TheNewsGuru

Tag: Health

  • Mimiko to Speak at Chatham House Event on Health

    Olusegun Mimiko, the immediate past Governor of Ondo State, will this Friday speak at the Chatham House Conference in London on “Primary Health Care Policy, Universal Health Coverage and Health
    Security in Nigeria: Optimising Global Opportunities and Partnership for Success.”

    Mimiko, whose tenure as governor of Ondo State witnessed massive reduction in infant and maternal mortality through the ‘Abiye Safe Motherhood’ programme, is to speak on “Improving Access to Health Services for All’ from his Ondo experience.

    It will be recalled that the former governor has since the expiration of his second term been involved in sharing his experience with major players in Universal Health Care at local and international fora.

    He has had speaking engagements at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, CSIS in Washington, the Chatham House, London and the Scientific Conference of the Association of Feto-Maternal Specialists of Nigeria, AFEMSON, in Lagos among many others.

    Mimiko will be joining high-level policymakers and government officials from Nigeria and global health partners and stakeholders from across the globe at the one-day event organized by the Chatham House Public Health Africa Policy Forum in conjunction with the Public Health Foundation of Nigeria and FPH UK.

    Apart from speaking at the event, Mimiko will also be on hand to “discuss the current policy landscape and offer viable solutions and also build collaborative partnerships in order to harness successful improvements in the Nigerian healthcare sector,” with other invited participants.

  • Money has been disbursed for payment of backlog of resident doctors

    Money has been disbursed for payment of backlog of resident doctors

    As announced by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has begun the payment of backlog of resident doctors nationwide.

    Dr Ngige made the revelation yesterday at the resumed negotiations between government and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in Abuja, where he also explained that the office of the Accountant General of the Federation had remitted the arrears to the apex bank for immediate action.

    The minister also accused the doctors of violating Section 18 of the Trade Union Dispute Act of the Federation 2004.

    He said, “I do not think is very fair to the Federal Ministry of Health which is the employers of the doctors. In this ministry, we act as conciliators. Even though I am a government minister, I am a chief conciliator. If the government is wrong, I will tell them that they are wrong. If the employees are wrong, I will say so and at the end of the day, we will find a way to conciliate and make for equitable industrial relations.”

    Also yesterday, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) blasted the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, for reportedly directing all chief medical directors and medical directors of federal hospitals to employ the services of ad hoc doctors pending the resolution of the crisis.

    It described the order as reckless, unguarded and very unbecoming of the office of a highly placed government functionary.

    In a statement by its president, Bobboi Bala Kaigama, TUC said Nigeria had become a joke in the comity of nations owing to remarks lacking intellectual depth.

  • Ambode reiterates commitment to quality, affordable healthcare service

    The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to increase access to quality and affordable healthcare service through the implementation of its much awaited Health Insurance Scheme (LSHS).

    The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, made the assertion in Lagos at the end of the 2017 State Council on Health Meeting.

    A statement signed by Mrs Adeola Salako, the Director, Public Affairs, said theme is: “Universal Health Coverage – Working Toward a Sustainable Health Care Agenda’’ and sub-theme: “Instituting the Lagos State Health Scheme”.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the State Council on Health is the highest policy advisory body on health in Lagos State.

    It provides a veritable forum for dialogue between a broad spectrum of decision makers, policy implementers and key stakeholders from all spheres of the Lagos Health Sector.

    Idris said: “Two major issues, which include informal sector participation and enrollment in the LSHS as well as domestic resource mobilisation to fund the scheme were arrived at the council meeting.

    “It was resolved that to effectively gain traction within the informal sector in terms of coverage of the LSHS, premium payment should be broken down based on earnings.

    “Premium collection should be brought to their places of business and several agents should be engaged to effect same.”

    He said the council also resolved that there should be massive enlightenment and sensitisation of the informal sector to aid participation in the scheme.

    The commissioner added that capacity building and orientation should be invested in to enhance health-seeking behaviour.

    Idris said that the resolutions include leveraging on the use of information technology such as social media; use of IEC materials such as fliers, handbill, posters and banners and need for inter-sectorial collaboration.

    Idris said that implementation of the scheme lends credence to the state government’s position that all people and communities should have access to needed promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services.

    According to him, such services must be of sufficient quality, be effective and residents should not suffer financial hardship when paying for the services.

    “This year’s session is especially significant at this time as the state is on the verge of commencing the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS),” the commissioner said.

    Idris explained that the journey to having a State Health Insurance Scheme has been a long, but purposeful one.

    He said that the seed was planted at the beginning of democratic dispensation in 1999 as a necessary strategic intervention toward the State’s Health Sector Reform.

    The commissioner said that the programme was put on hold until the national policy milieu provided an enabling environment for states willing to implement a State Health Insurance Scheme.

    “The Lagos State Government’s resolve to have its own scheme is further evidenced by the fact that the state’s health financing direction was a major subject matter at the last two State Councils on Health meeting held in 2013 and 2015.

    “At the 2015 State Council on Health in particular, it was agreed that the LSHS should be made compulsory to promote universal coverage.

    “The payment structure for the scheme should be flexible and the benefit package should be made robust and easy to understand.

    “It must be attractive to prospective clients and ensures ease of access,” he said.

    Idris said that Lagos was proud to be the first in achieving legislative backing for a mandatory Social Health Insurance Programme which was signed into Law in 2015.

    He said that since the signing of the law, a lot of works and due diligence have been done by a committed Core Implementation Team comprising of technical partners and recognised individuals.

    The commissioner said, “It might seem like a lot of time has passed since the enactment of the law for the implementation of the scheme to be just commencing.

    “However, a lot of technical studies and pilot schemes have been done to ensure that we get it right as the scheme is expected to be a catalyst for the Lagos State Health Reform.”

     

     

     

  • Buhari concerned about gale of strikes in health, education sectors – Presidency

    Buhari concerned about gale of strikes in health, education sectors – Presidency

    The Presidency has affirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari is concerned about the gale of strikes in the country and will do the needful to ensure industrial harmony.

    This was revealed in an interview on a monitored programme on Channels Television by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina.

    He was responding to the strike by resident doctors and the ongoing strike by university lecturers.

    He told his interviewer: “Yes, the President is the captain of the team but, then, he has so many other people working with him, who we can say will be the first line of defence when it comes to things like this. For the doctors, it is the Minister of Health first, and that will be done in conjunction with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who fortunately also is a medical doctor.

    “Of course, for ASUU, you know there is a Minister of Education and that is being done along with the Minister of Labour. So that is the first line of engagement. I think the President is the very last line of engagement.

    “But knowing that the President is the captain of the ship, his interest will be that there is peace and tranquillity in every sector of the economy. So, the needful will be done.

    “Naturally, the President will be concerned because he is here to ensure that every sector of the polity, every Nigerian, gets the best from the polity.

    “Naturally, he should be concerned if there are gales of strikes all around and he will do the best through his aides, through the ministers and those that have been appointed to be the first point of contact on these things. The best will be done.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that university lecturers on the aegis of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU on August 8 commenced an indefinite strike action while the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, commenced theirs on Monday.

    However, the concerned ministers (Health and Education) are in talks with the respective unions to end the strike.

     

  • Again! Wizkid suspends tour, to recuperate

    Nigerian pop star, Wizkid is taking a break from touring over health challenges. The Afro pop star took to his Twitter page to apologize to fans stressing that he needs to get my health up” and that he will devote time to his children and family while he “recovers”.

     

    According to him:”Sad I’m typing this but I’ll be moving dates on my tour to get my health up. I appeal to my real fans to understand nd pray with me,” he wrote.

     

    “I’ll be spending time with my son’s nd family while I recover.”

     

    The Ojuelegba born singer said the rescheduled dates for cancelled shows will be announced to his fans and that his next performance will be in London on September 29.

     

    “My next appearance will be in London 29th sept. Apologies to everyone affected by this. New dates for cancelled shows soon,” he wrote.

     

     

    He also apologized for his absence at the Made In America festival on Sunday. Tiwa Savage performed at the festival which was headlined by Jay-Z, J. Cole and The Chainsmokers.

     

    “Apologies to my fans in philly! Missed made in america yesterday but will make it up in a major way,” the singer tweeted.

     

    Recall that in December 2016, the singer cancelled his homecoming concert scheduled to hold in Lagos due to health reasons.

     

  • Your health, not Nigeria’s economy has improved, Labour party blasts Buhari

    The Labour Party, LP, has attacked President Muhammadu Buhari for saying the nation’s economy had improved.

    The LP explained that the president was not in a position to say if the economy was doing better as he has lost touch with Nigerians and the realities of things especially as it affects the common man.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the President while receiving briefings from the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, her counterpart in the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udo Udoma and the Governor of Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele said he was satisfied with the state of the economy of the nation.

    Speaking in an interview with The Punch, the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Abdulkadir Salam, said the state of the economy was bad and that the President did not get it right.

    In his words: “The President was probably speaking about his own health, which he thinks has improved, and not the Nigerian economy.

    “The President is not in a position to say that the economy has improved. When last did he go out of the Villa and when last did he interact with the common man?

    “I’m sure he was not talking about the economy where the cost of living has skyrocketed, unemployment has reached unbearable level while inflation is also beyond what we can bear.

    “So, help us tell him that he is wrong. He is not sure of the economy. He was speaking about his health and not the economy we are all seeing now.”

  • Stop playing politics with Buhari’s health, he needs our prayers – CAN tells Nigerians

    Stop playing politics with Buhari’s health, he needs our prayers – CAN tells Nigerians

    …tells protesters to follow due process

    The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr Samson Ayokunle on Wednesday said Nigerians should stop playing politics with the health of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Ayokunle who made the remark in Lokoja, said Nigerians should leave out sentiments and pray more for the quick recovery of Buhari who is currently in London on medical vacation.

    “ Let us continue to pray for him, we don’t play with the life of a human being, and nobody wants to fall sick, so don’t let us continue to make politics out of sickness; let us continue to pray for him,” the CAN President said.

    The CAN leader who visited the Kogi chapter of CAN, also cautioned those calling for the resignation of Buhari to be guided by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

    “The position of CAN is that, we should follow the constitution, we have the constitution to guide us, so whatever the constitution says let us follow it, we drew it ourselves so let us not break it,” he added.

    The CAN president also spoke on the ongoing strike by university lecturers, urging them to dialogue with the Federal Government to quickly resolve the dispute.

    “ I think this issue has been on ground for too long, let there be a parley between ASUU and government.

    “ We are playing with the future of the younger generation, so let us show them love, don’t let us allow our children to grow up hating us, hating the nation.

    “ Strike today strike tomorrow; I beg both parties to exercise patience, understanding and maturity.

    “We know that the economy is going upside down, we believe that as we are praying for those managing the economy they will come out strong and be able to proffer solutions.”

    Earlier, the state Chairman of CAN, Bishop John Ibenu said that the association had been working harmoniously with other religious groups to ensure peace in the state.

    He also spoke on security challenge facing the state and appreciated the collaboration between the state government and security agencies to protect lives and property of residents.

    Ibenu said CAN had been interfacing with the state government to ensure that workers were not treated unjustly over the just concluded staff verification.

    The chairman briefed the CAN president on efforts being made to ensure smooth operation of the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Commission and other issues affecting Christians in the state.

     

    NAN

  • Lassa fever: Another 3 test positive as Lagos urges residents to remain calm

    The Lagos State Government on Wednesday urged residents not to panic over the outbreak of Lassa fever which has already claimed two lives.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that two persons infected with the disease have died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba on Monday.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that a resident doctor who participated in the autopsy on the cases also got infected.

    On Wednesday, three of the 100 people being traced in connection with the treatment of the cases were declared positive after tests.

    The three, like the doctor, are being treated at the hospital’s isolation ward.

     

    However, in a statement, Lagos State Government emphasized that it was collaborating with the Federal Government to control the spread of the diseases.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga, who issued the statement, added that the Ministry of Health, in line with international standards, ”is currently carrying out ‘contact tracing’ to determine those who may have been infected. Isolation centres have been prepared to manage suspected and confirmed cases while drugs and other materials have also been prepositioned at designated facilities.”

    The Special Adviser confirming five cases of the disease, said two deaths had been recorded, noting that the remaining three patients were responding to treatment in designated isolation centres.

    The first case of the disease; a 32-year-old woman with bleeding complications of pregnancy, died at LUTH on July 25 and had a post-mortem examination performed on July 27 with the result of viral studies coming out positive for Lassa fever on July 29.

    “The second case, a known sickle cell disease patient, died on the 5th of August, also at LUTH. He was said to have travelled to one of the neighboring states before coming down with the disease. The two cases have since been buried in line with prescribed international standards,” Onanuga said.

    The Special Adviser added that three health workers who developed symptoms had tested positive and on admission receiving treatment in an isolation ward in LUTH.

    Onanuga said the laboratory tests on two other suspected cases at Mainland Hospital referred from General Hospital, Lagos and a private hospital in Imota were negative.

    He stressed the need for residents to maintain personal and environmental hygiene at all times as part of the precautionary measures to prevent the outbreak of the disease.

    Onanuga advised the public to avoid contact with rats, to always cover their food and water properly, cook food thoroughly and block all hideouts and holes through which rats can enter the house.

    LUTH’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof Chris Bode said: “Out of the 100 people on contact tracing, three persons who developed symptoms tested positive and have been on admission and receiving treatment in the isolation Ward in the hospital.”

    Bode said there were no emergency cases of Lassa fever at LUTH but each of the two cases that were reported in the hospital were diagnosed and managed in other facilities before they were referred to LUTH.

    He said the infected were being cared for by a corps of professional and volunteer doctors, nurses, pharmacists. microbiologists, epidemiologists, emotional care givers, cleaners and others round the clock.

    Bode said: “There is no panic; the Lassa fever disease is being contained and all the stakeholders are working hard to make sure that it doesn’t spread.

    “However, we should all be involved collectively and individually to stop further spread of this disease.

    “I urge us to prevent our food items from being contaminated by rats and rat droppings and urine.

    “Do not spread your food outside in the open; put food items in rat proof containers so that rats will not get access to the food.’’.

    The chief medical director also said that personal and environment hygiene were critical measures against Lassa fever.

    ”The disease is being contained and efforts are ongoing to locate the sources of these occurrences and to effectively monitor those who have been exposed to any of these cases,’’ he said.

    The President of ARD, LUTH, Dr Adebayo Sekunmade, said that the management of the hospital was managing the situation.

    “Some resident doctors volunteered to treat those 100 people under surveillance but we want the management to handle the situation more carefully.”

  • Health status: There is nothing wrong with me- Eniola Badmus

    Eniola Badmus is no doubt one of the most sought after actresses in Nollywood. Weeks back, her pictures on what looked like a hospital bed with a drip attached on her hand went viral on social media which generated a myriad of reactions .

    In the same vein, her weight had also reduced drastically which sparked reactions and rumours.

    Badmus in a chat with journalists has revealed that there is no cause for alarm and there is nothing wrong with her health.

    Hear her: ”Who told you there is anything wrong with me? Are you sure that’s what you saw? Please go back and confirm what you actually saw. I didn’t put any such picture on my social media pages. I am okay and there is nothing wrong with me. I was only diagnosed with minor diarrhea and I am perfectly well now. There is no cause for alarm. I have been attending events and going on movie sets.”

     

  • Buhari overwhelmed by CAN’s ‘touching message’ about his recovery – Presidency

    Presidency has described as “touching and thoughtful,” a message received from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) expressing joy at the news of President Muhammadu Buhari’s recovery from illness.

    In a statement in Abuja on Monday, Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Buhari, confirmed that the President received the goodwill message from CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle.

    “The CAN President referred to the news of President Buhari’s recovery from sickness as a ‘rejuvenation of hope’, and congratulated Nigerians on the joy of having their President back soon,” he said.

    Shehu added that such messages of goodwill from respected religious bodies like CAN meant so much at a time when people with ill intentions were struggling to divide the country along religious lines.

    He also thanked the CAN for its continued prayers for the President’s health.

    “The Presidency looks forward to further collaborations with CAN to ensure that Nigerians of all ethnic and religious groups benefit from the policies of the President Buhari administration which are aimed at improving the welfare of every single citizen of our great country,” he said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that President Buhari traveled for medical check-up in London on Sunday, May 7, more than a month he came back into the country from a previous medical vacation.