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Tag: health challenges

  • Fed Govt calls for deeper collaboration to tackle health challenges

    Fed Govt calls for deeper collaboration to tackle health challenges

    The Federal Government has underscored the need for stronger collaboration among researchers, health professionals, and policymakers to advance Nigeria’s health sector.

    Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, stated that continuous innovation and equity are central to the ministry’s agenda.

    Salako made the remarks at a three-day national conference in Abuja on Monday, themed “Exploring Excellence in Ethical Conduct, Leadership for Research Integrity through Empowerment (EXCEL-RITE).”

    The conference was organised in partnership with the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) and the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN).

    EXCEL-RITE seeks to promote a culture of ethical and transparent research across academia, government, and industry.

    Salako, represented by the ministry’s Special Advisor on Research and Innovation, Dr. Lolade Adeyemi, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to enhancing quality healthcare and promoting sustainable solutions.

    “The theme of this conference resonates deeply with our mission at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

    “We are dedicated to continuously enhancing quality, promoting equity, and championing sustainable innovation in our health systems,” he said.

    He commended the conference organisers for bringing top health leaders under one platform, stressing that such initiatives are vital for developing strategies to tackle Nigeria’s complex health challenges.

    The Minister urged participants to actively engage, share insights, and build lasting partnerships that could lead to tangible improvements in Nigeria’s health outcomes.

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    He stressed the importance of inter-disciplinary collaboration in research and policy formulation, adding that collective expertise and shared objectives are critical for the country’s health security.

    Board Member of IHVN, Dr. Aba Sagoe, highlighted the urgent need for increased research funding in Nigeria.

    “Universities are very much in need of funding, particularly for research. There is so much to be done, not only in medicine, but also in pharmacy, agriculture, and many other fields,” she said.

    Sagoe noted that many Nigerians are eager to engage in research but lack the necessary institutional support and funding to do so.

    “We have to really go into research because there’s so much to be done. Many people here in Nigeria would like to enter into research areas, but they need encouragement and, most importantly, funding to make it possible.

    “I’m very happy to be here. I am also learning, and I hope to come back with lots of information and encourage others to pursue research in Nigeria,” she said.

    IHVN’s Chief Operating Officer and Principal Investigator for the conference, Dr. Charles Mensah, explained that EXCEL-RITE was built on a vision to foster responsible conduct in research, enhance collaboration, and drive impactful change across disciplines.

    Mensah said the conference aimed to promote research integrity, establish best practices and standards to uphold the credibility of research processes.

    According to him, it will also encourage adherence to ethical principles to prevent misconduct in scientific endeavours.

    He further explained that the conference would strengthen capacity building by equipping researchers, students, and institutional leaders with the knowledge and skills to implement ethical research practices.

    Additionally, he said it would facilitate cross-disciplinary learning through training, workshops, and collaborative programmes.

    “The conference will enhance collaboration and policy development by bridging gaps between academia, government, and industry for effective partnerships.

    “It will also support the development of policies that align with global standards for research ethics and governance,” he said.

    The conference brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including researchers, health workers, and policymakers, all focused on finding innovative solutions to improve the well-being of Nigerians.

  • Mounting health challenges in Katsina

    Despite Katsina State government’s spirited effort, a lot more still needs to be done to scale back the state’s huge health problems, writes AUGUSTINE OKEZIE

    The picture is grim. Katsina State has a high illiterate population, and is classified among the rural states in the country. Given this scenario, surmounting the state’s health care challenges requires political will and communal support.

    The state has peculiar challenges. It has a large rural setting, but its health facilities are mostly in the cities such as Katsina, Danmusa, Daura, Mani, Musawa, Malumfashi, Baure, Babbar Ruga, Rimi, Jibia, Kurfi, and Ingawa, among others.

    Given its importance, whatever fund deployed for health cannot be said to be a waste, especially for a government that has in the last three years prioritised that sector.

    A cursory look at the dominant health challenges in the state, especially in 2018, reveals that meningitis, cholera, malnutrition, malaria scourge, whooping cough and other endemic diseases abound in the state.

    Meningitis

    Deaths from meningitis outbreak have remained a recurring decimal. No month passes without a reported case occurring in one locality or the other. Some of the deaths occurred at Ganga and Jaje villages, in Jibia Local Council Area of the state, coming on the heels of the deaths of seven students of the Federal University, Dutsinma due to overcrowded hostels.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Kabir Mustapha, who confirmed the outbreak of the disease in Jibia, said the state government had mobilised resources and personnel to the affected communities, adding that the government swung into action immediately.

    Some people have blamed the Jibia deaths on extreme change of weather across the state. Already the state government said it has acquired N35m worth of vaccines to tackle the scourge.

    Whooping cough

    More than 100 cases of whooping cough were reported in three villages including Dambawa, Anguwan Kuka and Kashemu.

    Cholera

    Investigation by The Nation revealed that many people, mostly children between the ages of four and 12, have died as a result of outbreak of suspected cholera in Dan Iyau, Karaje, Dutsinma villages in the state. About 10 people also died in Dan Iyau village, eight in Karaje village, both of Batarawa local government area, and seven in Dutsinma College of Education.

    Most of the deceased had complained of severe fever, headache and vomiting before their deaths.

    A parent, Aminu Suleiman who lost his 12-year-old daughter, Hasiya, said she had returned from a trip and came down with a severe leg pain, fever and stomach ache before she died.

    He said, “We lost close to eight children in this town. My neighbour also lost a child just as another friend of mine in downtown lost a boy.”

    The village head of Dan Iyau, Suleiman Abdullahi, confirmed that 10 people had so far died within a week in his domain.

    Also in the education sector: Isa Kaita College of Education, Dutsinma, was shut after the death of seven students. The decision to close down the school for two weeks was reached after an emergency meeting of the school’s academic board, a source confided to the paper.

    The spokesman of the college, Malam Muntari Bala, admitted that four of the students had died within a month but that the causes were different. “One died from accident, one fell sick and went home and died and two died within the school,” he said, adding, “We used to have all those rumours that over 20 students of the college have died. This is not so.”

    It could be recalled that eight students of Science Secondary School Kurfi died from related causes. Also, eight deaths were recorded at Jaja village of Ganagarawa ward in Jibia Local Government Area.

    Endemic malnutrition

    About 5 local government areas in Katsina state, namely Sandamu, Daura, Dankama, Mashi, Mani and Charanci are presently ravaged by sporadic cases of Mal-Nutrition, which the Community Health Officer for Sandamu Health Center, Nafiu Bala admitted is caused by acute poverty and cerebral malaria

    Confirming the outbreak during a chat with The Nation, the state Director of Public Health, Dr. Sani Suleiman, said the situation is best described as ’’endemic’’ since, according to him, it has not reached epidemic level as there are no relevant statistics to draw comparisons.

    Dr. Suleiman further listed measures taken by government to address the situation to include partnership with local and international health agencies such as NFP, UNICEF, NGOs like Save the Children Initiative, Primary health care development agencies, establishment of rehabilitation centers at strategic locations in the state and so on

    He further assured that the state government has embarked on several policy measures that could boost food security through increased food production and reduce poverty index, empowering the women and sensitizing the rural population through health education and other awareness programs

    The Health officer also called on the citizens of the state to join hands with the government to address the current health challenges by embracing key household health practices like eating balance diets and avoiding starvation as well as adhering to medical instructions and counseling

    Further investigations revealed that about 800 patients with malnutrition cases, drawn from the five local government areas were gathered at Sandamu Community Health Rehabilitation center and attended to by a team of Doctors from Greece under an NGO called Heart of Doctors of Greece, who were on a 5-day medical outreach in the state.

    The deaf and hearing

    impaired patients

    In Danmusa Local Government Area 350 deaf and hearing impaired patients were given free medical treatments

    The Flagging off of the free medical services which was privately sponsored by the Secretary to the state Government, Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa at the General Hospital Danmusa, was chaired by the District Head of Danmusa, Alhaji Darda’u Muazu Abubakar.

    Addressing the patients before the flag-off, the SGS who was represented by the Director Press SGS office, Abdullahi Aliyu Yar’adua said the exercise was aimed at assisting people with hearing problems especially the less privileged in the rural areas

    Alhaji Inuwa further disclosed that ENT specialists were engaged to attend to people with different hearing ailments across the LGA. He added that all patients under the programme irrespective of party affiliation would be treated free of charge and therefore charged them to cooperate with the medical team and coordinators of the programme.      The SGS seized the opportunity to caution people to avoid sleeping in unventilated rooms during the current hot climatic condition in the area.

    Flagging off the exercise, the District Head of Danmusa, Alhaji Darda’u Muazu Abubakar thanked Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa for the gesture. He recalled that similar exercise to eye patients was also sponsored by the SGS as a result of which, many patients regained their sight.

    Alhaji Aminu explained that the patients who were coming from all the 11 wards of the LGA were grouped into three and each would see the doctors on a separate date already set aside. In his remarks, the leader of the medical team, Dr Suleiman Abdulmajid said that those patients with minor cases would be treated at once and be given drugs, but there were others who would have to undergo some surgical operations which will take stages, under the Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa Free Medicare programme

    In an exclusive chat with The Nation, the state Director for Public Health, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, argued that the challenges that continued to confront health care delivery in the state is not want of government’s intervention and commitment but the absence of the much needed critical support expected from the populace especially in the area of complimenting government’s effort and participating actively in the enabling environment that has been provided

    Not a few stakeholders in the health sector agree that what is urgently needed at the moment to compliment state government’s efforts is public enlightenment and awareness campaign to sensitize especially the rural populace and the common man on the streets ,the basic hygiene and sanitary practices needed to improve both personal and community health

    Providing health infrastructure and drugs without backing it with and informed population that are willing to   support government and imbibing the needed health culture will turn out to no effect.

  • Physician lists Nigerians major health challenges

    Malaria, Diabetes and Hypertension are three major health challenges Nigerians are facing, a physician with Mobonike Hospital, Dr Okeke Chibuzor has said.

    Chibuzor spoke at Health Awareness Programme in Agege organised by Agege Nobles, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

    According to him, maintaining a good hygiene and keeping a clean environment would curb diseases.

    He warned people to avoid buying drugs on the road and engage in regular exercise.

    Agege Noble Chairman Hassan Tella said the screening exercise was to assist the community especially those who have ailments and could not afford to get the medical attention they deserved.

    According to him, the aged people are prone to various diseases due to senility but maintained that the outreach was organised for people within all age brackets.

    The group, he said, partnered with MeCure Healthcare Limited, Lagos University College of Medicine (LASUCOM); Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH); Al-Iman Hospital, Mobonike Hospital; Oba Oyedeji Kamila of Agege and Baale of Iloro.

    MeCure Healthcare Limited Outreach Coordinator Dr Martin Nwabuzor stressed the need to educate indigents about eye diseases, noting that proper awareness would help to prevent eventual eye loss.

    “An outreach like this has some positive impact because the indigents rarely find it possible to have free health services.  They are usually discouraged to go to hospital because they think about the expenses. At the end of the day, so many health issues will go undetected. We hope to bring quality eye care to the grassroots and make them understand that issues are not as bad as they look at it. Some eye issues rarely require a lot of money to cure,” he said.

  • Ambode seeks partnership on health challenges

    Ambode seeks partnership on health challenges

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday promised to support massive investment in modern medical equipment to meet the health challenges of residents of the state.

    Ambode, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, made the promise at the inauguration of Clinix Healthcare, an Ultramodern Diagnostic Centre in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.

    He said that private sector participation in healthcare delivery, had complemented efforts of government and yielded tremendous dividends through qualitative healthcare.

    “We are delighted that the private sector partnership has yielded another state-of-the-art health facility, with the opening of this ultramodern diagnostic centre.

    “Medical diagnosis is the bedrock of effective treatment. With more facilities like this, we can achieve accurate and quick diagnosis of ailments and proffer immediate treatment.

    “As a government, one of our objectives is to curb the incessant travels abroad for diagnosis and treatment, through our Medical Park Project, that will make Lagos State a destination for medical tourism.

    “I am reassuring the business community of our commitment to encourage investment in critical sectors, through appropriate incentives and support,’’ he said.

    Ambode urged residents to take their health seriously, by going for regular checks for prompt detection of ailments and treatment.

    Dr Modele Osunkiyesi, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, urged the centre not to compromise the quality of services.

    Osunkiyesi said that quality and accurate health diagnosis was the key to detecting ailments and treatment, to secure the health of the people and reduce mortality.

    In his remarks, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Chairman, Clinix Healthcare, said that the desire of the centre was to provide world class healthcare service and reduce medical tourism.

    Ighodalo urged government at all levels, to support and create enabling environment to encourage the private sector to complement government’s efforts.

    “Our goal is to provide quality healthcare for our people, save lives and help stem the waste of resources through medical tourism.

    “We also call on governments to focus on public-private partnership in the health sector as a national vision, by creating the enabling environment and joining hands to make this a reality,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the first Clinix Diagnostic Centre located at Ilupeju ,was inaugurated in 2006, making the Amuwo Odofin centre the second.

  • Detainees and their sudden health challenges

    Detainees and their sudden health challenges

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other security agencies may need to urgently upgrade their healthcare facilities. Better still they could start to push for a supplementary budget that substantially supplements the allocation for medical treatment.

    They also need to learn how to deal with a new (or not so new) trend amongst detainees – especially those called to answer to allegations that they helped themselves to chunks of the national cake while serving in one official capacity or the other. We refer to how these individuals develop suddenly ‘grave,’ and usually life threatening, ailments once they find themselves in custody.

    With the new zeal that has come upon the anti-corruption agencies to go after, and bring to justice people alleged to have corruptly enriched themselves, there have been several cases of ‘sudden health crisis’, forcing relatives or lawyers of a number of detainees to cry out in fear for the safety of their loved ones or clients. An attempt to mention names here will produce a long list, for many were those who, perhaps out of the fear of spending time in custody, developed cold feet, and consequently became gravely ill in no time.

    Even some didn’t wait to be taken in before announcing their sudden ailments, buying more time in the process. A good example is the former Special Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Kingsley Kuku. He was invited for questioning by the EFCC, but he quickly announced that he couldn’t  honour the invitation until September 30, of course, due to a health challenge.

    In a letter addressed to the EFCC chairman, brought to the attention of Olufunke Adetayo Ogunbode, the commission’s head of economic governance, Kuku’s counsel, Karina Tunyan, said his client was in the US for knee surgery and will not return to Nigeria until the end of September.

    Few days earlier, Onochie Onwuegbuna, the lawyer of Gordon Obua, the Chief Security Officer to former President Goodluck Jonathan, had said his client was detained under inhuman conditions by his employer, the Department of State Services (DSS).

    He said the ex-CSO was denied access to his drugs despite being hypertensive. He said Obua had also been denied access to his doctor. “Our Client is hypertensive and diabetic to the knowledge of his employers the SSS. He has been on daily medications to manage these very severe ailments and since his detention, he has completely been denied access to these medications.

    “Our Client is presently languishing in the custody of the SSS without access to his medication, food, water and drugs or to any member of his family, doctors or his lawyers and in the circumstance we hereby call on the SSS to immediately release him. The general public is also invited to note that the SSS should be held responsible if anything untoward happens to our Client in their custody or subsequently as a consequence of his unlawful detention,” his counsel warned.

    When it appeared Nigerians weren’t listening enough to this particular case of an ailing detainee in dire need of his freedom though all means possible, news of how Obua allegedly fainted in detention, hit the airwaves few days later. A few hours later it was ‘confirmed’ that he had ‘died’ – sending social media into frenzy.

    Unable to turn deaf ears to the happenings, the DSS was forced to hurriedly present the ‘resurrected’ Obua to the public at a press conference. Looking quite healthy and unruffled, the former presidential CSO said he is in good health.

    We have no way of controverting the detainee’s claim to parlous health, but the crisis surely got the attention of those that mattered.  From the days of military rule to now detainees and their lawyers have always played the ill-health card where that was really the case, or as a gimmick. There’s no sign that security agencies have any antidote yet. So watch for more such health dramas.

  • Ogun ACN to PDP: don’t politicise health challenges

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Ogun State chapter, has asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stop politicising the state government’s efforts to curtail the outbreak of Gastroenteritis, popularly called Cholera.

    In a statement in Abeokuta by the ACN’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Sola Lawal, the party described as “cheap politics” the call by the PDP on the World Health Organisation (WHO) to come to the aid of the people in checking the spread of the disease.

    It said a statement credited to a chieftain of the party and former Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Sarafa Isola, that a state of emergency be declared following the scourge was “unwarranted and reckless.”

    The party said: “It is also heartless for the PDP to capitalise on such an issue to score a cheap political point when it was obvious that the media attention was only drawn to it more than two weeks after the outbreak and effective control by the government.

    “How can a government, which through its relevant agencies, has been taking steps to ensure that the confirmed cholera cases do not exceed the already-recorded three casualties, be accused by the PDP of ineptitude if not that the party is petty and seeking undue attention.”

    ACN said most cases of the current medical challenges in the state involved vomiting and excreting, resulting from poor personal hygiene. It assured that the government was capable of checking its spread.

    “Sensitisation and other related steps taken by the government health agencies and personnel to curtail Gastroenteritis, which is principally diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain, have been effective.

    “Government’s efforts in this regard were spontaneous and in line with its commitment to ensure the delivery of efficient health care services, which is one of its five cardinal programmes.

    “Although the alarm being raised by the PDP is ridiculous and baseless, the government is not toying with this challenge and is bent on ensuring that it does not occur,” the party added.