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Health

Medical college seeks investment in teaching, specialist hospitals

Medical college seeks investment in teaching, specialist hospitals

By Ummul Idris
Investment
Abuja, Oct. 9, 2019 (NAN) Dr Da Lilly-Tatriah, the President of National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (PMCN), has called for an all-round investment in teaching and specialist hospitals across the country.
Lilly-Tatriah told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that while healthcare is capital intensive, it is also productive.
He said that the country’s teaching hospitals must be equipped with modern facilities and the needed manpower must be trained.
Lilly-Tatriah said that the issue of remuneration should not invoke guilt, stating that doctors and healthcare workers should get remuneration that could take them home and keep them at home so that they do not go abroad.
He stated that disease profiles were changing; hence there must be appropriate response to meet such needs.
He added that with modern equipment, the requisite competences and research to treat patients better would be developed.
According to him, in achieving this objective, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) should be strengthened and made truly universal and compulsory.
“Over 99 per cent of Nigerians do not undertake medical tourism abroad; we should pay attention to them too.
“It is no coincidence that the nations that have universal healthcare are great destinations for medical tourism.
“There is no gainsaying therefore, where the direction of medical tourism will be, if and when our healthcare is universal,” he said.
He said that the challenges the country faces in healthcare would continue to grow, adding that if the country must fight brain drain and health tourism, it must improve the healthcare of Nigerians. (NAN)
UMD/ZGA/MST
Edited by Zainab Garba/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Economy

Buhari directs uniform services, hospitals to patronise local textile industries

Buhari directs uniform services, hospitals to patronise local textile industries
By Mustapha Sumaila
Textile
Abuja, July 11, 2019 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari has directed all uniform services and hospitals to patronise Nigerian Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) industries to grow the economy.
The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, disclosed this at a meeting with the Service Chiefs and stakeholders from the CTG sector in Abuja on Thursday.
Emefiele explained that for the present administration to tackle unemployment and grow the economy, the CTG sector must be revived.
“We have the mandate of the Mr President to ensure all the uniform services and theatre wears in hospitals and medical facilities are sourced locally from CTG industries.
“Already, Bureau of Public Procurement has been notified to enforce compliance among the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the government.
“Our model to achieve this directive or mandate is to facilitate long term contract at least five years or more with these people.
“We want to have our armed forces and other uniform men to be kitted in wears produced here or using local fabrics and textile materials,” he said.
He said the CBN was not naive of the fact that the jobs of the uniform men required special and quality materials as well as the security around the wears.
The governor pledged that the team that would be raised by the bank would work with their nominees to ensuring requisite quality and security associated with the uniforms.
“Your nominees will also join our team to inspect CTG factories to ensure their readiness to be engaged in the long term contract of this nature.
“We shall also work out payment term that fits budget releases for uniforms of various organisations.
“If this is actualised, with your support and cooperation, it will impact positively on CTG sector and Nigerian’s economy at large,” he added.
Emefiele said the apex bank had started to support the sector from the bottom by funding cotton seeds for the farmers to produce quality cottons.
The representatives of Nigerian Army, Navy, Customs, Immigration, Federal Road Safety Corps, Civil Defence Corps and NYSC, among others, who attended the meeting pledged to support by patronising the industries to boost the economy of the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was exhibition from different CTG sectors showcasing their products at the event. (NAN)
MS/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Poor welfare: ARD alerts of crisis in FCTA hospitals

Poor welfare: ARD alerts of crisis in FCTA hospitals
By Ummul Idris
Hospitals
Abuja, May 28, 2019 (NAN) The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) has alerted of a brewing crisis hospitals owned by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over alleged poor welfare and working condition of health workers.
Dr Roland Aigbovo, the President of the association, raised the alarm in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.
Aigbovo said lingering stagnation of health workers, stalled implementation of skipping policy and poor working condition was responsible for the proposed industrial action.
He said FCTA resident doctors had been on the negotiating table with her management over the stagnation of her members occasioned by the non-implementation of the skipping policy.
He said this was thought to have been resolved following a meeting with the outgoing Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Muhammad Bello, and the Permanent Secretary, Mr Chinyeaka Ohaa.
Aigbovo said the management promised to rectify the stagnation and promote all affected staff to their respective new levels, but it was later found to be untrue as promotion screening continued unabated.
The ARD president stated that the FCTA management had tried to fulfill some of the promises made, especially the part payment of skipping arrears, “but on the issue of promotion, it had been all talk and no action’’.
He recalled that the outgoing FCT minister had directed that doctors affected by the skipping should be promoted to their new grade levels.
However, Aigbovo noted that the doctors were promoted to the same grade level they were earlier promoted to thereby resulting in stagnation.
According to him, we have made frantic efforts to resolve this imbroglio, but it seems FCTA management has reneged on their promise.
“It should be noted that the country’s health sector has experienced calmness with regards to industrial actions and FCTA has benefitted from it greatly,” he said
The ARD president therefore warned that with the recent breakdown in dialogue, a show down was imminent.
He however did not disclose when the strike would commence and what form it would take. (NAN)
UMD/CHOM/MST
Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NPopC takes birth registration to hospitals

NPopC takes birth registration to hospitals
By Chinenye Offor
Registration
Abuja, May 9, 2019 (NAN) Mr Mohammed Isah, the Director, Public Affairs, National Population Commission (NPopC), says the commission had taken birth registration to hospitals for effective capturing of live and death deliveries.
Isah made this known during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
He explained that the commission had stationed its staff in maternity sessions of the hospitals in most local government headquarters for easier access for the parents to register their children.
He further said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with some hospitals to collect information on behalf of the commission where the commission did not have a representative.
According to him, some hospital staff had also been trained on how to do the job.
He said by the time deliveries were made, forms would be distributed by the hospital staff who received the training and afterward, the commission’s staff would go round and collect the forms and issue birth certificates.
He noted that the essence of the exercise was to bring the service closer to the mothers and infants as well as eliminate back log.
“We have had back logs and we don’t want it to accumulate that is why we are going nearer to where deliveries are made.
“The law says that a child should be registered at birth and within three months of birth and that is what the commission is trying to achieve.
“The exercise was not possible earlier due to lack of staff and recently we have the opportunity to replace those that have retired,” the director said.
According to him, the newly employed staff members were the ones posted to the hospitals to bridge the gap as well commence the issuance of birth certificates.
Isah noted that the new strategy had addressed past challenge of issuance of birth certificates to Muslim children because some of them named their children after seven days.
“We now collect the data of the parents and cue them in and that of the child will be vacant and will be filled in when he or she comes for the first immunisation,” he explained. (NAN)
CSO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

ARD urges FG to compel dental health services in hospitals

ARD urges FG to compel dental health services in hospitals

By Ummul Idris
Dental
Abuja, March 20, 2019 (NAN) The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) has urged the Federal Government to compel all hospitals in to establish dental health service department.

Dr Roland Aigbovo, the FCT branch President of the association, made the call at a news conference in commemoration of 2019 World Oral Health Day celebration on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for this year’s event is: “Say ah: Act on mouth health”.

Aigbovo also appealed to the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammed Bello, to benchmark request in the interest of residents.

He stated that irrespective of the size of the hospital, there was need to introduce dental service at all levels.

“As an association, we want to use this medium to call on the FCT minister to make sure that in every hospital, irrespective of the size, must have dental health services,’’ said the ARD president.

Besides, he called on the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA) to hasten the integration of Oral Health services into primary healthcare to further increase access to basic dental services and oral check for healthy life.

According to him, we encourage people to brush twice daily; in the morning and before going to bed at night with soft or medium bristles toothbrush.

“Eat a healthy diet, particularly one low in refined sugar; avoid tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption, while having routine dental checks at least twice a year.’’

He called on parents to take active participation in the brushing of their children and wards teeth from six months, adding that this is when they first appeared in the mouth till age seven.

“Pregnant women are encouraged to see their dentist, so that their oral health is optima during this period of hormonal changes that impact negatively on oral health,’’ he said.

NAN also reports that as part of the activities to celebrate the oral day, the association in collaboration with other dental professionals is scheduled to visit some secondary schools in the FCT to conduct health talk and provide free dental check for students. (NAN)
UMD/KOLE/MST
Edited by Remi Koleoso/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Association seeks engagement of more doctors in hospitals

Association seeks engagement of more doctors in hospitals
By Ummul Idris
Doctors
Abuja, Feb. 1, 2019 (NAN) The Association of Residents Doctors (ARD) has called for engagement of more doctors in public owned hospitals across the country.
Dr Roland Aigbovo, the ARD President, FCT chapter, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Aigbovo said that the number of doctors to patients was grossly inadequate.
He said government needed to employ more doctors, noting that there are a lot of qualified doctors roaming the street with no work.
He stated that most doctors were often on call work for 32 hours, stressing that this is exposing them to danger and committing unpardonable errors.
Aigbovo however noted that unpredictable busy schedule was an inevitable part of doctor’s life, especially at the emergency wards.
According to him, the more stress factors, the more mistakes they make and when mistake is being made the patients suffers more adverse effects that are unrelated to their illness.
“It is natural to think that the more stressed you are the more errors you make, the maximum we work is generally when we are on call 32 hours.’’
“I believe when more hands are employed it will reduce the hours we doctors work and less stress,’’ according to him.
He said that the population was growing faster, while doctors and facilities in the hospital remained the same. (NAN)
UMD/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Kano Govt launches Executive Integrated Supervision of hospitals

‎‎ Kano Govt launches Executive Integrated Supervision of hospitals
By Aisha Ahmed
Supervision
Kano, Oct. 29, 2018 (NAN) The Kano State Government has launched a state-wide Executive Integrated Supportive Supervision (SWEISS) to monitor effective healthcare delivery in the state.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Kabiru Getso, revealed this at a news conference on Monday in Bauchi.
He explained that the aim was to ensure proper healthcare provision to citizens.
“The concept is entirely new in the country,’’ Getso said, adding that the government hopes it becomes a success to be adopted nationwide.
According to him, “the exercise aims at making sure that our facilities, which we have invested so much into, are managed and quality health services are provided”.
The mission, he said, was not aimed at fault finding but a supportive one, adding that it is an innovative process that would promote quality healthcare services.
He however expressed optimism that the initiative would provide opportunity to fine tune and address other lingering and evolving challenges militating against effective and efficient healthcare. (NAN)
AAA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Experts advocate safety units, depts in Nigerian hospitals

Experts advocate safety units, depts in Nigerian hospitals
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Safety
Lagos, Oct. 23, 2018 (NAN) The Deputy Director, World Safety Organisation (WSO), Dr Okunola Olusola, has advocated for the creation of safety units and departments in hospitals across the country to protect people from accidents.
Olusola, a Paediatric Neurologist from University of Benin Teaching Hospital, made the call at the first National Conference on Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) and Awards, organised by WSO on Tuesday in Oregun, Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference was sponsored by hybrid group, LoveWorld Convocation Arena, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) PLC and Julius Berger.
It was supported by INOTECH FOODS, AB-FACTOR Global Concepts Limited and Nigerian Red Cross, among others.
It is themed: “Impact of Global External Influence on HSSE practice in Nigeria’’.
According to him, safety is everywhere, but it is important it is in every health institution where there are lots of risks.
“So I am advocating that every hospital should have a safety unit and department for training and for ensuring that the environment is safe for medical workers and non-medics.
“Once this happens, coupled with the medical knowledge that the hospital may have about what they know about medical safety, the health institutions would be a very safe environment for both patients and the workers.
“Lots of people work in this sector but they may not be safe because accidents can happen just like in the construction companies.
“So anything that can happen in a construction company or in any organisation can happen within a hospital because hospitals have engineering departments, security department and other organisations inside its own complex.
“So hospitals must get on board in terms of safety, not just curative,’’ Olusola said.
The Director-General of Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Hakeem Dickson, said the state government had put in place “patient safety policy’’ to ensure patients were safe anytime they used the hospitals.
“In Lagos, we already have what is called `patient safety policy’ going on at the state hospitals where patients report to the commission about whatever mistakes the doctors or nurses must have done to them whenever they go for medical treatments.
“So the policy is aimed at developing and making sure health workers conform to safety rules and regulations regarding patients’ treatments,’’ Dickson said.
He called on the Health Facility and Accreditation Monitoring Agency (HEFAMA) to sanction any health institution that went against medical ethics.
A Safety Professional and a Pharmacist, Mrs Fayo Williams, said only a legislation would amend the lapses so far observed about safety in health institutions.
“Safety in the health sector is a multifaceted task because we have to start with a policy, having the correct kind of health and safety policy that is suited to each department and institution.
“In the hospital we have the x-ray departments, the laboratories and others; so there must be appropriate health and safety policies in all these departments and in the healthcare institutions in general.
“Afterwards, we need to appoint responsible persons and make proper organisation but with the proper political will and proper legislation with the supports of those who are at the helm of affair.
“Then we can really make some amends in terms of the safety lapses which have been observed,’’ Williams said.
The Managing Consultant of AB-FACTOR Global Concept Limited, Mr Alfred Ajao, expressed optimism that government would sign the Operational Safety and Health bill (OSH) and ensure safety consciousness among Nigerians.
According to him, governments still chase company owners to ensure safety of their workers.
“This should not be; safety should be everybody’s responsibility and that is why we say anywhere you have five people that are working, then there is need for safety policy.
“Either in the health sector, educational institution and banking halls or manufacturing company, safety is important,’’ Ajao said.
The National Coordinator of Safety Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation, Mr Dapo Omolade, expressed joy that safety organisations like WSO was in existence to sensitise people on safety.
“Nigerians should know that health and safety is about their lives.
“So I am very happy that WSO is going all out to educate the people on safety rather than waiting for government to come and punish people for killing people in workplaces.
“This is a challenge for professional members to do more awareness and get people informed about what safety is all about instead of waiting for government to come and clamp down on them,’’ Omolade said.
The President WSO Nigeria, Mr Olalokun Soji, said the organisation would extend safety to the next level to make safety a way of life for Nigerians.
“We have a vision for 2025 that one in every three Nigerians should have a safety and emergency responds readiness, meaning that, they should be able to respond to emergencies and not just to use cameras to record when they occur.
“Also they must have knowledge on how to keep themselves safe even before the emergency occurs,’’ Soji said.
Participants at the conference include health workers, chief executive officers of multinational companies across Nigeria, safety consultants, electrical engineers and students, among others. (NAN)
LED/GOM/MST
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Strikes: NMA advocates PPP for hospitals

Strikes: NMA advocates PPP for hospitals
By Ummul Idris
Partnership
Abuja, May 31, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has advocated Public Private Partnership (PPP) in management of hospitals to promote effective and efficient healthcare service delivery in the country.
The Chairman, FCT Chapter, Dr Chiedozie Achonwa, made call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
Anchonwa said that would be of mutual benefits to both public private hospitals, especially in terms of efficient management of hospitals.
“Let the public hospitals partner with the private hospitals so that they can be able to tell us how they are running the affairs of their hospitals so that public hospitals can emulate the private.
“The partnership will be aimed at harnessing and optimising the use of all available resources, knowledge and facilities required to promote efficient, effective, affordable, accessible, equitable and sustainable healthcare for all people in Nigeria,” the chairman said.
He noted that effective partnerships among public and private hospitals would allow fulfilment of their social expectations without compromising core missions.
He said that the PPP would give a more comprehensive service delivery, where not only are the facilities developed and improved but services are provided.
Achonwa said that scorecards on health sector must be examined to determine the success or failure of the government.
He said that the public and private partnership should be developed in the provision of hospital services, including changes, improvement of mechanisms, current processes, financial and capital capacity building.
However, the chairman noted that there was need to consider prerequisites and measures to help such partnership to be effective and produce valuable result.
This policy would also curb incessant strikes in the health sector, he noted. (NAN)
UMD/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Banking

JOHESU strike: NMA urges security at hospitals

JOHESU strike: NMA urges security at hospitals
By Ummul Idris
Security
Abuja, May 24, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has called for provision of adequate security at public hospitals to enable doctors and contract staff render uninterrupted services to Nigerians.
Dr Frances Faduyile, the NMA President, made the call in a statement he issued on Thursday in Abuja.
Faduyile said the appeal was to checkmate the alleged threats of striking Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) workers and their officials to prevent doctors from offering healthcare services to Nigerians.
“They now lock up clinical service points and equipment thereby making it difficult for doctors to operate smoothly within the hospital environment.
“We call on the CMDs/MDs of government own facilities to provide adequate security for doctors and contract staff who are currently offering services within the hospitals,” said the NMA president.
He added that association also observed with dismay the maligning of the Ministers of Health and Labour by JOHESU, “calling them all sort of uncomplimentary names, and the call by JOHESU for the removal of the minister of health.
“We therefore call on the federal government and its representatives including the Minister of Health and that of Labour and Productivity not to be distracted but continue to stand with the truth and international best practices in ensuring the improvement of the health indices of Nigerians.
“We condemn this unbecoming action of the striking allied health workers in strong terms and call on government to call this amorphous group to order,” he said.
The NMA president reiterated the desire of its members to continue to offer seamless healthcare services to Nigerians and call on government to ensure conducive working environment for it members.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that JOHESU, a union comprising all health workers in Nigeria apart from medical doctors and dentists, began a nationwide indefinite strike on April 18.
The health workers are demanding for improved healthcare facilities and condition of service. (NAN)
UMD/MST
Edited By Muhammad Suleiman Tola