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Health

Association attributes high cost of medical tests to importation of consumables

Association attributes high cost of medical tests to importation of consumables
By Felicia Imohimi
Importation
Abuja, July 4, 2018 (NAN) The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has attributed high cost of healthcare delivery in the country to importation of consumables and other medicaments.
Dr Casmir Ifeanyi, the Spokesman of the association, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
Ifeanyi noted that since 2015 all the consumables and medicament, including reagents, used in the course of medical diagnostic, treatment and general management and prevention of diseases were imported.
“Simple needle and infusion, cotton wool are not 100 per cent produced in the country,’’ he said, adding “this is contributing the high cost of medical services’’.
Ifeanyi further identified cost of accommodation for private health practitioners as well as multiple taxation as contributing factors against achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“All consumables and medicaments used in the diagnosis, treatment, general management and prevention of diseases are all imported and the companies charge exorbitant cost because foreign exchange is involved.
“All that impede negatively into billing and determination of cost or access to treatment in the country, this results in exorbitant cost,” the spokesman said.
Ifeanyi however flayed the intervention of government through the Bank of Industry and the African Development Bank, saying such measures are not the way forward in addressing this challenge.
He advised government to embark on capacity building for in-country production of consumables, diagnosis and supporting people that have expressed ingenuity in this regard.
According to him, one of his friends that has a factory with the capacity of producing the best test kits for HIV, TB, Syphilis and pregnancy, among others, closed the factory due to lack of support and encouragement by the government.
He emphasised that there was nothing we could achieve by depending on importation of medical consumables, describing internal production as key in achieving UHC.
“The way forward is that government must indeed continue to provide enabling environment for people to begin to produce basic consumables even cotton wool and when we start producing prices of healthcare services will come down.
“We must identify various talents who have intellectual capacity, skills to be able to produce things in this country and government must find way of supporting them in order to become self sufficient in the production of some medical consumables.
“Such efforts will have ripple effect on ability and prices by health care practitioners on medical services will dropped for easier access by the entire populace,” he said.
NAN reports that simple malaria test ranges between N900 and N1,200, depending on the service provider and location. (NAN)
FUA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Association want Nigerians to collect PVCs

Association want Nigerians to collect PVCs
By Awayi Kuje
PVCs
Akun (Nasarawa State), July 2, 2018 (NAN) The Eggon Cultural and Development Association (ECDA), Wakama national body, Nasarawa State, has called on registered voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and vote credible leaders in the 2019 general elections.
Mr Usman Alaku, the President of the association, made the appeal on Monday at a joint meeting with branch officials and members of ECDA, Ezhiba chapter, Akun Development Area of the state.
He said that the aimed of the meeting was to brief the community leaders and their members on the progress and development of Eggon nation.
Alaku added that the aim of the meeting was also to discuss issues that would foster unity and peace among Eggon people and their neighbours.
“PVC is your right to vote and to be voted for.
“ I urge you all and other Nigerians who are yet to register with INEC to do so and collect their PVCs in order to vote leaders of their choice and leaders of proven integrity during the 2019 election,’’ he said.
Alaku, who called on the community and Nigerians at large to be their brother’s keeper and tolerate one another, added that peace is a necessary requirement for the development of any society.
He also called on the community leaders and stakeholders to educate their subjects on the importance of registering with and collecting their PVCs from INEC.
According to him, the registration by voters and collection of PVCs with INEC are very essential to the individuals as well as for the success of the forthcoming elections.
The ECDA president also called on Nigerians to come out en masse and vote credible leaders for the sustenance of democracy in the general election.
Alaku further advised youths not to allow themselves to be used by politicians as agents of destruction during and after the elections.
He commended the branch officials of the association for keying into good policies and programmes that had direct bearing on the lives of the people of the area and called for its sustenance.
Welcoming the national officials of the association earlier, Mr David Boka, Chairman, ECDA Ezhiba chapter, assured them of his readiness to continue to preach the message of unity and peace among Eggon people and their neighbours.
Boka said peace was priceless, hence the need for all stakeholders to collaborate with the association in order to continue to educate the people on the need to embrace peace at all times.
The branch chairman also called on parents to give adequate attention to the education of their children.
He added that education was the best legacy parents and government should bequeath their children and citizens.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was attended by the Village Head of Ezhiba community, Mr Paul Angbre, politicians, youths, women, religious and other community leaders. (NAN)
AKW/GOM/MST
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Environment

Association hosts conference on public water utilities

Association hosts conference on public water utilities

Water
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, June 25, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Water Supply Association is set to host its first International Practitioners conference to promote efficiency of public water utilities in the country.

The Chairman, Conference Sub-Technical Committee, Mr Timeyin Uwejamomere, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

Uwejamomere said that the conference was slated from July 2nd to 5th, adding that it was an opportunity to see how these water utilities would meet the demands of the 21st century.

He said the theme of the Conference is: “Transforming Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Facilities into Financially Viable Entities.

He said that the theme became necessary, following years of loss of revenue in the sector.

According to him, Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, will be the Guest of Honour to declare the event open, while the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, will open the plenary session.

“Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, will speak on Transforming Water Supply, while his Bauchi Counterpart, Governor Mohammed Abubakar, will speak on Sanitation.

“The association is a professional body formed to provide platform for coordinating and supporting improved water supply and sanitation services in the country.

NAN quotes a report from the International Bench Marking Network by the World Bank on Water Agencies, which shows that nearly all states were under-performing when compared to similar agencies around the world.

The Minister of Water Resources, Adamu had observed that there was a ‘Cycle of stagnation’ in the public water utilities.

According to him, these services are generally poor which make the customers to be dissatisfied and thus unwilling to pay their water bills.

“This results in low revenue base of the agencies and weak finances to carry out operation and maintenance, this lack of maintenance of the water assets makes them to deteriorate thus leading to poor services.

“At the foundation of the stagnation cycle is: lack of enabling environment and adequate financial investment, State Governments, weak institutions and inadequate staff capacities of the agencies.

“Thus, the required autonomy and means of accountability for performances are totally absent, we cannot continue to go this way, these trend must be reversed and the time to do it is now,” he said. (NAN)
TAK/VOE/AFA
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Edited by Vivian Emoni/Felix Ajide

 

Health

Medical tourism: Association demands capacity building for nurses

Medical tourism: Association demands capacity building for nurses
By Mercy Osajiugo
Nurses
Minna, June 22, 2018 (NAN) The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has called for capacity building of nurses in the country through training and retraining to discourage medical tourism.
Mrs Ruth Adore, the branch Chairperson of NANNM, General Hospital Minna, Niger State, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Friday.
She said a lot of opportunities abound for nurses to go on local and foreign training but the chances slip off because employers do not sponsor them for such empowerment.
She noted that such opportunities would enhance their skills and update their knowledge on modern medical methodology.
“It is selfish on the part of Niger Government because they have made us miss so many opportunities locally and internationally.
“The only way medical tourism can be minimised is for government to give us training and retraining.
“When they avail us such opportunities, they will be achieving many things at a time; patients will not want to travel out of the state to assess medical care.
“It is unethical, it is crude and unprofessional for us to remain just with the knowledge we acquired while we were in school,” she said.
She added capacity building would help nurses tackle medical healthcare challenges.
Adore also decried the substandard medical apparatus at their disposal, saying it is a huge disregard to quality healthcare delivery.
“The most common apparatus we use like sphygmomanometer for measuring blood pressure most times fails us because what we have as tool is substandard and it slows our daily routine.
“It is our daily routine apparatus but it usually fails us because it is not original.
“We cannot continue like this, in human health you do not gamble or joggle with any tool that is fake because it is tantamount to quackery,” she said.
Adore however appealed to the state government to check for quality while placing order for medical equipment.
“There is need to carry us along while contracting for the purchase of medical equipment.
“We use them and our input will go a long way in achieving the very best for us and the state,” she said.
While appealing to Gov. Sani Bello to give the association the opportunity to see him on varied issues, Adore said that would help them and the state in addressing challenges of the sector.
“He needs to know the problem that is bedevilling us and the health system as whole.
“Managing medical resources or using substandard equipment will swindle us medically and economically, the consequence is grave because we will fail in rendering quality health services,” she said. (NAN)
MNO/COA/MST
By Constance Imasuen/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Health association warns members against unprofessional conduct

Health association warns members against unprofessional conduct
By Awayi Kuje
Warning
Keffi (Nasarawa State), May 21, 2018 (NAN) The National Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria, Nasarawa State chapter, has warned its members against unprofessional conduct in healthcare delivery or risk sanctions.
Mr Abdullahi Musa, the state Chairman of the association, gave the warninge on Monday during the monthly meeting of the association in Keffi, Keffi Local Government Area of the state.
He said that quackery and unprofessional conducts among health workers had negatively affected the health of many Nigerians, hence the need for collective efforts to tackle them in the sector.
Musa said the meeting was to discuss issues and challenges facing members of the association with the view to addressing them to better their welfare.
“The association will continue to initiate good policies and programmes that have direct bearing on the lives of its members and Nigerians at large.
“We will continue to tackle quackery in the health sector considering its negative effects on people’s health and societal development,” he said.
The chairman stressed the need for all health workers in the country to adhere strictly to their professional ethics in the interest of peace and the overall development of the health sector.
He threatened that the association would sanction any practitioner found wanting in the discharge of his/her duties in line with the ethics of the profession to serve as deterrent to others.
He advised members of the association to be disciplined, diligent, shun truancy and absenteeism for optimal productivity.
Mr Sule Thomas, former National Vice President of the association, called for unity among members in order to move the association to greater heights.
He encouraged the members to update their knowledge so as to compete favourably with their contemporaries in the interest of the health sector. (NAN)
AKW/CEO/MST
Edited by Chidi Opara/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Education

Association to build hostel for Nacabs poly students

,Association to build hostel for Nacabs poly students
By Awayi Kuje
Accommodation
Akwanga (Nasarawa State), April 23, 2018 (NAN) Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship (NCGF) has pledged to build a hostel students of Nacabs Polytechnic, Akwanga, Nasarawa State.
Prof. Charles Adisa, National President of the association, made this known on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akwanga of the state.
He said that the importance of hostel in any institution cannot be over-emphasised to the development of the education sector, hence the need for the association to provide accommodation for the students.
Adisa, also a professor of Surgery and Surgical Oncologist, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Umuahia, commended Mr David Abuluya, the proprietor of the school for establishing the institution.
“NCGF is made up of professionals from different tribes and groups, as we preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to Christians and other Nigerians as well as offering humanitarian services.
“When I was discussing with the proprietor, I noticed that there is a lot of space and I was asking if all their students are living in the school, he said no and I said that it will be nice if we partner with them and build a very good hostel for the students.
“He said that they will be very willing on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement.
“The NCGF by the grace of God has the capacity to do that because we have members all over the nation who can pool their resources together and give the students a befitting accommodation.
“We are all aware that the importance of hostels in the school for students cannot be over-emphasised to development of education sector.
“We have experts and professionals. We can also be part of mentorship of these students and we can also help in offering free medical services and other skills through training,’’ he said.
Adisa called on the students to take their studies seriously to excel in their academic pursuits.
He advised the students against cultism, examination malpractice and other negative tendencies that would stall their future.
The proprietor of the institution said he was overwhelmed receiving officials of the association in the polytechnic.
Abuluya assured them of his readiness to partner with them to improve on the standard of education in the institution and the state at large. (NAN)
AKW/OIF/MST
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Association advocates legislation for women rights

Association advocates legislation for women rights
NAN-H-7
Rights
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, March 7, 2018 (NAN) The Coordinator, African Women Lawyers Association, Abuja branch, Mrs Fauzat Bakrin, on Wednesday called on NGOs to push for legislation to promote the rights of women in the country.
Bakrin made the appeal while briefing newsmen in Abuja ahead of this year’s International Women Day themed “Time is Now: Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Women’s Lives’’.
She said women should synergise in rural and urban communities, saying there should be more rural advocacy and avoid round table advocacy.
“We should take our actions to the rural areas and educate them more about their rights not only as a woman, but as a human being.
“Men should also form most of our audiences at our fora, so that they will be more understanding of our cry for gender parity.
“I want to say finally that the International Women Day belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. Let us make it a collective effort,’’ Bakrin said.
She said women had suffered discrimination of all forms ranging from sexual abuses, domestic violence, inequality in pay packets and slavery.
“Over the centuries International Women Day have occurred with gathering of support of over million people all over the world.
“There are various women groups in the forum of NGOs fighting the course of women calling for accelerating gender parity though it won’t happen overnight to women across the world.
“From grass roots campaigns to global movements women’s activism over the decades for women’s rights calling out against all the discriminating acts against women,’’ she said.
Bakrin said the women empowerment would have a voice against discrimination, adding that they will be able to stand and fight for their rights.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Women’s Day is commemorated on March 8 every year. (NAN)
OEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Agriculture

FADAMA distributes farm implements to 19 tomato growers associations in Katsina

NAN-AE-4
Implements
Sandamu (Katsina State), Jan. 18, 2018 (NAN) The FADAMA III Additional Financing (AFII) Programme on Thursday distributed farm implements to 19 tomato growers associations in Sandamu Local Government Area of Katsina State so as to boost their productivity.

 

Alhaji Bashir Zango, the State FADAMA Project Coordinator, who distributed the implements to the beneficiaries in Ruma district, said that the programme was sponsored by the state government, in collaboration with the farmers’ association.

 

He said that the implements included 57 water pumping machines, 1,900 water generating pipes and 57 insecticide sprayers, adding that 60 bags of fertiliser were also distributed.

 

He said that a total of 190 tomato growers would benefit from the gesture, adding that the farmers from 19 associations were carefully selected for the programme.

 

“Each farmer will receive three bags of fertilisers — one bag of urea and two NPK fertilisers.

 

“We will drill 57 tube wells for the farmers and each association will get three tube wells.

 

“We urge the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items, as we will strictly monitor the programme implementation.

 

“We plan to expand the scope of the programme to accommodate more associations,’’ Zango said.

 

In his remarks, Alhaji Usman Ahmed, Director of Agriculture, Sandamu Local Government Council, represented by Mr Sada Rawayau, Head, Local Government Administration, commended the state government for the programme.

 

He said that the programme would provide employment opportunities for the youth, while alleviating poverty in the society in general.

 

“The programme will boost food security in the area, as tomato will be produced in commercial quantities.

 

“The market is ready and tomato sales will not be a problem for the farmers,’’ Rawayau added. (NAN)
BKD/VIV/OOK
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Edited by Vivian Ihechu and Dayo Komolafe

Health

Marriage: Association advocates HIV/AIDS screening

Marriage: Association advocates HIV/AIDS screening
NAN-HG-10
Screening
By Abdullahi Shugaba
Dutse, Oct. 27, 2017 (NAN) Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad, the Chairman, People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Jigawa, has advised intending couples to go for HIV/AIDS screening before marriage.
Muhammad gave the advice while speaking with newsmen in Dutse on Friday.
He commended the Jigawa House of Assembly for passing a law making it compulsory for a man and woman to go for screening before marriage.
The chairman said that the measure taken by government was to reduce the prevalence of the disease in the state.
Muhammad said that their association was creating awareness to the people of the state in public places, including markets and motor parks, on how they can avoid contact with HIV/AIDs.
He added that they were also using the media in the campaign against the spread of HIV/AIDs in the state.
The chairman advised members of the public to go for screening with a view to knowing their status because HIV/AIDs don’t show on the face.
Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of the association in the state, Hajiya Basira Yahaya, said that they have been encouraging women to go for antenatal through to enable them know their status.
Basira also advised women to avoid using knives that cut other women especially during festivities or occasions at the processes of cutting onions, tomatoes or meat without sterilisation. (NAN)
AIS/COO/MST
Edited by Cecilia Odey/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Education

Lack of political will, certificate desperation fuels exam malpractice – Association

Lack of political will, certificate desperation fuels exam malpractice – Association

NAN-H-26

Education

By Awayi Kuje

Keffi (Nasarawa State), June 2, 2017 (NAN) The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Nasarawa State chapter, has identified lack of political will by government at all levels to prioritise education as a major cause for examination malpractice in the country.

The association also identified desperation for certificates, corruption, low quality and dysfunctional education system as other reasons for the examination malpractice.

Mrs Charity Manzuche, the state Chairman of the association, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Keffi.

Manzuche, a former commissioner for Women Affairs and Proprietor of Shalom Christian Academy, Akwanga, said that the only therapy for examination malpractice is to promote and deliver quality and functional education.

“Education is expected to be a transformative tool but on the contrary we are not getting the best, why because we promote certificate more than knowledge, hence the genesis of examination malpractice in our national landscape.

“It is also because of lack of coherence between the education policy, traditional values and the cultural practices as well as lack of total commitment of the government to educational matters especially on allocation of resources to the sector.

“Poor welfare package for teachers which make them feel that they are second-rated personnel in the economy are some of the reasons fuelling examination malpractice in schools,” she said.

According to her, examination malpractice in schools is counter-productive to the purpose and goals of the nation.

Manzuche explained that was why the country’s economy got worst because the educators who are expected to be positive models are now promoting and serving as mercenaries for miracle centres.

She called on civil society and other relevant stakeholders to take drastic steps to ensure that examination malpractice is curbed in schools and the society at large.

The chairman therefore called on the government to support private schools with grants in order to improve on the standard of education in the state.

Mr Oyebisi Davidcrown, the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Educational Empowerment and Orientation (CEEO Nigeria), an NGO, also told NAN that examination malpractice had affected the education sector negatively.

He called for all hands to be on deck in order to address the menace for the overall development of the education sector and the country at large.

The chief executive officer advised students to always take their studies seriously in order to excel in their academic pursuit so as to justify their parents and government huge investment in their training.
AKW/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola