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Tag: Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)

  • A lift for kids with cancer

    The District 404B1 of Lions Clubs International has donated N400,000 to support the treatment of children diagnosed with paediatric cancer in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Idi-Araba, Lagos State.

    More than 50 members of the group, led by the District Governor, Olalekan Babalola, and other executives stormed the Oncology Department/Ward of the government hospital to present the cheque with other luxuries and Samsung flat screen television.

    The gesture, according to Babalola, while presenting the gifts, was to celebrate Lions Clubs Childhood Cancer Day. He said the non-governmental group has added the campaign against the childhood cancer with its humanitarian projects to reduce if not total eradication childhood cancer in the society.

    He said the childhood cancer had become another deadly disease threaten the children worldwide and many of them are dying on daily basis as a result of this.

    “Lions Clubs International have dedicated to help and protecting children/youths from the devastating effects of cancer all over the world that’ve been diagnosed with cancer.

    “Many of the children with cancer could have survived after they diagnosed but they didn’t due to lack of funds to finance the treatment.

    “Due to this, many parents go to religious homes for prayers or embarked on local treatment due to financial incapability which of course didn’t help. But with this idea, majority of the children diagnosed with cancer can have a much better chance of survival. “Lions Clubs wish to give every child a full chance and joyful life. We’re humanitarian service group and we would continue in accordance with our core mandate use our ‘time, treasure and talent’ to support projects and initiatives that would make life meaningful for the masses especially the less-privileges in the society.

    “We will continue to partnering with associations and reputable organisations to help improve Lions’ ability to positively impact and improve the lives of children who have been diagnosed with cancer.

    Babalola appealed to corporate organisations, political stalwarts and well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aide of poor parents who their children diagnosed with this deadly disease through the support of hospital treatment to enable us have a better society.

    He thanked the Club members who have been taking out of their little income to support the humanitarian services that could make life better for the poor masses in the society.

    The recipient of the donations, one of the Senior Doctor in Haematology/Oncology Unit Department of Paediatrics in the hospital,  Prof. Ademola Akinsulie, thanks those who established Lions Clubs which had been a platform of assisting the less-privileges globally.

    He urged the Club to help spreading the campaign against this childhood cancer in the local communities to eradicate ignorance of proper checking of health status.

    He said the campaign would enable individuals knows the importance of helping the poor parents when it comes to health issues.

    He decried worrisome at which children with cancers are dying as a result of financial incapability from the parents.

  • ‘Women without natural breast can live a normal life’ – Radiologist

    IN an interview with the radiologist and coordinator, One Stop Breast Clinic, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Caleb Yakubu, he reveals how the clinic is assisting indigent women in the society who had breast cancer to live normal lives.

    The clinic is called One Stop because it is a multi-disciplinary therapy clinic which is specifically for breast cancer patients. According to Yakubu, breast cancer is the commonest malignancy cancer in women. “Women die of the disease because they lack early detection and proper management, rather they present the disease late, but once it is detected early, (1st stage) the woman can still live a normal life,” he said. According to him, mastectomy is the medical term for the surgical removal of one or both breasts, partially or completely. It is usually carried out to treat breast cancer. “A mastectomy bra is the perfect companion for women who’ve undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy surgery. They are designed with full cups for a natural look and feel normal again as well as to remove stigma attached to losing one’s breast. An African woman believes that so long as she has her breasts, she is still a woman. Well, it is beyond that; even without your breasts, you can still live a normal life. At whatever stage it is detected, the best place to come is the clinic. Even if you are diagnosed late there is still hope. Here, we make life worthwhile for them and help them live a normal life,” said Yakubu.

    Speaking of how mastectomy bra works, Yakubu said it is specially designed for women who have undergone a mastectomy, or a lumpectomy, and can be worn with breast prostheses. Post surgical bras are made with specially designed discreet pockets inside the cups. Some mastectomy bras will only have a pocket in one cup, while others have pockets on both cups. Most of the post surgical bras that we carry are “bilateral”  meaning the breast prosthesis can be placed in either or both cups.

    “A quality mastectomy bra is more than just a traditional bra with added pockets. A mastectomy bra should offer enough coverage to secure your breast form, soft materials for sensitive skin and lightweight support. Most post-surgical bras have no underwires. Because of their amazing comfort, women who have not had breast surgery but who are uncomfortable in regular bras should consider mastectomy styles. These bras also work well if you have naturally uneven breasts and would like to wear padding on one side,” he said. Some breast forms are designed to be attached directly to the body, but others fit into a specially designed mastectomy bra.

    The healing process is very important after undergoing a mastectomy, and comfort is an absolute necessity. Immediately after surgery, your doctor will most likely recommend wearing a compression bra or sports bra. “Do not switch to regular mastectomy bras until they are recommended by your physician. When buying a mastectomy bra, you will choose your cup size based on the larger breast. I highly recommend a professional bra fitting after mastectomy, lumpectomy or breast reconstruction to determine your new bra size, as well as your prosthesis size,” he warned.

    “At One Stop Breast Clinic, a radiologist is available to examine the breast with an ultrasound machine, and with microscope, the breast surgeons are on ground to evaluate the patient, then the oncologist (specialist that treats cancer), after which diagnosis is made and the mode of treatment is agreed upon,” he said.

    Speaking further, he said, “rather than sending the patient back and forth, in this clinic diagnosis is made within three hours and patients will get the treatment as fast as possible. There are so many success stories recorded within three years of inception.  During our first anniversary in 2017, we had over a thousand survivors. We attend to patients here once you have your referral.

    “Rather than going to the mountain or herbalists, once you have breast cancer please come to us, we have some patients who finished their treatment within one month.”

    Yakubu, however, lamented that funding is still a major problem. “There are still lot of indigent women who cannot afford the anti-cancer drugs and the surgeries. There are times we have to do the ultrasound for them free and even the surgery when they don’t have the money. We call on well-meaning Nigerians to donate to the clinic,” he concluded.

  • ‘Baba Suwe’ on admission at LUTH- TAMPAN President

    Babatunde Omidina popularly known as ‘Baba Suwe’ has been admitted at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Idi Araba, Lagos.

    Mr Bolaji Amusan, the National President, Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Producers Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

    Amusan popularly known as ‘Mr Latin’ as his stage name said that the development was as a result of the approval of the association’s appeal to the Federal Government to foot the medical bill of Baba Suwe.

    He said the ailing veteran comedian, who was alleged to be suffering from an unknown sickness, had been promised a first class treatment by the Federal Government at LUTH.

    Amusan said the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, had made arrangements for the comedian to be treated while the Federal Government will foot the medical bills.

    Amusan said: “Myself and other association members have just taken Baba Suwe to LUTH from his residence.

    ”I want to appreciate the minister for this gesture, we are happy that our colleague will be back on his feet after a comprehensive treatment.

    Read also: Don’t blame us over Baba Suwe’s ailment, says Dele Odule

    ”He is receiving first-class treatment and we feel so honoured.

    ” I also thank the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for his generosity, having donated N1m toward Baba Suwe’s treatment.

    “I also thank everyone who had made donations toward our appeal for him, we can’t appreciate them enough.

    ” As the new president of the association, the welfare of my members is paramount on my mind which I have determined to improve within my four years’ tenure,” he said.

    NAN efforts to confirm the admission of Baba Suwe as a patient from the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of LUTH, Mr Kelechi Otuneme, was not successful as he did not pick calls made to his mobile phone.

    NAN reports that the ailing comedian had been soliciting financial support to enable him seek urgent medical attention.

    Some of his colleagues in the industry had made generous donations coupled with the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Oshibajo who donated N1m.

    The comedian began his acting career in 1972 but came into limelight after he featured in a movie titled ” Iru Esin “, a film produced by Olaiya Igwe in 1977 and had produced several Nigerian movies.

    His career, however, nosedived in 2011 when the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested him for allegedly trafficking in substances suspected to be hard drug.

    The allegation that was described as false and defamatory by the ruling of a Lagos High Court.(NAN)

  • 2019 Elections: Fasehun warns against consequences of unguarded talks

    The Founder of the O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr Frederick Fasehun, on Sunday warned against unguarded talks ahead of the 2019 general elections, saying such might have dire consequences for Nigeria.

    The octogenarian and National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) Chieftain, who will turn 85 years on Sept. 21, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    Fasehun said that the most important task before every Nigerian now was to ensure that the unity and peace of the country was preserved as an entity.

    “At my age and looking back at the battles we fought to enshrine democracy in Nigeria through NADECO, I cannot sit and watch Nigeria disintegrate.

    “Elections are not a door die affair. Leaders come and go which is why we have tenure in Nigeria. It is not a life position but the country will always remain for new leaders.

    “I am most pained that some of the elder statesman are on the sidelines, and doing nothing to call their people to order.

    “It is not a situation restricted to any part of the country, it cuts across. This is the time for statesmen to rise and speak with one voice against violence and incitement that may negate what we stand for as a nation,” Fasehun said.

    He said that there was need for Nigerians to go beyond ethnicity and party leanings in selecting their leaders.

    “2019 is not about the Presidency alone. Attention must be given to those who represent the people in the National Assembly. The governors and their state assemblies are not left out of it.

    “The centre cannot work properly if we continue to vote in persons whose only intention are to embezzle.

    “How do we begin to justify the inability of state governors to pay workers’ salaries. There are so many issues that have become so worrisome and at my age, I fear it may end up becoming a norm to owe salaries in Nigeria.

    “The buck stops with the people. It is their decision to make. Whatever choices they make are what they will live with.

    “Voting is not for God to do. It is for humans. In doing this, our conscience must be our guide. The future of our generations must remain the priority as we go to the polls,” he said.

    He urged civil society groups to take up the task of educating Nigerians, especially the youth against being used during elections to spill blood or disrupt the electoral process.

    “My thinking is that henceforth, the security apparatus should move to pick up anyone, groups or persons who make inciting comments ahead of the polls as a deterrent.

    “We once fought a civil war, we cannot afford war in Nigeria again because at this stage of our development, war will affect every part of the nation. It will crumble the nation completely and make us all refugees, including the rich and the poor.

    “When I go, I would love to go happy, knowing that things are working right and that we did not fight in vain.

    “I want a Nigeria that will make us all proud and take it’s pride of place among the comity of nations in all aspects,” Fasehun said.

    On who becomes the next President in Nigeria, Fasehun, said, “My preference does not matter. I am an elder statesman now. My blessing goes to all and I pray that the best man will be chosen by the people in a violence-free election.”

    He restated the need for Nigeria to be restructured in accordance with agitations from the various entities making up the country.

    NAN reports that Fasehun was born in 1938 and hails from Ondo City in the current Ondo State.

    A medical doctor, he studied science at Blackburn College and furthered his education at Aberdeen University College of Medicine.

    He also studied at the Liverpool Postgraduate School after which he had a Fellowship at the Royal College of Surgeons.

    In 1976, he studied acupuncture in China under a joint World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Development Scholarship Programme.

    In 1977, he set up an Acupuncture Unit at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

    Fasehun resigned in 1978 and immediately set up the Besthope Hospital and Acupuncture Centre in Lagos. The Acupuncture Centre once earned a reputation as Africa’s first for the Chinese medical practice.

    The OPC he founded is a Yoruba-based organisation formed to actualise the annulled mandate of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, a Yoruba who purportedly won the presidential election of June 12, 1993 but was barred from office.

    Fasehun was imprisoned for 19 months from December 1996 to June 1998 during the military rule of Sani Abacha, only ending 18 days after Abacha’s death.

  • Heart Disease: Death rate in men doubles after 40 – Cardiologist

    Prof. Janet Ajuluchukwu, College of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba says men have more heart problems than women with death rates doubling after age 40.

    Ajuluchukwu made this assertion while speaking withOur reporter in an interview on Saturday in Lagos.

    The professor said researches carried out proved that many men do not go to the hospital until too late and with late diagnosis, they were more prone to heart problems.

    The cardiologist stressed the need for men to go for regular checkups because conditions such as hypertension do not come with obvious signs.
    “Right now, my interest has gone to men because all over the world the men think that they are stronger.

    “There is this perception that they are strong and that they won’t go to the hospital.

    “They believe it is a sign of weakness to say they are sick and have gone to the hospital.

    “Many patients will come and beat their chest and say, for the last 40 years, I have not been to the hospital.

    “And I always tell them it is not responsible not to go to the hospital when you are sick.’’

    Ajuluchukwu noted that women were more proactive and would usually take advantage of the opportunities they had to have themselves checked whenever they visited the hospital.

    “Women have more opportunities. They take their mothers to hospital; they take their children to hospital; when they’re pregnant, they go for antenatal.

    “They’re always around the healthcare professionals, so they take advantage of it,” she stressed.

    She advised men to go for urine, blood pressure and sugar tests regularly.

    The cardiologist disclosed that healthcare professionals were searching for innovative ways targeted to reach out to men.

    She urged everyone to help persuade the men around them to go for regular checkups.

    “We want it to be everybody’s job. We have mothers, we have sisters and we have brothers. Let everybody try to encourage the men.”

  • LUTH: 10 resident doctors allegedly injured during clash with security men

    LUTH: 10 resident doctors allegedly injured during clash with security men

    Ten members of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba Chapter, were allegedly injured by some security men from the teaching hospital on Wednesday during a clash.

    Dr Adebayo Sekunmade, the president of the ARD of the hospital told newsmen during a news conference.

    He said that the doctors sustained injuries when they attempted to take over their secretariat from the security men stationed there by LUTH’s management.

    Sekunmade told journalists that one of his members was inside the ARD’s secretariat at 2.00 a.m. on Tuesday but the security men ordered him out and locked it up.

    “We decided to monitor developments around the secretariat after the incident. On Wednesday morning, we saw the security men loading our belongings from there into a waiting bus.

    “When we confronted them, they said that they were directed to lock up the secretariat by the management of LUTH.

    “We went to the Chief Medical Director’s office for dialogue but he refused to attend to us. He, however, directed us to the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of LUTH,’’ he said.

    Sekunmade said that the CMAC, Dr Olufemi Fasanmade, told them that the management of LUTH was retrieving the secretariat from the ARD.

    Sekunmade said that he demanded a court order from Fasanmade to justify his action but he could not present it.

    When contacted, the CMAC told journalists that LUTH’s management had given the ARD a letter asking it to vacate the building serving as its secretariat, six months ago.

    “Nine days ago; we gave them another letter as a reminder to leave the building but they refused, and we decided to lock up the place,’’ he said.

    Fasanmade said that the association should not have found it hard to vacate one of the seven accommodations it had within the hospital complex.

    He said that the management wanted to use it for an important purpose.

    “The doctors wanted to forcefully enter the building on Wednesday’s morning and LUTH’s security men had to disallow them.’’

    Fasanmade said that the doctors resulted into attacking the security officials.

    “We had to invite some police officers from the Ilasamaja and Bode Thomas Police Stations to secure the building and other LUTH’s belongings.

    “Some of the injured security officials are in the hospital wards receiving treatment,’’ Fasanmade said.

  • LUTH: 10 resident doctors allegedly injured during clash with security men

    LUTH: 10 resident doctors allegedly injured during clash with security men

    Ten members of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), secretariat Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba Chapter, were allegedly injured by some security men from the teaching hospital on Wednesday during a clash.

    Dr Adebayo Sekunmade, the president of the ARD of the hospital told newsmen during a news conference.

    He said that the doctors sustained injuries when they attempted to take over their secretariat from the security men stationed there by LUTH’s management.

    Sekunmade told journalists that one of his members was inside the Secretariat at 2.00 a.m. on Tuesday but the security men ordered him out and locked it up.

    “We decided to monitor developments around the secretariat after the incident. On Wednesday morning, we saw the security men loading our belongings from there into a waiting bus.

    “When we confronted them, they said that they were directed to lock up the secretariat by the management of LUTH.

    “We went to the Chief Medical Director’s office for dialogue but he refused to attend to us. He, however, directed us to the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of LUTH,’’ he said.

    Sekunmade said that the CMAC, Dr Olufemi Fasanmade, told them that the management of LUTH was retrieving the secretariat from the ARD.

    Sekunmade said that he demanded a court order from Fasanmade to justify his action but he could not present it.

    When contacted, the CMAC told journalists that LUTH’s management had given the ARD a letter asking it to vacate the building serving as its secretariat, six months ago.

    “Nine days ago; we gave them another letter as a reminder to leave the building but they refused, and we decided to lock up the place,’’ he said.

    Fasanmade said that the association should not have found it hard to vacate one of the seven accommodations it had within the hospital complex.

    He said that the management wanted to use it for an important purpose.

    “The doctors wanted to forcefully enter the building on Wednesday’s morning and LUTH’s security men had to disallow them.’’

    Fasanmade said that the doctors resulted into attacking the security officials.

    “We had to invite some police officers from the Ilasamaja and Bode Thomas Police Stations to secure the building and other LUTH’s belongings.

    “Some of the injured security officials are in the hospital wards receiving treatment,’’ Fasanmade said.

  • Again generator fume kills father, son in Lagos

    Again generator fume kills father, son in Lagos

    Generator fume on Tuesday morning caused the death of a businessman, Ayodele Megbuwawon and his teenaged son, Tobi.

    The incident occurred at Iwaya in Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

    The duo put on their generator at the lobby of their bungalow apartment, shut the doors, windows before going to sleep on Monday night, residents alleged.

    While Tobi was discovered dead Tuesday morning by neighbours, who suspected all wasn’t well in their home, Megbuwawon passed on at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Idi-Araba.

    According to neighbours, one Segun was the one who peeped through a hole on the door and saw Megbuwawon lying helpless on the floor.

    They said he then raised an alarm, adding that residents of the community came out, broke the window of the house in order to save the victims.

    Residents described the man as peaceful and accommodating, noting that it was because of him the government has not chased them out of Iwaya.

    According to Monday Okey, the house smelt of fumes (Carbon Monoxide) when they entered.

    He said: “I was in my room when Segun came and knocked. He said something was wrong with Ijaloba. That it’s like he fell down.

    “We looked through the door and saw him on the ground. So, we quickly broke the window and entered inside. He was breathing slowly. We also ran to check on Tobi but his body was already stiffened.

    “We rushed him to LUTH and were asked to pay N250, 000. They were attending to him when we left to look for the money. We went round the community appealing to people for donations, which they did. But by the time we returned to the hospital with the money, he was dead.”

    Cousin to the deceased, Evangelist Michael Megbuwawon who spoke with The Nation at the residence, said they were sad they locked themselves up and turned on the generator.

    “It’s sad news to us. We are not happy because we don’t understand how they would on generator inside and locked the doors. We were called when the incident happened and that’s why we came here. We are from Ilaje in Ondo State but we stay at Ajegunle.

    “At the moment, we are more interested in his burial. Once the burial is done, then, we would meet at Ajegunle.”

     

  • World Hypertension Day: Cardiologist calls for healthy living

    A Cardiologist, Dr Akinkunmi Afolabi, on Wednesday in Lagos urged Nigerians to promote healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure in the country.

    Afolabi, who works at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that hypertension was becoming an increasing trend all over the world, including Nigeria.

    He said that the 2017 World Hypertension Day, with the theme: “Know Your Number’’ was aimed at promoting public awareness on hypertension and also prevents and controls this endemic disease.

    NAN reports that the World Hypertension Day was initiated by the World Hypertension League to increase the awareness about hypertension because of the lack of appropriate knowledge among hypertensive patients.

    NAN also reports that the World Hypertension Day is celebrated around the world on May 17 of every year.

    According to him, hypertension is a condition when a person’s blood pressure is measured to be higher than 140 over 90 mmHg.

    “This means the systolic reading of the pressure as the heart pumps blood around the body is over 140 mmHg and the diastolic reading as the heart relaxes and refills with blood are over 90 mmHg.

    “The increasing prevalence of the condition has shown that people’s lifestyle and dietary factors have major roles to play.

    “Such factors as physical inactivity, alcohol and tobacco use, and diets high in processed and fatty foods can contribute greatly to ones blood pressure getting high overtime.

    “It is important for the general public to have adequate knowledge of the dangers surrounding a high blood pressure and proactive measures in maintaining healthy blood pressure.

    “It is also important to know that we must adopt healthy diet by reducing our calories intake and embrace diet rich in vegetables and fresh fruits.

    “This will go a long way in reducing the risk factors of being hypertensive,’’ Akinkunmi said.

    He, however, urged the government to make control of hypertension a key national priority in order to prevent the number of heart attacks and stroke cases.

    “The government should come up with national health programmers that include public awareness on hypertension, its risk factors and access to adequate healthcare facilities for people living with high blood pressure.

    He advised the public, especially people who have family history of heart related disease to go for comprehensive screening to ensure prevention.

    “Adults above 30 years should endeavor to know their blood pressure numbers in order to detect any unusual abnormality for proactive treatment,’’ the doctor said.

     

  • Malaria: Lagos records 1.2m cases in 2016 – Commissioner

    The Lagos State Government on Thursday said it was committed to ensuring the control of malaria, as it was endemic in the state and affected human development.

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, who made the assertion at the 5th “Doctors Discuss Malaria’’ Progamme, in Lagos, said the state recorded 1, 199, 002 cases in 2016.

    According to Idris, represented by Dr Rebecca Ayorinde, Assistant Programme Coordinator, Lagos State Malaria Elimination Prevention, the cases of malaria were documented through routine data collection processes.

    The event, which has the theme, “Maternal Health and Malaria Priority Access for Women’’, was to commemorate the 2017 World Malaria Day 2017.

    Idris said: “Malaria is endemic in Lagos State.

    “It poses major challenges to the state as it impedes human development.

    “It is both a cause and consequence of under-development and remains one of the leading causes of morbidity in the state.

    “The cosmopolitan nature of the state, coupled with people’s behaviour and the abundant distribution of coastal areas, encourage the availability of stagnant water for the breeding of anopheles mosquitoes.

    “This is responsible for the stable pattern and continuous transmission of malaria all year round.

    “Malaria therefore remains a priority disease and the state government will continue to demonstrate its commitment to its control’’.

    Idris said the government was tackling the scourge of malaria through some preventive measures that included environmental management and integrated vector control.

    “Others are monitoring and evaluation with emphasis on operational research and the use of its results for evidence-based programming.

    “Lagos State Ministry of Health provides Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets to pregnant women at antenatal clinic booking and children under the age of five years.

    “It also provides Sulpahdoxine Pyrimethamine for the Intermittent Prevention of Malaria in Pregnancy (IPTp) in antenatal clinics.

    “Also, the state conducts Indoor Residual Spraying and Larviciding in selected local governments in the state,’’ he said.

    Idris said that the routine data collected from the private health sector in 2016 showed that 56 per cent of pregnant women received at least one dose of IPTp.

    “About 93 per cent of confirmed cases received appropriate treatment for malaria and 74 per cent of persons with fever received a parasitological test.

    “These statistics show there is still a lot to be done to increase access to malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment services in the state,’’ he said.

    The commissioner advised that all fever cases be tested for malaria before treatment.

    “It is important to test before treatment, a policy by the Federal Ministry of Health, which states that all fever cases should be tested and confirmed before treatment,’’ he said.

    Contributing, Prof. Akin Osibogun said that in spite of the progress and improvement in malaria prevention globally, it still remained a major concern to public health.

    Osibogun, a former Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, said that 92 per cent of deaths in Africa were as a result of malaria.

    On the effects of malaria on maternal health, he said: “Most times, pregnant women and children are at higher risk of malaria, particularly pregnant woman because of their weak immunity.

    “Malaria in pregnant woman can lead to preterm babies or even still birth babies.

    “The foetus gets most of the nutrition through the placenta but once the placenta is affected by malaria parasites it leads to reduction of the foetus; this causes low birth weight in the babies.’’

    On some prevention strategies, Osibogun said: “According to WHO, the new guidelines says that pregnant women should have IPtp till delivery.

    “The usage of Long Lasting Insecticidal Net (LLIN) must be used regularly by pregnant women and children.

    “It is also important to control the vector that transmits malaria, which is mosquito, by making sure there is no stagnant water in the environment.

    “The critical strategy to prevent malaria in pregnant woman is to increase the use of Insecticide-Treated Nets and indoor spraying with insecticides,’’ Osibogun said.

    In her remarks, Dr Yetunde Ayo-Oyalowo, the convener of “Doctors Discuss Malaria’’ said that preventing malaria in pregnancy was critical to elevating health and welfare of Nigerian families.

    She said that the training of doctors and nurses was also critical to end the scourge of malaria.

    “A lot of this responsibility is on us as doctors to understand how to break the malaria cycle.

    “We must be able to recognise and treat malaria and propagating testing before treating.

    “Over the past years, we have trained a total of 1,542 doctors on the management of malaria.

    “This is aimed at creating a strong health system of which the human resource is of great importance to offer access to prevent new cases and ensure lifesaving treatment for patients,’’ Ayo-Oyalowo said.