Health

NMA Takes War Against Quackery To Plateau Rural Communities

Published

5 months ago

July 25, 2024

Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Plateau State, Dr Bapigaan Audu, has expressed worry over quackery in the medical profession in the country, stressing that the government at all levels should make concerted efforts to tackle the menace.

Speaking in Jos, the Plateau State capital, during the annual general meeting/ scientific conference organised by the Nigerian Medical Association, Plateau State Chapter, he said, “Quackery in medicine is a source of worry to registered medical practitioners because they play on the gullibility of members of the public.”

In his words, “ The theme of this AGM, Patient Advocacy and Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Combating the Menace of Medical Quackery, is apt and carefully chosen to raise the public’s consciousness of the damaging effects of medical quackery.”

He also called for necessary actions from the government of Plateau State and the relevant security and regulatory agencies to ramp up monitoring activities to restore sanity to the healthcare space in Plateau State.

“Searchlight must be beamed further than the urban areas into the rural areas where these quacks are having a field day largely due to the absence of standard medical facilities and the requisite, trained human resource for health to man these centres where they are available.”

He also added that NMA in Plateau State has collaborated with security agencies to rid the health space of quacks.

Meanwhile, Prof. Nuhu Dakum, who gave a keynote address titled “Patient Advocacy and Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Combating the Menace of Quackery”, said the solutions to quackery in Nigeria include, to be patient advocacy while government at all levels should endeavour to address the menace of poverty.

He also decried the lack of access to quality healthcare, stressing that quackery would have been eliminated if all the citizens had access to quality health care irrespective of their status in society.

Dakum further said that health education is very important; therefore, citizens should be properly guided on the need to go to recognised government hospitals for treatment.

According to him, regulatory agencies like MDCN, PCN, and other monitoring teams should shine their searchlights in all parts of the state to identify quack doctors and flush them out before much harm is caused.

Education

Adeleke Donates N40m to UNIOSUNTH, Promises Staff Recruitment

Published

5 days ago

December 3, 2024

Samson Adeyanju

By Cynthia Abah

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, announced a N40 million donation to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital (UNIOSUNTH) on Monday, with N20 million designated for both patients and staff.

The governor also pledged to recruit additional staff to improve service delivery and directed the immediate installation of solar lights within the hospital’s premises.

The announcement followed a tour of the hospital’s facilities, during which the governor expressed his appreciation for the staff’s dedication, calling the hospital “the last hope of our people.”

He emphasized his administration’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services across the state.

Adeleke stated, “I want to appreciate the management of this hospital. This hospital is the last hope of our people, and I want to thank the staff for doing a great job.”

He further promised to address the staffing shortages and ensure that recruitment efforts would be carefully planned to provide sustainable salaries.

Board Chairman of the hospital, Barrister Niyi Owolade, praised the governor for his ongoing support, calling him “a true light” and expressing optimism about further improvements under his leadership.

Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Babatunde Afolabi, also thanked Governor Adeleke for his generous contributions.

He highlighted the hospital’s need for modern equipment and additional staff to enhance its operations and pledged to work closely with the governor’s administration to strengthen the state’s healthcare system.

In addition to his donation to the hospital, Governor Adeleke announced the approval of N3.3 billion for retirees in Osun and a commitment to secure shares in the Segilola project for the state.

Health

Niger State Vaccinates Over 444,000 Girls Against HPV

Published

2 weeks ago

November 22, 2024

Admin

By Gabriella Ogbu

Niger State has successfully vaccinated 444,658 girls against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) as part of a health campaign aimed at reducing the risk of cervical cancer.

Although the state set a target to immunize over 500,000 girls, particularly those aged 9 to 14, the campaign has made significant strides in protecting the health of young females across the region.

Daniel Jiya, the Director of Food and Drugs and Project Manager of the State Emergency Routine Immunization Coordination Centre (SERICC), confirmed that Niger State is now ranked third in Nigeria’s nationwide HPV vaccination initiative.

This is a major achievement in the fight against cervical cancer, which claims approximately 8,000 lives annually in Nigeria.

The HPV vaccine, which is safe and effective, has proven to be a crucial tool in preventing cervical cancer.

The state’s efforts are part of a broader national push to reduce these deaths and protect the health of young girls across the country.

“We are proud of the progress we have made in Niger State,” Jiya stated. “Our goal is to provide every eligible girl with the protection they need against HPV and, in turn, reduce the risk of cervical cancer for future generations.”

The vaccination campaign is seen as a key component of Niger State’s public health strategy, and officials have emphasized the importance of continuing this effort to ensure the safety and well-being of girls in the region.

The state’s ongoing commitment to the cause is expected to yield long-term benefits for public health, as it joins the fight to eliminate cervical cancer in Nigeria.

Health

AEPB Champions Campaign Against Open Defecation in FCT

Published

3 weeks ago

November 20, 2024

Admin

By Njoku Chijioke

The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has intensified its campaign against open defecation in the suburbs of the territory.

The campaign, organized to mark the 2024 World Toilet Day, was held with the theme, “Toilets are a Place for Peace.”

Mr. Braimah, spokesperson for AEPB, highlighted that the initiative is aimed at promoting good hygiene practices among rural communities across the FCT.

Through the Department of Environmental Health and Safety, AEPB has been conducting awareness programs in rural areas, educating residents about the health risks associated with open defecation.

Mr. Braimah emphasized the importance of every household having access to a functional toilet and adopting proper hygiene practices for the health and well-being of families and communities.

World Toilet Day, observed annually on November 19, aims to celebrate the importance of toilets while raising awareness about the lack of safe sanitation facilities for many people around the world.