Category: Health

FG emphasises importance of social norms,  behaviour change for national health

Health

By Abujah Racheal

Abuja, June 5, 2024(NAN)The Federal Government has highlighted the crucial role of shifting social norms and behavioural change in maintaining the nation’s health.

Prof. Muhammad Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, said this at Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria Learning and  Transition event with the theme  “Celebrating Successes, Consolidating Learning, and Transitioning for Sustainability”.

 The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Breakthrough ACTION has been USAID’s global flagship Social and Behavior Change Project for the past seven years.

In Nigeria, the project worked to improve the practice of priority health behaviors across multiple programme areas.

The areas include maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH), family planning (FP), nutrition, malaria, tuberculosis, COVID-19 and priority zoonotic diseases (PZDs).

Pate,who was represented by Dr Binyerem Ukaire, Director of Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), congratulated Breakthrough Action Nigeria (BA-N) for their innovative contributions to health communication and social behavior change.

The minister noted that Breakthrough Action Nigeria’s efforts had been instrumental in reaching millions of Nigerians, fostering healthier practices, and empowering communities with vital health knowledge.

“Social and behavior change for the right healthy behavior is critical to achieving our health goals and targets.

“This focus on behavior change is particularly significant for the Federal Ministry of Health and the Department of Family Health, he said.

He praised BA-N’s impact in areas such as disease prevention, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health, and nutrition.

“By promoting healthier lifestyles, BA-N’s initiatives have made significant strides in improving health outcomes,” he said.

He underscored that the Ministry of Health remained committed to enhancing the health of every Nigerian and that the collaborative efforts with BA-N  demonstrated the power of synergy in achieving national health goals.

He acknowledged the importance of the event, not only as a celebration of successes but also, as a platform to reflect on future strategies.

“The insights and learnings shared will help shape more effective and sustainable health interventions moving forward,” he said.

He expressed sincere gratitude to BA-N, partners, stakeholders, and frontline health workers for their dedication and hard work.

“Your contributions are invaluable and deeply appreciated,” he said, extending his best wishes for a fruitful and enlightening event.

He expressed hope that the National Learning and Transition event would serve as a catalyst for continued innovation, collaboration, and progress in the mission to improve health outcomes for all Nigerians.

NAN reports that Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria Learning and Transition Health indices in Nigeria have been driven by many factors.

The public health approach, social and behavior change identifies what individuals and communities believe and how they behave, then develops innovative strategies so they can adopt healthier behaviors and access vital health services.

Since it started working in Nigeria, the project used a multifaceted approach–including mass media, community outreach, and user-driven social media campaigns-to inspire long-lasting change.

These efforts resulted in positive changes across several health areas including reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, nutrition and malaria, tuberculosis and COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

Among countless other findings, Breakthrough ACTION found that women who participated in community activities were significantly more likely to practice multiple preventive behaviors compared  to women who did not participate.

These include at least four antenatal visits during pregnancy, delivering the safety of a health facility, exclusive breastfeeding, consuming diverse diet, and receiving preventive malaria medication at least three times during pregnancy.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

AIR/VIV

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Development
Lilian Okoro
Lagos, May 5, 2024 (NAN) A Professor of Human Resources Management, Foluso Jayeoba, has urged administrative professionals to focus on cooperation and collaboration rather than competition to enhance their productivity and service delivery.

Jayeoba of the Department of Industrial Relations and Human Resources, Lagos State University, Ojo, gave the advice at a lecture organised by the Administrative Department, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, on Wednesday in Lagos.

The lecture was organised to mark the ‘2024 Administrative Professionals’ Day’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the programme is: “System Thinking for Effective Organisational Performance”.

Jayeoba, also the keynote speaker at the programme, said that administrative professionals should work together to be able to deliver largely toward achieving the goal of the organisation.

According to him, more achievements will be made when work are done collectively rather than individuals, stressing that workers should focus on system thinking by working toward the overall goals and objectives of their organisations.

He explained that every part of the organisation was as important as the other, saying it was important to understand the need for interaction between all the parts of an organisation if the set goals would be actualised.

He identified the benefits of system thinking to include enhanced productivity, improved decision making and enhanced problem solving, amongst others.

“The perception of system thinking as implied in the theme, entails that people should work together to deliver effectively to the clients and equally meet the purpose of the organisation.

“No individual is bigger than the organization. So, if the workers cooperate and collaborate, there will be room for increased productivity.

“If workers should have that perception of system thinking, works become easy and people will have the right attitude toward work and there won’t be competition but rather cooperation,” Jayeoba said.

Prof. Akin Osibogun of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, said that the roles of administrators were critical to the implementation of policies and overall management of an organisation.

Osibogun, also Chairman of the programme, said that administrators were the custodian of rules and regulations of an organisation, saying that without them, effective management in an organisation might be jeopardised.

“Administration department is the pillar of an organisation. I am excited that administrative professionals of the hospital are developing this skill.

“Be mindful that it’s a journey that requires continuous development through skills acquisitions, trainings and learning. There are bound to be challenges on the way but I pay that God will see you through,” Osibogun said.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Olugbenga Owoeye, urged the administrative professionals to continually develop and update themselves with the new developments in the profession for effective performance.

According to him, the administrative professionals should be more devoted to their jobs, while upholding the ethics of the profession.

Owoeye, who congratulated the administrative professionals for their self-developments and organising the programme, said it was a wake-up call for other various departments in the hospital.

“Personal development is key; ensure you continually update and develop yourselves with the developments in the profession as well as the ethics.

“I congratulate the administrative department for coming up to develop themselves and organise this programme.

“It is like encouraging other various departments in the hospital to follow suit,” Owoeye said.

Earlier, the Director of Administration of the hospital, Dr Adeyinka Atiwe, called on administrative professionals to develop work culture/ethics to enhance their performance and productivity.

Atiwe said that workers’ attitude to work needed to improve in terms of the hour, way and methods devoted to the work so that the productivity would improve.

According to him, workers’ inputs must be equal to the outputs but some workers wanted to be paid even without doing work.

“Basically, work ethics and culture need to improve; the way we do our work, the hours we give to the work, must improve so that our performance can also improve.

“So that at the end of it all, you can now boldly make a demand for your organisation to compensate you accordingly.

“Unfortunately, some people want to be paid even when they did not work.

“As a nation, the first thing to do is to ensure we have a good work culture so that we raise the productivity level of the country.

“And as we raise the productivity and we are well; then we can tell the government to give us more for what we are doing and also bring to task those in governance if they are not doing what we expect them to do,” Atiwe said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
LUC/AJA
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Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

Health

By Abujah Racheal

Abuja, June 5, 2024 (NAN) Dr Binyerem Ukaire, Director of Family Health at the Federal Ministry of Health, has said that continuous education and behavior change are needed to improve public health outcomes.

Ukaire said this on Wednesday in Abuja, at Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria Learning and Transition event with the theme – “Celebrating Successes, Consolidating Learning, and Transitioning for Sustainability”.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Breakthrough Action has been USAID’s global flagship social and behaviour change project for the past seven years.

In Nigeria, the project has worked to improve the practice of priority health behaviours across multiple programme areas including – Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH), family planning, nutrition, malaria, tuberculosis, COVID-19 and priority zoonotic diseases.

Highlighting the collaborative efforts between Breakthrough  Action and the Federal Ministry of Health, she called for sustained initiatives to enhance reproductive, maternal, newborn, child health, and nutrition services across the country.

“Changing people’s behaviours, practices, and attitudes is indeed challenging, but it is achievable through serious efforts to improve their knowledge.

“Everyone aspires to be healthy, and often, the barriers to achieving this are rooted in ignorance,” she said.

She said that Breakthrough Action had made significant strides in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, including training health officers at federal and state levels to ensure sustainability of health projects.

“These efforts are crucial for achieving both national health targets and global goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage,” she said.

She stressed the importance of individuals taking responsibility for their health.

“Governments at all levels can provide support, but ultimately, individuals play a critical role in maintaining their health.

“It is essential for Nigerians to adopt healthy behaviours, take charge of their health, and reap the benefits,” she said.

The director praised the advocacy work done to educate government leaders at various levels, the development of information, education and communication materials, and the use of media to spread health messages.

“States must take ownership of these health initiatives to ensure the continuous improvement of public health,” she urged.

Furthermore, she called for ongoing education and consistent messaging to influence and reinforce positive health behaviors.

“We must continue to educate our people, encourage them to embrace the right behaviours and avoid conflicting messages from cultural or religious sources.

“It is vital to evaluate health messages and recognise their benefits for our well-being,” she said.

She reiterated the importance of sustained efforts in health education and behaviour change, supported by both government initiatives and individual responsibility as essential for improving public health and achieving long-term health goals in Nigeria.

NAN reports that Breakthrough Action Nigeria Learning and Transition health indices in Nigeria have been driven by many factors.

Since it started working in Nigeria, the project uses  multi-faceted approach,  including mass media, community outreach, and user-driven social media campaigns, to inspire long-lasting change. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

AIR/IGO 

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Initiatives

By Abujah Racheal

Abuja, June 5, 2024(NAN) The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) says  its health initiatives have reached over 17 million Nigerians, including 7.8 million children under the age of five and 600,000 pregnant women.

This was highlighted at a Breakthrough Action Nigeria Project’s Learning and Transition event showcasing the project’s significant contributions to improving health outcomes across the country.

Ms Suegatha Kai Rennie, Director of Health Population & Nutrition, USAID Mission in Nigeria, gave the figures  at the event with the theme: Celebrating Successes, Consolidating Learning, and Transitioning for Sustainability.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Breakthrough Action has been USAID’s global flagship social and behaviour change project for the past seven  years.

In Nigeria,  the project has worked to improve the practice of priority health behaviours across multiple programme areas.

The areas include Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH), family planning, nutrition, malaria, tuberculosis, COVID-19 and priority zoonotic diseases.

Kai Rennie said that Breakthrough Action Nigeria Project, funded by USAID and led by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Communications Programmes,  focused on Social Behaviour Change (SBC).

This, the official said,  was to enhance MNCH, nutrition and reproductive health, as well as improve malaria and tuberculosis treatment outcomes.

She said that since its inception in 2017, the project had implemented a variety of successful health campaigns such as Albishirin-Ku, Ji-de-Ki-Ji, and Mama Put Fever Care.

“These campaigns have demonstrated remarkable success.

“A behavioural survey conducted in 2022 revealed that women exposed to these campaigns were more likely to engage in health-seeking behaviours such as malaria testing and treatment, family planning, and seeking antenatal care.

“The data indicates that exposure to SBC messages significantly increases the likelihood of adopting health-positive behaviours,” she said.

She said that in addition to reaching millions with critical health information, USAID’s initiatives had strengthened community health structures by training over 2,400 community volunteers.

She said that these volunteers, equipped with skills to mobilise communities, deliver health messages, and manage referrals, became essential assets in the Community Health Influencers and Promoters programme.

The event also underscored the importance of sustaining the efforts beyond the current funding cycle.

Kai Rennie said that USAID was  committed to partnering with the Nigerian Government to continue improving health outcomes through innovative and effective SBC programmes.

“This collaboration aims to ensure that the progress made in health behaviours and service demand continues to grow beyond the project’s duration,” she said.

NAN reports that the event was attended by  representatives of the Nigerian Government, development partners and the academia.

The event also  highlighted the project’s innovative approaches and successes. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AIR/CHOM/IGO 

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Ijeoma Popoola

FG initiates training to promote active, healthy behaviour

Training

By Abujah Racheal

Abuja,  June 5, 2024(NAN) The Federal Government has announced the commencement of training aimed at cultivating master trainers to champion active and healthy behaviours across communities nationwide.

Dr Bako Ladi-Aiyegbusi, the Director, Nutrition Department, Federal Ministry of Health, made the announcement during Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria Learning and  Transition event with the theme “Celebrating Successes, Consolidating Learning, and Transitioning for Sustainability” on Wednesday in Abuja. 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Breakthrough ACTION has been USAID’s global flagship Social and Behaviour change project in the past seven years.

In Nigeria, the project has worked to improve the practice of priority health behaviours across multiple programme areas including – Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) and Family Planning (FP).

Other areas are nutrition, malaria, tuberculosis, COVID-19 and Priority Zoonotic Diseases (PZDs).

Ladi-Aiyegbusi said that with the rising concern over public health challenges, the initiative underscored government’s commitment to proactive measures in addressing lifestyle-related illnesses and promoting overall wellness.

“The training is designed to equip selected individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively advocate for and facilitate behaviour change in communities.

“Through a comprehensive curriculum covering topics such as nutrition, physical activity, mental health and preventive healthcare, master trainers will be empowered to lead initiatives that promote healthy living and disease prevention.

“By engaging local populations and leveraging culturally relevant approaches, they will serve as catalysts for positive lifestyle changes, inspiring others to adopt habits conducive to optimal health outcomes,” she said.

She said that the endeavour aligned with global efforts to combat Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and underscores the importance of preventive healthcare strategies. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

AIR/HA 

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

CONMESS

By Oluwafunke Ishola

Lagos, June 5, 2024 (NAN) Doctors under the aegis of the Medical Guild have appealed to the Lagos State Government to expedite the implementation of the reviewed Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) for medical doctors in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Medical Guild is the association of doctors under the employment of the Lagos State Government.

Dr Moruf Abdulsalam, Chairman, Medical Guild, made the appeal during a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CONMESS is the salary scale being paid to all Medical and Dental practitioners across the Federation.

CONMESS was adopted to prevent internal brain drain and rural-urban migration among doctors.

Abdulsalam expressed dissatisfaction over the slow bureaucratic bottlenecks causing delay in the implementation of the reviewed CONMESS wage increase in Lagos.

He noted that colleagues in the employment of the Federal government had already started enjoying the payment since February 2024, with its accrued arrears.

The chairman recalled that resolution reached at its General Assembly meeting held on April 27, resolved to give the state government four weeks timeline to assent and implement the CONMESS wage.

Abdulsalam noted that the Medical Guild Representative Council, at her meeting of June 2, expressed strong dissatisfaction over the slow pace of progress on the implementation of the reviewed CONMESS wage.

He disclosed that the Council resolved that the association should declare an industrial dispute over the slow pace of work and bureaucratic bottlenecks delaying the implementation of the reviewed CONMESS wage.

“⁠That the Association should further give the government three weeks period in line with the resolution reached by the General Assembly.

“⁠That the Officers’ Committee should escalate and call a General Assembly of the medical Guild at the Secretariat at the expiration of the three weeks to decide the next line of action,” he said.

Abdulsalam noted that the practice of medicine had become a globally competitive profession with a resultant migration of medical personnel to environment with better remuneration and improved conditions of service among other push factors.

“Recently too, there has been a rural to urban migration of doctors but more worrisome to the medical Guild is the spate of resignation of our doctors from the employment of the Health Service Commission, LASUTH and Primary Healthcare Board, to private medical practice or Federal hospitals.

“This is due to poor remuneration, excessive workload and poor service conditions.

“This has tilted many of our colleagues into chronic fatigue, mental illnesses and burnout syndrome,” he said.

He disclosed that a recent online survey conducted by the Guild which 940 of its members responded, showed that 91 per cent of doctors reported manpower shortage in the department and hospitals where they work.

According to him, 59 per cent reported an increase in the number of call duties being undertaken by them in the last one year, 86 per cent reported being overworked and 54 per cent reported low morale.

“Not surprisingly too, there has been a surge in mental illness among our doctors mainly from the excessive workload and poor conditions of service,” he said.

He recalled that doctors sustained the provision of critical services to citizens at the peak of COVID-19 pandemic, while other workers continued to work from home.

Abdulsalam further said that the state recently rolled out free antenatal and delivery services, provision of bi-weekly community health mission over three months as part of measures to ameliorate economic hardship on citizens.

“Also, while other civil servants were granted the respite to work from home on some days of the week, the doctors remained within the confines of the hospital every day of the week because of a “special calanderisation” exists within the health sector!

“From the foregoing, it is apparent that the doctors have now become part of the palliative deployed to cater for the health needs of the good people of Lagos State without themselves being considered for commensurate compensation to survive the progressively heavy workload that these policy initiatives thrust upon them.

“This is in addition to the regular workload thrust upon them as clinicians and leaders of the healthcare team,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AIO/VIV

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Training
By Sani Idris
Kaduna, June 5, 2024 (NAN) UNICEF, in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), trained no fewer than 1,080 adolescent girls in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State in tailoring and hairdressing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was funded by UNICEF.

The UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Kaduna, Gerida Birukila, said during the graduation ceremony in Kaduna on Wednesday that the girls were exposed to violence, abuse and neglect, which prompted the idea to empower them with the training.

Birukila, who was represented by the UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, Dr Wilfred Mamah, added that “the advent of COVID-19 brought the reality to light, where UNICEF found out that a lot of Almajiri and adolescent girls were on the streets.”

She said that the programme was conceptualised by UNICEF to know the number of children that are out of school in Kaduna, where a primary research revealed a lot of numbers.

“We are able to document 107,000 adolescent girls out of school and have nothing to do. They were exposed to physical, sexual and emotional violence.

“We went around asking questions on what the girls really want, and many of them were asking for skills acquisition. They said if they will be trained in tailoring and hairdressing, it will give them opportunity to perform.”

Birukila said it was based on that UNICEF came up with the programme to work with communities to train adolescent girls.

“In the course of the training, we used the opportunity to educate the girls about their rights. We educated them on what to do if they are abused sexually or physically,” she said.

The state Director of NOA in Kaduna, Malam Hamisu Abubakar, said that in November/December 2023, 50 community leaders were selected from five area councils and trained in strengthening community structures to provide child protection services at the community level.

At the end of the training, he said, it was agreed that two pilot community-based centres be equipped with child-friendly safe space and life skills training for out of school adolescent girls.

As a follow up, Abubakar said, the NOA, funded by UNICEF Kaduna Field Office in compliance with agreed criteria selected Sabon Tasha community in Chikun Local Government Area to conduct the training of 1,080 young girls in tailoring and hairstyling.

He explained that among the many communities visited, Sabon Tasha met the requirements of having a standard community centre where it could serve as a child friendly safe space and also serve as a place to learn skills.

“We met a community that is highly organised and enjoys the leadership of its leaders who accepted the idea of providing a place to conduct the training for the young girls.

“This is a deliberate attempt to strengthen community structures for child protection services at the community level. Two months down the line, we are here today to witness the graduation
ceremony of dedicated young girls who are now equipped with skills in tailoring and hairstyling for survival.”

He thanked UNICEF for the support in ensuring the project became successful, while also appreciating the host community for embracing the intervention, particularly the governance team of eight selected community leaders.

He also commended the master trainers, stressing that they played commendable roles throughout the two months of training.

Also, Chairman of Chikun, Mr Salasi Nuhu, commended UNICEF for the gesture, saying it would go a long way in enhancing the girl’s livelihood.

Some of the beneficiaries, Exceptional Abel and Sarah Solomon, also thanked UNICEF for the gesture, while pledging to use the skills to earn a living.

NAN reports that highpoints of the event were traditional dances, fashion parade and issuance of certificates to the adolescent girls.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

SA/HA
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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Prioritise our welfare -IDPs appeal to Tinubu

Welfare

By Folasade Akpan

Abuja, June 5, 2024 (NAN) Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Durumi Camp in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, to prioritise their welfare.

Coordinator of the camp, Mr Idris Ibrahim-Halilu, made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja, during the commencement of the Second Quarter 2024 Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) programme of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Ibrahim-Halilu said that the IDP phenomenon had metamophorsed into an industry and that if considered as an agenda by the president, he would be remembered for impacting their lives.

He also appealed to the NYSC to send corps members to the camp’s school, to teach the children, adding that the primary school at the camp had been closed since 2017.

“That is seven years our primary school has closed for lack of teachers.

“We are victims of ignorance, we are victims of illiteracy and our children and grandchildren are now growing in ignorance and illiteracy.

“I want to believe that the National Directorate of NYSC will help us to send a few corps members, so that we can kick start the school again.

“We only have a nursery in this camp and this is the biggest camp in Abuja. We have about 18 camps scattered over the FCT and this is the biggest with about 3,400 IDPs,” he added.

Ibrahim-Halilu also appealed to the scheme to consider its clinic that had no doctor, adding that over the years if it had received one or two doctors a lot of the IDPs would have been treated there.

He, however, thanked the NYSC management for the health outreach programme, adding that the scheme had been a uniting factor in the country.

“If not for the NYSC, a lot of things would have gone wrong”, he said.

The Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Yu’shau Ahmed, said that the programme, aimed at reaching out to at least 2,000 people have become a beacon of hope for many Nigerians.

Ahmed, represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Ahmed Ikaka, said that the programme embodied the scheme’s commitment, to complementing government’s effort in the provision of quality healthcare, especially to rural dwellers.

“This is in harmony with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President, to address the health challenges of Nigerians.

“On our part, we have reached out to millions of rural dwellers within the limit of the resources available, as we continue to collaborate with spirited individuals, government and Non-Governmental Organisations.

“The scheme is being inundated with requests from eminent traditional rulers, community leaders and other gate keepers for same laudable initiative, to take place in their respective communities.”

Ahmed said that the first edition for the year took place at Gosa-Sarki, Lugbe Area of Abuja, with hundreds of medical cases diagnosed and treated.

“While we do not discountenance collaborative efforts, through our timeless and unwavering dedication, we have been able to bridge the gap between rural communities and access to essential healthcare services, considerably.”

The Director, Community Development Service (CDS) and Special Projects, Hajiya Zainab Isah, said that the scheme mobilised 48 Corps Medical personnel comprising 18 doctors, 12 pharmacists, 10 nurses and eight medical laboratory scientists to attend to the people.

She added that part of activities to be carried-out include sensitisation on causes and prevention of diseases, diagnosis, checkups and treatment of a wide range of ailments.

“As usual, complicated medical conditions that require more sophisticated equipment and attention than what we have, will be referred to the appropriate facilities,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme, which began in 2014, operates using a tripod of sensitisation to prevention of illness, diagnosis and treatment of ailments, and referrals. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FOF/AMM

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru

NGO seeks free clubfoot treatment integrated into health system

Clubfoot

By Justina Auta

Abuja, June 5, 2024 ( NAN) An NGO, the Nigeria Partners on Clubfoot Treatment has called for the integration of clubfoot treatment into the public health system to treat the 10,000 cases recorded annually in the country.

The President of Nigeria Clubfoot Treatment Partners and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Peace Amaraegbulam, made the call in a message to mark the World Clubfoot Day.

Clubfoot is a musculoskeletal birth defect that causes the feet to turn inwards and upwards.

World Clubfoot Day is celebrated every June 3, to raise more awareness on clubfoot and the need for early detection, referral and timely treatment.

The teme of the celebration is “Empowering Life: Steps to Clubfoot Freedom”.

Amaraegbulam, who is also a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, described clubfoot as the most common musculoskeletal birth defect.

”No child should endure the preventable disability of untreated clubfoot.

“In Nigeria, over 10,000 children are born with this condition each year, and without treatment, walking becomes extremely difficult and painful as children walk on the sides of their feet.

“This leads to discrimination, social stigmatisation, and loss of economic opportunities.

“We call on government and health institutions to integrate free clubfoot treatment into Nigeria health system, to enable the treatment to be more accessible.

“Philanthropists should also consider giving towards the cause of providing free treatment for the clients, especially the neglected older children,” Amaraegbulam said.

According to her, Ponseti treatment, which entails a systematic series of casting and orthotic bracing treatment that permanently and non-surgicallly correct clubfoot is effective in treating young children.

She, however, noted that out-of-pocket healthcare costs; poor access to healthcare facilities; inadequate numbers of healthcare professionals; and lack of foot-abduction braces as barriers preventing Nigerian children from accessing care.

Amaraegbulam said that the Nigeria Partners on Clubfoot Treatment, consisted of three NGOs – The Straight Child Foundation, HANDS, and Positive Care and Development Foundation in collaboration with MiracleFeet, that ensured that children with clubfoot received care locally.

“These three organisations in Nigeria operate clubfoot clinics in select states.

“To avail yourself of the free clubfoot treatment, Kindly locate the clinic nearest to you in the state where you reside.

“The clinic schedules specific days for treatment, ensuring children receive the necessary care and support for clubfoot correction,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

JAD/FON/SH

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Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Sadiya Hamza

Expert urges parents to give adolescents sexuality education

Adolescents
By Lilian U. Okoro
Lagos, June 5, 2024 (NAN) A child and adolescent mental health analyst, Dr Tolulope Okunowo, has advised parents to educate their adolescents about sexual reproductive health to prevent pre-marital pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

Okunowo, also a Consultant Psychiatrist with the Oshodi Annex of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

She also advised adolescents to make themselves available for such information that bothered on sexual health to achieve their full potential in life.

“It is very important that as a young person you are informed and aware of your sexual reproduction health.

“It plays a huge factor in your future; get informed, access centres that talk about sexual health and do not be afraid to ask questions.

“The truth is that young people are disproportionately more affected by STIs, including HIV/AIDS than the adult population, because they do not have information.

“Parents themselves need to get informed and be aware of what their children are exposed to, so that they will be more open and feel more comfortable to talk on such issues,’’ she said.

The analyst said there was also need to educate parents more on family planning methods to prevent pregnancies and STIs.

She said that many people had the misconception about adolescents becoming promiscuous when they had access to sexual education, stressing that teaching adolescents particularly girls about reproductive health and sexuality would not make them to be promiscuous.

She explained that such education would prepare and provide them with the adequate knowledge on the inherent dangers in pre-marital sex.

She said that parents needed to start educating their children and wards on sex and related issues from ages 12 to 15, saying that was part of parenting responsibilities.

“If we do a survey, out of 100, a good proportion of young people are sexually active.

“So, it is more effective giving young people information to know the choices they can make, because they are still going to be exposed to them.

“When we teach adolescent girls about pre-marital sex; we are trying to give them information about sexual and reproductive health issues so that if they are sexually active they know where to go for advice,’’ she said.

Okunowo said inadequate health facilities that provided information on sexual education remained a major challenge to young people who sought to access information.

According to her, there is not much of receptiveness from the health system for young people to get information.

The analysts emphasised the need to teach adolescents about their sexual rights to be able to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

She said, “We find out that a lot of times when teenagers get pregnant, their lives stop, and for most of them, it feels like they have nothing to look up to or be hopeful for.

“The mistake could have been prevented if they were aware of contraceptives and know how to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

“We believe that youths will be fulfilled and able to achieve their maximum potential if they have access to the right information.”(NAN)
LUC/VIV

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu