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Health

Council harps on importance of laboratories accreditation

Council harps on importance of laboratories accreditation
By Chinenye Offor
Accreditation
Abuja, June 12, 2018 (NAN) Mr Tosan Erhabor, the Acting Registrar, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), says accreditation of medical laboratories in Nigeria is key in delivering safer results and save lives.
Erhabor said this at the commemoration of 2018 World Accreditation Day in Abuja on Tuesday.
This year’s theme is: “Accreditation: Delivering A Safer World”.
According to him, the council is moved by a desire to help change the narrative of poor quality standards that appear to have stunted improvements and growth in medical laboratory services in the country.
“For us at MLSCN, it has become imperative to ensure that there is a paradigm shift towards accurate, reliable, reproducible, timely and cost effective laboratory test results.
“We will not relent in our efforts to ensure that medical laboratory facilities in the country observe the highest safety standards in the interest of the practitioners as well as patients.
“When a facility’s personnel is qualified and licensed and the processes, procedures, equipment, physical structure and other prerequisites are in line with the acclaimed quality essentials.
“With the facility that has the audacity to expose itself to external scrutiny or validation then the facility can claim to be safe for all concerned,” he said.
Erhabor further said that the acclaimed benefits of accreditation which was the cornerstone of a good practice in any sector could be eroded by cankerworm of quackery especially in the medical laboratory.
He also noted that a laboratory could not be safe for any patient if practitioner does not have the requisite qualification to function it.
“Our perceived nonchalant attitude towards the culture of quality and particularly its signpost which is accreditation has been implicated in the failure of our products and services to compete favourably in the international market.
“We must as a matter of imperative continue to probe our environments at home and workplace to ensure that they meet the highest standards of quality as we deserve no less,” he said.
He therefore urged the Federal Ministry of Health to give meaning to its directive of three years ago to tertiary health institutions to commence the process of accrediting their medical laboratories.
Dr Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of State for Health, said that accreditation of medical laboratory was about standards of saving lives and safety of the world.
Represented by Dr Emmanuel Meribole, Director of Health, planning and research statistics noted that advancement technology has made it easy to lead good diagnosis.
Dr Eyang Bassey, President, Association of Medical Scientists of Nigeria, called for a comprehensive review of the country’s medical services for better results.
According to him, basic infrastructures are lacking in the health sector such as laboratories, saying that if Nigeria is not safe, the world is not safe also.
Bassey also said that Nigeria had to be safe before it could deliver a safe world. (NAN)
CSO/MS/MST
Edited by Mustapha Sumaila/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

Attacks: Council boss tasks Egbura, Bassa on peaceful co-existence

Attacks: Council boss tasks Egbura, Bassa on peaceful co-existence
By Awayi Kuje
Peace
Toto (Nasarawa State), June 8, 2018 (NAN) Mr Dauda Nuhu, the Chairman, Toto Local Government Council, Nasarawa State, has urged the Egbura and Bassa communities to live peacefully as brothers and sisters by avoiding attacks.
Nuhu made the call on Friday while inaugurating the newly elected Deputy Chairman, Mr Kabiru Musa, and 12 newly elected councillors of the council at Toto, Toto local government headquarters.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) conducted the Local Government election on May 26.
He enjoined the warring communities to sheath their sword, tolerate and accommodate each other for peace and development to reign in the area.
He regretted incessant loss of lives and properties resulting from skirmishes between the two ethnic groups.
The chairman said that peace is priceless and non-negotiable during his administration.
According to him, there is no substitute for peace and the community can only experience rapid development when people learn how to tolerate with one another and be their brother’s keeper.
He advised the people against doing anything that would sabotage government efforts in maintaining peace and order.
Nuhu promised not to disappoint the people of the area while assuring the electorate of his commitment to execute projects and policies that have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the area.
He advised the newly inaugurated councillors to be transparent and accountable in discharging their duties at all the times in the interest of peace and for the overall development of the area.
Nuhu solicited for the support of the people to enable his administration team succeed delivering dividends of democracy.
The council boss commended Gov. Tanko Al-Makura for his prompt response in deploying security to the area for the maintenance of peace.
Mr Yakubu Dangana,the Chief Magistrate of Toto, while administering oath of allegiance on the deputy chairman and the councillors charged them to abide by the oath of office taken by shunning all negative acts while discharging their duties.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the deputy chairman promised to discharge their duties without fear or favour.
NAN recalls that on April 24, there was a communal clash between the Egbura and Bassa ethnic groups of Ugya in Toto local government area which claimed several lives and property.
NAN also recalls that many lives and properties were destroyed in another communal clash between Egbura and Bassa tribes on May 23. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NHIS: Governing council engages stakeholders for improved service

NHIS: Governing council engages stakeholders for improved service
By Talatu Maiwada
NHIS
Abuja, March 23, 2018 (NAN) The Governing Council of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) says it has embarked on a programme of stakeholders’ engagement to stabilise the health insurance industry.
Mr Ayo Osinlu, Head, Media and Public Relations, NHIS, made this known in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.
It said the engagement was a practical expression to restore all breaches of the law and operational processes.
According to the statement, one of such meetings attended by members of the governing council, management of NHIS and representatives of critical stakeholders, took place at the head office of the organisation in Abuja.
It quoted Dr Enyantu Ifenne, the Chairman of the council, saying the programme was aimed at identifying challenges on different fronts, with intention to find acceptable solutions to them.
She however regretted the poor quality of service under the scheme in the past resulting in erosion of public confidence, enrolee dissatisfaction and de-motivation of some sections of service providers.
Ifenne noted that the success of the different stakeholders and industry as a whole was the degree to which enrollees are satisfied with the quality of service provided in the system.
The chairman expressed the resolve of the council to honour the place and voice of all stakeholders in the new dispensation.
She warned that the breaches and outright disregard of obligations and duties witnessed in the past would no longer be tolerated.
The statement also quoted Prof. Usman Yusuf, the Executive Secretary of NHIS, observed that all stakeholders were jointly culpable for the degeneration in the system.
Yusuf said: “Stakeholders have tolerated abuses and breaches of confidence for far too long, dutiful observance of relevant laws and operational guidelines by all, is the only way forward.’’
It further stated that issues canvassed during the meeting towards revamping quality of service within the industry include recovering public confidence, review of enabling laws and guidelines as well as existing tariffs and capitation.
Others are reaccreditation of service providers to ensure that only competent players are on board, with the need to develop new innovative programmes to grow the scheme’s enrolee base.
A robust and world-class ICT platform that would guarantee the accuracy and integrity of data as well as the exclusion of tertiary health institutions from primary healthcare, among others.
The stakeholders represented at the meeting were the Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN), the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN).
Others include Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN), Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) and the Medical Science Laboratory Association of Nigeria (MSLAN). (NAN)
TIM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Youth council lauds Army, Police, NCDC efforts on security

Youth council lauds Army, Police, NSCDC efforts on security
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Youths
Abuja, March 22, 2018 (NAN) The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has commended security agencies for their outstanding performances and doggedness in tackling insecurity in the country.
The President of NYCN, Mr Murtala Garba, made the commendation on Thursday in Abuja while presenting awards for outstanding performances to the security agencies.
The security agencies appreciated included the Defence Headquarters, Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security Civil Defence Corps and other para-military agencies.
According to Garba, the Nigerian security agencies have sacrificed a lot to ensure protection of lives and properties, regretting that their efforts were not given due recognition.
He therefore called on the Federal Government to improve the welfare of security personnel in terms of salary, housing, healthcare and care for widows of deceased heroes.
“Our security agencies are working hard and they need more encouragement to enable them achieve more results.
“It is high time Nigerians, particularly the youths begin to encourage instead of always criticising on social media.
“The Nigerian Army, DSS, the Police, Civil Defence and others have performed well and we are proud of them,’’ he declared.
Garba said the United States was still fighting terrorism but the Nigerian Army had fought terrorism 75 to 80 per cent in the North Eastern part of the country, saying it deserves our commendation.
“The DSS has also done well with information gathering, the civil defence in protecting pipeline vandalism so it is not time for criticism but support and encouragement because they are also human,” he added.
He called on youths to desist from crime and not allow themselves to be used as thugs as the 2019 elections draw near, urging them to be responsible citizens who will participate fully in the process.
Receiving the awards for the Army, the Chief of Administration at the Defence Headquarters, Brig.-Gen. Eze Chukwu, assured the youths and Nigerians in general of its commitment to the fight against terrorism, while warning youths against insurgency.
“We will not relent in the fight against insurgency in the country and we will make sure that insurgency come to a stop.
“We will go round to ensure that all perpetrators are brought to book,” he said. (NAN)
OEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Council boosts provision of reliable medical results to Nigerians

Council boosts provision of reliable medical results to Nigerians
NAN-HG-10
Laboratory
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), March 8, 2018 (NAN) The Acting Registrar, Medical Laboratory Science Council (MLSC), Dr Tosan Erhabor, on Thursday pledged to provide quality and reliable medical results to Nigerians.
He stated this at the inauguration of the National External Quality Assurance Laboratory at the Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre, Saye, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the laboratory owned and managed by Medical Science Laboratory was constructed by the National External Quality Assurance in partnership with Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN).
Erhabor described the project as a milestone achievement which would certainly put an end to taking external quality samples abroad for examination and tests.
“This is a milestone achievement and is something we look up to, to see that transformation emerges in the area of quality reliable results being given to Nigerians from the medical laboratories in the country.
“What we now have in place can be sustained if we put our priority right as a country, and once that is done I am sure Nigeria has enamors capacity to do that.
“Resources is dwindling, however, with giant stride of government, we will be able to deliver that for the country and the results that will be coming out will be the one Nigerians will be proud of,” he said.
According to him, the essence of inviting the minister is to let Nigerians understand that such facility exist in Nigeria.
“We want Nigerians to know that External Quality Assurance Laboratory exist in Nigeria.
“Where external quality products are produced, postmatum evaluation are done and centenary survey are carried out, all these were being done outside Nigeria.
“But with this our people need not to travel abroad for the same exercise,” he assured.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, lauded the efforts of the Quality Assurance and their partners for the gesture and urged them to sustain the tempo.
While pledging federal government’s commitment toward enhancing the health of Nigerians, the minister also charged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the facility.
“I will like to assure that the Federal Government will not relent in its efforts toward ensuring that the health sector is given the desired attention.
“As you all know, the usual problem is funding, many things in Nigeria require resources.
“But government will do everything possible to make resources available to improve the health sector, as the adage goes health is wealth,” he said. (NAN)
KLM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Education

kamal -editing Pharmacists Council of Nigeria inducts 105 graduands of Igbinedion University

Council inducts 105 graduands of Igbinedion University
NAN-H-52
Pharmacist
By Deborah Coker
Okada (Edo), Feb 16, 2018 (NAN) The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) on Friday inducted 105 graduands of the Dora Akunyili College of Medicine, Igbinedion University, Okada.
Inducting the graduands, Mr Elijah Mohammed, Registrar of the council, said that PCN was aware of challenges posed to pharmacists by various dynamics.
Mohammed said some of the dynamics include practice, technological advancements, increasing disease burdens, adverse drug reactions, drug interactions and drug resistance, among others.
He noted that pursuant to the foregoing, the PCN has institutionalised the Continued Professional Development (CPD) programme to ensure relevance of pharmacists in the scheme of events in the health sector and governance in general.
Mohammed, however, stressed that pharmacy competency was not only about knowledge and skills, adding that competency should include critical thinking and decision making as well as innovation and social interaction.
He expressed joy that the recent Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programme approved by the National University Commission (NUC) in August 2016 has taken effect.
The registrar explained that implication of that was that the Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) Degree Curriculum would be undergoing a major transformation in line with PCN guidelines and NUC recommendations.
He also said that the graduands were expected to acquaint themselves with the code of professional ethics which prescribes their professional and moral responsibilities to the patients, pharmacists’ college as well as other professionals.
He emphasised that strict compliance to the code of ethics was indispensable for the practice of pharmacy profession.
Earlier, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, Vice Chancellor of the institution, urged the graduands to do better than their predecessors as they have been given the best training.
He explained that this is more so as the practice of the profession was changing not just in Nigeria, but Africa at large.
Osaghae noted that the course required growing capacity, hence the university has decided to give automatic employment to the five best graduating students.
He said, so far, the institution has graduated 620 pharmacists from the college.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2016/2017 academic session induction ceremony is the 7th by the institution.
NAN also reports that a keynote address, themed: “Community Pharmacy Practice”, was delivered by Mr Lawrence Ifebigh, Chief Executive Officer, Ladith Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NAN)
DCO/KTO/MST
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Immunisation: Council warns against diversion of vaccines

Immunisation: Council warns against diversion of vaccines
NAN-H-21
Vaccines
By Awayi Kuje
Nasarawa Eggon (Nasarawa State), Jan. 25, 2018 (NAN) The Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Council of Nasarawa State has threatened to sack any health worker who engages in unethical practices.
Mr Haruna Kuje, the council’s Director of Primary Health Care (PHC), issued the treat on Thursday during a meeting with proprietors of private health facilities and focal health persons in the area.
He warned that any health worker found diverting vaccines would be sanctioned.
Kuje said that the meeting was aimed at brainstorming on how to improve the health of the people, adding that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.
“Any focal person who is not doing up to expectation effectively will be removed and we will also fish out any health personnel that comprise standard.
“It is unethical, unacceptable and condemnable in health profession to divert unused vaccine vibes by vaccinators.
“The council will not condone or spare anybody involved in such practices and other negative health practices.
The director said that the council would deal with quackery, illegal establishment of private health facilities and generation of erroneous data.
According to him, such sharp activities had affected the health of many citizens negatively.
“We appreciate and acknowledge the contribution of the private health establishments in this area, but the right things must be done in order to sanitise the system as well as save human lives.
“The act of quackery, illegal establishment of private health facilities and generation of erroneous data for policy making has become a serious concern to us, in which all hands must be on deck in order to stop the menace.
“Where you don’t have facilities and trained qualified personnel, we will not allow such to happen because it will affect the health of our people negatively,” he said.
Kuje called on the proprietors of private health facilities and health workers to continue to embark on health education of their host communities to promote healthy lives.
He commended the state government through the ministry of health for initiating sound health policies and programmes that have direct bearing on the lives of the people.
The director restated the council’s commitment to initiate more good health policies in order to save human lives and called on the public to report any quack medical practitioner to the council for appropriate action.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some proprietors of private health facilities at the meeting identified lack of manpower as major factor responsible for their non-participation in routine immunisation exercise. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Shippers’ Council, stakeholders to discuss operations of Kaduna Dry Port

Shippers’ Council, stakeholders to discuss operations of Kaduna Dry Port
NAN-H-37
Port
By Aisha Cole
Lagos, Jan. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) is to hold a one-day meeting with stakeholders on the operations of the Kaduna Inland Dry Port.

A statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by the NSC Director, Special Duties, Mr Ignatius Nweke, said the meeting would hold on Jan. 25 in Lagos.

According to the statement, the meeting is expected to focus on processes of documentation of Kaduna-bound cargo as well as obligations of terminal operators and shipping companies.

“The meeting would equally look at the expected roles of other stakeholders in ensuring the smooth operations of the facility and how best to successfully operationalise the dry port,” it said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that inland ports, being facilitated by the NSC, are intermodal terminals directly connected by road and rail to a seaport and operating as centres for movement of cargo to inland destination.

NAN recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari recently inaugurated the Kaduna Inland Dry Port for the commencement of full operations.

The 5,000 TEUs (containers) facility located on Kachia Road in Kaduna, gained its port status through official gazette, having satisfied all requirements recommended by the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the NSC. (NAN)
AIC/AJA/MST
Edited by Adeleye Ajayi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Polio: Council uses sweet to woo children

Polio: Council uses sweet to woo children
NAN-HG-2
Polio
By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
Dutse, Oct. 17, 2017 (NAN) The Malammadori Local Government Council of Jigawa says it is using sweets to woo children for vaccination against polio in the ongoing immunisation programme.
The council’s Information Officer, Alhaji Fahad Muhammad, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Dutse that 26 cartons of sweet were bought for the exercise.
Muhammad said the council was targeting to vaccinate no fewer than 46,966 children during the period.
He said that the council has received 50,500 doses of Oral Polio Vaccines for the smooth conduct of the exercise.
The Health Educator of the council, Malam Hamza Bello, urged traditional rulers and religious leaders in the area to support the exercise to ensure its success.
He advised parents to present their children and wards at designated centres close to their respective communities for the exercise.
NAN reports that the current round of the polio immunisation for the month of October was flagged off in all the 27 local government areas of the state on Monday. (NAN)
MNB/KOLE/MST
Edited by Remi Koleoso/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Council to renovate 4 dispensaries in Jigawa

Council to renovate 4 dispensaries in Jigawa

NAN-HG-6

Renovation

By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

Dutse, May 23, 2017 (NAN) The Jahun Local Government Council of Jigawa says it will spend over N3.8 million to renovate four dispensaries in the area this month in its efforts to boost primary healthcare.

The Information Officer of the council, Malam Adamu Baffa, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Tuesday.

According to Baffa, Alhaji Yusuf Ma’aji, the Chairman of the council, said this while inspecting some health facilities in the council.

He explained that the dispensaries to be renovated include that of Zangon Kura, Damitawa, Magama and Rinde villages.

The spokesman said Ma’aji had promised that two additional health facilities would be constructed at Yan`Kunama and Kwanjamawa villages of the council.

According to him, the chairman further disclosed that the council has purchased hand pump kits worth N1 million for the repairs of grounded and broken hand pumps across the area.

Besides, Baffa said that the council has also purchased praying mats worth N875,000 to be distributed to Mosques in the area ahead of this year’s Ramadhan (Muslim fast). (NAN)

MNB/DOR/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola