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Open Defecation: 3,000 communities certified free in Katsina State

Open Defecation: 3,000 communities certified free in Katsina State

By Zubairu Idris
Defecation
Katsina, Nov. 4, 2019 (NAN) About 3,000 communities in Katsina State have been certified Open Defecation Free (ODF) by UNICEF, following success recorded by the Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria project (SHAWN).
The Executive Director, Katsina State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Alhaji Aminu Dayyabu, disclosed this on Monday in Katsina while briefing newsmen on the activities of the agency.
He said that the communities were from 26 local government areas of the state that are participating in the programme.
“Though, there is no local government area certified as ODF in the state yet, Katsina State has 80 per cent grade on Safely Managed Sanitation, which is the highest in Nigeria.
“Out of the 774 local government areas in Nigeria, only 10 were certified as ODF and Katsina state has the highest number of ODF certified communities in the country with about 3,000 communities certified as ODF.
“We hope by December 2019, we will have at least one local government area to be declared as ODF,” he said.
The executive director revealed that the agency had developed a road map on how to end open defecation in the state by 2025.
Dayyabu further disclosed that the state government would declare a state of emergency on sanitation sector by Nov. 11, 2019, with the aim of attaining the set target.
He noted that the agency had provided water and sanitation facilities in about 400 primary schools and healthcare centres in the state to enhance personal hygiene and environmental sanitation.
Dayyabu also said that he was part of the Federal Government delegation that went to India to understand how India intensified efforts toward attaining open defecation free.
“India is the first country with highest number of people practicing open defecation, with Nigeria as second.
“They have moved about 500 million people out of Open Defecation (OD), India is going to declare itself ODF on Nov. 17, 2019.
“So, we don’t want Nigeria to be number one on Open Defecation in the world,” he said.
He, therefore, urged the media to intensify efforts toward enlightening the public on the dangers associated with the ugly practice. (NAN)
ZI/ZGA/MST
Edited by Zainab Garba/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Primary healthcare remains free in Ojo LG, says Chairman

Primary healthcare remains free in Ojo LG, says Chairman

Healthcare
Lagos, Oct. 18, 2019 (NAN) The Chairman, Ojo Local Government Council in Lagos State, Mr Idowu Rasulu-Olusola, said on Friday that primary healthcare services remains free in the area.
The chairman made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to him, the council is not aware that some primary healthcare givers are taxing pregnant and nursing mothers before they are given Medicare.
NAN reports that mothers who went for routine antenatal and post natal services on Wednesday complained of charges from health officials before they were attended to at the various primary health centres in Ojo.
Rasulu-Olusola, while condemning the act, described it as unbecoming of health workers and should be stopped, warning that “it is unethical and antithetical to the policy of the state on health delivery’’.
“The council maintains total free healthcare to nursing mothers and children at our health centres.
“It will amount to unbridle corruption for any official to tax patients before administering drug or render service to them,” he said.
The council boss, who warned those involved in the unwholesome act to desist forthwith, promised to investigate the issue with a view to stopping the menace.
He expressed concern that such practices that could hinder the less privileged from accessing healthcare had been going on without the knowledge of the council.
NAN reports that the women are charged N300, N400 and N500 for registration, health talk and maintenance fees, respectively, weekly at the various centres. (NAN)
EUC/ESAN/MST
Edited by Abiodun Esan/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

World close to attaining HIV treatment – NACA

World close to attaining HIV treatment – NACA

By Olasunkanmi Onifade
HIV
Abuja, Dec. 13, 2018 (NAN) The Director-General of National Action for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Sani Aliyu, says the world is about 10 to 15 years close to attaining treatment or total cure of HIV.

Aliyu stated this at a three-day regional workshop for country coordinators of International Community of Women Living with HIV West Africa (ICWWA) aimed at achieving catch up plans and attainment of 90-90-90 global prevention targets.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and partners had in 2014 launched the 90–90–90 targets.

It is aimed at diagnosing 90 per cent of all HIV-positive persons, providing antiretroviral therapy (ART) for 90 per cent of those diagnosed and achieving viral suppression for 90 per cent of those treated by 2020.

The director-general said although there was no cure presently for the epidemic, there was however, a very effective treatment which would give people living with the virus opportunity to live a normal life.

“In Nigeria, only about one in four Nigerians have had the HIV test done.

“Our survey in the past shows that majority, up to 80 per cent Nigerians, would love to have the HIV test done.”

Aliyu, however, listed challenges in the HIV fight to include lack of advocacy, access to testing and general knowledge about HIV.

“Addressing key population groups and other groups that are vulnerable to HIV such as young women; as well as addressing structural and social factors,’’ he said.

He said most countries were attaining the targets or about to hit the target 90-90-90, but Nigeria’s biggest challenge was the first 90 as only about three per cent of people living with HIV, know their diagnosis.

Aliyu said the agency had a strategic plan for 2019 to reduce the rate of Persons Living With HIV/AIDS, saying there will be community participation and engagement in remotes areas.

He added that there would be decentralisation of services, improvement of laboratory services and point of care test to improve the services; as well as provision of a strengthened healthcare system aimed at addressing the barriers to accessing treatment.

“About 60 per cent new HIV infections are women, unlike men that have other prevention interventions that achieve a lot, so there is need to prioritise the challenges among women.

“Government is committed to the continuous work with CSOs that deals with Persons Living With HIV, we cannot have policies without engaging them.

“With HIV, we have gone long way in terms of global response and strong advocacy role by the CSOs, but there is need to address the issues of gender based violence and discrimination,” Aliyu said.

The Regional Chairperson ICWWA, Mrs Ndeye Dioup, said the workshop was aimed at strengthening the capacity and influence of ICWWA for countries to fully implement strategies to access HIV prevention and care services. (NAN)
OEO/DOR/MST
Edited by Nyisom Dire/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Nasarawa lawmaker offers free hepatitis screening, testing to constituents

Nasarawa lawmaker offers free hepatitis screening, testing to constituents
By Awayi Kuje
Hepatitis
Nassarawa Eggon (Nasarawa State), Nov. 2, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Ibrahim Muluku, member representing Nassarawa Eggon East constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, has sponsored free screening and testing for hepatitis B and C for his constituents.
Declaring the three-day free outreach opened in Nasarawa Eggon on Friday, Muluku said it was designed to improve the health status of his people.
He explained that the free medical outreach was also targeted to help the needy by bringing healthcare services closer to them.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the outreach is in collaboration with Beaconship International, an NGO, in which about 400 people are expected to benefit from the programme.
According to Muluku, the outreach would also assist his constituents to know their hepatitis status and get treated free of charge.
“Hepatitis is a deadly disease, hence my desire to organise the programme for my people because a healthy nation is a wealthy nation,” he said.
Muluku advised his constituents and Nigerians at large to give priority to routine medical check-up in order to enable them detect early infection of diseases in their body.
He added that routine medical check-up is necessary in order to detect early infection of diseases as well as to keep the body more healthy.
The lawmaker also encouraged his constituents to embrace physical exercise for good health and for the overall development of the country.
The assemblyman promised to provide more developmental programmes to the people of the constituency in order to better their standard of living.
The Coordinator of Beaconship International, Dr Silva Itoro, commended the legislator for sponsoring the programme.
He said that after the screening and testing, those who have been confirmed negative would be given vaccine for three months and those found positive would be administered with proper medication.
Responding, Mr Sule Andah, the District Head of Alizaga in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of the state, lauded the lawmaker for the gesture and called for its sustenance.
The traditional ruler urged other politicians to emulate Muluku in order to improve on the health status of their people. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Birth, death certificates free, says NPopC Chairman

Birth, death certificates free, says NPopC Chairman
By Chinenye Offor
Certificates
Abuja, Sept. 19, 2018 (NAN) The National Population Commission (NPopC) says registration for birth and death certificates are offered free by the commission.
The Chairman of NPopC, Chief Eze Duruiheoma, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
Duruiheoma was reacting to allegations by some Nigerians that they were being charged various sums from N2,000 upwards at the different registration points established by the commission across the country.
“The commission does not charge for issuance of birth or death certificates, but rather the private organisations engaged for the job,’’ he explained.
According to him, the certificate is free for children from 0-days to 17 years of birth, after which a N2,000 penalty is imposed on defaulters who must also produce an affidavit from a law court.
Duruiheoma however explained that the commission had engaged the technical services of the private sector under a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) arrangement in order to remedy the challenge faced by NPopC in the vital registration process.
According to him, it is the responsibility of the commission to register births and deaths, but there is difficulty analysing the register due to analogue way of processing information.
He explained that NPopC got approval to engage Socket Works Ltd under the PPP after consultation with necessary authorities including the SGF.
Duruiheoma underscored the need for the partnership, saying that the commission has been struggling over the years to switch from analogue to automated ways of registering births and deaths.
“The commission has been struggling over the years to switch from analogue to automated, but couldn’t do that due to lack of funds.

“Births and deaths are being registered by hand and the states struggle to put the data together and even when they do, it is difficult for us in the headquarters to analyse it,” he explained.
He confirmed that the private firm “charge a token’’ for secured facilities featured into the certificates and maintenance of other facilities such as computers and networks used in processing the documents, and not for the certificates per se.
He added that the fee charged by the company was also for the improved quality of the birth certificate to secure it against replication and forgery.
“However, I have not been briefed on how much the company is charging for the birth registration,’’ Duruiheoma said.
Besides, he explained that NPopC had introduced a pilot scheme after engaging the firm in the FCT, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Edo and Rivers States.
“So far, the pilot scheme had just kicked off in Lagos and FCT,’’ the chairman said.
Duruiheoma assured that if the scheme succeeded in Lagos and Abuja, it would become a model, but if it failed it would be called off.
He therefore expressed gratitude to UNICEF for its support to the commission in the birth registration process. (NAN)
CSO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NMA provides free medical outreach to .5m persons

NMA provides free medical outreach to .5m persons
By Ummul Idris
NMA
Abuja, April 26, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said on Thursday that it provided free medical outreach to more than 500,000 indigent persons under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the last 10 years across the country.

NMA’s President, Prof. Mike Ogirima, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that the services included free medical and surgical outreaches.

Ogirima said that the association was poised to do more depending on the available of resources.

“For up to decade now, the Nigerian Medical Association as part of her Corporate Social Responsibility has been organising free medical and surgical hospital-based outreaches during her national meetings.

“We hold these outreaches in all the senatorial zones in the states while hosting our meetings.

“State chapters of our association have also extended this Godly and sacrificial act of love and charity to nooks and cranny of the respective states.

“Over 500,000 indigent Nigerians who were hitherto excluded by geography, economic status or physical lack of access have benefited from the goodwill of NMA; we are ready to do more depending on the availability of resources,’’ he said.

Ogirima added that the association would welcome collaborative partnership from individuals, faith-based organisations and corporate bodies to extend healthcare to those who had been left out due to no fault of theirs.

The NMA president promised that the association would continue to contribute its quota at improving the healthcare services for Nigerians, especially at the grassroots. (NAN)
UMD/ENN/MST
Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Judiciary

Lawyers seek free legal services to prisoners

Lawyers seek free legal services to prisoners
NAN-H-33
Service
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Jan. 5, 2018 (NAN) Some Lagos-based lawyers on Friday urged their colleagues to be inclined to providing free legal services to prisoners as a means of enhancing justice administration in Nigeria.
The lawyers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the Nigerian legal system would be enhanced if every lawyer offers routine pro-bono (free-of-charge) services for inmates.
They said such services would go a long way in promoting an effective criminal justice system in the country.
A lawyer and civil rights activist, Mrs Adaobi Ezikeoha, said that “there is a constant desire by some accused in custody to secure legal representation for themselves.
“However, a handful of such accused persons cannot afford to pay for the services of a lawyer, which further elongates their stay in custody’’.
Azikeoha suggested that if every lawyer undertook to represent one accused, it would facilitate the dispensation of justice and reduce prison congestion.
She, therefore, urged lawyers to make their impact felt in the profession by providing assistance to prisoners.
Another lawyer, Mr Odeh Ola, also urged lawyers to assist in bringing hope to indigent inmates, who could not afford to pay for legal services.
Ola said that many lawyers were often reluctant to take up pro-bono cases, either due to the existence of the Legal Aid Council, or the Office of the Public Defender that provide same services.
He said that although these bodies had a duty of securing free representation for accused persons, there was still room for the provision of more pro-bono services for the increasing number of inmates.
He urged lawyers to “rise up to the occasion”.
In his opinion, a rights campaigner, Mr Ogedi Ogu, said that the task of providing free services for accused persons should not be left entirely to the government units.
According to him, every lawyer is a stakeholder in prison decongestion.
“The offer of free legal services is a responsibility of every qualified lawyer.
“And this ought to be done with the aim of aiding the Nigeria Criminal Justice system,’’ he said.
Another lawyer, Mr Paul Ohazuruike, commended lawyers who had helped to offer such free legal services for awaiting trial inmates in the past.
He urged other lawyers to emulate same.
According to Ohazuruike, a desire to undertake free representation of an accused should be of paramount concern to every lawyer.
“It forms the basis of good legal practice,’’ he declared. (NAN)
UNS/AIB/MST
Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Nasarawa women demands free healthcare

Nasarawa women demands free healthcare
NAN-H-34
Health
By Awayi Kuje
Garaku (Nasarawa State), Oct.29, 2017 (NAN) Some rural women in Nasarawa State have appealed to the Federal and State Governments to provide free healthcare services and soft loans to improve their lives.

The women made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday from their respective communities in Garaku, Kokona Local Government Area.

They said that improving basic amenities in their communities would go a long way in improving their standard of living and life span thereby contributing positively to overall development of the state and country.

They noted that the provision of free health facilities in the rural areas would also reduce mother and child mortality rate in the country.

The women further appealed to the federal and state governments to provide functional boreholes in rural areas to alleviate their sufferings while searching for water.

They said most of them depend mainly on stream water for drinking and domestic use which is unhealthy.

The women also advocated for free interest or soft agricultural and economic loans in order to fight poverty, unemployment as well boost agricultural production in the country.

Mrs Hajara Abdullahi, a resident of Agwada in Kokona Local Government Area, said that lack of standard health facilities in the area has affected the health status and standard of living of women negatively.

“Everybody is aware that rural women depend on natural resources and agriculture for their livelihoods, as more than half of Nigeria’s population live in the rural area.

“Everybody is also aware that the rural areas have been neglected by governments of all kind in terms of quality infrastructure.

“How many rural areas have standard schools, hospitals, water supply and electricity?

“The absence of these infrastructural facilities has affected our lives and the socio-economic development at the grassroots and the country at large.

“It is in view of this I appeal to government at all levels to provide social amenities especially free health facilities in rural areas in order to better our living,” she said.

Another woman in Amba community, Kokona LGA of the state, Mrs Janet Audu, also called on government to give adequate attention to rural development especially in the provision of standard health facilities and water supply.

“The water in our community is stinking and causing diseases as most women leave their houses early in the morning in search of drinking water especially during the dry season.

“I am appealing to the government at all levels to provide us with free and standard health facilities and potable water supply in order to improve our standard of living,’’ she said.(NAN)
AKW/MUYI/MST
Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Dickson directs free medical examination in Bayelsa

Dickson directs free medical examination in Bayelsa
NAN-H-3
Health
By Christian Ogbonna
Yenagoa, June 20, 2017 (NAN) Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa has directed for an annual free medical examination for four special categories of citizens in the state.

This is contained in a statement issued to newsmen by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, in Yenagoa on Tuesday.

It said that the exercise would be administered once every year for “senior citizens’’, civil servants, political appointees and first class traditional rulers in the state.

The statement said Dickson gave the order during the inauguration of a 13-member board for the Bayelsa Health Services Scheme.

It explained that the policy was part of the administration’s plan in the health sector to improve good health for citizens.

The governor, according to the statement, charged members of the board to work out the modalities for the immediate commencement of the free medical examination.

“‎I want a health system where people don’t wait to fall ill before they take advantage of our health facilities.

“The Head of Service will work with the board to ensure that every civil servant and all those captured by the law get free medical examination at least once a year.

“I charge members of the board to live up to expectation by ensuring that they dutifully perform the task before them,” Dickson was quoted by the statement saying.

He announced an initial take-off grant of N100 million for the board.

Responding, the Chairperson of the board, Prof. Onyaye Kunle-Olowo, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them and assured that they would work hard for quality delivery.

Other members of the board include Mrs Monica Azazi-Olarinde; Dr Kojo Omietimi; Mr Anthony Ikhobo and Mr Eboh Mazi, while Dr Zuoboemi Agadah would serve as Executive Secretary. (NAN)

OOC/CEO/MST
Edited by Chidi Opara/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NMA canvasses free treatment for depression patients

NMA canvasses free treatment for depression patients

NAN-HG-9

Treatment

By AdulFatai Beki

Ilorin, April 7, 2017 (NAN) The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has canvassed free treatment by the three tiers of government for patients affected with depression to reduce cases of suicides among Nigerians.

The Chairman of NMA in Kwara, Dr Kunle Olawepo, made the call in a statement issued in llorin on Friday to commemorate the 2017 World Health Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that April 7 is marked globally by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as World Health Day.

He noted that most Nigerians were currently suffering from depression and other related illnesses, which normally leads to suicide in many cases.

Olawepo added that the introduction of free medical treatment by government and organisations would save the lives of many Nigerians.

The chairman said that about 50 per cent cases of major depression still go untreated, adding that it is responsible for high rate of suicide in the country.

He advised Nigerians to eat regularly, relax, exercise, avoid alcohol and use drugs prescribed by health professionals.

The theme for this year’s event is “DEPRESSION: LET’S TALK!’’. (NAN)

BEKI /JPE/MST

Edited by Joseph Edeh/Muhammad Suleiman Tola