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Tag: Health

  • 4 fantastic detox water to help cleanse the liver and kidney

    4 fantastic detox water to help cleanse the liver and kidney

    According to Livelovefruit.com the less toxins in your body, means the less work your liver and kidneys have to do to filter them out.

    When we consume too many toxins, our liver and kidneys become overwhelmed and this can manifest as skin issues, headaches, blood disorders and more.

    Below are 4 detox water to try out this yuletide season.

    Ingredients:

    Strawberry citrus with a hint of mint:

    1/2 cup chopped strawberries
    1 orange, sliced into 1/4-inch thick half-moons
    2-4 sprigs of mint

    Cucumber lime raspberry surprise:

    1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber (half-moon shape)
    1 lime, sliced into 1/4-inch thick half-moons
    1/2 cup fresh raspberries

    Grapefruit cucumber belly slimming water:

    1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber (half-moon shape)
    1/2 grapefruit, sliced into 1/4-inch thick half-moons

    Blueberry citrus antioxidant punch:

    1/2 cup fresh blueberries
    1 orange, sliced into 1/4-inch thick half-moons

    Method:

    For each combination above, place in a liter of water in a glass jar and let sit for 30 minutes – 1 hour. Alternatively, you could make these the night before, and drink them the next day for better blending of flavours.

     

     

  • $30bn required to tackle Africa’s healthcare challenges — Expert

    $30bn required to tackle Africa’s healthcare challenges — Expert

    Dr. Olamide Okulaja, a healthcare finance specialist, says between $25 billion and $30 billion is required to tackle Africa’s healthcare challenges.

    Okulaja made the assertion in a lecture he delivered on Monday in Ilorin at the Annual General Meeting/Scientific Conference of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) chapter.

    The lecture was entitled: “Public Private Partnership in Today’s Healthcare System: Prospects and Challenges.’’

    He said that Africa carries 24 percent of the disease burden in the world, adding that most poor people, inspite of their financial handicap, still access health care from the private sector.

    Okulaja pointed out that the healthcare system in Africa was caught in a vicious circle between lack of demand and supply.

    He called on the Federal Government to adopt Public Private Partnership (PPP) to reduce government’s struggle that was stretching its healthcare funding.

    “Governments everywhere are grappling with rising healthcare costs and increased demand for healthcare services in the face of ongoing budget constraints.

    “There are four key factors driving governments worldwide to use the PPP model for health sector improvements,’’ he said.

    He said the factors included the desire to improve operation of public health services and facilities; and to expand access to higher quality services, and the opportunity to leverage private investment for the benefit of public services.

    Others, he said, were the desire to formalize arrangements with non-profit partners who deliver an important share of public services and more potential partners for governments as private healthcare sector matures.

    Okulaja explained that such partnerships create a powerful mechanism for addressing difficult problems by leveraging on the strengths of different partners.

    Dr. Michael Oguntye, the Director of Primary Healthcare in Kwara, who also delivered a lecture on infectious diseases, said there was a gradual decrease in the amount allotted to healthcare by government.

    He described infectious diseases as disorders caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

    According to the epidemiologist, infectious disease is a leading cause of death in the world.

    He also warned of the re-emergence of old diseases and the emergence of new ones.

    Oguntoye stated that with the huge fund needed to fight infectious diseases, PPP remained the best alternative for government to adopt.

    In her submission on domestic violence, Mrs. Oluronke Adeyemi, Chairperson of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Kwara branch, said the scourge had significant impact on the health and well-being of women.

    According to her, this is both in the immediate and long term as well as continuing even after the relationship has ended.

    She said that the psychological consequences of violence could be as serious as the physical effects, adding that exposure to violence leads to poorer physical health.

    According to her, there are unusual cases where the men are also abused.
    Domestic violence, she added, could take many forms, including emotional, sexual and physical abuse as well as threats of abuse.

    “Men are sometimes abused by partners, but domestic violence is most often directed toward women,” she said.

    The lawyer advised women and men facing abuse not to keep silent on the issue but seek for help, adding that FIDA was a body dedicated to such issues.

    Earlier in his address of welcome, Dr. Ade Faponle, President of UITH ARD, said that the association had contributed its quota during the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state through provision of necessary kits, drugs and awareness campaign.

    He described the themes discussed at the meeting as apt and critical, saying they would sensitize the public and government on issues bordering on the health of the citizenry.

     

  • Religious activities can help stabilize people with mental conditions — Psychiatrist

    Religious activities can help stabilize people with mental conditions — Psychiatrist

    Religious activities can help stabilize people with mental conditions, a Consultant Psychiatrist, Prof. Olatunji Aina, has said.

    Aina said this on Friday in Lagos while addressing participants at the Annual Conference of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH), Yaba.

    The theme of the conference was: `Religion and Mental Illness`.

    Aina, who lectures at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, said: “The mentally ill most times use religion to cope with their distress.

    “Also, religious activities including prayers, fasting, church and mosque attendance, spirituality, are known to reduce psychiatric symptoms, discourage suicide and even heal physical illnesses.“

    The consultant said, however, that many fake religious leaders in the past and in recent times used religion in ways that were injurious to people’s mental health and lives generally.

    According to him, such religious leaders tend to pursue material things at the expense of the welfare of members.

    “These fake leaders make frightening prophecies and cause disharmony in the family and so many families have been scattered as a result.

    “Also, some illiterate religious leaders teach false doctrines.

    “For example, (some of them can tell you that) mental illness is as a result of sin.

    “Most of these religious leaders are charlatans and criminals, that is, wolves in sheep clothing.

    “These are some of the disadvantages of religion to mental health in Nigeria,“ Aina said.

    Also speaking, another Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. Bolanle Ola, urged psychiatrists to be sensitive to the needs and concerns of patients.

    He also underscored the need for psychiatrists to taking cognisance of patients’ religious beliefs in addressing their plights.

    Ola, a lecturer at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, said psychiatrists were trained to use techniques that would help patients achieve optimal performance.

    “If your patient believes in God and if that belief will help him realize his potentials, definitely, we need to assist, because what we practice is patient-centred care.

    “As a psychiatrist, you know that in taking some aspects of the patient’s religion into consideration, you can increase his or her quality of life, “he said.

    He said it was inappropriate for religious institutions to house sick people.

    According to him, sick people are taken care of at the hospital.

    “Religious institutions may not be the best place for some people with mental health problems because we also realize that mental illness can co-exist with a lot of physical health problems.

    “The religious leaders do not have the training to be able to cope with this and do not know that there is increased risk of death for the individual,“ Ola added.

    In his remarks, the President, ARD, FNPH, Dr. Kenneth Uwajeh, said the theme was chosen based on the fact that experiences were associated with religious practices in Nigeria.

    Uwajeh said: “Also, some people believe that mental illnesses are due to spiritual causes.

    “Yes, there is a relationship, but we want to dispel the opinion that it must be exclusively spiritually inclined.

    “We want to bring information to people, make them know that despite hearing voices or other spiritual experiences, there are treatments that are scientifically proven and therapeutically effective.