By Angela Atabo

eHealth Africa, a Non-Governmental Organisation, has established Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs), in Kebbi and Zamfara to boost vaccination for polio and other vaccine preventable diseases.

The Executive Director, eHealth Africa, Mr Atef Fawaz, who made this known in Abuja on Monday, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the move was to address public health concerns.

Fawaz said that the centres were built with support from philanthropists including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Aliko Dangote Foundation, among others.

“The handover of the EOC signifies a new phase in the states’ fight against polio, other vaccine preventable diseases.

“The centres will also help to address other public health issues through effective stakeholders planning, collaboration, and institutional strengthening.

“The handover ceremonies also provided a boost to Nigeria’s public health sector and signified fresh drive and vigor for eHealth Africa to support public health interventions.

“It will also help in providing underserved communities with tools to lead healthier lives,” he said.

Fawaz said that the organisation was satisfied with the quality standard of the EOCs.
He said that they are of high-quality standard which was in line with global best practice.

“In line with the organisation’s mission of building stronger health systems through innovative strategies, eHealth Africa has been leading the establishment of EOCs across Nigeria and Africa since 2012.

“This experience of over a decade has positioned the organisation to understand and effectively implement an intervention of this magnitude.

“This is another milestone in our consistent resolve to support public health stakeholders in effective planning and coordination of emergency preparedness and response especially as Nigeria continues to win the fight against Polio and vaccine preventable diseases,” he said.

The Senior Programme Manager, eHealth, Mr Kazeem Balogun, said that the organisation was able to build the centres to a high standard using collaborative efforts with stakeholders.

Balogun said that it was crucial to get the support of stakeholders like the national and State Primary HealthCare Development Agencies, traditional and religious leaders, and international partners to build the centres.

He said their inputs were instrumental to ensuring the successful completion and activation of the centres.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Ali Baba-Inuwa

By Abujah Racheal

The Forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Social Health Insurance Agencies (SSHIA) has reported that 50 per cent of citizens have enrolled in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) within five years, describing it as a notable achievement.

Dr Simeon Onyemaechi, Chairman of the forum, mentioned this during its first-quarter review meeting on Friday in Abuja.

He stated that the enrollment rate signifies substantial progress in expanding health insurance coverage and underscores the effectiveness of the NHIA in reaching and enrolling a significant portion of the population.

Onyemaechi explained that the SSHIS, introduced by the Nigerian Government, was designed to address the long-standing issue of limited healthcare access for a significant portion of the population.

He highlighted that the state-level insurance programs aim to provide comprehensive health coverage to both formal and informal sector workers, including the most vulnerable groups.

“Since their implementation, the SSHIS has witnessed an exponential increase in enrollment, with millions of Nigerians now benefiting from improved access to healthcare services.

“The schemes cover a wide range of medical services, including hospitalization, outpatient care, preventive care, and essential medications,” he said.

The success of the SSHIS, he said, could be attributed to several factors.

“Firstly, the affordability of these schemes has made them accessible to a larger portion of the population, breaking down financial barriers to healthcare.

“Additionally, the comprehensive coverage provided by the schemes has instilled a sense of security among Nigerians, encouraging them to enroll and utilise the available services,” he said.

Furthermore, he said that the involvement of state governments in the implementation and management of these schemes had played a crucial role in their success.

“The collaboration between the federal and state governments has ensured effective administration, efficient fund allocation, and improved healthcare infrastructure across the states,” he said.

He stated that the impact of the SSHIS on healthcare outcomes had been significant.

“By providing access to quality healthcare services, the schemes have contributed to the reduction of preventable diseases, improved maternal and child health, and better management of chronic conditions.

“This, in turn, has positively impacted the overall health and well-being of Nigerians, leading to increased productivity and economic growth,” he said.

While the success of the SSHIS is commendable, challenges remain, he said.

He stressed the need for continued investment in healthcare infrastructure, enhancement of service quality, and the expansion of coverage to remote areas.

He said that the sustainability of the schemes in the long run would necessitate ongoing collaboration between the government, healthcare providers, and the public.

He unveiled a multifaceted approach aimed at enhancing access to healthcare across the country.

“Key initiatives include urging employers to provide health insurance for their workers, implementing a tax-for-service model for the organised informal sector, and expanding the NHIA medicine supply initiative to ensure medication availability.”

He highlighted a notable funding mechanism: allocation of the Vulnerable Group Fund (VGF), sourced from a ring-fenced 2.5 per cent increment on Value Added Tax.

“This financial strategy aims to bolster resources for healthcare services targeted at vulnerable populations,” he said.

Moreover, he underscored their commitment to learning from the experiences of other states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to avoid starting from scratch.

“By leveraging existing solutions and innovations, we aim to accelerate progress and achieve tangible results in the upcoming quarter.

Dr Vetty Agala, Acting Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), highlighted the need for awareness creation.

Agala said that the state had the support of the governor who was people-oriented and ready to ensure that the citizens of the state went into the hinterland to cover everyone, especially the vulnerable population.

“Our governor is ready to ensure that our equity plan and our informal sector plan are top-notch while we deal with organised labor and ensure that they key in.

“We are going to be working with the experience of the other 35 states and the FCT and ensure that we learn from their mistakes, hoping we do not start from ground zero.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Management Agency, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, said the major pillars that made the state successful were getting the formal sector involved and ensuring programs for vulnerable people.

Zamba said the priority was that the state needed to bring in the formal sector that helped the state risk pool and give leverage to involve others.

“We have enjoyed political goodwill; our governor’s priority is social welfare. We have his support in ensuring that the equity fund is released and reaches vulnerable people.

“We also went a step further to include public awareness, getting people to contribute to insurance information so that philanthropists and politicians would come on board to support people in their constituencies and pay for them.

“We bring in technical people who understand what insurance is and contribute so that people with the capacity can understand what the vision and mission are, to provide the necessary expertise”. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Aderogba George

Abuja-based Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), FAB Treasure Foundation, and the Girl Force Movement collaborated to emphasise the significance of educating the girl-child during a one-day sensitisation event at Government Secondary School, Masaka in Nasarawa State.

Hosted by Miss Abigail Festus, the founder of FAB Treasure Foundation, the event, reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), aimed to mark the 2024 International Day of Education, annually celebrated on January 24 to promote awareness about the importance of education.

Festus, a Menstrual Health and Hygiene Advocate, highlighted the objectives of the awareness campaign, focusing on empowering young girls to embrace education.

She addressed challenges such as period poverty and the lack of access to sanitary pads during monthly menstruation, stressing that addressing these issues is crucial for encouraging girl-child education.

“This project ensures access to free sanitary pads, a critical component in liberating girls from the stigma and challenges associated with menstruation, allowing them to attend school regularly without interruption,” Abigail explained.

Keynote speaker Jimiruna Leonard, a personal and organisational growth strategist, underscored the paramount importance of education, reassuring the girls that it is not just a pathway but a key to unlocking future possibilities.

Leonard encouraged the female students to believe in themselves and strive to achieve their aspirations.

Esther Muyiwa, a Public Speaking Consultant and one of the panelists, advised the students to secure mentors who can guide them in distinguishing between right and wrong, truth and falsehood.

Another panelist, Mrs Chinyere Benedict, a Girl Child Advocate, provided insights on maintaining a hygienic lifestyle.

The NGOs distributed sanitary pads to 500 female students of the school, aiming not only to address immediate hygiene needs but also to contribute to a conducive learning environment, allowing girls to focus on their education without worries. (NAN)

www.nannews.ng.

Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Folasade Akpan

As part of activities to mark World Cancer Day 2024, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare have collaborated with the NNPCL Foundation to screen Nigerians for three cancers free of charge.

The two-day exercise which began on Wednesday at the Federal Medical Center, Abuja, is targeted at early detection of breast and cervical cancers for women and prostate cancer for men.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said at the opening that there were many benefits from early detection.

Represented by the Director, Hospital Services, Dr Salaudeen Jimoh, he said that routine screening aided early detection of cancers.

“This is because when cancers are detected early treatment outcomes are better.

“Also, those who will be found positive to any of the cancers that will be screened for, the Cancer Health Fund (CHF) will provide free treatment for them, therefore there is no need to panic.”

He explained that the fund was the money earmarked by the Federal Government to treat the three cancers, adding that the money is for the treatment of all Nigerians who are affected by any of the cancers.

He commended the foundation for sponsoring the screening, adding that the initiative would go a long way in the fight to control cancer in Nigeria.

Pate also announced the donation of a mobile cancer screening van to the hospital by the ministry with all complementary equipment attached.

This, he said, was to aid early detection of the three cancers.

The Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) Foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, said cancer is a very deadly disease and knowing one’s status is very important as that would aid in getting treatment early.

She said that the foundation, which was the social initiative arm of the company, decided to embark on the project because cancer is one of the scourges the nation is suffering from.

“It is our pilot project and we will do other things.

“A lot of people have already done their tests and we are expecting at least 100 people to do the tests and the good thing is that the ministry has the funds to treat anyone who tests positive to any of the cancers.

“We know there is a healthcare gap in Nigeria and we are doing this as one of our projects to help bridge the gap,” she added.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Saad Ahmed, said screening forms part of the things that would help identify those at risk.

He also said that the hospital had been treating cancer patients for a long time and had successfully treated quite a number of cancer patients, thereby giving it the needed experience to handle it.

He, however, called on all cancer advocates and stakeholders to put in more effort to end the cancer scourge in Nigeria.

Madam Lilian Duke, one of the beneficiaries, said she decided to screen for cervical cancer to see if she was predisposed to having the disease.

According to her, women should not shy away from carrying out the tests, because if they do they may die from ignorance.

“If you are shy you may die of a sickness that you would have had an opportunity of getting rid of.

“When such opportunities as this come up people should be bold enough to come out to know their status.

“The free treatment from the CHF too is very good because ordinarily if you have something of that nature you may not be able to treat it because it is quite expensive.”

Mr David Adejoh, another beneficiary, who was there to screen for prostate cancer, said it was better to get it done as often as the opportunity presented itself because if left to chance may take one unaware.

He added that “considering that the disease does not give notice until it has reached an advanced stage, early detection is important.

“Opportunities like this do not present themselves everyday and the cost of running the tests is quite high so it is better to do it to save costs.

“The CHF is one of the most beautiful news I have heard this year because I am aware that once you reach the age of 40 you are supposed to be checking your prostate.

“There are so many men out there who do not have the means to treat it and they resolve to spirituality or herbs which may not help them eventually, so the free treatment is commendable.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Cancer Day is an international day marked on Feb. 4, to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.

Also, between 2022 and 2024, the focus of World Cancer Day is to help “Close the cancer gap” and the theme for 2024 has “Together, we challenge those in power” as a sub-theme.

This focuses on the global demand for leaders to prioritise and invest in cancer prevention and care and to do more to achieve a just and cancer-free world. (NAN)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Victor Nwachukwu

Some stakeholders in Imo have lauded the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for its sustained community interventions to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the state.

The stakeholders spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ahiazu and Ezinihitte Mbaise council areas of Imo on Tuesday, as part of activities marking the 2024 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Annually celebrated around the world on Feb. 6 to raise awareness about the ills of the practice, FGM comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons, recognised internationally as a violation of the human rights, health and integrity of girls and women.

The celebration of the day is therefore, an opportunity for stakeholders involved in ending FGM to celebrate achievements, advocate for the abandonment of the practice.

The theme for year 2024 is: “Her Voice. Her Future.”

The NAN correspondent who visited the Imo local government areas on Tuesday, reports that critical stakeholders said they had embraced the campaign to end the practice.

The Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers in Ahiazu Mbaise, Eze Sabinus Nwaneche, thanked UNICEF for its sustained commitment to community dialogue towards ending the menace.

Nwaneche said that his people have become properly enlightened about the long-term health and psychological implications of FGM, adding that women and female children have started showing strong commitment to end the olden days’ practice.

He said that in line with an agreement reached in November 2020 by community stakeholders to end FGM in the area,
a surveillance system was introduced to track the birth of every girl-child.

The royal father said the measure was to ensure that the girl-child was not subjected to genital mutilation.

He added that “we have been sensitised about the consequences of FGM, and this has awakened our consciousness and commitment to abolish the practice.”

Also, the Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers in Ezinihitte Mbaise, Eze Ositadinma Nwokocha, thanked UNICEF and its support partners for efforts to end the sufferings of the girl child in the area.

He said that representatives of five communities met at the local government area headquarters in Itu in November 2023, where they adopted a policy statement to guide the actions of the people and support the #EndFGM campaign.

According to Nwokocha, the fight against FGM in the area has started and will continue until it is eradicated.

The Sole Administrator of Ahiazu Local Government Area, Chief Tony Anakani, was also full of praises for UNICEF, and pledged readiness to collaborate with the organisation to advocate an end to FGM and other forms of violence against women and girls.

A cleric, Mr Jerry Atuzie, said many persons practiced FGM out of ignorance of its social and health implications.

He identified some of the implications as marital instability and excessive bleeding, which could result to death.

He said “some promoters of the practice claim that it reduces promiscuity among girls but with proper enlightenment by UNICEF and its partners, we now know better.”

The Imo Coordinator, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Mrs Ngozi Ejike, also thanked UNICEF and the Imo Government for supporting the enactment of the Imo Child Rights Law (2014) and the Imo FGM Prohibition Law No. 006 of 2017.

She said the laws created the enabling environment for speedy dispensation of justice against FGM.

NAN reports that Mr Victor Atuchukwu, the Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF, Enugu Field Office, said at a recent townhall, in collaboration with support partners, that UNICEF would continue to campaign against the practice.

NAN also reports that UNICEF has held several advocacy and sensitisation programmes in different LGAs of the state, including Ahiazu and Ezinihitte Mbaise, where the practice is said to be prevalent. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Dr Nathaniel Adewole, a Gynaecologist at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, has emphasised the necessity of implementing laws to combat Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the country.

Adewole shared this perspective during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, coinciding with the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation on February 6.

This year’s theme is “Her Voice. Her Future. Investing in Survivor-Led Movements to End Female Genital Mutilation.”

Highlighting the risks associated with FGM, Adewole emphasised the need for laws to deter this harmful practice, citing potential health complications such as severe infection, chronic pain, depression, infertility, and even death.

He urged for intensified awareness at the grassroots level regarding the dangers and complications linked to FGM.

Additionally, Adewole proposed town meetings in identified communities, involving traditional and religious leaders, to educate them on the adverse effects and the imperative to cease these harmful practices.

Adewole stressed that FGM restricts opportunities for women and girls globally, hindering their rights and potential.

While acknowledging progress, he underscored the importance of coordinated efforts focused on human rights, gender equality, sexual education, and addressing the needs of affected women and girls to promote the elimination of female genital mutilation.

According to the United Nations, there are over 200 million girls and women alive today who have survived Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

As of 2024, 4.4 million girls – or more than 12,000 each day – are at risk of female genital mutilation around the world. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/ Isaac Aregbesola