Author: Kemi Akintokun

IWD: 800 widows benefit from LASG N40m welfare package

Widow
By Kemi Akintokun
Lagos, June 24, 2024 (NAN) No fewer than 800 widows on Monday received 50,000 cash gift from the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), in commemoration of the 2024 International Widows Day (IWD).

Mrs Bolaji Dada, the Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, disclosed this at a media parley organised by the ministry to mark the day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the day is annually celebrated on June 23 across the globe to raise awareness about violation of human rights that widows suffer following the death of their spouses.

The theme of this year’s global observance is ”Widows for Peace through Democracy”.

The commissioner noted that the challenges faced by widows are enormous and grievous,
adding that it could only be rectified through access to decent living and justice for the oppressed, among others.

She reiterated the commitment of the Lagos State Government in advocating and protecting the rights of widows toward attaining best international human rights practices, which emphasises equality of all persons.

According to her, Lagos State as a centre of excellence, joined the developed world to make provisions for laws geared toward protecting widows from discrimination, stigmatisation and violence.

She added that “all agents of socialisation must, in fact, be effectively engaged to secure a society free from discrimination against widows.

“It is in recognition of this that WAPA has been strategic in ensuring that some of these laws that require states to educate their populace toward changing negative societal norms and cultural practices are promulgated.

“The agenda of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for social inclusion to leave no one behind has endeared him to graciously approve funds to support widows yearly with cash gifts for inclusive governance.”

Dada disclosed that widows accounted for 10 per cent of the more than 70,000 women empowered by the ministry through various skills in the state.

She explained that beneficiaries of the cash gifts were selected from various NGOs, faith-based groups, widows from Lagos State Social Register (LASSR), and vulnerable widows from the ministry’s register.

She urged individuals that maltreat and victimise widows to desist from such evil act.

Mrs Olufunke Shyllon, the Director of Women Affairs in the ministry, commended the Lagos State Government “for its unwavering support to vulnerable women in the state.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

KOA/DCO/HA
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Edited by Deborah Coker/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Sustainability

By Kemi Akintokun

Lagos, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN) has called for partnership to ensure sustainability of sickle cell disorder programmes in the country.

This was contained in a communique developed by stakeholders following a symposium and news conference to commemorate the 2024 World Sickle Cell Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Sickle Cell Day is marked globally every June 19 to raise awareness about the disease.

The communique, which was read by Dr Annette Akinsete, National Director/CEO of SCFN, noted that government’s commitment was essential for Sickle Cell control in Nigeria, however, that government alone could not be saddled with the responsibility, but through partnerships.

“Sickle Cell Disorder should be declared as a national emergency to address challenges faced by warriors.

“There are advances in treatment and cure, new drugs; non-pharmacological aids for pain management; and Gene therapy must be made available to SCD patients through partnerships.

“Global partnerships as outlined in SDG No.17, partnership within Nigeria which involves Public-Private partnership, religious communities and others need to come together as one,” it said.

According to the communique, the foundation which was  established 30 years ago, is a non-government entity that is involved in all areas of sickle cell programmes; including advocacy; research; prevention; treatment; care; welfare and cure.

It said that the foundation had come up with the ‘Wait-List Initiative of SCFN’, to help solve the out of pocket expenses problem that persons with the disease suffer.

“This initiative will ensure treatment and care of warriors in a sustainable manner, in any part of Nigeria by enrolling in the Wait-List database.

”The treatment will comprise daily routine drugs, wound dressing for leg ulcers; hospital admission expenses; stroke requiring rehabilitation and others,” the communique said.

It called for more advocacy to educate Nigerians on the need to know their genotype and shun discrimination and stigmatisation against persons with SCD. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
KOA/FON/VIV

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Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Vivian Ihechu

Health
By Kemi Akintokun

Lagos, June 14, 2024 (NAN) Mrs Temitayo Olotu, the Apex Nurse/ Deputy Director of Nursing Services at the Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos, on Friday called for early presentation of cholera patients in hospitals to prevent death.

Olotu made the call at a three-day programme and medical outreach organised by the Nursing Department of the hospital to mark the 2024 International Nurses Week.

She noted that there had been increased cases of cholera at Oworu, in Kosofe LCDA, and urged residents of the area to maintain good hygiene and keep their environment clean.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos State Ministry of Health on June 12, in a statement,  called for vigilance and precaution to prevent potential spread of cholera in the state.

Prof. Akin Abayomi, the state’s Commissioner for Health, in the statement disclosed that Lagos recorded five deaths from 60 cholera cases within 48 hours.

Olotu said said that there was a high rate of cholera, especially in Oworu which is under Kosofe.

“We’re creating awareness by telling the people to be conscious of it, to avoid self medication, maintain personal hygiene and desist from buying public food from unclean environment, ” she said.

She advised them to desist from drinking contaminated water by ensuring that water from where they defecate did not mix with the water they’re drinking or using to cook.

“If a person is vomiting or stooling frequently, you should not hesitate to refer the person to hospital on time because people are dying as a result of cholera, ” she said.

Olotu said that the medical outreach was part of activities to celebrate the International Nurses Week by giving back to the community through health and sensitise them on the cholera outbreak.

She said no fewer than 200 people that benefited from the outreach were tested for free blood sugar level, blood pressure and were given various drugs relating to their ailments.

The Apex Nurse advised the Lagos State residents to take advantage of the State Health Insurance scheme tagged “Ilera Eko” to access healthcare at a very subsidised rate.

“We observed that a lot of people don’t go for medical check up and treatment and that is why we are here to check their BP and Sugar level as well as providing drugs for them.

“We appreciate the effort of Lagos State Government to the health sector, but we also implore government to subsidize more for the aged and retirees on the Ilera Eko health scheme”, she said.

Also, Mrs Jibike Olasheni, Deputy Director of Nursing Services, Operating Theatre Department of the hospital, said the International Nurses Week was an avenue to celebrate nurses for their contribution to health.

“ We commenced this programme in the hospital ground with physical fitness and exercise to create awareness.

“This was followed by a scientific workshop which focused on ‘report writing’ and ‘ethical principles in nursing’ to educate the younger nurses,” she said. (NAN)www.nannews.ng

KOA/BEN/VIV

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Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Vivian Ihechu

Centre advocates easy access to justice for PWDs

PWDs

Kemi Akintokun

Lagos, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Centre for Citizens with Disability (CCD) has called for easy access to justice for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Lagos State and the country at large.

The CCD made the call in a statement on Monday in Lagos, noting that “equal access to justice is a fundamental human right that underpins the functioning of a fair and inclusive society.”

It states that access to justice is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all.

According to the centre, lack of physical accessibility to justice centres, communication barrier, stigma, discrimination and others are parts of the challenges that restrain PWDs to justice.

It added that “access to justice ensures individuals can seek legal remedies and participate fully in legal processes to assert their rights.

“Many justice facilities lack accessibility features such as ramps, elevators, accessible parking spaces, restrooms and directional signs.

“These physical infrastructure barriers prevent PWDs, particularly those with mobility impairments, from entering and navigating these spaces independently.

“It is essential for PWDs to have equal protection under the law to safeguard and ensure effective participation, with the aim of promoting social inclusion and mitigate discrimination.”

The CCD noted that it had organised several fora to promote the interests of PWDs and to bring their plight to general knowledge, and the barriers they face in accessing justice on equal basis with others without disabilities.

It stated that the centre had engaged relevant stakeholders within the justice system like the police, civil defence, correctional centre, Ministry of Justice, human rights commission and the media.

“These engagements were targeted at enhancing access to justice for PWDs and effective reportage of disability-inclusive justice system through advocacy visits, sensitisation and capacity building workshops with remarkable outcomes.

“We, however, recommend that all security agencies must treat PWDs with dignity and evolve measures to address stigma, discrimination and infrastructure  barriers hindering easy access to justice.

“CCD believes a more inclusive, equitable and accessible justice system for persons with disabilities in Lagos State and Nigeria is achievable.

“Addressing these challenges and fostering a more inclusive approach within the justice system is essential for ensuring that PWDs confidently access justice.

“The centre recommends and call on all justice providers to promote, enhance, and contribute significantly to a just and equitable society for all citizens, including those with disabilities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

KOA/HA

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Kemi Akintokun

Support

Lagos, June 9, 2024 (NAN) The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the African Union (AU) have pledged their full support for the forthcoming Gavi’s 2024 African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA).

A statement from the Africa CDC on Sunday said the AVMA inauguration, which will hold on June 20 in Paris, France, will provide financial incentives to help vaccine manufacturers in Africa scale up production and become sustainable on a long-term basis.

It said the Africa CDC recognised Gavi as a pivotal partner for health security and collective resilience to vaccine-preventable diseases across the continent.

According to the statement, Gavi has invested US$11.9 billion from 2000 to 2022 to enhance access to life-saving vaccines in Africa, preventing 11.1 million future deaths in the continent.

Gavi is expected to unveil a groundbreaking US$1 billion commitment over ten years through a new AVMA initiative aimed at bolstering African health security and sovereignty.

“This week, Gavi board approved a 5-years new alliance strategy 2026-2030 which will be focusing on accelerating vaccine coverage, introducing new vaccines, strengthening health systems for equity, and supporting global health security and regional vaccine manufacturing.

“As a public-private partnership, Gavi is funded through replenishment events hosted by donor governments to mobilize support from governments, philanthropies, the private sector, various institutions, civil society organizations, and individuals.

“In a show of commitment and support as the continent is the primary beneficiary of Gavi funds, Africa CDC and the African Union and African member states stand ready to fully support the 2024 replenishment holding in France”.

It said the 2024 replenishment meeting would highlight Gavi’s support for Africa’s agenda of local manufacturing, as endorsed by African Heads of States under the Africa CDC’s Platform for Harmonised Health Manufacturing in Africa (PHAHM).

Dr Jean Kaseya, the Director-General of Africa CDC, underscored the importance of respectful partnership and collaboration.

Kaseya said: “Local manufacturing is the second independence of Africa because it impacts our health security and economic growth.

“Additionally, Africa CDC will spearhead the Lusaka agenda to strengthen national leadership and partner coordination for effective implementation of the One Plan, One Budget, and one M&E Framework.

“In recognition of AVMA’s significance to Africa, the popular launch of AVMA will occur on African soil in the coming weeks.

“It will bring together African leaders, Gavi, donors, partners, African Civil Society Organisations, and communities to reflect on and celebrate the journey toward Africa’s self-reliance in vaccines manufacturing, therapeutics, and diagnostics.

“Together, we stand on the brink of a new era for Africa’s self-reliance in health security, driven by innovation, partnership, and a shared vision for a safer, healthier, and more prosperous Africa”. (NAN)

KOA/VIV

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Centre

By Kemi Akintokun

Lagos, June 7, 2024 (NAN)The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) says the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has critical role to play in ensuring the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) were protected.

Mr David Anyaele, CCD Founder and Special Adviser (SA) to Abia Government on Disability Matters, spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a sensitisation programme for  Disability Desk Officers of the NSCDC, in Lagos.

NAN reports that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was established by Act 3 of 2003 with numerous security responsibilities. This Act was amended in year 2007, to further strengthen and empower the Corps for better service delivery.

He noted that when people have or come down with disabilities, often times, the society attributes it to something, hence the discrimination and stigmatisation.

He said there was need for officers of NSCDC to strengthen their understanding of priority issues regarding PWDs as they have integral role to play in promoting the rights of PWDs in the society.

“The NSCDC plays a crucial role in promoting disability rights and ensuring that PWDs are protected, inclusive and have access to justice.

“One of the roles of NSCDC is to protect, hence the need to understand PWDs as well as the provisions of the law for them.

“Without understanding the roles, their dynamics, you may not be able to understand PWDs.

“This is important because you are expected to assist in times of emergencies.’’

Anyaele urged the NSCDC to add Disability Issues as part of their roles, while emphasising the need to recruit sign language interpreters as officers too, as they will be readily available when the need arises.

“When you recruit some sign language interpreters as officers, they will be on standby , while also doing the core job functions.

“There will be ethical standards. By so doing, rather than having to hire interpreters every now and then when the need arises, one is already an employee of the corps and can interpret without the corps incurring additional expenses from hiring an external interpreter.’’

Earlier, while speaking on  the “Role of NSCDC in promoting Disability Rights and Access to Justice for PWDs’’, Anyaele highlighted the importance of having a guideline in the NSCDC on how to handle disability issues and setting PWDs as priority.

Amadu Okomayin, Head of Unit, PWD, NSCDC Lagos Command, said one of the core mandates of the NSCDC was to protect the fundamental human rights of citizens, the PWDs inclusive.

Recognising this need as it pertains to PWDs, he said the NSCDC in all its commands, were mandated to have PWD Desk Officers being manned by a senior officer.

Okomayin assured that the corps would continue to work toward protecting the rights of PWDs whenever it arises.

Ms Christiana Njoku, Programme Officer, CCD, said there was need for continued advocacy to promote disability rights .

She noted that daily, the numbers of persons with disabilities increased owing to conflicts, accidents, ailments, poor health systems among others.

In her presentation on “Understanding Disability Rights and Model’’, Njoku made a case for mainstreaming disability whereby activities and processes should be inclusive of PWDs.

“We don’t know who might be the next.

“So, we all need to be concerned because eventualities such as this, most times, do not give notice and when they come, they are with lifetime consequences.

“ Advocacy, hence, is important because anyone can be a victim at any time.’’

“Awareness creation cannot be overemphasised because there is need for enlightenment on issues surrounding PWDs, with emphasis on the Human Rights Model,’’ she said. (NAN)
KOA/VIV

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Infant
By Kemi Akintokun

Lagos, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) says its ongoing Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance Mass Administration of Azithromycin (SARMAAN) project is targeted at reducing infant mortality in the country.

Prof. Babatunde Salako, the Director-General of NIMR, disclosed this at SARMAAN engagement meeting with the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa.

Salako said the project was in partnership with Sight Saver, Malaria Consortium, eHealth Africa, Federal Ministry of Health, African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Institute for Disease Modelling (IDM), among others.

He explained that the first phase of SARMAAN was initiated two years ago following a recommendation from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on mass administration of Azithromycin in countries with high infant mortality rate.

He noted that the first phase of the project, which is SARMAAN 1, had been concluded in six pilot states – Kebbi, Kano, Sokoto, Abia, Jigawa, Akwa-Ibom and Sokoto.

Salako said: “SARMAAN project is directed at reducing under five mortality and this came up from a study supported by some funders and monitored by WHO in countries where infant mortality were high.

“Mass Administration of Azithromycin was used in the countries and it brought about 13.8 percent reduction in which was significant in those countries.

“The SARMAAN 1 has been concluded in six pilot states that benefited from the mass Administration where infants between one month’s to 11 months were given Azithromycin with six months intervals.

Speaking also, Prof. Oliver Ezechi, the Principal Investigating Officer of SARMAAN, said the phase two of the project would commenced in Kano in July.

Ezechi, a Director of Research in NIMR, said the project, which captured no fewer than 1.3 million children from one month to 11 months of age, used 3.6 million quantity of Azithromycin over six months interval

He added that SARMAAN 2 would focused on the number of reduction in infants mortality and evaluate the safety of the mass administration of the drugs among children one to 59 months in the next four years.

” SARMAAN 1 was a limited research we carried out that involved two six states and the project showed that Azithromycin was safe for children and only less that two per cent of the children reported side effects common among children.

“Before we started, we measured the antimicrobial resistance level and obtain 4.1 per cent before introducing the drugs and ensured that we are not solving one problem and starting another one.

” The safety perimeters shows that the drug is very good and that is why SARMAAN will be extended to children from one months to 59 months to enable us know the number of reduction in infant mortality,” he said.

He said the project would be taken to the government after its conclusion, to be considered as a policy, alongside other existing effort put in place by the government to reduce infant mortality.

Speaking after the presentation of report on the SARMAAN 1 research, Dr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health, urged all participants in the project to ensure safety and imbibe good practice.

Alausa said the President Bola Tinubu-led government would not relent in its effort to reduce the high infant mortality in the country. (NAN)
KOA/VIV

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Minister inaugurates genomics centre, unveils Hepatitis B Viral kits

Inauguration

By Kemi Akintokun

Lagos, June 6, 2024 (NAN) Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, on Thursday inaugurated the Centre for Human Virology and Genomics at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR).

Inaugurating the centre in Lagos on Thursday, Alausa said it would open up avenues for more research and boost the country’s public healthcare.

Alausa, who also unveiled the institute’s Hepatitis B Viral (HBV) Kits, said Nigeria had a prevalence rate of 13.2 percent chronic hepatitis B, which translated to millions of carriers in the country.

According to him, kits will help in monitoring response of patients to treatment and the level of the viral load in them.

“We are here today to commission this centre as a reflection of the environment the current administration has created to invest in research and development.

“The centre will create an enabling environment for more Genomics studies on HIV, hepatitis A and B, and other diseases peculiar to our country.

“The standard here can be compared with what is obtainable in the developed countries in terms of genomics and virology.

“The production of the NIMR HBV kits shows that our researchers can compete with other researchers across the globe.

“NIMR should commercialise these kits, which is effective and cheap ,” he said.

The minister commended NIMR for its proactive and futuristic approach to research development in the country.

Earlier, Prof. Babatunde Salako, the Director-General NIMR, said the institute, which is the foremost in the country,  had contributed significantly to science and nation building.

Salako said the inaugurated centre was a purposed built facility that would further assist NIMR to fulfill its mandate of investigating viruses affecting humans and genomics variation influencing disease outcome.

He added that the HBV kits, formulated by NIMR researchers, would improve detection and assessment of hepatitis B viral load, which was key to monitoring of patients.

According to him, a systematic review and meta-analysis identified the prevalence of HBV as 13.6 percent in the country, making it a major public health concern affecting millions.

Salako said: “This growing human infrastructure capacity is poised to enable this centre to soon become a power house for genomics and precision medicine in Nigeria.

“The facility will become a core research facility for Nigerians, given that viruses are leading contenders for the next world pandemic and the increasing recognition of human genomics role in determining disease outcome.

“In Nigeria, the diagnosis for HBV has become expensive and far fetched, majorly because of cost of purchase and availability.

“The NIMR HBV PCR kit is developed to enable reliable detection and quantification of all hepatitis B genotypes,”he said.

NAN reports that the NIMR HBV kit was developed by Dr Joseph Shaibu. a Molecular Virologist at the institute.(NAN)

KOA/KOLE/IFY

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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Ifeyinwa Omowole