HIV/AIDS: Association decries members’ stigmatisation, poor care in Edo
Support
By Joy Odigie
Benin, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Edo chapter, have decried the rate of stigmatisation faced by persons living with the virus in the state.
Mr Christopher Osayande, Chairman of NEPWHAN, Edo chapter, said this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Benin.
Osayande said stigmatisation remained a significant challenge for Persons Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in society, and Edo was no exception.
“Stigmatisation is still high and as a result, persons living with the virus are being denied meaningful employment.
“For those in business, once people know they have the virus they stop patronising their businesses,” he said.
He noted that PLWHA were also not receiving adequate support from the state government.
“We still get the Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs and other care-related commodities in the state, but we don’t receive other forms of support.
“This is a vulnerable group and the majority are poor, therefore, government should make provisions for skills acquisition for PLWHA to enable them fend for themselves,” he said.
He added that the usual location for care and ARV drugs collection was no longer in use, adding that the new place allocated for care was not in good shape.
“The place is not suitable because when it rains or the sun shines, clients suffer.
“Imagine going to a facility for treatment and ending up contracting another illness,” Osayande said.
According to him, there are still new cases of HIV in the state and the number of people needing care is increasing due to lack of food and transportation.
“As an association, we are trying to see that the viral load reduces, but because most PLWHA do not have means of livelihood, the viral load remains high,” Osayande said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Osun Assembly Speaker seeks improved welfare for girl-child
Girl-child
By Olajide Idowu
Osogbo, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Mr Adewale Egbedun, Speaker of the Osun House of Assembly has advocated for improved welfare for the girl-child, saying they are the future leaders of the country.
Egbedun stated this on Monday while hosting the ‘First Nigeria Girls Parliamentary Day’ at the assembly in collaboration with the Value Female Network Africa, a non-governmental organisation that prioritises welfare of girls/women.
“I am honoured to welcome you to the first special Nigeria Girls Parliamentary Day, organised by Value Female Network in collaboration with Osun assembly.
“Today we have the opportunity to come together and amplify our voices to advocate for change and inspire one another to make a difference.
“I believe that by working together, we can overcome the challenges that is limiting you, including limited access to education, gender based violence and menstrual health.
“The future of our country rest in the hands of our young people and the young girls here today have the potential to become leaders of tomorrow,” he said.
He tasked the participants to take lessons learnt from the parliamentary discourse to inspire change in their communities.
“You are the catalyst of change and I believe in your ability to make a difference.”
Speaking, Dr Costly Aderibigbe, Coordinator of Value Female Network Africa, said the programme was organised to promote the girl’s rights in Nigeria.
Aderibigbe described the girl-child as a treasure to the society, saying it was necessary to impact them positively and promote them for a better society.
“When we train a girl-child, we train a society because they will give birth and that is why we need to train our girls for a better future,” she said.
In her remarks, Mrs Ngozi Adeleke, the Wife of Osun governor, charged young girls to be more courageous and disciplined.
Adeleke, who was represented by Mrs Olushola Omotunde, equally advised the girls to cultivate the spirit of resilient and hard work for a brighter future.
Some of the girls that spoke at the programme, highlighted the challenges they are facing, which include menstrual hygiene, gender violence and discrimination faced by people with disabilities.
They solicited for support, better welfare and treatment for young girls in the country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The FCT Administration (FCTA) says it has concluded plans to provide free healthcare services under its “Renewed Hope Medical Outreach” programme, in Kuje Area Council of the FCT.
Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, FCTA Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, stated this when she visited the traditional leader of Kuje, and the Chairman of the Kuje Area Council, in Kuje on Monday.
Fasawe explained that the medical outreach was part of activities to celebrate President Bola Tinubu’s one year in office.
“We will be offering general healthcare services, eye care with free glasses and surgery when necessary, dental care, and free blood, HIV, hepatitis test.
“We also have nutritional desk where we will teach women on how to make cheap, affordable and quality food for their children, she said.
Fasawe added: “Not only that, we will also have a health education department to teach people how to prevent diseases.
“We will also go further to talk about clean cooking for people to be conscious of the environment and the air we breathe.
“We will be demonstrating and giving out gas cookers to show people the effectiveness and advantage of cooking without smoke.
“This is because the smoke we inhaled is bad for our lungs and our children’s development,” she said.
The mandate secretary said that the outreach would be open to residents of the area but with particular attention to women and children.
She said that every woman that showed up would be registered to access free health services for one year.
Fasawe explained that the gesture was in line with the one year health insurance for pregnant women approved by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike.
“This is because we have zero tolerance to maternal mortality. It is unacceptable for any woman to die of pregnancy or childbirth complications,” she said.
Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCT Administration, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, addressing officials of Kuje Area Council on planned free medical outreach for residents of Kuje on Monday.
Fasawe urged pregnant women to visit nearest primary health centres for antenatal care and to deliver their baby with a skilled birth attendant
On the target residents, she said: “We intend to reach as much as we can; as much that comes in here; and as much as time allows.
“For those that we cannot see, there is provision for further care at the nearest Primary Healthcare Centres and the General Hospitals.
“Basically, the target is come one; come all, but on a first come first serve basis. There won’t be favouritism; just come, get a number and you get adequate healthcare,” she said.
She explained that the outreach, which would begin on June 12, was the first of many, adding that after covering the six Area Councils, it would be extended to communities based needs.
She said that the choice of locations was scientific, adding, “we look at the hospital records; and we look at health seeking habits.
“We have realised that the people of Kuje are actually needing much more than our general hospital can give right now,” she said.
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Babagana Adam, urged the traditional leaders and council’s officials to mobilise residents in Churches and Mosques to take advantage of the opportunity to access free medical services.
In his remarks, the Gomo of Kuje, Alhaji Haruna Jibrin, thanked the Secretariat for the medical outreach which he described as good news.
“I thank President Tinubu, FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike and FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud for considering Kuje for the initiative,” he said.
Also, the Kuje Area Council Chairman, Mr Abdullahi Sabo, assured Fasawe of the council’s full support.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, who bears the same name, Sabo said he had directed all the 10 Counselors in the council to mobilise their people for the exercise.
“We will continue to support Wike as agents of Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Mariya Mahmoud, on Monday inaugurated the FCT At-Risk Children Programme (ARC-P) implementation committee.
Mahoud explained during the event in Abuja, that the programme was designed to ensure improved well-being and protection of every child within the nation’s capital.
She said that the committee would be chaired by Hajia Adamu Kuku, with Simon Zamani, Hafsat Mahmud, and Kalu Ifeanyi, Chinyere Maduka, Solomon Abenu, and Hussain Makari as members.
Other members included Babayola Abdulrahaman, Rotimi Ojo, Elizabeth Aliu, and Suleiman Ndabagi.
She described the committee as a crucial step towards addressing the needs of identified vulnerable children and ensuring that they were not left behind.
She identified some of the focus areas to include providing the children with access to essential services, protection from harm, and opportunities for education and social development.
“Our children are the future of our nation, and it is our responsibility to provide them with the care, protection and the support they need to thrive and reach their full potential.
“Unfortunately, there are many children in the FCT who are at risk due to various factors such as poverty, abuse, neglect, and lack of access to education and healthcare.” she said.
The minister particularly asked members of the committee to identify the most pressing needs of at-risk children in the FCT and to develop effective solutions to address them.
According to her, the outcome of the committee can make a real and lasting difference in the lives of the children and help them build a better future for themselves and for our nation.
“The committee is expected to liaise with FCT Area Councils and other stakeholders to ensure that children are not at risk in FCT.
“The committee will also come up with workable partnerships with corporate organisations to buy into the initiative for effective implementation.
“Conduct a baseline survey to ascertain the number of at-risk children in FCT and a mechanism for enrolment and work out a sustainability plan that will gradually make the programme self-funding.”
Other terms of reference, she said, include research on the best way possible to bring to the barest minimum the influx of children at risk into the FCT and provide strategic direction and guidance for the ARC-P.
She added that the committee would also monitor and evaluate programme progress toward achieving its goals,
“The committee is also expected to conduct community engagements to secure the buy-in of all stakeholders particularly, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and all faith-based organisations,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the committee members, Kuku said that the ARC-P initiative would protect the children’s future by addressing the various risks they encounter.
He added that the programme would also ensure a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment for every child in the territory.
He assured the minister that the committee would be comprehensive, effective, and multi-dimensional in guaranteeing that no child falls behind, leveraging the strengths of the technical diversity in the committee.
“We will work hand-in-hand with local government area councils who are the closest administrative bodies to the communities, and their close knowledge of local challenges and dynamics is invaluable,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
NAPTIP, women affairs ministry to rehabilitate trafficpked ovictims
Trafficking
By Aderogba George
Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs have signed a deal to rehabilitate victims of human trafficking.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agreement was reached in Abuja on Monday, during a visit by the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, to NAPTIP Headquarters.
NAN also reports that the rehabilitation deal will kickstart with the 10 Nigerian girls recently trafficked to Ghana for sexual exploitation. The girls were later rescued.
NAPTIP’s Director-General, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, thanked Kennedy-Ohanenye for the visit and her support toward sustaining the fight against human trafficking.
Waziri-Azi said that the agency was proactive in carrying out its mandates and had successfully convicted 29 human traffickers this year.
She said that the agency had successfully convicted 670 human traffickers since its inception, and rescued 23,000 victims.
According to her, NAPTIP is in touch with the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, adding that Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana had been rescued and are safe.
“The perpetrator has been arrested and I am also in contact with Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM). We are delighted by the visit of the minister this morning.
“From our conversation with Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, we will definitely approach this issue in a more strategic wpppp
in terms of prevention, because prevention is better than cure.
“I also want to emphasise to parents and young people that there is no free lunch anywhere, if it is free, then you are definitely the product.
“We know that everyone desires a better life, but wanting a better life does not mean you should not be discerning.
“When somebody comes and offers you Eldorado, please ask questions,” she said.
On her part, Kennedy-Ohanenye commended NAPTIP for its visible impact in tackling human trafficking in Nigeria, and promised to work with the agency for sustained rehabilitation of trafficked victims.
She said that the ministry would be assisting NAPTIP with the existing empowerment scheme that had been established by the ministry.
“I came here to see my sister concerning the issue of the Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana. We will join hands with NAPTIP to empower them, give them skills or send them to school,” the minister said.
She also disclosed plans to embark on massive advocacy on issues of human trafficking among diverse stakeholders, including operators of commercial transport.
“People in the aviation sector, marine sector and a cross-section of parents across the country will also be reached,” she said.
Kennedy-Ohanenye said that parents and transport operators would be held responsible if found culpable in the trafficking of children.
She solicited the support and cooperation of all Nigerians in tackling human trafficking in the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Health
By Yakubu Uba
Maiduguri, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Borno Government says it has set up 488 sites across the state for health services in the first round of the 2024 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MMCHW).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was being handled in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The Executive Secretary, Borno Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), Prof. Mohammed Arab, launched the week at a ceremony in Mala Kachallah Primary Healthcare Centre in Maiduguri on Monday.
In a speech at the event, Arab said that the sites were located in all the 27 Local Government Areas of the state.
He said that the essence of the health week was to accelerate the delivery of a minimum package of high-impact interventions that would contribute to the reduction of maternal, neonatal and child mortality.
The SPHCDA boss also said that efforts were being intensified “to strengthen routine healthcare delivery.
“It’s a bi-annual campaign that takes place in the 1st 6 months (Round 1) and the 2nd 6 months (Round 2) of the year respectively.
“This year’s Round 1 activity will run consecutively for five days from 10th to 14th June,” he said.
According to him, services to be provided include antenatal care, deworming, HIV testing and counseling, vitamin A supplement, health promotion, immunisation and birth registration.
“There is also distribution of Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine and long-lasting insecticide net and iron folate for pregnant women,” Arab said.
He said that nutrition screening, which is also part of the services, would help in identifying and addressing severe malnutrition in children at an early stage.
“Undernutrition is a significant contributor to child mortality, linked to over 60 per cent of diarrhea deaths, 57 per cent of malaria deaths and 52 per cent of pneumonia deaths”.
In a remark, the Commissioner of Health, Prof. Baba Mallam, said that the MNCHW was not a substitute for the regular health activities but a measure to complement and intensify ongoing efforts to provide high-quality healthcare services.
“These interventions are designed to significantly increase the coverage of preventive and curative services, thus ensuring that we meet the needs of mothers and children effectively and efficiently.
“This initiative offers a unique opportunity for women and children to access crucial health services free of charge at their nearest health facility.
“The importance of this week cannot be quantified.
“It represents a concentrated effort to deliver interventions that can save lives and improve health outcomes,” Mallam said.
Speaking on behalf of WHO and other partners, the organisation’s Public Health Officer, Maiduguri Office, Dr Aisha Kadai, urged all stakeholders to take the week as an opportunity to increase coverage and update services across Borno.
Kadai said that WHO had mobilised human resources to support the outreach in hard to reach areas as well as medical and pharmaceutical supplies to fill in the gaps in commodities required for the first round exercise.
“WHO is working with Borno SPHCDA in prioritisation of maternal, newborn and child health.
“These activities are instrumental to achieving the state 25 years Development Framework, the 10 years Strategic Transformation Plan as well as the SDGs,” Kadai said. (NAN)
Dutse, July 10, 2024 (NAN) The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has registered 768 businesses in Jigawa between 2001 to date.
The agency also destroyed expired, banned and unwholesome goods worth N36 million in the state.
Its Coordinator, Mr Ali Mshelia, said this on Monday in Dutse at a one-day sensitisation exercise for business owners in the state.
Mshelia said the 768 registered entities offered 3,840 job opportunities to the residents of the state.
According to him, the agency is ensuring that only safe, efficacious and wholesome regulated products are available to the people.
He, therefore, enjoined the businesses to support the agency in its drive towards ensuring the circulation of certified regulated products for human consumption.
Earlier, Mrs Josephine Dayilim, the Director, North-Eest zone of the agency, said the exercise is designed to build the capacity of businesses to produce quality and safe products.
“The agency decided to embark on a nationwide workshop to educate stakeholders on better ways to ensure that Nigerians enjoy better processed and persevered products.
“I want to emphasis the importance of adhering to regulatory standards. Your success is intertwined with the trust your customers place in your products.
“It is not only a legal requirement, but a moral obligation to prioritise the safety and well-being of those who consume, what you produce or sale,” Dayilim said.
She said the participants would be exposed to good retail, manufacturing, hygiene and operations practices as well as proper application of agrochemicals.
One of the participants, Mr Umar Babayaro from ATWAP, commended the gesture, adding that the skills learnt would sanitise the regulated business environment in the state.
The excise was attended by members of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP); National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED), Agrochemical Dealers, Micro, and Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES), among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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)
LG autonomy will enhance primary healthcare delivery — Expert
Autonomy
By Folasade Akpan
Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Dr Joseph Enegela, the Founder of Africa Diseases Prevention and Research Development Initiative (ADRAP), says granting full autonomy to local government areas will enhance Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery.
Enegela said this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
According to him, there is strong link between full autonomy and healthcare delivery at the grassroots.
He explained that “by design, if you look at our healthcare system from the primary to secondary to tertiary level, there are strict roles for those who work in the PHC system.
“The same also goes for those in the secondary and tertiary health system, and those roles and responsibilities help to describe what kind of ailments each can handle.
“The sad part is that PHCs fall under the local government system, which is the most inefficient arm of government.
“The LGA health systems are run by the LGAs in the states and they get the least funding in spite of allocations from Federal Government, so they are inefficient.”
Enegela said that until total autonomy is given to the third tier of government and those who run the local governments know their responsibilities to the people, they would not think of it as important.
“So, there is strong link between local government autonomy and PHCs’ performance,” Enegela said, noting that “but to achieve the desired results, the system requires complete overhaul, with strict supervision.”
He also appealed to the Federal Government to support LGAs to build, own and manage their PHCs.
He also urged the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, to focus on PHC delivery and on increasing the health insurance coverage of Nigerians.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
FOF/TOA/HA
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Edited by Taiye Agbaje/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu
Radda releases N10bn to 34 LGAs to build health centres
Centres
By Abbas Bamalli
Katsina, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State has released over N10 billion to chairmen of the 34 local government areas of the state to build primary health centres.
The governor said this during an interactive session with journalists on Monday in Katsina, saying that three primary health centres would be constructed in each council area.
He added that “when I became the governor, I talked about World Health Organisation’s resolution on the need to have functional primary health centres in rural areas that can work 24 hours.
“The aim is to reduce child and maternal mortality and other difficulties faced by rural people whenever they are sick.
“If we have functional healthcare facilities in rural areas, even a woman in labour can be attended to by a professional health worker at any time.
“And if there is need to take her to a secondary healthcare facility, the centre should have an ambulance that can convey her there.”
According to him, there should also be accommodation for health workers, enough drugs, constant/potable water, and electricity supply, among others.
Radda revealed that the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) would provide those institutions with running cost, from N250,000 to N400,000.
“This fund is enough for the running of daily activities of the centres. But we cannot benefit from the fund until we have fully functional healthcare centres.
“If we have functional primary health centres in rural areas, it will assist in decongesting hospitals in urban areas, and the health level of the people will improve.
“The only challenge we are going to face is staffing, because we have shortages of staff to man these centres. To recruit health workers is not easy now, but we will do that in due course.
“However, we have over 5,000 casual staff and if we are to confirm them, their salaries would double that of the over 7,000 teachers recently recruited.
“This is because the salary of some health workers almost tripple that of teachers.
“That’s the challenge now, but in spite of that, we will recruit health workers in due course.
“Before the end of the year, we’ll make sure that no fewer than 361 functional primary health care centres are provided in the state.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
ABS/GOM/HA
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Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu
