Category: Health

Marwa blames porous borders for drug trafficking in West Africa

Drugs

By Folasade Akpan

Abuja, June 25, 2024 (NAN) Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, the Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says the porousness of West African borders contribute to the trafficking of illicit substances in the region.

Marwa said this in an address on Tuesday in Abuja, during a media conference to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that June 26 every year is set aside to commemorate the day and the theme for 2024 is: “Evidence is Clear, Invest in Prevention”.

Marwa was represented by Mr Chigbu Chilee, Deputy Commander of Narcotics and the Assistant Director, Drug Demand Reduction Directorate.

“In West Africa, and specifically in Nigeria, drug trafficking and abuse are often seen as complex issues with deep-rooted social and economic factors.

“For example, poverty, unemployment, and a lack of educational opportunities contribute to the vulnerability of individuals to drug trafficking and abuse.

“Furthermore, the region’s porous borders and proximity to major drug trafficking routes make it a vulnerable transit point for illicit substances.”

Marwa, however, said that the evidence was overwhelming that these activities have devastating consequences for individuals, communities, and societies.

According to him, investing in prevention is crucial to address the complex challenges of drug trafficking and abuse.

“Prevention programmes are critical to reducing demand, mitigating the social and health impacts of drug abuse, criminal justice and safety, and ultimately breaking the cycle of addiction.

“By supporting community-based initiatives, promoting education and awareness, and strengthening law enforcement efforts, we can create a safer and healthier future for all.”

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, while quoting the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, said that the prevalence of drug use in Nigeria was 14.4 per cent.

Pate, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, said that the figure was equivalent to 14.3 million people between the ages of 15 and 64 years, who use drugs like cannabis, amphetamines, tramadol, codeine, and cocaine.

According to him, this means that the menace of drug abuse has reached an epidemic proportion.

“Available statistics states that about 2.5 million drug related deaths occur annually in Nigeria,” he said.

The Country Representative, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Walter Mulombo, said that injecting drugs remained a significant driver of infectious diseases globally, with one in every eight people who inject drugs living with HIV (World Drug Report 2023).

Mulombo, who was represented by Dr Mya Ngo, said that Nigeria with its estimated 200,000 injecting drug users had a prevalence of HIV of 10.9 per cent.

Also, that it has a prevalence of Hepatitis B of 6.7 per cent and Hepatitis C of 5.8 per cent.

“However, in the past decade, deaths due to HIV/AIDS infection among drug users have declined; this can be attributed to the deliberate efforts to reach people who inject drugs with harm reduction services.”

He called on the Federal Government to improve access to drug use prevention, early detection and treatment services for drug use disorders and its related harms as the negative consequences were felt by the individual, their families and the society.

“These it can achieve through enhanced prevention programmes, scaling up effective treatment and harm reduction services, continuous monitoring as well as proper documentation of the drug use pattern to inform effective service delivery and policy changes.”

NAN reports that the day serves as a reminder of the urgent need to invest in prevention programmes that address the root causes of drug trafficking and abuse. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FOF/AMM

=========

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Cancer registry 90% complete, ready in 6 months- NICRAT

Registry

By Folasade Akpan

Abuja, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government says that the proposed National Cancer Registry aimed at  aiding the centralising cancer data in Nigeria is ninety per cent complete and will be ready in six months.

The Director-General, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Aliyu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja, during a national workshop on Population-Based Cancer Registration.

The workshop was organised by NICRAT, African Cancer Registry Network (ACRN) and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

According to Aliyu, the Federal Government is desirous of establishing an updated, standardised cancer registry.

“This is so that any time there is need for information regarding cancer incidence, prevalence, morbidity and mortality; it will just be a click away.

“We are going to have a decentralised cancer registry in NICRAT like a kind of a dashboard, where on real time basis you can be having all information.

“If there is any increment in the incidence or mobility, morbidity and mortality, it will appear there.

“So the platform for the cancer registry is almost 90 per cent completed, so we are looking at within the span of five to six months to complete all the processes.”

Aliyu also said that what was obtainable presently was a mix of key population, but because of the large population of Nigerians, more population based cancer registry was more appropriate which the agency was working on.

The Coordinator, ACRN, Dr Maxwell Parkin, said that having cancer registries in Africa were important because they would give all the information needed on what’s going on in the cancer space in the continent.

According to him, in Africa, the network of cancer registries only consists of about 35 registers in 22 countries.

“So it’s only about half the countries in Africa that have functioning cancer registry.

“Here in Nigeria, there are about four or five cancer registers that are members of our network, but there are many more registries.

“The idea now is that NICRAT is going to work with us to improve the situation, strengthen and increase the number of cancer registries in Nigeria.”

He, however, said that there were many things to be done to build a network in registers in Nigeria for many years.

Parkin also said that government’s involvement was very important because the registers are there to help understand the nature of cancer problems, the priorities and what needed to be done.

Speaking about registry regulations, he said that not many countries in Africa have regulations at the moment, adding that it was becoming essential now to have a proper regulation for cancer registration.

“To say that we should treat it like other infectious diseases, where people have a duty and the regulations require them to notify cancer cases to the cancer registry.

“So at the moment that only occurs in two other countries, South Africa and Rwanda, and Nigeria is going to be the third country in Africa to have such a regulation in place.”

Prof. Emmanuel Ezeome, Director, Cancer Registry, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), said that the workshop was already addressing the challenge of training for key personnel that carry out the data collection.

According to him, without it, there will not be a reliable data.

He also said that within the registries there were funding issues, which the different hosting institutions needed to address.

“Meetings like this help us to brainstorm on how the individual registrars can support themselves to the activities through their research, but especially research through the engagement with companies that have stake in cancer management.

“So when they do that, then we know how to sustain the registries in different centres and then how they can now get us reliable data.

“The other issue is that without a reliable census in this country it will be difficult to calculate the rate of cancer in the country.

“So, we are using this opportunity to also plead with the government that it’s high time the national census is conducted.”

Ezeome said that whatever was being done in the different cancer registries, with a census the country would be able to have a baseline to use in calculating incidences and mortality rates.

He added that the cancer register would also help in different things that were relevant in cancer control and planning. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FOF/AMM

==========

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Gynecologist educates women on menopause coping mechanisms

Menopause
By Lilian U. Okoro
Lagos, June 25, 2024 (NAN) A Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Dr Ademola Ayodele, has identified menopause as “universal” among women, saying every woman will eventually go through it at one time or the other.

Ayodele, also the Medical Director of a Lagos-based private medical facility, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos, that women should see menopause as a way of coming of age, rather than feeling dejected or deprived.

He defined menopause as the absence of menstrual periods for 12 months, which occurs when a woman
stops producing the hormones that cause menstrual period for 12 months in a row.

The consultant said it is the time in a woman’s life when her periods (menstruation) stop, saying it is a natural, normal body change, accompanied by mood and emotional symptoms, irregular periods, sore breasts, dry vagina, among others.

He said that the ages at which menopause occur vary with individuals, noting that the earliest age considered normal is 40 years.

According to him, the actual age that most people enter menopause is after 45 years, but in Nigeria and most part of Africa, majority of women enter menopause between the ages of 49 and 51.

He added that “menopause is universal among women – meaning that every woman will eventually go through it at one time or the other.

“So, if we look at it that way, we will stop looking at it as a disease, the psychological attitude of the individual matters, and that is why some people call it `the golden-age experience’.

“So, even if a woman is having menopause before the age of 50, she should see it as a way of coming of age, rather than feeling dejected or deprived.”

Ayodele said that some factors could make menopause set in earlier than the normal time, identifying smoking and drug use as major risk factors for early menopause.

He explained that “for women who smoke, their menopause comes earlier than average and some hormonal drug use also can affect menopause.”

Ayodele also said that women experience menopausal symptoms at different levels, as some people’s symptoms could either be mild or moderate, while others experience severe symptoms.

According to him, for those whose symptoms are severe – there exists some different medical preparations and modulations that can help them to feel better.

He identified healthy lifestyles like maintaining healthy weight, exercises, sugar reduction and healthy diet as some of the approaches to effectively cope with menopause.

He noted that “every symptom of menopause can be effectively managed, whether it is heat wave, dryness of the private part or reduction in size of the breast, among others.

“There are drugs that people can use to minimise the symptoms and feel better.

“In fact, because of the universality of menopause, there are alternative remedies that people have discovered that help. But medically, the drugs are straight forward.

“They are either drugs that work directly on the body or hormonal,’’ he said.

Ayodele, therefore, advised women who feel disturbed to see a gynecologist and the appropriate drug would be prescribed.

He, however, said that most of the menopausal symptoms are self-limiting, saying that they last for few months to years and disappear afterward.

According to him, except for those who want to have babies, there shouldn’t be any reason for an individual trying to withhold/prevent menopause from setting in.

“Most symptoms are pre-menopausal signs that occur at the onset of menopause, which last for few months to years and disappear with time, leaving the woman to feel normal again.

“That’s why old people would have forgotten how they felt during their menopausal stage.

“If a woman is desirous of having babies, then she should get a gynecologist to manage that stage because menopause naturally signifies the end of reproductive age.

“However, with the help of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and other types of assisted reproductive technology (ART), post-menopausal women can be made to get pregnant,” Ayodele added.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
LUC/DE/HA
==========
Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Cholera: FCT schools take precautionary measures

Cholera
By Uche Bibilari
Gwagwalada (FCT), June 25, 2024 (NAN) Some primary schools in the FCT say they have evolved
precautionary measures to avoid the outbreak of cholera in the schools.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited some of the schools on Tuesday in Gwagwalada, observed that most schools have water drums and soap at designated places for pupils and teachers to wash their hands.

The schools said that the move is to ensure constant availability of potable water for the pupils and others.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a total of 1,141 suspected cases of cholera, with 65 confirmed cases.

The centre also reported 30 deaths across 96 local government areas in 30 states from Jan. 1 to June 11.

The NCDC listed 10 states that account for 90 per cent of the cholera burden in the country to include: Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa and Lagos.

The centre explained that cholera is a food and water-borne disease caused by vibrio cholerae, ingested through contaminated water and food.

It said that water contamination usually result from the faeces of infected individuals, during water collection, transportation, or storage at home, as food can also be contaminated by unclean hands during preparation or consumption.

The Assistant Headmaster, Administration at Pilot Science Primary School, Mr Ismaila Gishe, told NAN that the Local Education Authority (LEA) recently provided plastic water drum and purifier to purify the water before the pupils could drink it.

Gishe said the school management has also instructed teachers to sensitise pupils about the importance of personal hygiene.

He added that “the pupils were taught how to wash their hands before and after eating and after using the rest room.

“They were also sensitised on the need to cover their food and water to avoid flies, and to wash fruits
properly with clean water before consumption.

“We also sensitised them on the dangers of open defecation, and its negative impact to healthy wellbeing.”

He said that the school has followed all these instructions with action to ensure strict compliance, adding that it has been a huge success.

On the issue of food vendors in the school, he said the school has a committee that checks the food before it will be sold to the pupils.

According to him, any food that is not well prepared or noticed to be unhygienic, the committee will send such vendor away.

He urged parents to ensure maximum safety of their children or wards while at home to avoid any case of cholera in school.

Ms Amina Ibrahim, the Personal Assistant to the Headmaster, LEA Kontagora Estate Nursery and Primary School in Gwagwalada, Mr Moses Gbemileke, said the school has evolved some precautionary measures to ensure the safety of pupils.

She said that the school was supplied water drums and tablets to purify the water, adding that the school instructed the pupils to come with their own cups or containers from home for their personal use.

She added that “we instructed the pupils to bring their containers and cups from home so they could use it personally.

“These children are young and cannot understand the dangers of poor hygiene but the school has continued to teach and guide them on what to do.

“The school does not allow any random person to sell food and we ensure that
teachers taste the food before it is sold.

“Even the zobo (hibiscus leaves) drink that is sold in the school is prepared by a staff and consumed not only by the pupils, but teachers as well.

“If it is not safe, we will not encourage it and the teachers will not consume it too”, she said.

Ibrahim also said that pupils have been taught on the health implications of not washing their hands always, especially after using the toilet or playing.

She said the school would continue to do its best to ensure proper safety of both pupils and teachers.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
UU/DE/HA
=========
Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Strike

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

Ibadan, June 25, 2024 (NAN) Dr Solomon Olaoye, the Chairman, Association of Medical and Dental Officers (AMDO), Oyo State chapter, says members of the association are not participating in the ongoing health workers strike in the state.

Olaoye made the statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ibadan.

NAN reports that members of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) in the state, have been on indefinite strike since May 21.

The union said the strike, which was declared by the state Chairman, Dr Samuel Adeyemi, followed the state government’s refusal to address the demands of its members.

In a related development, the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) in the state, on Monday, embarked on a seven-day warning strike to press home their demands.

MHWUN is demanding that the new hazard allowance being paid to health workers in hospitals should also be paid to other health workers not posted to hospitals.

Olaoye said that medical and dental officers in the state did not join the ongoing strike because the union had no pending issues with the government.

According to him, the government has been magnanimous in granting some of their recent requests.

“Again, the recent outbreak of cholera in neighboring states, especially Lagos, is a major reason we will not think of any confrontation at this time.

“Our association is also currently engaging the state government to domesticate the recently approved adjusted basic consolidated payment approved by the Federal Government.

“The association believes in the Gov. Seyi Makinde-led administration’s ability to provide the enabling environment for medical personnel to be productive.

“While we are in solidarity with our partners in the health industry currently on strike, I plead with them to reconsider their stand and commence negotiation with the government in the interest of the people,” he said.

The AMDO chairman also called on the Oyo State Government to attend to the genuine requests of the unions through negotiation.

“This call is necessary to avoid possible unpleasant consequences that may arise in the event of any cholera outbreak,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
CC/CEO/AZU

==========

Edited by Chidi Opara and Azubuike Okeh

Tourism

By Abbas Bamalli

0803

Katsina, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The House of Representatives committee on Health institutions, says it is working towards ensuring that the rate of foreign medical tourism by Nigerians is reduced.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr Amos Magaji, who led members of the committee disclosed this on Tuesday during an oversight visit to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina.

According to him, the committee is doing its best to see that all the needed facilities, structures, workforce, and other necessary things are provided.

Magaji, representing Zango Kataf/Jaba Federal constituency of Kaduna State, said that the inspection of the health facilities was to know their conditions and ways to improve them for effective healthcare delivery in the state.

“One of the visions of the 10th National Assembly is to reduce medical tourism by ensuring that we reposition Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

“The aim is to make healthcare services affordable and accessible, especially in tertiary healthcare in Nigeria. In doing that, there are things we will address immediately and there are things we will address later.

“It is quite unfortunate that the government will spend a large amount on personnel costs of N14 billion, and you now have probably a capital project of N2 billion.

“If the government is spending N14 billion, we should be able to see maybe N20 billion for capital projects,” he said.

The chairman of the committee also called on the hospital management to always consider the federal character in their employment and appointment.

“We are also working to end any issues of the National Health Insurance (NHIS) decapitation,” he said.

He congratulated the hospital for its conversion from Federal Medical Centre to Teaching Hospital, hoping that it would not just change its nomenclature, but also translate into great transformation to fulfill its core mandates of training, research and providing services to the people of Katsina.

Earlier, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr Suleiman Bello said the hospital had carried out several capital projects in the last five years.

According to Bello, they have modern equipment and we will train consultants and specialists for quality healthcare delivery. (NAN)

AABS/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

NGO trains 40 women journalists on mediation, gender sensitive reporting

Training
By Zainab Oyekan
Jos, June 25, 2024 (NAN) CLEEN Foundation, an NGO, has organised a two-day training for 40 women journalists in Jos to help shape narratives, influence public perception, and contribute to mediation of conflicts and gender sensitive reportage.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training, which opened on Tuesday, was co-organised by UNWomen.

Mr Gad Peter, the Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, said the workshop would enable journalists to understand the principles of conflict-sensitive journalism and mediation.

He said journalists, as frontline practitioners, are faced with challenges on conflict reporting.

Peter added that media practitioners must come up with unique perspectives and invaluable insights on conflict reporting.

He stressed the need for such reports to not only be accurate and responsible, but empathetic and inclusive.

He said that as journalists and media practitioners, stories should not just be about delivering news but about shaping narratives, influencing public perception, and ultimately contributing to the resolution and mediation of conflicts.

The CLEEN Foundation boss said the training would also emphasise the unique challenges and opportunities faced, especially by women, in the field of journalism.

According to him, the workshop will provide a unique opportunity to build a network of peers who share commitment to responsible journalism.

He added that “understanding the intricate dynamics of conflicts will help journalists to report in a manner that will promote peace and empathy.

“Through interactive sessions, practical exercises and real-world case studies, journalists will be equipped with the skills needed for responsible and effective conflict reportage.

“Experiences and best practices with fellow journalists will strengthen their ability to navigate the challenges of conflict reporting and enhance professional growth.”

He noted that responsible journalism would also promote profound impact and urged women in the media industry to report professionally.

“Your reporting can shape narratives, influence public opinion, and contribute significantly to conflict resolution and peace building,” he added.

The director, therefore, urged the selected journalists to use the workshop to enhance professional capabilities and make positive difference through their work. (NAN)(www.nannews,ng)
OIZ/CEO/HA
===========
Edited by Chidi Opara/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

No Cholera outbreak in Anambra – Health Commissioner

Cholera

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

Awka, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The Anambra State Government, on Tuesday, said it has not recorded any case of Cholera in the state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka that the ministry has nevertheless activated Emergency Response Teams across the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Obidike said the proactive measures and heightened vigilance in the state followed reported confirmed cases of cholera in neighbouring states of Imo, Abia, and Delta.

“Although Anambra has not yet reported any case of cholera, but we have activated the state’s Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers across the 21 LGAs in response to cholera outbreak in Nigeria.

“Emergency response teams are also actively conducting surveillance in communities in the 21 LGAs to promptly identify and contain any potential cases.

“We have commenced public education campaigns to raise awareness about cholera and emphasise on preventive measures in homes and communities.

“The media has been engaged to disseminate crucial information and educate the public about the signs, symptoms, and preventive strategies for cholera,” he said.

The commissioner described cholera as an acute diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

According to him, the bacterium poses significant health risks due to its potential to cause severe dehydration, vomiting, and, in severe cases, death if left untreated.

Obidike said that the transmission of cholera was primarily through the consumption of contaminated food or water.

He urged residents to imbibe clean, hygienic and safe health practices and be vigilant of happenings within their environment.

“As of January 2024, Nigeria has been grappling with a significant cholera burden, with 1528 suspected cases and 53 reported deaths across 31 states and 107 LGAs.

“So, the collaborative efforts of health authorities, emergency response teams, and community members are crucial in containing the spread of cholera and mitigating its impact on public health,” the commissioner said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

LCO/AOS

=========

Edited by Bayo Sekoni