Category: Health

NAFDAC destroys substandard products worth  N985m in Kano

Products
By Ramatu Garba

Kano, June 27, 2024(NAN) The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC) on Thursday destroyed fake, counterfeit, substandard, expired, and unwholesome regulated products worth approximately N985 million.

The Director-General of the agency, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, made this known during the burning exercise in Kano.

Adeyeye, represented by the Director North-West Zone NAFDAC, Mrs Josephine Dayilim, said the exercise is aimed at eradicating fake drugs and other spurious NAFDAC Regulated Products from circulation in Nigeria.

“Removal of Substandard and Falsified Medicines (SFs) from circulation will make Nigerians healthier.

“And since only a healthy body can contribute positively to the economy, it will make Nigerians wealthier and the economy better,” she added.

The goods being destroyed, the director general said were Substandard, fake/falsely labelled Medicines,Unwholesome Food products and other Counterfeit seized and voluntarily received by NGOs, trade unions, Nigeria Customs Service, NAPPMED and Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria.

Adeyeye said the items destroyed include medicine made up of psychoactive and controlled substance such as antibiotics, antihypertensive, antimalarials, Analgesics and herbal remedies.

Others destroyed are Food items such as vegetable oil, non-alcoholic beverages, sachet water, condiments and tomato pastes and creams, pomade and ointments.

Others are Chemicals such as insecticides, pesticides, agrochemicals diagnostic kits, infusion and giving sets among others.

Adeyeye therefore , advised relevant stakeholders to adhere to all regulatory measures put in place.

“We solicit the co-operation of the General Public, corporate bodies, religious leaders and traditional rulers in our effort to eradicate the menace of Drug and substance abuse.

” Health Practitioners, Community leaders, the Press and all
stakeholders are hereby encouraged not to relent in educating their wards and
family members on the dangers of patronizing quacks and hawkers of medicines on the street” Adeyeye said.

The director general reiterated the agency’s commitment to safeguarding the health of Nigerians and seeks the cooperation of Nigerians in achieving the mandate.

NAFDAC Coordinator, in Kano State Mr Kasim Idrisa-Ibrahim, said the agency in its effort to sanitise drugs distribution , moved sellers of medicine from the chaotic open market to a Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC), at Dangwauro Kano.

“The coordinated wholesale centre has paved way for NAFDAC to start recording successes in safeguarding the health of Nigerians” Idris-Ibrahim said (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

RG/MAM/SH

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Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Sadiya Hamza

Malnutrition: Bauchi centre receives over 40 new cases weekly

Cholera: Shomolu LG sensitises residents on prevention

Cholera

By Kazeem Akande

Lagos, June 27,2024 (NAN) Shomolu Local Government in Lagos State has begun a public enlightenment of traders, traditional birth attendants and residents to prevent cholera outbreak in the area.

This was made known in a statement by
Mr Abdul-Hamed Salawu, the council’s Executive Chairman, on Thursday.

According to Salawu efforts have been intensified to prevent and curb the spread of the disease within the local government area.

He said that in recognition of the need for a comprehensive approach, council had also engaged key stakeholders to conduct thorough inspections of residences to ensure proper sanitation practices.

He said, ”We have directed the Head of Department (HOD) Environmental Health Mr Hafeez Ogunbekun, to monitor and sensitise residents on environmental hygiene.

”The health and safety of our residents are paramount.

”We must take immediate action to ensure that every household adheres to the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene.”

He urged residents to cooperate fully with health officers and follow recommended sanitary practices, such as proper waste disposal and regular hand washing with clean water.

”We have launched public enlightenment among the traditional birth attendants in Somolu against the outbreak.

”We have launched a campaign against cholera in major communities and wards even among the traditional birth attendants.

”This grassroots initiative aims to raise awareness and educate the public about the disease and how to prevent its spread,” he stated.

The chairman also tasked Health Educators to intensify their outreach, particularly in schools, markets and Primary Healthcare Centres.

The council boss said that rigorous public education on public hygiene was crucial in preventing and controlling the cholera outbreak.

”The efforts include public awareness campaigns, distribution of sanitation supplies and collaboration with healthcare providers to freely treat and monitor affected individuals.

”We are taken proactive stance by involving key stakeholders, underscores the local government’s commitment to safeguarding public health and preventing future outbreaks,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

AKA/DOE
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Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

Take ownership of fight against child labour —FG tells Nigerians

Labour

By Joan Nwagwu

Abuja, June 27, 2024!(NAN)The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to take the fight against child labour and forced labour in the country as a collective responsibility for the citizenry.

Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, made the call at the third edition of the National Children Conference to mark the elimination of child labour on Thursday in Abuja.

The Conference was also organised in commemoration of the 2024 World Day Against Child with the theme,”Let’s Act on our Commitments to End Child Labour”.

According to Onyejeocha, we all are aware, the current global statistics shows that 160 million children, nearly one in 10 worldwide are engaged in child labour,.

“About 25 million adults and children are in forced labour, including in global supply chains.

“It is a global menace that has proven to potentially hinder the development of children, leading to a lifelong physical and psychological damage.

”Also keeping the children out of school, thereby perpetuating poverty across generations.

“I humbly encourage everyone to take ownership in the fight against child labour and forced labour, and ensure the protection of the rights of citizens,” the minister said.

She said to address the challenges of child labour, Nigeria had made giant strides in the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions 138 on the minimum age for work, 182 on the worst forms of child labour, among others.

She also added that there was an ongoing review of the labour standard bill to mainstream child labour, with special consideration on the adoption of 15 years as the minimum age for work/employment.

“I am here today to assure you that the situation of Child Labour will not continue.

“I promise to use my good office to reach out to all those in authority to ensure that all Nigerian children will go to school and remain in school,” she said.

Dr Vanessa Phala, ILO Country Director to Nigeria, called on children to be part of the advocacy against child labour.

Phala, represented by Dr Agatha Kolawole, ILO Project Coordinator on Child Labour, also called for the passage of the Labour Standard Bill as its passage would completely eliminate the issue of child labour in the country.

Speaking, Mrs Olaitan Olaolu, Director of Inspectorate Department, Ministry of Labour and Employment, said the conference was apt towards the elimination of child labour in the country.

Also, Mrs Judith Tietie, Head Abuja Corporate Office, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) said they would continue to educate employers on the importance of not employing children in the working environment.

“We as employers, we have recognised our responsibilities and to create an environment where every child will drive and grow to their full potential.

” We have also realised that making children work when they are young weaken the labour force of the economy that is why the issue of child labour must be eradicated,” she said.

Some of the children who spoke to NAN called on the Federal Government to do all that was possible to eliminate the menace.

Ms Esther Bassey, National Representative of the FCT Children Parliament, called on government to take decisive action in ending child labour in the country.

“We want them to act on their commitment, we want them to put all those promises in place and execute it so that it will be beneficial to all the children on the streets,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
JAN/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

NGOs tasks families on championing fight against drug abuse

Drugs
By Sumaila Ogbaje/Angela Atabo
Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Grace Thomas Foundation in collaboration with Christopher Oghogho Foundation, have called on families especially parents to be at the forefront in the fight against drug abuse to build a better society.

The Non-Governmental Organisations made the call at a Women and Family Drug Education Programme (WOFADEP) with the theme “The Role of Family in Drug Abuse Prevention’’ on Thursday in Abuja.

The Chief Executive Officer, Grace Thomas Foundation, Mrs Rejoice Henry-Wesley, said the move to address drug abuse from the family level was imperative.

Henry-Wesley said that the drug use was a universal problem that transcends boundaries and could affect any family.

According to her, when drug user is discovered within a family, it often leads to considerable stress, conflicts, and a pervasive sense of helplessness.

“The associated shame can cause both the family and the individual using drugs to deny the problem, further complicating the path to recovery and support.

“The Grace Thomas foundation was birthed out of my personal experience of losing a beloved sister to substance abuse.

“It was very tragic and because of that experience, we are inspired to enlighten and educate people so that they don’t go through the same struggles that my family suffered when my sister was abusing drugs,’’ she said.

Henry-Wesley said that education could reduce substance abuse by 50 per cent adding that educating the family would help in reducing drug abuse.

She advised women to stay close to their children, look out for the signs and be their children’s friends so as to be able to stop them from making wrong friends.

According to her, mothers should to also enlighten their children and let them know the dangers of abuse of drugs.

She said the event was organised with the aim to tackle the problem of drug abuse from a family perspective, emphasising the crucial role that families could play in preventing the menace.

Mrs Celina Onogwu, Member of Christopher Oghogho Foundation for Women, Girls and Youth, said there was need to sensitise Nigerians on the use of drug, particularly with the families especially with women.

Onogwu said that drug abuse was gradually taking over the society, adding that more women were involved in it which had affected families negatively.

She said the foundations had brought stakeholders to share information and experiences to enable families and people involved in drug abuse to know the effects.

“It is to also help family members to know what to do. So it is very important that this is happening right now.

“We the Christopher Oghogho Foundation, since we are focused on making sure that we contribute to society positively, we are joining them to make this possible, to give them our full support,’’ she added.

A representative of NDLEA, Precious Oyutu, an Assistant Commander of Narcotics, said that it was necessary to start the fight against drug abuse from the family level since all abuser came from families.

Oyutu said that educating the families on coping strategies and the way they should talk to their children was imperative in tackling the menace of substance abuse.

According to her, the pivotal role of family in preventing drug abuse cannot be overstated.

“By fostering and nurturing family environments, establishing supportive networks, and advocating for comprehensive preventive measures, society can create a resilient foundation that mitigates the risks and impacts of substance abuse,’’ she said.

A member of Women of Worth, Edith Bagorma, said that the issue of drugs abuse was becoming worrisome and it was apt for organisations to collaborate to address the menace.

Bagorma urged women to drive the fight against drug abuse being the closest to their children, urging stakeholders to leverage their collective effort to tackle drug abuse. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OYS/ATAB/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

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Don tasks Nigerians on water treatment to prevent waterborne diseases

Water
By George Edomwonyi
Iyamoh (Edo State), June 27, 2024 (NAN) A Don, Prof. Anthony Ugbenyen, has challenged
Nigerians to always subject domestic water to treatment before use to prevent waterborne diseases.

He made the call while delivering the 16th Inaugural Lecture at the Edo State University, Uzairue, on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture has “Biopolymers as Eco-friendly Alternative in Water/Wastewater Purification: A Public Health Concern” as its theme.

Ugbenyen, a professor in the Department of Biochemistry, said “water is an important natural resources for the survival of living organisms, production of food and for other purposes.”

He added that water is prone to different contamination and pollution that makes it difficult for use without treatment.

“There is need to educate Nigerians on water treatment and disinfection process before use.

“Subjecting water to treatment and disinfection will reduce the risk of heavy metal toxicities and waterborne diseases.”

Ugbenyen added that water related diseases are common in the country and spread by pathogenic micro-organisms that transmit bacteria or viral infections into rivers, wells and rain water.

He explained that “waters obtained from boreholes and rivers are considered unsafe for domestic consumption without proper treatment and disinfection in spite of good physicochemical properties.

“The unsafe nature of such water is due to the level of heavy metals in it, which is higher than the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended limits.”

He urged government to set up an evaluation body to see to the periodic check of natural water bodies, as well as prevent excessive human anthropogenic activities that may result to contamination of the water.

He added that “there is need for sensitisation on proper waste management and the consequence of anthropogenic activities that may result to water contamination.”

Earlier, the acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Dawood Egbefo, said the lecture is to
encourage young professors to share knowledge and promote academic excellence.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
GE/FEO/HA
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Edited by Francis Onyeukwu/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

GBV Response: USAID trains 1,105 persons in Ebonyi

Training

By Uchenna Ugwu

Abakaliki, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The United States Agency for International Development Momentum Country and Global Leadership (USAID-MCGL) said it  trained 1,105 persons on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) response in Ebonyi.

The Team Lead of the project, Mrs Nneka Chijioke-Dikeocha, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abakaliki, during stakeholders meeting to mark the end of the project in the state the theme “Consolidation, Sustainability and Ownership.”

Chijioke-Dikeocha said the project was meant to address maternal mortality and morbidity by preventing and mitigating the consequences of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAW/G).

She said the project was also designed to tackle possible drivers of early and forced marriages.

She explained that MCGL had also trained 394 healthcare workers in collaboration with the Ebonyi Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

“Others include the agencies on first line response, concerning postpartum family planning and adolescent response care.

“The project from its inception in 2021, captured the training of multi-sectoral taskforce members and key stakeholders on smart advocacy, resource mobilisation and child safe guarding approaches.

“Others include capacity development of local partners, establishment of women savings and loans group.

“Also, integration of GBV services into routine Ante-Natal Clinic/Family Planning services through a study in 20 selected MCGL supported sites, among others.

“The collaboration with the ministry and other development partners was to facilitate cross learning between Ebonyi and Sokoto states and provide support.”

The wife of the Governor, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, through her foundation, Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons (BERWO), applauded the organisation for changing the narrative, where GBV was viewed as part of people’s culture.

Nwifuru, represented by Mrs Nkechi Echiegu, the Team Leader of BERWO, disclosed that the foundation was currently using trained members of the multi-sectoral taskforce across council areas for sustainability of the project.

He added that “concerning maternal mortality and newborn, I have taken it upon myself to enroll 4,076 women into Healthcare Insurance Scheme to enable them to access free ante-natal and free child birth.

“And the scheme is reducing child mortality, I equally enrolled children between zero to five years old, with all this, we are reducing infant mortality in the state.

“I really commend the organisation for establishing the community structure aimed at enhancing the objective of MCGL.”

Nwifuru also disclosed that her foundation plans to build a standard GBV centre with rehabilitation section in the state before 2027.

Mrs Felicia Nwankpuma, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Joy Mbam, described the project from USAID as “transformative with profound impacts on the lives of many women and children.

“Over the past four years, USAID-MCGL has demonstrated exceptional commitment, expertise and support, together, we have launched and implemented numerous initiatives that have advanced gender equality, strengthened responses to GBV.”

The Commissioner for Grants and Donor Agencies, Mr Solomon Azi, acknowledged the impact of the GBV training.

He said “GBV survivors have been equipped with temporary shelter, while men were educated on the need to support their wives.

“MCGL has also educated our youths, mostly girls, with adequate information on post-partum, family planning.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

UVU/ACA/HA

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Widows

By Philip Yatai

Abuja, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Helpline Social Support Initiative, an NGO, says it is mobilising support for widows in the Federal capital Territory, Abuja, in their journey toward economic independence and self-empowerment.

The President of the NGO, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, stated this in Abuja on Wednesday, during a skills exhibition and charity sales, organised by the initiative to commemorate the 2024 International Widows Day.

Ahmadu, who was represented by the Project Manager of the organisation, Mr Arome Onoja, said that the event was organised to celebrate the talents and resilience of widows.

“We are here to celebrate the strength and resilience of widows, who in spite of facing immense challenges and grief have emerged as beacons of hope and agents of positive change.

“Today, as we showcase the skills and creativity of widows, let us not only admire their craftsmanship but also recognise the crucial role they play in promoting peace and democracy within their communities.

“By purchasing their products and promoting their skills, we are not just investing in their future but also acknowledging their ability to contribute meaningfully to society,” she said.

She further said: “As we engage in the charity sales today, I urge each one of you to support these widows not just with your purchases, but also by spreading awareness about their skills and advocating for their rights.

“Let us stand together in solidarity with widows around the world and work towards creating a more inclusive, peaceful and democratic society for all.”

She pointed out that widows have a unique perspective and a powerful voice that could contribute to fostering harmony, understanding, and inclusion in society.

According to her, their stories will inspire us to strive for a more just, equitable, and peaceful world for all.

“We firmly believe that peace and democracy are essential pillars for the empowerment and well-being of widows around the world.

“As we mark the 2024 International Widows Day, let us reflect on the importance of inclusion, diversity, and gender equality in building a more harmonious and democratic society.

“Widows bring a unique perspective and experience to the table, and it is crucial that their voices are heard and valued in decision-making processes at all levels.”

Ahmadu pledged that her organisation would continue to provide widows with the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive and participate fully in their communities.

She added that by empowering widows, “we are not only promoting gender equality but also advancing the cause of peace, democracy, and social justice.”

One of the beneficiaries from Gwagwalada Area Council, Hajara Muhammad, thanked the organisation for all the support to enable widows to survive and thrive.

Also, Mrs Kande Malam, a widow living in Area 1, Garki, said that Helpline Social Support Initiative had helped her with the needed financial resources to start a snack business.

“We started with a small measure of sesame seed and eventually diversified into production of duvet, liquid soap, and air freshener among other products,” she said.

The widow called for more support from government and well-meaning Nigerians to come up with initiatives that would encourage and empower widows. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FDY/AMM

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru