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Health

NSHIP disburses N272m to Bauchi health facilities

NSHIP disburses N272m to Bauchi health facilities
By Mohammed Ahmed Kaigama
Healthcare
Bauchi, March 14, 2019 (NAN) Dr Adamu Muhammed, the Bauchi State Project Coordinator, Nigerian States Health Investment Project (NSHIP), says government has disbursed more than N272 million to participating health facilities across the state.
Muhammed disclosed this at a meeting of the three participating local government healthcare authorities of the Performance Based Financing (PBF) steering committee for fourth quarter 2018, in Bauchi on Thursday.
“The sum of N272,666,103 is to be shared among health facilities participating in the Additional Financing Nigeria State Health Investment Project (AF-NSHIP) from Bauchi, Dass and Katagum Local Government Areas.
Mohammed said the money disbursed was for subsidy earnings, for the fourth quarter of 2018.
According to him, Bauchi local government was paid N110,752,934; Dass N85,467,149; and Katagum N76,746,020.
He pointed out that the amount was approved after the validation of the fourth quarter invoice by the committee.
Mohammed explained that the presentations of independent verifier showed improvement in domains of outpatient, referral, antenatal care, maternity, family planning and children who complete their immunisation schedules.
“The least performing domains are growth monitoring among children 0-23 months and 23-5 years; individual psycho-social counselling and HIV mothers breastfeeding and receiving ARV.
“Unlike third quarter of 2018, where five health facilities in Katagum and Bauchi were sanctioned. This time all facilities performed well,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the three local government PHC Directors, Alhaji Bako Gamawa, commended NSHIP for the intervention.
He said the disbursement would boost health services in participating health facilities in the benefitting local government areas. (NAN)
MAK/OOA/MST
Edited by Olabisi Akinbode/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Association to train health workers on neonatal services

Association to train health workers on neonatal services

By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Neonatal
Abuja, March 13, 2019 (NAN) Dr Biodun Ogungbo, a Neurosurgeon with a private hospital in Abuja, said the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) maternal child group would train health workers to provide neonatal services to curb deaths.
Ogungbo, who is a member of the group, told the interview the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday that the training was informed by the increase of neonatal deaths in the country.
“The Maternal Child group of ANPA would be training providers on ways to resuscitate newborns with breathing difficulties within the delivery room.
“We would be performing the Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) training to 100 potential trainees such as physicians, nurse midwives, traditional birth attendants and or personnel involved in mother- baby care in the delivery room.
“The training is scheduled for April 9th to 10th in Abuja 2019 at the National Hospital Abuja.
“The HBB is an evidence-based educational programme to teach neonatal resuscitation techniques in resource-limited areas.
“The objective of HBB is to train staff in developing countries in the essential skills of newborn resuscitation, with the goal of having at least one person who is skilled in neonatal resuscitation at the birth of every baby.
“These life-saving techniques include infant stimulation, suction of the nose and mouth when appropriate, and the use of a bag-valve-mask to improve breathing and to circulate oxygen.
“HBB is the first module in the Helping Babies Survive (HBS) suite of evidence-based educational programmes by the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP),’’ he said.
He said that studies indicated that HBB can reduce neonatal mortality on the first day by up to 47 per cent.
He said new born babies with brain injury due to oxygen deprivation can develop cerebral palsy, adding that such children do not achieve their full potential in most cases.
He said high number of children under the age of five to 21 died daily, mainly from some preventable causes of brain injuries.
He said one of those preventable causes was lack of oxygen at birth called by birth asphyxia.
“A 2008 bulletin from the World Health Organisation estimated that 900,000 total infants die each year from birth asphyxia, making it a leading cause of death for newborns.
“Typically pregnancy would be uneventful and all perfect till the time of delivery when the baby would then come out blue in the face, asking for a breath.
“Traditionally, a smack or two will elicit a shrill cry from the baby and all will be well. Sometimes, the baby will remain silent not breathing.
“If nothing was done as a matter of urgency, the baby has a high chance of dying or becoming brain injured,” Ogungbo said. (NAN)
OEO/OYE/MST
Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Blood banks: Bauchi Govt to install solar systems in health facilities

Blood banks: Bauchi Govt to install solar systems in health facilities
By Mohammed Ahmed Kaigama
Blood Banks
Bauchi, March 7, 2019 (NAN) The Bauchi State Government has promised to provide solar power systems in public health facilities to enhance blood banks and save lives.
Gov. Mohammed Abubakar said this at the presentation of manifestos in Bauchi on Wednesday.
Abubakar said there was need to complement electricity supply to its health facilities to enhance blood bank services across the state.
He said the state government was determined to provide solar system in all its health facilities across the state to complement electricity supply at the facilities.
According to him, the solar system will improve power supply in the primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities and improve blood bank services in the state.
He said the plan was to reduce the death of mothers and newborns resulting from lack of blood in hospitals.
“You know the importance of blood banks especially in saving lives of pregnant women and newborns cannot be over emphasised.
“We have strategised to establish functional blood banks in all the general hospitals in Bauchi State and health facilities at the primary healthcare level.
Abubakar said that the state government had revamped healthcare system through increasing salaries and remuneration of doctors and health workers. (NAN)
MAK/ECN/MST
Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Healthy life: Doctor counsels over 40 year-olds

Healthy life: Doctor counsels over 40 year-olds
By Chinenye Offor
Health
Abuja, March 1, 2019 (NAN) Dr Raymond Aigbovo, a medical doctor at Asokoro District General Hospital, Abuja, has advised Nigerians, especially 40-year-olds and above, to imbibe the culture of annual comprehensive medical check to ensure healthy life.
Aigbovo gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
He said that annual comprehensive medical check was imperative because as one gets older, the tendency of coming down with some illnesses could arise.
He also said that the test and medical checks was necessary as it helps in early diagnosis and detection of diseases which helped in high chances of treatment and survival.
According to him, doctors’ work with the knowledge to save lives and when a case is presented early, the chances of survival is high.
“When a medical challenge is brought in late or when deteriorated, it will be difficult to save the life of the patient.
“But if a case is presented on time, the possibility of cure and survival is high because we are doctors and scientists not magicians,” he said.
The medical expert urged patients to always eat right and also inculcate exercise in their routine to live a healthy life.
Aigbovo said that going for annual medical check was another way of taking care of one’s health and urged the people to make it part of their lifestyle. (NAN)
CSO/OIF/MST
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Plateau Govt to develop strategic policies for health emergencies

Plateau Govt to develop strategic policies for health emergencies
By Blessing Odega
Lassa fever
Jos, Feb. 20, 2019 (NAN) The Plateau Government has pledged to develop more strategic management policies to tackle public health emergencies.
Dr Kuden Deyin, the state Commissioner for Health, disclosed this at the unveiling of members of the committee for Public Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) in Jos.
Deyin said the committee was established primarily to tackle the fatality rates caused by Lassa fever and other disease outbreaks in the state.
He explained that the centre would have in place all the necessary facilities to contain disease ‎outbreaks.
Deyin said ‎the centre would be responsible for the strategic management of public health emergencies across the state.
He further said the core functions of the centre include coordination, command, communication, information management, personnel and resource allocation and tracking.
“EOCs are a powerful tool for enabling response to emergencies, whether caused by natural disasters or disease outbreaks.
“There is a body of knowledge that exists around EOC operations which is tailored to the challenges to which they will have to respond.
“A hidden strength of the EOC is that it requires you to plan, so an EOC serves not only as a mechanism for communication and decision making in the event of a health crisis.
“It is also as a venue to develop, validate and improve existing plans, and train personnel in response through scenario based workshops and actual response to situations,’’ he said.
He said the centre would be able to detect early warning in outbreak of Lassa fever and this would help in prompt treatment.
He therefore urged the committee members to be proactive in the discharge of their duties.
Mr Gonen Lakda, the state Director of Public Health and the Incident Manager of the centre, expressed delight in the trust reposed in the committee members to carry out the task safeguarding lives of the people.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Lakda assured of their commitment in the discharge of their duties.
He said the centre would undoubtedly add to the quality of healthcare delivery in the state. (NAN)
UBO/OMO/MST
Edited by Martins Odeh/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

Election Postponement: Psychiatrist urges calmness to prevent health issues

Election Postponement: Psychiatrist urges calmness to prevent health issues

By Vivian Ihechu
Lagos, Feb. 16, 2019 (NAN) A consultant psychiatrist, Dr Maymunnah Kadiri says there is need for the citizenry to remain calm to forestall possible health challenges that could arise from the sudden postponement of the general elections.

Kadiri, a Consultant Neuro Psychiatrist and Mental Health Advocate, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

According to him, the announcement rescheduling the polls by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday could lead to sudden health challenges of some citizens.

NAN reports that the INEC had on Saturday, Feb. 16 postponed the scheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections to Feb. 23 and governorship, state assembly and Federal Capital Territory Council elections from March 2 to March 9.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu had said that the INEC met on Friday, Feb.15 and renewed its preparations for the scheduled elections and after a careful review concluded the elections schedules were no longer feasible.

The commission had said this would afford it opportunity to address identified challenges in order to maintain the quality of our elections.

Kadiri, who owns Pinnacle Medical Services, Lagos, said: “The sudden rescheduling of the elections just a few hours to the polls could cause sudden health challenges, hence the need for Nigerians to stay calm and be strong.

“What I will encourage my fellow Nigerians to do is to please stay calm.

“Shun violence, wait and channel these emotions to cast your vote on Feb. 23 and March 9 to exercise your civic responsibility and vote candidates we believe can make positive and tangible things happen.

“This is so emotionally draining and traumatic for Nigerians but in all, and together, we should be stronger; refuse the urge to do negative things,” she advised.

On the possible health effects of the rescheduling, she told NAN that it could lead to apprehension, anxiety and anger among other emotional issues.

“This can also lead to trust issues, acute stress reaction and sometimes violence in the society due to the unexpected change because everyone was looking forward to today (Saturday).

“For those already having one form of emotional and mental health changes, they can have a relapse not just from the news, but for other contributing factors such as stress, or stoppage in taking their medication and others.”

The psychiatrist said that for those directly involved, especially the candidates and their families and friends, who think that this change may not favour them, there could be other emotional disturbances including changes in sleep, appetite and mood swings.

She told NAN that there could also be an increase in substance abuse just to calm the nerves among those that use substances before and even those that don’t.

“If they didn’t see this coming and they feel threatened that this change is not needed owing to the fact that all was set and ready for today, the emotional changes can be worse.

“Asides mental health challenges, physical health issues can be involved such as hypertension and sometimes, heart attack from the breaking news.

“Even our children will be affected because change in the school calendar to accommodate activities for today was already announced and with this, school owners will have to look out for alternatives and this can be stressful on all the parties involved, teachers, parents and students.

“With INEC’s postponement of the election, with businesses shut down, schools closed, weddings moved, international observers are here, corps members and staff already deployed, etc. so many Nigerians would counting there losses.

“There will be a lot of apprehension and anger, following the lack of preparedness by INEC; it is disheartening,” she said.

Kadiri advised Nigerians not to be discouraged but still be strong and determined to come out en masse to cast their vote on Saturday Feb.23 and March 9. (NAN)
VIV/AFA
=======
Edited by Felix Ajide

Health

Parasitologist tasks health workers on outbreaks

Parasitologist tasks health workers on disease outbreaks
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Diseases
Lagos, Feb. 12, 2019 (NAN) A Consultant Medical Parasitologist, Prof. Wellington Oyibo, on Tuesday urged medical facilities across the country to educate their health workers on how to be responsive to disease outbreaks.
Oyibo of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to him, being responsive is to see that you get a system to work and when it works it is powered by people and resources.
Oyibo’s appeal came on the heels of a bill signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, establishing the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
The agency was established in 2011, but had no legislative backing to carry out its core mandate.
“Establishing a centre for disease control means it should be a centre that is responsive because most of the diseases controls we are referring to are likely epidemic diseases.
“Its core mandate which is to detect, investigate, prevent and control diseases must be met.
“However, it is not only the centre that should be doing what has to be done; the health workers also have to be responsive.
“That responsiveness is very important; there is what we call reporting, when there are outbreaks, what should a facility do? They must monitor different diseases and see what is going on.
“They must also do a weekly summary of their findings.
“For instance, if many people reported this week with diarrhoea, as a health worker, what you need to do is to raise a flag, quickly know what to do before seeing the state epidemic unit.
“After this is done, the facility then sets in place strategies to prevent people from getting in contact with the diseases while the state epidemic unit goes round to look at other threats.
“Facilities must see to it that a health worker is introduced and exposed to some of this tips for effective service delivery
“Once this knowledge is passed on to them, it will also in a way reduce the spread of disease outbreaks,’’ Oyibo said.
He also advised the Federal Government to ensure that the NCDC was well equipped with the right resources, including equipment, to be able to confirm certain things.
Besides, he called for proper funding for the centre to carry out its responsibilities effectively. (NAN)
LED/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

Untreated mental health problems affects children – Expert

Untreated mental health problems affect children – Expert
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Children
Abuja, Jan. 30, 2019 (NAN) The National Coordinator, Trauma Awareness Resilience (TAR) Initiative, Mr Francis Onyekwue, has said untreated mental health problems could disrupt children’s functioning at home, school and in the community.
Onyekwue made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
“Without treatment, children with mental health issues are at increased risk of school failure, contact with the criminal justice system, dependence on social services and even suicide.
“Parents and family members are usually the first to notice if a child has problems with emotions or behaviour.
“Your observations, along with those of teachers and other caregivers, can help determine whether you need to seek help for your child,’’ he said.
Onyekwue said children could develop the same mental health conditions as adults, but their symptoms may be different.
He said children could also experience a range of mental health conditions, which includes anxiety disorders, Attention-Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Onyekwue said others could be autism spectrum disorder (ASD), eating disorders, mood disorders and schizophrenia.
He said many adults do not believe that children do have mental illness, talk less of know the signs and symptoms of mental illness in children.
“Even if you know the red flags, it can be difficult to distinguish signs of a problem from normal childhood behaviour.
“You might reason that every child displays some of these signs at some point. And children often lack the vocabulary or developmental ability to explain their concerns.
“Concerns about the stigma associated with mental illness, the use of certain medications, and the cost or logistical challenges of treatment might also prevent parents from seeking care for a child who has a suspected mental illness,’’ Onyekwue said.
He said the common treatment options for children who have mental health conditions include psychotherapy, saying it can help a child learn how to respond to challenging situations with healthy coping skills.
Onyekwue said the mental health conditions could be addressed by given medication, adding the child could be given stimulants, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, antipsychotics or mood stabilisers to treat his or her mental health condition.
He, however, advised Nigerians to consult social workers or mental health providers to determine what might work best for the child, including the risks or benefits of specific medications.
NAN reports that TAR Initiative is an NGO promoting mental health awareness creation and support, with strength on trauma healing.
TAR also provides counselling services and other forms of therapy to clients and referral as the case may be. (NAN)
OEO/AOM/MST
Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Global health threats: WHO to implement new strategic plan

Global health threats: WHO to implement new strategic plan
By Yashim Katurak
Goals
Abuja, Jan. 17, 2019 (NAN) The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it will commence the implementation of the organisation’s new five -year strategic plan to address some of the major global health threats, this year.
The WHO, which disclosed this in its newsletter on Thursday, said that the world was currently facing multiple health challenges ranging from outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and diphtheria and growing rates of obesity.
It said that people all over the world were also facing the health impact of environmental pollution, climate change, humanitarian crisis with increasing reports of drug-resistant pathogens.
WHO said that the organisation’s new strategic plan aimed to focus on ensuring one billion more people benefit from access to Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The plan also targets that one billion more people would be protected from health emergencies and one billion more people would enjoy better health and well-being within the next five years.
WHO said that to achieve this goal, the organisation and its partners would address the health threats from a variety of angles.
“The world is facing multiple health challenges and to address these and other threats, 2019 sees the start of the World Health Organisation’s new 5-year strategic plan.
“This plan focuses on a triple billion target: ensuring 1 billion more people benefit from access to UHC, 1 billion more people are protected from health emergencies and 1 billion more people enjoy better health and well-being.
“10 of the major health threats that will demand attention from WHO and health partners in 2019 are: Air pollution and climate change, Non-communicable diseases, Global influenza pandemic and still Fragile and vulnerable countries.
“Other health threats include antimicrobial resistance, Ebola and other high threat pathogens, weak primary health care, Vaccine hesitancy, Dengue fever and HIV.
“In 2019, air pollution is considered by WHO as the greatest environmental risk to health. Nine out of 10 people breathe polluted air every day and these microscopic pollutants penetrate respiratory and circulatory systems damaging the lungs, heart and brain.
“This epidemic kills seven million people prematurely every year from diseases such as cancer, stroke, heart and lung disease. Around 90 per cent of these deaths are in low and middle income countries,’’ it said.
The organisation said that in 2019, the UN Climate Summit would aim to strengthen climate action and ambition worldwide, urging countries to keep to their commitment of achieving improved air quality.
WHO said that non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease were collectively responsible for over 70 per cent of all deaths worldwide with 15 million people aged between 30 and 69 dying prematurely.
It said that this year, the organisation would work with governments to help them meet the global target of reducing physical inactivity by 15 per cent by 2030 through the implementation of the ‘ACTIVE policy toolkit’.
According to the organisation, the world will face another influenza pandemic the only thing we do not know is when it would hit and how severe it would be.
WHO said that the organisation has already set up a unique partnership with all major players to ensure prompt response in the event that a new flu strain develops pandemic potential.
WHO assured that it would continue to work in fragile and vulnerable countries to strengthen health systems to enable them be better prepared to detect and respond to outbreak and deliver quality services.
The organisation said that it would also in 2019, ramp up work to eliminate cervical cancer worldwide by increasing coverage of the HPV vaccine and other interventions. (NAN)
KRY/JPE/MST
Edited by Joseph Edeh/Muhammad Suleiman Tola