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Nasarawa Govt commences free medical eye outreach

Nasarawa Govt commences free medical eye outreach
By Awayi Kuje
Eye
Akwanga (Nasarawa State), July 8, 2019 (NAN) The Nasarawa State Government has commenced free eye medical outreach across the three senatorial districts of the state.
Malam Ishaku Abari, the Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Health, made this known at the flag off of three weeks free eye treatment in Gudi, Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.
Abari said that the new administration has given eye topmost priority due to the importance of the eye to the whole body.
“If the eyes are healthy, the whole body will be full of light. On the other hand, if the eyes are unhealthy, the whole body will be full of darkness.
“It is in line with this popular phrase that the state government has decided to kick start the free medical mission, with the free eye care community outreach service as an initiative that targets the poor residents across the state,” he said.
According to him, the careful selection of the care of the eyes, as the first component of the outreach programme of the government is not a misplaced priority.
“Eye related problems such as cataracts, glaucoma and refractive errors are the commonest causes of blindness among our people
“Efforts to rectify or correct and take care of these diseases should be commended by all.
Abari also said that the ministry has selected a team of experts (doctors, nurses) to prosecute this project in the next three weeks to cover the three senatorial zones to ensure state wide coverage and the success of the project.
He also urged Nigerians to always go for eye medical check-up in their interest and for societal development.
The permanent secretary restated the continued commitment of the state government to initiate good health policies and programmes that have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state.
Mr Samuel Meshi, the Executive Chairman, Akwanga Local Government Council, commended the governor for the gesture.
Meshi assured the state government of his people’s unalloyed support and cooperation for the administration to succeed.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the medical outreach was organised to mark Gov. Abdullahi Sule’s 100 days in office.
Free consultation service and eye glasses would be distributed free of charge to the beneficiaries during the outreach. (NAN)
AKW/OYE/MST
Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Traditional leader lauds govt, donors for free child spacing commodities

Traditional leader lauds govt, donors for free child spacing commodities
By Amina Ahmed
Reproduction
Bauchi, May 2, 2019 (NAN) Mr Adamu Haruna, the Community Head of Rundabin in Bauchi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, has commended the Federal and State Governments as well as development partners for offering free child spacing services and commodities to people in the state.
Haruna told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Bauchi that the free services has reduced financial burden on access to the services.
He said that despite the polygamous system of family practice in the area, spouses have resolved to key in to ensure healthy life style.
He noted that with the services, spouses have found ease in planning families and avoiding unplanned pregnancies.
“We have many children already, but to ensure that mothers and children remain healthy, most households have started accessing the free services including a nearby family that is about three kilometres from our community,” he said.
Haruna also said that the community has put measures in place to ensure that children complete their routine immunisation.
“At community level, we meet with head of households to emphasise that routine immunisation should be completed,’’ the community leader said. (NAN)
AE/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Lafia Chief Imam urges govt to tackle kidnapping

By Sunday John
Kidnapping
Lafia, April 27, 2019 (NAN) Malam Dahiru Dalhatu, the Chief Imam of Lafia Central Mosque, has called on Nasarawa State Government to tackle the rising spate of kidnapping in the state.

The cleric made the call on Saturday in Lafia during the thanksgiving prayer of a victim of kidnapping who recently regained freedom after paying an undisclosed amount as ransom.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victim, Malama Yahanasu Suleiman, the wife of Mr Suleiman Abubakar, the state Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ), who was kidnapped on March 27 and regained freedom on March 28.

Represented by Malam Kabiru Darhiru, the priest said that the increasing rate of kidnapping and other criminality in the state needed urgent measures to avoid escalation.

“The number one duty of government is to protect lives and property, therefore the government must rise up to its responsibility in order to give the people a sense of security.

“Apart from increasing rate of kidnapping, attacks in communities, arm robbery and other criminality is on the increase hence the need for urgent measures to be taken,” the Imam added.

Speaking on behalf of the family, the husband of the kidnapped victim, expressed gratitude to God for saving his wife and all those who supported them in kind and in cash during the traumatic moment.

He therefore prayed God to continue to protect his family against reoccurrence of the ugly incident. (NAN)
SDJ/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Nasarawa Govt promises favourable conditions for workers

Nasarawa Govt promises favourable conditions for workers
By Awayi Kuje
Welfare
Wamba (Nasarawa State), April 16, 2019 (NAN) The Nasarawa State Local Government Service Commission has renewed its commitment to train and retrain local government staff as well as continued provision of conducive environment for workers for effective service delivery.
Mr Sani Bawa, the Chairman of the commission, said this on Tuesday while addressing staff of Wamba Local Government Council of the state during his tour of the area.
Bawa explained that the tour was meant to interact with the local government staff members on their challenges.
He urged the workers to enhance their productivity by shunning truancy, absenteeism and other negative tendencies fuelling underdevelopment.
Bawa also advised the local government council’s staff to work hard and encourage teamwork for the overall improvement of the local government system and for optimal productivity.
“This tour is very crucial to the development of not only the staff but to the development of the state at large.
“Because it will afford the local government staff the opportunity to brainstorm on issues affecting them and on how to address such problems.
“I want to call on all of you to be productive in order to justify your take home pay through dedication to duties.
“You are also advised to shun absenteeism, truancy and other sharp practices capable of affecting your productivity, your image and the image of the state and the country at large.
“The commission will not and will never tolerate any act of absenteeism, indiscipline and lateness to duty in the interest of development,” he said.
He commended the existing working relationship between the management of the council and its staff.
The commission chairman further called on the staff of the council to ensure peaceful co-existence among themselves for the development of the state.
Responding, Mr Abubakar Abbas, the Executive Chairman of the council, assured the commission of the council’s staff members’ commitment to continue to ensure effective service delivery.
He also assured the commission of their loyalty and support to the state government policies and programmes for the development of the state. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Adamawa Govt to employ 6,000 health workers

Adamawa Govt to employ 6,000 health workers
By Martins Abochol
Employment
Yola, Feb. 11, 2019 (NAN) Gov. Mohammed Bindow of Adamawa on Monday promised to employ additional 6,000 health workers to augment the manpower capacity of the sector in the state.
Bindow made the declaration while signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for reconstruction of 140 primary health care centres in the state.
NAN reports that the project is to be facilitated by European Union and other donor agencies in the state.
The governor reiterated his commitment toward improving the primary health care delivery system in the state.
“I am pledging to employ additional 6000 health workers to argument the sector,’’ Bindow said.
The governor noted that it was in recognition of viability of the health sector that the present administration had renovated all major health facilities across the three geo-political zones in the state.
He added that all the entitlements of health workers have also been settled in the state.
Bindow assured the development partners of the commitment of the state government towards timely completion of the projects.
The Acting Chairperson, state Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Batulu Mohammed, had earlier stressed that the project would kick-start with 37 clinics in the first phase.
Mohammed however said the health sector needed an additional 6,000 manpower for effective administration of the facilities.
Mr Olusoyi Olosunde, the Health Officer, UNICEF Bauchi field office, pledged the commitment of the donor agencies in the actualisation of the project to achieve their goals. (NAN)
MK/MST
Edited by 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

Malnutrition: Nasarawa Govt urges collective action

Malnutrition: Nasarawa Govt urges collective action
By Awayi Kuje
Malnutrition
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Nov. 15, 2018 (NAN) The Nasarawa State Government has called for collective action against the challenge of malnutrition among children in the country.
Mr Bulus Amoye, the Chairman of the state Committee on Food and Nutrition, made the appeal during the quarterly meeting of the committee in Keffi on Thursday.
Amoye, who is also the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning, said that the meeting was aimed at discussing strategies at improving nutrition and reducing malnutrition.
He said this could be achieved through effective coordination of activities of all nutrition actors in the state and at the local government level.
He explained that the meeting was meant to rationalise and mobilise activities and resources for scaling up nutrition in the state.
“The Nasarawa State Government is committed towards addressing the challenges of malnutrition among children in the state in order to improve on their health status and for the overall development of the state and the country at large.
“The state government is also doing its best in improving on the nutrition need of children in the state,” he said.
Amoye also urged parents to give adequate attention to the nutrition needs of their children in order to complement government efforts in that direction.
Besides, the chairman called on nutrition partners in the state to work toward improving the nutrition needs of children.
“I will appeal to parents and other citizens to always maintain hygiene in the interest of their health and that of their children so as to complement government efforts in tackling challenges of malnutrition among children in the state.
“Let us continue to keep our environment clean. The hygiene condition of our environment is very important as it will go a long way in improving on our health status,” he said.
The permanent secretary renewed the state government commitment to continue to initiate good health policies and programmes that have direct bearing on the nutritional needs of the children in order to improve on their standard of living.
Dr Ibrahim Adamu, the Director, Public Health, state Ministry of Health, stressed the need for preventive measures against malnutrition in the state.
Adamu said if parents and other citizens take precaution measures against malnutrition, it would go a long way in boosting the health and standard of living of the people, especially that of children.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting brought together the committee members, including the Director of Planning, state Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning, Mr Isah Abdul. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Bauchi Govt battles Type 2 Polio virus

By Mohammed Ahmed Kaigama
Polio
Bauchi, Oct. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Bauchi  State Government says it is intensifying efforts on surveillance system to fight type 2 Polio virus found in the state. 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)reports that Circulating Vaccine-Derived Polio Virus Type 2 (cVDPV2) was discovered at Gwallaga mosque area linking three wards of Makama B, Hardo and Dankade areas of Bauchi Local Government Area through samples  collected from various locations on a monthly basis.

Dr Zuwaira Hassan, the State Commissioner for Health, told newsmen in Bauchi on Saturday that the state government has embarked on active surveillance system to fight the polio virus out of the state.

She said the intensive campaign and awareness will be carried out across the state to get rid of the type 2 Polio virus found in the state metropolis.

“The type polio virus was last discovered  years back and that wild Polio virus was last discovered 5 years back in the state,” she said.

The commissioner said the type 2 virus was first discovered in Jigawa, Yobe and Katsina States some part of the north and Niger Republic.

Hassan explained that the virus was only discovered on ponds, drainages and refuse in the communities, adding that it is not discovered on a human being.

She stressed that the state government was committed to eradicating polio in the state “with the Basket fund MOU between Bill and Millinda Gate, Aliko Dangote and the state government on polio and immunization.

“I am confident that we have done well in trying to eradicate polio.

“Therefore there is need to improve access to information to health workers who are stationed at different health facilities

“This would help the state government know the rate of frequency of a particular disease in a community and prevent its spread,” she said.

Hassan said the surveillance system would be conducted across the 20 local government areas of the state.

She reiterated the commitment of government to continue organising supplementary and routine immunisation days in all health facilities and outreach centres in the state.

According to her, the secondary and tertiary healthcare providers have to be innovative in making sure that diseases are promptly reported to bridge the gap.

Hassan urged families to continue to immunise their children and prevent a resurgence of the disease.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Polio is a highly-infectious viral disease which mainly affects young children and can result in permanent paralysis.

There is no cure and it can only be prevented through immunisation.(NAN)
MAK/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Drug Abuse: Niger Govt task parents child upbringing

Drug Abuse: Niger Govt task parents child upbringing
By Mercy Osajiugo
Training
Minna, Oct. 6, 2018 (NAN) The Niger Government has urged parents to monitor their teenage children against drug abuse in order to reduce crimes in the society.
The state Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Fatima Madugu, made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Minna.
Madugu said that it was wrong and dangerous for parents to leave their children and wards’ surveillance solely to teachers and house helps.
She therefore advised parents and guardians to pay close attention to their children by knowing their friends and acquaintances.
“It is harmful for parents to allow any lad to be a friend to their children or ward; I say this because every child has different background, and they come along with different traits to school.
“This is why parents should monitor their children and wards by going as far as searching their school bags occasionally, and even their pockets, to know what content they have there,” she said.
She noted that peer group had a lot of negative and positive influences, urging parents to be mindful of such influences which could be harmful to them and the society at large.
“It is a necessity for parents to instill discipline of no to self medication to their children.
“Parents should not allow their children or wards take drugs indiscriminately; rather, they should be in the know of any medication,” she said.
The commissioner also called on parents to sharpen their thinking skills, to enable them understand promptly tact their children might exhibit to hide certain clandestine behaviours. (NAN)
MNO/JTJ/MST
Edited by Julius Toba Jegede/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Foundation solicits inclusion of albinism in govt programmes

Foundation solicits inclusion of albinism in govt programmes
By Talatu Maiwada
Albinism
Abuja, June 12, 2018 (NAN) The Albino Foundation (TAF) has called on the Federal Government to take raise public awareness on rights of persons with albinism and include them into government programmes, policies and projects.
Mr Jake Epelle, the President of the foundation, made this appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja ahead of 2018 International Albinism Awareness Day scheduled for June 13.
According to Epelle, the day is adopted by the General Assembly of the UN to create both global and national awareness on the rights of persons with albinism in communities and society at large.
He said the day would create awareness on socio-economic and health challenges faced by persons with albinism, and various myths and stereotype bedevilling the albinism community over the years.
Epelle added that mainstreaming albinism into various programmes of private and public sector would create equal opportunity for persons with Albinism.
“This is an opportunity to appeal to our policy makers, stakeholders and the society that we desire to be given equal opportunities as citizens of this country.
“Opportunities could be given to those qualified among us in terms of employment, entrepreneurship empowerment, education and political participation, among others,’’ he said.
Speaking on health challenges, he said persons with albinism are susceptible to skin cancer, low vision impairment, freckles, moles as well as socio economic challenges.
He said Albinos were normal human beings and would be trained on how to be good citizens, better leaders in their occupational sphere and strategies on parenting children with albinism.
Epelle explained that albinism is a global phenomenal that occurs in people of all race and gender, adding that it is a genetic disorder caused by lack of melanin pigment.
The Albino Foundation (TAF) is an independent NGO committed to addressing the plight of persons with albinism in Nigeria as well as assist and empower them find their rightful place in the society. (NAN)
TIM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola