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Author: Blessing Odega

  • Plateau to establish mental health department to tackle drug abuse

    Plateau to establish mental health department to tackle drug abuse
    Drug
    By Blessing Odega
    Jos, June 26, 2024(NAN) Dr Cletus Shurkuk, Plateau’s Commissioner for Health, says the state’s Ministry of Health, will establish a mental health department to tackle the rising spate of drug abuse in the state.
    Shurkuk said this on Wednesday at the commemoration of the 2024 International Day against Drug Abuse, organised by the ministry in Jos.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Day with the theme titled “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention’’, is observed annually on every June 26.
    The commissioner said the establishment of a mental health department in the ministry of health was a means of preventing the rising spate of drug abuse.
    According to him, the department will be at the fore in combating factors that predispose people especially youths to the abuse of drugs.
    “According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in 2023 Plateau had a prevalence of 11 per cent rate of drug abuse.’’
    Shurkuk said that drug abuse prevention was the most suitable and cost effective way that saved from the rigors and pain of rehabilitation, thereby breaking the cycle of drug related crimes and violence.
    Shurkuk appealed to other stakeholders to synergise in the fight against the menace to create an environment where young people could thrive free from the grip of drug addiction and abuse.
    He called on those engaged in the nefarious act to desist from such, due to the various implications associated with the act.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the ministry held a sensitisation walk to commemorate the day. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    UBO/ADA
    Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

  • 935,425 children to benefit from Plateau’s seasonal malaria chemoprevention programme

    935,425 children to benefit from Plateau’s seasonal malaria chemoprevention programme

    Malaria
    By Blessing Odega
    Jos, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Plateau State Malaria Elimination Programme (SME-P), in partnership with Malaria Consortium (MC), say 935,425 children will benefit from the 2024 free seasonal malaria chemoprevention programme.

    Mr Ndak Zuhumnan, the Manager, Plateau Malaria Elimination Programme, made this known at the launch of the 2024 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention on Wednesday in Jos.

    He said that the launch was part of the state government’s efforts to eradicate malaria by 2030, having received 4,775,073 doses of malaria prophylaxis.

    He added that prophylaxis is the treatment given or action taken to prevent disease, noting that the prophylaxis would be administered to children under five years of age in Jos-Bukuru metropolis and in the 17 local government areas.

    He announced that the prophylaxis administration would take place between June 27 and June 30.

    He said 11,755, ad hoc staff were trained for the administration of the prophylaxis in 10,988 communities, including hard-to-reach settlements.

    He, therefore, urged parents, guardians and caregivers to avail their children and wards for the prophylaxis.

    Dr Maxwell Kolawole, the West and Central Africa Programme Director of Malaria Consortium, said the seasonal malaria chemoprevention is one of the global malaria elimination strategies domesticated on the Plateau since 2021.

    Kolawole, who was represented by Dr Mbwas Mashor, the state Programme Manager, Malaria Consortium, explained that the chemoprevention, with funding from the UK, is key in the prevention of malaria morbidity in children.

    He added that “the prophylaxis helps in the maintenance of therapeutic blood levels of antimalarial through the peak transmission period of the disease (rainy season from June to October).

    “Malaria Consortium supports the state government through capacity building of healthcare workforce for case management, prevention, micro planning and data management.”

    Kolawale commended Gov. Caleb Mutfwang for prompt release of counterpart funding toward the elimination of the burden of malaria in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency received the prophylaxis doses that would be administered.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    UBO/HA
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    Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

     

  • Plateau has no recorded case of cholera–Official

    Plateau has no recorded case of cholera–Official

    Cholera

    By Blessing Odega

    Jos, June 21, 2024 (NAN) Dr Cletus Shurkuk, Plateau’s Commissioner for Health, says the state has not recorded any case of cholera.

    Shurkuk, in a statement on Monday, said that
    in spite of the ongoing outbreak in 30 other states in Nigeria, the state was yet to record any case, as the two suspected cases reported tested negative for cholera.

    The commissioner defined cholera as an acute diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which could lead to severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and even death if left untreated.

    He said the disease was transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food and water, and could spread rapidly in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene.

    Shurkuk urged the public to inculcate the act of hand washing with soap and water, or alcohol based sanitisers.

    He further cautioned the public to ensure they boiled their water before drinking, if it was not from a safe source.

    He also urged the public to wash their fruits and vegetables thoroughly with salt and clean water before consumption.

    Shurkuk further cautioned the public to desist from the act of open defecation and ensure they maintained good environmental sanitation practices.

    He advised anyone with symptoms suggestive of cholera to visit the nearest health facility for prompt treatment.

    Shurkuk said that the ministry had robust epidemiological surveillance systems in place, to monitor for any signs of infectious disease outbreaks, including cholera.

    “The Ministry of Health is prepared to handle potential outbreaks as preventive measures, including water quality monitoring and community education on hygiene practices, are continuously enforced to prevent the spread of waterborne and other priority diseases.

    “Our routine health checks and sanitation measures are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens,”he assured.

    He said the ministry was working closely with primary healthcare providers, community leaders, and international health organisations to maintain a high standard of public health preparedness to respond promptly to any disease outbreak and prevent further spread.

    He urged the public to remain calm and avoid any form of panic.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    UBO/AMM

    ===========

    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

  • Plateau health agency engages stakeholders for enhanced service delivery

    Plateau health agency engages stakeholders for  enhanced service delivery

    Enhancement

    By Blessing Odega

    Jos, June 20, 2024 (NAN)2024 (NAN) The Plateau State Contributory Health Management Agency (PLASCHEMA), has held a stakeholders engagement with various healthcare facilities in the state on ways to improve enrollees service delivery and satisfaction in their facilities.

    The Director – General (D-G) of PLASCHEMA, Dr Agabus Manasseh, on Thursday in Jos, said the meeting was also an avenue to reflect on their achievements and to chart a path towards a more integrated, efficient healthcare delivery system in the state.

    Agubus, who was represented by Mrs Evelyn Dantak, the agency’s Director Human Resources and Administration, said that the engagement was imperative to discuss the progress in the implementation of the Plateau  Social Health Insurance Scheme and its challenges.

    He further said that the meeting would also boost the agency’s relationship with its service providers.

    Agubus, commended the various healthcare facilities for providing qualitative services to the enrollees .

    The D-G called for active participation and constructive dialogue among attendees.

    One of the participants, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dr Lenkop Danlami, the Medical Director, Hwolshe Medical centre, said the engagement organised by PLASCHEMA was salient and should be done periodically to enable service providers have regular  interface  with the agency .

    NAN, reports that healthcare facilities, stand alone laboratories and community pharmacies affiliated to the agency were in attendance.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    UBO/YGA

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    Edited by Gabriel Yough

  • Man jailed 9 months for stealing wristwatch

    Man jailed 9 months for stealing wristwatch

    Theft

    By Blessing Odega

    Jos, June 13, 2024 (NAN) An Area Court in Jos on Thursday, sentenced  a man, Annas Inusa, to nine months imprisonment for stealing a wristwatch and a ring worth N 25,000.

    The judge, Shawomi Bokkos, sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty to the offence.

    The judge, however gave the convict an option of N10,000 fine or three months imprisonment for theft and asked him to pay compensation of N 25,000 or spend six months in default.

    Earlier, the police prosecutor, Insp Labaran Ahmed told the court that the case was reported at the ”C” Division police station Jos, on May 20, by Mr Salisu Musa, the complainant.

    He said Musa said that the defendant stole a wristwatch and a ring from his chop.

    The prosecutor, further told the court that during police investigation, the defendant confessed to the crime.

    The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of the Plateau Penal Code law of Northern Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    UBO/SH

    =======

    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Driver jailed 36 months for swindling businessman of N.5m

  • Orthopaedic Hospital Jos gets approval to recruit 204 staff – MD

    Orthopaedic Hospital Jos gets approval to recruit 204 staff – MD

    Recruitment
    By Blessing Odega
    Jos, June 12, 2024 (NAN), The Medical Director, National Orthopaedic Hospital, North Central, Jos, Prof. Iche Onche, said on Wednesday that the hospital had secured approval to recruit 204 staff members.

    Onche disclosed this when the House of Representatives Committee on Specialty Healthcare visited the facility on oversight.

    He said that the facility recently got approval from the National Establishment to recruit more workers.

    He, however, said that the recruitment would follow “strenuous due process to ensure that the existing vacancies are filled.

    “We are going through the ministry and I believe, in the next few weeks, we will have a waiver for employment.

    The hospital boss also said that the renovation of the hospital had reached about 65 per cent completion.

    “Our initial plan was to open our doors for services by April this year, but because of paucity of funds, we couldn’t.

    “We cannot continue with the renovation but we believe that with the coming of the committee, a lot will happen when the members  return to Abuja.

    “The ministry is trying to set up an intervention fund for equipment.

    “And on July 1, I am going to present our report card to the Minister of State, Health, and part of it is our request for funds,” he said.

    Onche thanked the Plateau Government for rehabilitating the access road leading to the hospital.

    The Chairman of the committee, Dr Alex Egbona, said they were in Jos “to see things for ourselves”.

    Egbona said that they interacted with the medical director on phone and in Abuja but had yet to see the hospital physically.

    He said that the hospital was approved in 2021 and that they were in Jos to inspect the level of work at the site.

    “To our surprise, in spite of the lean resources, the medical director has done well, in terms of basic infrastructure.

    “When we return to Abuja, we are going to appeal to the ministry to release funds for the hospital to take off effectively,” the lawmaker said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    UBO/USO
    Edited by Sam Oditah

  • 3 bus conductors jailed 3 months each for fighting in public

    3 bus conductors jailed 3 months each for fighting in public

     

    Sentence
    By Blessing Odega
    Jos, June 11, 2024 (NAN) An Area Court in Jos on Tuesday, sentenced Isah Abubakar, Abdulrazak Salihu, to three months imprisonment each for fighting in public and constituting a nuisance.

    The judge, Shawomi Bokkos, sentenced the convicts after they pleaded guilty to the offence.

    The judge, however gave the convicts an option of N 10,000 fine each or three months imprisonment for disturbing the peace of the public.

    Earlier, the police prosecutor, Insp Monday Dabit, told the court that information was received at the Laranto police station that the convicts were engaged in a fight behind the St Auustine Major Seminary.

    Dabit said that during police investigation,  the suspects confessed to the crime.

    The police prosecutor, said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 83 of the Plateau State Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    UBO/SH

    =======

    edited by Sadiya Hamza

     

  • Security man, friend jailed 18 months each for stealing tricycle

    Security man, friend jailed 18 months each for stealing tricycle

    Theft
    By Blessing Odega

    Jos, June 11, 2024 (NAN) An Area Court in Jos on Tuesday, sentenced Murtala Gamboo a security man and his friend, Abdullahi Ibrahim, to 18 months imprisonment each for stealing a tricycle worth N N2.7m

    The judge, Shawomi Bokkos, sentenced the convicts after they pleaded guilty to the offence.

    The judge, however gave the convicts an option of N 20,000 fine each or six months imprisonment for criminal conspiracy.

    He ordered them to pay a compensation of N2,7m or spend 12 months in default.

    Earlier, the police prosecutor, Insp Labaran Ahmed, told the court that the case was reported at the C Division police station Jos, on May 15, by Mr Mohammed Ahmed.

    He said the complainant said he parked his tricycle, in the custody of Gambo, who conspired with Ibrahim.

    stole his tricycle valued at N2,700,000, from where it was parked.

    The prosecutor, further told the court that during police investigation, the convicts confessed to have committed the offence .

    The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of the Plateau State Penal Code law of Northern Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    UBO/SH

    =======

    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • ITF trains 146 youths in various skills on the Plateau

    ITF trains 146 youths in various skills in Plateau

    Training
    By Blessing Odega
    Jos, July 7, 2024 (NAN) The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Jos Area Office, says it has trained 146 youths in various skills on the Plateau.

    Mr Wilfred Mukan, the Area Manager, ITF Jos Area Office, said this on Friday in Jos during the graduation ceremony of the 146 who were trained for three months.

    Mukan said that the training was done under the fund’s platform of the National Economic Recovery Growth Programme (NERGP) in Plateau State.

    He said the NERGP programme, which is under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) component, sought to provide Nigerians with skills and knowledge under the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) framework, thereby making them employable.

    The official said that the 146 were trained in six trade areas, namely plumbing and pipe fitting, carpentry, tiling, poultry farming, crop production and beauty care.

    He explained that the trained 146 went through two months of practical and hands-on training, and one month of internship to practicalise what they learnt.

    He said they were also taken through the Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) to get the knowledge needed for starting up their own businesses.

    He added that “they have been assessed and appropriate certification issued to them to enhance their participation in the economic space of the country.”

    The area manager said that all the trainees would be given free Start-Up packs relevant to their field of training toward ensuring smooth take off of their business activities.

    In his remarks, Dr Afiz Ogun, the Director-General of ITF, tasked the beneficiaries to ensure that they made the best use of the skills acquired.

    Ogun, who was represented by Malam Ibrahim Yusuf, the fund’s acting Director for Technical, Vocational Skills Training Department, urged the trainees to cascade the skills learnt to others who would also be empowered via their skills.

    He cautioned the trainees against selling the start-up packs given to them.

    Mrs Victoria Gyang, one of the beneficiaries of the training, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
    that she was trained in plumbing and pipe fitting, and commended the fund.

    Gyang said she was a stay at home mother and unemployed, but the training had made her self reliant and in the near future an employer of labour.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    UBO/HA
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    Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu