The Nation Newspaper

Tag: medicare

  • America’s seniors to face higher Medicare costs in 2025

    America’s seniors to face higher Medicare costs in 2025

    America’s seniors will see higher Medicare costs in 2025, as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announces a 6% increase in Part B premiums.

    This change will impact millions of seniors enrolled in the program, which covers services like doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and medical equipment.

    Starting in January 2025, the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B will rise from $174.70 to $185.00, a $10.30 increase.

    Additionally, the annual deductible for Part B will climb from $240 to $257.

    CMS attributes these adjustments to projected price increases and higher demand for medical services, in line with historical trends.

    The agency notes that these changes are necessary to manage rising healthcare costs.

    This increase follows a rare drop in premiums for 2023, when Part B premiums decreased by over $5—a temporary adjustment.

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    For seniors already receiving Social Security, the higher premium will be automatically deducted from their benefits starting in January.

    Those not yet drawing Social Security benefits will need to pay the new premium directly.

    Meanwhile, Medicare Part A, which covers hospital stays and inpatient services, remains premium-free for most beneficiaries, thanks to payroll taxes paid during their working years.

    Only a small fraction—about 1%—of enrollees pay a premium for Part A coverage.

  • Association of Ibusa Professional Women lifts 600 with free medicare

    Association of Ibusa Professional Women lifts 600 with free medicare

    No fewer than 600 residents of Ibusa and environs in Delta state have received free medical aid courtesy of the Association of Ibusa Professional Women (AIPROW).

    The residents, including the elderly, men, women, teens, and children, defied the relentless downpour to attend a medical outreach last weekend.

    Among them were individuals in need of quality medical services, as well as others suffering from debilitating health conditions without the means to pay for their medical expenses.

    The annual medical outreach was held in collaboration with Ibusa Association USA Inc. at the St Augustine Catholic Church, Ibusa, in Oshimili North LGA.

    AIPROW President, Mrs Elizabeth Idigbe, said the association, founded in 2012, has lawyers, medical doctors, pharmacists, realtors, teachers, fashion designers, and other professionals as members.

    Noting that the government cannot meet all the needs of its citizens, she said the group has taken it upon itself to contribute its quota.

    Mrs Idigbe, who is the Managing Partner of Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, said the outreach included full medical checkups, eye screening, provision of reading glasses, and diagnosis and treatment of malaria, arthritis, and glaucoma.

    Residents were also screened and treated for cervical, prostate, and breast cancer, she said.

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    Mrs Idigbe noted that despite her other philanthropic engagements through the Punuka Foundation, she found AIPROW’s medical outreach fulfilling because of the impact on the community, as charity begins at home.

    The association also held a career and mentoring session for pupils at Ibusa Girls’ Secondary School.

    Mrs Idigbe said: “These interventions are a way to give back to our society because health is wealth.

    “We also have a girl child mandate to help and mentor them.

    “Two years ago, this medical outreach detected early stage of breast cancer in a woman. She was operated on and is alive and present here.

    “Last year, another woman had surgery with our partners in the U.S. Ibusa Association USA Inc. footing part of the medical expenses.”

    Mrs Idigbe said many did not believe the free medical assistance was real until those who benefited shared their stories.

    She stressed that aside from AIPROW’s collaboration with Ibusa Association Inc. USA, the association is funded solely by members, a few friends and some spouses.

    She added: “We chose the medical outreach because lots of people have medical needs.

    “They sometimes cannot get good doctors and medical personnel to attend to them.

    “Also, the elderly in the community were prone to falls because they could not see well. We got them corrective glasses.

    “Many arthritic and malaria cases were very prevalent, so we decided to take action.

    “Today, the medical outreach has grown bigger, impacting a lot of people.”

    She acknowledged Prof Ifeoma Utomi as the brain behind AIPROW, paying tribute to her role as the pioneer president.

    Prof Utomi, on her part, said AIPROW remains committed to its goal of improving lives.

    She added: “This group started with five or six members in 2012, and it has grown in geometric proportions.

    “I am very fulfilled and happy that we found someone like Mrs Idigbe, who incidentally was my Vice President, to hand over to.

    “She is capable and able. I hope that the legacy will continue for generations yet unborn to benefit from the group in many other ways.”

  • 2,000 benefit from free medicare

    2,000 benefit from free medicare

    Over 2,000 residents of Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government of Anambra State have benefited from free medical services of the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF). 

    The beneficiaries, including the young and the elderly, were offered free tests, drugs, scan, eye glasses, counselling, among other services, in collaboration with Rotary Club and Oraifite Improvement Union (OIU).

    Launching the outreach tagged, “Free Mega Medical Outreach Mission”, at the weekend, House of Assembly Speaker Somto Udeze praised the foundation for the gesture, describing it as the greatest gift to humanity.

    “There’s no greater gift one can offer to his people than one that has to do with life and health, more so to the elderly and the indigent. 

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    “Many of these people we are seeing here may find it difficult to see a doctor in the next three years, for lack of money. So, this is a rare opportunity Sir Emeka Offor is offering his people,” he said.

    Praying for God’s blessings on the benefactor, Udeze challenged other wealthy people to emulate him in assisting the government to provide community development related services for the people.

    “The government has plans to replicate primary health care centres in all communities in the state as well as establish general hospitals in local governments where they are not existing,” he added.

    The Chief Medical Director, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Associate Prof. Joseph Uboaja, said indigenes of the area were privileged to have the benefactor as one of their own, promising another free medical outreach at the permanent site of the hospital.

    He announced special package where residents who are 80 years and above will have access to free medical services at the facility.

    SEOF Coordinator Sir Tony Obi said the foundation had embarked on free medical treatments.

    He said Sir Offor had sponsored major health treatments, including liver transplants and eye surgeries in overseas, with the beneficiaries surviving and living their normal lives to date.

    Among the dignitaries who attended the event was the monarch of the community, Igwe Dan Udoji; House of Assembly Majority Leader Ikenna Ofodeme and President General of the community, Sir Vic Dike.

  • Pushing the frontiers of medicare

    Modern science and research are increasingly giving man the chance to stay healthy and keep an ailment-free life as time could offer. In a clime like ours, where almost everything, including witches and wizards, could be blamed for bad health and frailties of the flesh, succour have come from different angles which are not limited to traditional, spiritual and medical solutions, either genuine, good, unsafe or from quacks.

    Ask those who daily throng prayer houses for cases that simple medical attention could handle, their fears have stemmed from unreliable public health system.  When they turn to private hospitals, they are faced with costs beyond the capability of ordinary citizens, regardless of the quality of service.

    Needless to reiterate that many precious lives have been lost to diseases and sicknesses that have been banished in most countries where governments make the provision of health care a priority service, devoid of myth and mystery.

    However, for the limited class of the political elite and a few affluent citizens that can patronize private hospitals, they have to go the extra length to access quality medicare; sometimes having to secure an air ambulance and journey through painful hours between continents before getting proper diagnosis and treatment.

    More worrisome is the depletion of the country’s scarce foreign exchange. Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, at the commissioning of the medical facilities of the Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado-Ekiti, on May 21, advised that with massive investment in modern health care facilities, the nation could save about $2 billion expended on medical tourism yearly.

    A medical doctor, Longwap Abdulaziz Saleh, recently said that 47 percent of Nigerians who visited India in 2012 did so to get medical help. According to him, the 47 percent amounted to 18,000 persons and they spent an equivalent of N41.6 billion.  The figures are probably rising every year.

    To close this gap, the eight-year old ABUAD recently attained yet another feat when it hosted two former leaders – Gen Gowon and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo including former and serving helmsmen at the National Universities Commission, as it unveiled four projects, among them, facilities for medical and space research.

    Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed praised the unrivaled investments in the institution saying it has become a pride to the nation and a reference for higher education in its less than a decade’s existence as a private varsity.

    At the commissioning of telemedicine equipment, founder of the institution, Aare Afe Babalola said the equipment is “the first in Africa and will assist our hospital in the area of ‘tele-consulting’, ‘tele-diagnosis’ and ‘tele-management’. It will enable our partners in Dubai to join us in Ekiti in performing medical service at ABUAD by proxy.”

    The equipment, donated by an Indian Hospital, Aster Healthcare, under a collaboration agreement with ABUAD, entails consulting, diagnosis and management of medical conditions simultaneously by doctors in Ado Ekiti, India and Dubai through a sophisticated transmission of data, online, real time.

    ABUAD’s medical scheme signposts the direction which public health system in Nigeria should navigate. It is a gradual manifestation of the vision of Aare Babalola that university education rests on a sound foundation of scholarship and research; to wit, building local universities that can produce students of international standards.

    Although he ruled out immediate adventure into the space, Aare Babalola said he would be most satisfied if humanity could take after space elements in their harmony, to learn to live in peace and collaborate to make the world a better place.

     

    • By Tajudeen Kareem and Remi Adebayo Abuja.

     

  • Over 500 get free medicare

    Over 500 persons have benefited from free medical service yesterday.

    The programme, organised by Kerala Catholic Association (KCA) and St. Teresa of Calcutta Church, was held in the Church premises at Omojuwa Estate, Mile 12, Lagos.

    About 17 medical practitioners attended to the patients.

    KCA Vice Chairman Vincent Palathingal, said the gesture, which costs about N5 million, was to help the less privilege.

    According to him, “Good health is vital and it is the right of all. We are giving intensive free medical care to those who cannot afford it. Any case that would need further treatment would be referred  to the hospital be in a Nigerian hospital or outside the country and we are ready to sponsor. We have sponsored operation in India and kidney transplant in Lagos, and we are ready to do more.

    “We also go to the hospitals as well as the communities to discharge philanthropy activities, but this is the first time we are offering free medical program that is this intensive. This program costs nothing less than N5million, for both medical equipments used for tests and the free medicines among others”.

    He said the yearly program cuts across all religion and culture, noting that it aims to help the less privileged ones in the community. “We have lots of medical personnel from Indian and with in Nigeria to attend to all patient. We have specialists in various medical fields including, gynecologist, pediatrician, heart surgeon, physician, lab scientist, pharmacist, physiotherapist, diabetes expert and eye doctor among others, to ensure that best treatment is provided to each person,” he said.

    Vice Chairman KCA, Shaji Jacob,  added that the Association is into lots of charity, including giving children hope, providing good education and offering free health care to those who need help.

    He said the gesture is to help those who do not have money meet their needs at no cost.

    He advised the federal government to improve the medical sector, saying the sector in Nigeria is poor. “Nigeria needs good doctors, good nurses and good hospitals,” he said.

    Parish Priest, Catholic Church of Resurrection, Very Rev Father Raphael  Adebayo, noted that many Nigerians are sick and needs treatment but cannot it.

    He urged government to subsidise the drugs that are difficult for people to get, saying this would help people that are in need.

    He also urged government to think of improving the medical sector, through its state ministry of health.

    A beneficiary, Mrs Jovita Tashie, thanked the organizations for the gesture.

    She said: “I was treated for an infection and eye problem, my son was treated for stomach pain, my daughter for malaria and my sister for general medical check up. We were all given drugs and they all the services were for free. We hope government would do things like this for us regularly,” she said.

  • Group seeks free medicare for prison inmates

    Group seeks free medicare for prison inmates

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to direct the Minister of Health to request all public hospitals in the country to treat prison inmates without demanding payment.

    This request was made by a group, Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants, (CURE-Nigeria), in a statement  yesterday by its Executive Director, Sylvester Uhaa.

    The group claimed that where inmates, including those in life-threatening situations, are denied treatment in hospitals because they have no money, amounts to deprivation of the right to life.

    It also linked the practice to the alarming rate of deaths in the nation’s prisons.

    The group praised the House of Representatives for asking the Federal Government to urgently take steps to remove juveniles from adult prisons and ensure that they (juveniles in conflict with the law) are properly rehabilitated and re integrated into society.

    CURE-Nigeria, however faulted the House of Reps’ call for the construction of more borstal institutions.

    It said: “We do not need more borstal institutions. We need to invest in measures that divert children in conflict with the law away from the formal criminal justice system, so that they are properly rehabilitated and re-integrated into society.

    “We need to invest in developing and implementing a comprehensive child-sensitive justice policy that focus on reformation and on the best interest of the child, consistent with the international norm that the deprivation of liberty of children shall be a matter of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time.

    “Also, the building of more borstal institutions as canvassed by the House is inconsistent with the Federal Government’s commitment to fighting poverty, reducing inequalities, improving education and equal access to opportunities for all Nigerians.”

  • Experts challenged on role of food in medicare

    Experts challenged on role of food in medicare

    Medics have been urged to teach their patients the role of food as medicine for combating daily health challenges, especially oxidative stress.

    They were also urged to recommend Jobelyn, the herbal/medicine food, into mainstream healthcare.

    Medical Director, Lindabel Medical Centre, Surulere, Lagos, Dr David Abia-Okon stated this at this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference of the Lagos Chapter of Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) held in Ikeja,

    Speaking on: ‘Introducing Jobelyn- the botanical/medicine food that resolves major ailments’, Abia-Okon, also the Medical Consultant to Health Forever Product Limited, Ikeja, defined oxidative stress as an imbalance between and overproduction of Free radicals, that is Oxidants, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), and Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS) and underproduction of antioxidants which eliminates, suppresses and neutralises Free Radicals (FRs.)

    “This imbalance leads to excess of free radicals which damage important bio-molecules and cells, with potential impact on the whole organism especially the immune system and ageing process,” said  Abia-Okon.

    Citing Jobelyn, a Sorghum Bicolour-based nutritional medicine-food, as a good suppressant of oxidative stress,  Abia-Okon said most people don’t know about antioxidants and the benefits they offer hence, “general practitioners who are the closest to the people among the ranks of medics should encourage them on holistic preventive and healing by using Jobelyn for its antioxidants.  Jobelyn is produced from the polyphenol-rich leaf sheaths of a West African variety of Sorghum bicolor. These free radicals can lead to severe damage to cells; can cause fatal diseases like cancer because they are highly reactive’’.

    “Antioxidants can be natural substances or man-made that helps to delay or prevent cell damage altogether. They can be found in many food categories, including vegetables as well as fruits. But, sometimes it isn’t just enough so Jobelyn brings out to you the goodness of powerful antioxidants in the form of dietary natural supplements –Jobelyn antioxidants. Our body naturally makes some of the antioxidants. And, there are some others that can only be gained from exogenous sources like the dietary supplements.”

    Rooting for Jobelyn as a supplement, Abia-Okon said: “Clinical research has shown that antioxidants from exogenous sources help you to fight and prevent the free radical damage which can lead to cancer if not stopped.

    ‘’Jobelyn Anti-Oxidant is the most powerful, 100 percent natural antioxidant in the world. It has the highest ORAC value 3123µmoleTE/g. Jobelyn is an all-natural powerful antioxidant containing anthocyanins, bioflavonoids, phenolics and other biologically active compounds that help rid the body of harmful free radicals while supporting and improving the immune system’s natural ability to fight diseases and infections.”

    The participants were told that laboratory an analysis from the reputable GMP Laboratory of United States confirmed that Jobelyn contains carbohydrates, protein, fats and oils, vitamins, dietary fibre, and iron which are classified as food.

    In addition, Jobelyn contains other nutrients which could be medicine/food/amino acids and these include selenium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, calcium, many vitamins, like A, B12, C, Omegas 3, 6 and 9 (in the correct ratio),  and more.

    “It is a well-known fact that medical doctors now prescribe multivitamins in addition to drugs. The US’s GMP showed that Jobelyn is rich in natural vitamins and other essential fatty acids and amino acids. The natural Vitamins and compounds in Jobelyn are by far superior to the synthetic ones in the market. This is a compelling reason doctors should prescribe Jobelyn, as it now a recommended adjunct in the treatment of many diseases including- anaemias,  cancer,   post Chemo/Radio-therapy, post dialysis, pre and post surgery, during severe malaria, some liver and kidney diseases, HIV/AIDS,  diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular and some neurological problems.

    He implored his counterparts to start treat the simple anaemias in the two million Lagosians, using the simplest but most effective botanical medicine-food, Jobelyn, which increases the quality and life span of the RBCs, by suppressing oxidative stress.

    This is because in the last 20 years Health Forever Product (manufacturers of Jobelyn) has carried out research, clinical and laboratory studies in many institutions, such as Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH),  Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife (OAU),  Vivacell Laboratory, (Germany), Brunswick Laboratory (US), and  MD Biosciences (USA) and other research have been conducted at Texas AM University (US), Natural Immune System (NIS) Laboratory (US), Alcorn State University (US).

    So also at University College Ibadan (UI), University of Benin (UNIBEN), GMP Laboratories (USA), PhytoLabs (Germany), Military Hospital Ikoyi, Police Hospital, Falomo, Lagos and at Lindabel Medical Centre, Surulere Lagos.

    The producer and CEO, Health Forever, Otunba Olajuwon Okubena said his company was doing a promo online and giving 10 percent discount.

    “Jobelyn is online at www.jobelyn.com.ng/promotions, for a 10 percent discount and free shipping. Promotional discount available online only,” he said.

    On Jobelyn as an anti-cancer,  Abia-Okon said Jobelyn activates NK cells and NK-T-lymphocytes that destroy cancer cells and cells infected by HIV.

    “It does this by stimulating the activation marker (CD69 found on Human Immune cells according to NIS Lab. US. It activates Monocytes, which later differentiate into Macrophages and Dendritic cells. These cells play major roles in phagocytosis and cancer immunotherapy. Both activities indicate Jobelyn’s strong anti-cancer and anti-HIV properties.

  • Council provides medicare for residents

    The Sole Administrator of Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area), Rotimi Ogunwuyi has urged non-governmental organisations to support government’s health programme.

    Addressing reporters during the council’s free medical health service for residents, he noted that government alone could no longer provide all that the citizens need.

    He said: “The essence of the free medical programme is to promote the well-being of the people. The LCDA is collaborating with Christ the Rock Church, United States of America to ensure that Nigerians who have one health challenge or the other are attended to.

    “Though the exercise is expensive because the medical professionals are coming with their drugs, they found joy in doing it because it will go a long way in improving productivity of the people. We will ensure that the programme becomes a yearly event in view of the importance of health.

    “This is the first time such exercise is carried out in the council. I think the era when everything is solely provided for the people by the government is over. We are looking up to private sector and other religious organisations to come to the aid of humanity. People’s health challenges such as diabetics, glaucoma, prostate cancer, kidney and lungs will be examined.

    “We as government cannot do it alone. So, we had to invite those who share the same view with government, to come to the aid of the people in order to enable them to contribute to the development of the community,” he said.

    Leader of the group, Bishop Ayo Oduntan said: “We are here to examine people on blood sugar and other health-related challenges. We believe God that when we visit this area next year, we should be able to carry out some minor surgeries on people who presented extreme cases of health problems.

    “We have already made preparation on how we can bring some medical doctors to the country next year. We decided to embark on this medical programme because we discovered that people really need help. We have facilities in the USA, but here in Nigeria, it is very difficult to access medical facilities.

    “Nigerians are doing well over there, but in order to make their impacts felt in their own country, our members muted the idea to be back home to save lives of people.

    “Once the people have good health, they will not be violent, there will be no killing or kidnapping. It is about welfare and it is when the people are cared for that they will love the government. Healthy people go out to vote during elections. Healthy mind is a happy mind.”

  • Free medicare for Ogun community

    Free medicare for Ogun community

    As part of its commitments towards improving the living condition of members of Odonoko community in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area of Ogun State, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has provided free medical services to the people.

    The annual free medical outreach tagged “Health Initiative for Rural Development” is a community-based programme designed to ensure that rural dwellers benefit from the NYSC programme.

    The package, which includes distribution of wheelchairs, mosquito nets, drugs and intensive medical tests for the less-privileged people, was supported by the Ogun State government.

    Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Afolabi Afuape, said the programme was a deal between the state government and NYSC to reduce infant mortality rate and deadly diseases in rural areas.

    He said: “I believe that the collaboration between the state’s ministry of health and the NYSC will go a long way in tackling and reducing infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate and generally improve on the health care of our people.

    “Let me restate our commitment to continue our support to the NYSC scheme so as to sustain its relevance and strengthen it to render more beneficial services to Ogun State in particular and the country in general.”

    The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier-General Sule Kazaure, represented by the Director of Special Service, Mrs. Rhoda Kwaki, said the primary objective of the programme is to ensure that rural dwellers benefit from the scheme.

    He said: “The goal of the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers programme is to mobilise Corps medical volunteers in the provision of health interventions through diagnosis, treatment, referrals and proper preventive mechanism, thereby enhancing the well-being of rural dwellers across the nook and cranny of Nigeria.”

    The programme, according to the Ogun State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. James Afolayan, was organised to support the state government in its drive to provide health care for all and promote the quality of life of rural dwellers.

    He said: “We are here with experienced medical personnel and other highly experienced medical officers and experts in all areas of medicare for the purpose of rendering high standard medical services directly to the rural dwellers.

    “Apart from Odonoko community, the week-long activity will also be held at Ijebu-Imushin in Ijebu-East Local Government Area, Itori in Ewekoro Local Government Area and Ibeshe in Yewa North Local Government Area.”

  • NGO provides free medicare for residents

    Residents of Adalemo in Ado/Odo-Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State were excited when a foundation, Charity Tour with Ay4God offered free medical services to them.

    The non-governmental organisation (NGO), also donated foods, clothes and shoes, among other materials to children .

    According to the Coordinator, Mr. Stephen Ayodele Abadariki, the event whose theme was “Greatest Love” was to give back to the community.

    He said it is not until one has the whole world before one could show love to others, adding that nothing is small or big to assist the needy.

    He challenged religious and political leaders to assist the less-privilege persons.

    He said: “Most churches nowadays are only after offerings and tithes without minding how the members live and eat and whether or not their children attend schools. He also said majority of the schools owned by churches charge higher school fees, thereby making it difficult for the member’s children to attend.”

    This, he said, does not portray a good society.

    Mr Abadariki urged government to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.

    “I am convinced that the rich have an obligation to give back to the society,” Mr Abadarigi said.