An Oral Pathologist, Prof. Bamidele Kolude says low-income and disadvantaged groups are more exposed to avoidable risk factors of mouth cancers.
Kolude stated this in Ibadan on Thursday, while delivering the 519th inaugural lecture on behalf of Faculty of Dentistry, University of Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture is titled “The Trial and Tribulation of Orofacial Cancers: Will Molecular Targeted Therapy Triumph?” Prevention of Mouth Cancers.
He said the overall global goal of cancer prevention and control was to reduce the incidence and mortality of cancer and to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their families.
“Although the existing body of knowledge about cancer prevention, treatment and palliative care is extensive, much still needs to be known in many aspects notably in etiology and prevention”.
Partcipants at 519th inaugural lecture, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Ibadan
He identified factors such as environmental carcinogens, alcohol, infectious agents and tobacco use as avoidable risks affecting low-income and disadvantaged groups.
“These groups also have less access to the health services and health education that would empower them to make decisions to protect and improve their health.
“National cancer control programmes will help policymakers and managers to make the most effective use of available meagre resources to the whole population by taking a balanced approach to evidence-based intervention.
“Prevention is often the most long-term strategy for cancer control. Furthermore, cancer preventive measures also contribute to the prevention of other chronic diseases that share the same risk factor,” Kolude said.
The don said the trials and tribulations of mouth cancers were preventable with regular oral screening processes, accurate early diagnosis with appropriate equipment and manpower.
He added that with the inclusion of molecular targeted therapies, there were better treatment outcomes than the conventional combination therapy for mouth cancers.
Kolude called for health education and motivation of the masses through mass media about the risk factors, early signs and symptoms as well as available care for oral cancer. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos chapter, has called on government at all levels to invest more in the welfare and security of Nigerians, to address brain drain.
ACPN Chairman in the state, Lawrence Ekhator, made the call at the 2023 Community Pharmacists Educational Conference, held in Lagos.
According to Ekhator, such investments will help in addressing the brain drain being experienced across different sectors of the economy.
“We are currently experiencing shortage of younger pharmacists to employ because those trained with a view to supporting our operations are living for greener pastures.
“It’s very difficult to blame them because all our appeals to the government are not yielding positive responses. This brain drain, by implication, will continue to worsen the country’s health indices,” he said.
Lawrence commended the pharmacists who were contributing to the health sector, in spite of the numerous challenges confronting them.
He urged ACPN members to continue to leverage the benefits of e-commerce, as primary healthcare service providers.
“Lots of pharmacists are putting measures in place to thrive, but the more they do so, the more government introduces different policies to make things difficult.
“The drama surrounding the naira redesign and the implication of it on the economy are massive,” he said.
Also speaking, the Registrar of Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Mr Ibrahim Ahmed, said that the pharmacy profession had experienced massive loss of human resources in the last few years due to brain drain.
According to him, a total of 1,255 letters of good standing were issued to Nigerian pharmacists who traveled abroad between 2021 and 2022.
“Some of our young pharmacists have left the country to seek greener pastures. Over 1,000 have received letters of good standing in their various destinations outside the country,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Jimi Agbaje, a pharmacist and former governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, was honoured at the occasion. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA Nigeria) has trained 120 girls on how to curb Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through the use of information technology.
Mr Albashir Ibrahim, the UNFPA Digital Literacy Facilitator, said this at a training on Coding Bootcamp and Digital Design Thinking for internally displaced women and girls in Maiduguri.
He said UNFPA decided to organise the training to tackle gender digital gaps through coding bootcamp programmes.
Ibrahim, who said that the training was in commemoration of the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD), added that the move would help in providing innovative solutions to the problems of women and girls.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IWD is an annual UN global observance marked on March 8 to raise awareness about issues that affect women and girls.
The 2023 celebration had “Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality” as its theme.
Group photo of participants and UNFPA staff during a coding bootcamp in Maiduguri.
The UNFPA literacy facilitator said: “The women, selected from different organisations, schools and vulnerable communities were trained on improved access to technology to check GBV.
“As you are aware, access to internet and use of technology is largely a male affair.
“This programme will, therefore, provide opportunities for girls to meet like minds in different fora where they can share opinions and express themselves to solve their problems.”
Participant and a UNFPA staff during coding bootcamp in Maiduguri
Also, UNFPA Resident Representative, Ulla Mueller, said women and girls paid heavy price during conflicts and emergencies, adding that conflicts, climate shocks and the continuing COVID-19 pandemic had exacerbated gender inequalities.
Mueller said that a record number of people around the world were displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance and access to essential services, with women and girls paying the heaviest price.
She said “conflicts affect women and girls the more, causing displacement, increased vulnerability to violence, sexual abuse and exploitation.
“Many of them pregnant may need medical care or help with complicated pregnancies. The lack of access to healthcare in these situations puts their lives at risk.”
She noted that as for the Humanitarian Needs Overview for 2023, an estimated 8.3 million people are in need of assistance, with women and children constituting 81 per cent (6.7 million).
“And out of the 8.3 million people in need, an estimated 1.8 million individuals, mostly women and girls, will require GBV services in 2023 across the BAY states, with Borno having the bulk (48 per cent).”
Mueller, however, said that this year’s theme of the International Women’s Day, “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality” highlights the role of innovative technology in promoting gender equality and meeting the health and development needs of women and girls.
She said: “When women and girls are included in the creation and design of technology, there is a world of potential for innovation that promotes gender equality and benefits society as a whole.”
She listed gender-based barriers to digital technologies to include discrimination, harassment and limited mobility, especially in the case of women and girls in conflict situations.
Mueller said that the gender digital divide has significant implications for women and girls’ economic empowerment, education and participation in civic and political activities.
The country representative said: “This programme that has benefitted some 120 women and girls in Maiduguri is not only aimed at bridging the gender digital divide, but also providing digital economic opportunities to the vulnerable group that the 14-years armed conflict has ripped off all their resources.
“This Coding Bootcamp and Design Thinking workshop which UNFPA is hosting today is just one of the activities planned across Nigeria to commemorate this year’s IWD to tackle gender digital divide in Nigeria.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
The Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) has called for collaborative efforts with government at all levels to increase access to dental care to reduce oral diseases and improve the general health of Nigerians.
The NDA President, Dr Tope Adeyemi, made the call at a media briefing on Wednesday in Lagos.
The media briefing was part of activities lined up to celebrate the 2023 World Oral Health Day (WOHD).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the WOHD is celebrated annually on March 20.
The theme for this year’s celebration is: ”Be Proud of Your Mouth for a Lifetime Smiles.”
According to him, this year’s theme seeks to inspire change by focusing on the importance of oral health at every stage of life.
Adeyemi said that the association celebrates the day in conjunction with Unilever Nigeria Plc, by carrying out oral health promotional activities nationwide for two weeks.
“These oral health promotional activities include visits to schools and markets; outreaches (free dental check-ups, scaling and polishing, glass ionomer cement fillings, simple extractions) to various communities including vulnerable groups.
“There would also be educational programmes such as quizzes, essays and spelling bee competitions, as well as, advocacy visits and awareness through the media and social media channels.
“The reason we should celebrate the WOHD is that, some of the world’s population suffer from oral diseases, most of which are preventable.
“With collaborative action to fund programmes for prevention, early detection and treatment, the effects can be mitigated.
“We strongly recommend that individuals, families, communities, and governments act with appropriate measures to reduce the burden of oral diseases.
“This is because oral diseases have an impact on general health, wellbeing and national economies,” he said.
L-R: Mrs Oiza Gyang, Marketing Director, Beauty, Wellbeing and Personal Care at Unilever Nigeria; Dr Gloria Uzoigwe, Head of Dentistry Division, Federal Ministry of Health; Dr Tope Adeyemi, President, NDA; Dr Tajudeen Sanusi, Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria at the media briefing on World Oral Health Day in Lagos.
Adeyemi said that it was pertinent to draw the attention of the government to the limited access to oral healthcare services in the country, especially in the rural areas.
“Nigeria has an estimated population of 218,541,212 in 2022. This gives an estimated dentist-to-population ratio of 1:53,828.
“This implies that a dentist is responsible for the oral health care of approximately 54,000 persons in Nigeria.
“This is far from the recommended ratio of 1: 5,000. This dentist-to-population ratio is worse in the rural areas due to near absence of personnel and oral healthcare services in primary healthcare centres in the rural areas in Nigeria,” he said.
Adeyemi, also a consultant orthodontist at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, commended the Federal Government for signing the National Health Insurance Authority into law to provide universal health coverage for Nigerians.
He, however, requested that preventive oral care services such as scaling and polishing, fluoride therapy, simple dental fillings, dentures and simple tooth extraction be included in primary care instead of secondary care services.
This, he said, would help prevent dental diseases, as well as, ensure prompt treatment of developing oral diseases.
He also recommended the full integration of oral health care into primary health care services to ensure more access to oral health care services, especially in the underserved rural areas at the primary health care centres.
“The NDA also earnestly calls for multi-sectorial efforts to increase the capacity of the training institutions for dentists in Nigeria.
“We also request for improved conditions of service and access to low-interest loans to enable young dental surgeons to establish dental clinics which will greatly assist in curbing brain drain, provide employment and ensure provision of quality oral health services to the citizenry devoid of quackery.
“There is a need for creation of a Directorate of Dentistry at all levels of government in the Ministry of Health to enhance the development of innovative, efficient and effective oral health policies,” he said.
The Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr Tajudeen Sanusi, said that the council was committed to tackling internal and external quackery in the profession to improve the services rendered.
“We have seen cases where technicians and assistants in dental clinics take up private practice, register dental facilities and perform the work of a dental surgeon.
“All state ministries of health have an inspectorate unit to carry out routine monitoring to inspect facilities for the practice of medicine or dentistry.
“When they discover such facilities registered under false names, they apprehend and hand them over to the appropriate law enforcement agency,” he said.
Sanusi added that it was crucial for state governments to have medical officers of health at the local governments to make it easy to incorporate dentistry at the Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).
On her part, Dr Gloria Uzoigwe, Head of Dentistry Division, Federal Ministry of Health, said the ministry was planning to embark on community dentistry to enhance dental treatment in the communities.
This, she said, would address the lack of dental personnel at the PHCs in various local governments.
“We are going to visit the National Primary Healthcare Development Authority to address this issue by employing dental personnel and training community dental extension workers.
“We have obtained the World Health Organisation approved training manual for these cadres of staff which is mainly awareness creation, identification of dental problems and referrals. They are not going to be doing anything intensive, to avoid quackery,” Uzoigwe said.
Mrs Oiza Gyang, Marketing Director, Beauty, Wellbeing and Personal Care at Unilever Nigeria, said the focus for this year’s WOHD celebration was to take oral health care message to students in primary schools.
Gyang added that the company would embark on projects later in the year aimed at improving the access to dentists in rural areas. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Traditional and religious leaders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to government at all levels and philanthropists to establish and equip Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in their domains.
The leaders made the call on Wednesday at a stakeholders workshop on funding mechanism organised by the FCT Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN) in Abuja.
They noted that their appeal, if addressed, would cater for the treatment of AIDs, TB and Malaria (ATM), among other diseases in the country.
Mr Abubakar Bako, the Secretary, Gbazango Traditional Community, Kubwa, FCT, said such meetings would enlighten participants on ways to resolve challenges affecting them.
He said that it would also ensure an improved access to social amenities for community members.
He said: “We have had so many challenges with no healthcare centres in our community, but have to go to the general hospital, which is far from us.
“And we have also lost so many people due to inability to access healthcare services for timely treatment.
“But through such advocacy programmes and sensitisation, we learnt that we can also have our PHCs in our communities.”
The traditional leader stressed the need for community members to ensure participation and monitoring of projects to ensure sustainability.
“My advise to other communities is to key into such programmes to enable them know and learn more from other communities that already have existing hospitals and PHCs.
“This will enable them know better and also have theirs. We are therefore appealing to government to provide basic social amenities that would improve our livelihood,” he added.
Also speaking, Mr Julius Ibecheole, ACOMIN FCT Focal person, said the workshop would access the level of engagement, which was part of the processes needed in the submission of the application for the grant cycle seven for Nigeria as it pertains to the CSOs component.
Ibecheole said that the process of soliciting and receiving global grants before now had not been this participatory and involving wide consultations.
He explained that a change in approach by the global fund demands that community stakeholders being their duties, CBOs should make meaningful inputs towards it.
“We will submit so that the global fund itself will see that this process was actually all encompassing in the participation of every key stakeholder.
“And by way of making their own inputs known contribute to the final document that will be sent out.
“Some of those findings, like the need for proper case management, malaria intervention, need for scaling up prevention and environmental management components to be really focused.
“So, going forward in the next round, we want to see more community ownership, while we also do not want to see the government renege in its core obligations,” he said.
Ibecheole also called on government at all levels to ensure that PHCs nationwide were fully equipped to improve healthcare services in the country.
“We know that the National Primary Health Care Agency has very beautiful plans to ensure that the 774 LGAs have PHCs that are well structured, equipped in terms of tools, machines and also manpower.
“We want to see that happen in the coming years and on our part as CSOs, we shall follow up on advocacy,” he said.
Other participants at the workshop were religious and traditional leaders, CSOs and the media. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Muhammad Suleiman Tola
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is alerting the public on defective tetracycline hydrochloride ophthalmic ointment.
The notification is contained in a public alert with No. 04/2023, signed by the Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola
Adeyeye, issued to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.
Adeyeye stated that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had raised an alarm on batches of the tetracycline hydrochloride ophthalmic ointment USP one per cent for various quality issues.
She added that the affected ointment, manufactured by Navi Mumbai-based Galentic Pharma (India) Pvt Ltd, are still within valid shelf life, quoting WHO as saying “at least 55 countries received the affected batches, and the manufacturer has initiated voluntary recall for several batches.
“The WHO also stated that the manufacturer had indicated that other batches may be included in the voluntary recall.”
She said that various marketing authorisation holders exist for the product, and that the product is available under various labelling.
She said “five international procurers of the product independently conducted visual examination of random samples of stock on hand and detected a range of quality issues.
“The issues reported by each procurer were not uniform and varied from batch to batch. Some of such issues include the presence of particles, ranging in colour, size and shape on the nozzle in the cap and in the ointment inside each tube.
“Others are black spots and brown splotches on the inner foil layer of the tube, and phase separation.
“Tetracycline Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Ointment USP one per is indicated for use in bacterial blepharitis (red, swollen,
irritated, and itchy eyelids), bacterial conjunctivitis (eye discharge, redness and itching), bacterial keratitis
(inflammation of the cornea), and trachoma caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.
“The product is given as treatment for infants and older children and also indicated as preventive measure for infants, including neonates”.
The NAFDAC boss, however, stated that there is currently no established evidence of any adverse events from the affected batches of the product, saying that redness and swollen eyes are common reactions to general use of tetracycline eye ointment.
She said that there is currently no indication that the above-mentioned quality issues may give rise to adverse events that are not listed in the product labelling.
She advised the public in possession of the product to discontinue sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.
She also urged anyone who suffered any adverse reaction to seek prompt medical advice. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
The Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), says taxation of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) in Nigeria is a win-win-strategy for public health.
Ms Veronica Schoj, Vice President, Food and Nutrition, GHAI, made the observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.
She said that it was also a public health solution to tackling diet-related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
“Drinking sugary drinks increases the likelihood of being overweight and excessive sugar intake causes increased risk of diabetes, liver and kidney damage, heart disease and some cancers.
“So, taxing sugary drinks to increase their prices are effective ways to curb the consumption of these harmful drinks and potentially lower the burden on the healthcare system,” she said.
NAN reports that the SSB tax targeted natural and added sweeteners such as brown sugar, corn sweetener and syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, lactose, malt syrup, maltose, molasses, raw sugar, and sucrose.
Others are: soft drinks, juices, nectars, sweetened coffee, sweetened tea, energy drinks, speciality drinks and flavoured dairy.
Schoj said that government could use the revenue generated by the tax increase to improve healthcare.
“We know from growing evidence from countries with an SSB tax that they are an effective way to reduce the consumption of these harmful drinks.
“Data collected from these countries, including South Africa, demonstrated that the well-designed taxes impact on the final prices and make these ultra-processed products less affordable.
“This resulted in a decrease in the consumption of sugary drinks and an increase in the consumption of healthier products like water and savings in healthcare cost,” she said.
The GHAI vice president said that the revenue collected could be used for health programmes.
“In essence, the tax is a win-win-win for government, because it discourages their consumption, encourages consumers to make healthier choices that will improve their health while also funnelling the country with resources to support health measures,” she added.
Schoj said that SSBs contribute to malnutrition and reduce the consumption of nutritious foods.
“That is why SSB taxes not only protect the health of entire population, but is particularly useful to protecting the most vulnerable socioeconomic groups that are more affected by malnutrition and non communicable diseases,” she said.
According to her, SSBs companies produce ultra-processed beverages that have huge impact on health, generate significant environmental damage through excessive use of water and plastic contamination, among others.
“That is why policies that look for the reduction of the consumption of SSBs to protect human and planetary health is very essential,” she said.
According to her, Civil Society Organisations and the media should keep educating the public and policymakers on the health and environmental harms of sugary drinks.
Schoj said that the public education should heighten awareness on why sugary drinks were a leading cause of non-communicable diseases in a country and how the tax would be used to tackle the diseases. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
The Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO) has appealed to the Federal Government to support the proposed World Health Organisation (WHO) pandemic treaty.
The Executive Director of NNNGO, Mr Oluseyi Oyebisi, said in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos that the agreement would embed equity, cooperation, and human rights into pandemic preparedness and response.
According to him, NNNGO believes that the proposed pandemic treaty is a critical step toward ensuring that Nigeria and other members of the global community are better prepared for future pandemics.
“We, therefore, urge the Nigerian Government to support the treaty and work towards its adoption.
“By embedding equity, cooperation and human rights into pandemic preparedness and response, we can ensure that we build a more resilient and equitable world for all,” he said.
Oyebisi said that a pandemic exposed deep inequalities in societies, noting that the impact had been severe on the vulnerable and marginalised populations.
“It is, therefore, essential that the pandemic treaty includes provisions to address these inequalities and ensure that everyone has access to essential healthcare and other services during a pandemic,” he said.
He said that cooperation was critical in pandemic preparedness and response.
Oyebisi said that no country could tackle a pandemic alone, adding that international collaboration was necessary to share knowledge, resources and expertise.
He urged that the pandemic treaty should include provisions that would promote international cooperation in pandemic response and preparedness.
According to him, human rights must be at the heart of pandemic preparedness and response.
“Governments must ensure that the response to a pandemic respects and protects human rights, including right to health, right to information and right to participate in decision-making,” he said.
Oyebisi said that the pandemic treaty must, therefore, include provisions that would promote and protect human rights during a pandemic.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WHO member-states are negotiating a global accord on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
The effort is to make the world safer from communicable diseases and ensure greater equity in global response to public health emergencies. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State says Lagos residents donated over 300 units of blood to save lives of the train/bus accident victims.
Sanwo-Olu, on his Facebook page on Sunday, said that among others who were hospitalised, 53 patients had been discharged.
“I am pleased to report that 53 patients that were hospitalised after the bus/train accident in Lagos have now been discharged after receiving free and quality healthcare from different state medical facilities across Lagos.
”Heeding our call for blood donation, Lagosians demonstrated true humanity with over 300 units of blood donated leading to swift action that saved lives.
”While the discharged return to their families, let us continue to keep the hospitalised patients in our prayers,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Lagos State accounts for about 2,000 children with stunted growth as a result of malnutrition, Mrs Ada Ezeogu, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) Nutrition Specialist, said on Saturday.
Consequently, Ezeogu said that it was imperative to ensure that the numbers did not continue to increase because stunting has dire consequences on physical growth and cognitive development.
Ezeogu, who spoke at a Media Advocacy Meeting organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lagos, in collaboration with UNICEF, explained that stunting and wasting were health conditions derived on a child as a result of malnutrition.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day programme attended by no fewer than 50 media practitioners was held in Patron Hotel, Lekki, Sangotedo, with thrust on COVAX and RI (Routine Immunisation) Uptake in Lagos State.
He said: “Stunting affects not just physical growth but cognitive development. And stunting , once the effect of stunting has set in, it is irreversible and cannot be changed.
“That means, when a child is stunted, you can’t change that. That child is compromised in terms of height, physical development and cognitive development.
“So, you will not get the best from that child and that child will not achieve the full potential in life.
“Also, there are implications for onset of adult non-communicable diseases like diabetes, and a tendency for a stunted or malnourished child to have it later in life,” she said.
The specialist said that stunting had implications that went beyond childhood even unto adulthood which was why it should be prevented as much as possible.
“Once there is malnutrition, the child easily falls ill and the immune system is also compromised, and because of that, health cost increases because the child is taken more often to hospital and will be treated. do, there is health cost implication.
“Also, that child may also not be as good as one who is fully nourished in school and by implication, result in repetition of class. All these have economic impact in the economy and in the school system.
“So, if you have a child repeating or not paying attention fully or their attention span is reduced as a result of malnutrition then you have implication for the education system and the health system,” she said.
Ezeogu also said that the percentage of wasting in Lagos was higher than the global target of less than five percent, stating that for Lagos to have a 6.4 per cent, translated into about 200,000 children in numbers.
“Immediately a child is screened and found to be severely malnourished, the child should be referred to a health centre.
“Fortunately, Lagos is already doing something with the management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).
“They are using the ready-to-use therapeutic food and if there are underlying conditions, they will be treated.
“We encourage mothers to take these children immediately to health facilities for attention because for wasting, if these children are not treated on time, we may lose them,” the specialist said.
However, Ezeogu said that there was no designated centre for SAM in the state but pointed out that the intervention programme could be found within some hospitals.
“I am aware that Mercy Children Hospital has a ward where they treat children with SAM and they were trained to handle such cases,” she said.
The specialist urged the Lagos State Government to increase screening in order to identify these children’s from the communities and also to increase the number of health workers who have the skills to screen children.
“By so doing, there will be timely intervention and those children affected can be identified early enough and referred to a health care center,” she said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
OUU/VIV
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Edited by Vivian Ihechu
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