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Health

Fight against HIV/AIDS not over – PEPFAR

 

By Oluwafunke Ishola

 

The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) says the fight against HIV/AIDS is not over, calling for a sustained global response against the disease.

Its Global Aids Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy, Amb. John Nkengasong, said this during a virtual news briefing on Thursday.

The briefing was centered on “The Future Role of The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in Africa”.

Nkengasong acknowledged that efforts to control HIV/AIDS had recorded tremendous success with lifesaving impacts across communities.

He, however, cautioned that HIV/AIDS should not be seen or termed a disease of the past.

“It’s a disease of the present. And we should be very careful not to be vulnerable to our success.

“We’ve done tremendous labour in controlling HIV. The fight is not over.

“Just last year alone in Botswana, the country recorded 4,300 new cases of infection, mainly among young people.

“I don’t think in this country we recorded 4,000 cases of mpox or any other emerging disease. So I think HIV is still there.

“HIV is still killing people. We know that on UNAIDS data. Last year alone, there were 650,000 people in the world that died of HIV/AIDS, and 60 per cent of those were in Africa.

“And I don’t know that mpox has killed, over the course of one year, 250,000 people. That would be 60 per cent of the deaths. So HIV is still there,” he said.

Nkengasong, a Virologist noted that HIV was a hidden pandemic that doesn’t disrupt, warning that it spreads silently in communities.

“So, because of that, it’s not so visible. And because of the remarkable success that we’ve achieved over the past two decades, we do not go to the clinics and see the ugly face of HIV all over.

“So, because of that, it’s fair to say that it’s not as visible in the political arena of many countries as it was before.

“And that’s one of the reasons that I’m leading a tour of the continent to meet with the highest leadership of each country to say, look, we’ve made progress, but the fight against HIV/AIDS is not over.

“We need to continue to commit our own resources to the fight as we commit the U.S. resources to it.

“We need to shape our programmes in a way that they can respond to the needs of today and fill the inequity gap that exists in young children, adolescent girls, and young women, and key populations,” he said.

Nkengasong stressed the need to sustain the response against HIV to prevent a resurgence of the disease.

 

He disclosed that his top priority was to continue to work with the U.S. Congress to get a five-year reauthorisation for the PEPFAR programme.

 

“I think my top priority is to work with everyone, mainly Congress, to get a clean five-year reauthorisation.

“That way, it can enable us to have a sustained conversation with the partner countries and say, look, let’s approach our journey to 2030 in the spirit of joint responsibility and joint accountability.

“The U.S. government is not transactional in the fight against HIV. We have not. We are committed and proud partners.

 

“We’ve done that successfully and impactfully for the last 21 years, and we are not going to give up.

“The U.S. has been in the business of foreign assistance since 1961 under President Kennedy, and I don’t think that foreign assistance, including foreign assistance for her programme, is going to be cut up.

“How prepared it looks post-2030 will depend on our success and will depend on several other determinants, which I cannot predict what will happen in 2030 where I’m sitting now,” Nkengasong said.

Highlighting PEPFAR’s success, Nkengasong said PEPFAR’s investments had strengthened the systems that drive effective, efficient, and sustainable health care.

According to him, PEPFAR has assisted in training 340,000 healthcare workers to deliver and improve HIV care and other health services, creating a lasting health system for partner countries to confront other current and future health challenges.

“A lot of the COVID-19 successes that we saw in Africa were the backbone of what PEPFAR has done.

“So, we are very proud partners in strengthening health systems on the continent.

“We would never have achieved the goals of saving 25 million lives, preventing 5.5 million children born free of HIV without a strong system and capacity development on the continent,” he said.

Nkengasong said PEPFAR had invested over $110 billion in Africa in the last 21 years while restating its continued commitment to achieving epidemic control among children, adolescent girls, young women, and men.

He said PEPFAR would enhance political awareness, sustain funding, adapt its programmes and strengthen health systems against HIV/AIDS in Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PEPFAR is a U.S. government initiative to address the global HIV/AIDS epidemic and help save the lives of those suffering from the disease.

The U.S. government investment through PEPFAR is the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history.

The programme has saved over 25 million lives, prevented millions of HIV infections, and accelerated progress toward controlling the global HIV/AIDS pandemic in more than 50 countries.

PEPFAR, first created in 2003 by President George Bush, has been reauthorised three times.

According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Africa bears the heaviest burden of HIV/AIDS globally.

UNAIDS said that 4000 adolescent girls and young women acquired HIV every single week, and 3,100 of those infected are from Africa. (NAN)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Health

Gospel Club offsets medical bills of poor patients in Mararaba hospital

By Philip Yatai

NewPhase Gospel Club, a humanitarian support group of the NewPhase Full Gospel Church, Mararaba, has offset the medical bills of poor and vulnerable patients receiving treatment at Mararaba Medical Centre.

Pastor Mathew Agada, the Senior Pastor of the church, said after the exercise in Mararaba on Friday, that the support was part of the club’s major project for the year.

Agada, who is also the President of the club, said that N500,000 had been budgeted for the project to take care of basic bills that would have hindered effective medical care.

He explained that the facility was chosen for the support because of the high number of less privileged people seeking medical attention in the hospital but do not have money.

According to him, the goal of the project is to help less privileged people in communities to access healthcare services.

“We are here on one of our major club projects for the year, which is to assist some of the patients on admission but cannot fully afford the cost of their medical care.

“For instance, there are some people on admission with a list of drugs to buy but do not have enough money.

“In fact, we met a patient that is about to leave the hospital against medical advice because he has no money.  We came to see what we can do to help such people.

“Other people that need surgery, but don’t have enough money; we are here to support such people and clear their bill.”

The president added that other patients were supposed to be discharged but they could not clear their bills, “we are here to help them.”

He further said that the support was also extended to children who are on admission and needed blood and IV fluids, but their parents could not afford to pay for them.

“There is also a woman who successfully delivered her baby but has been bleeding; we supported the husband to offset the bills.

“A patient just came in with a severe emergency and didn’t have money. Thank God we have been able to pay for all the drugs needed to sustain his life,” he added.

Describing healthcare as one of the major concerns of most families, Agada assured that “as long as there is life, there is hope.

“Life first, before we talk about food good health first before we talk about clothes, accommodation and other things.

“The health of the poor and vulnerable people is our priority this year and we have chosen to do this out of our love for humanity and the joy in servicing the needs of humanity.

“It is also part of the commandment of our God to help the less privileged.”

Also speaking, the Patron of the club, Dr Noah Ekele, said that the resources for the project was mobilised through freewill donation from members of the club.

Ekele, a medical doctor, added that beside offsetting medical bills of the less privileged, the club also supported orphanages and carried out prison visits to support imamates.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Joseph Agbo, whose wife was rushed to the emergency ward for excessive bleeding due to child delivery, thanked the club for the support.

Agbo, a farmer, explained that his wife was rushed to hospital from a primary healthcare centre where she gave birth.

“She was bleeding badly and at the point of death. She needs emergency attention, but I have exhausted all the money I have.

“I was wondering how I could pay for the blood, laboratory and other bills before the NewPhase Gospel Club came to my rescue.

“I don’t know them from anywhere. They asked about my wife’s case, I explained, and they gave me N45,000.

“I never expected such support,” Agbo said and bursted into tears.

The Head of Nursing Services of the centre, Mrs Veronica Ayeache, also thanked the club for reaching out to the less privileged with the lifesaving support. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Health

Rep. Mathew provides free medical services to 200 constituents

By Amen Gajira

Rep. Donatus Mathew (LP-Kaduna) has provided free medical services to no fewer than 200 people in his Kaura Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.

Inaugurating the exercise in Kagoro, Mathew, who was represented by his Senior Legislative Aide, Mr Musa Danjuma, said the exercise was part of his sustained efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of his constituents.

“This gesture is borne out of my commitment to the health and wellbeing of my constituents.

“This is the first phase of our free medical outreach in Kaura and this particular one is targeted at the vulnerable ones amongst us.

“The hardship faced by individuals and families at this point in time calls for interventions such as this,” he added.

The lawmaker noted that the intervention comprised counselling and screening for hepatitis, HIV, diabetes, hypertension, malaria, ulcer and surgical treatment of cataract amongst others.

He explained that the aforementioned ailments were the focus of the outreach because they were the most prevalent in the area.

According to him, those who are found to have any of the ailments will be treated and given medication.

In his remark, Mr Godwin Luka, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), lauded Mathew for the initiative, which he described as timely.

Luka enjoined the people to go for regular medical check up to avoid unforeseen circumstances that might lead to untimely death due to negligence.

Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, Mr Peter Katung and Mr Tachio Biya thanked the lawmaker for placing a premium on the health and wellbeing of his constituents.

They prayed to God to grant the lawmaker the enablement to sustain the effort beyond this year. (NAN )

Edited by Muhammad Lawal

Health

Immunisation: UNICEF pledges to reach most marginalised Nigerian children

By Victor Adeoti

The United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) says it will continue to provide the required immunisation vaccine for most marginalised Nigerian children, irrespective of class, race or demography.

Mrs Celine Lafoucriere, Chief UNICEF Field Officer, South-West, Nigeria, said this on Thursday at a two-day media dialogue on routine immunisation in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the event was themed “Achieving the Health Sector SDGs for Over Two Million Children at Risk of Death in Nigeria.”

Lafoucriere explained that UNICEF would also ensure that no child in Nigeria was left behind, no matter where they live; mostly children in hard- to-reach areas, to provide immunisation for their well being.

“No matter where they live, we will ensure that no child in Nigeria is left to suffer preventable diseases due to lack of immunisation.

“Vaccine remain a fundamental right of every child and they remain fundamental to improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities,” she said.

In her presentation, Mrs Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, UNICEF Social and Behavioural Change Specialist, said the organisation would continue to focus more on the most marginalised children in Nigeria.

Akinola-Akinwole said that UNICEF was equally working with the Nigerian government and other international partners in procuring high-quality potent vaccines and making them available in the country.

The UNICEF social behaviour specialist, who noted that vaccines trust and demand remain a challenge in the public health space, said that UNICEF was supporting the development and implementation of communication and non communication strategies to build vaccine trust and generate demand to address it.

“UNICEF support grassroots advocacy, community engagement, and social mobilisation activities to identify missed children, promote positive health, seeking behaviour for routine immunisation uptake,” she said.

Akinola-Akinwole said that a specific schedule of vaccine delivered to children from birth to 15 months and nine years for girls to protect them from vaccine-preventable diseases.

She, however, called on government for adequate financing for functional, efficient and resilient healthcare facilities, and to address the human gap in the health sector.

Also speaking, Dr Adetona Akinpelu, Immunisation Programme Officer, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, said the board would on Oct.19 commenced a two-week state wide immunisation exercise against vaccine preventable diseases.

Akinpelu said that the essence of the planned state wide immunisation was to bridge the gap created in the past two to three years especially, during COVID-19 pandemic. (NAN)(www.nannnews.ng)

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

Features , Health

Boosting resilient health systems to contain Mpox, disease outbreaks

 

By Vivian Ihechu

According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is over 194 per cent increase this 2024 in Mpox outbreak compared to the same time in 2023.

Since January 2024 till September, a total of 32,407 cases of Mpox , of which 6,441 were confirmed and 840 deaths, have been reported.

Of these, Central Africa Region accounts for 90 per cent of all cases reported.

The Africa CDC notes that the cases of Mpox are steadily increasing across all affected countries, with gaps and challenges in surveillance, contact tracing and follow-up; and data quality.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes Mpox as an infectious disease that can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle ache, back pain and low energy.

Previously known as monkeypox, Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus.

There are two distinct clades of the virus: clade I (with subclades Ia and Ib) and clade II (with subclades IIa and IIb).

A global outbreak of clade IIb began in 2022 and continues to this day.

There are also rising outbreaks of clades Ia and Ib affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries in Africa, and as of August 2024, clade Ib has also been detected beyond Africa.

At present, Mpox continues to be a threat with an upsurge of cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries caused by clades Ia and Ib, thereby, raising concern.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Dr Bannet Ndyanabangi, Vice President of Global Programmes at VillageReach, highlighted some of the steps that African nations could take to boost resilience in their health systems.

In the face of the current Mpox outbreak,  he said it was important  to have in place, health systems that respond to the needs and preferences of underreached communities.

According to him, strong, resilient health systems can adapt to shocks, emergencies and reach hard-to-reach communities.

He said that community engagement to contain the outbreak was necessary to ensure no one was left behind, particularly those at risk.

This, he said, should prioritise access to testing, fair and equitable access to vaccines, and establishing agreements with manufacturers to ensure timely delivery during emergencies.

NAN reports that VillageReach transforms health care delivery to reach everyone, so that each person has the health care needed to thrive.

It develops solutions that improve equity and access to primary health care with the work increasing access to quality health care for 70 million people in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Mpox is another wake-up call.

“The pandemic has highlighted the need for equitable distribution of vaccines; we need to look at future responses, prioritising fair access and ensuring it is not sidelined in global health strategies.

“ We need to increase vaccine uptake where available.

“ We need to do contact tracing and then care for those affected,’’ he said.

Ndyanabangi highlighted the importance of digital supply chain management as well as training healthcare workers and supply chain managers to improve incident management.

According to him, there is need for Africa to initiate its own local manufacturing.

He mentioned that to reduce dependency on international supply chains, African countries like Nigeria could spearhead local manufacturing of vaccines and essential items, based on the country’s vast capacity and resources.

“We need to initiate and support local manufacturing of vaccines, Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs), and other medical supplies to reduce dependency on international supply chains.

“Let us start with looking at really ensuring that countries can produce the PPEs, the vaccines and their testing kits.

“So, local production is what we need to look at in the medium term, that is, local manufacturing of these critical supplies.

“Before you talk of the supply chain, you need to know where to get the supplies. So, we need to accelerate local manufacturing.

“Countries like Nigeria can do this. They have the capacity and the resources. This will reduce dependency on international supply chains, reduce challenges that we observe and thereby setup sufficiency.’’

Ndyanabangi also recommended public-private partnerships to optimise the distribution of essential goods and vaccines, and foster collaborations between government and private sector.

“This usually facilitates bigger response during health emergencies.’’

He told NAN, that it was also important to adopt digital supply chain management, as utilising technology would enhance supply chain efficiency.

He said that training and capacity building are also critical.

He also noted that surveillance as well as research and development are important in containing the Mpox outbreak.

“Finally, surveillance. You need a good surveillance system to track and understand the spread of the outbreak, so that the response is better targeted.

“Research, we need Africa investing in research and development, and support for our researchers,’’ he said.

NAN reports that WHO and all entities are collaborating to stem Mpox outbreak, which Africa CDC declared as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security on Aug. 13.

Dr Abdou Gueye, Regional Emergency Director, World Health Organisation Africa Region (WHO AFRO),  had earlier shared with NAN, WHO’s field efforts since the declaration of the mpox outbreak.

According to him, the WHO has been working effectively and collaborating with all entities to stem the public health emergency.

He also emphasised the importance of early detection, robust health systems, and community engagement.

Gueye told NAN that some of WHO’s efforts included supporting diagnostic capabilities, treatment guidelines, and community engagement across African countries.

He said that WHO was also working to make sure that all manufacturers that could produce vaccine, diagnostic and therapeutic were being put in touch with those who could fund it.(NAN)

Edited by Christiana Fadare

 

 

 

 

Health

Mental healthcare crucial in peace building – U. S. Institute

By Diana Omueza

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP), has emphasised the vital role of mental healthcare in fostering resilient and peaceful societies.

Dr Chris Kwaja, USIP’s Country Director, made the emphasis in Abuja, at the National Dialogue on Integrating Mental Health and Psycho-social Support into Peace building.

The dialogue was organised by the African Centre of USIP in partnership with the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Kaduna (FNPH).

Kwaja said addressing psychological and social needs was essential for building sustainable peace, particularly in communities affected by insurgency.

He stressed that mental health was not solely an individual concern but a community issue impacting overall stability and peace.

“Effective mental healthcare and psycho-social support are necessary for promoting social cohesion, non-violent conflict resolution, and peace building.”

Dr Aishatu Armiya’u, Medical Director of FNPH, highlighted Nigeria’s prolonged struggles with violence, conflicts, and humanitarian crises.

She urged the government to prioritise citizens’ emotional and psychological wellbeing to ensure resilience, social cohesion, and sustainable peace.

Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, pledged support for integrating mental health into peace building, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s renewed hope agenda.

Mr Alex Egbona, Chairman of the Committee on Specialty Healthcare, House of Representatives, advocated for declaring a state of emergency on mental health, citing its epidemic proportions in Nigeria.

Egbona, represented by Mr Tordue Nyitse, Clerk of the committee, urged stakeholders to address mental health issues and close policy gaps in the Mental Health Act. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Health

NAFDAC sensitises healthcare providers to falsified medical products

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Oyo, has begun sensitisation of healthcare providers about substandard and falsified medical products.

At the event on Wednesday in Ibadan, Mrs Roseline Ajayi, South-West Director of the agency, said the programme was in line with its mandate to regulate and control activities surrounding regulated products.

“Our concern today has to do with drugs. There has been survey conducted globally and locally under the current administration of Prof. Adeyeye.

“A survey was conducted in 2020, and prevalent of substandard and falsified products was determined. Since then, the concern has been to bring the rate low.

“Having high prevalence of substandard and falsified products means that some of the patients might die as a result of therapeutic failure, which will compromise our mandate.

“One of the strategies being used is aggressive sensitisation of different stakeholders as being done today,” she said.

The director said that NAFDAC was engaging especially people in distribution of healthcare products such as drugs.

“We have shown them what we discovered on the field and how they can identify substandard products.

“The sensitisation will not end here. We also have advocacy visit to traditional rulers, churches, mosques.

“We have many of the pharmacists that are involved in the distribution of medicines, to enlighten them on what to look out for.

“We want to see how we can bring this incidence to the barest minimum,” she said.

Ajayi remarked that substandard and falsified products might be cheap but could cause danger.

She added that patronising quacks because of cheap prices was like postponing the evil day.

“This is because they will still spend that money and even more later to get the right product.

“If a product does not carry the manufacturer’s name, know that the product is not registered by NAFDAC.

“The NAFDAC registration number is the agency’s pronouncement and endorsement on a product.

“If the manufacturer’s address is not there, once the product carries the address of a marketer without that of the manufacturer, it is an indication that it is fake.

“Also, having spelling errors on the product is an indication that it is fake. Original products have scratch places where one can check the authenticity of the product.

“We are sensitising distributors so that they can always know if a product is substandard or not,” Ajayi said.

Also, Mr Adebayo Gbadamosi, the Chairman of Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, Oyo State Branch, urged Nigerians to always patronise only registered pharmacists to get quality drugs.

“Even at the registered pharmacists stores, still check the manufacturing and expiry dates as well as the batch numbers before swallowing any drug.

“People should desist from taking or combining antibiotics because it can affect the liver or kidney, people should always get experts’ advice before taking drugs,” Gbadamosi said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Health

CCD, Advocates, urge empowerment of PWDs through civic engagements

 

By Lilian Okoro

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and other advocates have underscored the importance of empowering Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) through civic engagement.

They  made this known at an awareness programme organised by  CCD in Lagos, to raise public awareness about civic engagement among PWDs in Alimosho, while engaging community leaders to expand the civic space for civic actors with disabilities.

The engagement highlighted the need to promote social inclusion and an equitable society.

Mrs Florence Austin, Admin/Finance Manager, CCD, provided a background on the shrinking civic space and emphasised the importance of PWDs taking informed actions.

Mrs Precious Osinaku, a human rights advocate, stated that civic engagement of PWDs was of immense importance as it enabled them to empower themselves, break down barriers of stereotypes, and participate in community development.

She described  “civic engagement” as the process through which individuals and collective actors undertake voluntary action in society to achieve socially relevant goals.

“By embracing civic engagement, PWDs can transform their lives and those of their communities, fostering a brighter future for generations to come.”

Osinaku emphasised the importance of civic engagement for PWDs, including empowerment, social inclusion, and community development.

“The power of civic engagement for PWDs cannot be overstated.

“By participating in civic activities, PWDs can empower themselves to influence decisions that affect their lives, promoting social inclusion and combating marginalisation.

“Through civic engagement, PWDs can break down barriers and challenge stereotypes, ultimately creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

“As they contribute to the development and strengthening of their communities, PWDs can assert their rights and interests, ensuring their voices are heard and valued.”

Osinaku recommended strategies for PWDs to drive social activism, including building support networks, leveraging technology, and policy advocacy.

Tosin Aniramu, Programme Assistant of CCD,  stated that 16 per cent of the global population live with some form of disability.

She identified the five models of disability and various disability clusters, including deaf/hearing, intellectual disability, physically challenged, spinal-cord injury, blind/visual disability, and Albinism.

According to her, the challenges faced by these clusters include attitudinal, institutional, communication, and environmental barriers.(NAN)

 

Edited by Chidinma Agu and Abiemwense Moru

Health

YEF, USAID move to address menstrual hygiene challenges in Lagos

 

By David Akpolo and Lilian Okoro

The Youth Empowerment Foundation (YEF), in partnership with USAID, is developing  “My Period App” initiative, aimed at empowering young women and girls through education and economic opportunities.

Mrs Iwalola Akin-Jimoh, YEF Executive Secretary, made the assertion at a  Stakeholders Engagement Meeting organised by YEF in partnership with the Lagos Urban Water Sanitation and Hygiene Activity (LUWASH) in Lagos on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event focused on addressing menstrual hygiene, water and sanitation challenges in Lagos schools, communities and markets.

Akin-Jimoh said that the empowerment was particularly in the area of production and sale of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) commodities.

According to Akin-Jimoh, the initiative aligns with YEF’s mission to improve the quality of life for youths especially girls, through mobilisation, empowerment and partnership programmes.

She underscored the significance of addressing menstrual health challenges in Lagos.

According to her, “My Period App” initiative represents a significant step forward in promoting menstrual health management in Lagos.

She explained that by addressing the unique challenges faced by young women and girls, YEF and USAID would be helping to create a brighter, healthier future for all.

Akin-Jimoh outlined the project’s objectives to include research, gender-sensitive interventions, multi-media campaigns, advocacy for People With Disabilities (PWDs), improved access to safe water and menstrual hygiene management facilities.

“The project is expected to improve access to sanitation and safe water supply, increase access to affordable, locally sourced MHM commodities, reduce incidence of hygiene-related health risks in schools and communities, and enhance knowledge on MHM among women and young girls.

“As “My Period App” initiative continues to roll out, YEF and USAID are poised to make a tangible difference in the lives of Lagos youths; fostering a healthier and more empowered community.

“Menstrual hygiene is a critical aspect of healthcare, and the Foundation is committed to providing accessible solutions by creating awareness. We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all,” she said.

Akin-Jimoh explained that with the multi-faceted approach and strategic partnerships, the initiative would serve as as a model for addressing menstrual health challenges in other regions.

“Our objective is to improve access to safe water and sanitation, increase availability of affordable menstrual hygiene management commodities, enhance knowledge on MHM, and reduce hygiene-related health risks.”

According to her, training will commence on Oct. 4 for students in selected schools in District four, followed by investigations in schools, markets, churches, and mosques across the district.

The Youth Empowerment Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, founded in 1995.

YEF works with young people in Southwest and Northcentral Nigeria and has extensively partnered
government agencies, corporate organisations and key stakeholders across locations in Nigeria.

It has the mission is to empower youths through strategic partnerships and programs in Health, Livelihoods, Sports, Education and Leadership, Child Protection, and Financial Literacy.

The project, which began in July 2024, targets six communities: Surulere, Yaba, Ikeja, Mushin, Oke-Afa and Akoka, as it aims to train 100 students in each school, market women, and members of religious organisations on menstrual hygiene.

Speaking also, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Segun Ogboye, lauded the initiative, saying that interventions of such kind assist governments in serving the people in the right way.

Ogboye pledged the government’s continuous support to the Foundation’s initiative, which he said, demonstrated its commitment to prioritising menstrual health.

NAN also reports that another stakeholders engagement took place at the Gbaja Senior High School in Surulere, Lagos.

Mr Tony Eleme of YEF, said the foundation’s collaboration with USAID demonstrated its commitment to prioritising menstrual health in Nigeria.

“We believe that every girl and woman deserves access to quality menstrual health service”.

“Some of the stakeholders that will be part of this project include, school authorities, community leaders, and religious organisations.

“They have been tasked with roles and responsibilities to ensure the success of the project

“The “My Period App” initiative is expected to make a significant impact on the lives of young women and girls in urban communities, promoting a healthier and more empowered future,” Eleme said. (NAN)

 

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

 

 

 

 

 

Health

Why U.S. prioritises building PHEM capacity in Nigeria

 

By Vivian Ihechu

The U.S. CDC says as Nigeria continues to experience multiple disease outbreaks, the need to build  public health experts’  capacity in emergency preparedness and response  becomes critical.

Dr Muhammad Saleh of the U.S. CDC, said this in his presentation at a media roundtable held in Lagos on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at the event, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) presented another set of U.S. CDC-supported Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) graduates.

NAN reports that the event highlighted the impact of the U.S. CDC–supported Public Health Emergency Management certification programme on PHEM and response at the national and sub-national levels.

It also showed how the U.S. CDC and Nigeria are collaboratively building capacity and supporting state-level disease outbreak response.

Saleh stressed that building capacity had become necessary as Nigeria continued to experience multiple disease outbreaks.

His presentation focused on the U.S. government’s investment in Nigeria’s public health emergency preparedness through the CDC’s PHEM  programme.

According to him, Nigeria has been a Global Health Security Agenda partner country since 2019 and is committed to attaining the goal of “making the world safe and secure from global health threats posed by infectious diseases’’.

He noted that out of the 223 international PHEM fellows from 49 countries trained by CDC in Atlanta, U.S., only seven were from Nigeria, creating the need to locally  expand PHEM capacity to support the operations of these PHEOCs.

He emphasised that through the PHEM programme, the U.S. CDC prioritises building capacity in Nigeria.

“Catastrophic events like pandemics, natural disasters and emergence (re-emergence) of high-threat disease can affect any country any time.

“The PHEM programme contributes to achieving a stronger public health workforce that can adequately respond to health emergencies.

“It improves public health personnel’s knowledge, skills and attitudes toward emergencies.

“It helps build a culture of emergency management  and resiliency for stakeholders.

“It provides specialized training in PHEM care capabilities that are critical to preparedness and response’’.

According to him, since 2017,  no fewer than  200 Nigerian public health staff have been trained, with 55 more graduating from the intermediate level.

He said that the  programme, divided into basic, intermediate, and advanced levels, had enhanced Nigeria’s capacity to manage outbreaks, including meningitis, diphtheria, and COVID-19.

On the Return on Investment, he said the U.S. government’s investment in Nigeria had led to significant returns, including the detection and management of various outbreaks.

“The programme has also facilitated regional and international knowledge sharing, contributing to Nigeria’s improvement in joint external evaluations from 39 per cent to 54 per cent.

“The U.S. government has contributed over $2 million to support these efforts.

“Since 2017, over 200 public health staff have graduated from the PHEM programme, contributing to emergency preparedness and response.

“Graduates have managed outbreaks such as meningitis, diphtheria, and COVID-19, leading to the detection of over 1134 cases of meningitis in Nigeria’’.

He assured that the PHEM programme would continue to train and impact the country and continent, with 60 cohort members already contributing to public health.

The U.S.CDC Nigeria leadership, led by Dr Farah Husain, U.S. CDC Division of Global Health Protection Program Director, also spoke.

Husain reiterated US CDC’s commitment to promoting strategies aimed at preventing, detecting, and responding to all public health threats, as well as working with partners to implement specialty training programs.

She emphasised on the collaboration and its impact on public health and emergency management and called for continued collaboration.

She assured that  the U.S. government would continue to support Nigeria’s capacity building efforts, including workforce development and emergency preparedness.

Speaking with NAN on the sidelines of the event, Dr John Oladejo,  Director of Special Duties at the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) in Abuja, said that the PHEM training aims to equip participants with the skills and competencies to coordinate emergency management activities during outbreaks.

He said the training covered various aspects of public health emergency management, including Incident Management System (IMS), plans, logistics, and more.

According to him, the training includes activating the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and managing surveillance data from various states.

He said the training covered various aspects of public health emergency management, including Incident Management System (IMS), plans, logistics, and more.

“The training included different levels: basic (8 hours), intermediate (16 hours), and a five-day physical in-person training’’.

On the importance of the EOC, he said the EOC was responsible for vigilant surveillance, activating various activities including risk assessments, sending staff to states  and managing data during outbreaks

He noted that  the collaborative nature of emergency management  breaks down silos and enhances the capacity to defend public health in Nigeria.

Oladejo acknowledged the support from partners, particularly USCDC, and the instrumental programme that has empowered leaders to navigate competitive emergencies.

NAN also reports that since 2003, the U.S. CDC has been a strategic partner of the federal and state ministries of health, their departments, and agencies, in improving public health outcomes in Nigeria.

The support works in critical public health areas such as HIV, TB, malaria, vaccine-preventable diseases, and global health protection. (NAN)

 

Edited by Christiana Fadare