Makinde Approves Immediate Recruitment of Healthcare Professionals in Oyo State

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has sanctioned the urgent recruitment of doctors, nurses, consultants, and other healthcare professionals to address staffing shortages in the state’s health sector. The announcement was made by Akin Fagbemi, Chairman of the Hospitals Management Board, following a meeting with the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) in Ibadan.  This decision comes in response to an indefinite strike initiated by the NANNM on May 21, due to unmet demands from the state government. Fagbemi emphasized the importance of this recruitment drive, noting it will significantly alleviate the current workforce deficit in hospitals and healthcare centers across Oyo State.  He praised Governor Makinde for his commitment to transparency and accountability in the health sector, which are vital for delivering quality healthcare services. “The governor’s approval for the immediate recruitment of additional healthcare professionals is a crucial step towards resolving the staffing crisis and enhancing healthcare delivery in our state,” Fagbemi stated. 

Tinubu Is Getting His Health Care In Nigeria – Minister Says

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu is getting some health care in Nigeria. Alausa made this known in an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday. Recall that President Tinubu is yet to return to Nigeria days after the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Saudi Arabia. The president’s absence has ignited concerns about his whereabouts among many Nigerians. However, the Health Minister said President Tinubu’s absence from the country is not due to medical reasons. According to him, Tinubu is well, healthy and leading Nigeria in the right direction, as against speculations that the president is sick. Alausa noted that the current administration is concerned about developing the healthcare system for Nigerians. He said, “Let me tell you, we are developing a healthcare system for Nigerians not for the President. We have 220 million Nigerians and that’s what Mr President wants. “We have a president that is well, that is healthy and leading the country in the right direction. The president is getting some of his care in Nigeria.”

1.9 million Nigerians are living with HIV, says APIN

An estimated 1.9 million Nigerians are living with the Human Immune Virus (HIV) and Nigeria is one of the three countries in the world with the highest burden of the virus. A public health voluntary service initiative, APIN, made the disclosure at the weekend. persons. Speaking during the Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U)/ International women’s day media roundtable, the Senior Technical Advisor, Prevention & Community Services APIN , Dr Olubunmi Amoo, stated that the group has a variety of women-focused interventions. Dr Amoo stated that the interventions ranges from Cervical Cancer screening, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV, Elimination of Gender-Based Violence, HIV testing and treatment, Orphans and Vulnerable Children Programming, and Economic Empowerment activities. Speaking further she said that the successes and results from these programs are helping to give women voices in their households and the society at large, while ensuring their health and wellbeing. Delivery the welcome address, the Associate Director, Human Resources & Administration APIN, Mr Luke Onu and Deputy CEO (Programs), Dr Jay Osi Samuels, remarked on the need to specifically target women in public health interventions, as well as other areas including governance, economic empowerment and leadership, a practice which APIN is committed to. The duo also appreciated the media for their support so far and encouraged them to continue to amplify messages on women’s inclusion on their platforms. Also speaking in the occasion, the Communications and Media Specialist APIN, Mrs Emerald Awa-Agwu, stated that APIN introduced the Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U) campaign, aimed at increasing HIV testing, adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and uptake of viral load services to achieve an Undetectable viral load. Awa-Agwu informed that people Living with HIV who take their ARTs consistently can achieve an undetectable viral load. This means that the amount of HIV in their blood is too small to be detected by standard HIV tests. At this point, they are also unable to transmit HIV, Hence the name Undetectable =Untransmittable (U=U). Speaking further she said ” APIN Public Health Initiatives, addresses diseases of public health importance and mitigates their impact using cutting-edge approaches in public health program management, capacity building, research and health information management in partnership with other stakeholders. “The organization started out as a project of the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) in 2000 but became an independent NGO in 2007.

Chickenpox Kills Many In Abuja Community

Residents of Wubara, a community in the Jiwa ward of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have been thrown into confusion following a recent surge in the outbreak of chickenpox. Chickenpox is a disease that is triggered by the varicella-zoster virus. It results in the development of a pruritic rash accompanied by tiny blisters filled with fluid. Chickenpox is highly contagious and can easily transmit to individuals who have not previously contracted the illness or received the chickenpox vaccine. Confirming the latest surge of the disease during a recent medical outreach in Wubara, the chairman of the council, Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, who was represented by the Supervisory Council for Health, Faoye Tunji, said, “We lament the outbreak of chicken pox recently that befell Wubara and other communities where several households were affected and so many lives were lost. The impact of this calamity has left So many in fear. It is an unfortunate situation, and we pray that it will never repeat again. “To us in the council, this outbreak is becoming one too many and a permanent solution is urgently needed to prevent further occurrence. I hereby appeal to our people to maintain a healthy lifestyle by sleeping in well-ventilated houses, be mindful of the heat and bad weather caused by climate change and visit our facilities whenever we have any symptom.’’ Also reacting to the latest development, the Programme Officer for Disease Control at the Health Unit/Department of AMAC, Dr. Dorothy Ihegazie, emphasized the council’s readiness to provide medical outreach services to the community. She highlighted the drugs’ availability at the pharmacy and urged the people to cooperate with the medical professionals present. On his part, the Chief of Wubara, Alhaji Ibrahim Dallatu, expressed his satisfaction with the medical outreach program, stating that it would effectively combat any potential diseases within the community. According to Daily Trust, the medical professionals on-site during the outreach examined more than 1,000 community members and administered necessary medications. It was also observed that the medical outreach program offered medications for malaria, typhoid, child immunization, COVID-19 vaccination, poliomyelitis, monkeypox, chickenpox, and various other ailments.

Japa: Nurses drag health minister, others to court over implementation of new policy

Some nurses in the country have dragged the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), the Minister of Health, and six others before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria over the new certificate verification guidelines. The NMCN had, on February 7, 2024, issued a circular revising the guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives. The council stated that applicants seeking verification of certificates from foreign nursing boards and councils must possess two years of post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practicing license. The new guidelines came into force on March 1, 2024. There have been series of protests by nurses in Abuja and Lagos to demand the reversal of the new guidelines. Some aggrieved nurse dragged the Registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council Nigeria; Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare; Federal Ministry of Health and Attorney General of the Federation before the court demanding a suspension of the policy. The complaints in the suit marked: NICN/ABJ/ 76/2024, are Desmond Aigbe; Kelvin Ossai; Catherine Olatunji-Kuyoro; Tamunoibi Berry; Osemwengie Osagie; Abiola Olaniyan, Idowu Olabode, and Olumide Olurankinse. They are urging the court to restrain the defendants or their agents from implementing the NMCN circular pending the determination of the suit. The nurses also urged the court to suspend the commencement of the new guidelines. The reliefs sought partly read, “An interlocutory order restraining suspending the commencement of the 2nd Defendant” “REVISED GUIDELINES FOR VERIFICATION OF CERTIFICATE(S) WITH THE NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL OF NIGERIA” earlier proposed to take effect from the 7th of March, 2024 as indicated on the 2nd Defendant’s circular dated 7th February, 2024 pending the hearing and determination of the Claimants/Applicants Originating Summons in this suit. “An interlocutory order restraining the Defendants, their Partners, parastatals, subjects, counterparts. agents, servants, privies, assigns, or whoever, acting for. with or on behalf of the Defendants from taking any further step that may hinder, restrict, or infringe on the constitutional rights and freedom of nurses and midwives in Nigeria from emigrating to the country to seek better career opportunities and training abroad. “An interlocutory order of the court mandating the 1st & 2nd Defendants to continue to carry out verification of certificates or any documents requested by applicants, their other intending colleagues, and other members of the Nursing and Midwifery profession within 7 days from the date of such application pending the hearing and determination of the Claimants/Applicants Originating Summons.” At the proceedings on Wednesday, counsel for the complaints, Ode Evans told the court that he had just received the preliminary objection filled by the first and second defendants some moments ago. He pleaded with the court to adjourn the matter to enable him to reply to their applications. Evans said,” I confirmed the receipt of the application from the first and second defendants this morning. We shall be asking for a date to enable us to file our responses. ” The judge, Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae, however, adjourned the matter till May 20 for hearing. She ordered that the hearing notice be served on the Federal Ministry of Health and the Attorney General of the Federation who had no legal representation in court.

Tinubu Approves Immediate Upgrade Of Key Health Infrastructure

President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate upgrade of key health infrastructure and equipment across all six geo-political zones in line with his administration’s vision of overhauling the health and social welfare sector for enhanced service delivery to all Nigerians. Upgrading health infrastructure and equipment is a top priority of President Tinubu’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.  To advance this landmark effort, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) will carry out the comprehensive upgradation of cancer-treatment infrastructure and other critical developments in six tertiary hospitals across several geopolitical zones, in addition to the full renovation and expansion of prior investments to improve broad-based access to high-quality healthcare in all six geo-political zones of the federation. The following teaching hospitals across geo-political zones have been marked for the establishment of oncology and nuclear medicine centres per facility as part of President Tinubu’s bid to ensure that world class cancer diagnosis and care is accessible across the country: (1) University of Benin Teaching Hospital (2) Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (3) University of Nigeria (Nsukka) Teaching Hospital (4) Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina (5) University of Jos Teaching Hospital (6) Lagos University Teaching Hospital The following ten critical health care service expansion projects across the fields of radiology, clinical pathology, medical and radiation oncology, and cardiac catheterization will be carried out in ten hospitals across all geo-political zones: (1) North-West: Reference Hospital, Kaduna — (Radiology, clinical pathology, medical and radiation oncology) (2) South-East: Medical Diagnostic Centre Complex, Enugu — (Radiology, clinical pathology, medical & radiation oncology) (3) North-West: Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto — (Diagnostic and intervention radiology, clinical pathology, and cardiac catheterization) (4) South-West: University College Hospital, Ibadan — (Diagnostic and intervention radiology, clinical pathology, and cardiac catheterization) (5) South-South: University of Uyo Teaching Hospital — (Radiology and clinical pathology) (6) North-East: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi — (Radiology and clinical pathology) (7) South-South: Federal Medical Centre, Asaba — (Radiology and clinical pathology) (8) North-Central: Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre Complex, Ilorin — (Radiology and clinical pathology) (9) North-Central: Jos University Teaching Hospital — (Radiology and clinical pathology) (10) North-East: Federal Medical Centre, Nguru — (Radiology and clinical pathology)

Anthrax: FG alerts of outbreaks in Ghana, Togo, others

ANTHRAX DISEASE

The Federal Government has alerted the public on the outbreak of Anthrax disease in some neighbouring countries within the West African sub-region. The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, announced this in a statement in Abuja on Monday. According to him, the affected countries are Northern Ghana which borders Burkina Faso and Togo. Umakhihe said that the disease, which had claimed some lives, is bacterial and affects both animals and man. He said that Anthrax spores are naturally found in the soil and commonly affect domestic and wild animals. Umakhihe said that people could get infected with Anthrax spores if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. He said that the disease is not contagious but one cannot get it by coming in close contact with an infected person. ”Signs of anthrax are, flu-like symptoms, such as cough, fever, and muscle aches,“ he said. He said further that if not diagnosed and treated early, it could lead to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shock, and ultimately, death. He added, however, that anthrax responds to treatment with antibiotics and supportive therapy. ”It is primarily a disease of animals but because of man’s closeness to animals, non-vaccinated animals with anthrax can easily be transmitted to man through the inhalation of anthrax spores. ”It could also be through consumption of contaminated or infected animal products, such as hides and skin (known in Nigeria as ‘Pomo’), meat or milk,” he said. He said annual vaccinations with anthrax spores are available at the National Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, Plateau Staten, and that it is the cheapest and easiest means of prevention and control of the disease in animals, adding that infected animals cannot be vaccinated, but animals at risk can be vaccinated. ”There is a  need to intensify animal vaccinations along border States of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States, because of their proximity to Burkina Faso, Togo and Ghana,” he said. Umakhihe urged other states in Nigeria to join in the exercise to prevent the spread of the disease. He advised that infected dead animals should be buried deep into the soil, with equipment used in the burial after applying chemicals that would kill the anthrax spores. “The public is strongly advised to desist from the consumption of hides (pomo), smoked meat, and bush meat as they pose a serious risk until the situation is brought under control,” he said. Umakhihe urged the public to remain calm and vigilant as the Federal Government has resuscitated a Standing Committee on the control of Anthrax. He said that relevant institutions and collaborators have been contacted with the aim of controlling the outbreak.

VVF centre treats 15,000 patients

VVF PATIENTS

The Laure Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) Centre in Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, has successfully treated 15,000 fistula survivors in the state from 1987 till date. The Coordinator of the centre, Dr Amir Imam-Yola, made this known at the commemoration of the 2023 International Day to End Obstetric Fistula (IDEOF) on Tuesday at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano. The day was designed in 2013 by the United Nations General Assembly with a view to create greater awareness globally about obstetric fistula and intensify actions toward eradicating the problem. Every year on May 23, the global community celebrates the day, fixed by the United Nations (UN) to appreciate the struggles of women living with the condition. Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) or Obstetric Fistula, also known as fistula, is a childbirth complication which leads to abnormal opening between the bladder and the vagina, causing continuous and unremitting urinary incontinence. The condition is among the most distressing complications of gynecologic and obstetric procedures; however, it can be repaired through surgery. Some common causes of VVF are obstructed or prolonged labour, lack of prompt access to medical care, and poverty in some cases, as well as unsafe obstetric or gynecological surgery. The condition can cause discomfort, and if left untreated, it may cause serious bacterial infection, which may result to sepsis, a dangerous condition that can lead to low blood pressure, organ damage or even death. The theme of this year’s celebration is “20 years on – progress but not enough! Act now to end Fistula by 2030.’’ Imam-Yola, therefore, said “the centre provides activities such as fistula repair, advocacy, prevention of fistula activity, training, documentation and research opportunities.’’ He urged the state government to provide drugs and rehabilitation centre for fistula survivors. On his part, the Executive Director, Fistula Foundation Nigeria (FFN), Mr Isa Musa, said obstetric fistula is a public health issue in Nigeria with the country having the largest burden of untreated women and girls. He said “without treatment, fistula can severely impact a woman’s health and well-being. “We have an estimated 332,000 women awaiting treatment, compounded by annual incidence of 13,000 new cases.’’ He called on the Kano State Government to make free fistula care services a priority, especially provision for training of additional indigenous doctors and nurses on surgical management of fistula. He also urged the government to upgrade the Laure Fistula Centre with additional wards (bed capacity), saying that the centre initially had 48 beds but was now left with only 10 beds. He requested for the provision of equipment and other supplies to improve the physical, social and vocational aptitude of women affected with fistula. Musa commended Prof Idris Suleiman of AKTH, Dr Amir Imam-Yola and the team for providing continuous fistula repair services at the centre. Dr Zahra’u Muhammad-Umar, the Kano State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, said the state government had done a lot in the provision of welfare packages to survivors of fistula and in terms of their feeding, shelter, clothing and empowerment. The ministry also presented the award of excellence to the executive director of FFN and other doctors for their contributions toward ending fistula. Maryam Adam, who spoke on behalf of the survivors, said she had been struggling and managing VVF for 12 years and had done 10 surgeries. She said “My husband divorced me and married another woman, I have been going from one hospital to another in search of cure. “Before, I pass urine and faeces uncontrollably, but now I only urinate at a minimal level. There is an improvement. “I was also trained as a tailor, which helped me in getting medication and have remarried for two years despite my condition. “I thank God and thank Fistula Foundation Nigeria.’’  

Applauding the Godwin Obla Foundation Kidney Centre in Benue 

GODWIN OBLA

The date was January 20, 1961, and the occasion was the inauguration of the 35th President of the United States. After taking his oath of office, the young incoming President John F. Kennedy called out to his people- “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”  This call continues to resonate with every patriotic citizen with a commendable sense of “civic action and public service”. Last April 17, 2023 was a memorable day in the ancient city of Otukpo, the traditional headquarters of the Idoma nation, Benue South Senatorial District. Long neglected by succession administrations at both federal and state levels, Otukpo town is currently enjoying some reawakening in infrastructure, following the siting of a Federal University of Health Sciences (FUHS) by President Muhammadu Buhari.  Further to the flurry of amenities that are being put in place to support the effective takeoff of the university, a private individual made a humongous intervention of a magnitude never witnessed in the annals of individual philanthropic gestures in Idomaland, if not the entire Benue State. This was the commissioning of an ultramodern Kidney/Dialysis Centre, built and equipped by the GODWIN OBLA FOUNDATION, initiated and funded by Chief Godwin Odumu Obla, SAN, in furtherance of his ceaseless philanthropic giving-back-to-the-society Program, and donated to the Teaching Hospital of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo.  It was a day of sober reflections, a day of long but inactive political knives, a day of nostalgic regrets, and a day of hope, as well as a day of appreciation. Indeed, it was a day of mixed emotions. Most of all, 17th April 2023 would go down as a day of realization and challenges.  The premises of the former General Hospital, where the Centre is located, is a colourful beehive of activities as people from far and near thronged the venue to appreciate Chief Godwin Odumu Obla, the first Senior Advocate of Nigeria from Benue South Senatorial District for his show of love towards his late wife, expressed in his determination to provide such needed health care facilities, the absence of which led to her untimely demise. The JUDITH OGWA OBLA KIDNEY CENTRE is named after Chief Godwin Obla’s wife who passed on in the United States of America on 21st March, 2022, due to complications arising from a protracted battle with diabetes which resulted in kidney failure. Her passing on to eternal glory was a glaring manifestation of the unacceptable gap between health facilities in Nigeria and other more advanced societies, prompting her husband to promise a well-equipped health Centre for his people back home.  For a man who has always regarded a promise to be a debt, Chief Obla pulled all available resources together and within four months the Centre became ready for handover, Project fully completed and appropriately equipped and furnished. Apart from handing over the state-of-the-art KIDNEY CENTRE to FUHSO’s Council, the Vice Chancellor of the first Federal Government-established Medical University, Prof Innocent Ujah, had a memorable 17th April 2023, as an avalanche of academic endowments totaling N40 million naira was thrust at FUHSO, still by the GODWIN OBLA FOUNDATION.  Some of these included the Judith Ogwa Obla Prize for Best Graduating Student in Nephrology; Joseph Elagbaje Obla Snr Prize (to honor his late father) for Best Graduating Student in Internal Medicine; GODWIN ODUMU OBLA Prize for Best Graduating Student in Urology; and Dr Idoko Edwin Obe Prize for Best Overall Graduating Student (in memory of the first Idoma Medical Doctor). Each of the four endowments is to attract an annual cash gift of not less than a million naira.  The GODWIN OBLA FOUNDATION and FUHSO signed agreement papers to legitimize the handover, which also included the public presentation of the real bank cheques to Prof Innocent Ujah.  The Director General of GODWIN OBLA FOUNDATION, Elder Michael Uba Obande, JP, had, in his speech while welcoming dignitaries to the historic occasion, given a brief exposition on the FOUNDATION which is committed to upholding the biblical Good Samaritan principle of extending assistance to the needy. He told the audience that GODWIN OBLA FOUNDATION has already impacted lives positively through its Projects in such areas as the Benue Judiciary, St Francis College, Wesley High School, and New Vision Institute of Technology (all in Otukpo). The mammoth crowd which witnessed the great event included Benue State Deputy Governor Benson Abounu, Deputy Governor-elect Sam Ode, Distinguished Senator Abba Moro, House of Reps Member Ottah Agbo, Och’Idoma V, Catholic Bishop Michael Apochi and other members of the clergy as well as members of both Obla and Ugbo families. The Obla, the centre benefactor had advised the Vice Chancellor of the university, Innocent Ujah, a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, to set up a team of eminent medical professionals based in the US to fashion out “a proper clinical governance structure.” To ensure staff discipline, Mr. Obla said Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras would be installed at the centre to capture medical personnel activities as they relate to patients’ care. He explained that the facility would serve as a research and training centre to assist government in planning, policy and decision-making.