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Coalition destroys Yemeni rebel drones targeting S/Arabia

Coalition destroys Yemeni rebel drones targeting S/Arabia
Coalition
Riyadh, July 23, 2019 (dpa/NAN) Saudi-led coalition forces intercepted and destroyed drones launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels toward Saudi Arabia, coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said on Tuesday.
Al-Malki said the drones were launched toward residential areas in the south-western region of Asir.
This was according to a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency.
“In recent months, Houthis have launched a string of drone and missile attacks into Saudi territory, which the rebels said were to defend themselves against the coalition’s strikes.
The Saudi coalition had been fighting the Houthis since 2015, when it was formed to counter advances by the Iran-allied rebels toward the Yemeni government’s temporary seat in Aden.
The rebels took over the capital Sana’a and other areas in late 2014.
The devastating power struggle between the Saudi-backed government and the Houthis has left Yemen, already one of the Arab world’s poorest countries, with a hunger crisis and massive damage to infrastructure across the country. (dpa/NAN)
YI/MST
Edited by Yahaya Isah/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Elder Abuse Day: Ex-lawmaker, older persons task govts on welfare

Elder Abuse Day: Ex-lawmaker, older persons task govts on welfare

By Sylvester Thompson
Elders
Abuja, June 15, 2019 (NAN) As the world marks the 2019 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Saturday, the Coalition for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN) has called on governments to address the welfare of older persons.

The group is asking for improved healthcare, social security and prompt payment of pensions and stipends for older persons in the country.

The coalition noted that the senior citizens have contributed to national progress in their prime and consequently deserve attention now that they are less active.

Sen. Eze Ajoku, former senator representing Imo East, who is the President of COSROPIN, made the appeal at an event to mark the 2019 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Abuja.

The event had its motto as: “Lifting up your voices’’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 66/127, designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

It represents the one-day in the year when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted on some of our older generations.

Elder abuse is a global social issue which affects the health and human rights of millions of older persons around the world, and an issue which deserves the attention of the international community.

The theme for 2019 Elder Abuse Awareness Day is: “Access to Justice: Legal, Social and Economic Services for Older Victims of Sexual, Physical and Financial Crimes”.

Ajoku said: “Government has done very little to ameliorate the plight of older persons either through policies or legislation.

“We are asking the Federal Government, among other things, to fast track the Social Security Act which is a poverty safety net for older persons in order to reduce their sufferings.’’

He said the healthcare system at the rural levels should be improved upon for the benefit of this set of people.

Ajoku also said that government at all levels must facilitate the payment of pensions and stipends to older persons as well as create day care facilities for them.

According to him, there is no national policy on ageing that is why COSROPIN has come up with a draft bill which will be forwarded to the ninth National Assembly with strong hope of passage.

“Elderly people suffer several societal ills ranging from neglect to verbal, physical, emotional, material and financial abuses.

“Older Nigerians are vital as contributing members of the society, hence their abuse or neglect diminishes all of us.’’

He noted that the Elder Abuse Awareness Day should remind every Nigerian that each one has a role to play by focusing attention on “elder justice’’.

He said with this year’s motto of “Lifting Up Your Voices,’’ COSROPIN wants all Nigerians to say no to elder abuse.

Ajoku added that in a society where cultural values of respect for elders are firmly rooted, it is disheartening that older persons are still treated with disdain.

He also advocated for improved public sensitisation on the role of Nigerians towards “senior citizens’’.

The president of COSROPIN charged religious leaders to use their platforms to orientate their members on according right treatments to older persons.

The UN said millions of seniors have been falling victim to some form of elder abuse, neglect or monetary manipulation around the world.

Around one in six older people experience some form of abuse, a figure higher than previously estimated and predicted to rise as populations age worldwide, the noted.

Elder abuse can lead to serious physical injuries and long-term psychological consequences, it emphasised. (NAN)
SET/VIV/MST
Editing by Vivian Ihechu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Coalition tasks CSOs, journalists to hold govt accountable on MNCH

Coalition tasks CSOs, journalists to hold govt accountable on MNCH
By Mohammed Ahmed Kaigama
Accountability
Bauchi, Feb. 6, 2019 (NAN) Bauchi State Accountability Mechanism on Maternal Child Health Care (BaSAM), a Coalition, has urged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and journalists to hold government accountable on Maternal Newborn Child Health (MNCH) in the state.
Mr John Abu, the Secretary of the coalition, made the called at the BaSAM Biannual meeting in Bauchi on Wednesday.
According to him, any health sector reform must be complemented by a roll-out strategy, including robust support to the health systems and to their capacity building.
“Development partners must align and coordinate their strategies with government to stabilise the MNCH programme in the state.
“The quality and range of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) services in the state are dependent not only on the allocations for health in the budget but also on the contributions from development partners.
“Therefore, it is imperative to enhance the donor contributions for strengthening of healthcare services in rural and urban populations in the state.
“There is evidence that similar levels of health investment by donors can lead to better health outcomes in the state,” he said.
He therefore said the CSOs and journalists should have more coordination with the different tiers of government and the donors that could streamline MNCH partnership in post-reform times.
“The importance of CSOs and the journalists as watch dogs of the society cannot be over emphasised considering the strategic role they play in bringing the attention of government to emerging challenges in the health sector,” Abu said.
He enjoined journalists to embrace the new technologies and platforms, think about multiple audiences, work hard to create context for their audiences, smartly balance their time on story choices and audience interactions, spend considerable time building relationships with sources, readers and build connections and teamwork.
“CSOs, journalists you are also charged on the need to promote social accountability in the provision of Maternal Newborn and Child healthcare because you have the much-needed power to ensure citizens are well taken care of,” he said.
Abu revealed that more funding, targeting Maternal and Newborn Child Health is coming into the state.
“We know the areas in MNCH that needs attention and we should be able to advise government on those areas with a view to enhancing MNCH in Bauchi state and the country at large,” he stressed.
He also disclosed that the Global Financing Facility (GFF), that is basket fund coming from both the Federal and State Governments and donor partners, has already been earmarked for Bauchi state to target the all encompassing approach to Reproductive, Maternal, New Born, Child and Adolescent plus Nutrition (RMNCAH+N).
“It is a huge investment for the state in the health sector. The funds utilisation by the government needs to be closely monitored to ensure proper and judicious use,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria Reports that BaSAM is coalition of CSOs, journalists and relevant government officials championing the course of MNCHC supported by Evidence for Action E4A in Bauchi state. (NAN)
MAK/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Health NGO launches coalition for clean air policies

Health NGO launches coalition for clean air policies
By Akeem Abas
Clean air
Ibadan, Oct. 24, 2018 (NAN) A global health organisation, Vital Strategies, has launched ‘Inspire’, a coalition aimed at mobilising clinicians, public health professionals and organisations across the globe to advocate for aggressive clean air policies.
This is contained in a statement signed by Vital Strategies Media Officer, Christina Honeysett, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Ibadan.
NAN reports that Inspire was launched by members of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Working Group on Air Pollution and Lung Health.
The initiative launched in US on Tuesday was aimed at protecting people from the harmful effects of air pollution.
“Ninety per cent of the world’s population breathes polluted air and air pollution is the leading environmental cause of death as well as diseases.
“This mainly affects those in low and middle-income countries where rapid urbanisation is outpacing air pollution control measures,” the statement read in part.
Dr Obianuju Ozoh, a Pulmonologist and Senior Lecturer, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, said air pollution was one of the most important preventable causes of ill health and death.
“We all have a role to play in curbing the burden and impact of air pollution on our health. Let us challenge ourselves to make each breath count toward better health, longer lives and better days,” Ozoh said.
Dr Neil Schluger, Senior Advisor for Science, Vital Strategies, said six million people die every year because of poor air quality.
“Yet too many governments are failing to address this problem as a public health crisis. That’s why Inspire is so important.
“Every day clinicians see the harms of air pollution as well as people suffering with acute asthma, heart attacks, strokes and more.

“There’s a limit to what we can do to help individuals reduce their exposure to harmful air pollution.
“Inspire offers a framework for health advocates to push governments to address the root causes of air pollution and advocate for cleaner air policies,” Schluger said.
Schluger said there was need to mobilise and take urgent action, adding the problem is growing.
Prof. Jonathan Grigg, Queen Mary University, London, said there was overwhelming evidence that air pollution adversely affects health across the life course.
“But, progress in reducing exposure remains painfully slow. Health professionals with detailed knowledge of diseases associated with exposure to air pollution have important role to play.
“They should help in communicating the importance of exposure-mitigation strategies both to policy makers and the public who need to pay for these strategies.
“Inspire aims to support local advocates with medical expertise in delivering this important message,” Grigg, a professor of Paediatric Respiratory and Environmental Medicine, said.
Elvis Achiri, Advocacy Officer, WHO Regional Office for Africa based in Cameroon, said there was need to call for universal recognition that clean air is a human right.
“We have a right to breathe clean air and a right to know the quality of our air. Inspire is a solution for clean air and health for all.
“Advocates are the voice of the people, especially the vulnerable at global and country level,” Achiri said.
They all agreed that members of Inspire coalition would help bring air pollution to the forefront of local, national and global health as well as climate agendas through education and advocacy.
NAN reports that the goals of Inspire aligned with WHO’s road map for enhanced global action on air pollution.
According to WHO, “4.3 million deaths occur each year from exposure to household (indoor) air pollution, while 3.7 million deaths each year are attributed to ambient (outdoor) air pollution.
“That is at an avoidable high cost to communities especially in low and middle-income countries’’. (NAN)
TAA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola