Health

Niger Delta Records Highest Stroke Prevalence Globally, Urgent Four-Pronged Approach Advocated

Published

3 weeks ago

November 9, 2023

At the third annual African Stroke Organisation Conference in Ibadan, Professor Mayowa Owolabi, co-chair of the African Stroke Organisation Foundation, raised an alarm about the Niger Delta region having the world’s highest prevalence of stroke. Calling for a comprehensive strategy, he emphasized the urgent need for a four-pronged approach encompassing surveillance, prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation to address the escalating cases of stroke in Nigeria.

Professor Owolabi, a neurologist, highlighted the staggering prevalence rate of stroke in the Niger Delta, estimated at 1.4 per 1,000 population. He attributed this alarming statistic to elevated levels of air pollution in the region, among other contributing factors. Speaking on the broader African context, he noted that the continent has the highest incidence of strokes globally.

To combat the rising tide of strokes, Professor Owolabi stressed the importance of early detection and control of hypertension, management of high cholesterol, daily consumption of green leafy vegetables, regular exercise, reduced alcohol intake, smoking cessation, and combating obesity.

“If we don’t take action, the situation is likely to worsen. Six Africans are developing a stroke every minute, and at least one Nigerian is developing a stroke every minute,” warned Professor Owolabi. He emphasized the need to implement the stroke quadrangle, involving surveillance, prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation, with the African Stroke Organisation actively collaborating with stakeholders to alleviate the burden of strokes on the continent.

Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, conveyed through Dr. Debbie Odoh, the National Coordinator for Non-communicable Disease Division, shared concerning statistics. He stated that one in four persons in Nigeria is likely to experience a stroke, with the fatality rate increasing from 21.2 percent to 40 percent over a 30-day period. In response, plans are underway to establish a national stroke registry and guidelines for prevention and management.

Furthermore, the minister announced the initiation of a nationwide screening program for hypertension, aiming to screen 80 percent of the eligible population, provide standard treatment for 80 percent of those with hypertension, and ensure sustained blood pressure control in 80 percent of treated patients. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to achieve a 25 percent reduction in premature deaths from cardiovascular diseases and non-communicable diseases, including strokes.

In support of these initiatives, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, represented by Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju, called for routine hypertension screening, the establishment of stroke units in health institutions, and the promotion of universal health coverage to facilitate broader access to recommended stroke interventions and essential medicines.

Health

10 Babies Die in Abuja IDP Camp Because of Malnutrition

Published

3 days ago

November 28, 2023

Azi Elizabeth

Ten babies have died of malnutrition in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp Waru of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

The women leader of the camp, Mrs Fatima Mohammed, said this in an interview yesterday in Abuja.

Mrs Fatima said the figure was recorded since the formation of the camp in 2013 to date.

She said the issue of malnutrition among infants and children remains a source serious of concern to many families in the camp.

“A nursing mother died recently in this camp.

“One of our major problems in this camp is lack of good medical facilities, potable drinking water and toilet facilities.

“Due to the deteriorating condition of our toilets here many of our women contacted toilet infections, some have even chronic infections to the extent that they could not bear children,” she said.

While calling for assistance from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the women leader said their situation required urgent attention. (NAN)

Health

Nigerians in North America Donate Millions in Medical Equipment to Cross River State PHCs”

Published

3 days ago

November 27, 2023

Azi Elizabeth

A group of compassionate Nigerians residing in North America, operating under the sponsorship of the Ekoi Association of North America, has generously contributed medical equipment valued at millions of dollars to three Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in different local government areas of Cross River State.

The donation, part of the association’s medical outreach in Ogoja LGA of the State, includes complete hospital beddings, refrigerators, blood sugar testing machines, and blood pressure testing equipment, among other essential items.

The three PHCs benefiting from this medical equipment donation are the Ikom Primary Healthcare Centre in Ikom, the Ogoja Healthcare Centre in Egbe, Ogoja, and the Yakurr Primary Healthcare Centre in Ugep, Yakurr LGA of Cross River State.

The presentation of the medical equipment was carried out by the association’s president, Prof. Tony Agbeh. He emphasized that the initiative aims to contribute to the state’s development, reflecting the group’s commitment to making a positive impact.”

He said that the Ekoi sons and daughters in diaspora were of the view that the equipment would aid the medical practitioners in delivering medical healthcare to those seeking medical attention..

Represented by his personal aide, Mr. Sonnie Okem, the association president decried the deteriorating state of medical facilities in the state, adding that their contribution stood as an intervention to cushion the effect of medical needs of indigent rural dwellers.

The association president urged officers in charge of the health facilities to use the equipment and assist those with medical challenges that they can tackle with the equipment, urging the sick to take advantage by accessing the facilities.

Receiving the items at Ogoja Health Centre, Egbe, representative of the Primary Health Care Coordinators, Mrs. Mary Egede, the community chairman, Mr. Joseph Egbe, the Clan Head of Egbe community, Buturo Thomas Agbeh, and the officer in charge of Health Centre Egbe, Mrs Fatima Offum, lauded the association for the show of love.

Health

Antimicrobial Resistance More Deadly In Children Than HIV, TB, Malaria, Says WHO

Published

1 week ago

November 23, 2023

Bobola Richard

As Nigeria joins the global community to commemorate the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said antimicrobial resistance (AMR) contributes more to child mortality than HIV, TB or Malaria in Nigeria.

The World Health Organization representative and head of mission in Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi who stated this yesterday in Abuja, also said the GDP loss attributable to AMR in developing countries like Nigeria had been forecast to be at 5-7 percent.

He said; “In Nigeria alone, in 2019, there were 64,500 deaths attributable and 263,400 deaths associated with AMR from pathogens such as S. pneumoniae, K. pneumoniae, E.coli, Staph aureus, etc. AMR remained at the top of list as biggest contributor in overall and child mortality in Nigeria than HIV, TB or Malaria.”

Kazadi stressed the need for urgent action towards the main causes of AMR, which he said include; “Misuse and abuse of antimicrobial medicines, lack of access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene; poor infection prevention and control practices; inadequate use of vaccines to decrease infections; inadequate laboratory capacity including equipment and reagents to guide proper treatment; poor waste disposal practices; and the presence of antimicrobials in food-animal production and crop protection as well as the environment and water bodies.”

He assured the WHO’s commitment to support accelerated efforts required to achieve the six strategic objectives of National Action Plan -2.0 to minimize the impact of AMR with Ministries, Departments and Agencies and all AMR stakeholders in line with RD/AFRO-call for action based on AMR regional strategy.