By Kemi Akintokun
The Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) in collaboration with Onesight Essilorluxottica Foundation on Friday flagged off the Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative Nigeria (ESCIN), to increase access to eye care in the country,

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reports that the First Vision Centre in Lagos State was unveiled at the Alimosho General Hospital alongside the flag-off event.

Speaking during the event, Dr Oteri Okolo, National Coordinator of the National Eye Health Programme (NEHP), said the initiative was put together to improve and ensure easy access to eye care in the country.

Okolo said the programme, which was an initiative of President Bola Tinubu and implemented by the Federal Ministry of Health, was tagged: “Jigi Bola 2.0: Let Nigerians See”.

According to Okolo, an Optalmologist, over 800 million people globally have refractive errors or vision impairments.

The national coordinator explained that the initiative and unveiling of the vision centre was in line with the World Health Assembly’s global target for effective coverage of eye care by countries by 2030.

Okolo said: “Eye care is very important and good vision is very critical to humans, and that is why this initiative of President Tinubu is to ensure that Nigerians have access to affordable glasses .

“Globally, it is estimated that over 400 billion dollars is lost every year in productivity as a result of poor vision.

“The eye glass is a 700 years old invention, yet people do not have access and that is why we have partnered with Onesight to increase access to eye glasses for every Nigerian who needs it irrespective of their age.

“The programme will also help to increase screening to enable eye expert detect symptoms earlier, and make sure interventions are implemented earlier to prevent vision loss.”

She commended the foundation for complementing government’s efforts through its support in improving eye care in the country.

The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Tope Ajayi, said that the Jigi Bola Eye Initiative was introduced in Lagos State when President Tinubu was governor.

Ajayi said over 200,000 residents of the state benefited from the programme then, noting that it has been re-introduced at a national level to target the needs of Nigerians as related to vision.

Speaking also, Mr Anurag Hans, the President of Onesight Essilorluxottica Foundation, said the organisation was committed to solving the problem of various eye impairments globally.

Hans said that eye impairments are the largest disability in the world, noting that two-thirds of the world population could not see clearly.

He disclosed that the foundation had initiated programmes to eliminate poor vision challenges in 120 countries and had also distributed 18 million glasses to people around the world.

“Most of the eye refractive errors can be fixed with a simple pair of eye glasses and the only sustainable way of solving this problem is to create permanent healthcare services to increase access to vision care.

“We plan to create this access to millions of Nigerians by the end of this year by working with our partners to prevent permanent vision loss in rural areas in Nigeria,” Hans said.

Also, Dr Ayodapo Soyinka, the Medical Director of the Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, commended the initiative aimed at strengthening the state’s capacity for efficient eye care delivery at the grassroots.

Soyinka, who also represented the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the collaboration between the FMOH, NEPH and Onesight would promote sustainable access to quality care within the health system.

“The choice of Alimosho as a centre to flag-off this epoch event is very strategic knowing fully well that it is the biggest local government in the state.

“This is something we have been looking forward to and it is beyond the hospital environment and the impact will be felt in the state at large.

“Apart from the inauguration of the vision centre, the foundation also provided consumables to the hospital that will last for a year to make the service free for everyone with eye defects to access care,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Christiana Fadare

By Oluwafunke Ishola
A global humanitarian organisation, Mercy Corps, has empowered young boys and girls with opportunities to connect with potential employers, enhance their professional skills, and explore diverse career paths.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mercy Corps achieved this through its Girls Improving Resilience Through Livelihood and – Health (GIRL- H) programme implemented in Lagos and Kano states from January to December.

GIRL-H programme is dedicated to empowering adolescents and young people through comprehensive support, education, and skills development.

Mr Ndubisi Anyanwu, Country Director, Mercy Corps, said this at the GIRL-H Job Fair, Exhibition and Skills Workshops on Wednesday in Lagos.

Anyanwu said that the GIRL-H programme was implemented in five local government areas in Lagos state, namely Alimosho, Epe, Kosofe, Ojo, and Somolu.

“We reached 2,500 adolescent girls and boys within the ages of 10 to 24.

“We work to improve their well-being through increased access to skills and knowledge, health resources, formal education, and economic opportunities,” he said.

He noted that the programme’s objectives were centred around three thematic pillars, namely financial inclusion, social behavioral change and communication, and public-private partnerships.

According to him, public-private partnerships are critical to successful and sustainable programme outcomes.

“One of the outcomes I’m hoping for is that many of you who are the market operators can absorb the talent that we have in this room.

“If there’s one thing about Nigeria that we don’t lack, it’s talent. The youths are the face of the future, and the future is now,” he said.

He noted that the participants were trained on various skills, including fashion designing, baking, hair dressing, crafts, among others.

Anyanwu said that Mercy Corps operated in about 40 countries, began operation in Nigeria in 2012, and Nigeria being its biggest portfolio.

He noted that its intervention centres on food and water security, peace, economic opportunities, with particular attention to issues around gender, and improving livelihoods for women and adolescents.

Similarly, Ms Rosetta Etta, Programme Manager, GIRL-H, said it was a multi-country programme implemented in Nigeria, South Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda.

“We are thrilled with the success of today’s Job Fair and the opportunities it created for our participants.

“This event is a testament to our commitment to empowering young individuals, promoting gender inclusivity, and fostering a supportive environment for all.”

Etta said that the event resulted in many participants landing interviews and job offers, propelling them toward successful careers and a supportive community for young professionals.

Commenting, Mrs Rashidat Umar, Deputy-Director, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, commended Mercy Corps for empowering the youth with skills that would enhance their employability, self-independence and financial freedom. (NAN)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Folasade Akpan

Medical experts have advised people who are 40 years and above to go for regular eye checks and consult a qualified ophthalmologist for treatment when diagnosed with an eye disorder.

Dr Fatima Kyari, Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The registrar spoke on the sideline of the second Advanced Glaucoma surgery course and Nurses Glaucoma training course at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Gwagwalada.

Kyari chairs the Glaucoma Society of Nigeria and also a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Clinical Glaucoma Lead at the UATH.

The ophthalmologist said that the training was part of efforts to combat blindness in the country.

She described glaucoma as the ‘Silent Thief of Sight’, adding that frequent eye test was paramount as part of measures for early detection of glaucoma and treatment to prevent vision loss.

According to her, the surgery course funded by the Tropical Health Education Trust (THET),  is aimed at training of ophthalmic surgeons to improve their surgical skills and confidence.

The nurses glaucoma skills course is to improve the nurses skills and competence in carrying out some special glaucoma tests for patients, and these tests include intraocular pressure measurement, visual field assessment and doing the optical coherence tomography (OCT).

“Few days ago we undertook training for the Nigeria Glaucoma Guideline & Toolkit with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

“We have a section that talks about setting up a programme on glaucoma care; it addresses public health interventions, advocacy and raising awareness on glaucoma.

“For those under 40 years, we recommend that they have an eye test every two to five years and those 40 years above we recommend that they have theirs at least every two years.

“But when we find a problem we recommend more regular eye examinations and early treatment,” she said.

According to her, if we are able to diagnose glaucoma early, we can reduce the risk of blindness so that the patients enjoy good vision for the rest of their lives with treatment.

“We are raising awareness and talking to people during special health days, we also help patients to organise themselves through support groups to help each other.

“As family members of glaucoma patients are at higher risk for glaucoma, we also advise glaucoma patients to ensure their families have eye tests to screen for glaucoma,” she said.

However, the opthalmologist highlighted the importance of good eye-check, which she said created a ripple effect across well-being, educational attainment, economic productivity and good health outcomes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the trainees are doctors Karinya Lewis, Winnie Nolan, Fatima Kyari, Adedeji Akinyemi and Abdullahi Mohammed and Mrs Elizabeth Ojeyinka (International specialists that matched up with the Nigerian glaucoma specialists).

Meanwhile, the partners are the International Centre for Eye Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London and National Eye Centre, Kaduna. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Council on Nutrition (NCN) has approved measures to combat malnutrition and food insecurity in line with President Bola Tinubu administration’s efforts to improve the nutritional status of Nigerians.

Delivering his address during the council’s meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday, Vice-President Kashim Shettima stressed the need for proactive participation from all stakeholders.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders include Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), development partners, aming others.

The approved measures include the establishment of a national nutrition dashboard to be hosted by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

The dashboard would be uploaded on the website of the NCN, aims to provide better oversight and coordination of nutrition-related initiatives across the country.

Shettima said the dedication of the council reflects Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to improving the nutritional status of every Nigerian.

He said the Tinubu administration recognised the urgency of the food crises, and was addressing its underlying causes with a view to developing more resilient and sustainable food systems in Nigeria.

The vice-president who commended the efforts of the stakeholders in the nutrition space, assured development partners and other actors of the Federal Government’s readiness to work with them.

”We are willing and ready to work with you for the good of the Nigerian nation. Let us forge ahead with optimism and resolve, knowing that together we are making substantial changes in the lives of our people.

”I extend my gratitude for your steadfast support and diligent efforts. Collaboration is paramount to our continued success in addressing national nutrition challenges.

”And I encourage active and proactive participation from all involved ministries and partners, as your contributions are essential to our progress.

” Together, through robust and dynamic collaboration, we can achieve significant advancements in our mission to improve nutritional outcomes for all citizens.

”All the ministers are willing to collaborate with each other, anchored on maturity, mutual trust and confidence,” he said.

Shettima commended the efforts of some frontline ministries in combating malnutrition and hunger in the country, describing their actions as worthy of emulation.

He said: ”I must commend the actions of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in convening a task force to address the acute malnutrition crisis in the country.

”The efforts have manifested in the acquisition of millions of packs of commodities.

” The joint efforts of the Minister of Health and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy to restructure the World Bank project resources securing about 30 million dollars for commodities is also highly commendable and deeply appreciated.

”The Ministry of Finance’s task force to accelerate cash transfer and the Ministry of Agriculture’s initiative to increase food availability and affordability further demonstrates our collaborative efforts.”

Earlier, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, emphasised the administration’s commitment to prioritising nutrition as a crucial component of national development.

” This initiative provides us an opportunity to step up our collective efforts to improve the country’s food and nutrition security,” Bagudu said.

He said that the meeting which received updates on Nigeria’s current nutritional status focused on proposing actionable recommendations and exploring ways to enhance the implementation of existing nutrition intervention programmes in line with national policy.

Also, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, outlined eight interrelated priority areas designed to address the nation’s nutritional needs.

He said the areas are enhancing value chains for improved nutrition; diversifying household production and consumption with a focus on women, improving access to micronutrient-rich foods, and enhancing food safety along the value chain.

Abdullahi also hinted at plans to build resilience and social protection networks for vulnerable groups, promote nutrition research, and improve the agriculture sector’s capacity to address food security and nutrition problems.

The strategy, according to him, also includes providing nutrition education, social marketing, and advocacy, as well as conducting nutrition surveillance, monitoring and evaluation to ensure the effectiveness of the initiatives. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Kemi Akintokun

The Centre For Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) in partnership with the Centre For Integrated Health Programs (CIHP) on Friday sensitised and tested no fewer than 248 pregnant women and others for HIV.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was held to implement the Baby Shower Toolkit in Congregational Settings for the Prevention Of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, unveiled in Lagos recently.

NAN reports that beneficiaries were given hospital child delivery packs at the programme, held at the Ilupeju Central Mosque in Lagos.

Dr Timothy Efuntoye, Prevention Branch Chief, CDC, Nigeria, in an interview, said that the aim of the programme was to achieve free transmission of HIV from pregnant women to their unborn children.

Efuntoye stated that the health programme centres embarked on an adaptation of the Baby Shower toolkit into a muslim dominated setting.

“This is part of the activities to mark the baby shower toolkit which was launched on Wednesday.

“For the very first time, we are deploying what was adapted in this muslim community to sensitise women and also provide them with test and education on how to prevent Mother-to-Child transmission of HIV,” he said.

As part of sustainability of the programme, the CDC official said that major gate keepers for the programme had been engaged and they included the Chief Imam of Lagos state and good-spirited individuals among the congregation for support.

Efuntoye noted that CIHP would also engage multilateral agencies within Lagos state, as well as the state government to provide some of the basic supplies that would help to sustain the programme.

According to him, this will help every woman to do her HIV screening and know her status before the birth of her child before delivery.

Dr Francis Ogirima, Director For Clinical Services, CIHP, said that the launch of the baby shower toolkit was to unveil a document that standardised the approach, while the programme at the religious centre was to domesticate the approach.

Ogirima explained that the baby shower was actually an approach that leveraged congregational settings including the mosque, church and traditional worship centres.

According to him, the programme which started years ago, began with the churches, hence, the need to also extend it to the mosques to capture the Islamic worshippers also.

“What we do as health programme centres is to leverage those settings where they already go to for faith information to provide them with additional health information.

“This is to ensure that the muslim women are also reached with critical heath services.

“Today, we are at the mosque; tomorrow we can be in the church and subsequent days in the traditional centres,” he said.

Ogirima advised the religious leaders and the traditional health services providers to encourage their congregations to access antenatal care services as much as possible.

He noted that the baby shower was not a substitute to going to the hospital, but a collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health, and Lagos State AIDS Control Agency to refer them to the appropriate healthcare facilities.

Imam Ibrahim Muhammad, Resident Cleric of Ilupeju Central Mosque, lauded CHIP and CDC for organising the programme for the pregnant women, noting that most of them were ignorant of how to contract and also transmit the virus.

Muhammadu noted that the information circulated at the programme revealed that “HIV is not a death sentence and we must all know our status and prevent its transmission, especially to the unborn children.”

He pledged to sustain advocacy among the women and also collaborate with other muslim clerics within the state to continue educating their congregation on the virus.

A beneficiary, Mrs Saeedat Balogun, also thanked the organisers for the opportunity, while assuring to always go for checkups to know her health status and also sensitise her family members and friends on the virus and its preventive measures.(NAN)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Vivian Ihechu

By Peter Okolie

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Friday confiscated alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and pet bottles below 200ml worth millions of naira in Imo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the alcoholic beverages confiscated by the agency include: Action bitters, ballamour bitters and Chelsea London dry gin.

Some others are Squad 5 dark rum, Yagor milk cream liquor, Captain Jack, Banjinotu Alcoholic bitters, Tombo bitters, Big Ben, Rocket ginger, Yaahu blended gin and Eagle Aromatic Schnapps.

The agency’s Coordinator in the state, Mrs Mercy Ndukwe, led the enforcement team to the popular Rotobi Market in Owerri, the Imo state capital.

Ndukwe told NAN after the raid that the Federal Government had issued a directive banning the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and pet bottles below 200ml.

She added that “in 2018, the agency, in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health met with the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE), Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) and Consumer Protection Council (CPC), among other stakeholders.

“During the meeting, an agreement was reached that companies should start packaging above 200ml.

“The committee and the agency agreed to a moratorium of five years to phase out such packaged drinks by Jan. 31, 2024.

“They also agreed to reduce production by 50 per cent by 2022.”

Ndukwe added that NAFDAC had equally stopped the issuance of market authourisation to producers of alcoholic beverages below 200ml, while enforcement commenced on Feb. 1, 2024.

However, she said, most producers continued producing with expired licences or illegally.

She explained that “here in Imo, we gave time to see if they would reduce supply and sale of the particular sized products, but instead of reducing, it is increasing, which means the distillers and blenders are still producing and selling.

“We cannot watch things go wrong, especially when the deadline has elapsed. This is a policy of the Federal Government and it must be enforced.”

She said an examination of the alcoholic beverages confiscated showed some with NAFDAC registration numbers, but failed date marking like the production and expiry dates.

“This is an indication that the producers are conscious of what they are doing, it is even a violation on its own,” she stressed.

She said the agency had carried out regular sensitisation to educate the people, especially traders, on the ban and dangers of alcoholic beverages below 200ml, as well as plan to carry out enforcement.

The agency had also carried out enforcement on water producers who sell sachet and bottled water in open space at the Spibat roundabout in Owerri without regard to stipulated guidelines.

The coordinator said “we gave conditions before we register them, that water must be stored in a cool, dry and wooden platforms and not on bare floor, exposed to sunlight from morning till night.

“You don’t store water anyhow because the packaging materials are prone to certain reactions from sunlight.

“You may produce clean water but in the process of storage and distribution, it becomes contaminated.

“People don’t bother to wash the sachets before drinking water, so anything on the surface of the sachet can be consumed as well.”

Ndukwe advised them to erect makeshift shades and use wooden platforms, if they must sell outside their factories.

“You hear the story of cholera everywhere, we don’t want residents to fall victims.

“The enforcement is not to witch-hunt any individual or company, but to safeguard the health of the nation,” she maintained. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Justina Auta

The Federal Government has tasked the committee on Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Paediatric AIDS Acceleration Plan to scale-up interventions to eliminate HIV transmission in Nigeria.

Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, while inaugurating the committee in Abuja, expressed concern that Nigeria contributes 25 per cent global burden of HIV transmission between mother-to-children.

He added that current PMTCT and pediatric HIV coverage remained critically low at less than 35 per cent.

This, he said, was far below the 95 per cent target.

He said: “I will work closely with the committee to review implementation and track data regularly.

“We will also ensure that we reverse the negative narrative of our contribution to the global burden of mother-to-children child transmission of HIV.

“This will ensure that no child is born HIV positive and that those who are positive receive quality care.

“We will also unlock value chains by collaborating with those willing to commence domestic production of HIV commodities, ensuring health security for our children.”

Earlier, Temitope Ilori, Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA),  said the country’s incidence prevalenc necessitated the inauguration of the committee.

“Our epidemiological estimates say 140,000 children under 14 are living with HIV as of 2023, with 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths in children.

“Current PMTCT and pediatric HIV coverage remain alarmingly low at less than 33 per cent far short of the 95 per cent target, ” she said.

According to Ilori, the committee will provide oversight to the PMTCT and Paediatric HIV programme implementation towards ending HIV and AIDS among our children.

Also, Olu Folake-Abdlrasaq, Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors Spouses’ Forum and wife of Kwara state gvernor, commended  the federal government’s efforts and emphasised the role of sub-national initiatives.

She revealed plans to enroll women living with HIV in the state’s health insurance programme, expanding on her earlier initiative that included sickle cell patients.

Also, Funmi Adesanya, Country Coordinator, United States Government, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), said the U.S. has invested 8.3 billion dollars over the past 21 years, to eliminate HIV as a public health threat by 2030 in Nigeria.

“We commend the leadership of the Government of Nigeria for your vision and for convening us to address this urgent issue because it is an emergency.

“No child in Nigeria should be born with HIV and the U.S. government is committed to our partnership to ensure that this is a reality,” she said.

Leo Zekeng, the Country Director and Representative of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in Nigeria, stated that funding the efforts against the scourge was not a challenge, as resources were available through 2026.

Zekeng assured the support of UN agencies in Nigeria to the initiative while urging other stakeholders to recommit to the cause and fully support the initiative.

On his part, Oyebanji Fulani, Chairman, Commissioners of Health Forum, while stressing the need for resources, assured that governments at the state level would do their part to ensure the success of the initiative.

NAN reports that the committee is expected to focus on early testing; optimise treatment and care for infants, children, and adolescents living with HIV.

It is also expected to close treatment gaps for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and address social and structural barriers that hinder access to services. (NAN)( www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Abigael Joshua

Federal Government has unveiled the National Antimicrobial Resistance Policy (AMR) to forestall public health threat in the country.

Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the inauguration of the National Antimicrobial policy and Strategic Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (2023-2027) Environment Sector.

He said that the nation stood to gain socio-economic benefits from the effective implementation of the AMR policy through improved public health and increased productivity.

“Antimicrobial resistance is not only a public health threat; it has huge implications for global economic wellbeing and security, affecting both developed and developing countries.

“Nigeria, as a responsible member of the global community, is committed to adopting a holistic approach to addressing AMR; to ensuring all of sector involvement; no duplication and efficient use of scarce resources.

“To achieve this and protect public health, food security and the environment, the recognition of the interconnectedness between human, animal and environmental health in line with the One Health principles is central.’’

The minister said that AMR was listed by the World Health Organisation as one of the 10 top threats to global health.

“According to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), AMR is a global crisis that cannot be understood or addressed separately from the triple planetary crisis.

“This report shows that AMR threat is growing at an alarming rate making treatment challenging with longer hospital stays, increased mortality and higher healthcare cost.’’

He said that the World Bank estimated that AMR could result in 1 trillion dollars additional healthcare costs by 2050 and 1 trillion dollars to 3.4 trillion dollars gross domestic product (GDP) losses per year by 2030.

“AMR surveillance will ensure wildlife is not harmed by antimicrobials and drug resistant microorganisms in the environment; this ultimately protects human health by reducing the risk of zoonotic disease outbreak,’’ he said.

Dominique Koffy Kouacou, Head of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Nigeria, said that the antimicrobial resistance scourge affected humans, animals, plants and the environment.

“Antimicrobial resistance, which is a one health issue, needs to be tackled by all sectors and therefore important for countries to put in place actions that would reduce and control the scourge.

“It is estimated that 10 million people would die annually by the year 2050 and the economies of nations negatively affected if this challenge is not mitigated.

“It is for this reason that the FAO in 2022 supported the Federal Ministry of Environment to develop the National AMR Policy and the National Strategic Plan (2023 – 2027).

“This is important in ensuring that all relevant environment stakeholders get sensitised and participate in the fight against AMR in the environment specifically and generally in the animal human interface,” he said.(NAN) (www.nanews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

By Kemi Akintokun

Prof. Babatunde Salako, Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), on Thursday said no fewer than 25,000 Nigerians have benefited from the institute’s HIV clinic programme and research.

Salako disclosed this during a news conference which was part of events to mark the end of his eight-year tenure as director-general of the institute.

He said that NIMR also played a significant role in training national workforce in the control and fight against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that HIV is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which weakens the immune system by destroying T-cells in the human body.

He said: “NIMR has played a significant role over the years in HIV pandemic and it will interest Nigerians to know that the institute diagnosed the first cases of HIV in the country.

“The institute has an HIV research centre and a clinic programme for many patients of over 25,000 in recent years.

“The institute was also involved in determining the efficacy, effectiveness and safety of some anti-retroviral drugs especially the anti generic drugs when introduced to the country.”

Salako, who emphasised the economic importance of NIMR to the healthcare sector, added that the institute tested approximately 65,000 Nigerians for COVID-19 with its home-grown solutions.

The director-general also added that NIMR contributed significantly in building the capacity of no fewer than 1,600 healthcare workers, including doctors, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and students.

Highlighting other milestones achieved during his tenure, Salako said the institute also provided support in the areas of research for tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases and malaria among others.

He noted that in spite progress made in NIMR, challenges such as staff attrition, limited cancer research, and inadequate funding affected some of its research work.

Salako emphasised the need for more researchers to work on larger cancer studies to prevent a double burden of the condition.

“We can’t wait until it becomes a double burden. We plead for expansion in cancer research,” he said.

Salako, whose tenure will end on July 23, applauded the government for increasing the institute’s yearly allocation significantly. (NAN)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Kemi Akintokun

The United States Centre for Disease Control and partners, on Wednesday unveiled a toolkit for the implementation of a project tagged: “Baby Showers in Congregational Settings”, in Lagos.

The project’s unveiling, hosted by the Centre For Integrated Health Programs (CIHP), aims at preventing Mother-to-Child transmission of HIV.

It was spearheaded by the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCP), Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the United States Centres For Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), Nigeria.

In a welcome address, Dr Timothy Efuntoye,representative of CDC, Nigeria, expressed the need for collaboration among concerned stakeholders to achieve the success of the ‘Baby Shower Toolkits’ implementation at the grassroots level.

Efuntoye stated that HIV virus was still very much around in Nigeria, adding that a survey carried out in 2018 indicated that about 1.5 per cent of Nigerians were living with HIV.

He said a recent statistics also showed that most people living with HIV were women and children.

He said the centre would continue to support such people with Antiretroviral HIV drugs that would help to keep them alive.

He said the toolkit was unveiled as part of approaches toward ending the transmission of HIV/AIDS to paediatrics, which was highly preventable.

In her remarks, Dr Bola Oyeledun, Chief Executive Officer, CIHP, expressed worry that many children were continuously infected with HIV virus through their mothers due to negligence.

Oyeledun highlighted the roles of various religions, including, Christians, Muslims, traditionalists and other institutional gatherings in reaching and educating members of the communities.

“We all know that pregnancy is a joyful thing, the ending is supposed to be joyful and the children are supposed to be well and joyful as well.

“This initiative is to make sure that we have the tool to enable us uniformly build the correct information, the right skills and also measure and document the activities aimed at achieving it.

“With the congregational approach, we can be able to reach and enlighten women, as well as the pregnant ones, and the men too,” she said.

According to her, the society and its institutions cannot afford to rest on its oars, as many children have continued to be infected with HIV.

The CIHP CEO noted that the document for the research of the Baby Shower Toolkits was done in Enugu, but implemented first in Benue, before moving to Lagos state and spreading to other states of the federation.

Also, Dr Adebobola Bashorun, National Coordinator,NASCP, under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said, “together we can prevent mother to child transmission and ensure that every mother and child receive the care they deserve.”

Bashorun, represented by Dr Hafsat Iyanda, stated that the toolkits were designed to empower mothers with the knowledge and tools they needed to nurture their children from the very beginning of life.

He said:”By providing comprehensive information on prenatal care, nutrition, immunisation, and early childhood development, we aim to foster a generation of healthy, thriving children who will grow to become the foundation of a prosperous future.”

In her address,Dr Folakemi Animashaun,CEO, Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), said that the prevention of the Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV coverage in the country currently stood at approximately 37 per cent.

She pledged the Lagos state government’s unwavering commitment to achieving epidemic control of HIV/AIDS with a primary focus on prevention CDC, CIHP, partners unveil toolkit for prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV transmission

In her remark, Dr Bola Oyeledun, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), CIHP, expressed worry that many children were continuously infected with HIV virus through their mothers due to negligence.

Oyeledun highlighted the roles of various religions, including, Christians, Muslims, traditionalists and other institutional gatherings in reaching and educating members of the communities.

“We all know that pregnancy is a joyful thing, the ending is supposed to be joyful and the children are supposed to be well and joyful as well.

“This initiative is to make sure that we have the tool to enable us uniformly build the correct information, the right skills and also measure and document the activities aimed at achieving it.

“With the congregational approach, we can be able to reach and enlighten women, as well as the pregnant ones, and the men too,” she said.

According to her,the society and its institutions cannot afford to rest on its oars, as many children had continued to be infected with HIV.

The CIHP CEO noted that the document for the research of the Baby Shower Toolkits was done in Enugu,but implemented first in Benue, before moving to Lagos state and spreading to other states of the federation.

Speaking also, Dr Adebobola Bashorun, National Coordinator,NASCP, under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said, “together we can prevent mother to child transmission and ensure that every mother and child receives the care they deserve.”

Bashorun, represented by Dr Hafsat Iyanda, stated that the toolkits were designed to empower mothers with the knowledge and tools they needed to nurture their children from the very beginning of life.

He said:”By providing comprehensive information on prenatal care, nutrition, immunisation, and early childhood development, we aim to foster a generation of healthy, thriving children who will grow to become the foundation of a prosperous future.”

In her address,Dr Folakemi Animashaun,CEO, Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), said that the prevention of the Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV coverage in the country currently stood at approximately 37 per cent.

She pledged the Lagos state government’s unwavering commitment to achieving epidemic control of HIV/AIDS with a primary focus on PMTCT.

According to her, the meticulously crafted toolkit will empower religious leaders with the necessary resources to conduct culturally sensitive practices aimed at effectively educating their congregations on PMTCT.

In their goodwill messages,the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Bishop Adegbite, represented by Rev. Stephen Oyinlola, and Imam Alfanla Muhammed of Jama’atu Islamiya of Nigeria, thanked the organisers for the initiative.

The religious leaders also pledged to continue to preach against stigmatisation against persons living with HIV/AIDS .

They also also encouraged the patients to access qualitative health services to reduce maternal and child mortality.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event showcased various testimonials of past and present beneficiaries of the ‘Baby Shower Toolkit’ and how it has helped them to pull through.(NAN)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and Dianabasi Effiong.