Bauchi,March 12,2020 (NAN)The Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA),Bauchi chapter,has called for the establishment of Veterinary Hospitals in North East states considering the increasing threat of zoonotic diseases.
Zoontic diseases are diseases that derive their origin from animals.
Vice chairman of the Association,Dr Abubakar Sadiq, said during a courtesy call on News Agency of Nigeria ((NAN), Bauchi on Thursday that most states had only ‘ Vetrinary Clinics’.
He said the call had become imperative, especially now that the entire world was being threatened by coronavirus disease.
According to him, clinical activities take place only in clinics and area offices with little or no consumables,equipments and conducive working environment.
“In Bauchi for example, veterinary services are provided in a clinic that was built since 1914.
“Sixtyfive to 75 percent of human diseases are transmitted from animals to human,which can be prevented if measures are put in place.
“COVID 19 was traced to a fish farm in China,typhoid is from the pipe borne water we drink,contaminated by animals and not treated properly,”he said.
Speaking on abbattoirs, Sadiq most states had only slaughter slabs , with no adequate supervision of proceedings.
On rabbies , he said Bauchi recorded 36 cases from January 2019 to date, affecting over 10 people.
The Vice Chairman said the association intended partnering with stakeholders to check the incessant cases of cruelty to animals in the state.
In his response,NAN Bauchi Zonal manager, Malam Abdullahi Salihu,said that with the outbreak of COVID 19 and other emerging diseases, the role of veterinary doctors was paramount in public health.
He expressed the readiness of NAN Bauchi Zonal Office to partner with NVMA in educating the populace.(NAN)
Makarfi (Kaduna State) Feb. 27, 2020 (NAN) The Shehu Idris College of Health Science and Technology, Makarfi says it has concluded plans to commence Higher National Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as Medical Imaging Technology to boost human resources in the state.
Dr Suleiman Usman, the Provost of the College disclosed this during the matriculation ceremony of the 2019/2020 admitted students on Thursday in Makarfi, Kaduna State.
Usman said the college would also introduce a national diploma in Fire Safety Technology.
He said the institution was determined to prepare human resources for primary and secondary health facilities through accredited training programmes.
According to the provost, the college has also mounted new programmes to address the needs of the society.
The new courses include among others a Higher National Diploma in Health Information Management, National Diploma Biomedical Engineering and Diploma Health Care Management.
“In the last two years, the college has graduated 3,516 health personnel in various fields.
“For 2019/2020 academic session over 13,000 applied to the college. We are today matriculating a total of 2,178 students,” he said.
Usman, therefore, advised the students to attend their classes, carryout assignments dutifully, as well as obey the school rules.
The state Director of Health Services, Dr Ado Zakari, who represented the Commissioner for Health, said health studies are sacrificual courses with not much monetary attachments.
He urged the students to read and practice their profession not necessarily to pass examinations.
He said there were agitations in respect to 2019 health workers and academicians salary in the state, saying that a committee had been set up to look into it.(NAN)
AM/CEO/MZA
==========
Edited by Chidi Opara/Maharazu Ahmed
=======================
5th Doctors Games: Sports, veritable tool for healthy living — Wike
Games
By Omuboye Sukubo
Port Harcourt, Feb. 18, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers says sports is a veritable tool for healthy living, promoting unity, comradeship amongst people and human empowerment generally.
Wike made the statement while declaring open the 5th Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Doctors Games tagged “Port Harcourt 2020”, in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Represented by Tammy Danagogo, Secretary to the State Government, the Rivers governor commended the doctors for participating in sports to stay healthy.
“So, as you need the sports to stay healthy, your patients and the society also need to stay healthy.
“I urge you not to only ensure that your members engage in sporting activities but also pass the message to your patients and the society at large.
According to Wike, health is largely dependent on diet and exercise, and the doctors are leading the way with games competition.
“I am happy that our doctors who are champions of good health are leading the way. So, lead the way by doing the sports and teaching the society by example,” he added.
Earlier in his address, NMA President Francis Faduyile said that the Doctors Games was a strategy to promote the physical, mental and medical fitness of its members.
He said it would improve health status and life expectancy.
Faduyile also stated that the quality of healthcare delivery in Nigeria by NMA members would improve through the games.
“This is in keeping with the theme for this game, which is, “Healthy Doctors: Healthier World”.
“It is our hope that all our members will avail themselves these opportunities and actively participate in the 5th NMA Doctors Games and practice what they preach to their patients,” he said.
The NMA President urged members to be in their best behaviour, make more sacrifices, show commitment and support issues concerning the association and the medical profession at large.
Chairman of National NMA Sports Committee, Uche Ojinmah, said that the tradition of inviting other healthcare professionals during the opening ceremony of the games was to create relationship in the health sector.
“This started at Abeokuta in 2018 and has been sustained with the invitation of football team from our sister profession of nursing to trade tackles with NMA football team.
“I hope and pray that this on-field interaction shall herald a new positive era in relations between medical and nursing professions,” he said.
In her remarks, Dr Obelebra Adebiyi, the NMA Chairperson in Rivers, said the event was aimed at building healthy doctors as well as fostering unity and brotherliness amongst Nigerians across ethnic, political and religious divides.
Adebiyi commended Gov. Wike for sponsoring the Doctors Games in Port Harcourt.
The football match between NMA male team and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives male football team for the opening ceremony ended 1-0 in favour of NMA.(NAN)
Dr Fidelis Ekemba, popularly known as `Aproko’ Doctor™ (@aproko_doctor)
By Augusta Uchediunor
Lagos, Feb. 18, 2020 (NAN) A general medical practitioner, Dr Fidelis Ekemba, popularly known as : `Aproko’ Doctor™ (@aproko_doctor), says awareness and having the right information are critical elements that will help improve the nation’s healthcare indices.
Ekemba told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday that a lot still needed to be done when it comes to the state of healthcare in Nigeria.
“While there are victories in some select and minor areas; generally, the state of the country’s healthcare system seems to be poor.
“Nigeria is still considered one of the nations with a weak healthcare system and part of the reason is because of the burden of the people on the already burdened healthcare system.’’
The doctor who is also the Founder of @DHealthyThreads, said that Nigeria was having a record of one doctor to over 10,000 persons.
He said that the statistics was above the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of one doctor to between 400 persons and 600 persons.
“ Given that particular kind of disparity in our healthcare system, there is still a lot of work to be done.
“So, that is where the awareness should come in.’’
He said that the stakeholders in the healthcare sector should prevent the public from going to hospitals.
He said that they should make the hospital a place that people should go to only when they really needed it.
The medical doctor said that through that they would be reducing the burdens on the nation’s healthcare system.
He said that would give the sector an opportunity to improve on its services to the public.
“People need to know how to live a healthy life. They should also know when things are going wrong in their bodies or among those persons around them.
“People need to have the right information to overcome myths and conceptions that abound.
“They also need to know the importance of medical checkups, how to keep their environments clean, as well as recognise warning signs and others.’’
He said that `Aproko’ doctor was conceived so that the public could be aware of what they should know and do regarding their health conditions.
He said that it was also for them to be able to bridge the gaps of ignorance and myths that abound in their environments.
“ That’s why a couple of other doctors and I tried to improve the awareness of the regular Nigerians because doing that will help to improve the healthcare of Nigeria.
“That is where `Aproko’ Doctor came from.
`Aproko’ basically means someone who makes a lot of noise, someone who leaks secrets or does not mind his or her own business.
“And we figured that the best way to get the attention of Nigerians is through the use of the social media; because an average person spends about four hours daily on the social media alone.
“So, I said why not go there and try to see how I can influence the common Nigerian and improve their health care practice, while at the same time help them to improve the health indices of Nigeria.’’
He said that the name `Aproko’ Doctor was adopted because it caught the attention of several people who eventually embraced it.
He said that the feedback reaching him showed that `Aproko’ doctor was not doing badly.
“This is the second year of its being in existence. ` I think we’ve done quite a good job. I think the testimonies from the people have been: I eat better because of Aproko Doctor™.
“ I do a lot of things better now than I used to do in the past.’’
He said that his next line of action was that he intended to collaborate with international bodies and reach out to people he had not been able to and needed his medical services.
“ In as much as we have been able to reach quite a number of people on the social media, there are still many others who do not have access to it.
“That is the next step, that’s where we want to reach now,’’ he said.
He said that he was ready to collaborate with international bodies, investors and people who are passionate about improving the health indices of Nigerians. (NAN)
Nasarawa legislature pledges to give public health priority
By Mohammed Baba Busu
Healthcare
Lafia, Oct. 17, 2019 (NAN) The Nasarawa State House of Assembly on Thursday said that it would give priority to the passage of laws and resolutions that would improve public health in the state.
The House Committee Chairman on Health, Mr Labaran Shafa, made the promise when the committee visited Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) and Nasarawa State AIDS Control Agency (NASACA) in Lafia.
Shafa said that the legislature was committed to the development of the sector, adding that the importance of healthy people cannot be over-emphasised.
“The visit is part of our constitutional responsibilities to check on the activities of the health sector, which has to do with the health of the people of the state.
“The committee is out to know their challenges and ways to address them as the assembly is poised to give the people the best in order to improve on their health and their standard of living.
“We are here to assess the budget performance of your ministry, hospital and the agency with the view of addressing any challenge.
“We are committed to passing laws and resolutions that will have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state.
“This is because a healthy nation is wealthy nation, hence the need for our determination to give the health sector the topmost priority it deserves,” he said.
Shafa urged Heads of the state health institutions to rededicate themselves to efficient discharge of duties of improving the health condition of the residents.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary and other top management of its hospitals and agencies commended the committee members for the visit.
They assured the committee of their readiness to rededicate themselves to the provision of efficient health service delivery to people in the state. (NAN)
BAB/AVU/MST
Edited By Victor Asije/Muhammad Suleiman Tola
Key into bioenergy development to safeguard health, environment -Don
By Awayi Kuje
Bioenergy
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Oct. 16, 2019 (NAN) A university don, Prof. Makwin Makut, has called on the Federal Government to key into the development of bioenergy to safeguard the health of Nigerians and the ennvironment for the overall development of the country.
Makut, a Professor of Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK), made the appeal on Wednesday during the 24th inaugural lecture of the university.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the don spoke on “Eco-Friendly Microbial Products For Health Of The Environment”
He said such would not only ensure a clean healthy environment, but will lead to conversion of waste to useful products that can be sold to generate wealth.
“Nigeria needs to key into the development of bioenergy in order to safeguard the health of its environment.
“The need for relevant governmental and non-governmental agencies to be interested in waste management, especially municipal solid waste management cannot be overemphasised,” he said.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Suleiman Mohammed, said the inaugural lecture had been one of the NSUK’s culture.
He commended Makut for rising to the challenge of reaching the peak of his profession, urging him to keep up the tempo.
He called on other lecturers in the institution to pick the challenge of presenting their inaugural lectures as one of the cardinal points of their professions. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola
World Egg Day: Association urges FG to resuscitate national programmes on eggs
By Bukola Adewumi
Eggs
Abuja, Oct. 11, 2019 (NAN) As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate World Egg Day, the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has appealed to the Federal Government to resuscitate some national programmes that would boost the nutritional life of Nigerians by using eggs.
The National President of PAN, Mr Ezekiel Ibrahim, made the call at the 2019 World Egg Day, with the theme “Egg protein for life”, on Friday in Abuja.
Ibrahim said eggs and chicken were critical pillars to the successful attainment of the millennium development goals for agriculture and health.
According to him, it is currently estimated across the world that one billion people are underfed and malnourished, saying egg is the answer.
He said that eggs have the potential to feed the world as it is considered as nature’s vitamin pills, adding egg is a pill meant to eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition.
He said making it compulsory for implementation for schools throughout the country and appointing the association in states as aggregators of the eggs.
“Making egg as part of the prisons feeding programme and as part of peace keeping operations.
“Eggs should be considered as a priority food product that could be supplied to displaced people at various locations or camps throughout the country,” he said.
The president said that eggs offer an affordable and sustainable solution to help address dietary and nutritional standards of the people.
“This climate of concern around health issues presents the egg industry with an unrivalled opportunity to share the numerous benefits to human.
“The egg has so many benefits to many consumers before birth, adulthood and into later life, eggs can have significant impact source of essential protein.
“Eggs have the potential to eliminate global hunger by providing a high quality source of protein. The egg industry is commitment to sustainable development and eradicating food poverty,’’ the PAN President said.
He said that every cell in the human body contains protein which is needed in diet to generate new cells, noting eggs support healthy brain development in children.
He also appealed to stakeholders in the industry to break the seasonal nature of poultry products market through competitive pricing.
He therefore advised to Nigerians to make eggs their daily menu for quality life. (NAN)
BOL/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola
By Ummul Idris
Doctors
Abuja, Oct.10, 2019 (NAN) The Association of Resident Doctors have decried the neglect of mental health in the country, saying such neglect is dangerous to the health sector.
Dr Roland Aigbovo, the President of the association, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) against the backdrop of the World Mental Health Day celebration.
He noted that mental health was one aspect of medicine that had suffered neglect in Nigeria due to stigma.
He stated that to some extent the unavailability of drugs for patients of mental health also contributed to the menace in the country.
According to him, nobody wants to be tagged as being crazy but a whole lot of Nigerians are suffering from one mental illness or the other.
“With the recent surge in suicide in Nigeria, the medical community especially in our country should deem it very necessary to begin to enlighten the public on mental health and its related issues,” said ARD president.
He said that the association was collaborating with government to curtail the menace by taking cognisance of the increasing mental health issues and availing every opportunity to educate patients on mental health.
He said that the association dedicated its 2019 annual health week to enlighten the public on mental health thereby increasing awareness.
The medical practitioner said that the theme of its 2019 health week was “the neglect of mental health: a threat to our society”.
According to him, mental health involves psychological, emotional and social wellbeing, it entails how we act and respond to stress and pressures.
He stated that the menace of mental health could be reduced with increased awareness as well as seeking appropriate treatment when detected.
Aigbovo however advised Nigerians against some risky behaviour which posed high risk to mental disorders like drug abuse and misuse to reduced it. (NAN)
UMD/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola
By Muhammad Nasir Bello
Healthcare
Sokoto, Oct. 4, 2019 (NAN) The Sokoto State House of Assembly has inaugurated its standing Committee on Health with a task to improving healthcare delivery in the state.
The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Sarki inaugurated members of the committee on Friday in Sokoto.
Sarki, PDP-Sokoto North II and Minority Leader of the House, said that the legislature would continue to support all sectors of health in order to address related issues in the state.
“Being a critical sector in every society, it is necessary as lawmakers to ensure a better health condition of the people.
“As such, we will continue to remain committed and support the Ministry of Health to successfully achieve our desire of ensuring a healthier society.
“Moreover, the legislature will explore more laws that will enhance the health standard of the people of our state,” he said.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Ali Inname, reassured his commitment toward government desire to sustain more effort in the health sector.
Inname promised to work closely with the committee to succeed in government dedication of making the people healthier.
In a related development, the Assembly has inaugurated its standing Committee on Rules and Business to be chaired by the House Majority leader, Alhaji Bello Ambarura (APC-Illela).
Speaking after the ceremony, Ambarura said that the committee was saddled with the responsibility of all legislative activities.
He called on the lawmakers to continue to work together for the overall development of the legislature and the state in general. (NAN)
BMN/CHIN/MST
Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Muhammad Suleiman Tola
By Nana Musa/Amos Rebecca
Healthcare
Abuja, Sept. 3, 2019 (NAN) The Chairman, Governing Board, Medical Laboratory Scientists Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Prof. Muhammad Gwarzo, had called for unity amongst stakeholders in the health sector.
Gwarzo made the appeal at the 55th Annual Scientific Conference and Workshop organised by the association on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said althoug the country consisted of several health related arms, promoting unity is key to achieve meaningful development.
Gwarzo said: “In the health sector they are many divisions and unity is a must for us to be able to achieve our objective of detecting, preventing and responding to health needs.”
Gwarzo said that the theme of conference was timely as there are many emerging diseases which requires all hands to be on deck, to ensure early detection of and prevention.
Mr Tosan Erhabor, the Registrar of MLSCN, assured that the council would improve medical laboratory system.
According to him, the council will improve laboratory services delivery through timely response to treatment of diseases.
“We will continue to regulate the accreditation of school laboratories, inspection of medical laboratories facilities, fight against quackery and promote quality assurance in health services.
“A new dawn is here and an event like this will give room for the immediate training and contribution to quality services of our national health,” Erahabor said.
Eariler, the National President of AMLSN, Mr Bassey Enya, commended the theme of the conference titled “Global Health Security”, saying it will tackle challenges in the sector.
He said that the Medical Laboratory Agenda for the Sub-Saharan Africa was carefully chosen to reflect the current dangers posed by severe pathogens.
Enya said that pathogens have epidemic potential and role the medical laboratory could play in early detection and response.
He also said that the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) is an effort by nations, international organisations and civil societies to accelerate progress toward a world safe and secure from infectious disease threats.
He also said that the theme is to promote global health security as an international priority and to spur progress toward full implementation of international health regulation 2005.
“To prevent another devastating event like Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, we need a resilient and inclusive health system That extend to rural areas.
“A sensitive early warning system coupled with rapid response capacity, informed and engaged communities that trust their government and health services it provides,” Enya said.
He identified poor implementation of the national laboratory policy, inadequate training of medical laboratory personnel, weak medical laboratory infrastructure and limited quality assurance, to be among other challenges facin facing the sector.
He also noted that laboratories are usually given low priority and recognition in most national health delivery systems.
Mr Joseph David, the Chairman AMLSN, Abuja branch, said the theme was to plan to establish a network to interconnect laboratories.
“I am glad to have the privilege 15 years after to host an international conference of this magnitude.”
He commended partners for making this conference a huge success, most especially the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, the US Centre for Disease Control, the University of Maryland, the Institute of Human Virology Of Nigeria.
NHM/RAB/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola
