By Justina Auta

The Federal Government and USAID on Tuesday, sensitised various communities in Kuje Area Council, FCT, to end the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and seek male support towards achieving it.
The sensitisation exercise was organised by the Federal Ministries of Health and Women Affairs and the Momentum Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics (MSSFPO) Project, funded by the USAID and implemented by Engender Health
Mrs Judith Ononose, Director, Gender, Family Health Department, Federal Ministry of Health, said the sensitisation campaign was to educate the people on the severe consequences of FGM and to advocate partnership towards ending it.
Ononose, explained that the ministry has been working with women and girls on ending FGM, hence the need to include men to eradicate it in totality in other to meet the 2030 global target.

“FGM is more prevalent in rural area, although there are people who still practice in the urban.
“We chose Kuje to come and sensitise them and let them know that FGM has no health benefits.
“It is traditional , embedded in culture. We are trying to educate people that there is no health benefits, rather consequence as a lot of women suffer from mutilation especially in child bearing.
“We want to let our men know that even though they are not the ones affected immediately, but they will help fight the menace, as men as the custodian of culture.
“So, if we are able to win them and educate them that there is no health benefits, and stop mutilating girls and women,” she said.
Mr Olumide Adefioye, Social and Behavior Change Specialist, Engender Health, an NGO decried the prevalence of FGM practice, despite advocacy and awareness creation.

Adefioye said the 2023 theme,” Partnership with men and boys to transform social and gender Norms to end FGM, was apt, calling for the collaboration of all to eradicate the practice.
” We are here today to listen to what you as paramount leader of this town will have to say because despite efforts been put in place, the practice of cutting women and girls still continue.
“So, what can we do as men, elders of the land to put an end to the practice so that we will not be here next year with the same issue.
” We want to get from you and the elders, what we should do to end FGM in our town and Nigeria, which will enable our women and girls live a healthy and productive life,” he said.
The Gomo of Kuje, Alhaji Haruna Tanko-Jibrin, assured the government and other stakeholders of traditional leaders support towards ending FGM practice.

” I support the programme because most of these things are practiced in most communities, who see it as tradition and a right to do that.
” We are getting awareness and shall continue to put our eye on communities who are practicing this things.
” We have a way to make law to stop it.
I have a chain of authority through the traditional leaders when we meet I will still remind them that government is out to eradicate FGM, so if you are in practice in your community stop it so that we can progress,” he said.
Mrs Janet Samuel, a woman leader in the community decried the physical, mental, emotional and social effects of FGM practice on the survivors.
She lauded government and other stakeholders’ efforts in creating more awareness and existing laws to curb the practice.

” Within my community, I met some women that have been mutilated and we are all bitter about it.
“This awareness is very good and will teach women that FGM is not good for the women and children,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the men and boys, Malam Yusuf Haruna, who is also the Barde of Kuje, reiterated the commitment of all the males in eliminating FGM practice.
“The thing has implications and the step the federal government has taken is a good move.
” Been a youths leader in this community, we will go round the household and tell those that have not been doing it or have intention of doing it to please stop it because it has implications.
” By taking these steps, it will reduce and stop the practice of FGM,” he said.
NAN reports that the organisers also sensitised religious leaders, markets, on the effects of FGM practice. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Folasade Akpan

Dr Badejo Olawale, Director of Clinical Services, National Hospital Abuja, says the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for the  management of cancer patients will harmonise cancer treatment.
Olawale said this on Tuesday in Abuja at a day conference on the “Uptake of the NCCN Harmonised Guidelines for Sub-Saharan Africa”.
The conference was organised by the hospital in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and American Cancer Society, the summit focused on Breast Cancer as the pilot.
According to Olawale, with the uptake of the guideline, a lot of confusion and disharmony in the treatment of cancer will be dispelled.
“What we have is a situation where people do things from their own perspective and at the end of the day, there’s lots of confusion.
“The guideline helps you irrespective of the amount of resources you have to practice within a set goal such that if all you have in your centre are surgeons and no radiologist, your surgical practice will fall in line.
“Even if the patient has reasons to go to a place where there are facilities, you would not have done harm to that patient, they will just take it off from there.
“So, it’s beneficial to the practitioner in terms of guides, beneficial to the patient in terms of safety and getting the best possible care in the care spectrum across the different disease types,” the director of clinical services said.
Olawale also said that the guideline which was available for all the cancers also help patients seeking information to take instructions and know what questions to ask in the course of the management of that disease.
He also said that it helps families to be able to prepare for the next best thing in the management of the disease and at the end of it all brings out the best outcome irrespective of the level of resources available in that region.
Dr Uchechukwu Shagaya, Head, Radiotherapy and Oncology Department, said that the summit was organised to commemorate the World Cancer Day which is marked on Feb. 4 every year.
“The theme is Closing the Care Gap” . However, over the years most people do awareness and we the oncologists, surgeons and doctors who manage them should do the preaching of the care gap within the caregivers.
“So, we decided to launch an uptake on the harmonised guideline, we want to ensure that the management of cancer is harmonised and we are using standardised guidelines.
“The guideline talks about prevention of cancer all the way to palliation. It talks about the work up, the tests that should be done, how it should be diagnosed, and how it should be treated.
“What to expect on the side effects of the treatment and then the outcome of the treatment as well as the follow up of the treatment,” Shagaya said.
On his part, Prof. King-David Yawe, Convener, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Multi-Disciplinary Tumor Board, said that with the training, care givers have been empowered with knowledge to know where help can be obtained.
“That help is in various ways, help from the point of view of diagnosis, from the point of view of treatment and the various modalities of treatment.
“What we are aiming at in this programme is to equip all of us who are managing breasts and other cancers in one way or the other to be able to know where we can drum up support anytime we need.
“So you will find that you don’t have to keep a patient waiting in your place for a long time.
You can very quickly transfer that patient or refer that patient to where that service is immediately available.
“That way you will be able to treat the patients on time and therefore be able to prolong their lives,” Yawe said.
Speaking about the brachytherapy machines for the treatment of cancer inaugurated by the Federal Government in five tertiary hospitals across the country, he said that it was an excellent development.
According to him, the facility will draw in a large proportion of patients who did not have it available at all.
“I think it is a very innovative and futuristic idea by the Federal Government. It’s not yet enough because we want to see that patient do not have to travel long distances to have this facility administered.
“However, I think it’s a step in the right direction. I can tell you, when I became a surgeon, there was only one centre in this country offering any form of radiotherapy but 39 years down the line I see as a lot of innovations.
“The private sector is also involved in making available radiotherapy facility,” he said.
Yawe, however, urged the Federal Government to sustain the tempo and provide more of such facilities around the country to indeed close the gap.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that brachytherapy machines were inaugurated on Monday to aid the treatment of cancer through radiotherapy. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Isaac Aregbesola

By Angela Atabo

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire said that Nigeria’s participation in the Pandemic Treaty would strengthen her healthcare system as well as build resistance against pandemics .

Ehanire made this known at a High-Level Meeting on Nigeria’s Engagement on the Pandemic Treaty and IHR Amendment on Tuesday in Abuja.

The minister said  the rapid spread of COVID-19 had shown that global health threats cannot be contained by one country alone and that international cooperation was essential to prevent and respond to pandemics.

Ehanire said: “The pandemic treaty is an ongoing effort to improve preparedness and response to future pandemics by promoting international cooperation and coordination .

“This treaty also aims to ensure that all countries are better equipped to deal with the next pandemic reducing the impact on health systems economies and societies .

“As a country with a large population and a vital role in West Africa, Nigeria must play a significant role in the pandemic treaty process .

“Nigerian government must engage in these negotiations to ensure that citizens are adequately protected from future pandemics and that the country can contribute to global health security. ”

Ehanire said that Nigeria’s pandemic treaty participation had many benefits, adding that the country can adapt the treaty’s provision to suit her needs as well as protect the citizens against pandemics .

He added that Nigeria could ensure  access to vaccinations and medicines by engaging in treaty discussions. .

“Nigeria can improve global health by negotiating the pact; the deal should strengthen the global health system and pandemic response,”he added.

According to Ehanire, the country has not yet been able to advance a robust contribution to the development of the draft document.

The minister added: “We also as well understand the implications to the sectors of the country, particularly the health security, national security and economy.”

Ehanire said that the objective of the high-level meeting was to articulate and develop a position in collaboration with all the relevant sectors that will be represented at the future INB meetings.

Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), who spoke on the International Health Regulations (IHR ) (2005) Amendment: Overview said that ,Nigeria’s role in the pandemic treaty negotiations would strengthen international relationships.

Adetifa said that by working together on global health issues, countries would build trust and cooperation, which would have positive effects on other areas of international relations.

He said that Nigeria was working out modal to have a comprehensive document so as to enhance disease control in the nation.

Dr Emmanuel Agogo, Country Director, Resolve to Save Lives, said the  meeting was to discuss about  global governance infrastructure for health security after the COVID-19 .

Agogo said that globally, there were systems in place like the IHR 2005 ,helping countries prepare ,detect and respond to pandemic outbreaks.

He said that the WHO and global actors decided that they would strengthen the IHR and develop a global treaty to address pandemics

Agogo said’: “So, what this meeting is to get Nigeria to think about these two documents, the global governance infrastructure.

“We will also have a clear direction based on the experience of COVID-19 on how the country should engage with this global architecture.

“So, what the NCDC highlighted here are some of the changes that are being proposed, so the country still needs to look at these proposed changes .

“The question is that, does the country agree with these ?And if it doesn’t, how do you intend to change it?

“The bottom line is that these documents are zero drafts which all other countries are expected to sit down and look at and see how to negotiate to benefit their people,”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Justina Auta

The Federal Government in collaboration with some NGOs on Monday in Abuja sought the inclusion of males to transform social and gender norms to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Several NGOs, Civil Society Organisations, law enforcement agencies, religious and traditional leaders also pledged their commitment to end FGM and ensure perpetrators were prosecuted.

They made this known at the 2023 International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM.

The forum was organised by the Federal Ministries of Health, Women Affairs and Justice under the USAID Momentum Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics (MSSFPO) project.

Addressing the forum, Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, described FGM as human rights violation, which had no health benefits, but led to severe bleeding, deaths, infection, and complications at childbirth.

Ehanire lamented that FGM was still prevalent nationwide, hence the need to include males in the fight to eliminate it to enable Nigeria to meet the Social Development Goals global target of ending it by 2030.

He lamented also that some people still consult health workers to carry out FGM, urging the public to report such persons to law enforcement agencies for arrest and prosecution.

“They don’t come to health facilities where you can catch them and sack the health personnel involved.

“They have people in communities who conduct the FGM. Some people know them, but they don’t lodge reports.

“These are the ones you need to blame and because you don’t report, the Minister of Justice or the police cannot arrest them.

“If you are tolerating the practice by keeping quiet, you take the blame and not the police,” he said.

In her remarks, Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, lamented that Nigeria ranked third in Africa in FGM after Egypt and Ethiopia.

Tallen noted that in spite of laws and policies prohibiting FGM, some cultures still regarded it as the way to go, hence the need for more enlightenment.

“These laws carry maximum penalties for perpetrators, which is why we must carry along the Ministries of Justice, Information, Education, Youths and Sports at all levels, if we must succeed,” she said.

The minister added that there was also the need for collaboration with traditional, religious and community leaders as well as the entertainment industry and the media to curb the practice.

“I appeal to the Federal Ministry of Health and to all well-meaning Nigerians to support girls and women suffering from FGM complications and from all other forms of violence and abuse against women,” she said.

Also addressing the forum, Dr Kabiru Attah, MSSFPO Project Manager in Nigeria, said it was working closely with health workers to ensure the stoppage of FGM.

He said the 2023 theme: “Partnering with men and boys to transform social and gender norms to FGM’’ was a clarion call for all to be involved in ending FGM before 2030.

“The theme idea is to bring boys and men on board because this FGM is basically a cultural practice and the men are the custodians of cultures.

“We need to work closely with traditional and religious leaders, and with young boys, who will become men in the future to ensure that we are in partnership to end FGM by 2030,” he stressed.

In another contribution, Ms Uller Mueller, UNFPA Country Representative in Nigeria stressed the need to support women empowerment, gender equality and the rights of women and children.

“We remain committed to end FGM through our transformative goals. We implore governments at all levels to show action behind the commitment.

“One of the key priorities of UNFPA is to end FGM. We must stop the cut. We have to find a way; we must stand together and speak with one voice,” Mueller charged. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==========
Edited by Alli Hakeem

By Ikenna Osuoha

Save Our Heritage Initiative (SOHI), an Abuja-based NGO, has reiterated calls for the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria.

Ms May Ikokwu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the group, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

NAN reports that Feb. 6 has been set aside every year for the commemoration of International Day for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Ikokwu, who spoke on the 2023 theme; “Partnership with Men and Boys to transform Social and gender Norms to End FGM”, advocated a synergy of all genders to end the practice.

According to her, the practice is a total downgrading and disfiguring of the female gender.

“Female Genital Mutilation has no medical benefits and is recognise internationally as a violation of the human rights, the health and the integrity of girls and women.

“Medical experts say that girls who undergo female genital mutilation face short-term complications such as severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding and infections, and difficulty in passing urine as well as long-term consequences for their sexual and reproductive and mental health,” she said.

Ikokwu, who called for sustainable effort in ending the practice, said “according to ‘United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 25 per cent of women and girls, aged 15 to 49 years of age, have undergone some form of FGM in Nigeria.”

She affirmed the decline in the prevalence of the practice globally in the last 25 years.

Ikokwu said: “Today, a girl is one-third less likely to undergo FGM than 30 years ago.”

The culture advocate, however, expressed optimism in sustaining the progress made, which is aimed at achieving gender equality and the elimination of FGM by 2030.

She called for coordinated effort of communities to promote elimination of FGM focusing on human rights, gender equality, sexual education and attention to the needs of women and girls. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, on Sunday in Abuja inaugurated an Integrated Medical Outreach, in Karshi to be conducted across all the 62 political wards in the territory.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the free medical outreach powered by Nigerians Unite for Tinubu/Shettima Mandate was targeted at the vulnerables in the hard-to-reach communities.

The minister stated that the gesture was to provide to the indigent residents, particularly women and children, good quality, high impact Primary Health Care (PHC) services including immunisation and nutrition.

Aliyu said that the routine immunisation coverage and PHC services uptake across the area councils had been sub-optimal, partly due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic that had further weakened the health system.

She said: “Access to basic healthcare services has been poor due to the presence of hard-to-reach communities, coupled with the rising cases of insecurity and sub-optimal performance of the public health system.

” In this line, the inauguration of the medical outreach for the integration of PHC service delivery and Immunisation in a mobile /outreach strategy is crucial.

“It is expected to, among others, strengthen immunisation and PHC service outputs through integration, particularly in the underserved, low performing wards of the FCT.”

She, however, affirmed that the medical outreach would serve as an avenue for the FCTA to provide the most needed interventions to community members.

Aliyu further said that they include health education and promotion of treatment of common illnesses; vaccination of under-five children and pregnant women.

She also said that the outreach would facilitate the distribution of long-lasting treated nets and family planning commodities and screening for non-communicable diseases.

They include; hypertension, diabetes, routine eye screening and screening for malnutrition; as well as linkages/referral services; among others.

Aliyu assured that the FCT Administration would continue to support all programmes and activities geared towards improving the quality of lives and health outcomes of all residents of the Territory particularly women and children.

She said, “our relevant Secretariats, Departments and Agencies had been re-positioned and given necessary supports to perform for better results.

“Working with Development Partners, access would be sustained to the underserved communities with optimal services uptake and utilisation through the activities of community managerial system for PHC in FCT.”

The minister appealed to religious and traditional leaders, stakeholders and other well-meaning Nigerians in the FCT to continue to support the Administration to provide better services.

In his remarks, the acting Executive Secretary, FCT PHC Board, Dr Isah Vatsa, lauded the group for the partnership with the Administration in providing quality healthcare services.

He said that the outreach would cover immunisation, consultation by medical personnel in three points, and laboratory screening for diabetes and malaria.

Other services include; provision of free drugs, eye screening with free glasses for those that need them, blood pressure screening, weight and temperature check. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Abujah Racheal

The Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF), has lit up the National Mosque and the Ecumenical centre to raise awareness of Cancer as the world commemorates the 2023 World Cancer Day.

Mrs Hadiza Arome, Senior Programme Manager, MCF, on Friday in Abuja, said that the country was joining the rest of the world to make a statement by lighting up a significant landmark, monument or building to be illuminated on World Cancer Day in the colours of orange and blue.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that over the years, International and local cancer organisations come together to create awareness by lighting up national monuments such as the Faisal mosque (Pakistan), The House of Wisdom (UAE), Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge and Galata Tower (Istanbul).

Amongst others are the St. Mary’s Church (Slough), Ely Cathedral (Cambridgeshire), Ancient Treasury (Petra), Palace of Westminster (UK), and BT Tower (London) In Nigeria MCF has lit City Gate (Abuja).

Arome said that World Cancer Day is more than a day on the calendar.

“That’s why the campaign is built to inspire change and mobilise action long after the day itself.

“A multi-year campaign means more exposure and engagement, more opportunities to build global awareness and ultimately more impact,” she explained.

She said that there was a good chance of prevention and survival if Breast and Cervical Cancer are detected in its early stage.

According to her, when some Nigerians hear cancer, the first thing that comes to mind is that it is a death sentence and a money-consuming illness, hence taking appropriate precautions to avert getting into advanced stages is key, which is why women need to be aware of this.

“Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer globally, with The National Mosque and Ecumenical centre light up in blue and orange to raise cancer awareness in Nigeria

about 2.6 million cases, according to the World Health Organisation .

She noted that some of its early symptoms include lumps, bloody discharge or discolouration, while advanced symptoms may translate to feeling unwell if it gets to the liver, with either spine or back pain.

“If you constantly check your breasts, then you will understand when there are signs. The only problem we have is that people present their cases to the doctor when it is already in the advanced stage. Early detection, screening and prevention are very important.”

“Every month for women, check your breasts. Go for Mammogram once you turn 40, because as good as your hands are, the procedure helps to detect properly.

“If you have a history in your family, then it should start earlier; ensure your lifestyle is tilted towards preventing cancer. Breast cancer examination is affordable while the treatment is quite expensive,” she advised.

Also speaking at the event, Mr Saviour kolo, Programme manager, MCF, said that World Cancer Day is the one singular initiative under which the entire world can unite together in the fight against the global cancer epidemic.

Kolo said that the day is also aimed to prevent millions of deaths each year by raising awareness and education about cancer and pressing governments and individuals across the world to take action against the disease.

According to him, Every single person can make a difference, large or small, but together the health community can make real progress in reducing the global impact of cancer.

NAN recalled that the theme for World Cancer Day 2022-2024 is Close the Care Gap.

Nigerians are also advised to acknowledge the day by wearing one of the cancer awareness ribbons.

A multi-coloured ribbon or lavender ribbon can be worn to acknowledge all cancers or a specific colour ribbon for a specific form of cancer can be worn.

Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole

By Okon Okon

The Federal Government and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), have  signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Contextual Processing Protocols (CPP) for harvesting Nigeria’s natural resources with Phytomedicine potential.

The signing of the MoU was performed by the Permanent Secretaries of Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs (MSDIA), Ministry of Health and the Director-General of NIPRD on Friday in Abuja.

The aim of the MoU is to expedite the training and capacity building of traditional practitioners on fibro medicines in the 36 states of the federation.

Speaking, Mrs Ibiene Roberts, Permanent Secretary, MSDA, explained that the approval of the initiative was one of the mandates of the ministry to coordinate efforts among all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Roberts said the efforts were geared toward lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“It is in the pursuit of this that the Minister, Sen. George Akume, approved the collaborative effort with the NIPRD to develop CPP for harvesting Nigeria`s natural resources with phytomedicinal potential in the 36 states of the federation. “

Other objectives of the initiative, the permanent secretary said was to facilitate the standardization and registration of fibro medicines in the 36 states of the federation, to identify, stimulate processing protocols for plants resources found in various states.

Others are to facilitate a multi-sectoral engagement of all relevant stakeholders and to develop consensual process protocols.

Earlier, Dr Obi Adigwe, Director-General of NIPRD, explained that the CPP project was designed to harness products from each of the six geo-geopolitical regions in Nigeria.

“The CPP project is a short to medium term stimulus intervention programme developed by NIPRD based on existing research on natural resources with phytomedicinal potential.

“The design of the project is aimed at operationalising research findings while synergizing various institutional and private sector partnership that can improve the effective and efficient delivery of the project aims and objectives. “

According to Adigwe, the deployment of the project can stimulate rapid employment generation; increase the economic activity of the local youths and women, boost revenue generation in the country and improve the health and general well-being of Nigerians.

The director said the project was feasible, considering the availability of already validated and tested protocols and highly skilled manpower ready for deployment to the field with minimal setup time.

“So far, the project has trained traditional medicine practitioners in 11 states with a plan tp spread nationwide for greater impact, “ he said.

Also, Mr Mamman Mammud, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, said the initiative was quite profound considering the potential from herbal remedies occasioned by the vast vegetation and the mineral resources in Nigeria.

Represented by Mrs Olubunmi Aribeana, Director of Food /Drug in the ministry, Mammud recalled the Covid-19 incident which served as an eye opener for countries to remain self reliance for survival, hence the approach of such initiative.

“We all know what Covid-19 has taught us that self reliance is the way for survival of any country and base on that as the country we have to look inward.

“And NIPRD leading the way as pharmaceutical research is concerned, has thought it twice to come up with this contextual protocol, “ Mammud explained.

Dr Bello Maigari, the Executive Secretary National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF), pledged the agency`s support to the project which according to him, will promote access to quality healthcare in Nigeria. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza