Abujah Racheal

Stakeholders from the Joint External Evaluation (JEE), a multidisciplinary team of experts, on Monday assessed the country’s preparedness and response capabilities across 19 technical areas in Ministries, Departments and Agencies, to detect, prevent and respond to infectious diseases in the country.

During the event in Abuja, the Regional Technical Coordinator, African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Dr Patrick Nguku, said the country had established a robust disease surveillance system to detect, prevent and respond to disease outbreaks promptly.

Nguku, who is also a Senior Resident Advisor at Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programmes, said that this included monitoring diseases at the community level, strengthening laboratory capacity and improving data collection and reporting.

He said that the Nigerian Government had developed emergency preparedness plans and response strategies to address health emergencies effectively.

“This involves training healthcare workers, establishing emergency response teams, and stockpiling essential medical supplies,” he said.

He said that the epidemic did not read the scores, noting that COVID-19 was an experience which laid bare the gaps in the country’s national health security, even where the scores were good.

He said that the JEE would provide the opportunity for the country to go back to the drawing board.

Dr Farrah Hussein, the representative of the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC), said a lot had happened since the last JEE and this came alongside several lessons learnt.

Hussein said that USCDC looked forward to incorporating those lessons in JEE to enable the country to be better prepared for any future public health emergencies as a country.

The Emergency Preparedness and Response, WHO, Dr Mie Okamura, said since the establishment of JEE as one of the International Health Regulations (IHR) tjat monitored and evaluated frameworks, WHO had remained committed to supporting its implementation across countries, including Nigeria.

Dr Michael Olugbile, Senior Health Specialist, World Bank, said that World Bank was very pleased to see the progress that had been made so far within the country.

Olugbile said after the JEE, the World Bank would look forward to seeing how far the country had come in its national health security, identifying gaps and making recommendations to address challenges.

Dr Olusola Aruna, representative, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said  UKHSA had been part of the journey since the country’s JEE in 2017.

“We implore colleagues to be objective in all our deliberations as we work together to assess our core capacities.

Earlier, the Director-General, NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, said that the country must remain steadfast in the journey of transforming its health security.

Adetifa said that with unity, the country would forge ahead, transforming challenges into opportunities and safeguarding the health and well-being of every Nigerian.

He said that JEE was an essential tool that provided an unbiased and comprehensive assessment of the nation’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats.

The International Health Regulations (2005) is a legally binding framework that requires all World Health Organization (WHO) member countries to develop and maintain their capacity to prevent, detect, assess and respond to public health risks and emergencies.

Nigeria conducted its first Joint External Evaluation (JEE) in June 2017, using the JEE 1.0 tool.

Based on the conventional requirement by the World Health Assembly for countries to conduct JEE five-yearly, the country is due for another JEE. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Franca Ofili

Prof. Taiwo Obindo, President, Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), says the association will facilitate the establishment of mental health department in the Federal Ministry of Health.

Obindo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday that with the department in place, issues concerning mental health would be appropriately discussed.

On the mental health bill, he said the association had engaged the Federal Ministry Health and relevant stakeholders to embark on sensitisation across the country on the need for the act to be passed.

“We are sensitising the public on the importance of the bill to be passed into law as such will go a long way to handle mental health issues in the country,” he said.

Obindo promised that immediately substantive ministers were appointed, the association would hit the ground running.

He said the association was looking at the possibility of having a roadmap in place so that immediately the minister assumed duty, it would make it easier for the association to achieve the aim.

The association had earlier advocated the speedy passage of the mental health bill which would protect persons with mental health challenges and substance abuse problems.

The law, if passed, would also go a long way in addressing stigmatisation and discrimination against mental health sufferers. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Idris Abdulrahman

By Patricia Amogu

The Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (ACMPN), Abuja Chapter, has provided free medical outreach to residents of Gishiri community in the FCT.

The activity was part of the events to commemorate its Annual Health week and General meeting in Abuja.

The News Agency of NIgeria (NAN) reports that more than 100 persons, including men, women and children, benefitted from consultations, laboratory tests and medical treatment.

Dr Mathew Ashikeni, National President of the association, called on the doctors to always remember ethical rules and compassion expected of them as Catholic medical practitioners.

Ashikeni said that the medical outreach is aimed at bringing health care and the love of Christ to the under-served people of Gishiri.

“This is the love that Christ taught us when he healed the sick and went about doing good.

“He demonstrated to us the whole essence of Christianity and that is what we, as medical practitioners, are replicating by this gesture.

“Compassion is about showing love and care; it is about love and all that Christ taught us is love and that is how we should live,” he said.

The Parish Priest of Gishiri, Rev. Fr. Benedict Ahabiuji, who officiated the Thanksgiving service, said that doctors, especially Catholic doctors, should allow the word of Christ to grow and flourish in their hearts.

The newly-elected executives, led by the Chairman, Dr. Maureen Umemmuo, were inaugurated during the Holy Mass which was also held to commemorate the event.

The physicians donated N100,000 as their support to the Church building project and in support of the Catholic Youth Organisation of NIgeria, the youth arm of the Church. (NAN)

Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Vincent Obi

By Justina Auta

The Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) has commended efforts of the AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM) networks for their community interventions in addressing gaps and improving healthcare systems in communities within the FCT.

The authority made the commendation at a media parlay organised by the Civil Society on Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN), TB Network, and Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) on Friday in Abuja.

Mrs Elizabeth Ladipo, the Deputy Director, Advocacy Communication for Social Mobilisation, FCT Primary Healthcare Board, said their support had improved community ownership in the management and care of PHCs in communities.

“ACOMIN have been doing a lot of sensitisation and work at community levels, which has improved the services rendered at our various PHCs,” she said.

Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, FCT Action for Control of AIDs (FACA), said the interventions in HIV/AIDS sector has ensured the scale up Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMCT) and provision of test kits in over 200 facilities.

“Through our collaboration, we have been able to get the impact of your interventions in the facilities that you are making interventions.

“We have been able to get pregnant women that were supposed to be tested, but were unable to do so due to lack of commodities.

“And through these interventions and engagement we have been able to provide test kits to these facilities.

“We also want to inform the stakeholders here that there is also PMCT scale-up in all these facilities, especially those that are not having any partners that are implementing with them.

“So a scale-up is been carried out through the support of Federal Ministry of Health and in about 200 facilities,” she said.

Mrs Deborah Azeez, the Chief Health Promotion Officer, Public Health Department, FCTA, said the partnership with the various network has reduced the spread of diseases.

Azeez, however, advised the public to continue to adhere to the COVID-19 preventive measures to curtail the spread and eradicate diphtheria, anthrax and other diseases.

Mr Salifu Nathaniel, the TB Network Coordinator, on behalf of the networks, said adequate healthcare services at PHCs would address infectious diseases, especially amongst vulnerable population, remote and underserved areas.

Nathaniel noted the challenges of inadequate staffing, equipment, regular stock-outs of commodities and high treatment costs, significantly impact the quality of care and access to these essential services.

“These challenges require the attention and efforts of the government at all levels, the private sector and community members.

“We are calling on you, our media partners, to help amplify these to the hearing of decision-makers at national, state, local and community levels.”

He therefore called for increased funding and support for PHCs by government, private and philanthropists, religious organisations and community support to improve access to health care services.

He noted that through their contributions, they succeeded in improving behavioural change in terms of taking ownership and sustainability of PHCs, donated hospital consumables and non-consumables as well as increased deployment of CHEWs, nurses and midwives across the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Philip Yatai

The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO)-Europe has donated 12 blood pressure monitors to the General Hospital, Wuse in Abuja.

The Chairman of the group, Dr Bashir Obasekola, while handing over the equipment, in Abuja on Friday, said that the gesture was under the organisation’s project tagged, “A Week in Nigeria”.

Obasekola explained that the organisation, with members across Europe, including medical practitioners working in the United Kingdom, Italy, Island, Spain, and other European countries, were on a solidarity visit to Nigeria.

He said that the donation was to support the hospital to deliver quality services, particularly by addressing the lack of adequate equipment and awareness on blood pressure management.

He said that the team was in the hospital to donate the devices and demonstrate how it should be used.

This, he said, was key, adding that a lot could go wrong when people do not manage their blood pressure properly.

“We know that the medical sector in Nigeria is faced with many challenges, not only because of brain drain, but also because of the lack of adequate equipment and enabling environment.

“We know how the medical sector works in developed countries and felt the need to support our dear country to improve the quality of healthcare services,” the chairman said.

Responding, the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Sa’ad Idris, commended the group for returning home to give back to the society.

Idris described the hospital, with the biggest and largest Dialysis Unit as “one of the best” in the Federal Capital Territory.

He disclosed that the dialysis unit was donated by the Redeemed Church Of God, along with a Water Treatment Plant and a generator, estimated at over N200 million.

The medical director also lauded the support of the FCT Administration, particularly the designation of the hospital as a Teaching Hospital in conjunction with Nile University, Abuja.

Also, Mrs Sarah Areo, Director and Desk Officer, FCT Diaspora, commended NIDO-Europe for the support and for choosing to identify with their fatherland. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Franca Ofili

World Health Organisation (WHO) says it will use the 9.3 million dollars grant from Canadian Government to implement COVID-19 vaccination in 15 lowest performing states in Nigeria.

Dr Walter Mulombo, WHO Country Representative, said this on Wednesday in Abuja during the launch of Canada Global Initiative for Vaccine Equity (CanGIVE) grant.

Mulombo said that the grant would be implemented in the 15 lowest performing states of Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Katsina, Kebbi, Anambra, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Lagos, Ogun and Ondo.

“It will help to mainstream and integrate gender responsive, equity based and human rights focused interventions that promote `leaving no one behind` agenda in the country.

“The grant has come at the right time to help improve coverage and uptake of the vaccine among the priority populations in line with the current WHO SAGE roadmap on uses of COVID-19 vaccines,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria has made progress in the fight against COVID-19.

He said that as of July 17, 2023, 77,285, 627 persons in Nigeria have completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccination, with, 87,838,137 persons receiving at least one dose of the vaccine.

“Also, 16,011,524 of those who have completed the primary series have received a booster dose of the vaccine,” he said.

Mulombo said that in spite of the achievement, there was still more work to be done.

“As of now 14 states are performing less than 50 per cent vaccination coverage of their target population, and we still have some vulnerable populations that are not sufficiently covered.

“Key among these subgroups are the aged (50years and above), people with co-morbidities, the health workers, people living in humanitarian and security compromised communities and the pregnant women,” he said.

Mulombo said that WHO Director General’s declaration that COVID-19 was no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concerns (PHEIC) marked a turning point in the control of the pandemic.

He said the declaration however did not mean COVID-19 was over as a global and national health threat.

“Though considerable achievements have been made, we are still at risk of the infection as cases are still being reported in a number of countries.

“I will like to take this opportunity to caution all of us on the need to continue protecting ourselves by completing the primary series of COVID-19 vaccination.

“ For those who have completed should continue with the booster dose schedule,” he said.

Mulombo assured the ministry of health that WHO would continue to collaborate with partners to support the government’s effort to protect vulnerable segments of the population and the structures and health systems were strengthened.

“We shall continue to provide technical support to implement one health approach to preparedness and response, and integrate COVID-19 surveillance and response activities into routine health programmes.

“Together with partners and the government we will dedicate sustained attention and resources to preparedness and resilience to counter future threats,” he said.

Mulombo appreciated the support from the Canadian government through the CanGIVE grant.

High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Mr Jamie Chrisoff, said that Canada instituted CanGIVE- a alobal initiative of 317 million Canadian dollars to respond to country priorities for COVID-19.

He said it also meant to build on Canada’s long-standing global commitment to support health systems.

Chrisoff said the WHO project would be implemented in seven countries, with Nigeria receiving the highest share of 9.3 million dollars

According to him, Nigeria is also among the first set of countries to receive COVID-19 vaccine doses from Canada in September of 2021. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng.com)

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Edited by Benson Iziama/Uche Anunne

By Patricia Amogu

Experts at a three-day training in Abuja have identified retraining of paediatric anaesthetists as one of the best ways to provide safer and improved anaesthesia to children during surgery.

They said that retraining of paediatric anaesthetists could help reduce morbidity and mortality during paediatric surgery.

The experts said this while speaking during a course training organised for paediatric anaesthesiologists by the Paediatric Anaesthesia Society of Nigeria (PASoN) in partnership with Smile Train, a cleft charity organisation.

The theme ìs entitled: ”Safer Anaesthesia from Education – Paediatrics ” (SAFE-Paediatrics)

Dr Maryrose Osazuwa, a Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist, National Hospital Abuja, said the issue of safety in the administration of anaesthesia especially on children could not be over- emphasised.

Osazuwa, who is also the Vice-President of PASoN, therefore, called for increased advocacy and education, as well as the training of more professionals.

“We have a limited number of paediatric anaesthetists in Nigeria.

“However, there is a need to educate other anaesthetists who also care for children to bridge the gap caused by brain drain.

“There is a need to increase the number of skilled healthcare professionals.

“Asides the PATA fellowship, which trains two doctors annually, more advocacy is needed and more training programmes for PASoN members and all health workers involved in child care will go a long way in tackling the challenge,” she said.

Also speaking, SAFE Course Director, Dr Alhassan Mohammed, who is also a Consultant Anaesthetist at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, said the training was aimed at teaching participants how to effectively manage anaesthesia in children undergoing surgery, while ensuring their safety throughout the process.

Dr Salawu Morayo, another Consultant Anaesthetist at the National Hospital Abuja, said only continuous training could guarantee safe anaesthesia.

“The administration of anaesthesia in children is particularly challenging due to their unique and delicate nature.

“Therefore, anaesthetists who handle children need to undergo continuous training and retraining to develop systematic and methodical practices that would ensure safer and better anaesthesia and reduce morbidity.

“Government should employ more anaesthetists, provide more training opportunities, and empower the professionals for effective service delivery,” Morayo, who is a facilitator of the training, said.

Speaking earlier, Victoria Awuzie, Senior Programme Manager, Smile Train, had revealed that sponsoring the training was in line with the vision of the charity organisation, which is dedicated to quality healthcare capacity building and advocacy to increase access to safer surgeries in low- and middle-income countries.

Awuzie disclosed that the training was for 80 participants who are expected to disseminate the knowledge acquired to their respective states and regions including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano.

“Smile Train has partnered with and supported hospitals across Nigeria to enhance their capacity to care for children and ensure their safety during surgeries.

“This is a significant investment, and we will continue to train doctors and nurses until we achieve our goals,” she said.

Dr Abubakar Ballah, a participant from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, expressed appreciation to the organisers for the knowledge gained

“I will take the knowledge gained from this training to my colleagues.

“The importance of proper procedures and safety rules that cannot be overstressed.

“I will advocate policy changes, such as involving anesthetists in trauma management, where previously they were not involved,” he said.

He thanked the organisers and sponsors of the course for the opportunity given him and other participants at the training.

The theme of the training was, “Safer Anaesthesia From Education – Paediatrics (SAFE-Paediatrics)”. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chidinma Agu/Emmanuel Yashim