By Justina Auta

The Okapi Children Cancer Foundation (OkapiCCF) on Tuesday advocated increased awareness and allocation of more resources for pediatric oncology to treat and manage children with cancer.

The Chief Volunteer of the foundation, Ms Kemi Adekanye, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Adekanye, who highlighted the plights of children suffering from cancer, stressed the need for more funds toward their treatment and management, espespecially less-priviledged children suffering from cancer.

According to her, many parents have abandoned cancer treatment and management because of the cost, urging government to provide pediatric oncologists with necessary equipment and support for early detection, treatment and management of the disease.

She announced the group’s plan to hold Seventh Annual Childhood Cancer Awareness Walk on Sept. 23 with the theme “Steps to Survival for Children Fighting Cancer.

“The theme is a reflection of the collective determination of every person to empower and uplift young warriors suffering from cancer.

“We believe that together, we can bring hope and healing to children and families affected by cancer. This walk is not just a physical journey, but a powerful expression of unity and compassion.

“By participating, you are contributing to a brighter future for children battling cancer and their families, while also advocating for increased awareness and resources for pediatric oncology.

“Childhood cancer is a battle that touches the hearts of families, friends, and communities alike.

“Every step taken during the walk symbolises commitment to stand with the young fighters, celebrating their courage and resilience as they navigate the challenging journey of cancer treatment at such tender age.’’

The chief volunteer, while calling on the public to support the walk toward impacting the lives of children suffering cancer, said the group had so far donated over N10 million to poor and less-privileged children fighting cancer in the FCT.

She stressed the need for increased awareness about the signs, symptoms, treatment and management of childhood cancer, as well as inspirational talk and survivor stories to give hope to children living with the disease and their families. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Prof. Akinsanya Osibogun, the President, Postgraduate Medical College Fellows’ Association, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to focus on training and retaining skilled medical professionals in Nigeria.

He said that around the world there is high demand for skilled professionals in the health sector especially in the UK, U.S and Canada.

Osibogun said this while speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of the the 17th Annual Scientific Conference and All Fellows’ Congress (ASCAF) in Ilorin.

The programme is themed: “Improving Health Care Financing In Nigeria”, with subtitle: ‘Technology in Medicine and Public Private Partnership”.

He urged the government to stem the brain drain known as “Japa syndrome”, where skilled professionals are leaving the country for greener pasture abroad.

“To retain your skilled professionals, you must give enough incentives to keep them here. And incentives are both financial and non-financial,” he said.

The expert identified poor renumeration and lack of adequate infrastructure as major challenges confronting medical practitioners.

“We know that government alone can not do it. So, all stakeholders have to put in place mechanism to improve health sector and retain people we have trained in the country.

“The only way to retain them is by improving on their work environment so that all equipments and tools they need to render service would be available.

“Medical practitioners have to be well renumerated and the environment must be conducive to keep them in the country,” he said.

Osibogun observed that younger doctors are migrating out of the country, adding that “we need those younger doctors to be available for us to train them to become specialists and remain in Nigeria”.

“As a country, we need to come up with plans to ensure that required equipment are available geopolitically, statewide or by ward,” he advised.

He therefore enjoined all tiers government to improve on their remuneration for healthcare workers, conducive working environment, tools and equipment.

Dr Foluwasayo Ologe, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the ASCAF conference, had earlier described the theme of the programme as apt as there is need to improve healthcare financing in Nigeria.

According to him, there is need for public private partnership to support the healthcare system in the country.

Ologe, who is a Professor of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Ilorin, asserted that the days of crude medicine is long gone as technology has taken over.

“A lot of technology goes into medicine. Through technology, robotic surgery helps in surgical intervention without the doctor being near the patient,” he said.

On his part, Prof. Adekunle Okesina, Consultant Chemical Pathologist of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), explained that the primary function of the college is to produce specialists in all branches of medicine and dentistry.

According to him, it oversees the postgraduate medical education and training of pathologists in Nigeria through its Faculty of Pathology. (NAN)

Edited by Nkiru Ifeajuna/Muhammad Tola

By Joan Nwagwu

The Federal Government has appealed to the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), to call off its ongoing indefinite strike.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Daju, made the appeal at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NARD embarked on an indefinite strike on July 26, following the expiration of a two-week ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government to press home its demands.

The doctors’ demands include implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy for healthcare workers; Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to discontinue the downgrading of the membership certificate issued by the West African Postgraduate Medical and Surgical Colleges.

Other demands are: the immediate payment of all salary arrears; the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure; a new hazard allowance and the domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act; among others.

Daju urged the striking doctors to consider the lives of many Nigerians at stake and end the strike.

She said that the new administration and other relevant agencies were working round the clock to ensure that the contentious issues were addressed and the doctors’ demands met.

“We are using this medium to currently appeal to NARD that please, Nigerians are dying in troops. That is the truth, the health sector is a very important sector.

“Not that other sectors are not important, they are all important but we all know what medical doctors are to us. If you are ill today and you cannot go to a hospital, what happens?

“People are dying, people cannot care for themselves. So, I am begging them and I am lending my voice to the voice of all members of the government who have appealed to them, to please call off their strike and go back to work.

“I know that your parent ministry alongside other government agencies are working round the clock to ensure that this matter is sorted out,”she said.

She said the Federal Government expected that with all sense of responsibility, NARD would see reasons with them.

She said, “I know that maybe between 29 May and now, they assumed that what they requested would be given immediately but, some of the issues have been dealt with by the Federal Government.”

She, however, noted that since the new administration came into office, concerted efforts had been made by the Federal Government and the National Assembly to address the issues.

She said that there were two main contending issues which include the payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund and One-on-one placement of exited doctors.

Daju explained that on the immediate payment of 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund, the government had appealed to the doctors to await when ministers are in place.

” Very soon, we are sure that ministers are going to be in place and government is not resting on its oars. We understand the plight of where you are coming from,” she said.

On efforts made to resolve the issue of replacement of exited doctors, Daju further explained that the office of the Head of Civil Service was attending to that and a committee had been set up.

She said, “We have pleaded again that you just give us a little more time that when recommendations have been made by the committee we will bring them forth and act but to no avail,”she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Franca Ofili

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Tuesday raided some shops in the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State for allegedly selling unapproved products.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the shops are located in Lugbe Car Wash, Tsaka Goja and Masaka in Nassarawa State.

Mr Ahmed Suleiman, NAFDAC Kaduna Unit, Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer, Investment and Enforcement, said the exercise was a routine exercise for the agency as part of curbing those involved in drug hawking.

According to him, the agency is determined to reduce hawking of unapproved products to a minimum level.

“The agency has directed that anyone caught will be arrested and properly persecuted,” he said.

Suleiman advised Nigerians to cease from patronising the people selling unapproved products.

He said that three suspects were apprehended and that they would be persecuted according to the agency’s directives while others absconded.

“We will continue to go round to arrest anyone involved in such acts,” he said.

NAN reports that some of the unregistered products which are mostly aphrodisiacs are: “Hajiya Ayesha Snuff, AK47, Bulletproof and Hajiya Ayesha Maisanda among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Folasade Akpan

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called on Nigerians to let the death of Dr Diaso Vware   become a trigger for everyone to imbibe routine maintenance culture.
The NMA President, Dr Uche Ojinmah, made the call in a statement on Monday.
He admonished  all tiers of government in Nigeria to  learn a lesson from the loss of the young doctor and make sure that such avoidable deaths were prevented
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Vwaere, a medical house officer, with General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, died on Aug. 1, as a result of injuries sustained when the elevator she was in crashed in the staff quarters of the hospital.
He commiserated with the  family of Vwaere, praying that God should console the entire family and grant the soul of the departed peaceful repose.
Ojinmah said that the association had keenly followed the issues surrounding Vwaere’s death, adding that it was an avoidable one.
“After reviewing all the facts, it is clear that Vwaere was a victim of gross negligence in maintenance of the elevator.”
He called on the Lagos State Government to quickly initiate measures to assuage the pains and loss being felt by her family.
“The government should also provide psychological support for the family and all the doctors residing and working in the hospital.
“The government should also initiate inspection of all public elevators in Lagos state and commence routine maintenance.”
Ojinmah also called on the Lagos state government to carry out thorough investigation and mete out sanctions as appropriate.
“NMA wants Justice to be seen to be done and shall resist any attempt to subvert or mitigate it.
“May we never spill another innocent blood as a nation”, he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu
 

By Talatu Maiwada

Maternal Adolescent Reproductive Child Health (MARCH) Care Initiative
has stressed the need to build the capacity of healthcare workers and caregivers in achieving optimal nutrition
in maternal and infant feeding.

The President MATCH Initiative, Mrs Lawal Aiyedun-Olubunmi, made the call in Abuja at a three-day training
on Nutrition for Children with Special Needs and Feeding Difficulties, supported by USAID to mark the 2023
World Breastfeeding Week (WBW).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WBW is commemorated annually from Aug. 1 to Aug. 7 to raise awareness about the importance of
breastfeeding and has “Enabling Breastfeeding; Making a Difference for Working Parents” the theme for 2023.

Aiyedun-Olubunmi said the event was also to educate and sensitise the public about the important role nutrition plays in the life of children under the age of five years.

She said “at MARCH Initiative, we organise workshops for parents, caregivers and health workers, focusing on children with cerebral palsy,
cleft palate and spina bifida, while sharing their burden, pain and challenges.

“We have learned how communication plays significant role in bringing up children with special needs and how the society failed some people.

“Women go to health facilities and still do not get the information and quality care they deserve in a timely manner, thereby resulting to
defects in their children, hence the need to train health workers.

“We want government to partner NGOs and the media to create more awareness on prevention of neuro-defects in children, as prevention is cheaper and better than cure.”

The MARCH Initiative president urged the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to enroll parents of children with special needs
as such would help to reduce the financial burden experienced in caring for the children.

Ms Pauline Adah, the USAID Maternal Infant and Young Child Nutrition Advisor, said the week was important to push and advocate for optimal breastfeeding of children.

Adah stressed the need for mothers to practice early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding from birth to six months and continuous breastfeeding
from six months to two years and beyond with complimentary foods.

She said “breastmilk is considered the best ever and nature’s gift to a child, which comes with a lot of advantages for both mother and child.

“USAID is supporting MARCH Initiative to sensitise and advocate for optimal breastfeeding of children with special needs; it is important that we don’t neglect those with challenges.

“We, therefore, advocate more activities that speak to capacity building for care givers to know how to care for children with special needs.”

Dr Dennis Shettima, Chief Consultant Paediatrician, said taking steps to help ensure healthy pregnancy can prevent cerebral palsy, explaining that
“cerebral palsy is damage or abnormal development in the part of the brain that controls movement.”

Shettima decried the attitude of some health personnel while communicating with parents about their children.

He said a bridge in communication and act of negligence from health workers could have severe effect on children, which could lead to defects.

“Some health workers are fond of using medical jargons that does not make sense to parents and they need to break down information to get their cooperation.

“I therefore strongly recommend training and re-training of health workers and sanctions for corrective measures to serve as a deterrent to others that want to follow such part.”

Mrs Rebecca Jacob, a parent, appreciated MARCH Initiative for the opportunity to learn from experts on how to feed nutritious meals to her son with cerebral palsy to aid his development.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Nathan Nwakamma

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) and its joint venture partners have renovated the Edagberi Cottage Hospital in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers.

This is contained in a statement by Mrs Abimbola Essien-Nelson, SPDC’s Media Relations Manager, in Yenagoa.

It may be recalled that the 20-bed hospital, suffered devastating flood damage in 2012.

SPDC’s Community Health Manager, Dr. Akin Fajola, noted that the close collaboration between the state government, the community leadership and its partners made the renovation a success.

He therefore called for stronger ties between the community and SPDC for a peaceful environment that would allow for the delivery of social investment projects.

SPDC’s Director and Country Head, Corporate Relations, Igo Weli, who was represented by the Corporate Relations Manager, Evans Krukrubo, called for a sustainability system by the hospital management board.

He noted that collaboration with the community would ensure the availability of the facility to serve the people. 

“Revamping the hospital is not enough but ensuring that the managers sustain a maintenance culture that keeps the hospital in good service shape at all times,” Weli said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health in Rivers, Dr Adaeze Oreh, described SPDC and its partners’ intervention as a critical move that would change the face of health care delivery in Edagberi community and its environs.

“Shell and its partners, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, have proved that they really value their hosts in the scheme of things.

“And for which reason we thank the joint venture for coming to the aid of government to revamp the hospital,” said the commissioner.

Oreh was represented at the reopening ceremonies by the Chief Medical Director of the Rivers Health Management Board, Dr Bright Ogbonda.

NAN reports that the Edagberi cottage hospital is one of the five supported by the SPDC-operated joint venture in Rivers.

The renovation included the provision of a standard laboratory, a blood bank, a diagnostics centre, a maternity ward, and a well-equipped theatre.

The renovation includes an emergency room with a suction machine and an automated external defibrillator (AED). 

The hospital has also been provided with an ambulance and staff accommodation.

As part of the reopening ceremonies, over 800 people benefitted from a medical outreach programme, the outreach offered surgical services, general consultation and treatment, pharmaceutical services, laboratory services including grouping and cross matching.

It runs a blood bank for blood transfusion, emergency services, handling of minor procedures and immunisation services. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Folasade Akpan

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says there is no plan to deploy youth corps members to Niger Republic to fight a war to restore democracy in that country.
The NYSC Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr Eddy Megwa, said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja in response to a video he said was circulating on social media, alleging that members would be deployed to Niger Republic.
He stated that “management wishes to state that there is no iota of truth in the story fabricated by the purveyor, a skit and content creator.
“The public, especially youth corps members, prospective members and their parents should disregard the story, which borders on criminality in its entirety.
“Content and skit makers are strongly advised to desist from spreading false information capable of subverting the peace of the nation.”
Megwa added that law enforcement agencies would stop at nothing to bring the purveyors of the story to justice.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was a coup in Niger Republic on July 26, where Nigerien soldiers toppled the government of democratically elected
President Mohamed Bazoum from power.
Consequently, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is making effort to restore democratic government to the country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Kazeem Akande

As part of activities to mark the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week, some Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos  have sensitised women on the importance of  exclusive breastfeeding.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the  2023 World Breastfeeding week, with theme: “Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a Difference for Working Parents”, is  to enlighten nursing mothers on the importance of breastfeeding to babies and their health.

The Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in collaboration with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, District 5,  flagged-off a sensitisation programme for nursing mothers to commemorate the World Breastfeeding week 2023.

Alhaja Folashade Yisa,  Wife of the Council Chairman, who was also the chairperson of the programme, encouraged mothers to breastfeed babies at least six months straight without water.

Yisa advised nursing mothers to take care of their personal health as “whatever you take  in also goes on to the baby”.

She urged the women not to allow breastfeeding hinder them from performing their duties as wife in the house.

“We urge you the mothers to breastfeed your babies exclusively and pay proper attention to their hygiene internally and externally,” she said.

Also, the  Isolo LCDA in Lagos, joining the world to commemorate the year breastfeeding week, organised a health talk and workshop to advocate proper and exclusive breastfeeding.

Mrs Olajumoke Olasoju, Wife of the  Council’s Chairman, who played host to hundreds of nursing mothers encouraged them on adherence to breastfeeding guidelines and its exclusive practice for the recommended period.

Olasoju, speaking on the theme “Enabling Breastfeeding: Making A Difference For Nursing Parents” called for support and encouragement for breastfeeding mothers especially at workplace.

“I salute every nursing mother here for the deliberate effort we are investing into nurturing our babies.

“Breastfeeding provides essential nutrients, protection against disease and also provides emotional and cognitive development for infants and that underscores it is important in the life of our babies.

“It’s important that we encourage exclusive and proper breastfeeding to raise healthy, bright and promising children like ourselves.

“As nursing mothers, we have to remain deliberate about this act and not allow any environmental barriers like we might have in our workplace discourage us,” she said.

According to her, breastfeeding is not only beneficial to babies but also to mothers and our society at large.

The council first lady added that breastfeeding has long-term benefits for individuals and society leading to healthier populations and reduced health conditions.

She called on stakeholders in the private sector and community to take a cue from government by creating support systems and consideration for nursing mothers in order to promote breastfeeding.

Olasoju said that nursing mothers needed to be supported.

“As  you can see, government has shown commitment to this in many ways.

“I will call on other stakeholders to take a cue from government. Husbands should be a support system to their wives more during nursing also, the community should create a supportive environment,” she said.

Mrs Abisodun Odusina-Adeoye, the Councilor Representing Ishagatedo/Ire-Akari in Isolo, said exclusive breastfeeding for over six months helped her children’s growth.

According to Odusina-Adeoye,  exclusive breastfeeding boosts immune system and she encouraged  nursing mothers to embrace the act reiterating that the benefits inherent were countless.

Dr Shola Tanimowo, the Medical Officer of Health, Isolo LCDA, also said that breastfeeding enhances the bond between the mother and child.

Tanimowo said it helped to create oxytocin, and prevent heart attack for the mother as well as cancers.

He added that breastfeeding also helped develop strong bones.

Mrs Bose Aroyehun, a Nurse in Isolo PHC, encouraged the mothers to ensure they ate a balanced diet.

She enlightened the nursing mothers  on the right ways to breastfeed a baby, urging them to “bring their babies to the breast and not the other way round.”

According to her, positioning is important during breastfeeding. (NAN)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Folasade Akpan