Health - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Wed, 2024

Health

Nigeria commemorates maiden National Health Promotion Day

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By Folasade Akpan

The Federal Government on Tuesday in Abuja commemorated the maiden National Health Promotion Day (HPD).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the HPD aims to promote healthy living among Nigerians, and has ‘Health Promotion: The Catalyst for Sustainable Health and Wellbeing of Nigerians’ as its theme.

The Federal Ministry of Health developed the National Health Promotion Policy in 2006 to strengthen the health promotion capacity of the National Health System to deliver healthcare that is promotive, protective, preventive, restorative and rehabilitative to every citizen.

At the HPD commemoration, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, emphasised the significance of the day, saying “this day serves as a pivotal milestone for Nigeria and sets an example for other countries globally.”

He added that the commemoration came about as a collaborative decision made during the National Council on Health in November 2023 to establish a dedicated day for health promotion.

According to him, the goal is to save lives, alleviate both physical and financial burden, and ensure access to health for all citizens.

Pate noted the increasing prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes and cancer as urgent health challenges, most of which are preventable.

He stressed the critical need for public awareness and education to mitigate the health issues, noting that “to combat NCDs, the Federal Government, in collaboration with states, unveiled the ‘Know Your Numbers’ campaign.

“The 10 Million Project, a nationwide campaign, encourages citizens to monitor their blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels regularly, aimed at tracking potential health issues before they escalate.”

The minister, therefore, urged Nigerians to engage in personal health management, advocating for regular health check-ups, healthy lifestyle choices, and mental health awareness.

He added that “by promoting health and preventing diseases, we not only enhance individual well-being, but also reduce the strain on our healthcare system.”

Dr Alex Chimbaru, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Deputy Country Representative to Nigeria, said health promotion is essential, as it enables people to increase control over their own health.

He said “it covers a wide range of social and environmental interventions designed to benefit and protect individual people’s health and quality of life by addressing and preventing the root causes of ill health, not just focusing on treatment and cure.”

The Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Dr Ejike Oji, said that the burden of healthcare costs on families underscores the need for preventive approaches to diseases.

This, he said, would reduce disease prevalence and improve wellbeing.

NAN also reports that the HPD marks the beginning of renewed focus on public health in Nigeria, aiming to foster a culture of wellness and prevention that can serve as a model for other nations in the future. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

NAN MD advocates fitness, health for media practitioners

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Thu, 2024

General News , Health

NAN MD advocates fitness, health for media practitioners

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By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali Muhammad Ali, has advised media practitioners to engage in regular exercise and sporting activities to maintain physical fitness and enhance mental alertness.

Ali gave this advice in Abuja on Thursday during a meeting with members of the NAN Social Calendar Committee.

The committee briefed him about the agency’s inaugural fitness walk and jogging exercise scheduled for Saturday, October 26.

Ali noted the importance of regular medical check-ups for media workers, including monitoring vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rate.

He said those in the media often work under pressure chasing news and may forget to check their health status.

“Understanding one’s health is essential for peace of mind and identifying areas for improvement.

“To address this, we established this committee to promote quarterly fitness and exercise walks. Every quarter, all agency staff will gather at the corporate headquarters for a two- to three-hour walk, followed by some exercises.

“This initiative will encourage physical health, raise awareness about health status, and promote team bonding, a team that exercises together achieves together and fosters greater understanding”.

Ali added that seeing colleagues and superiors engaged in enjoyable activities like walking can bring additional benefits.

He reiterated the health advantages of regular walking, especially for those of a certain age.

Ali also announced plans for a week-long inter-departmental competition to foster team building and family cohesion among staff.

He tasked the committee with making this proposal a reality, as it would help the agency evaluate its activities and bridge any existing communication gaps.

He also encouraged the head of the NAN Lagos office and the 12 zonal managers to organise the quarterly fitness exercises in their locations, and invited headquarters staff to bring their spouses to the Saturday event.

“This inaugural fitness walk and jogging exercise is expected to enhance team building and bonding.

“We aim to create a cohesive team that works together and supports one another. Before the year ends, we hope to organise a week-long competition.

“Although there are only a couple of months left in the year, we want to unwind and bond as a family,” Ali stated.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Mrs Dorcas Jonah, informed the MD about the upcoming walk and jogging exercise.

Jonah, an Assistant Editor-in-Chief, noted that after the committee’s inauguration two months ago, it proposed bi-weekly sporting activities for staff.

She thanked Ali for approving the initiative and attending the kickoff event, which has revived sporting activities at NAN.

“This initiative is designed to help staff stay fit and unwind. We want to show our partners and the public that the News Agency of Nigeria is not just about news writing; we can engage in other activities as well.

“As the saying goes, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. We aim to demonstrate that we are a capable team committed to exercise, maintaining a healthy work environment, and working together effectively.

“Regular exercise will help us think better and stay energetic,” she said.

The occasion ended with the presentation of tracksuits for the exercise by the committee to the managing director and other directors of the agency. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Tosin Kolade

DEPOWA sensitises, distributes sanitary pads to girls

isaac aregbesola
Oct, Tue, 2024

Defence/Security

DEPOWA sensitises, distributes sanitary pads to girls

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence and Police Officer’s Wives Association (DEPOWA) on Monday sensitised girls of adolescent age to menstrual health hygiene and distributed sanitary pads at the Junior Secondary School Dei-Dei in Abuja.

The President of DEPOWA, Mrs Oghogho Musa, said the event ‘Menstrual Health, Hygiene management and Reusable Pad-making training’ was organised to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child 2024.

Musa said the initiative was informed by the need to support girls and help them reach their full potential.

She said the association also introduced the making and use of reusable pad to the students to ease the burden of buying disposable types.

“We celebrate the potential, resilience and strength of girls worldwide.

“We recognise the obstacles they face from gender based violence, limited access to education and healthcare, but most importantly, we affirm our commitment to creating a world where girls can strive.

“Therefore, as part of the commitment towards empowering girls to end period poverty in public schools in the FCT, we are here today for the menstrual health and hygiene management and reusable pad-making training for all our lovely schoolgirls here today,” she said.

Musa added that the initiative was in line with her vision to see women and girls become productive contributors to family and society driven by a deep sense of values and hard working spirit.

She commended the girls for their enthusiasm towards learning how to help themselves in taking care of their menstrual health.

She, therefore, urged the students to be committed and learn, assuring them that their dreams were valid and their future were bright.

“You are change makers. You are the leaders of tomorrow,” she added.

The facilitator, Ms Amara Ezediniru, said the occasion was driven by the desire to end “period poverty” among girls.

She said that some girls often miss classes due to period of menstrual flow and inability to access sanitary pads.

“We were told that girls are uncomfortable coming to school during their monthly flow and how some of them even miss classes because they don’t have who to help them take care of their menstrual situation.

“We were told that the children here, a lot of them are from non-privileged homes and that is why we have come to identify with you.

“This is because every girl child is important to us not just to give you pads, but we want to teach you about menstrual hygiene.

“We also want to teach you how to make reusable sanitary pads so that you can make for yourself and use them.

“Then you won’t have to miss school and you won’t have to be disadvantaged,” she said.

The Principal of the School, Mr Abdullahi Lakuza, commended DEPOWA for the sensitisation and donation to the school girls, appealing to the association to assist the school in other areas of needs.

“We have been crying of so many things, but our mother is here to help us, not just about your menstrual period, but I’m sure she can even do much more,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru