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Tag: Isaac Adewole

  • Mimiko advises FG to prioritize maternal healthcare

    Mimiko advises FG to prioritize maternal healthcare

    Mimiko gave the advise while speaking with newsmen, on Friday, at the Chatham House in London after delivering a paper on “Improving Access to Health Services for All” using his Ondo achievement in maternal and child health as a case study.

    The former Ondo governor said funding will never be adequate in any human setting but with the right kind of leadership, the country can drastically reduce maternal mortality, which is about 19 percent of global maternal deaths according to the World Bank. “We must call a major stakeholders’ meeting where there will be an agreement on a universal health package that every state in the country can afford, and create an eligibility criteria for those who build on it so that they can be rewarded accordingly and eventually we will get there.

    As we do this, we prioritize safe motherhood and child health” he said. Mimiko also took time to demonstrate how his administration as Governor of Ondo state midwived a functional and effective healthcare delivery system, which attracted local and international recognitions as a proven method of reducing maternal mortality particularly with the introduction of his homegrown initiatives such as Abiye (Safe motherhood) program, Agbebiye and Orirewa that crashed the maternal mortality indices in the state.

    The former governor charged Nigerian leaders at every level not to see only physical structures as achievement saying that quality healthcare for women is a great empowerment tool “Safe motherhood is a gender parity tool, every woman wants good life.

    They will be empowered if they can have access to quality health without catastrophic spending. What will eventually drive universal health coverage in Africa is the political will and that is what will generate passion and it the passion that will attract donors from around the world,” Mimiko stated.

    Also present at the event were Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, stakeholders in the health sector from Nigeria and Africa who came to discuss how to optimize global opportunities in achieving Universal Health Coverage and Health Security in Nigeria.

  • FG urges JOHESU to shelve planned strike

    FG urges JOHESU to shelve planned strike

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has appealed to National Association of Joint Health Sector Unions ( JOHESU ) to shelve planned strike commencing at midnight on Wednesday, Sept. 20.

    The minister made the appeal in a statement by Mrs Olajide Oshundun, the Assistant Director, Media and Public Relations of the ministry on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Oshundun quoted the minister as saying “the Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment have had series of meeting with the leadership of JOHESU of which most of their demands had been met.”

    He added that some of the issues addressed by the meetings included payment of promotion arrears that pre-dated President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    The minister added that other issues raised by JOHESU were still being deliberated upon with the leadership of the Union.

    Adewole, therefore, appealed to JOHESU to shelve their planned strike in the interest of the generality of Nigerians, especially the less privileged that may not afford healthcare services in private hospitals.

    He assured that the Federal Government would continue to do everything possible to guarantee quality and affordable healthcare for Nigerians.

  • FG to engage doctors on ad-hoc basis

    FG to engage doctors on ad-hoc basis

    The Federal Government has directed Chief Medical Directors of Federal Hospitals to immediately engage the services of locum doctors, to augment the services of Consultants, pending the resolution of the ongoing strike by the resident doctors.

    It can be recalled that the  Federal Government expressed “deep shock and utter disappointment as Resident Doctors began an indefinite strike to press home their demand for better pay.

    The action is come three days after their leadership signed a  memorandum of terms of settlement with the government.

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, made this known in a statement issued by Mrs Boade Akinola, Director, Media and Public Relations on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Read also: Anambra doctors defy strike

    The directive was contained in a circular dated Sept. 5, addressed to all CMDs/MDs of Federal Tertiary Health Institutions across the country.

    According to the minister, the directive was an attempt by the government to reduce the increased work load of Consultants, NYSC doctors and House Officers, thereby preventing reduction in quality of service delivery to patients.

    Read also: Striking doctors demand serious commitment from FG

    “This new directive was to further provide additional support for the Federal Government hospitals, to strengthen service delivery.

    “The government is committed to fulfilling the mandate of providing health for its citizens no matter the circumstances we find ourselves,” Adewole said.

    The Minister had earlier approved the use of Armed forces, Police and Federal Road Safety health facilities in ensuring continuous provision of health care services in the Federal Hospitals.

  • Sallah: Health minister advocates peaceful co-existence, tolerance

    Sallah: Health minister advocates peaceful co-existence, tolerance

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole,  has congratulated Muslim faithful on the celebration of the Eid-el-Kabir, urging them to promote religious harmony, peaceful co-existence and tolerance

    The minister in his  Eid-el-Kabir message signed by his media aide, Samson Owoyokun, said  religious harmony, peaceful co-existence and tolerance were core prerequisites  for the unity and development of  the country.

    “I implore all our brothers and sisters of the Islamic faith to reflect on the symbolic lessons of faith and obedience attached to the spiritual doctrine  of  sacrifice by Prophet Ibrahim many centuries ago.

    “Also is its attendant blessings to mankind. We should apply same in our day to day activities and relationship with people,’’ he said.

    The minister urged Muslims to use the occasion to continue to pray for the peace, economic stability and development of Nigeria.

    He also charged them to imbibe the virtue  of praying for political leaders at all levels.

    “In our quest to make Nigeria a safe haven medically, the Federal Ministry of Health under my watch has  initiated pragmatic policies and laudable programmes aimed at championing healthy living for all Nigerians.

    “This is irrespective of status, race, ethnic or religion. We have demonstrated the political will to achieving the Universal Health Coverage by our uncommon zeal and commitment to the revitalisation of our primary healthcare centres across the country,’’ he said.

    Adewole appealed to the people to reciprocate the good gestures by complying with basic etiquette of healthy living as well as  strict adherence in maintaining a clean and safe environment.

    He urged Nigerians to  remain observant and report to the nearest medical facility to seek help and guidance on  strange symptoms alien to their body system.

  • FG establishes six sickle cell centres

    FG establishes six sickle cell centres

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said on Saturday that Federal Government has established six sickle cell reference centres in six Federal Medical Centres (FMCs) across the country.

    Adewole listed the FMCs as the Federal Medical Centres, Ebute Meta, Lagos; Federal Medical Centre, Keffi and the Federal Medical Centre, Gombe.

    Others are – the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa; Federal Medical Centre, Birnin-Kebbi and Federal Medical Centre, Abakaliki.

    Adewole, in a statement issued by the Director of Media and Public Relations in the ministry, Mrs. Boade Akinola, urged health partners to support the government’s efforts in tackling the menace of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

    The minister expressed his appreciation to the partners, who were working with the Ministry of Health on diabetes care and prevention.

    He urged more partners to come on board to join the government in the fight against diabetes and other non-communicable diseases in the country.

    “I wish to passionately appeal to all partners to support the ministry to conduct national survey so as to establish the current prevalence of NCDs for sound policy direction and planning in Nigeria,” Adewole said.

    NAN

     

     

  • Edo to partner FG on HIV/AIDS management

    Edo to partner FG on HIV/AIDS management

    The Edo State Government is to partner with the Federal Government to close the existing gaps in the management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).

    Governor Godwin Obaseki disclosed this on Wednesday when he played host to the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, who led a delegation of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and implementing partners on an advocacy visit to Government House, Benin City, on Wednesday.

    Obaseki said his administration was committed to strengthening health systems to allow for effective management of diseases which include HIV/AIDs, and added that a committee with representatives of NACA would be set up to come up with an Action Plan on the models and strategies for the effective management of the disease in the state.

    “It is important that we contain HIV, but there are some key things we need to do. We also need laboratories and the right management models to make it work,” he added.

    Earlier, the Minister of Health who was represented by Dr. Evelyn Ngige, Director for Public Health in the Federal Ministry of Health, said there was the need for the state government to increase funding for HIV/AIDS activities.

    Adewole explained that there was still a wide gap between those who require HIV care and treatment and those who can access it in Edo State. He disclosed that an estimated 173,660 persons were living with the virus in the state while 25, 730 Persons living with the virus were on Anti-Retroviral treatment.

    The minister said that the state in 2016 spent N5, 000,000 on the State’s Sustainability Road Map (SRM) for the disease. He said the estimated project cost to implement the SRM in the state was about N271, 432, 118.

    “We want Edo to earmark at least 0.5 to one per cent of its monthly federal allocation for the funding of HIV/AIDs Sustainability Road Map and the provision of HIV/AIDs commodities in the state,” the minister said.

  • FG to beef up security in worship centres – Ngige

    FG to beef up security in worship centres – Ngige

    The Federal Government says it will come up with security plans that will guarantee the safety of lives and property in worship centres across the country.

    Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister for Labour and Employment, said this in Amakwa, Ozubulu in Ekwusigo council when he led a delegation to commiserate with the people and government of Anambra on Saturday.

    The delegation was led to St. Philips Catholic Church by Dr Nkem Okeke, Deputy Governor of Anambra and Most Rev. Dr Hillary Okeke, the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese.

    Ngige said the Federal Government would cooperate with Anambra to ensure that the culprits were brought to book.

    The minister, who described the attack as heinous, wicked and sacrilegious, said the delegation would report back to the presidency.

    He said the Federal Government would also work out a security framework that would protect worshipers anywhere in the country.

    Ngige, who was briefed by the Bishop and Parish Priest of the church, Rev. Fr. Jude Onwuaso, said efforts would be made to forestall future recurrence.

    In his remarks, the deputy governor said the church was praying for the repentance of the perpetrators.

    He said government and the security agencies could go ahead with the hunt for the culprits, but as Christians, the diocese was praying that the masterminds should change their ways.

    He called for prayers and support for the victims either directly to the affected families or through the church through its Victims’ Support Fund.

    Other members of the delegation included the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama and the Minister of State for Environment, Mr Ibrahim Jubrin.

  • Revamp PHCs in your states, Health Minister urges governors

    Revamp PHCs in your states, Health Minister urges governors

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has advised governors to revamp and upgrade medical facilities in their respective Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).

    Adewole gave the advice on Tuesday in Calabar during the Cross River Health Summit, orgnised by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong.

    The theme of the summit is: “Translating Health Policies and Plans into Action’’.

    The minister said that the advice call became necessary following the dearth of medical facilities in some PHCs across the country.

    He said it was important for state governments to champion the cause of renovating and upgrading medical facilities for them to deliver quality health services to their people.

    “There is no need for states to establish new PHCs; we need to strengthen the existing ones by upgrading the facilities and training of health personnel.

    “The Federal Government will continue to mobilise resources to support PHCs with a view of achieving universal health coverage in the country.

    “The era of federal might is over, states must begin to develop their healthcare centres with a view of attending to the health needs of the people, ’’ he said.

    Prof. Ivara Esu, Deputy Governor of the state said that the present administration in the state commenced the rehabilitation and upgrading of PHCs across the state shortly on assumption of office.

    Esu explained that the state government had constructed modern healthcare centres in the hard-to-reach areas with a view to ensuring universal health coverage in the state.

    According to him, Gov. Ben Ayade places premium on the health sector in the state.

    He also said that the state insurance health scheme, tagged ‘”AyadeCare’’ sought to provide affordable health care service to the people of the state.

    Asibong said that the summit was organised to formulate policies aimed at improving quality health services in the state.

    She further said that the summit, a collaboration with development partners on the way forward, was a respond to the challenges of the health sector in the state.

    “The health workforce system in the state is being strengthened with the lifting off the ban on employment and the recent accreditation of three schools of nursing and midwifery in the state.

    “The high maternal mortality rate, improved maternal wards in hospitals, collaboration with development partners, regulation of Traditional Birth Attendants and others are some of the policies we shall be looking at today,’’ she said.

    She assured that her ministry would not relent in the reduction of maternal mortality , improving family planning and reducing the incidences of HIV-AIDS.

  • Minister calls for stronger awareness against hepatitis

    Minister calls for stronger awareness against hepatitis

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has called on stakeholders in the health sector to create more awareness on dangers posed by viral hepatitis.

    The minister, who made the call at a press briefing to mark World Hepatitis Day, in Abuja, said the disease had become a silent killer because much importance had not been attached to dangers it posed to health.

    He said the theme for the year’s celebration is  “Eliminate Hepatitis”, adding that the campaign against the disease was aimed at adding momentum to all efforts to implement the National Strategic Plan for the control of viral hepatitis.

    Adewole said hepatitis condition could be self-limiting or progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer and listed the five main types of hepatitis viruses as, hepatitis A, B, C, D and E.

    He said that types B and C hepatitis led to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.

    “But, what is particularly important is that the liver is the engine room of the body.

    “When the engine room of the factory is faulty, the entire system will not be able to work, and hepatitis affects the liver.

    “Two are particularly dangerous, that is hepatitis B and C. They not only cause problem for the liver, they lead to chronic liver problem where people develop abdominal swelling.

    “In some, it results in liver cancer. This is why it is important for us to tackle hepatitis with seriousness.

    ‘“But, the good thing about hepatitis is that it is also preventable, that is why we need to create awareness among our people, we need to let them know,” he said.

    Adewole said that many people contracted the disease through faecal-oral transmission, particularly A and E, ‘’which we have in some parts of Borno State.

    “It is transmitted through contaminated water, so, we can stay away from hepatitis by disposing faeces from the body carefully, by drinking clean and safe water, and by avoiding contact with contaminated blood, body fluid.

    “With that, we can stay away from hepatitis B and C, which can also be transmitted to new born.

    “But the beauty is that we now have vaccine against hepatitis B, and it is available during immunisation, it is free, it is part of the vaccines for the young ones.

    “It is available and Nigerians should take interest in getting their children routinely immunised,” he said.

    Adewole said that adults might not need the vaccine, but needed to get tested in order that every adult should know their status.

    “If you are positive, we want to know among others things whether you have the antibodies and antigens, secondly, the virus multiplies in our system.

    “If it is multiplying in our system, we want to know how quickly it is multiplying. If it is multiplying, we need to treat,” he said.

    He said that with collaboration of government and non-governmental organisations and all people living in the country, the disease would be defeated.

  • FG approves appointment of Ekele as CMD, UATH

    FG approves appointment of Ekele as CMD, UATH

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has approved the appointment of Prof. Bisala Ekele as the substantive Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH).

    Mr Frank Omagon, the Assistant Director of Information in the hospital made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    It said that the letter signed by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, indicated that the appointment was for a four-year term with effect from June 1, 2017.

    The acting president, in the statement, called on the new CMD to be conscious of the enormous responsibilities of the office.

    “You must be conscious of the yearnings of our people for an effective and responsive healthcare delivery system,” it quoted the acting president as saying.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new appointment followed the expiration of the tenure of the immediate past CMD of the hospital, Dr Peter Alabi in February.

    Until his appointment, Ekele was a Consultant Obstetrics and Gynecologist in the hospital and Dean, Faculty of Clinical Services, University of Abuja.