sector Salary Structure (CONHESS). CONHESS gives medical doctors salaries that are much fatter than other professionals in the sector. Doctors however, disagreed with the demand, saying should the Government grant the request; they (doctors) would go on strike. But the paramedics said that doctors have been in control of the sector for too long and are carrying themselves as the lord of the sector, despising other health workers. The medical doctors said that they strive not just to be experts but consultants in their various fields, noting that paramedics parade themselves as if they (paramedics) can perform the roles of doctors.

    The battle line is therefore drawn between the pharmacists, nurses, laboratory scientists, other hospital workers on one side, and medical doctors on the other.

    The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), a united platform of five registered Trade Unions with legal backing to represent the interest of workers in the health industry is making efforts to ensuring that they achieve some landmark in the area of salary structure of health workers, by bridging the gap in the allowances of other health professionals and the doctors.

    JOHESU members include Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions and the Nigeria Union of Pharmacists, Medical Technologists and Professions Allied to Medicine.

    All the unions believe they have an axe to grind with the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), the umbrella body of medical doctors, which is the reason they came together to form a formidable body.

    The General Secretary of NASU, Comrade Peters Adeyemi said there is an inbuilt arrogance about doctors because they are being over-pampered by the government. He noted that no worker in the health sector can be regarded as least important since a doctor cannot do their jobs.

    “Right from the gate of the hospital, we have workers, whose duty the doctors cannot do, even issuing of cards, because no doctor can see a patient without a card. They can’t attend to patients on their own; they need nurses to administer drugs. Even the idea of only the doctors being made minister of health has to change. There are more qualified paramedics who can hold the position. They have arrogated so much authority to themselves, as if they can achieve anything without the contribution of other health workers. They always believe they are the only ones who are useful in the health sector,” he said.

    But the President of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Osahon Enabulele said doctors were not fighting the health workers, and that they (health workers) are the ones fighting doctors. He said that all the agenda of JOHESU was aimed at undermining the authority of the doctors.

    He said the problem in the sector was caused by the “perpetual greed of health workers to equate themselves with the doctors.”

    But the health workers are asking for the reconstitution of the boards of University Teaching Hospitals and other parastatals under the Ministry of Health with equitable representation by union and professional association.

     

    JOHESU’S Agitation

     

    In a statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of JOHESU, Ayuba Wabba and George Ayua, JOHESU, the group said the NMA should “concentrate on its professional matters rather than dabbling into matters it is ignorant of.”

    The NMA President on his part said JOHESU’s agitation seeking equation with doctors will lead to anarchy. “We are saying everybody should be asking for what is realisable, the agitation must be based on anything besides an invitation to anarchy,” he stated.

    Mr Wabba said there is hierarchy in the health profession, and wondered why a laboratory scientist should be bent on being like a doctor. “They want to be consultants in the hospitals,” he said.

    He said if the government wants to concede to health workers demands,it also has to concede to so many other things, such as chief consultant and senior consultant that are no more in the structure. All these he said have to be restored.

    On the agitation for CONHESS, Enabulele said he started the battle for Consolidated Health Sector Salary Structure (CONHESS) as a way of stopping regular migration of doctors to other countries to seek greener pastures. “I introduced the concept of specialists’ allowance. You have to be appointed as a consultant to earn the specialist allowance. They also want it. They want to take final decision on patients. They can do anything elsewhere, but in the hospital setting, consultants are in charge. If there is a case of negligence, nobody thinks of nurses, they look for doctors.

    Earlier, this year, there was a strike called by health workers at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta over alleged superiority tussle between nurses and doctors. The action grounded the hospital for about five days.

    A doctor allegedly slapped an assistant nursing officer in the heat of an argument, and failure of the hospital management to react when the matter was reported made the nurses association embark on strike. At a point, the loggerhead manifested when the issue of the health bill came up for assent. The health workers said President Jonathan should not sign it as it was, while the doctors urged Mr President to sign it.

     

    Contentious Bill

     

    The contentious provisions in the Health Bill according to the health workers include, National health system and regulation of health services; headship of the tertiary hospitals commission and the federal capital territory primary healthcare board. Others include status of the Armed Forces medical corps and membership of the National Council on Health; provision of essential drugs in primary care services; and developing primary care facilities in Nigeria. Also, establishment, composition, functions and tenure of national health research ethics committee; research of experimentation with human subjects; removal of tissue, blood products from living persons; removal, use or transplantation of tissue and administering of blood and blood products by medical practitioner or dentist. But medical doctors said that it was better for the bill to be assented to first by Mr President and amended later.

    The doctors said the health bill was the boldest step any government had taken in the last 10 years to address the challenges facing the healthcare delivery system in Nigeria, noting that those opposed to the bill are ignorant of the potential for transformation therein should the bill be faithfully implemented.

    The current agitation of the health workers include, non-skipping of Salary CONHESS 10 now before the National Industrial Court for adjudication, National Health Bill, Consultancy and Specialist Allowance, Call/Shift duty and other Professional Allowances, Presidential Committee Report on Harmony in the Health Sector namely: Promotion of Health Professionals from CONHESS 14-15, Request for implementation of 2008 Job Evaluation Committee Report, Need to review the retirement age, Re-constitution of Boards of management dissolved since September, 2011 and increase in retirement age from 60 to 65 years.

    Baring intervention by older health professionals and other stakeholders, this brewing enmity might assume an unhealthy crescendo in which professionals would be exchanging blows.

    Optometrist’s grouse

    Other areas of the health sector where grudges are being nursed against the medical doctors is the eye care. The optometrists are complaining bitterly that the government only recognises the ophthalmologists, even though they only perform eye surgery in cases of glaucoma or cataract, while other eye ailments are being taken care of by optometrists.

    Dr Tony Chiwike of Optic Ideal Eye Clinic, Lagos, said, other areas of health care professions is being neglected by the government.

    “ In the eye care profession, we have the optometrists, which is the first point of contact for any eye problem. Then we have the ophthalmologist, which is like a tertiary form for those who require surgery. The situation now is that the government only recognises the ophthalmologists, while the optometrists are being relegated to the background.

    “In some other advanced countries such as in the United States, and in Britain, all these professions have their distinct places. The ophthalmologists have their own functions, while the optometrists have their own duties. Any patient that has an eye problem comes to the optometrist, who attends to him or her, but if he or she needs a referral, maybe due to eye conditions like glaucoma or cataract, the optometrists refers such cases to ophthalmologists. If the patient needs eye glasses after the surgery, then the patient has to be referred back to optimist.

    “However in this country, ophthalmologists want to take care of everything concerning eye care. It is not done that way in other countries.”

    Chiwike added that Ophthalmologists have sent a proposal to the government on the issue to enlighten people on who to go to when they have eye problems and also to warn professionals not to encroach on other people’s duties. He blamed the government for not doing enough for optometrists in terms of recognition. He said only the medical doctors are being recognised, while other health professionals are not being accorded their rightful place. If they are accorded their rightful place, they would do more.

    Baring strong intervention by health professionals of old and other stakeholders, this brewing enmity might assume an unhealthy crescendo in which professionals would be exchanging blows, if these issues are not resolved.

  • Saving 1,000,000 LIVES; Nobel Prize for MDG inventors; Poor Health Budget AGAIN!

    Saving 1,000,000 LIVES; Nobel Prize for MDG inventors; Poor Health Budget AGAIN!

    I am an obstetrician, a courier delivering babies to paediatricians. The new initiative ‘Saving 1,000,000 lives’ is a good one as a health professional is only as good as the equipment at hand. The Nigerian delivery system must be forced into the 21st Century with an electronic fetal monitor, sonicaid, in every labour room and the alert line for safe delivery must move to above Apgar Score 5. Government should ensure that medical equipment only attracts single digit bank interest loans! Why is medical equipment more expensive here than in the USA or UK?

    What is the fate of a baby in a country where policemen accompanying vaccinators are killed? We are faced with preventable diseases including ‘Ignorance’ and malaria. IGNORANCE ELIMINATION and EDUCATION are keys to good heath. ‘Saving 1,000,000 lives’ requires that there is a multimillion naira Health/Media Outreach Budget and scheduled Health Ministries/all Media houses meetings for life skill messages/advertisements. Is there CSR ‘free’ airtime, 30-60minutes/day divided into 30-60 seconds slots for life skill messages?

    Why do the Secretary General of the UN, Directors of WHO and UNICEF not select 50-100 most important life skill messages annually for the ‘Global Fund Membership’ as ‘Global Fund Advert Moral Media Group’ and disseminate them on commercial packaging and in international and national media?

    Where are the UN, WHO, UNICEF incentives, Annual Prizes for ‘Best life Skill Message’, ‘Best Corporation in Life Skill Dissemination’? Only a fool depends on Bill Gates and BMGF, UNICEF, DFID etc to buy local airtime to save his own children.

    Non-life saving commercial messages out-number ‘life skill health and social’ messages in the media by 100-1000:1. Can the megabucks advertising billions and CSR schemes/scams be harnessed by an ‘Annual UN/WHO/UNICEF Moral Media Campaign’ for ‘ignorance elimination’ strategies? Let every commercial message carry a ‘piggyback’ ‘Unrelated Life Skill Message’ at no extra charge. Cigarettes and alcohol carry negative messages. Every other commercial product can carry piggyback messages. That ‘Social Message Advert Revolution’ will change the world! Women still get pregnant without taking pre-pregnancy folic acid to help prevent anencephalus and early abortion. Why is this, and malaria and typhoid information not taught in schools?

    Health facilities in Africa are a human right. Our Polio, Onchocerciasis, AIDS adverts, ATM, Insecticide Treated Nets programmes are successes of Rotary, Carter, Bill Gates and the Global Fund which ‘Grant’ Africa Life while Nigerian fathers do not buy ITN for their children? Do our markets, schools or religious houses even have cartoon posters with preventive health messages? Religious leaders should save the body and soul. The media must become morally involved in Medical Ignorance Elimination.

    Professor Ransome-Kuti championed Primary Health Care (PHC) and Clinics -one in every ward 16,400. ‘Saving 1,000,000 lives’ demands 10-20million posters to fill the 1.5million classrooms and 10,000 markets with life skill messages at Coca Cola-like advert saturation level? Politicians readily see the need to make 10m personal portrait posters for votes but will never budget for 10m life skill health posters for 100m+ Nigerians. A picture is worth a 1000 words except in Africa. These PHCs need funds. There is a survey ‘The Sorry State Of PHCs’ in The Nation Tue Oct 9. The government hospitals are also in the 19th Century resulting in ‘Out Of Stock-itis’.

    The Mortality Rates are known but one death in a family is 100% death and pain for the family especially if it is due to preventable diseases like malaria. There is a lack of political love. The ‘Saving 1,000,000 lives’ project notes that a lack of drugs, water, sanitation, happy to work personnel, power and simple equipment are ‘political diseases’ stacked against the ill, malaria-ous child. Delay is deadly! Nigerian children should not suffer, neglect, hardship and difficulty and our passport should not condemn our babies and children to the lowest rung on the world’s mortality rates ladder.

    Annual professionals’ meetings should provide an annual ‘State Of The State, Nation- An Audit’ highlighting solutions because politicians are ignorant of budgetary needs. Shamefully politicians have allocated a mere 6.04% of Nigeria’s 2013 budget to health instead of the 15 to 20% recommended, so how do we ‘Save 1,000,000 lives’?

    Medical management is not nuclear physics. The current ‘save one million lives’ is anticipating need and avoiding greed! It is preventive strategies, posters and media messages, kindness, medicines and equipment and replacements. The ‘work happiness factor’ demands 3 monthly painting, carpentry work, and refurbishment. Training is a special area- newsletters are as valuable as SMS updates. Specific skills may require ‘short course’ rotations through experts.

    The original MDG idea team deserve a Noble Prize in Preventive Medicine for forcing governments to attempt to achieve standards saving millions of lives. start a campaign.

    Much of our problem is from the CINS of politicians – Corruption, Incompetence, Negligence and Selfishness. No medical professional should have to treat malaria without facilities. Delay is death. But politicians have not yet even realised the tremendous value of water, for sanitation and thirst, as a human right.

    Persuade the politicians that the solution to Nigeria’s malaria and other health problems lies not in more multimillion naira Ladi Kwali Hall conferences and four wheel drive vehicles but in funding PHCs, and hospitals. The required 16,400 PHCs need N5m each per annum for running costs. Simple.

    Finally: BREAKING News: ‘Nigeria’s Senate President calls for EMERGENCY IN HEALTH SECTOR’ but it is too late for too many dead babies.

  • Health boost in Ekiti

    Health boost in Ekiti

    THE health profile of Ekiti State is rising, as a pact with a Canada-based non-government organisation (NGO) has boosted the operations of the state university teaching hospital (EKSUTH).

    The NGO, CASA Foundation for International Development (CFID), donated a variety of medical equipment and disposables valued at millions of naira to EKSUTH.

    The gesture was facilitated by the Ekiti Development Foundation (EDF).

    Governor Kayode Fayemi has done a lot to enhance health infrastructure and operations in the state, including rolling out several health plans that continue to help the people.

    It is reckoned that the partnership will greatly complement Fayemi’s efforts.

    The event, which coincided with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CFID and the EDF, held at the Central Medical Store of the hospital.

    CFID focuses on empowerment through the promotion of infrastructural development with the objective of inspiring growth in communities, especially through the provision of equipment that promotes welfare and well-being of women and children.

    EDF, which equally focuses on empowerment and advocacy programmes for women and children, is the initiative of Erelu Bisi Fayemi, wife of the state governor.

    The equipment, according to the President of CASA, Ms Olutoyin Oyelade, included ultra-sound machines with approximately 10 probes; a complete dental room with dental chair, the arm, the lights, dental sinks and full-room cabinets.

    Others items are two X-ray printers; automated external defibrillator; transfer stretcher with head and neck restrainers; computers and books meant to support the state hospital in its role as a tertiary healthcare provider.

    In her speech at the event, Mrs Fayemi commended the efforts of the foundation, even as she urged Ekiti people in the Diaspora to continue to support the state in its drive towards development.

    Emphasising the importance of reaching out to those indigenous to the state in the Diaspora, Mrs Fayemi said the trend of development in the state would be better assisted if private individuals could support the state from wherever they are.

    “I am extremely proud that the EDF has managed to stay tuned to this vision and promises to the people of the state,” she said.

    Mrs Fayemi stressed the need for public-spirited individuals to support the state government in the effort to stamp out want among the people, adding that such people are at liberty to choose how they want to render certain helps.

    She promised that her foundation would monitor and manage the use of the machines in the hospital so that they can best serve the interest of the people.

    According to her, EDF has, since inception, been supporting the state government in the areas of health, education, promoting women leadership and allied advocacies, youths, arts and culture as well as local philanthropy.

    Mrs Fayemi signed the MoU on behalf of the foundation while the Chief Executive Officer of CASA, Ms. Oyelade signed for her organisation.

    According to her, the foundation focuses on developing communities by empowering emerging leaders and spearheading social change in communities through development programmes in the public and private sectors.

    Oyelade further said that the foundation was committed to developing communities by facilitating leadership programmes for youths and entrepreneurs, noting that CASA supports these initiatives by providing equipment that promotes the well-being of women and children in the health and education sectors.

    She said: “Our activities in Africa are executed through like-minded partners in our regions of operation.

    “Through our various programmes and partnerships, communities are supported, entrepreneurs are identified and encouraged to pursue their dreams by providing them with a wide range of support services including equipment, seminars, workshops, clothing, food, learning resources like books and computers.

    “CASA Foundation also builds social wealth and facilitates international development through its annual Friends of Africa Roundtable in Canada where leaders in the public and private sectors across countries share their perspectives on key economic and infrastructure development initiatives.”

    “Today marks the beginning of a great partnership with EDF as we proceed with our goal to support healthcare in Africa beginning with Nigeria’s Ekiti and Osun teaching hospitals.

    “As you know, the resources required for growth and development in our communities are immense, but as we join hands to work together, some of these gaps can be bridged. EDF is an organisation that is spearheading the empowerment of women and entrepreneurs.

    In his address, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Olusola Fasubaa, expressed his appreciation for the gesture of both the EDF and CASA foundations. He noted that it would be better for the hospital if more public-spirited individuals could offer supports and assistance to the hospital.

    Fasubaa also commended the continuous support of the state government for the hospital which has helped the institution to improve in its role as a tertiary healthcare provider.

    He urged the benefitting departments to make best use of the equipment, safeguard and secure them to encourage the donors do more in future.

    In his brief remarks, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Patrick Adegun recalled when lack of infrastructure; including equipment drew caused patients to lament as they go to distant places to access services in such areas where the hospital lacked.

    Adegun said: “You would recall that early this year, a friend of the hospital donated an equipment worth over N60m. We have also witnessed the donation of other types of needed equipment by various organisations and individuals such as Acare, the MTN Foundation and foreign-based friends of Governor Fayemi.

     

  • FG committed to saving one million lives by 2015 – Minister

    FG committed to saving one million lives by 2015 – Minister

    The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Pate, has said the government is committed to saving one million lives by 2015 through increased access to cost-effective health services and commodities.

    Pate said this in Abuja on Sunday at the United Nations Commission’s meeting on live-saving commodities for women and children.

    “In Nigeria, we believe that saving lives is the ultimate goal for our collective efforts in the health sector and this should be the yardstick for measuring our success in this endeavour.

    “This is why we have initiated a national programme aimed at `saving one million lives’ by 2015 through equitable increasing access to and utilisation of quality cost-effective basic health services and commodities,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Pate as saying on the issue.

    He said the government was committed to enhancing access to life-saving commodities for women and children as well as improving the health outcome.

    The minister said the meeting would discuss issues and challenges in providing access to under-utilised commodities, develop milestones and targets for effective monitoring of implementation.

    He said the objective was to share information on the UN commission’s recommendations and implementation plan and to review the draft implementation plan and to reflect country priorities and needs.

    The meeting would also launch the Nigeria’s saving one million lives programme.

    NAN reports that the UN Commission approved 10 recommendations to support improved and equitable access to selected life-saving commodities.

     

  • Jonathan orders increase allocation for health institutions

    Jonathan orders increase allocation for health institutions

    President Goodluck Jonathan has directed increases in the 2013 budgetary allocation for health training institutions to ensure increase in the number of medical and dental specialists.

    The president announced the decision in Lagos on Thursday at the 30th convocation ceremony of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

    The president, represented by the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chuwku, said the step was aimed at strengthening the training of medical specialists both within and outside the country.

    Jonathan said: “Similarly, I have also directed that there be increased envelope for the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. This will be in a step wise manner for the next two years.

    “Government has decided that 56 residents and young consultants will be sent for overseas training this year.

    “While some institutions have concluded arrangements, others have not done so.

    “The hospitals that have yet to comply should immediately do so before the end of this financial year.

    “I also want to urge the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to support these institutions in finding appropriate placement for the residents and consultants overseas.”

    The president said that government in collaboration with health professionals in the Diaspora, Association of Nigeria Physicians in Americas, and the Medical Association of Nigeria Specialist in Great Britain had produced a medical curriculum template.

    “The curriculum to which senate of universities could adapt for use, is important to address deficient areas that have been observed in schools,’’ the president said.

    Jonathan said he was aware that the college had not benefitted from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) in spite of the challenges facing it in the area of funding.

    “I have directed the Ministry of Health and the management of TETfund to meet and explore ways and manner the college can benefit from this fund,” he said.

     

  • Patients leave as health workers shut down hospitals

    Patients in hospitals around the country are in for a hard time– no thanks to a nationwide strike by health workers, which started yesterday.

    At the National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi, Lagos (NOHIL), patients were discharged suddenly by striking Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWU).

    When The Nation visited the hospital,relatives of some in-patients came to pick them.

    Patients were also discharged at the National Hospital, Abuja.

    At the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute Metta, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), the workers complied with the strike.

    The Chairman, MHWU, Federal Area Council (FAC), Lagos, Ibe Nwokenta, said: “We will not go back to work until the government accedes to our demand, which is to allow health workers skip Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) level 10 from 9 and move to 11 as the case in the past, pending the determination of the suit filled at the industrial court.”

    He expressed satisfaction with the strike .

    Nwokenta said: “All the offices in all Federal Government owned hospitals and agencies are under lock and key. At the National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi, Lagos (NOHIL), nothing is going. There is no work of any kind in the hospital’ I want to assure the government that this is just the beginning.

    “The time will come when the Medical Director will not be able to come into the premises. Everywhere will be locked up and we will hold the keys, if the government fails to answer us.

    “What is going on here at NOHIL is the same at Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, NAFDAC, FMC, Ebute- Metta, LUTH and other institutions.”

    He said the workers would not renege until the obnoxious circular by the Health Ministrry is withdrawn.

    He said: “The court ruled out that the status quo should remain, until court decides the case but the Health Minister roll out another circular to heads of parastatals and agencies that there should not be skipping of level 5. We have told him to expand maximum prison because we will no relax until the obnoxious circular is withdrawn.”

    The Chief Public Relations Officer, NOHIL, Mr. Funso Ige said patient with minor injuries were discharged while those with serious injuries are still in the hospital receiving treatment.