The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Minister of State for Health

  • FG building six cancer centres for early detection, treatment – Minister

    FG building six cancer centres for early detection, treatment – Minister

    The Federal Government on Friday revealed that it is currently building six Cancer Excellence Centres across the six geopolitical zones for early detection, treatment, and management of all cancer cases.

    Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isiaq Salako, disclosed this in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, while launching the OncoSeek Cancer Screening test, an early Cancer screening diagnosis test which formed part of a workshop on the Development of National Nuclear Medicine Guidelines and Policy.

    He noted that the increasing burden of cancer in the country demanded the deployment of all solutions and all management possibilities to tackle the challenge.

    Salako also noted that three of the six centres are already nearing completion, stressing that the 2025 budget includes funds for establishing more Cancer Excellence Centres, with the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba Abeokuta, designated as one of them.

    According to him, Nigeria now has an agency solely dedicated to cancer research –  the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment.

    Salako reiterated that the Technical Working Group on Nuclear Medicine Guidelines and Policy was inaugurated in February as part of the government’s efforts to harness the potential of nuclear medicine in cancer treatment, assuring the team that their recommendations would be implemented in their entirety.

    He said: “We are implementing programmes cutting across prevention, treatment and control, including the ongoing construction of 6 cancer centres of excellence across the 6 geopolitical zones. The second phase in the agenda to provide state-of-the-art cancer treatment infrastructure is set to commence under the 2025 budget, and I am happy to announce that in this second phase, FMC, Abeokuta, has been selected to be a recipient of a cancer center of excellence under the 2025 budget.

    READ ALSO: Again, the Fubara-Wike rapprochement

    “As we know, a key challenge of cancer care in our country is late detection and presentation.  A lot of cancers often present with signs and symptoms that mimic other diseases and may go undetected.

    “Screening services that can detect cancers early or even at the precancerous stage are therefore an important mechanism in the prevention and control of cancer. Oncoseek, a blood-based test that can be used for early detection of high-mortality cancers, including nine high-mortality cancer types – breast, colon, esophageal, liver, lung, lymphoma, ovarian, pancreatic, and stomach cancers- being introduced today is a welcome development. It is useful for screening and identifying patients who may require definitive diagnostic tests. “

    Earlier, Dr. Kehinde Ololade, Chairman of the National Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group,  highlighted the committee’s mandate to develop guidelines and policies for the application of Nuclear Medicine in Nigeria.

    Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, Dr. Tomi Coker, in a remark, emphasized the importance of exploring nuclear medicine to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality rates, stating that cancer can no longer be ignored.

    In a goodwill message, Professor Abidemi Omonisi, President of the Nigeria Cancer Society, appreciated the Federal Ministry of Health’s efforts, particularly the Minister of State for Health, for bringing health workers together to focus on cancer prevention.

  • 1.6 million people die of Tuberculosis, says Fed Govt

    No fewer than 1.6 million people die of Tuberculosis (TB) globally, Minister of State for Health, Dr Osaghe Ehanire, has said.

    The implication of this death to Nigeria as a country, Ehanire said, was to drastically reduce the mortality due to TB.

    The minister made this known yesterday in Abuja during the community outreach programme aimed at increasing TB case finding.

    The programme, organised by the National TB and Leprosy Control Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health, is part of the activities to commemorate the 2019 World TB Day.

    The minister added that as a country, “we must be able to improve our capacity to diagnose, treat TB and improve TB case finding, hence the reach out programme.”

    He noted that only 41 per cent of local government areas in the country had gene expert machines that are used for diagnosis of TB.

    “We are short of about 460 diagnostic machines because we want to ensure that each local government has a diagnostic machine,’’ he said.

    He renewed the commitment of the government to procure more diagnostic machines to expand TB case finding and put more people found to be infected with TB on treatment.

    According to him, the Federal Government is committed to boost healthcare financing in line with the Abuja Declaration.

    He said the Abuja Declaration suggested that countries must try to allocate at least 15 per cent of their annual budget to increase health funding.

    “We are going to be asking for 15 per cent of the national budget to be allocated for funding the health sector. We know we will not get there immediately, but we are working towards getting the 15 per cent or more funding to solve the problems in the health sector,” he said.

  • Health minister’s PPP master plan for Niger

    To salvage the troubled health sector, bring in private investors with public interest, Minister of State for Health tells Niger State. JUSTINA ASISHANA reports

    Like other states of the federation, the health sector in Niger State could do with a lot of intervention. Government hospitals are few and far between. Where they exist, they are poorly equipped. Medications are short, as are personnel.

    This often drives ailing residents into the hands of unqualified people performing a myriad of roles, including those of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, even surgeons at huge costs to the patients and the nation. Many have died or maimed as a result of these unorthodox practices.

    What do you do?

    The answer is in PPP or public-private partnership in the health sector.

    That was the message Minister of State for Health Dr Osagie Ehanire delivered to a delegation of the Board of Management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Bida, Niger State on a visit to him in Abuja.

    This will accelerate qualitative healthcare delivery not just to the state residents but to all Nigerians, he told the visitors led by chairman of the board, Is’haq Usman Sarkin Shanun Jere.

    According to him, due to the inability of government to meet all the demands of the health sector, the Federal Government is seeking other stakeholders with the interest of the people.

    The nation’s healthcare system and facilities have been severely criticised for lack of proper staffing, and for lacking adequate equipment such as beddings and Durga for the teeming populace. This has caused a lot of people to patronise private healthcare centres where the fees charged are exorbitant.

    The Minister reasoned that this can be managed if there is PPP arrangement between the government and private investors.

    Ehanire stressed that in this era when the Federal Government is committed to “literarily rebuilding the nation from the ground floor after many years of missed opportunities”, it is difficult for government to still meet all the demands of the health sector, hence the government is encouraging private investors to partner government in providing effective healthcare services  to Nigerians.

    He advised that such proposal must thoroughly be screened by the Board and forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Health for evaluat-ion by the PPP Desk   in the Ministry before final ratification, to avoid the implementation challenges that are associated with some PPP proposals, especially due to the complex nature of healthcare services.

    The Minister commended the Board of Management for its initiative in mobilising community stakeholders towards the development of the Centre’s permanent site observing that the Board’s effort in engaging the stakeholders within and outside the hospital within the short period of its inauguration was the   best step   in creating  the conducive atmosphere  for harmonious relationship that would engender peaceful coexistence and progress in the Centre.

    He stressed that this approach would assist the Federal Ministry of Health   in   diffusing tension and reducing strikes in its hospitals urging other Boards to emulate FMC Bida

    Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Board, Is’haq Jere assured the Minister that the Board would do its best to justify the confidence reposed in the members by the President, and dedicate itself to the improvement of health services in the Centre.

    He appealed for more financial intervention for the Centre to acquire additional specialised equipment in order to accelerate effective healthcare delivery.

  • Ehanire, Izuwa, others call for policies to boost investors’ confidence

    Ehanire, Izuwa, others call for policies to boost investors’ confidence

    To address Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit, government must adopt proactive legislation and ensure transparency in accessing relevant information to boost investors’ confidence.

    This was the submission of stakeholders, at a plenary session on Infrastructural Development Imperatives of Edo Economic Development Agenda, at the Alaghodaro Investment Summit in Benin City, Edo State.

    Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie E. Ehanire, who was a participant at the session, said the federal government intends to build investors’ confidence by strengthening institutions and processes.

    Dr. Ehanire said, “all levels of government should be interested in expanding critical infrastructure by developing legislative frameworks to guarantee investors return on investment. This will enable them to build infrastructure that will fast-track economic growth.”

    The minister urged the Edo state government to ensure the passage of legislative frameworks to open up the space for investment in social infrastructure.

    Executive Director, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Chidi Izuwa, stressed on the need for the state government to collaborate with the federal government in reducing the country’s infrastructural deficit, noting that when it was necessary government should declare a state of emergency on the infrastructure sector.

    He added that state governments cannot address the challenge of infrastructure without a legal framework, stressing the need to ensure discipline and good governance.

    He applauded the initiative of the Edo State Government in implementing the Public Private Partnership (PPP) agency, adding that the move will boost investors’ confidence.

    “The creation of the subnational PPP resource centre will boost investment. It will address the challenge of infrastructure shortfalls in the country,” he added.

    Founding and Managing Partner, Perchstone and Graeys, Osaro Eghobamien spoke on the need for the state government to deal with uncertainty and the culture of kickbacks relating to attracting investors, noting, “information and a roadmap that will enable investors to identify investment opportunities in infrastructure sector in the state should be easily available on various communication platforms.”

    Akiniyemi Osinubi of International Finance Corporation (IFC), called for the creation of regulatory agency and framework to guarantee returns on investment, which is one of the elements considered by investors in the infrastructure sector.

    According to Osinubi “any investor who is coming to invest in infrastructure is on the lookout for structures that will guarantee he or she get returns from projects.”

  • Health experts urge govts to focus on primary healthcare

    Health experts urge govts to focus on primary healthcare

    To improve quality and reduce cost of accessing healthcare, federal and state governments should direct reforms and policies to deliver primary healthcare, provide health insurance for the poor and allow for private sector actors to handle tertiary and emergency healthcare.

    This was the submission of experts during the plenary on social welfare targeted at healthcare at the Alaghodaro Investment Summit, organised at the weekend by the Edo State Government, in Benin City.

    The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who was the discussion leader at the plenary, said that the Edo State government is on the verge of domesticating the National Health Act, noting that the move will greatly improve healthcare delivery in the state.

    According to him, “Not only is the Edo State government on the verge of domesticating the National Health Act, it is also working to have a health insurance scheme that will cover all. The state will also serve as a pilot for the implementation of the primary healthcare programme.”

    Former Chief Medical Director at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Prof. Michael Ibadin, said that there was need for more private sector participation in healthcare delivery.

    Arguing that the dominance of government in health sector has stifled growth, he said, “We can improve healthcare delivery when we get more private sector participation. When we do this, we would have less incessant strikes. There is evidence that private hospitals are delivering good services. But most people have been left to suffer because a lot of people depend on service in public hospitals. We need this trend to change.”

    Dr. Christopher Otabor of Alliance Hospital, Abuja, said that Governor Godwin Obaseki’s experience in the private sector is one of the greatest assets he is bringing to governance, noting that government should provide guarantees that will allow people access healthcare cost-efficiently.

    “When it appears healthcare is anchored on private sector investment and accessing services is hard for the poor, government can provide insurance. The stage is being set in Edo State for this. Government doesn’t necessarily have to bring money to fund hospitals. It can provide guarantees and ensure that there is a stable environment for hospitals to thrive,” he said.

    Prof. Jonny Ikimalo of Prime Hospital said that the reason for poor health indices in Nigeria is due to poor budgetary allocations, condemning the fact that a lot of people have to pay for services out of their pockets when they are already in hospitals.

    According to him, “Healthcare is expensive and I have a problem when people talk about health insurance for the poor. People think that anything that relates with insurance is expensive because what we ordinary associate with insurance are cars, life and the likes. We should rather call it health plans. Healthcare is a social responsibility. So, much as we suggest that government should allow private investment, it should also provide cover for the poor.

    “What I understand from the visionary stance of the state governor, is that the state is already putting in place a health insurance scheme which will provide health coverage for everybody, including the underprivileged. I think it is work in progress and it is expected that this summit will make input into it.”

    Rev. Fr. Anslem Adodo of Pax Herbal Clinic noted that there was need to promote traditional medicine in the quest to attain universal health coverage, noting, “One of the surest means to provide healthcare to the people is to recognise the place of traditional healthcare. But to do this, we must reform and integrate traditional medicine in our health system in Edo State.”

  • Measles: FG earmarks N3.5bn, target 33m under five children

    Measles: FG earmarks N3.5bn, target 33m under five children

    Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has revealed that, the federal government has set aside N3.5 billion for measles vaccination of 33 million under five children across the country.

    The minister told journalists in Kaduna on Tuesday shortly after he demonstrated the vaccination at Miyetti Allah primary healthcare centre, Rigasa, Igabi local government area of Kaduna State that, N2.5 billion has already being released to ensure the success of the programme.

    Represented by the Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the minister said, the early release of N2.5 billion has enabled the ministry to make adequate preparation for the success of the vaccination between now and early 2018.

    According to him, “measles is one of the leading causes of death among young children especially those under five years of age. Despite the availability of safe and effective vaccines, Nigeria accounts for the highest burden of measles globally with 3.3 million unimmunized children.

    “This is due to persistently low routine immunization coverage and the fact that several measles supplemental immunization campaigns conducted to provide a second opportunity to reach unimmunized children has failed to achieve the required 95 percent coverage.

    “The federal ministry of health is however confident that, this 2017/2018 campaign will be different going by the high quality preparation and financial commitment by all levels of government.

    “The sum of N3.5 billion was earmarked for this measles vaccination campaign across the country. But N2.5 billion has been released to enable us adequately prepare for the exercise and that is a signal that, the exercise will be a huge success.

    “We are here in Kaduna flagging-off the campaign for the Northwest. For this zone, it will run between Thursday 9th and Wednesday 15th November while we have stagger campaign in the other zones between now and 2018″, he stressed.

    Declaring the exercise open earlier, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai said, 1,498,332 children in the state are expected to be vaccinated during the one week exercise.

    El-Rufai, who spoke through his deputy, Arch. Barnabas Bala Bantex reiterated the commitment of his administration towards provision of quality healthcare services to the people of the state as evident in prompt release of N38, 402,675 as counterpart funding from the state for the exercise.

    According to the governor, “we have released our counterpart funding to ensure each child is vaccinated so they can be prevented from preventable killer diseases.

    “Measles is highly contagious. It can kill children directly through weakening their immune system. Immunising our children remains one of the cost effective means of curbing under five mortality rate in our state and the country.

    “I want to use this medium to appeal to our people to join us in this campaign by avail their children for the exercise because it is a collective action towards survival of our children. The vaccines have been certified okay by WHO and NAFDAC which means, they are safe for the children”, he assured.

  • FG flags off 2017/2018 national measles vaccination campaign

    FG flags off 2017/2018 national measles vaccination campaign

    The Federal Government will Tuesday flag off the 2017/2018 National measles campaign.

    Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire will flag off the campaign in Kaduna state.

    The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib announced this in Abuja Monday in a statement issued by Mr.Saadu Salahu Head, Public Relation Unit, NPHCDA.

    Dr. Faisal said that a total of 33 million Nigerian children aged 9months to 59months are to be immunized against measles by the end of the campaign. He disclosed that 95% coverage is the Federal Government`s target for the 2017/2018 campaign, against the 84.5% coverage attained in the 2015 campaign.

    Read: FG to launch new Family Planning Campaign

    The Executive Director explained that the measles vaccine would be administered to children aged 9 months to 59 months at health centers, fixed health posts, churches, mosques, motor parks, public places, schools and homes.

    Dr. Faisal disclosed that a time table phasing and staggering the campaign had been introduced as part of the efforts to ensure highest quality, coverage and effective measles campaign in the country.

    According to him, North West Zone will conduct its own campaign from 9th to 21st of this month. It will be followed by the North East from 30th November to 12th December, 2017, while the North Central campaign will take place from 1st to 20th February, 2018. All states in the Southern part of the country will conduct their measles vaccination campaign from 8th to 20th March, 2018.

    Dr. Faisal described measles as a dangerous and infectious disease that spreads rapidly from one infected child to another and a major cause of blindness, malnutrition and death among children. He therefore appealed to all Parents, Guardians, Caregivers and Nigerians in general to make their children and wards available for the measles vaccination campaign.

    Among personalities expected at the flag off are the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III other traditional and religious leaders, members of the National Assembly, NGOs and Civil Society organizations.

    Read Also: Military not involved in vaccination – FG

  • Monkeypox hit Abuja as FG confirms six fresh cases

    Monkeypox hit Abuja as FG confirms six fresh cases

    The Federal Government has confirmed six new cases of the MonekyPox virus in the country, with one case recorded in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of State for Health, made this known in a statement by Mrs Boade Akinola, Director of Media and Public Relations, Ministry of Heath.

    Akinola said apart from the one recorded in Abuja, two cases were confirmed each in Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom while Enugu State had one case.

    Ehanire also said investigations were ongoing to see if any of the new cases has a link with the Bayelsa cluster, where the outbreak started.

    He further called for calm among members of the public, adding that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is working with all affected states to ensure case finding and adequate management.

    He added that as frightening as the manifestation of the ailment might seem, no fatality has been recorded to date. As of Oct. 25, a total of 94 suspected cases have been reported from 11 states, (Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Rivers and Abuja).

    He said patients of the newly confirmed cases were already being managed by public health authorities and have been receiving appropriate clinical care.

    He said Ministry, through NCDC, was in close contact with all State Epidemiology Teams, and the health facilities providing clinical care to both suspected and confirmed cases.

    He added that State Commissioners of Health have been advised to place all health care facilities and Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers on alert, to ensure early case detection, reporting and effective treatment.

    Read also: Monkey Pox victim commits suicide in Bayelsa hospital

    The minister said a National-level Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) led by the NCDC with support from our development partners, was coordinating outbreak investigation and response across affected states.

    He added the EOC included the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as experts from partner agencies.

     

  • Ogba Zoo bloodbath: How three policemen were killed – Witnesses

    Ogba Zoo bloodbath: How three policemen were killed – Witnesses

    Details have emerged on how three policemen detailed to protect fun seekers at the Ogba Zoo and Nature Park were gunned down by five heavily armed men.

    Arms and ammunition belonging to the policemen were collected while the Executive Director of the Zoo, Dr. Andy Ehanire was abducted

    Andy is a brother to the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire.

    Some eyewitnesses and workers of the Zoo who were present during the attack described the scene as horrible.

    They said the policemen attempted to flee when the attackers opened fire on them and shot them severally at their back.

    It was learnt that the attackers entered the Zoo as fun seekers at different times, bought drinks and opened conversion with the policemen while one of them also took time to talk with Dr. Ehanire.

    Fun seekers at the zoo during the attack fled through the fence to scale the barb wire fence.

    When our reporter visited the zoo, blood stains of the slain policemen were being washed away.

    Speaking on the incident, a staff who gave her name as Helen Juchei said the assailants bought drinks for the policemen before the attack.

    She said one of the assailants acted as informant.

    According to her, “Yesterday after I finished my normal duty in the morning, people were just entering the zoo. And at this time, my boss has not come. We usually come before our boss and when he eventually came at about 1pm, it was now my turn to take over my duty, I went to tell him that I that I was having a birthday party to attend and that was how he granted me the permission and I left for the birthday hoping to come back to assume duty later in the day.

    “When I eventually came back at about 6pm, I met three policemen lying dead on the ground. I was very shock and what I saw after was people running for safety and the boss taken away.

    “It was those whom we met at the scene that told us what happened. They said the kidnappers paid to enter the zoo with a torn money which was rejected by the cashier at the gate.

    “When the money was rejected, he went back to get a better money to pay the entrance fee.

    “At this time, their informants have already gained entrance into the zoo as fun seekers.

    “When the informants have finally studied the terrain, one of the informants decided to engage our director with conversation.

    “Our boss started telling him his plans to put up a world tourism day and as one of them engaged my boss in a conversation, the other one went straight to the security personnel and asked him if they have not close for the day and decided to order for drink for the officers providing security for the zoo

    “This was what those who were there told us. So they bought them Heineken and as they laid down their guns to drink, that was when the hoodlums opened fire on them and killed the three police officers.

    “We have not heard any information about the whereabouts of our boss”, she narrated.

    Another staff of the Zoo, Mr. Zontondji Emmanuel narrated that the hoodlums shot at the police officers without sparing any of them.

    ” I was on duty, I resumed by 5:30pm and as I came in, I went round to inspect the animals and the visitors on ground. And after having done that, I came back to the reception where the Executive Director was sitting down and there was another one sitting at this end. There were two policemen sitting by him. So I went outside to observe the outside.

    “At the outside, I saw an Audi 80 Car parked and suddenly, I saw three men coming out with guns and one of them wearing a bullet proof vest and I thought that they were normal police who usually come here for normal security reasons.

    “Suddenly, I saw them running into the zoo premises which are very unusual and when they entered, they started shooting immediately. So, all of us outside started running for our dear lives.

    “And I was calling on people running to give us police numbers; nobody was ready to stop because they were all afraid.

    “But at the time I watched from afar and I saw that the men were going out with my director. They went into the Audi Car and zoomed away. And I now came into the zoo premises and I saw the three policemen who were supposed to be guarding the director were lying dead on the ground.

    “After that, the DPO now came to take the dead bodies away. Everything happened at about5:40pm,” Emmanuel said.

    At the family residence of Dr. Ehanire, family members were seen to be shocked about the incident.

    They refused comments and said what they needed at the moment was prayer for the deceased cops and the safe release of their family member.

    State Police Commissioner, Mr. Haliru Gwandu, who visited the zoo for on the spot assessment said the killers of the three police officers were militants.

    Gwandu vowed that the killers would soon be arrested.

    “It was an unfortunate incidence. We lost three of our personnel. This is the activities of the militants because of the high sea now.

    “They came and unfortunately killed our policemen but we are on the trail of the hoodlums. We are able to recover the vehicles they used to perpetrate the act. We are using all the available means including the high tech to fish out the perpetrators.

    “They cannot go Scot free. Let me assure the general public in Edo State that we are on top of the situation and that they should go about their normal duty. All hands are on deck to ensure that the hoodlums are fished out”, he said.

  • Edo to domesticate National Health Act

    Edo to domesticate National Health Act

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo says his administration will domesticate the National Health Act in order to boost health care delivery in the state.

    Obaseki spoke on Monday night in Benin, after a two-day workshop organised by the state government with the theme: `Remodeling Health Care Delivery in Edo State: New Vision, New Horizon.’

    Dr Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of State for Health, chaired the workshop.

    The governor said that the state house of assembly should be able to examine the provisions of the Act and got it domesticated within 90 days.

    The governor also disclosed that a health master plan would be finalised for the state based on the recommendations of the workshop.

    He said a team would be drawn from the participants at the workshop to help formulate the health master for the state.

    Obaseki stressed the commitment of his administration to remodel the state’s health sector.

    ’’We must begin to see our health system as an ecosystem where resources can easily flow between the public and private health sectors.

    ‘’We are ready to have consultations on how to collaborate private providers into our state’s health plan.

    “I am prepared to open up the reconstructed Central Hospital and give it to whoever will be able to manage the facility”, he said

    The governor also called on health practitioners to explore the potentials of traditional medicine as a way of complementing conventional medicine.

    In his remarks, Ehanire said providing affordable basic primary health care was necessary in order to reduce preventable deaths in the state.

    He also stressed the need to make health care services more affordable, especially at the rural communities, and appealed to the state to implement a health insurance scheme.