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NIGERIA: Poor complementary feeding habits fuel malnutrition — Onimawo

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Malnutrition remains a global public health concern, however, in Nigeria, many children are malnourished not because there is not enough to eat around the house, but due to ignorance.
 
While nutrition, maternal, child and infant mortality rates have improved steadily over the years, the figures remain unacceptably high in Nigeria which ranks among the 20 nations that contribute to over 80 percent of child deaths in the world.
Over one million Nigerian children under five die annually from malnutrition and vaccine preventable diseases, even as the 2013 NDHS, rates Nigeria with a stunting rate of 37 percent, wasting, 18 percent, underweight 29 percent and exclusive breastfeeding 17 percent.
Though an improvement from the NDHS 2003 and 2008 respectively, experts say the situation is still life threatening and undermining child development and survival.
Immediate past National President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, NSN, Dr, Ignatius Onimawo, said malnutrition which accounts for over 53 per cent of under-five deaths in Nigeria could be prevented through appropriate complementary feeding practice within 1000 days of a child’s life. Unfortunately, complementary feeding is yet to be understood by most Nigerian mothers and currently fuelling malnutrition.
Onimawo, at a Complementary Feeding Workshop held by the Nestle Nutrition Institute Africa, in collaboration with the NSN in Lagos, blamed high malnutrition in Nigerian children on inappropriate complementary feeding by mothers. “The best way to fight malnutrition and secure a healthy generation is by imbibing complementary feeding practice during the first 1,000 days of life. This stage in a child`s life is critical because this is when a child is vulnerable to infections and even death.”
He described complementary feeding as a practice adopted when breast milk alone is insufficient to increase nutrient composition for the growth and development of a child.
“Children who suffer malnutrition have very low immunity, making them more prone to treatable illnesses and infections like colds, diarrhoea, malaria etc. Such children are also dull, unhappy and have little interest in their surroundings.
“The development of their brain is affected since the first five years are very crucial in human development. As a result, malnutrition has diverse effects on his/her capabilities more especially in education. But with adequate nutrition, a child’s growth, development and health is guaranteed and the future of the nation is secured,” he said.
Complementary feeding
The importance of breastfeeding during complementary feeding, reflects in a malnourished girl child because it affects the development of the pelvis. Such girls, when they become women cannot give birth naturally, except through Caesarean Section.
Onimawo noted that for the first six months of life, breastfeeding provides the best nutrition, but after six months baby needs more nutrients.
“We can make complimentary foods from our locally available foods in such a way that they will be adequate in nutrients. Complimentary foods must be filled with key vitamins, minerals, the right energy and other essential nutrients to bridge the gap between what is provided by breast milk and nutrients needed by your growing baby,” he stated.                                                                                                   He recommended examples like pap mixed with soya beans, groundnut, crayfish that is well prepared, as essential in meeting a child’s requirements.
Chief Nutrition Officer, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Mrs Oluwatoyin Adams, said malnutrition occurs through inadequate intake of micro-nutrients. She decried the poor implementation of nutrition policies and urged government at all levels to place high priority on nutrition as a form of preventive medicine.
In her remark, Professor Ngozi Nnam, National President, NSN, who was represented by Dr Bartholomew Brai, called for increased awareness on complementary feeding for growth and development of a child.
Coordinator, Nestle Nutrition Institute Africa, Nigeria and Anglophone Countries, Central and West Africa, Mrs Chioma Emma Nwachukwu, said the Institute was established to address nutrition and health challenges in Africa to help people to live longer and healthier lives.
 

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ionyclaret@gmail.com
https://www.codewit.com
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NIGERIA: Doctors’ strike paralyses health services nationwide

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Pregnant women, children, the aged and patients seeking care in public hospitals are bearing the brunt of the three-day warning strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD.
 
The strike was called yesterday to press for payment of outstanding salaries and allowances, and training opportunities for its members, among other demands.
In Lagos, the strike took most patients unawares as they arrived early to keep appointments at various clinics, as only skeletal services were available.
Activities at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi-Araba; Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba; National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi were severely hampered as most of the outpatient clinics, though open, were almost deserted as little or no activity was going on.
When Vanguard visited LUTH around 10a.m. yesterday, the Accident and Emergency ward was shut, and new patients were turned back.
The Ante-Natal Clinic and Children Out Patient Department were also bereft of activity as there were no doctors attending to patients.
The victims
A woman, who simply identified herself as Joyce, said she, her aunt and baby were at the hospital as early as 7a.m. only to be told that doctors were on strike.
She said: “My aunt has been inside with them. The consultant has only attended to few patients on appointment. Others were asked to go back home.”
At the Ear, Nose and Throat, ENT, department, few patients on appointment were seen being attended to by a consultant.
Several pregnant women waiting at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of LUTH said none of them had been attended to. One said she arrived at the hospital by 6:30a.m. but was still waiting to be attended to by 1p.m.
A similar scenario was on at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi, Lagos, where only senior medical consultants, nurses, ward aides and other auxiliary staff were seen attending to patients in the wards and the Accident and Emergency unit of the hospital.
The outpatient clinics were open but devoid of the usual activities. A hospital source disclosed that contingency measures were in place to cushion the effects of the strike.
At the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, dozens of patients booked for appointment, left the hospital premises in annoyance after waiting for long hours without getting attention, while a few patients were observed sleeping in the waiting room.
Some of the patients that spoke to Vanguard said they had no choice than to wait until they were attended to. Such was the case of one Mr. Kunle Ibukun, who accompanied his mother to the hospital.
One of the consultants, who spoke on condition of anonymity, complained of being overworked.
He said: “As you can see, I have to attend to two patients at a time. Patients whose cases are not too serious are asked to come back but we believe that very soon everything will return to normal.”
It’s indefinite
— LUTH-ARD
Speaking to newsmen, President, LUTH ARD, Dr. Omojowolo Olubunmi who disclosed that the industrial action at LUTH was in line with the NARD’s three-day warning strike, also explained that the strike at LUTH was indefinite.
He said: “It is just coincidence that our strike coincided with the three-day warning strike called by our national body, but the strike in LUTH is indefinite and we have decided not to back down until our demands from management of LUTH are met.
“We decided to resume our strike due to lack of appreciable progress in our negotiations and deliberations with the hospital management on the issues raised. We have found ourselves left with no other choice.
“We are gravely concerned about the impact the astronomical increase in hospital charges is having on patients and this is also affecting our training as resident doctors, as many patients cannot afford these fees.”
Olubunmi, who spoke to Vanguard shortly after a meeting of the hospital management and other workers of the hospital, said although they had made little progress in their negotiations, the contentious issues they are demanding for are yet to be touched.
He said: “To show human face, we have allowed our house officers to work in conjunction with consultants. At least, to take care of patients already on admission but we are not admitting new patients.”
 
LUTH still
open— CMD
LUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Akin Osibogun, who stated that the strike was not in the interest of the patients, declared that the hospital was still open for patients.
Osibogun, who defended the management’s stand on some of the outstanding issues with ARD, urged the warring parties to exercise patience.
He said: “The hospital is open and running. I will just appeal to anybody who is contemplating a strike to consider the interest of the patients even if there were inadequacies. Going on a strike cannot help the patients.
“If you want to help the patients you continue to provide services and discuss with appropriate management level so that we improve on what we are doing. So it is not a strike that is likely to be in the interest of the patients.”
 
Igbobi, Yaba, Yenagoa
President of ARD, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, Dr. Akindele Akinta-yo, said the doctors can only attend to emergency cases.
On his part, President, ARD-Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Olusegun Akinwotu affirmed that if their demand is not met, there is tendency of embarking on an indefinite strike come July 1, as earlier directed by their national body.
In a related development at FMC, Yenagoa, services were grounded as doctors stayed away from their duty posts.
Also taking part in the strike were members of the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, at the FMC, Yenagoa, over non-payment of promotion arrears.
Dr. Ugoeze Asinobi, Chairman, FMC, Yenagoa chapter of NARD, said members of the association complied with the directive of their national body.
Mr. Simon Barnabas, an executive member of JOHESU, said the unions were compelled to embark on a warning strike over non-payment of promotion arrears.
He, however, regretted the hardship faced by members of the public and appealed for understanding.
 
In Benin
The University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, complied with the warning strike, unlike their counterparts at the Benin Central Hospital, who shunned the action.
Vanguard observed that consultants took over responsibilities of resident doctors at UBTH.
President of the Association of Resident Doctors, UBTH branch, Dr. Goodluck Imoudu, said the warning strike achieved hundred percent success, saying “it was a directive from the national secretariat and we must comply.
“But as doctors, we do empathise with our patients. So some resident doctors have to properly handover their cases to consultants. We had to do that so that the patients will not suffer.”
Vanguard, however, observed that the doctors were at work at the state-owned Benin Central Hospital. A source close to the resident doctors explained that “this is just a warning strike. We believe that the life of the patients are more important. But we are hoping that the matter will be resolved amicably.”
 
Patient appeals
Chioma Ukandu, a patient, appealed to the government to intervene and resolve the grievances of the workers.
Ukandu said: “I am surprised to find out that workers are on strike, even as health workers are supposed to render essential services. The feuding parties should consider the health of members of the public and resolve these issues without delay.”
However, in sharp contrast, normal services were maintained at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Enugu; National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, NOHE, and the Enugu State Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, as doctors ignored the call to embark on strike.
The issues
An official of NARD, UNTH chapter, said that the union would hold a rally today to review the strike action and thereafter take a decision on whether or not to join.
NARD is demanding parity in salary between doctors and other health workers as well as skipping of grade level 12, failure to produce a blueprint on residency training in conjunction with the associa-tion and other stakeholders, which would consist of all aspects of residency training, including local training modules, funding and overseas attachments, among others.
 

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ionyclaret@gmail.com
https://www.codewit.com
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Beware! Pregnancy after 35 years may put you at risk

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Pregnancy in the body is a traumatic event especially if the body is aging. According to medical experts, there are certain problems more apt to occur when childbearing is delayed. Achieving pregnancy may be more difficult for many reasons.
 
Due to aging, which can affect a woman’s eggs, pregnancy after 35 carries a higher risk of having a baby with genetic abnormalities.
The biggest obstacle for women age 35 or older may be getting pregnant in the first place. Fertility rates begin to decline gradually at age 30, more so at 35, and markedly at age 40. Even with fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization, women have more difficulty getting pregnant as they age.
Women also have more trouble staying pregnant as they get older: The rates of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy go up substantially with age.
Even after you get pregnant, age continues to have an effect. The older you are when you get pregnant, the more likely you are to have a chronic disease, such as high blood pressure or diabetes that may be undiagnosed and can affect your pregnancy.
First-time pregnancy after age 35 may have normal pregnancies, but research indicates that these women are at increased risk of having a cesarean delivery, when the newborn is delivered through a surgical incision in the mother’s abdomen, delivery complications, including excessive bleeding during labour, prolonged labour (lasting more than 20 hours), labour that does not advance and an infant with a genetic disorder, such as Down syndrome
Studies have also shown that high blood pressure, diabetes and problems with the placenta are a few conditions that are more likely to develop in older women during pregnancy.
During this period, medical experts advised that regular prenatal care is essential so that such conditions can be detected early, monitored and treated if necessary.
Older women are also more likely to enter a pregnancy with a pre-existing medical condition or may be on medications that could pose a problem for the pregnancy or the fetus. To ensure a good outcome for both mother and baby, discuss any medical problems you have with an obstetrician before becoming pregnant.
However, becoming, pregnant and having a baby is a huge adjustment for all first-time parents, but this especially seems to take older women by surprise.
 

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ionyclaret@gmail.com
https://www.codewit.com
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Now, hospitals make people sick

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When people fall sick, they go to the hospital to get better because hospitals are meant to make sick people get well. But your hospital can just as well make you become unwell. These days, hospital admission isn’t only costly and inconvenient, but potentially hazardous. Hospitals are gaining notoriety for spreading lethal infections and making sick people to become even sicker than they already are.
 
Medical records show that the risk of acquiring a deadly hospital-acquired infection is about 1 in 25 once you step inside a hospital premises. No cause for celebration. Caution should be the word. Every patient or visitor must insist on basic, simple, hygienic measures such as hand washing and use of protective equipment.
Are you seeking elective surgery? Pray not to be booked for a Friday afternoon. Opting for surgery at night, the weekend, or holiday period can be equally ill advised. Records show that patients with critical issues are more likely to develop avoidable complications and even die in the night, on a Saturday, a Sunday or public holiday compared to those treated in the day time on weekdays. At those times, staffing tends to be lighter and getting lab results takes almost forever. Reason: healthcare providers on-call are more easily distracted.
If you are admitted into hospital today, it would be in your interest to be “hospital-smart”. With infection lurking everywhere in a hospital, every patient and potential patient needs to be fully aware of the risks. Do you have an allergy? Are you immune-compromised? You may have been routinely screened; but have you double-checked with your doctor to ensure your personal risks have been adequately assessed and documented?
Don’t go it alone. It’s helpful to have a relative or friend with you to act as extra eyes and ears for you, keep track of your treatment and prevent errors that would otherwise go unnoticed.
A minute in the Emergency Room, 30 minutes in the Operating Room, one hour in the open ward or a day in the Intensive Care Unit, ICU, could be all that is required to make you come down with one or more of the potentially lethal in-hospital contagions that kill thousands of patients every year. Among the most common are bloodstream infection, ventilator-associated pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and surgical site infection to mention a few.
People are literally becoming sick of hospital environments that are presenting as increasing safety risk made worse by the fast ending age of antibiotic efficacy. Antibiotic overuse and inappropriate use are creating the so-called “super bug crisis”. In fact, antibiotic-resistant bacteria are taking over, and unfortunately, hospital settings are among the most dangerous of places when it comes to contracting an antibiotic-resistant infection.
Who can forget the menace of one of the most dreaded hospital infections known as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, better known as MRSA? Who has not heard that the 18 most-dangerous pathogens identified as “urgent, serious and concerning threats” to humankind can be transmitted from the hospital setting? These pathogens are extremely resistant to immune response and some forms are now exhibiting resistance to absolutely every known antibiotic in existence.
When visiting the hospital ward, or as an outpatient or inpatient, it’s a good idea to keep a bottle of sanitary gel and dispenser handy If you’re not sure that the nurse— or the next person—has sterile hands, offer them your gel. While demanding clean hands from health care personnel may appear overbearing, it could be a life saver when it matters most.
Countless cases of acquired infections that could easily have been prevented regularly occur after checking into a hospital.
Ideally, it is expected that hospital rooms are cleaned and washed down between patients, but don’t take chances. Beware of frequently touched areas such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, light switches, water faucets and bed rails. All these have high probability of contamination with dangerous bacteria.
To stay safe from the typical hospital-bred pathogen, use a disposable tissue when handling hospital paraphernalia. Hospital smart individuals know it pays to check their hospital’s safety history as well as cross infection rates.
If you are going in for surgery, choose your hospital carefully and get the facts right. You need to know how experienced your health practitioners are. Are they board certified? What is the hospital’s cross infection protection record? It doesn’t hurt to ask questions and demand answers.
 
 

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ionyclaret@gmail.com
https://www.codewit.com
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When your baby’s about to walk

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Auntie, I am confused.  Chibuzo will be a year old in two days time,and he has refused to walk.My mother says we should take him to a traditional healer.In fact, I am tired. Two of my children began to walk at eight months. Why should his be different? Children born the same period in my neighbourhood are walking. 
 
Mama Ada, is that all? Yes. Does he roll around, crab walk, scoot or climb with his hands? Yes, she responded.  Then, you have no problem. If he is doing all of these, walking is not far off.
Most babies take their first steps around their first birthday, but the age ranges from nine to 18 months.  Don’t worry if your baby takes a few detours along the way. Some children never crawl— they go straight from standing to walking—and that’s perfectly normal. What is important at this stage is that your child is becoming mobile.
Walking is a major developmental leap for babies, and parents are often anxious about when it will happen. Every baby learns to walk at his own pace, however, so just because your friend’s child is already toddling doesn’t mean yours should be, too.
However, it is also important to monitor your child’s progress. Is he doing more this month than last month? Is he getting a little bit more of his body off the ground? If so, you’ve got nothing to worry about. If by the end of his first year he doesn’t make any effort to get around somehow, talk to your doctor.
Encouraging walking
It takes most babies about 1,000 hours of practice from the time they pull themselves upright to the time they can walk alone. From birth, the single most important requirement for walking is strong back muscles, which babies develop by lifting their heads while lying on their tummies. So make sure yours gets plenty of tummy time while awake. Place interesting toys and objects just out of reach for motivation.
Walking basics
From 4 -15 months, your baby goes from learning to sit up to walking around the house. During this exciting time you can help baby gain confidence steps through simple games and words of praise.
Sitting
When baby starts sitting that are the first phase of gaining mobility. Sitting will help your little one strengthen the muscles required for standing.
4-7 months
During play time, roll a ball back and forth or play stacking games to help her enhance her little muscles.
Crawling
The most important thing for baby to do at the crawling stage is to practice moving arms and legs at the same time (even if he does a belly crawl or a scoot). He will need these skills when it comes time to walk.
7-10 months
Help baby crawl from one side of the room to the other. Then give praise for the effort.
Once baby can stand
Let baby walk in front of you while you hold baby’s hands. Periodically let go off one hand to enable balance. Or stand a few feet away from baby and cheer when baby is standing unaided. Offer lots of encouragement and praise.
Next Saturday: Making your home safe for baby’s first steps.
 

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ionyclaret@gmail.com
https://www.codewit.com
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Cervical Cancer is curable- Dr. Windapo

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A renowned medical practitioner Bayo Windapo of the Polybond medical services has said that cervical cancer is curable if it is detected early.
The doctor made this known at the 2014 Health intervention programme held in Lagos by Human development Initiatives (HDI), a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization working to safeguard the reproductive rights and health of women (particularly widows), children, adolescents and youths.
Dr Windapo who spoke extensively on cervical cancer introduced a new technology in cancer detection called Luviva. Luviva is designed as a new non-invasive test that has the potential to significantly improve the early detection of cervical precancers. LuViva is designed as a fast, painless test that – unlike Pap smears and HPV testing – does not require a tissue sample or the delay of laboratory analysis.
“Early detection of cancer and precancers greatly improves survival, and LuViva is designed to help preserve the reproductive health of women” Windapo said.
LuViva uses proprietary technology to identify cancers and precancers quickly by analyzing light reflected from the cervix. The technology distinguishes between normal and diseased tissue by detecting biochemical and morphological changes at the cellular level.
Other highlights of the events include; Health screening (Blood Pressure Check, Temperature, Urine test ‘Urinalysis’, Height and Weight check), Diabetes test, HIV test, consultation and counselling, treatment of minor ailments with available Over The Counter (OTC) Drugs and referral of cases for expert management as necessary.
According to the programme coordinator, Mrs Bolanle Dare “ the exercise is in continuance of our objective to safeguard the reproductive health & rights of widows, we are organizing health intervention for Women in 3 different locations namely: Yaba LCDA / Mainland LGA, Somolu LGA, and Bariga LCDA in Lagos State. The aim of the programme is to create a forum for health education on prevailing health problems affecting women and also to enlighten the women on the importance of constant medical checkup”
She further noted that similar exercise will take place in Shomolu and Bariga in July and August respectively.
 

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ionyclaret@gmail.com
https://www.codewit.com
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6 ways to avoid dying before your time

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(TIME.com) — With so many of the deaths each year from around the world directly related to poor health choices we make, world health leaders have set a goal of lowering the number of preventable deaths by 25% from 2010 rates by 2025. That would save 37 million lives over 15 years.

Reporting in the journal Lancet, public health experts note that the way to prevent those deaths aren't surprising. But acting on those strategies will take individual and political will. Here's how the experts hope to do it.

Not smoking

The UN General Assembly set a target of cutting smoking around the world by 30% by 2025. Already, higher-income nations that have adopted smoking bans in public places and instituted tobacco taxes have seen drops in smoking rates, although residents in lower income nations continue to light up at high rates.

Limiting excessive drinking

While moderate amounts of alcohol have been linked to some health benefits, overindulging can increase the risk of certain cancers and liver disease, as well as contribute to high blood pressure. Educating people about the risks of excessive drinking, as well as instituting taxes on alcoholic products have been somewhat successful in curbing abuse.

Cutting back on salt

High sodium diets can increase blood pressure and contribute to heart disease and stroke, and in many developed countries, people eat several times the amount the salt their bodies need. In the U.S., the average American consumes about 800mg more salt every day than health experts consider acceptable. Promoting alternatives, such as the citric acid in lemons, to satisfy the need for salt, can help to bring sodium consumption down.

Getting blood pressure under control

Lack of exercise and high sodium diets contribute to hypertension, and uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke and heart disease. Monitoring blood pressure with regular screenings, and treating elevated levels with changes in diet and exercise, or medications if necessary, are the most effective ways to address this risk factor.

Address diabetes

Closely tied to the obesity epidemic that now affects developing as well as developed nations, diabetes can increase the risk of heart disease, kidney disease and other conditions that can shorten life. Studies show that lifestyle changes incorporating healthy diets low in sugar and physical activity can be as effective as medications in keeping blood sugar levels in check.

Reducing obesity

The global growth in girth is tied to a number of factors, from the proliferation of processed and high calorie foods, to the shift toward sedentary lifestyles. Addressing obesity alone could also have beneficial effects in lowering other chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension. Public health campaigns highlighting the high calorie content of fast and processed foods, and programs that provide access to fresh fruits and vegetables, including in schools, could be important steps in turning the tide of the global obesity epidemic.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ionyclaret@gmail.com
https://www.codewit.com
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Malaria Still a Silent Killer in Nigeria, 627,000 Deaths Recorded Annually

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Malaria still remains one of the silent killers in Nigeria as about 627,000 deaths are recorded annually, especially among children under the age of five, the General Manager, Joint Ventures Operations, Mobil Producing Nigeria, Mr. John Arkley, said Tuesday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
 
Speaking at the launch of Nightwatch campaign by Malaria No More, Arkley regretted that despite its preventable and treatable nature, malaria had continued to wreak havoc on Nigerians.
 
"Today, malaria is still a major public health problem in Nigeria. It accounts for more cases of deaths than any other country in the world. It also contributes significantly to an estimated 11 per cent of maternal mortality in Nigeria and remains a risk for 97 per cent of Nigeria's population," he noted
 
Represented by Dr. Dim Susan, he said his company had within the past 13 years partnered major stakeholders in the fight against malaria and had assisted in distributing not less than 13 million bed nets.
 
He said the oil major would continue to be committed to the fight against malaria and expressed optimism that improved health and development can be realised if Nigerians are united to defeat the scourge.
 
The Akwa Ibom State Government disclosed that as part of activities to mark the 2014 World Malaria Day, arrangements had been put in place to distribute 2.5 million long lasting insecticidal mosquito-treated nets to members of the public.
The  state governor, Chief Godswill  Akpabio, represented by the state Commissioner for Health,  Dr. Ememabasi  Bassey, said the preventive measure was necessitated by the number of death recorded annually in Africa and especially Nigeria due to malaria.
 
He expressed disappointment that of the 1.5million treated nets distributed in the state last year,  less than 40 per cent of the 80 per cent house hold cóverage recorded during the exercise actually made use of the nets.
He therefore appealed to Nigerians to accord prevention of malaria the needed commitment and priority.
Recounting the socio-economic impact of malaria on Nigerians, the governor attributed 60 per cent of school absentism in children, over 40 per cent of absentism of workforce to malaria, adding that over N80 billion was expended annually for treatment and prevention of malaria in Nigeria.
 
"Akwa Ibom State Government sees malaria and it related problems as that which needs to be prioritised. The emphasis must shift from controlling to elimination. As a state, we have achieved significantly in the area of control through provision of ATC drugs for free distribution through  our health facilities, we have also provided tools for rapid diagnostic test even in our primary health facilities and i want to encourage everyone to make use of these provisions as well as sleep under treated nets," he advised.
 
Earlier, the Country Director of Malaria No More, Dayo Oluwále, said the National NightWatch campaign seeks to drive appropriate public attention and action on malaria prevention and treatment.
 
"Nightwatch aims to improve public awareness and behaviour around malaria prevention by focusing awareness for use of long lasting treated bed nets and other treatment. Every three  minutes, somebody
is lost because of malaria, that is why we have decided to engage politicians, businessmen, entertainers and others to pilot this all-important campaign," she said.

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ionyclaret@gmail.com
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Fatal virus in Ghana was not Ebola

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Blood tests have shown that a 12-year-old girl in Ghana who died of viral fever with bleeding did not have Ebola, Health Minister Sherry Ayittey said on Monday.

The girl was the first suspected case in Ghana of Ebola, which has killed more than 90 people in Guinea and Liberia. Another suspected case has been reported in Mali.

Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres has warned of an unprecedented epidemic in an impoverished region with weak health services.

Samples from the girl, who has not been identified, were brought to the capital Accra from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana’s second-largest city.

“The report from the Noguchi Memorial Institute says categorically that the samples of the blood they analyzed is negative ID Ebola virus and also negative of any common viral fever,” Ayittey told a news conference.

“We would like to allay the fears of Ghanaians that the Ebola virus has been detected in Ghana,” she said.

Ayittey said Ghana, which borders Togo, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, has stepped up its health surveillance since the Guinea outbreak.

It has trained port and borders workers to detect signs of the disease, set up a national committee, restocked testing equipment and established a telephone hotline, she said.

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ionyclaret@gmail.com
https://www.codewit.com
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Nigeria Leads in Skin Bleaching, Says Expert

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A dermatologist at the  University of  Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Dr. Nike Omotoyosi, has said Nigeria has  the  highest number of  people who  indulge  in  skin bleaching.


Delivering a lecture entitled,  “The Harmful Effects  of Skin Bleaching,’’ yesterday in Ilorin at a Lenten season programme, organised by the wife of Kwara State governor, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, the dermatologist stated that  the rate of skin cancer and other kidney diseases was on the rise due to bleaching.

“Nigeria is the foremost country where people bleach their skin in the whole world due to the negative effects of advertisements on billboards where white skinned women are portrayed as beautiful.

“There is the misconception that only fair people are beautiful. As such, those with dark skin would want to attract the opposite sex by removing the dark spot using different chemicals to bleach,” a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted her as saying.

Omotoyosi, who  noted that some were lured into bleaching due to societal pressure, added  that the trend was now popular with men.
Bleaching, according to her, reduces  melanin, a pigment of the skin.
According to her,  melanin protects  the skin from the harsh rays of the sun  while acting as a protective agent against cancer and other dangerous skin diseases.

She said  active bleaching agents and chemicals found in most Nigerian markets were hydroquinone, mercury and steroids.

“Many countries,  including Nigeria,  have banned the use of these active ingredients in cosmetics but bleaching  still persists in this country,” Omotoyosi said.

She said other side effects of bleaching included  burns, dark  nails, permanent luekodermia, easy bruising, stretch marks, recurrent skin infections, dermatitis, pimples breakout and onchronosis.

“Mercury poisoning on its own causes  severe nerve problems, movement disorders, hearing impairment, kidney damage and psychiatric disorders,” the dermatologist added.

Omotoyosi, however,  recommended sensitisation  of  the public on the dangers of  bleaching while also advocating the use of  moisturisers and sunscreen cream.

She further  called on government to check  advertisement copies , which  portray  the black race in negative light,  saying “Black is beautiful.’’

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ionyclaret@gmail.com
https://www.codewit.com
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