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Category: Health

  • Expert clears air on HPV vaccine, cautions against misinformation

    HPV

    By Abujah Racheal

    Abuja, June 2, 2024(NAN) A Consultant Paediatrician, Prof.  Ayebo Sadoh, has addressed several misconceptions on the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, and cautioned members of the public against being misinformed. 

    Sadoh, a Professor of Paediatrics at the School of Medicine, University of Benin, debunked the numerous false claims in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), in Abuja on Sunday. 

    “The vaccines are important and safe. They are safe for use,” she declared. 

    NAN reports that the World Health Organisation describes HPV as a common sexually transmitted infection which can affect the skin, genital area and throat.

    It also said that almost all sexually active people will be infected at some point in their lives, usually without symptoms, adding that in most cases, the immune system clears HPV from the body.

    Persistent infection with high-risk HPV can cause abnormal cells to develop, which go on to become cancer.

    It also said that Prophylactic vaccination against HPV and screening and treatment of pre-cancer lessons are effective strategies to prevent cervical cancer and are very cost-effective.

    Cervical cancer can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly, it added.

    The world health body said that countries around the world are working to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer in the coming decades, with an agreed set of three targets to be met by 2030

    “Contrary to the claims being circulated, there are over 100 strains of HPV, not just 11. The vaccine targets four main strains – 6, 11, 16, and 18 – these include the strains most commonly associated with cervical cancer.

    “Specifically, strains 16 and 18 are responsible for approximately 70 per cent of cervical cancer cases.

    “The bivalent vaccine, containing strains 16 and 18, also offers cross-protection against strains 31, 33, and 45, potentially preventing up to 80 per cent of cervical cancer cases,” she said.

    Addressing concerns about the vaccine’s safety, she stated that the notion of the vaccine being harmful to everyone who took it was “baseless”.

    “If this was true, millions of people worldwide, who have received the vaccine, would be ill or dead.

    “Vaccines, including the HPV vaccine, undergo rigorous testing and evaluation before being approved for use,” she said.

    She also refuted the claim that the HPV vaccine was not beneficial.

    She highlighted that no drug, especially vaccines administered to healthy individuals, would be licensed without proven efficacy.

    Regarding reports of court cases in the U.S, she pointed out that merely going to court does not establish causality.

    “While some studies have suggested associations between the vaccine and certain side effects, these have not been corroborated by long-term studies involving large cohorts of vaccinated individuals,” she explained. 

    The paediatrician further explained that the AstraZeneca vaccine was not withdrawn due to side effects, but because better alternatives became available.

    She added that many Nigerians, who received the AstraZeneca vaccine, did so without adverse effects.

    On the issue of vaccines being a business, she acknowledged that, but highlighted the life-saving benefits of vaccines, which save approximately four million lives annually.

    “Contrary to claims that the HPV vaccination is mandated, I want to assure everyone that it is not,” she added.

    She also countered allegations that government had not invested in PAP smear tests, pointing out  that women were currently being offered free cervical cancer screenings at health centers as part of a broader campaign.

    She criticised the video spreading false claims, describing it as “an attempt at national sabotage motivated by antivax sentiments”.

    She questioned the timing and intentions of those spreading fear and misinformation, urging the public to trust the consultative processes that preceded the vaccine’s introduction.

    NAN recalls that the federal government has successfully rolled out the first phase of the HPV vaccine in Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Jigawa and Kano.

    Also covered were Kebbi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo and Taraba States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Available statistics reveal that over five million girls have been reached. 

    The second phase of the HPV vaccination campaign was launched in 21 states across Nigeria on May 27th, 2024.

    The implementation covers Anambra, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo and Kaduna.

    Other states being covered include Katsina, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

    AIR/ETS 

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  • Expert calls for implementation of policies on tobacco consumption

    Expert calls for implementation of policies on tobacco consumption

    Tobacco

    By Okeoghene Akubuike

    Abuja, June 2, 2024(NAN)A Clinical Psychologist, Mr Adedotun Ajiboye, says the Federal Government needs to implement policies and programmes that reduce tobacco consumption and protect citizens from exposure to tobacco smoke.

    Ajiboye who works with the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

    He was speaking against the backdrop of the World No Tobacco Day 2024 marked annually on May 31  with the theme  “Protecting Children from the Tobacco Industry Interference.” 

    Ajiboye  said tobacco was  one of the top single greatest causes of preventable deaths globally. 

    He said smoking could lead to  Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD),  cancer of the lungs,  larynx, and  mouth pancreatic cancer; and  hypertension. 

    Ajiboye  said the Nicotine in cigarettes could  lead to addiction or substance use disorder adding that tobacco was  a significant cause of miscarriages among pregnant smokers. 

    “Tobacco can lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome  (SIDS),  the fetal brain’s ability may be reduced when exposed to cigarettes.

    “ Incidence of impotence is approximately 85 per cent  higher in male smokers compared to male non – smokers. 

    He said smoking was a key factor in  causing erectile dysfunction,  adding that tobacco smoking led most commonly to disease affecting the heart , liver, lungs, etc.

    “Based on the health effects revealed above, the government has a huge role to play in reducing preventable deaths caused by tobacco by implementing policies and programmes that reduce tobacco consumption. 

    “Also implementing policies that protect  citizens from exposure to tobacco smoke.”

    Ajiboye suggested some key roles of government to  include tobacco taxation, by  raising taxes on tobacco products to make them less affordable and reduce consumption.

    He said the government should enact laws that prohibit smoking in public places, workplaces, and public transportation,  and implement standards for tobacco products, such as warning labels and ingredient disclosure.

    Ajiboye  said that there should also be  awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of tobacco use and providing resources and support for individuals trying to quit tobacco.

    “There should be youth access restrictions by enacting laws to prevent the sale of tobacco products to minors.

    “There should be monitoring and surveillance by the government through collection of data on tobacco use and related health effects to inform policy decisions.

    “Regulation of tobacco advertising by restricting or banning tobacco advertising to prevent promotion to youth and others.”

    He said the government should also support tobacco research by funding research on tobacco use and its health effects to inform policy and treatment development.

    The clinical psychologist said the federal  government should collaborate with other countries to share best practices and coordinate efforts to reduce global tobacco use.

    “By taking these steps, the government can effectively reduce the health impacts of tobacco and protect  citizens’ health.”

    Ajiboye  said World No Tobacco Day 2024 is a vital global event aimed at highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption

    He said this year’s theme emphasised  protecting children from the tobacco industry’s practices, ensuring a healthier future for the next generation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    OKE/VIV

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    Edited by Vivian Ihechu

  • Governor’s wife takes menstrual hygiene campaign to secondary school 

    Menstruation

    By Ibrahim Bello

    Argungu (Kebbi), June 1, 2024 (NAN) The wife of Kebbi Governor, Hajiya Nafisa Idris, has sensitised students on promotion of menstrual hygiene among girls and women in the state.

    Hajiya Idris sensitised the female students on Saturday at Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School, Argungu in Argungu Local Government Area of the state as part of activities marking the 2024 Menstrual Hygiene Day.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that May 28 marked the 10th World Menstrual Hygiene Day, a global initiative dedicated to promoting awareness and education about menstrual hygiene.

    The governor’s wife commended her husband, Gov. Nasir Idris for his efforts in promoting the healthcare service and his support in the promotion of menstrual hygiene in the state.

    ”Hygiene is part and parcel of Islamic religion, and is our faith.

    ”Muslims are encouraged to maintain personal hygiene by taking regular baths, washing hands before and after meals, and trimming of nails and hair.

    ”The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stressed the importance of personal hygiene, saying, “Cleanliness is next to godliness”.

    “We know how germs spread from our very own hands to our bodies as well as to other people,” she said.

    She pledged her unwavering support for the initiative to improve menstrual hygiene and sexual reproductive health services in the state.

    “Educate yourself, take care of your health, and seek support where necessary. My Nafisa Nasir Charity Development Foundation (NANAS) is committed to advancing the health and rights of the girl child,” she said.

    She also called on parents to continue to support the education and prioritise menstrual hygiene of their daughters.

    Earlier, Dr Halima Bande, the state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, urged the students to pay more attention to their studies and pursue a future full of education.

    ”Don’t limit your studies here, but go further, until you fill the available women vacancies we should rightly occupy on health, education and other fields of endeavours,” she encouraged.

    On their part, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Halima Hassan-Kamba and the wife of Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hajiya Asma’u Alkali, urged the students to be good ambassadors of their parents and the society.

    She advised that pursuance of education should not stop at secondary level.

    Alkali enjoined the students to be disciplined, modest and respect elders anywhere they might find themselves after leaving the school.

    NAN reports that the Governor’s wife distributed sanitary items to students and donated N1 million to the graduating students of the college.

    Earlier at Emir’s palace, Argungu, the Emir, Alhaji Samaila Muhammad-Mera, commended the wife of the governor for her efforts in ensuring the promotion of menstrual hygiene among girls and women in the state.

    ”I thank you immensely and I thank your husband, our governor, who has been doing excellently well in the areas of health, education and infrastructure, among others,” he said. NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    IBI/KLM

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    Edited by Muhammad Lawal

  • Stakeholders say Gov. Abiodun needs to do more on healthcare

    Health
    By Yetunde Fatungase
    Abeokuta, June 1, 2024 (NAN) Stakeholders in the health sector in Ogun say Gov. Dapo Abiodun’s administration needs to do more regarding its policies and programmes in the sector after one year of re-election.
    Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Ogun chapter, Dr Kunle Ashimi, while commending the state government’s efforts in strengthening the healthcare system, said there was still room for more.
    “I am concerned that the steps taken, particularly within the period under review, are grossly inadequate to address the myriad of challenges facing the sector,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
    The Ogun NMA Chairman lamented gross manpower shortage in most of the health facilities, occasioned by massive exodus of health workers for greener pastures on a daily basis.
    Ashimi urged the state government to fill the gaps as a matter of urgency by implementing the revised CONMESS salary structure in order to attract and retain doctors.
    “Ogun needs to fill these gaps as a matter of urgency, because of the stress on the available doctors and the consequences of doctors’ fatigue.
    “The few doctors available, for example, have not been responding favorably to job advertisements by the state because the Ogun government is yet to implement the reviewed CONMESS salary structure.
    “To reverse this trend, the Ogun government must urgently implement the revised CONMESS in order to attract and retain doctors.”
    He added that the cost of medication had skyrocketed, as well as consumables and the cost of investigations.
    “The people also need to practice preventive medicine as well as embrace health insurance to reduce the burden of out-of-pocket healthcare spendings,” Ashimi stated.
    The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, however told NAN that government had continued to revitalise the health sector by renovating more Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities across the state.
    According to  Coker, government had renovated no fewer than 100 primary health centres (PHCs) and was still committed to renovating the remaining ones before the end of the administration’s tenure.
    “The PHCs remain the pillar of quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services, hence our focus on the renovation and upgrade of the facilities,” she said.
    Coker added that the present administration also recently launched the informal sector insurance scheme and was hoping to launch the one for the formal sector soon.
    “This will cover the civil servants and the organised labour,” she said.
    The Commissioner disclosed that the state had been able to register no fewer than 150,000 persons under the informal sector insurance scheme and was hoping to increase the number with time.
    She added that the government had continued to invest in quality database technology for the enhancement of improved quality healthcare delivery.
    “Some of the secondary and tertiary health facilities in the state now run on electronic medical records.
    “If you go to a place like Ijaiye State Hospital, the entire system is now electronic and we hope to scale up to other general hospitals.
    “All the state hospitals have 100 percent deployment of electronic health records and the Olabisi Onabanjo University teaching hospital too has 75 percent deployment as we speak,” Coker said.
    The commissioner disclosed also that the state had recently collaborated with Global Funds, a private firm, to put up the largest Pharmagrade Warehouse in Nigeria within the state.
    She said the facility was scheduled to begin operations on July 1.
    Coker added that the state governor has been “magnanimous enough” to give 12 percent of the state’s entire budget to health sector out of the 15 percent Abuja declaration.
    On future plans, Coker explained that the government would continue to improve on its ambulance services.
    “Having started with 80 tricycle ambulances during the first term, we intend to provide more and also but include basic life support ambulances in this second term.
    “This will translate to less waiting time for  ambulances to arrive at the scene of an accident or emergency,” she said.

    Some patients at the State Hospital at Ijaiye in Abeokuta also attested to some of the achievements listed by the commissioner.

    They, however, pointed out that more still needed  to be done to achieve an efficient and error-proof database technology system.
    Kafilat Omiyera, an outpatient, told NAN that there were often errors in the database as they had to contend with the correct dates of appointments.
    “Sometimes when I visit, they check my name on the system and the date of my last appointment may not relate with my next one.
    “This sometimes generate confusion, which often results in delay in getting attended to by the doctor,” she said.
    Another patient, Mrs Shola Madebo, commended the state government for the health insurance scheme but claimed that some health workers had continually hindered prompt access to medical treatment.
    “This is because we are not paying much”.
    Mr Tuoyo Jeremiah, also a patient at the State Hospital, lamented the shortage of medical workers, saying the few ones available were often under too much pressure.
    He noted that such medical workers often show signs of fatigue after long hours of work.
    “The situation often  affect their ability to cope with work, thereby causing some of them to be ‘cranky’ and rude to patients, ” Jeremiah said.
    YAF/OLAL
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    (Edited by Olawale Alabi)

  • Anniversary: CSO urges KDSG to release funds for family planning