NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Health

UATH appeals for adequate maternity centres, personnel

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By Gami Tadanyigbe

The University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, FCT, has called for the provision of adequate maternity centres and recruitment of nurses to help reduce maternal mortality in the country.

The Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC) of the hospital, Prof. Aliyu Isa, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Gwagwalada.

Isa, who is also an obstetrician, said the available facility in the hospital caters for all the General hospitals in FCT, as well as Federal Medical Centres in neighbouring states of Kogi, Niger and Nasarawa.

According to him, a modern maternity and child complex, was recently donated by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), hence, the need for additional facilities was paramount.

“The old section has an upstairs, downstairs is for all gynaecology patients those that are not pregnant or the pregnancy has not gone beyond six months, while the first floor is for all pregnant women.

“It is because of the constraints of the space that we mix those that have not delivered with those that have been operated and ordinarily they should have been in separate places.

“So even with this structure, it has not solved the problem, but I think by the time we have 3 to 4 of this project we may be near solving the problem, because of the volume of people coming to us for antenatal care and delivery services.

“All the General hospitals in the FCT, Federal Medical Centres and General hospitals in Kogi, Niger and Nasarawa state feed us here with lots of patients, so the work is always overwhelming,” he said.

He explained that mothers need to be able to access quality health services rendered by health professionals during all the stages involved in motherhood.

NAN reports that latest statistics released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed that Nigeria accounts for over 34 per cent of global maternal deaths.

While deaths during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, or after an abortion for a Nigerian woman is one in 22, compared to one in 4900 in developed countries.

This shows that maternal mortality is quite high in the country and some major causes of death cited include, high blood pressure during pregnancy, severe bleeding after childbirth, and complications from delivery.

Others are infections following childbirth, as well as other indirect causes like malaria, heart disease and anaemia, all of which can be prevented or treated with proper medical care. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Health

Aisha Buhari vows to continue supporting health, wellbeing of Nigerian Children

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By Ahmed Ubandoma

The first lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has expressed her determination to continue to provide all the necessary technical and material support towards improving the health and wellbeing of Nigerian children.

A statement, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by her head of Information, Mr Suleiman Haruna, on Tuesday in Abuja, said the first lady was speaking when she invited a team of cardiac surgeons from Italy who were in Nigeria to offer a free heart surgery for less privileged children.

Haruna said the exercise which was a collaboration with her Future Assured Programme was aimed at providing relief for less privileged children living with complicated heart diseases.

The first lady used the opportunity to draw the attention of stakeholders to the high rate of heart disease among Nigerians, a condition she said was too expensive for average Nigerian to manage, leading to avoidable morbidity and mortality.

The statement indicated that the cardiac operation was a product of a collaborative effort between her NGO, the future assured Programme, the Italian surgeons and the surgeons from the Federal Medical Centre in Jabi, Abuja, where she expressed confidence that the exercise will also ensure a transfer of expertise.

The statement also quoted the leader of the 13-man medical surgeons from Italy, Prof. Oppido Guido, as expressing their excitement for the opportunity to visit Nigeria and share experiences with professional colleagues and impact on the lives of the sick children.

Guido said the first lady has shown magnanimity by sponsoring the surgeries completely and should be commended.

Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Prof. Sa’ad Ahmed, expressed happiness for the choice of his hospital for the surgeries.

The CMD, while reaffirming the uniqueness of his Hospital in conducting such surgeries, said the hospital has been recognized as the best government hospital among the Commonwealth countries.

Sa’ad commended the first lady for providing a state-of-the-art Quantum Medtronic Heart Lung Machine with a diagnostic module, which is required for conducting surgeries of this nature.

The machine, he said, is the first of its specification in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the open heart surgeries, sponsored by the First lady, are targeted at children and will run for one week from Jan 21 to Jan. 28, 2023.

Similar missions will hold at different hospitals across the country (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

Health

Persons with disabilities call for inclusion in creative industry

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By Bridget Ikyado

Artists and creatives persons with disabilities have called on government and stakeholders in the arts and creative industry for inclusivity and opportunities to contribute their quota to nation building.

They made the call at a focus group discussion where 50 persons with disabilities participated in the forum on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Director, Potters Gallery Initiative, Mr Donald Unanka said the initiative was borne out of the need to give a sense of belonging to members of the disability community, “who are highly marginalised in the arts and creative industry.”

Unanka, who stressed the need for the full implementation of the Disability Act, called for policies and programmes for integration and market opportunities for members.

“We have talented youths who are willing to develop the arts and creative industry.

“At this point, full implementation of the disability act will further push our voices louder.

“People with disability have abilities and are willing to display this for the growth of the nations economy,” he said.

Two artists and creatives with disabilities, Miss Aver Akighir and Mr Musa Muazu decried the stigmatisation faced by members and expressed optimism that with constant engagement and programmes by all stakeholders, the situation would improve.

They said there would be more market opportunities in the creative industry.
They appealed to the media to help in the fight against stigmatisation, but to ensure fair and equal treatment, especially where they could deliver effectively.

The focus group discussion, which was organised by a disability art group, the Potters Gallery Initiative and supported by UNESCO Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

Also the International Fund for Cultural Diversity to galvanize support and create enabling environment for persons with disabilities to exhibit their potential and strive in the Arts and Creative Industry. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Grace Yussuf

Health

WHO has not informed us of deadly China flu – Ehanire

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By Folasade Akpan

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, says though the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other world health bodies had not informed Nigeria of any deadly flu from China, the Federal Government is on the lookout for any occurrence.

He said this on Monday in Abuja, during a ministerial bi-weekly meeting on the update of COVID-19 response and development in the country’s health sector.

According to him, when there is an outbreak of any flu or disease anywhere in the world, WHO will announce it to the world and send advisory on how it can be handled, but there is no such alert with the case of the strange flu.

“So the Ministry of Health finds the message going round in the social media, odd and strange.

“By default, when there is an outbreak of any flu or disease anywhere we will hear it first from WHO and WHO has not said anything about it, we will also hear from the US Centre for Disease Control (US CDC), but there’s nothing like that also from there and we have not even read anything from the Chinese people.

“Usually, their embassy will send somebody to come and inform us if there is anything. So I begin to wonder about the authenticity of that paper going around the place because up till today no confirmation of anything like that,” he said.

The minister also said that foreign media outlets were also silent about a flu from China, an indication that the news making the rounds is a fabrication.

He, however, said that the Federal Government is on the lookout for anything suspicious.

“This is a season where people generate stories, throw them into the media and everybody starts panicking, whilst those who generated such stories are laughing at the chaos that they have created.

“So we are watching the situation, everything we hear we take seriously, but I want to assure you again that any outbreak of such a character, first of all, is announced by WHO, they will then send us advisory and information about it.

“The US CDC, the equivalent of CDC in the UK, in Europe, they have not said anything. So reports of that nature I also want you to take with a big pinch of salt,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there had been trending reports that amid the resurgence of COVID-19 in China, there had been an outbreak of an unknown deadly flu in China, which has led to the death of residents, including three Nigerians.

According to the reports, though the initial clinical analysis ruled out COVID-19, the symptoms of the fatal flu include dry throat, fever and difficulty in breathing.

Speaking about Diphtheria, a disease which broke out recently and has spread to four states with 123 confirmed cases and 38 deaths, Ehanire said everyone had a joint responsibility to address diseases.

He, however, said it was the responsibility of the Federal and State Governments to address particular diseases as they break out and that the Federal Government through the Ministry of Health was doing its part.

“I want to assure you that every disease outbreak everywhere is given full attention by this ministry and nothing is left that is our duty to do that we do not do, but I will also expect all states to carry out their own responsibility.

“They need to play their role in managing some of the social fallout.

“Also, every single person who has appeared in our hospitals has received treatment and no one has been turned back because they didn’t have money,” he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

Health

NAFDAC alerts public against use of weight loss pill

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By Aderogba George
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned Nigerians against the use of the drug  — Weight Rapid Loss Capsule.
The caution is contained in an alert with No. 049/2022, signed by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
Adeyeye stated that the drug has been found to have potential to cause cancer.
The NAFDAC boss added that result of laboratory analysis showed that the drug, manufactured by Ingi Oman, contain banned substance “phenolphthalein”, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognised as unsafe.
She added that the capsule, being marketed as “the most effective weight loss supplement” and sold through social media platforms like Instagram, also contain microbial growth above permissible limits.
She stated that “phenolphthalein has been found to be toxic to genes, as it can cause damage or mutations in the DNA. Studies have also shown its potential carcinogenic risks.
“NAFDAC implores consumers to stop the purchase and use of the product.
“Members of the public in possession of the product should discontinue use or sale, and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.”
Adeyeye encouraged healthcare professionals and consumers to report any adverse effect experienced with the use of the product to the nearest NAFDAC office.
Consumers are also advised to report adverse effect via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng or E-reporting platforms available at www.nafdac.gov.ng.
The director-general urged the public to also report any incident concerning the use of the drug via the Med-safety application, which can be downloaded on android and IOS stores. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Health

NAFDAC warns against use of weight loss pill

151 total views today
By Aderogba George
 The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned Nigerians against the use of the drug  — Weight Rapid Loss Capsule.
The caution was contained in an alert with No. 049/2022, signed by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
Adeyeye stated that the drug had potential to cause cancer.
The NAFDAC boss added that result of laboratory analysis showed that the drug, manufactured by Ingi Oman, contain banned substance “phenolphthalein”, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognised as unsafe.
She added that the capsule, being marketed as “the most effective weight loss supplement” and sold through social media platforms like Instagram, also contain microbial growth above permissible limits.
She stated that “phenolphthalein has been found to be toxic to genes, as it can cause damage or mutations in the DNA. Studies have also shown its potential carcinogenic risks.
“NAFDAC implores consumers to stop the purchase and use of the product.
“Members of the public in possession of the product should discontinue use or sale, and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.”
Adeyeye encouraged healthcare professionals and consumers to report any adverse effect experienced with the use of the product to the nearest NAFDAC office.
Consumers are also advised to report adverse effect via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng or E-reporting platforms available at www.nafdac.gov.ng.
The director-general urged the public to also report any incident concerning the use of the drug via the Med-safety application, which can be downloaded on android and IOS stores. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu
Health

Diphtheria death toll hits 34 – NCDC

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By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said that the death toll from Diphtheria disease across the country was now 34, as Kano State registered 100 cases.

The NCDC, via its official website on Sunday, said that the deaths were between December 2022 and early January 2023; from Lagos, Kano, Yobe and Osun, and had reported cases of the disease, with Kano State alone, registering 25 deaths.

The agency also blamed the increase in the infection and resurgence on the low vaccination coverage across the country.

Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease that was common decades ago.

Due to the effectiveness of childhood vaccination programmes, most people have forgotten what diphtheria looks like.

“The fact that we are having a resurgence of diphtheria now suggests that there have been critical reductions in vaccination coverage among pockets of our population.

“This reduced level of population immunity has given rise to the cases that we are seeing.

“It is not a matter of diphtheria spreading from state to state, the bacteria that causes the disease is present everywhere in our environment.

“Any state where you find diphtheria now, you are likely to find that it will be associated with suboptimal vaccination coverage, either in general or in pockets of the population,” it said.

Meanwhile, the identified cases of diphtheria in Kano have risen from 25 to 100 in less than two weeks.

Three persons in 13 local government areas of the state have died.

The local government areas where the diseases are ravaging include Ungogo, Nassarawa, Bichi, Dala, Dawakin Kudu, Fagge, Gwale, Kano Municipal, Kumbotso, Rano, Dawakin Tofa and Gwarzo.

Of the 100 cases, the state health ministry said eight were confirmed, while awaiting more results.

Three among the eight have also been confirmed dead and 22 among other suspected cases.

Currently, 27 patients are on admission receiving treatment while 41 have been managed and discharged successfully.

 Diphtheria is defined as an acute toxic infection caused by the corynebacterium species, transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated clothing and objects.

Symptoms range from mild to severe fever, cough, sneezing, sore throat, neck swelling, and difficulty in breathing.

Complications may include damage to the heart, kidney, and bleeding with death in up to 21 per cent of cases.

Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease, and its antigens are among the pentatonic vaccine (PETA) taken three times (PENTA-3) before the age of one year.

Meanwhile, experts have said that most of the patients are not being fully vaccinated, and those vaccinated are resisting being protected.

This has shown that immunisation is highly effective and protective against all vaccine-preventable diseases.

They said that the spread of diphtheria infection can be prevented via the use of improved personal hygiene, the use of face masks, especially among older children, proper handling of respiratory secretion, appropriate handling of suspected cases by healthcare workers.

Prompt referrals, proper cases management, using recommended and above all, getting all eligible children vaccinated are necessary for prevention. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Health

Lagos Govt, NPHCDA respond to polio outbreak

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By Oluwafunke Ishola

The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has started Polio Outbreak Response (OBR) Campaign following discovery of circulating poliovirus strains in the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB), Dr Ibrahim Mustafa, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria was certified Wild Polio Virus (WPV) free on Aug. 25, 2020, after three consecutive years of reporting no case of WPV.

Mustafa, however, said some countries still transmitted the wild polio variant, which had been on increase in some states across Nigeria due to low routine immunisation coverage.

He noted that the campaign was necessary to prevent a setback in the country’s laudable achievements, and critical to maintain the country’s polio-free status, following the certification received in August 2020.

According to him, the campaign will take place between Jan. 21 and 24 in all Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas of the state.

“The campaign aims to vaccinate all children, aged 0 to five years, with two drops of the oral polio vaccine, regardless of their previous vaccination status to prevent poliomyelitis that may result in paralysis of the limbs or death,” he said.

He said that vaccination teams would visit residential homes, schools, Churches, Mosques, gated estates, and all public places where eligible children could be found.

“In view of this, we solicit all parents, guardians, community leaders, pastors and imams to ensure that all eligible children are vaccinated during the campaign in all our communities,” he said.

Mustafa added that routine immunisation services would be available at the primary health centres during the campaign.

He advised that all children under the age of two years must complete their routine immunisation as scheduled, saying that immunisation was effective, safe and free. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Health

Kano Govt confirms outbreak of Diphtheria in 13 LGs

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By Aminu Garko

The Kano State Government has confirmed the outbreak of Diphtheria in 13 Local Government Areas of the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Aminu Tsanyawa stated this on Saturday at a briefing on Diphtheria and Lassa fever outbreaks in the state.

He said that 100 suspected cases have been recorded out of which three have died.

“As at 20th of January 2023, we have recorded 100 suspected cases from 13 LGAs.

”Ungogo, Nassarawa, Bichi, Dala, Dawakin Tofa, Dawakin Kudu, Fagge, Gwale, Kano Municipal, Kumbotso, Kiru, Rano, and Gwarzo.

”Out of the 100 suspected cases, eight were confirmed, while we are awaiting more results.

“We have lost three lives among the eight confirmed cases,” he said.

Tsanyawa said currently 27 patients were on admission receiving treatment while 41 others have been managed and discharged.

The commissioner noted that on the Jan. 10, the public Health Emergency operation center received a report of suspected case of Lassa fever from Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, Kano.

He said that a team was deployed to investigate, sample was taken for laboratory test and three days later the result turned positive for Lassa fever.

“10 samples were taken from the high-risk contacts of the index case, 3 become positive making a total of 4 cases which is currently managed at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital isolation center,” Tsanyawa said.

The commissioner maintained that Kano state government had activated Kwanar Dawaki isolation center for isolating the Lassa fever cases.

He added that medical personnel have been trained and transferred to the isolation center where drugs and consumables were propositioned and is fully functional.

He pointed out that the state would conduct a routine immunisation campaign to the affected local government areas.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

Health

Sultan reassures support for USAID breakthrough Action Nigeria Project

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By Habibu Harisu

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, has reassured maximum support to USAID Breakthrough Action Nigeria and other donor agencies implementing different programmes in Sokoto State.

He gave the assurance in Sokoto on Friday when a delegation from USAID Partners Forum led by Breakthrough Action paid him a homage in his palace.

He said he was very much aware of USAID’s humanitarian support in various sectors that comprised education, health,environment, agriculture, business empowerments and others in Sokoto and beyond.

The sultan said the support enhanced the livelihoods of citizens and refocused government policies towards uptimum Utilisation and prudent management of resorces in the society.

He assured that the Sultanate Council would continue to partner agencies so as to reap the benefits of the programmes and services.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Dr Abdulrahman Ibrahim, also the State Co-ordinator, Breakthrough Action Nigeria, said the

team was at the Sultan’s palace to solicit for blessings and inform him about the various USAID-funded programmes being implemented in Sokoto State.

Ibrahim said the visit was to advocate for the Sultan’s continued support to USAID-funded programmes.

He explained that it was also to extend the greetings and apologies of the USAID mission to the Sultanate Council.

According to him, the mission is planning a nutrition-focused assessment aimed at enhancing the plans for implementation of additional funding for nutrition to achieve better food security.

Ibrahim appealed for more private sector participation in the ongoing enrollment of Health Insurance Scheme being implemented by the Sokoto State Government in view of its importance toward achieving health coverage.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that partners in attendance included Integrated Health Project (IHP), GHSC-PSM, Health Workforce, KP Care 2 Project, MCGL, State2State and USAID Advancing Nutrition. (NAN)

 

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

 

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