Category: Health

Cholera
By Taiye Olayemi
Lagos June 24, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Hotel Association (NHA) on Monday advised hoteliers across the country to take precautionary measures against the spread of cholera.

Chief Patrick Anyanwu, National President of NHA, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to him, each hotel management should upscale and maintain hygienic environment in their kitchens and dinner sections, following the increase in the spread of the disease.

He advised the hoteliers to take conscious effort in adhering to the preventive measures outlined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the government.

“This is a delicate period for everyone.

“We should all adhere to improving our personal hygiene, prioritise food safety, clean the hotel premises well enough, disinfect often and always sensitise staff on these preventive measures.

“We should not be agents for the spread of cholera,” he said.

Data released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says the country has recorded 65 confirmed cases of cholera, resulting in over 30 deaths from Jan. 1 to June 11  in 30 states, with over 1,141 suspected cases. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

PTB/FAA

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Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Ethics

By Stephen Adeleye

Lokoja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) Dr Olatunde Alabi, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja (FTHL), has urged the outgoing house officers of the hospital to strictly adhere to principles of medical ethics in their future endeavors.

Alabi gave the advice during the FTHL’s House Officers’ Forum dinner and award night, on Sunday in Lokoja.

The CMD, who was represented by the Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Dr Ojochide Ebune, commended the forum for the initiative in putting the week-long activities together through team work.

“We commend your initiative and wishing you the best in your future endeavors. We urge you to focus on excellence, commitment to patient care and the ethics of our profession.

“As young doctors, if you can be disciplined and focused, the opportunities available to you in your future are endless,” he said.

The CMD stressed the need for the young doctors to focus on defining a path for their career, which could only be influenced by their commitment to excellence and dedication to the ethics of the profession.

According to him, medical ethics encompassed the obligations health care professionals have to ensure patients’ overall well-being and to respect their fundamental rights.

He, therefore, urged the house officers to decide early on what they wanted, and be professional in whatever they do, which would serve them in their career path in life.

On his remarks, Dr Kenneth Nwafor, the House Officers’ representative said that the maiden edition of the house officers’ Week was a way of giving back to the society.

“The dinner and award night is to crown the week-long event by appreciating those who have been of tremendous support to the forum, especially the management of FTHL and to the society at large.

“It is a moment of reflection on our activities for one year houseman-ship training at FTHL,” Nwafor said.

Earlier, Dr Nwamaka Onubogu, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), said that the inaugural FTHL house officers’ week began with a collaborative effort to mark the World Blood Donation Day 2024, where volunteers gathered to learn about blood donation.

“This event culminated in the donation of over 30 units of blood, contributing significantly to the healthcare success at our center.

“We officially kick-started the program on June 17 with an outreach to the Adankolo community. We provided education, checked vitals, and dispensed medications to indigent members of the community.

“This was made possible as a result of the support from our generous sponsors. The management supported us every step of the way, emphasising the importance of this initiative.

“Tonight, we gather here looking as radiant as ever to celebrate not only ourselves but also the wonderful institution and remarkable people on whose shoulders we have stood to get to this point,” she said

Onubogu commended the management of the health institution for their unwavering support towards the success of the event.

Highlights of the occasion included the presentation of award, classical music, dance, panel discussion, and launching of House Officers’ forum Year Book, titled: “Trailblazers 2024”.

During the panel discussion, the Panelists had an in-depth deliberations on the topic: “Life after Housemanship: The options”.

The panelists exposed the health officers to diverse opportunities ahead, and advised them to be hardworking and focus on things that soothe their personalities and core values. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

ASA/OJI/IU

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Edited by Maureen Ojinaka / Isaac Ukpoju

Women still largely excluded from diplomacy — UN Women

Diplomacy

By Busayo Onijala

Lagos, June 24, 2024 (NAN) In spite progress, women are still largely excluded from positions of power and diplomacy, with the highest levels of influence and decision-making still predominantly occupied by men, says UN Women data.

A new UN Women data on gender parity across leadership positions showed that globally, women’s underrepresentation in decision-making remained a stark reality.

The new data was published by UN Women in commemoration of the International Day for Women in Diplomacy, marked on June 24.

In 2022, the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), by consensus, declared the June 24 as the International Day of Women in Diplomacy to recognise and celebrate the ways in which women are making a difference in the field of diplomacy.

In a statement, UN Women said male dominance in diplomacy and foreign affairs extended to the Permanent Missions to the UN, where women remained underrepresented as Permanent Representatives.

“As of May 2024, women held 25 percent of Permanent Representative posts in New York, 35 percent in Geneva, and 33.5 per cent in Vienna. 

UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous, was quoted in the statement to have said the UN Agency’s work was guided by the belief that when women lead, the world is better for all people and the planet.

According to Bahous, as many countries head to the polls this year, women must be put first, at the pinnacle of power, where and when it matters the most. 

“Women’s equal participation in governance and leadership is key to improving lives for all.

“Electing and appointing women in leadership positions signals strong political will for gender equality and demonstrates a collective commitment to tackling the challenges the world faces today,” she said.

It was also noted in the statement that as of January 1 2024, only 23 percent of ministerial positions were held by women, and in 141 countries, women made up less than a third of cabinet ministers.

“UN Women continues to work to ensure women lead and thrive in shaping and driving positive change, including through occupying the most senior positions of power,” the statement read. (NAN)

OMB/EAL

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Cholera

By Felicia Imohimi
Abuja, June 23, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government has urged states and local governments to scale-up environmental health surveillance in places where food and drinks are sold nationwide.

These places include markets, garages, schools, restaurants, stadia, religious and sporting events venues.

Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment, gave the directive in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Salako emphasised that the measures would help avert further spread and transmission of cholera, as well as aid in the prevention and control of the disease.

He also urged all Commissioners for Environment and the Local Government Chairpersons to support environmental health officers across the country to step up sanitation and hygiene activities through enhanced community-led total sanitation.

According to him, it is also to strengthen collaboration with the health authorities and other stakeholders in line with the one health approach of the federal government.

The minister said that arrangements had been made to support most affected states with chlorine solution or tablets, water and food testing resources to avert further transmission across the country.

Salako noted that recent situation report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) indicated a total number of 1,159 suspected cases, 65 confirmed cases and 30 deaths across 30 States.

He identified the most affected states contributing 90 per cent of the total cases to include Bayelsa, Lagos, Zamfara, Abia, Bauchi, Cross River, Ebonyi, Delta and Katsina

“The ministry has been actively involved through the Department of Pollution Control and Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) in activities to curtail further transmission of the deadly disease.

“The ministry has been involved through water and food testing to identified sources of infection, environmental sanitation campaigns and household water chlorination,” he said.

The minister identified cholera as a poor sanitation and hygiene driven disease and an acute diarrhoea infection caused by ingestion of unwholesome food or water contaminated with the bacterium vibrio cholerae.

Salako said that the disease remained a global threat to public health, affecting both children and adults and could lead to death if untreated promptly.

He further identified it as an extremely virulent disease that takes the period of 12 hours and five days for its symptoms to manifest.

“The common early symptoms are frequent watery stool that is usually milky white in colour, nausea and vomiting.

“Cholera outbreak is a seasonal public health event in Nigeria, occurring annually mostly during the rainy season and often in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene practices.

“Extreme climate events like flooding are also contributing in multiple ways to drive the outbreak of the disease.

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed the global resurgence of cases of cholera classifying the current outbreak as “grade three public health emergency”, requiring maximal WHO system wide response.

“Nigeria is one of the 14 countries in Africa where the resurgence is being experienced,” he said.

The minister urged the populace to be more vigilant and to imbibe good sanitation and hygiene practices at home and in their workplace.

He further tasked all and sundry on preventive measures such as keeping their environment clean always and disposing of waste properly at designated places.

“Ensure the use of clean and safe water. Water from suspicious sources should be well boiled or treated by adding one pack of chlorine solution to 100 parts.

“Avoid locally prepared drinks like kunu, zobo, fura da nono, koko, fruit juice among others except it is certain that the preparation was done in a hygienic and safe manner.

“Wash hands regularly with soap under running water, especially after using the toilet, cleaning a child who has gone to the toilet, before preparing food, before and after eating, and after playing with animals, ” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

FUA/DCO/MNA
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Edited by Deborah Coker/Maureen Atuonwu

WDD: Drug abuse prevention starts with parents, teachers – Centre

Prevention
By Ibironke Ariyo
Abuja, June 24, 2024(NAN) Vanguard Against Drug Abuse (VGADA), a rehabilitation centre in Abuja, has urged parents and teachers to educate their children, youths, and wards against drug abuse to reduce the risk of mental illnesses and other risky behaviours.

The Executive Director of the centre, Dr Hope Omeiza, made this known in a message to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking or World Drug Day on Monday in Abuja

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Drug Day event is marked on June 26 every year.

This year’s theme is “Evidence is clear: Invest in Prevention,”.

Omeiza said that the aim of this year’s campaign was to raise awareness about the importance of treating people who used drugs with respect and empathy.

This, he said, included providing evidence-based, voluntary services for all, offering alternatives to punishment, prioritising prevention; and leading with compassion.

He added that the campaign also aimed to combat stigma and discrimination against people who used drugs by promoting language and attitudes that were respectful and not judgmental.

He said “in spite of challenges posed by drug abuse among youths, we have no doubt as an organisation that the impact can be mitigated through organised preventive actions.

“That is why we are leading the campaign to prevent a greater number of younger ones from drug abuse, “he said.

Omeiza, however, said that children and youths who were not properly informed were at greater risk of engaging in unsafe behaviours and experimenting with drugs.

He identified parents and teachers as critical to the fight against rising drug addiction among different age groups, especially children, saying that young people who persistently abused substances often experienced problems.

“Parents and teachers need to pay adequate attention to their children and students. You need to see what they are doing and when they are misbehaving.

“Preventing illicit drugs begins with you. You are the ones who spend more time with these children, and having a drug free society starts from the home, then the school, “he said.

He emphasised that the fight against drug abuse should begin with families to help discourage the demand and supply of drugs to safeguard their future.

He said “policy is very important and so far so good. There have been policies against drugs that are not accepted in society. Now, everybody should be on the lookout for our society.

”This is because sometimes, we realise that drugs that have been banned are still being sold, and when such is noticed, the best is to report the matter.

“We believe that if much effort is put into discouraging demand for drugs, suppliers will find the business no longer profitable and will be forced to switch to other legal business ventures.

“Parental monitoring and supervision of friendships are also critical for drug abuse prevention,” he said.

The executive director urged more advocacy against drug abuse, saying that it does not only mean saving drug abusers but also saving the next generation.

He said that the organisation had been engaging in advocacy and sensitisation programs in building leaders with great attitudinal behavior in society.

“Now I’ll say information is power. This is the reason we are holding a National Youth conference on June 28 for young people on the dangers of engaging in drug abuse, “he said.

NAN reports that a report by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime in Nigeria indicates that 14.4 per cent (14.3 million) of people aged between 15 and 64 years abuse drugs.

The statistical analysis of the findings of a 2015 nationwide survey of 10,609 respondents showed that alcohol is the drug with the highest prevalence rate, whereas cannabis is the most abused illicit drug.

The report showed that the drug abuse in Nigeria was prevalent across educational levels and reaches down to the secondary school level.

The  report showed that drug and substance abuse is prevalent across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.(NAN)

ICA/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Strike
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, June 23, 2024 (NAN) Medical and health workers in Oyo State will, on Monday, begin a seven-day warning strike to press home their demands, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
President of the state chapter of Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Mr John Fabunmi, disclosed this to NAN in Ibadan on Sunday.
Fabunmi said that the warning strike would be observed by members of the union in all the health institutions across the state, including those in the ministries, departments and local government councils.
He said that the industrial action had become imperative in order to press home their demands.
The labour leader said that the union had reminded the state government of its grievances several times, but that nothing had been done to address their demands.
“Part of the union’s demands is that the new hazard allowance in the state be spread to cover all other health workers in the state, and not only those working in the hospitals.
“Another demand is that some of our members removed from the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) be returned and those who have not been placed on the CONHESS be included.
“We wish to let Gov. Seyi Makinde know that up till now, nothing has been done to address these demands, even after we had given the state government a 14-day ultimatum,” he said.
Fabunmi said that the 14-day ultimatum elapsed on June 21, adding that up till now, nothing had been heard from the government.
“In view of the present situation and the agitations from our members, the union has, therefore, resolved to embark on a seven-day warning strike to further call the attention of the government to the need to attend to our agitations.
“Our members in all the health institutions, ministries and local governments will be participating in the warning strike which will commence on Monday, June 24,” he said.
NAN reports that nurses and midwives in the state had, on May 21, embarked on indefinite strike, in compliance with the directive of the state chapter of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
The union, through its state Chairman, Adeyemi Samuel, had cited failure of the state government to address its demands as the reason for calling for the strike.
NAN also reports that the industrial action embarked on the nurses and midwives had been taking its toll on the health sector, as the usual boisterous nature in most of the hospitals in the state had disappeared. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
CC/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Cholera

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

Ibadan, June 22, 2024 (NAN) The Oyo State Hospitals Management Board on Saturday in Ibadan urged the state’s residents to promptly report symptoms of cholera to the hospitals while maintaining good personal hygiene.

The Board’s Chairman, Dr Akin Fagbemi, in a statement urged citizens to ensure proper waste disposal and sanitation practices.

He further urged them to maintain regular hand-washing with soap, especially before eating and after using the toilet.

Fagbemi also asked individuals to ensure they eat only properly cooked food and avoid raw or undercooked seafoods.

“Oral cholera vaccines are available and can be effective in preventing outbreaks.

”Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) are good to prevent dehydration, and intravenous fluids can be used in severe cases where oral rehydration is not sufficient.

“Antibiotics may also be prescribed to reduce the severity and duration of the illness, while zinc supplements are often given to children to reduce the duration of diarrhea,” he said.

The Board Chairman pointed out that cholera is a food and water-borne disease caused by the ingestion of the vibrio cholerae bacteria.

He added that it is caused by the vibrio cholerae bacteria which typically spread through contaminated water or food.

“The symptoms include severe diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to rapid dehydration, and signs of dehydration include dry mouth, thirst, reduced urine output, and sunken eyes.

“There is also muscle cramps, due to loss of fluids and electrolytes, shock in severe cases, and leading to death if untreated,” Fagbemi warned.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
CC/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)