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Health

COWAP seeks more health education for elderly

Elderly
By Joan Odafe
Lagos, Feb. 7, 2020 (NAN) Some stakeholders of an NGO, Charity Organisation for the Welfare of Aged People (COWAP), have called on private and public sectors to adopt strategies to improve the health of the elderly in the country.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday that the elderly could live longer if they were encouraged to exercise and educated on how to manage their health.

Mrs Esther Kelechi-Njoku, a Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) Commandant from the Church of Presentation Detachment, called for continuous education and awareness on proper health management.

“We should have more lectures; make a 20 to 30 minutes lecture on how to care for themselves at this age.

“They should be encouraged on how to eat healthy and once in a while, they should be educated on the kinds of ailments the elderly suffer.

“They should be educated on the management and feeding for people with different ailments; some of them are diabetic, they should advise them how to live,” Kelechi-Njoku said.

Mr Darlington Ajitemisan, a former Chaplain with the Nigerian Correctional Services, identified physical exercise as a major strategy to ensure that the elderly stayed healthy.

“When the elderly exercise, there’s a flexibility of the ligament and it helps every part of the organs; sickness is reduced.

“It’s also important to talk about food. When exercising and you don’t talk about it, it’s minus zero.

“We tell them to avoid cholesterol, to avoid foods and drinks that are sugary and drink a lot of water,” he said.

Mr Esan Olushola, Founder of COWAP, said: “The organisation plans to adopt new strategies to ensure that the elderly have access to information and care.

“We will get more youths, train them on how to care for senior citizens and place them in different locations as our representatives.

“We’ll reach them through their churches, mosques, Short Message Service (SMS) and using the community leaders to educate them.”  (NAN)
JOJO/MAS/AJA
============
Edited by Moses Solanke/Adeleye Ajayi

 

Defence/Security

Army begins exercise “Ex Vulcan Glow VII’’ Oct. 28

Army begins exercise “Ex Vulcan Glow VII’’ Oct. 28

By Mohammad Tijjani
Exercise
Kaduna, Oct. 23, 2019 (NAN) The Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery (NACA) says it will begin a Field Training Exercise, nicknamed “EX VULCAN GLOW VII’’, from Oct. 28 in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations Officer of the corps, Cpt. Mohammed Maidawa, announced this in a statement on Wednesday in Kaduna.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise is in continuation of the Nigerian Army training activities for the year.
Maidawa said EX VULCAN GLOW VII will begin on Oct. 28 through Nov. 1, at the Military Training Range, Kachia.
According to him, during the period of the exercise, mass movement of troops, military weapons and equipment will be noticed as well as sound of gun shots.
“The general public especially residents of Kachia and environs are advised not to panic and also to keep away from the general area of the exercise.
“The exercise will be climaxed with a fire power demonstration on Friday, Nov. 1.
“A pulling out parade of some retired former Corps Commanders, Major Generals and Brigadier Generals of the Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery will hold on Nov. 2, at Nigerian Army School of Artillery parade ground,’’ Maidawa added. (NAN)
TJ/KM/MST
Edited by Kabir Muhammad/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Obesity: Regular exercise, healthy diet helps – Nutritionist

Obesity: Regular exercise, healthy diet helps – Nutritionist
By Maureen Ojinaka
Obesity
Enugu, June 11, 2019 (NAN) A Nutritionist, Mrs Henrietta Ugwu, has recommended regular physical exercise and maintenance of healthy diet to combat obesity among adults.
Ugwu, who is a Nutrition officer with the Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Enugu.
She noted that to avoid being overweight or obese, there was need to imbibe healthy nutritional behaviours which included having to maintain a healthy diet pattern and engage in regular physical activity.
According to her, the key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is not short-term dietary change, but a lifestyle that includes healthy eating and regular physical activity.
The nutritionist said that the kind of work a person engaged himself or herself in depended on the diet that individual eats.
She added that those who were into manual or hard jobs, like brick layers and barrow pushers, among others, needed more of energy giving food like carbohydrates than someone who sits and works in an office.
“Knowing your body mass, helps in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, and getting regular physical activity are all actions you can take for yourself to combat excess weight gain,” she said.
She stressed that obesity was a major health problem as there was an increasing trend of overweight individuals in Nigeria.
Ugwu noted that being overweight or obese was known to contribute significantly to morbidity rates among many adults, who ignored the necessity of the consideration of their health diet pattern.
She urged adults to avoid frequent consumption of fast food with high sugar content so as to prevent over weight and other diseases.
She called on everyone to eat moderately, adding that eating more of grains, fruits, vegetables and regular exercise will help people live healthily as well as prevent obesity. (NAN)
OJI/ KOO/MST
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Physiotherapist advises mothers to engage children suffering devt delay in exercises

Physiotherapist advises mothers to engage children suffering devt delay in exercises

By Lydia Ngwakwe
Exercise
Lagos, May 7, 2019 (NAN) Ms Oluwadara Amusan, a Pro-Health Community Physiotherapist has advised mothers whose children were suffering fine and gross motor skill delay to engage them in exercises.

Amusan, a Private Physiotherapist, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

Pro-Health community physiotherapy offered private physiotherapy services in a community where the physiotherapist visited the patient in the community (the patients’ home) and offered treatment.

Its focus is using physical therapy modalities, physical activity, health education, awareness and promotion to addressing a vast range of conditions.

“Fine motor skills include small movements like holding a toy or using a crayon. Gross motor skills require larger movements, like jumping, climbing stairs or throwing a ball.

“Mothers buy toys for their children to aid these developmental delay, but using regular toys is not the same thing as exercise regimen.

“Developmental delays are commonly associated with babies and children from three months to 12 years.

“It occurs as a result of non-progressing injury to the brain; rehabilitation has better prognosis because the babies’ brains are still developing.

“Any child that has stiff arms and legs or cannot sit without support by nine months, then he is suffering developmental delays and needs exercise.

“Exercise is physical activity that is planned, specific, structured, repetitive, purposeful and targeted at overall physical fitness and strengthening of the body.

“The right toys can be used as incentives to get the babies to perform the exercise and purposeful movements but do not take the place of exercises,’’ Amusan said.

She also attributed babies’ developmental milestones delay to the type of walkers parents purchased for their babies.

She said a lot of parents bought the common walkers where the baby sits in it in a bid to help train walking, saying those won’t help the babies at all.

The expert said the better walker for a baby was one in which he pushed and not sit in it.

She stressed that toys were used as incentives to get babies to perform the exercises and might not be used independently to aid motor development in babies.

The physiotherapist said her organisation would soon commence an exercise class for babies and infants with focus on Neuro-Developmental Milestones and functional ways to approach them.

She assured that the risks involved in performing these exercises would be very minimal.

Amusan said parents and caregivers would also be taught how to carry out these exercises for their children and at the end they would be examined to be sure they were fit.

The expert said paediatric neurology had been one area her organisation had special interest in and a passion worth pursuing.

According to her, there are many causes of developmental delay in children.

She grouped some of the causes into Prenatal, Perinatal and Postnatal causes that is, before, during and after child’s birth.

The expert said the prenatal risk factors included,  chromosomal abnormalities in case of Down’s Syndrome and intrauterine infection as well as lack of quality care during pregnancy.

Amusan named the perinatal risk factors to be Birth Asphyxia and Prolonged Labour,  leading to fetal distress and the post natal to be jaundice, intra-cranial infections and trauma. (NAN)
LED/AO/MST
Edited by Angela Okisor/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Sea exercise: 31 countries to participate in `Obangame Express’ – Navy

Photo attached:

Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Adm.
Obed Ngalabak, addressing journalists onboard Nigerian Navy Ship Centenary,
on the coming Multi-National Sea Exercise Obangame Express at the Naval Dockyard Limited
in Lagos.

Sea exercise: 31 countries to participate in `Obangame Express’ – Navy
By Henry Oladele
Exercise
Lagos, March 12, 2019 (NAN) The Nigerian Navy in Lagos says 31 countries will be participating in the multinational sea exercise code named “Obangame Express’’, aimed at promoting regional cooperation among navies of Gulf of Guinea (GOG).
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Adm. Obed Ngalabak, disclosed this to journalists onboard Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Centenary at the Naval Dockyard Limited, on Tuesday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise Obangame Express, which was first held in 2010, is an annual multi-phased exercise sponsored by the United State Naval Force Africa (US NAVAF).
The aim of the exercise, slated for March 10 to March 22, is to promote the importance of regional cooperation between all the navies of the GOG.
It is also designed to improve maritime domain awareness, information sharing and enhance the collective capabilities of GOG and West African nations to counter illegality in the maritime domain.
According to Ngalabak, exercise Obangame Express which will be hosted by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ette Ibas, will have about 31 participating countries including 20 African nations and 11 allied countries.
Ngalabak said: “Eight NNS including 2 Offshore Patrol Vessels Centenary and Unity, 2 helosand one ship each from US, Portugal and Morocco would be participating in Lagos area.
“The Obangame Express is aimed at assessing and improving GOG law enforcement capacity, promotes national and regional security, improving knowledge of African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership (AMLEP) planning and operations and shape security force assistance efforts.
“The exercise would attract foreign guests and participants with domestic stakeholders in the maritime domain.
“The overall objectives are to exercise each of the participating countries capabilities in Maritime Domain Awareness and Maritime Interdiction Operations.’’
The FOC said that the exercise objectives were also to demonstrate and evaluate Maritime Operations Centres interoperability across the region.
“It is also to demonstrate and evaluate tactical Maritime Interdiction Operations capability, power projection and the ability to effectively operate as a multinational force under a regional control authority,” he added.
The FOC said there would also be a Senior Leadership Symposium during the exercise which would elicit discussions geared toward finding solutions to the common maritime security challenges.
“The training and the sea exercise would foster togetherness among regional and friendly navies in the task of enhancing governance in the GOG maritime domain,” he said.
NAN also reports that some of the African countries participating are Benin, Togo, Ghana, Cameroon alongside Nigeria and others. (NAN)
HOB/ENN/MST
Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Arthritis: Medical practitioners recommend regular exercise, proper diet

Arthritis: Medical practitioners recommend regular exercise, proper diet
By Hauwa Amali/Khadija Adam
Arthritis
Abuja, Oct. 17, 2018 (NAN) Some medical practitioners have recommended the need for proper engagement in physical exercise and healthy food chains to avoid arthritis.
The physicians gave the advice in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja to upscale the World Arthritis Day celebrated globally on Oct. 12.
They described arthritis as an inflammatory condition of joints which affects elderly people from 65 years and above globally.
But they noted that some people do get the condition earlier that the age of 65, most of them in their teens.
Dr Olorunsogo Ayodeji said arthritis was a broad term that covers group of over 100 diseases that affects one out of every five adults.
Ayodeji, a medical practioner at the General Hospital Keffi, Nasarawa State, said that arthritis has to do with joints and places where your bones connect such as wrists, knees and hips in the human body.
He advised Nigerians to always exercise frequently, stick to a healthy food chain containing fatty acids, vitamin C and vegetables.
According to him, some form of arthritis can affect other connective tissues and organs, including the skin and could as well happen to anyone.
Ayodeji said: “There are certain diet foods which can reduce the inflammation and ease the pain that happens due to arthritis.
“Diet such as vegetables like broccolis, Brussels sprouts and cabbages can be used as remedies; they have Sulforaphane compound which helps to slow cartilage damages in the joints.
“They come with benefits, people with arthritis should eat more; also fishes like salmon, tuna, trout and mackerel are very rich in Omega-3 which helps to fight inflammation in the various joints.
“Turmeric spices contain curcumin that fights inflammation best; Garlic is also remedy as it comes from the alliums family like onions and leeks containing disulfide that fights diseases.”
On his part, Dr Lorwuese Charles, a medical practitioner at the Police Hospital, Ado, Ekiti State, said poor lifestyle condition contributes to arthritis.
He said that arthritis could be caused by excessive weight which start early in the knee, adding that age is also a factor that makes the joints to be worn out.
According to him, injuries cause joint damage that brings about infections; infect joints and trigger inflammation.
“The symptoms vary from person to person; they may include intermittent pain in the joint, physical deformity, bony outgrowth in fingers or toes.
“Others are stiffness, tenderness, swelling and fatigue, malaise and so on: it can come and go and also range from mild to severe cases that could lead to permanent joints damage.
“There is no cure for arthritis, but there are prescribed medication for treatment, which include painkillers on steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids.
“Others are natural remedies that can help to ease arthritis pain, such as exercises and change in diet,” Charles said.
NAN reports that this year’s theme is “It is in your hands, take action”.
The event was initiated by the World Arthritis Foundation to raise awareness and encourage policy makers to reduce burden of arthritis in the society. (NAN)
AUH/KSA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Exercise to prevent stroke – Neurosurgeon advises

Exercise to prevent stroke – Neurosurgeon advises
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Stroke
Abuja, June 21, 2018 (NAN) Dr Biodun Ogungbo, a Neurosurgeon based in Abuja, on Thursday recommended exercise as a preventive mechanism against stroke.
Ogungbo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that exercise was the only way to prevent stroke.
According to him, it is cheaper to prevent stroke than to treat a stroke.
The expert therefore advised Nigerians to exercise to prevent stroke.
“Stroke is a problem that occurs in the brain. It occurs when there is no blood supply to a part of the brain which makes that part of the brain suffer.
“It means therefore that whatever functions that part of the brain does, stop. If for example, it is the part of that brain that supplies eyesight, or to do with hearing or moving the arm or legs or speech.
“If there is no blood supply to that part of the brain, then, that part of the brain becomes injured. It means it stops functioning. That is essentially what stroke is,’’ said Ogungbo.
He said the individual may therefore go blind, deaf or have weakness of an arm, leg or both.
Ogungbo noted that stroke was common in the country, saying most Nigerians know little about or appreciate the magnitude of the problem.
“Misconceptions and myths surrounding stroke must be debunked. The key fact is that every Nigerian knows or is aware of somebody who has suffered a stroke, either it is in the family or is in the neighbourhood or heard.
“The major risk factor for stroke in Nigeria is hypertension or high blood pressure. Other conditions such as diabetes, obesity, smoking, sickle cell disease are also risk factors for stroke.
“Even just being black, Nigerians, Africans, black people in general, predisposes us to stroke. Stroke is also a condition that can run in families,” he said.
Ogungbo also advised Nigerians to be careful of ‘mini’ stroke, saying that if a stroke had happened small before, then it is a warning sign to prevent a bigger one.
“Someone who has had a small stroke needs to go to hospital and not ignore it, and think because the stroke has gone away `my arm is now functioning; that is the end of the matter,’ it is often time not the end of the matter.
“What we teach is the acronym called FAST, which means Facial weakness, Arm weakness, problem in Speech and you need to Telephone or go to the hospital as quickly as possible.’’
The neurosurgeon listed the warning signs of stroke as weakness of the face, arm or leg, problem with speech, or difficulty in walking, sometimes sudden confusion and severe headache.
He, however, advised anyone with the signs to immediately visit the hospital.
“The best prevention of stroke is lifestyle; people who smoke must stop smoking. People who are alcoholic must stop drinking. People who are obese must lose weight.
“Those who do not exercise have to get out and exercise; to keep the heart working properly.
“Anybody who has been diagnosed as having hypertension must continue to do whatever they can to keep the blood pressure under control,’’ Ogungbo said.
He warned that hypertension could lead to stroke if not properly managed, adding that treatment of high blood pressure cannot be treated by pastors or imams or native medications.
He described hypertension as a silent killer, adding that it can be normal today and high the following day.
“Having a stroke also puts you at increased risk of developing other serious medical problems which can often lead to death in the immediate period following the stroke or several months after.
“Going to a hospital quickly after you have suffered a stroke can help your doctor prevent these serious medical problems and can make a difference in saving your life and how quickly you recover.
“So, stroke can be managed in the sense that we can help in preventing death, reducing the disability and also preventing another stroke,’’ Ogungbo said. (NAN)
OEO/HS/MST
Edited by Halima Sheji/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Healthy living: WHO recommends regular exercise to Nigerians

Healthy living: WHO recommends regular exercise to Nigerians
By Yashim Katurak
Abuja, April 7, 2018 (NAN) As World Health Day is being celebrated globally, the World Health Organisation has urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of exercise so as to live healthy lives.
Dr Wondimagegnehu Alemu, the WHO Nigeria Country Representative, said this during the Health Walk organised by WHO to commemorate the “World Health Day 2018” in Abuja on Saturday.
The World Health Day is commemorated yearly on April 7.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Universal Health Coverage: Everyone, Everywhere”.
He urged Nigerians to make efforts towards leading a healthy life by carrying out long walks at least 30 minutes three times every week.
He said a change in lifestyle habits such as eating right and
exercising would go a long way in helping to address some of the
non-communicable but life threatening diseases arising in this present time.
He listed some of the diseases to include cancer, hypertension and diabetes, among others.
“I encourage you to make efforts towards ensuring you take long walks at least for up to 30 mins three times a week.
“Health is not the absence of disease and health encompasses social, physical, mental well-being of an individual.
“By participating in this walk today, we have carried out a crucial
act that will help to keep us in good health. I encourage you to
continue to do this always.
“The main aim of carrying out this exercise is not just to encourage all citizens to live healthy lives but remind the Federal Government of its responsibility at ensuring availability of health services to all through the Universal Health Coverage.
“The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) will be used by the government as a tool to promote and provide access to quality health services to citizens no matter where they are.
“The federal government however needs to support the scheme and other health agencies in carrying out their mandate by approving the budget so money can be made available to them,’’ Alemu said.
The country representative said every individual had a right to health therefore leaders needed to show strong political will by putting the health needs of the people first.
According to Alemu, Nigeria has made progress in terms of efforts to develop a roadmap and implement strategies towards reading Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030 through the revitalisation of health care.
Alemu said: “All necessary preparations have already been done and am sure with the right resources put in place Nigeria will make progress in reaching UHC by 2030.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria along with other member states of WHO agreed to reach UHC by 2030.
The main objective of UHC is to protect people from the financial
consequences of paying for health services out of their own pockets, thereby reducing poverty.
The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) with the support of partners has developed a framework to achieve UHC by 2030. (NAN)
KRY/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Physician lists benefits of early morning stretching exercise

Physician lists benefits of early morning stretching exercise
NAN-HG-6
Stretching
By Ummul Idris
Abuja, Feb. 28, 2018 (NAN) A general physician, Dr Mercy Luka, has advised Nigerians to engage in stretching exercise when they wake up in the morning.
Luka told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that stretching would help in boosting digestion and circulation of blood.
She said that stretching in the morning could also help the body to recover by increasing blood flow to the muscles.
According to her, it will also flush out lactic acid which makes the muscles feel stiff and sore.
She said that most Nigerians do not know the importance of stretching, adding that those who knew often thought it might be inconvenient for them.
The physician said that stretching also helped to expand the blood vessels that would allow passage of good volume of blood.
“Stretching has so many benefits to the body and some people don’t see the reason to stretch at all but it makes you more flexible
“In the morning as you wake up, your body is relaxed; you have the energy why not take some few minutes to do the stretching and I am optimistic that you will tell the difference,’’ she said.
Luka said that stretching also helped the mind and the body to relax.
According to her, it should be done gently, without bouncing or forcing oneself into an uncomfortable position. (NAN)
UMD/COF/MST
Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Group recommends exercise, diet for healthy living

Group recommends exercise, diet for healthy living

NAN-HG-5

Lifestyle

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, April 5, 2017 (NAN) Dr Biodun Ogungbo, Director, Stroke Action Group, on Wednesday recommended routine exercise and healthy diet for a healthy living, especially elders.

Ogungbo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that most diseases in our mothers and fathers may be prevented or at least slowed down as a result of a healthy lifestyle.

“ Osteoporosis, arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressures, diabetes, high cholesterol, dementia, depression and certain cancers are some of the common conditions that can affect the elderly.

“We have enough technology and enough sense of not to be sick again.

“In addition to diet and exercise, other important life style modifications can lead a healthier life in elderly,’’ he said.

Ogungbo said the worst thing was for someone to spend his or her live working to bring up and provide for the family, then at the time to relax and enjoy the fruits of his labour, die or fall sick with some illness.

He said there were some social factors that are likely to be responsible for many of the problems of the elderly in the community, including loneliness from losing a spouse or friends and inability to independently manage regular activities of living.

“They include social factors for the elderly, difficulty coping and accepting physical changes of aging, frustration with on-going medical problems and increasing number of medications.

“Others include social isolation as adult, children are engaged in their own lives, feeling inadequate from inability to continue to work, boredom from retirement and lack of routine activities, financial stresses from the loss of regular income,’’ Ogungbo said.

He said these social factors can have negative impact on the overall health of an older individual like cancer, arthritis, alzheimer’s disease, stroke and heart attacks, while sudden death are more common in the elderly above 50 years of age.

Ogungbo said some suffer from ill-health seemingly soon as they retire from active service from 50 to 60 years of age.

“In Nigeria, that means many who were employed in the civil service and without much in their savings or a credible pension when ill-health occurs, they rely on friends and family, especially the children to look after them.

“Yet, these children may not really be in a position to pay for expensive treatment for their loved ones. As they also have children, mortgages and rents, bills and lives to live,’’ he said.

Ogungbo said to prevent some of the health challenges of the elderly; balanced diet and participation in regular exercise are paramount in maintaining a healthy life for people of all ages.

However, he advised that the elderly should get rid of bad eating habits and eat more fruits and vegetables, fresh fish, plenty of water and exercise.

“The elderly should eat well, make their own supplements and stay off sugar. Sugar is a deadly metabolic poison. It reduces immunity and feeds cancer,’’ the expert warned.

He advised the elderly to beware of the side effects of drugs and drug interactions including over-the-counter drugs, herbals, and alternative medicine.

“To prevent ill health in your parents get them out of the house. Get them T-shirts, shorts and trainers and get them on the streets.

“Encourage them to go for walks and smell the outdoors; get your mother out and your father will follow. They should go out for walks and short exercises: breathing in deeply and relaxing the minds to clear out the stresses of life.

“Get your mother on the dance floor at home: dancing with you and the grand-children. This stimulates the mind, body and spirit encouraging blood floor to dormant parts of the body.

“Play games with your father especially card games, ‘Ayo’, chess and scrabble. Teach them Sudoku and so many other brain training games that are available as Apps online,’’ he said.

Ogungbo said with proper diet and exercising money would be saved in the future and probably live long enough to truly enjoy the fruits of their labour. (NAN)

OEO/HS/MST

Edited by Halima Sheji/Muhammad Suleiman Tola