NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Stakeholders call for public-private sector integration to reduce maternal mortality
Health

Stakeholders call for public-private sector integration to reduce maternal mortality

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By Abujah Racheal

Stakeholders in the health sector have called for the integration of the public and private sectors to reduce maternal mortality, noting that such an integration is an effective strategy for reducing the incidence in the country.

They said this at a webinar on Tuesday, organised by the Nigeria Health Watch with funding from “MSD for Mothers”, with the theme; ”Building Resilient Maternal Health Systems through Private Sector Integration”.

The initiative of MSD for mothers, worth US$ 650 million, helps to create a world where no woman has to die while giving life.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the webinar provided an avenue for stakeholders to advocate to policy-makers on the importance of private sector integration in Nigeria’s mixed health systems.

The webinar was also to provide actionable steps to effectively engage the private sector to build resilient and sustainable maternal health systems that delivers quality maternal healthcare services in the country.

The president of Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, (HFN), Dr Pamela Ajayi, said that progress can be made when the private and public sectors work together to improve health outcomes in the country.

Ajayi said that there was a need to invest in health systems in the country, but for this to work, there must be alignment and incentives to encourage collaboration.

According to her, the private sector broadly covers maternal health in the country, accounting for 60 to 70 per cent of services.

She said that the maternity period was supposed to be a time of joy, not anxiety.

“The private sector has a crucial role in improving maternal health outcomes in Nigeria,” she said.

According to Mr David Clarke, Acting Unit Head, Health Systems Governance and Policy, World Health Organisation (WHO), the Country Connector for Private Sector in Health has recorded impact in ensuring that governments achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and health security for their population by harnessing the public and private health sector’s collective national expertise and resources.

Clarke also reaffirmed the commitment of the WHO Country Connector to evolve from supporting countries with COVID-19 support, to helping governments improve their capacities to improve health systems and outcomes.

Dr Amina Mohammad Baloni, the former Commissioner for Health, Kaduna State, said that the state government looked into private sector integration with a framework of improving the supply chain of medicines and its accessibility to benefit people living in hard-to-reach areas.

“When we talk about accessing private care in Nigeria, most citizens do this through Patent and Proprietary Medine Vendors (PPMVs),” she said.

Baloni said that there was a need to employ quality standards across the private and public sectors to ensure efficient health delivery for all in the country.

Dr Ben Nkechika, Chief Executive Officer, Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), said that there was a need for participatory cooperation among stakeholders to improve the health outcomes of Nigerians.

Nkechika said that a resilient healthcare system was one in which the patient can access the healthcare they need when they needed it, without substantial financial catastrophe.

According to Mr Temitayo Erogbogbo, Global Advocacy Director, MSD for Mothers, there is an urgent need to integrate the private sector to aid the financing of health systems and improve health outcomes of Nigerians.

Erogbogbo said that a lot of attention has not been given to the quality of care and the outcomes, and that has to change in the country.

He said quality matters as the country was losing more people through poor quality and lack of access to care across the country.

The Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch, Mrs Vivianne Ihekweazu, said strengthening maternal health in the country remains a challenge, despite the fact that the country continues to account for a quarter of the global maternal deaths, according to a recent report.

According to Ihekweazu, “These are mothers, sisters and friends who should not be dying while giving birth in the country.”

She said if the country were to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1, there was a lot of work for it to do to promote maternal health outcomes in the country.

Meanwhile, Mrs Bunmi Oyebanji Obot, Programme Manager, Nigeria Health Watch, said that the objective of the webinar was to enable stakeholders to gain practical insights into opportunities, best practices, benefits and the importance of public and private sector engagement.

They also heard how private sector partnerships can strengthen maternal health care in a mixed health system, and identifying areas for policy development that will foster private sector integration and commence the establishment of frameworks for action.

“Be better informed on the key success factors for public-private partnerships and the opportunities for scaling up such initiatives,” she said.

Obot said that public-private sector integration can be a powerful strategy for reducing maternal mortality in the country

“By working together, the public and private sectors can leverage their respective strengths and resources to improve maternal health outcomes and ensure that all women have access to quality maternal health services,” she said.

NAN recalled that Nigeria has the second highest maternal mortality rate globally, with about 58,000 pregnant women dying yearly while giving birth, regarded as a tragic statistic that deserves greater attention and action from both the public and private sectors. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

Cancer research institute seek FG funding
Health

Cancer research institute seek FG funding

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By Folasade Akpan

The Director-General, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Dr Usman Aliyu, has called on the Federal Government to fund the institute to be able to achieve its mandate.
Aliyu made the appeal on Monday in Abuja, during a media conference.
According to him, getting the appropriate funding will help the institute to embark on the needed research to reverse the growing cancer incidents in the country.
He said that the disease was globally recognised as one of the leading Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), adding that it is a major contributor of morbidity and mortality.
“It is estimated to have had over 19.3 million new cases and about 10.0 million deaths in 2020.
“The number of new cases is expected to rise by 70 per cent in the next two decades with the highest burden in low-and middle-income countries where survival rates less than half of those in developed countries.
“In Nigeria, cancer caused over 78,000 deaths in 2020 alone and is set to increase given that there are 120,000 new cases of cancer every year ” he said.
Aliyu said that cancer has immense socio-economic impact on individuals, families, communities and the health system.
He added that the huge burden of the disease was compounded by a severely limited capacity of most low income countries to provide the necessary healthcare.
“This is just an appeal that we want to make to the Federal Government that this institute needs a lot of funding.
“So that at least we can embark on and carry out a lot of research because research is the answer to the problem that we have in cancer space in the country.
“It is through research that you can define or identify the best constructible preventive mechanism.
“Likewise in the area of diagnosis we are still evolving and it is through research that we can actually identify and come up with newer modalities to diagnose cancer.”
The institute, which was established under the NICRAT Act of 2017, has the responsibility to provide national leadership in cancer research, treatment and control among other things.
Aliyu said that the institute, which commenced operations in January  intends to carry out mapping of the resources needed in cancer space to work with.
“Be it human resource, let us know the workforce, the manpower that we have, the specialists that we have, the surgeons, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation clinical oncologists, the community health people that are working in cancer, even the advocates.
“We do not have a document that says this is the exact number and if you don’t have all that you cannot plan.
“So we intend to carry out general mapping on that and also on the burden of cancer within the country and that will tell us the prevalence, the incidence that we have.
“This is because most of the problems that we are having, these projections that we have most of the researches that we have seen are purely hospital based and they are just the tip of the iceberg.
“So we have already initiated the discussion with the National Cancer Institute in America and we hope to get a lot of partners to work with us along this line,” he said.
Aliyu also said that the institute has already sought collaborations with other cancer institutes across the globe to enable it get all the necessary support needed.
He added that so far there have been positive responses that would lead to beneficial collaborations that would ease the burden of cancer in Nigeria.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

FG raises concern about drug abuse as it reaches epidemic proportion
Health

FG raises concern about drug abuse as it reaches epidemic proportion

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By Folasade Akpan

The Federal Government says it is concerned that in spite of efforts to curb drug abuse, the menace has reached an epidemic proportion and thus requires concerted efforts by all to curb it.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr Olufunso Adebiyi, said this on Monday in Abuja, during a news conference to commemorate the ‘2023 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’.
The World Drug Day marked on June 26 every year has “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strenghten Prevention” as its theme.
Adebiyi was represented by the Director, Food and Drugs Services, Mrs Olubunmi Aribeana.
According to him, drug trafficking and use are not only a threat to the security, governance and development of a nation but also to the health of its citizenry.
“In as much as supply reduction strategies led by law enforcement and the application of criminal sanctions represent significant efforts towards curbing access to illicit drugs and their non-medical use, there is need to match such measures with innovative drug demand reduction strategies.
“Consequently, implementation of an all-inclusive and integrated approach with equal attention paid to drug supply and demand reduction is crucial.
“This is in line with the spirit of the three UN International Conventions on Drug Control established to protect human health by preventing drug abuse and dependence, and ensuring access to controlled medicines for medical and scientific purposes only.”
Drawing reference from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Adebiyi said that it was estimated that the prevalence of drug use in Nigeria was at 14.4 per cent.
This translates to 14.3 million people between the ages of 15 and 64 who use drugs like cannabis, amphetamines, tramadol, codeine and cocaine.
This, he said, was more than twice the global prevalence of 5.6 per cent among the adult population.
“The report also estimated 376,000 people to be high risk drug users with one in five of these persons injecting drugs.
“This translates to about 80,000 people estimated to be People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) in Nigeria.”
He added that 78 per cent of those injecting drugs were men and that the most common drugs injected were pharmaceutical opioids (such as tramadol, codeine or morphine), followed by cocaine, heroin and tranquilisers.
It also estimated that among every four drug users in Nigeria, one was a woman and that one in five persons who had used drugs in the past year was suffering from drug use disorders.
“Furthermore, the 2020 World Drug Report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) disclosed that people who inject drugs are at increased risk of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and viral hepatitis B and C.
“This is in addition to overdose-related deaths. The World Health Organisation (WHO) also reported in 2015 that psychoactive drug use is responsible for more than 450,000 deaths per year.”
According to him, these are not just statistics but real people who are suffering from the impact of drug abuse.
He, however, said that people who use drugs were at risk of suffering from various health consequences such as infectious diseases like HIV, drug addiction or even sudden death due to opioid overdose.
“Drug abuse also hurts relationships, families and communities. Drug abuse can hinder our children from attaining high educational status; securing and maintaining great jobs; overcoming financial instability and poverty; as well as preventing us from living our lives free of violence and crime.
“Thus, while strengthening our healthcare system to proactively respond by providing healthcare services to those in need of treatment, there is also an obvious need to address barriers to treatment such as stigma and discrimination.
“We also need to strengthen prevention efforts, early detection measures and institutionalise essential harm reduction services to curb this menace in the interest of the wellbeing and development of our people.”
Adebiyi, however, said that there were concerted efforts by the Federal Government and other stakeholders to rid the nation of drug use and abuse.
They include setting up of the National Technical Working Group (NTWG) on Harm Reduction Services in Nigeria to lead the implementation of three critical harm reduction services that focus on people who use drugs.
Others are implementing the National Policy for Controlled Medicines and its Implementation Strategies, and upgrading of 11 hospitals as Model Drug Treatment Centres with the support of the UNODC, across the six geo-political zones of the country.
On the theme of the commemoration, he said that it aimed to raise awareness about the importance of treating people who use drugs with respect and empathy and providing evidence-based, voluntary services for all.
He said that it also aims to offer alternatives to punishment, prioritising prevention and leading with compassion.
On her part, Aribeana said that the focus for the commemoration was to advocate for strengthened action and cooperation in addressing the world drug problem.
Also drawing from the 2018 National Drug Use Survey, she said that cannabis followed closely by opioids were the most abused substances in Nigeria.
According to her, an estimated 10.8 million Nigerians were reported to have used Cannabis in 2017 while 4.6 million were found to have used opioids for non-medical purposes in the same year.
“These alarming statistics provide only a glimpse into the global drug use situation which recognises the increasing trend of drug use in Nigeria and all over.
“They highlight the growing non-medical use of drugs including cannabis, amphetamines and opioids such as Tramadol, Codeine and Morphine which have become a serious public health concern.”
Thus, there is a strong need for action and collaboration by all.
“Nations are also cognisant of the immense benefits of implementing evidence-based strategies in the prevention and treatment of drug and substance abuse as well as rehabilitation of drug users.
“Concerted efforts are constantly being made to strengthen global action and cooperation towards achieving drug free societies,” she added.
Mrs Unoma Asomugha, the Deputy Director, Narcotics and Controlled Substance Directorate, National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), said that the agency recognises that narcotics and some controlled substances are indispensable for medical use, for industrial purposes or for scientific purposes.
She said that the agency also recognises that they have a very high abuse potential, because they have very high impact on individuals, on public health and on the socio-economic fabric of the nation.
“So we focus on methods to ensure that those that need these products have access but also that drug abuse and drug misuse are minimised.”
Dr Sa’adatu Adamu of ISSUP said that everyone has a role to play in curbing drug use and abuse.
According to her, seeing the individuals who use or abuse drugs first as human beings can help everyone understand the root cause and may be help them through the process and not stigmatise them.
“ISUUP is an organisation that has different people come together, it is a place where we think that everyone is important.
“So, if you are in the mental health field, you have a role to play in the life of someone who is struggling with addiction. If you are also in the counselling field, you have a role to play in the lives of families.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the campaign against drug use and trafficking aims to combat stigma and discrimination against people who use drugs by promoting language and attitudes that are respectful and non-judgmental. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

U.S.-based medical practitioner seeks use of data to fight drug abuse
Health

U.S.-based medical practitioner seeks use of data to fight drug abuse

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Drugs

By Femi Ogunshola
Dr Nelson Aluya, a US-based Nigerian medical practitioner, has urged the Federal Government to employ data in the fight against the menace of drug abuse, drug use disorder and mental health among youths.

He said the use of data was essential and must be accessible for Nigeria to make progress in the fight against drug abuse.

Aluya said this via a virtual meeting, organised by the Re-Orientation Advocacy of Nigeria (RAN) in Abuja, as part of activities to mark the 2023 World Drug Day in Nigeria.

The meeting was attended by Mr Charles Folayan, Executive Director RAN, and Director General, Ann Foundation, Mrs Ann Ehigiator, in preparation for the flag-off of drug prevention, treatment and care programme across Nigeria.

Aluya, a Professor of Medicine at the New Jersey Medical School and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Newark Community Health Center Inc, US, said data remained the first step to solve drug abuse.

He said Nigerians in the diaspora were working to support RAN to carry out a national research on drug abuse, especially the root causes, and come up with a blue print on strategy to stem drug and substance abuse in Nigeria.

Aluya also called on the government to build a template for fighting drug abuse which would be a way forward for the entire African countries.

He said drug addiction and overdose had become a global socio-political problem with severe economic implication.

“It is noteworthy that illicit drug trafficking, use and addiction constitute a significant share of the global burden of diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C, especially with those who are intravenous drug users.

“There is also a strong causal association of drug trafficking, drug addiction and increasing trends of violent crimes and now even terrorism,” he said.

According, it is disturbing that Nigeria as the most populous black nation and the largest economy in Africa is yet to initiate a clear direction and enforcement of its national policy or declaration on illicit drug use and overdose.

He said Nigeria had a pivotal role to play and should get ahead of the curve to champion this cause for Africa and other black nations to emulate. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

Group canvasses support for prevention of illicit drugs
Health

Group canvasses support for prevention of illicit drugs

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By Ikenna Osuoha

Save Our Heritage Initiative (SOHI), an Abuja based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has called on the public to support preventive measures aimed at stemming illicit drug abuse in Nigeria.

Ms May Ikokwu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SOHI said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja “on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and illicit drugs held by the UN Office for Drug and Crime (UNODC)”.

The theme of the event is “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.”

She said that the importance of identifying and closing the supply chain of illicit drugs was to drastically tackle the abuse and use.

She also called on parents and guardians to always monitor their wards and the company they keep, especially the adolescents in order to deny them access to illicit drugs.

“Parents and guardians are encouraged to mix with youths and get to know the codes that young people use for describing various drugs, in order to checkmate them.

“Furthermore, drug addicts should not be thrown out of the house, because of the tendency to steal, but should be sent to rehabilitation centres.

“Moreover, addicts and reformed addicts should be shown as much love as possible while their battered ego should be restored, so that they do not backslide.

“The World Drug Report provides a global overview of the supply and demand of opiates, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine-type stimulants and new psychoactive substances (NPS), as well as their impact on health.

“It highlights, through improved research and more precise data, that the adverse health consequences of drug use are more widespread than previously thought,” she said.

The Culture Advocate reiterated the need to improve on preventive measures, saying that drug abuse had adverse effects on the youths.

She described the youths as national heritage who must be preserved and saved from any form of destruction or stigma.

Ikokwu said: “According to the UNODC, nearly 200 million people are using illicit drugs such as cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, opiates and sedative hypnotics worldwide.”

She explained that the figure was not only alarming but a dangerous pointer to potential victims of mental and medical ill health.

Ikokwu enjoined relevant stakeholders to collectively save the future of the country by aggressively preventing drug abuse among Nigerians.

NAN reports that in December 1987, the UN General Assembly decided to observe June 26 as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

“The UN is determined to help create an international society free of drug abuse.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

================
Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Ekemini Ladejobi

Health experts urge improved residency training, citizens’ well-being
Health

Health experts urge improved residency training, citizens’ well-being

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Health experts have called for improved medical residency training and reduction in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) to improve the health system and well-being of Nigerians.

The experts spoke during the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON) Scientific Conference on Sunday in Lagos.

The theme of the conference is ”Residency Training in a Service-Oriented Environment amidst Dwindling Human Resources for Health-Challenges and Way Out”.

Dr Sixtus Ozuomba, Chairman, SOFPON, Lagos Chapter, said that the theme reflected the dicey situation that the family physicians found themselves in the present day Nigeria.

Ozuomba noted that residency training in a service-oriented environment was a huge challenge to both the trainer and the trainee.

He said that excellence in service must not be sacrificed in the pursuit of academic excellence.

”The bad situation is worsened by the fast dwindling human resource for health, occasioned by the rapid efflux of medical personnel of all cadres to the western world in search of better livelihood.

”The healthcare workers that stay behind, like the proverbial willing horse, are ridden to exhaustion; overworked, underpaid, are faced with the escalating cost of living without a commensurate increase in remuneration.

”They have to contend with largely hungry and angry patients, and still have to contend with the pressure from their immediate bosses, who are not unaware of the situation, but have to align with political correctness and survival.

”The family physician because of his reputation for versatility and not being limited by systems, age or gender is the worst hit, as he is often called upon to fill the yawning gaps.

”We can’t continue to tell people to relax, take life easy, whereas the doctor giving the advice is doing the opposite.

”The doctor that’s expected to keep people alive, needs to be alive to do that,” he said.

He appealed to the government to create an enabling environment, recruit more workers to replace the exited ones, invest in training and incentives for health workers to boost morale and productivity.

According to Ozuomba, the burden of cardiovascular diseases is on the rise in Nigeria.

He said that family physicians, as the first contact doctors, were becoming crucial in the treatment and control of CVDs in individuals, families and communities.

Similarly, Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu, said that residency training programmes enable graduates of medical colleges the opportunity to advance their knowledge in a medical or surgical specialty.

Odusanya said that residency trainees in Nigeria were exposed to multifaceted challenges that included demographic, workplace and psychosocial issues which made them contemplate emigration.

He noted that many had emigrated in search of better job satisfaction, working conditions, remuneration, career progression, professional advancement, and improved quality of life.

Odusanya appealed to policy makers and managers of health facilities to tackle these challenges, noting that the solutions would stimulate development in the nation’s health sector.

Also, Dr Oladapo Adewuya, Consultant Cardiologist, said concerted efforts should be made to reduce the alarming increase of cardiovascular diseases among Nigerians.

Adewuya, who works at R-Jolad Hospital, Gbagada, Lagos, made this known while speaking on the conference’s sub-theme, ‘Stemming the Tide of Cardiovascular Diseases’.

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels. Undetected, untreated CVDs could lead to stroke, heart attack or avoidable deaths.

Adewuya said that one in three Nigerians have cardiovascular diseases, noting that a recent research showed a 150 per cent increase in prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in South-West Nigeria.

Adewuya said that CVDs were preventable and reversible when identified early.

He also advised members of the public to shun tobacco use, unhealthy diet, obesity, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol.

According to him, cardiovascular diseases has led to many avoidable deaths, while information, education and communication to the public should be enhanced.

”I have seen a 25-years-old man suffer a myocardial infarction (heart attack) from using a sexual enhancement drug bought on the street.

”As physicians, we have to intensify efforts in educating the public to stop risky behaviour,” he said.

He said that family physicians have a role to play in curbing the rising trend and reducing the workload of the few available cardiologists.

He said that they could do so by requesting a baseline investigation of every patient to detect and reduce the prevalence of CVDs in Nigeria.

Also, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu, Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos Zone, said that collaborative efforts would be required to stem the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases.

Olowojebutu said that more than 6,000 medical doctors left Nigeria in the last one year, noting that even mentors were leaving.

”The level of commitment to the medical residency training has reduced, level of training and mentorship has reduced,” he said.

The NMA chairman urged the government to increase the number of training institutions for family medicine in Lagos, adding that family medicine was the first point of call in hospitals.

Also, Dr Atinuke Onayiga, Chairman, Lagos State Health Service Commission, said the state government prioritised human resources for health, human capital development and medical infrastructure development as a means of achieving the Health and Environment mandate of its THEMES agenda.

Onayiga noted that Lagos was the only state that took bold steps in establishing training for family medicine and anesthesia at hospital level.

She said that effort should be made to improve the retainership strategy and also attract Nigerian doctors back to the country.

”Nigeria is already on an economic recovery trajectory to woo more investors, allow systems to become more vibrant and I believe this would enhance our health system and human resources,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Olawunmi Ashafa

Anthrax: Dealing with animal-to-human infections
Features , Health

Anthrax: Dealing with animal-to-human infections

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An Analysis by Dianabasi Effiong, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

 

There is no doubt that Nigeria has recorded notable improvements in healthcare through research and treatment.

This is in spite of notable challenges like industrial actions, brain drain, poor infrastructure, water, electricity, dearth of manpower among others.

A drawback on such improvements often results from outbreak of diseases and infections including Lassa fever, Cholera, sleeping sickness, yellow fever, tuberculosis, leprosy, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and Ebola.

Recently, the threat of Anthrax – a disease transmitted from animals to humans just like some of the aforementioned health challenges, has been reported from countries contiguous to Nigeria.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis.

It occurs naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world. People can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.

The fear of possible spread of anthrax from neighbouring West African countries to Nigeria, as real as it is, added to the challenges of healthcare in Nigeria coming on the heels of Ebola, COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently, the Federal Government, through Ernest Umakhihe, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,  alerted residents and citizens on the outbreak of anthrax disease in some neighbouring countries.

It stated that the disease was widespread in northern Ghana, bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.

It also advised that Nigerians should henceforth desist from the consumption of hides, also known as `ponmo’, `ikpa’ or `kanda’ locally in the country.

“Signs of anthrax are flu- like symptoms such as cough, fever, muscle aches and if not diagnosed and treated early, leads to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shock and death,’’ the statement added.

The CDC explained that people could get sick with anthrax if they came in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products or by inhaling spores.

The CDC also stated that anthrax symptoms ranged from a skin ulcer with a dark scab to difficulty breathing.

It added that although the disease is treatable by a medical professional, the inhaled anthrax is harder to treat and can be fatal.

Also, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the disease, transmissible from animals to humans, affected ruminants such as cows, sheep and goats.

The federal government also explained that being a bacterial disease, anthrax would respond to treatment with antibiotics and supportive therapy.

However, the alert, especially the advice against the consumption of those products, was not taken lightly in the country.

Some consumers, traders and experts spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews at Onipanu, Ijora, Ebute Metta and Ikorodu areas of Lagos State as to whether ponmo should be banned or not.

They said that banning ponmo would further promote economic hardship on those who could not afford a better alternative.

According to them, `ponmo’ contains and can provide beneficial nutrients to the human body.

Some of them also told NAN that though ponmo contains low nutritional value when compared to other protein sources because it does not contain all essential amino acids, it contained a lot of collagen.

According to experts, collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies.

They also argued that because our bodies produce collagen, it is not essential that we must eat collagen for growth.

They also said that as one grows older, one’s ability to produce collagen reduces leading to appearance of wrinkles.

For the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Nigerians should heed the government’s directive to be wary of consuming roasted cow hide.

According to its National President, Prof. James Damen, this is to avoid contracting anthrax disease

Damen also told NAN that government’s warning would guard against the outbreak of anthrax disease recorded in neighbouring countries.

“In as much as Nigerians love eating `ponmo’, we should be careful with its consumption because one cannot rule out the migration of animals from one country to the other.

“Anyone who eats `ponmo’ from a cow that is infected with anthrax would definitely come down with the disease; so it is in our best interest not to consume `ponmo’,’’ he said.

Damen, who lauded the government’s swift reaction in alerting Nigerians to anthrax outbreak in neighbouring countries, said measures should be put in place to address any possible outbreak in Nigeria.

Also, Dr Salami Akorede, the Director, Dietetics Department at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun, called on NAFDAC to regulate the mode of processing cow hide into `ponmo’ for human consumption.

He told NAN at Ile-Ife that the popular mode of burning cow hide on naked fire to produce `ponmo’ was deleterious to health.

According to him, the process of burning cow hide on naked fire makes the product to become potential source of cancer when consumed regularly.

He said: “Where it is well processed, `ponmo’ is a good source of protein, water, energy and micronutrients which contain fibre that aid digestion.

“In producing `ponmo’, processors should regulate the exposure of the cow hide to naked fire so as to minimise the formation of nitrates on them.’’

He said that `ponmo’ could also serve as alternative to meat since it was affordable.

He also said that consumers should take `ponmo’ alongside other protein-rich sources like meat, fish, crayfish and soya balls to complement their protein supply.

The Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Prof. Babatunde Salako, also told NAN in Lagos that more funds should be made available to enhance health research that would proffer solutions to health issues peculiar in Nigeria.

He added that the establishment of a Medical Research Council would help to scale up health research. (NANFeatures)

**If used credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria**

 

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

NAFDAC vows to enforce good hygiene practices in bread processing
Health

NAFDAC vows to enforce good hygiene practices in bread processing

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By Aderogba George

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has vowed to enforce Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) in bread processing in the country.

This is contained in a statement by the agency’s resident media consultant, Mr Olusayo Akintola, on Sunday in Abuja.

The statement disclosed that NAFDAC’s Director-General (DG), Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, made this known during her meeting with members of the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter.

Represented by Mrs Eva Edwards, the agency’s Director, Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FSAN), Adeyeye said the move would encourage the association’s special task force to rid the industry of unwholesome practices.

She urged members of the association and other confectionery stakeholders to always imbibe the culture of GHP for the benefit of the public.

The DG said that the agency would not compromise the quality of bread, a staple food among Nigerians.

She noted that the agency was sensitive to the increasing costs of ingredients in production, but said this should not be an excuse to undermine safety, quality and endanger the lives of consumers.

‘’You should have full confidence to give your family members what you have produced to eat. Avoid using expired raw materials and contaminated packaging materials.

“The overall objective of GHP in the food processing sector, including bakeries, quick service restaurants, is to ensure the safety of food from the starting materials to the final products.

“GHP must be strictly adhered to from the beginning to the end of the production process, as finished products should not be exposed to the ravaging onslaught of rats and other pests in the Lagos metropolis. ‘

“Food raw materials/ingredients that are not properly sealed, compromised packaging, infested by rodents or their droppings, or not adequately labelled, should not be used.

‘’Detergents, disinfectants, engine oil/lubricants should be kept away from food raw materials. If baking operations will endanger the health of the public, then the agency will not hesitate to take a decisive action.

“As a responsive agency, NAFDAC is prepared to support the association’s businesses to survive and thrive,” Adeyeye said.

She further stressed that production facilities should not be sited in locations that can compromise the safety and quality of the finished products, such as near a cemetery or directly opposite a toilet or soakaway.

According to her, there is no way the agency will stand aloof while the health of the public is put at a risk.

She further said that equipment used in production should be impervious and not erode or react with the food during processing.

Adeyeye said that the equipment should be properly installed and arranged to enable easy cleaning of the immediate environment, and allow for free movement of personnel.

She maintained that vehicles used for transportation of chemicals, or any hazardous materials should not be used to transport bread, and that finished products should be adequately protected from contamination.

According to her, medical tests should be conducted periodically to ensure that the personnel producing the food are healthy and do not have diseases that could be transmitted through food.

She said that food handlers are also not expected to work with open wounds; ‘’when they are ill, they should be excused from work.”

She said that the principles of food safety and GHP should be adopted and maintained in any food production or processing facility.

The NAFDAC boss advised the Master Bakers on the need for proper labelling of their products, which includes listing of the ingredients contained in the finished products.

She disclosed that the ingredients that weigh the most are listed first, while emphasising the importance of indicating date markings on the labels so that the consumers are properly informed accordingly.

The statement also quoted the Acting Chairman of the association, Lagos State Chapter, Mr Matthew Ayoola, as commending the initiative of NAFDAC by engaging his members on the way forward with their businesses.

He pledged that his members would use the knowledge imparted on them at the engagement to further enhance the quality of their products in the State.

Ayoola, however, disclosed that his association had set up a task force with a view to bringing forward any recalcitrant member to NAFDAC for necessary guidance towards compliance with the regulations, and sanctions. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Josephine Obute/Vincent Obi

Rights group trains 10 visually impaired females on ICT
Health

Rights group trains 10 visually impaired females on ICT

131 total views today

 

By Fabian Ekeruche

 

The Eagle Voice International for Disability Rights, an NGO, has trained 10 young visually impaired ladies on Information Communications Technology (ICT) mobility and the use of navigation tools for movement.

The Executive Director, Eagle Voice, Oluwakemi Odusanya, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Odusanya said that the training was important to enable the young ladies between ages 22 and 52 to integrate themselves into the larger society like their sighted friends and colleagues.

“In the last eight weeks, we had 10 blind and partially sighted women across different spaces in Lagos.

“They underwent ICT training in IT tools like the use of computer with screen reader for daily and professional use in topics like Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and the basic use of the computer as well as communication and gestures.

“So, in this aspect, they were taught how to interact with each other, some were first time interactions where they had a lot of visual impaired persons around.

“We also had the mobility orientation class where they had to learn how to  use the white cane as a symbol of navigation around from their houses down to this place.

“So, we had 10 visually impaired persons across ranging from the age 22 to 52, to teach them all these important skills,” Odusanya said.

The executive director said that she was motivated to train the visually impaired ladies because she saw a need and a disconnect in the community of the visually impaired in skills gap, compared to their male counterparts.

“I recall when I had one year training at Leadership Training Institute in India, where I was taught how to develop and be a social change maker.

“I realised that actually there is a gap between the visually impaired women and the men in the community.

“When it comes to skills we have less women who have a knowledge of how to use computer or even how to work independently or even out to interact within the community.

“And this has been a challenge, a very great challenge actually in the community,” Odusanyua said.

She said that the experience led her to focus on the blind and visually impaired women and to bring out the abilities in them.

“Some of them are facing a lot but they don’t know who to talk to and how to go about it.

“I, being a live experience, have been blind for over 15 years and I saw that there is a need; why not take this up within my community.

“So from there I set up a proposal to International Blind Football Foundation and they gave us a small grant to be able to do this two months exclusive training for the blind and visually impaired women,” Odusanya said.

She said that she intended to seek further collaboration with various foundations to scale up the training to reach more visually impaired ladies and for a longer duration.

According to her, the foundation in the nearest future, will create a hub for career development for visually impaired women where they can share their experiences and motivate each other to acquire skills.

She urged all women out there who are visually impaired to avail themselves of these opportunities to acquire life skills for employment.

The trainees expressed appreciation to the Eagles Voice International for Disability Rights for the opportunity granted them.(NAN)(nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Angela Okisor/Idris Abdulrahman

Foundation distributes sanitary towels to secondary school girls
Health

Foundation distributes sanitary towels to secondary school girls

182 total views today

By Bridget Ikyado

The Nikki Udezue Foundation has distributed sanitary pads to female students of Junior Secondary School, Nyanya Gbagyi, Nasarawa State to promote their personal hygiene.

The donation carried out through an individual donor, #BecauseICan, included 30 packs containing 480 Sanitary towels distributed to the students on Friday.

The Foundation also conducted lectures and trainings for the girls on menstrual hygiene and how to make alternative menstrual pads.

The Founder of Nikki Udezue Foundation, Nkeiruka Udezue, told newsmen that the donor contacted her foundation to carry out the project in Nigeria as part of her birthday celebration.

“We got a call from an individual donor in the United Kingdom, saying the 24th is her birthday and she indicated interest to collaborate with Nikki Udezue Foundation to run this project for her.

“This Pad The Girl Child is directed to our girls, empowering them and educating them on menstrual hygiene so that they will be able to care for themselves during their menstrual period .

“Menstruation has brought about a lot of stigmatisation in the girl child and some of them even miss out on school activities.

“#BecauseICan is the individual donor from the United Kingdom who has indicated that we could give the girls pads, Nikki Udezue Foundation is now giving two cycles of pad to our young girls.

“So, this is to enlighten them, also teach them ways that they can make alternative pads, using cotton wool, clean towels, so that they will be able to manage themselves in an event they cannot afford pads,” she said.

She said the foundation targeted 138 girls but the number increased to 150, saying each one would be given three to four pads each for two cycles.

“We have an American trained Nurse that will lecture them on menstrual hygiene. For now we chose JSS 1 and JSS 2 students about 10-13 age bracket.

” Some of them have started menstruating and some who have not started menstruating will be sensitised in case they started so that they will not be scared on the first day.”

Mbah Deborah-Esohe, a U.S. trained Nurse who lectured the girls on menstrual hygiene, said often times girl children missed out on school activities during their menstrual cycles.

“We are here today to educate the girl child about the menstrual hygiene and its management.

” Often times it is what they know but we just want to sensitise them and give them alternative to the regular menstrual pad that is often used because most of these students stay out of school when they are menstruating, and we wouldn’t want that to continue.

“We want to educate them and give them an alternative to the regular pad that we also use, that is our mission for today,” she said.

The Principal, Government Junior Secondary School, Nyanya Gbagyi, Abdulkareem Silifat, expressed delight over the project in the school.

“They came to sensitise the children. When they told me the date, I informed the children and the parents, they were all happy,” she said.

She said it was also important to extend the training to the boy child because according to her, if the girl child is well groomed and the boy child is not, the society is still not free.

Some students also expressed joy and appreciation for the events.

” I am Ukam Ukamaka and I am 13 years old; I have learnt to take care of myself by not using dirty clothes but to use pad, just as they have given us, or I can use cotton wool.

” I have to wear my pad for only four hours and not 24hrs and I have to be neat, I say thank you to the foundation and the donor, ” she said.

Also Miss Celina Ahmodu, a student of the school said,” I thank the foundation and nurse Deborah who taught us how to use pad, how it cannot be used for a whole day, but at least four to five hours.” (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

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