Senate Seeks Mandatory Anti-Venoms in Hospitals After Singer’s Death
The Senate has called on the Federal Government to mandate the availability of snake anti-venoms and other emergency antidotes in hospitals nationwide following the death of Abuja-based singer, Ifeanyi Nwangene, who reportedly died after a snake bite.
FG To Advance HIV/AIDS Response — Minister
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Pate, on Wednesday affirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing the HIV response in Nigeria during a performance review meeting hosted by the U.S. Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in Abuja. The third Biannual Performance Review and Stakeholder Engagement meeting aimed to share experiences, successes, and lessons with funders and CDC/PEPFAR partners in Nigeria. Represented by Dr. Anyaike Chukwuma, the Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), Pate emphasized the progress made in combating HIV and acknowledged the crucial support provided by the U.S. CDC and the U.S. Government. He highlighted achievements, challenges, and plans in the fight against HIV, underscoring the importance of sustainable financing, improved governance, and enhanced healthcare outcomes. Pate explained that the government’s agenda and collaborative efforts with stakeholders aimed to ensure a resilient and sustainable healthcare system in the country. Key interventions included the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and the National Health Insurance Act. He also mentioned restructuring the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) into the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to strengthen the healthcare system. The U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. David Greene, praised Nigeria’s efforts toward achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals. He highlighted the operation of key population-led One Stop Shops and innovation hubs for adolescents and youth. Greene expressed pride in partnering with Nigeria and the potential of an integrated health service delivery platform. Dr. Gambo Aliyu, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), emphasized the impact of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in combating HIV/AIDS. He stressed the need for continued progress and sustainability, transitioning from an emergency response to managing HIV as an endemic global situation. Aliyu underscored the importance of collective responsibility, engagement, and discussions for achieving HIV epidemic control in Nigeria beyond 2030.
Buni Approves Employment Of 158 Community Nurses In Yobe
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has approved the employment of 158 community nursing graduates of the Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery, Damaturu. This is contained in a statement by Buni’s Director-General Press and Media Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, in Damaturu on Saturday. According to Mohammed, the nurses comprised of two sets of the college’s graduates. He said the governor had also approved the payment of N10,000 monthly allowances to 393 students of the state origin undergoing National Diploma and Basic Midwifery programmes at the college. The spokesman said 67 of the benefitting students were entitled to 11 months arrears of the allowance, while 326 new students of the college would soon start receiving the allowance. “Governor Buni urged the newly employed health personnel to be dedicated to serve the people better. “He charged them to key into the reform programme of the state government to provide efficient, accessible and affordable medical services to the people. “The Governor also called on the students to study hard to justify the government’s investment in them,” Mohammed said.
NCDC Registers 1,968 Lassa Fever Cases In 28 States
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has registered 1,068 Lassa fever infections across 112 local government areas in 28 states of the federation. The NCDC said this via its official website on Tuesday in its Lassa Fever Situation Report for Week 37 (September 11 -17, 2023). The centre indicated that 75 per cent of the cases were detected in Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi States. Lassa Fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. It is primarily found in West Africa, particularly in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria. The virus is transmitted to humans through contact with the urine or faeces of infected rodents, specifically the multimammate rat. According to the NCDC, there are currently 7,352 individuals with suspected cases and the infection has resulted in the unfortunate loss of at least 181 lives in the country. The centre said that the case-fatality ratio of the infection stood at 16.9 per cent. “Cumulatively from week 1 to week 37, 2023, 181 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 16.9 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022 (19.1 per cent). “In total for 2023, 28 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 112 local government areas. “Seventy-five per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi) while 25 per cent were reported from 25 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. “Of the 75 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 35 per cent, Edo 29 per cent, and Bauchi 11 per cent. “The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 93 years, Median Age: 32 years). “The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.9. The number of suspected cases increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2022,” it said. It is regretted that in 2023 Lassa fever infected 49 healthcare workers across the country. The agency said that the National Lassa Fever Multi-partner, Multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Centre had been activated to coordinate the response activities at all levels. It added that prevention of Lassa fever involves avoiding contact with rodents and their droppings, practising good personal hygiene and taking precautions when caring for infected individuals. The NCDC said that early diagnosis and prompt medical care are crucial in managing the disease and preventing complications.
Elevator Tragedy: NMA declares indefinite strike in Lagos hospitals
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos branch, has directed medical doctors in three government hospitals on Lagos Island to embark on an indefinite strike over the death of its member, Dr Diaso Vwaere. The directive is contained in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of NMA in the state, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu and Dr Ajibowo Ismail, on Wednesday in Lagos. Vwaere, a medical house officer with the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, died on August 1, owing to the injuries sustained when the elevator she was in crashed from the 10th floor of the hospital building. NMA directed the doctors at the General Hospital, Odan; Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, and Massey Street Children’s Hospital to embark on the strike until investigations into the cause of the death were completed and justice served. “The information we got was that she was trapped in the elevator for more than 40 minutes before she was rescued. “We were also reliably informed that there was no blood available for resuscitation, and this has become a recurring issue as a result of the review made by the government on the previous policy on blood donation. “To us, this was an avoidable death and it’s unfortunate that it was allowed to happen. We are pained and we are mourning. “We are well aware that this same elevator has been a source of problem for many years during which several complaints had been made to all relevant agencies with no respite. “It is very painful that at a time when the country is battling with unprecedented brain drain, a young colleague that would have been expected to attend to 6,000 Nigerians was allowed to die a needless death,” the association said. It called for immediate, unbiased investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident. “That all those found culpable in this matter, especially the General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure Management Agency, Ms Adenike Adekambi, are all brought to justice,” the association said. NMA also directed all the doctors in other government hospitals in the state to scale down activities as a mark of respect for their dead colleague. “Only emergency services should be rendered for the next five days,” it said. The association appealed to government to urgently begin an overhaul of the house officers’ quarters on the Island and repair the infrastructure in all government hospitals that needed attention. NMA also urged the government to revamp the blood transfusion system in the state for improved services. “We appeal to our colleagues to remain calm, as NMA Lagos State leadership is on top of the situation and will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is not just served but seen to have been served,” the association said. It commiserated with the family of the late doctor, her colleagues on the Island, the Medical Guild, and the body of doctors in the state while praying for the fortitude to bear the irreparable and unfortunate loss.
Tinubu to address Nigerians amid nationwide hardship
On Monday, July 31, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will deliver a broadcast to the nation at 7 pm. The announcement was made on Monday morning by Dele Alake, the presidential spokesman, urging television, radio stations, and other electronic media outlets to tune in to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Radio Nigeria for the broadcast. Though the specific content of the address remains undisclosed, it comes at a time when the country is grappling with widespread hardship due to the removal of fuel subsidy, leading to an increase in petrol prices. President Tinubu has consistently appealed for calm, assuring the public that the government is diligently working to improve living conditions and alleviate the prevailing challenges. Interestingly, this address coincides with an upcoming nationwide protest by the organized labour, which is parleying civil society organisations as they prepare for an industrial action on August 2, and the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD). The NARD has rejected the recent 25% increment in basic salary announced by the federal government, demanding the full restoration of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure to its original value as approved in 2009. The association, represented by its president, Dr. Orji Emeka Innocent, secretary-general Dr. Chikezie Kelechi, and publicity and social secretary Dr. Umar Musa, vows to continue the nationwide total and indefinite strike action until the government takes significant steps to address their demands, including the release of the circular on the One-for-One policy for the replacement of exited clinical workers to ease work overload caused by brain drain. As Nigerians await President Tinubu’s address on Monday night, the nation is at a crucial juncture, grappling with pressing issues that demand immediate attention and resolution.