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Health

Association urges health workers to shun unethical practices, corruption

Association urges health workers to shun unethical practices, corruption
By Awayi Kuje
Ethics
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Sept. 13, 2018 (NAN) The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has tasked its members to shun unethical practices and corruption as part of their contribution to improve service delivery.
Mr Hussaini Ahmed, the National Vice President of the association, gave the task on Thursday in Keffi, Nasarawa State, while speaking at a one-day seminar on: “The Role of Health Workers In Clients’ Satisfaction: FMC Keffi in Focus”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seminar was organised by members of the association at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi.
Ahmed enjoined them to adhere strictly to their professional ethics in the interest of the health sector.
In his paper titled: “The Importance of Membership in a Union”, he challenged the members to shame their detractors and temptations that would smear profession.
He noted that unethical practices engaged by some members had affected the lives of many Nigerians negatively, hence the need for health workers to shun unethical conducts.
“For us to satisfy patients adequately, we must shun unethical and other sharp practices capable of tarnishing our image, that of the health sector and country at large,” he urged.
The labour leader said the union would continue to promote and protect the interest of members through improved welfare and working conditions.
Ahmed assured the members of the union readiness to continue to initiate good programmes that would have direct bearing on their lives and Nigerians in general.
Mr Monday Otso, the state Chairman of the union, said the seminar was organised for members to acquaint them with modern knowledge of ensuring clients’ satisfaction in the centre.
While describing patients as “kings’’, Otso urged them and other health workers to always respect the right of patients to save human lives.
More than 1,400 members of the union are expected to be trained on patients’ satisfaction for quality healthcare delivery.
NAN recalls that the association had in July 2017 organised a one-day seminar on “Work Ethics: A Panacea for Effective Service Delivery in a Tertiary Health Institution, FMC Keffi in Focus”. (NAN)
AKW/KOLE/MST
Edited by Remi Koleoso/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

HIV/AIDS: UNICEF task media executives on preventive advocacy

HIV/AIDS: UNICEF task media executives on preventive advocacy
By Awayi Kuje
Media
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Aug. 29, 2018 (NAN) The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on media executives to scale up public enlightenment on the growing rate of HIV/AIDS among adolescents in Nigeria.
Mr Rabiu Musa, the Communication Officer of UNICEF, Kaduna Field Office, made the call on Wednesday in Keffi at a meeting with some media executives in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Musa said the fund was alarmed with the high prevalent rate of HIV/AIDS among adolescents in Nigeria and underscored the need for journalists to raise public awareness towards combating the menace.
He said UNICEF was partnering with the National Orientation Agency, State Governments, media, traditional rulers, religious leaders, healthcare experts and civil society organisations, among others, to enlighten youths on the dangers of the scourge.
He said the collaboration was focused on the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and HIV/AIDs in order to tackle the spread of the scourge in the country.
According to him, the aimed of the meeting was to provide knowledge/orientation to media executives on PMTCT, AYP and HIV/AIDs situation so as to tackle the menace in the country.
“The aim is also to review and document programme of the media and organisations in the state in supporting the dissemination of PMTCT, AYP/HIV and AIDS messages.
“To leverage airtime and produce links for dissemination of PMTCT, AYP/HIV and AIDS messages.
“And also to develop media plans by the participating media houses for implementation,“ he said.
The official therefore enjoined the participants to appreciate the magnitude of and map out strategies on how to address the challenges on PMTCT, and Adolescent and Young Persons (AYP) in the society.
Besides, Musa called on the media to upscale to educate the public on the dangers of the scourge considering its negative effect to societal development.
He restated the commitment of UNICEF to continue to partner the state and other organisations in order to tackle the scourge in the country.
“We want to work towards addressing HIV/AIDS in Nasarawa State as the state that is one of the growing states in terms of HIV/AIDs,” he said.
Alhaji Galadima Soba, the Kaduna State Director of NOA, urged the participants to develop a good media plan for implementation and use of existing programmes for effective dissemination of PMTCT, AYP, HIV and AIDS messages worldwide.
Soba, who was represented by the state’s Deputy Director, Human Resources and Finance, Malam Hamza Audu, called for more systematic and improved packaging of the various messages in more effective ways on awareness creation of PMTCT, AYP, HIV and AIDS.
“I am optimistic that with the right attitude and inputs of the calibre of the participants here-present to develop a good media plan for implementation and use of existing programmes for effective dissemination of PMTCT, AYP, HIV and AIDS messages worldwide,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting will undertake an overview of HIV/AIDS prevalence in Nasarawa State, share experiences from Kaduna State and adopt action plans for increased enlightenment, among others. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

New MD FMC Keffi promises transparent, accountable administration

New MD FMC Keffi promises transparent, accountable administration
By Awayi Kuje
Service
Keffi (Nasarawa State), July 5, 2018 (NAN) Dr Yahaya Adamu, the new Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nasarawa State, has assumed duties with a pledge to provide transparent and accountable leadership.
He also promised to deliver improved quality service in order to boost the health status of Nigerians.
Adamu said this on Thursday in Keffi during the official taking over ceremony from the centre’s acting Medical Director, Dr Luka Samuel.
He said that delivering quality service to patients and their relatives would be his topmost priority, adding “our vision is to serve the people in order to save human lives”.
The new medical director however called for support and cooperation from the staff members and host community to enable him succeed in the task ahead of him.
“I cannot succeed without you. I need your support and cooperation so that together we can move the centre forward for the development of the health sector,’’ he said.
Adamu hailed the developmental strides of the immediate past medical director of the centre, Dr Joshua Giyan, especially the introduction of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and solar power system, among others.
“I really appreciate the past MD (Giyan), he had done a lot, he established EMR, Solar power and I hope to develop on what he had done,’’ Adamu said.
He advised the workers to tolerate one another irrespective of their affiliation and to shun sentiment while discharging their duties in order to improve on the standard and health status of Nigerians.
The new medical director also assured members of the Governing board of the centre of a team work.
The Chairman of the board, Prince Sule Sami, charged the members of staff to be dedicated to their duties for effective healthcare service delivery.
He promised to give priority to staff welfare for effective healthcare delivery.
The board chairman commended the outgone acting medical director for “acting well’’ and called on him to keep the spirit for the progress and development of the centre.
While handing over earlier, Samuel assured his successor of maximum support and cooperation for the development of the centre.
“I am ready to support and cooperate with you in order to move the centre forward,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the handing over ceremony was witnessed by the board members, union leaders, workers and other stakeholders. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Social vices: Emir urges parents to monitor children

Social vices: Emir urges parents to monitor children
By Awayi Kuje
Drugs
Keffi (Nasarawa State), June 16, 2018 (NAN) The Emir of Keffi in Nasarawa State, Dr Shehu Chindo-Yamusa III, has urged parents and guardians to monitor and prevent their children against the intake of hard drugs and engaging in social vices for the good of the society.
Chindo-Yamusa III, a first class traditional ruler, made the call in his Eid-el-Fitr message to his subjects in his palace in Keffi, Keffi Local Government Area of the state.
He noted that consumption of hard drugs by some youths had affected their lives and their education negatively, hence the need for parents to closely monitor their wards to curb the growing menace.
The monarch also appealed to Muslim faithful and other Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and development of the country, adding that peace is the necessary requirement for the development of any society.
The emir maintained that sustained prayers by Nigerians would overcome devilish acts threatening the peaceful co-existence of the country.
Chindo-Yamusa III added that Eid-el-Fitr is not only for merry making, but a time to emulate what Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was sent by Almighty God to preach to humanity.
The traditional ruler said that Prophet Muhammad preaches peace, love and unity, while urging Muslims to emulate his good attributes in order to enjoy the blessings of Allah here and in the hereafter.
“We must maintain and use the good lessons of the Ramadan which includes brotherhood, bond of charity and love sharing, among others, in the interest of peace.
“Muslims worldwide should endeavour to continue to sustain their good acts and behaviour beyond the one-month period of the Ramadan fast, so that we would continue to get Allah’s blessings and favour,” he said.
He also called on Nigerians to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and live in peace with one another irrespective of religious, political and ethnic differences.
Besides, Chindo-Yamusa III enjoined Nigerians to embrace good government policies and programmes in the interest of national development.
He further urged his subjects to continue to embrace agriculture considering its importance to national economic development.
Earlier, the Chief Imam of Keffi Central Mosque, Alhaji Muhammadu Auwal, charged Muslim faithful to adhere strictly to the teaching of the Holy Qur’an in the interest of peace and national development.
The cleric also called on Muslims to shun all negative acts capable of tarnishing their personal integrity, the image of the state and the country at large. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Keffi residents want end to JOHESU strike

Keffi residents want end to JOHESU strike
By Awayi Kuje
Appeal
Keffi (Nasarawa State), May 16, 2018 (NAN) Some residents of Keffi, Nasarawa State, have appealed to the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) workers to suspend their protracted strike in order to prevent further loss of lives in the country.
They made the call on Wednesday in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Keffi.
According to them, the industrial action by JOHESU is adversely affecting the lives of Nigerians especially those that do not have the means to access private hospitals.
They also called on the Federal Government to do the needful by redeeming its agreement with the aggrieved union amicably in order to end strike.
Mr Nathaniel Musa, a resident commended doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, for offering skeletal services to patients.
According to him, the gesture will go a long way in improving on the health status of patients.
“Absence of nurses and other health workers is affecting the health of the people negatively because by the time doctors close on duty, no body like the nurse or nurses to attend to patients as usual.
“We are unhappy about the situation as the ongoing strike is affecting the lives of many Nigerians negatively especially the less privileged who do not have the means to access medical treatment in private hospitals.
“The doctors at FMC Keffi are trying and are doing their best, but we want the nurses and other health workers to consider their roles in saving lives,” he said.
Mrs Halima Abdul, another Keffi resident, also appealed for an end to the strike, adding that the ongoing strike is affecting the standard of healthcare delivery to Nigerians negatively.
“Some Nigerians cannot afford the medical bills at the private hospitals, hence the need for the JOHESU members to end the strike,’’ Abdul said.
She also called on the federal government to implement the agreement reached with JOHESU in the interest of peace and for the overall development of the country.
“Though doctors are providing skeletal services at FMC Keffi, but the nurses and other health workers are supposed to be present to assist them to discharge their duties,’’ she said.
Alhaji Haruna Ali, another resident, called on both the federal government and the union to come into agreement in order to end the strike.
He also appealed to JOHESU to end the strike to save human lives.
A NAN correspondent in Keffi observed that medical doctors were offering skeletal services to patients with emergency cases.
NAN recalls that JOHESU embarked on the indefinite strike on April 18.
Some of the demands of the union include improved healthcare facilities, upward adjustment of salary scale, employment of additional health professionals, review of retirement age from 60 years to 65 years and implementation of court judgment.
JOHESU consists of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWUN) and Senior Staff Association of University Teaching Hospitals, among others.
(NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Please resume work: FMC Keffi MD appeals to striking JOHESU members

Please resume work: FMC Keffi MD appeals to striking JOHESU members
By Awayi Kuje
Appeal
Keffi (Nasarawa State), April 19, 2018 (NAN) Dr Luka Samuel, the Acting Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nasarawa State, has appealed to Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) members to resume work to prevent further loss of lives.
Luka made the appeal on Thursday in Keffi in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He noted that the strike initiated by JOHESU has disrupted normal medical and healthcare services across the country.
According to him, the industrial action is affecting the lives of many Nigerians negatively especially indigent citizens that do not have the means to visit private hospitals.
“I want to appeal to the striking JOHESU members to return to their work and to discharge their duties diligently in order to save human lives,’’ Samuel said.
“The appeal has become imperative because as a result of the strike in the country, many human lives have been lost, this is due to lack of proper medical care and lack of means to go to private hospitals for treatment,” Samuel said.
“I am appealing to JOHESU members; let them have human face, let them have human sympathy as we all know that patients are kings.
“There is the need to always respect and protect the rights of patients in order to improve on their health status,” he added.
He restated the commitment of the centre to continue to improve on the welfare of patients and its staff, urging the aggrieved workers to complement government efforts through hard work in order to ensure quality service delivery.
While commending the Federal Government for its sustained efforts at funding the health sector, the acting medical director however called for improved welfare.
JOHESU consists of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWUN), Senior Staff Association of University Teaching Hospitals, among others.
NAN reports that some of the demands of the union included upward adjustment of salary scale, employment of additional health professionals, review of retirement age from 60 years to 65 years, and implementation of court judgment. (NAN)
AKW/COO/MST
Edited by Cecilia Odey/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Resume work to save lives, MD appeals to JOHESU

Return to work to save lives, MD appeals to JOHESU
NAN-H-13
Work
By Awayi Kuje
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Sept. 22, 2017 (NAN) Dr Joshua Giyan, the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nasarawa State, has appealed to members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) to resume work in order to save human lives.
Giyan made the call on Friday while fielding questions from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the strike in Keffi.
NAN recalls that on Sept. 21, JOHESU members of the centre joined the nationwide indefinite strike declared by the national body of the union.
All other health workers of FMC complied with the order except medical doctors who are not members of JOHESU.
The medical director said that the appeal has become imperative in order to prevent loss of lives.
Giyan noted that the strike had brought untold hardship to Nigerians, especially the less privileged who do not have the means to access private healthcare services in the country.
He added that the industrial action has done more harm than good especially in the health sector, hence the need for the health workers to return to work in the interest of patients
“Health workers in FMC Keffi only went on strike in solidarity with their counterparts nationwide because we have been living above board as everybody is aware that the centre has always given topmost priority to the welfare of its staff and patients.
“It is in view of this that I want to appeal to them to reciprocate the goodwill and gestures of the centre , and good work that the centre have been doing concerning their welfare by returning to their work in order to save the lives of our patients.
“They should return to their duties post to attend to patients who are under their care because patients are kings in every health sector and a healthy person can become a patient one day but that is not our prayers,” he said.
According to him, “I am telling you that the effect of strike is on everybody including those that are striking, hence the need for the aggrieved health workers to go back to work in their interest, in the interest of poor Nigerians and for the overall development of the country’’.
Giyan also called on health workers to always shun strike and embrace dialogue at all time no matter their grievances while discharging their duties.
He restated the commitment of the centre to continue to improve on the welfare of its staff and patients and called on them to complement government efforts through hard work in order to ensure quality service delivery.
The medical director commended the Federal Government for its continued commitment and efforts in funding the health sector and called for its sustenance.
NAN recalls that JOHESU embarked on the indefinite strike to press home their demands for improved condition of service and facilities in healthcare centres.
The specific demands includes review of retirement age from 60 years to 65 years , autonomy for teaching and specialist hospitals, improved funding, abolition of the scale to scale promotion and salary review, among others. (NAN)
AKW/OSA/MST
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Union tasks members on standard, professionalism

Union tasks members on standard, professionalism
NAN-HG-8
Professionalism
By Awayi Kuje
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Sept. 14, 2017 (NAN) The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi chapter, has enjoined its members to continue to maintain high standard and professionalism in the course of their duties.
Mr Monday Otso, the Chairman of the union, gave the task on Thursday at the Tertiary Health Institution National Consultative Forum, North Central zone meeting in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Otso said that maintaining standard and professionalism by health workers would go a long way in improving on the lives of patients as well as ensure quality service delivery for the overall development of the country.
He also tasked members to avoid sharp practices in discharging their duties in their interest and for the overall development of the country.
The chairman advised his members to be reliable, dedicated, punctual and shun all negative acts capable of tarnishing their integrity and the image of the union.
“A good number of our members who are not conversant with the provisions of the public service rules and scheme of service have gotten themselves entangled with discordant practices that do not conform with the provisions of the law.
“This has led to either the issuance of queries, stoppage of salaries and in some instances dismissal from the service. That is why I want to use this medium to appeal to all of us to maintain standard and professionalism while discharging our duties.
“We must adhere strictly to the ethics of our profession in our interest and for the overall development of the health sector,’’ he said.
The chairman commended Dr Joshua Giyan, the centre’s Medical Director and his management team, for giving adequate attention to the welfare of staff and called for more efforts in that direction.
However, he appealed to the management of the centre to provide the union with land within the hospital premises to enable it build its permanent secretariat to boost their activities.
In separate contributions, Mr Husseini Ahmed and Alhaji Abdullahi Adeka, the National Vice President of MHWUN, and the Nasarawa State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), respectively, appealed to government to pay adequate attention to the welfare of workers in the country.
They added that such gesture would go a long way in boosting the morale of workers thereby boosting productivity as well as would improve on the standard of living of workers for the overall development of the country. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Agriculture

Recession: Emir of Keffi recommends agriculture

Recession: Emir of Keffi recommends agriculture 

NAN-H-61

Farming

By Awayi Kuje

Keffi (Nasarawa State), June 25, 2017 (NAN) The Emir of Keffi in Nasarawa State, Dr Shehu Chindo-Yamusa III, has urged Nigerians to embrace agriculture in order to overcome recession.

Chindo-Yamusa III made the call on Sunday in his Eid-el-fitr message to Nigerians in Keffi.

The traditional ruler also said that going to farm would boost food production and socio-economic development of the country.

“God has endowed the country with abundant fertile land and agile human capital that is capable of mass producing the nation’s food requirement,’’ he said.
The first class traditional ruler said that Nigerians were capable of producing adequate farm produce for local consumption and export, if the entire nation’s potentials were fully harnessed.

On the celebration, Chindo-Yamusa III said: “Eid-el-fitr is not only for merry making, but a time to emulate what Prophet Muhammad (SWA) was sent by Almighty God to come and do.”

According to him, Muslims who are sincere in their faith are expected to adhere and practice the message of the Prophet.

He therefore enjoined Muslims to emulate the lessons of peace, love and unity preached by Prophet Muhammad to enjoy the blessings of God Almighty here and in the hereafter.

“We must maintain our God-fearing acts which we exhibited during the fasting period by sustaining the lessons and change of attitude learnt during the Ramadan fast.

“Such lessons include brotherhood, bond of charity and love sharing as well as abstaining from adultery, cheating, alcoholism and drug abuse, among others.

“Muslims worldwide should endeavour to continue to sustain their good acts and behaviour beyond the one-month period of the Ramadan fast so that we would continue to get Allah’s blessing,” he said.

The monarch also appealed to Muslims faithful and Nigerians to continue to pray for President Muhammad Buhari, and other elected and appointed political office holders to God to assist them pilot the affairs of the country in the right direction.

The emir added that sustained prayers would enable the nation overcome acts threatening peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.

Besides, Chindo-Yamusa III called on Nigerians to continue to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities, tolerate and live in peace with one another irrespective of religious, cultural and ethnic differences.

Earlier, the Chief Imam of Keffi Central Mosque, Alhaji Muhammadu Auwal, while presiding over the Eid-el-Fitr prayers admonished Muslims to adhere strictly to the teaching of the holy Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad for peace and national development.

The cleric also enjoined Muslims to show love and be just at all times for the progress of the country. (NAN)

AKW/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola