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Tag: Pregnant women

  • Anambra Govt. suspends health worker for refusing to attend to pregnant women

    Anambra Govt. suspends health worker for refusing to attend to pregnant women

    The Anambra Government has suspended a health worker, Mrs Njideka Ezeihejiofor, for refusing to attend to a pregnant woman who delivered a stillborn baby outside the health facility on Tuesday.

    The suspension of Ezeihejiofor was approved on Friday by the disciplinary panel chaired by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, after investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

    Appearing before the panel, Ezeihejiofor, who is the Officer-in-Charge at Ukpo primary healthcare centre, said she turned back the pregnant patient when she came in to the facility at 11a.m, due to fatigue.

    “When the patient came in, she said she was about six-months pregnant and that she could no longer feel her baby kicking. I told her to go to a higher health facility to get the best care.

    “Few minutes later, some persons ran to the health centre and said the pregnant woman just had a baby two poles away and I should come and attend to her. I refused because I was afraid,” she said.

    Meanwhile, Obidike said the panel found that Ezeihejiofor, refused to examine the pregnant woman or provide a referral letter when she visited the centre.

    “When she was called to assist and separate the placenta after the woman delivered the stillborn just two poles away from the facility, Ezeihejiofor reportedly declined,” he said.

    The Commissioner condemned her actions, noting that a retained placenta could have caused the woman to bleed to death.

    “A retained placenta can cause life-threatening bleeding and even death. That patient could have bled to death if not for the prompt intervention of another health worker within the area.

    “The panel however, resolved that Ezeihejiofor be immediately demoted and suspended without pay while the other staff in the centre be queried,” he said.

    Similarly, Mrs Blessing Offor, the Officer-in-Charge of Uke Primary Healthcare Centre in Idemili North, was found to have been consistently absent from duty.

    The panel suspended her salary indefinitely and she was directed to refund eight months of wages previously paid during her absence.

    Obidike emphasised the state’s commitment to high-quality healthcare delivery, warning that such unprofessional behavior undermined Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s investment and health policies.

    The commissioner urged health workers unwilling to fulfill their duties to resign quietly or face disciplinary measures.

    He also urged residents to report incidents of negligence via designated contact numbers displayed at healthcare facilities.

    Mrs Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mr Chris Azor, Coordinator, Anambra Civil Society Network and others were members of the panel.

  • Why pregnant women should stop eating calabash chalk

    Why pregnant women should stop eating calabash chalk

    A General Physician, Dr Agnes Nwoke, on Monday advised pregnant women against consuming “Calabash chalk’’ popularly called ‘Nzu’, to avoid lead poisoning.

    Nwoke, who works in St. Charles Clinic in Urum gave the advice in Awka that Nzu contains high level of lead which could poison the unborn baby.

    Nzu (calabash chalk) is an edible clay that is found mainly in Nigeria and other West African countries.

    In Nigeria, most people call it Nzu in Igbo, Ndom in Efik/Ibibio and Eko in Bini/Edo language.

    Nwoke said the chalk is a natural product, locally prepared from clay, sand, salt and other non-nutritional components.

    According to her, the craving for the chalk is not peculiar to pregnant women and teenagers, even men eat it.

    Nwoke said there was no scientific evidence that the calabash chalk relieves nausea, vomiting or stops morning sickness in pregnancy as many believed.

    “Eating Nzu is a practice that has become addictive to many. Some started it because of pregnancy craving, while for others, it can be due to iron deficiency anemia and malnutrition.

    “Calabash chalk is unhealthy, it contains excess lead compounds capable of harming the body.

    “It contains excess lead that causes low potassium and iron, muscle weakness, nerve damage, inflamed stomach, poisoning and low blood level.

    “I have seen many people being treated for lead toxicity, inflammation of the stomach (gastritis), very low red blood cells (severe anaemia), ulcers, and nerve damages due to chronic consumption of Nzu,’’ she said.

  • COVID-19: NCDC lists special precautionary measures for pregnant, breastfeeding women

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has advised pregnant and breastfeeding women to take routine preventative actions to avoid the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

    Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director General of NCDC, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

    Ihekweazu said that the preventive measures were recommended in alignment with the Department of Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH).

    He listed the measures to include diligent hand-washing, avoiding close contact with people exhibiting symptoms of infection and covering sneezes and coughs.

    He said that it was not currently known if pregnant women were more susceptible to COVID-19 than the general public nor whether they were more likely to have serious illness as a result.

    “Based on available information, pregnant women seem to be at equal risk as other adults.

    “However, it is known that the bodily changes that occur during pregnancy may put expectant women at increased risk for some infections.

    “Pregnant women have had a higher risk of severe illness when infected with viruses from the same family as COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections such as influenza.

    “Therefore, pregnant women should take the same precautions as the general public to avoid COVID-19 infection,” he advised.

    The NCDC boss advised pregnant women to frequently clean their hands using alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

    “Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces on a daily basis. If possible, stay home for the entire duration of the pregnancy except for ante-natal care hospital visits.

    “Eat healthy and nutritious meals. Ensure adequate bed rest. If you think you may have coronavirus or have been exposed, stay at home for 14 days.

    “Do not go to the hospital but contact your doctor and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) toll free number, 0800-9700 0010 or state epidemiologist immediately.

    “You will be assessed in line with current case definition guidelines set out by the NCDC.

    “You should contact your clinic to inform them that you have symptoms suggestive of coronavirus, particularly if you have any routine appointments in the next seven days.

    “They should postpone routine antenatal visits until after the isolation period is over, and arrange the right place and time for you to come for your visits.

    “You should not attend a routine clinic. There may be a need for them to reduce the number of ante-natal visits you have,” he explained.

    He said that breastfeeding women, should, along with their families and health care providers, decide whether and how to start or continue breast-feeding.

    Ihekweazu said breast milk provided protection against many illnesses and was the best source of nutrition for infants.

    “In limited studies, COVID-19 has not been detected in breast milk; however, it is not known for sure whether mothers with COVID-19 can spread the virus via breast milk.

    “If you are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 infection and choose to breastfeed, maintain strict hygiene and wash your hands before each feed and wear a face mask,” he said.

    Iheakweazu said that another good option was to pump or express by hand breast milk and have someone not sick to feed the baby.

    “If they pump or hand express the milk, they should make sure they wash their hands before doing so.

    “Be aware that media speculation is rife about COVID-19 and not everything you read in the newspapers or online or hear is accurate or verified.

    “Trusted and accurate information will always be released by the Ministry of Health or Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

    You can find the latest information and advice by contacting NCDC on: NCDC Toll-free Number: 0800-9700 0010, https://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng/guidelines.php, Twitter and Facebook: @NCDCgov,” he stated.

  • Police uncover baby factories in Lagos; rescue 19 pregnant women, four babies

    Police uncover baby factories in Lagos; rescue 19 pregnant women, four babies

    …Babies sold between N300,000 to N500,000 depending on their sexes

    The Lagos State Police Command on Sunday said it had rescued 19 pregnant girls and four kids suspected to have been abducted by persons engaged in child trafficking.

    The Command, in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Bala Elkana, on Sunday, said that it also had arrested two female suspects, Happiness Ukwuoma, 40, and Sherifat Ipeya, 54, in connection with the incident.

    Elkana said the command had launched a manhunt on the principal suspect and mother of five simply known as Madam Oluchi said to be a native of Mbano in Imo.

    He said: “Detectives from the Isheri-Osun Police Station rescued 19 pregnant girls and four children from four different locations in Ikotun area of Lagos State suspected to be used for child trafficking.

    “The victims were mostly abducted by the suspects from different states and brought to Lagos and turned them into baby factories by getting them pregnant only to sell off the babies to potential buyers,“ he said.

    He said that the pregnant girls, who were between the ages of 15 and 28 were alleged trafficked from Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Abia and Imo States to Lagos State.

    He said that the suspects who were natives of Imo and Epe in Lagos State did not have any formal medical training but were allegedly operating as nurses.

    “The girls were tricked and recruited from different areas and brought to work as domestic staff while the babies they gave birth to are usually sold for between N300,000 and N500,000 depending on their sexes.

    “Boys usually are sold for N500,000 each and girls are sold for N300,000 each,” he said.

    Elkana said that the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Zubairu Muazu, had visited the locations and ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case.

    “The command is working with other agencies and stakeholders in rehabilitating and resettling the pregnant girls and the babies, while investigation is ongoing and the suspects will be charged to court,“ Elkana said.

  • 11 pregnant women, 130 other Nigerians return from Libya

    No fewer than 141 Nigerians including 11 pregnant women have voluntarily returned from Libya to Nigeria with the assistance of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU).

    Segun Afolayan, chief planning officer, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

    Mr Afolayan said the Nigerians arrived at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, at about 10.45 p.m. on Tuesday aboard a chartered Al-Buraq aircraft with registration number UZ189.

    He said that “After profiling, we have 71 female adults, three female children and three female infants.

    “Also, there were 53 male adults, six male children and five male infants; among them were two medical cases and 11 pregnant women.”

    According to him, majority of the returnees are from Tripoli, the capital of Libya, which has become volatile in recent times.

    Mr Afolayan advised the returnees to become more focused in life and not allow the unfortunate experience to negatively impact on their lives.

    “Truly, you had bad experiences differently, collectively and individually but these should be the motivation for you to make positive decision to see the brighter future ahead of you.

    “This is because, no one can tell the story more than you and making better use of your lives are essential.

    “The federal government is urging you to be ambassadors of positive change by taking the anti-irregular migration campaign to those still aspiring to take the dangerous journey.

    “You can talk to them in the language they will understand most,’’ he added.

  • SHOCKING! Two pregnant women caught stealing plasma Tv sets

    SHOCKING! Two pregnant women caught stealing plasma Tv sets

    The Police on Thursday arraigned two pregnant women, Mimi Abbas, 21 and Sofia Sulaiman, 25, in a Karu Grade I Area Court in Abuja for stealing four plasma Tv sets.

    Abbas and Sulaiman who reside at Masaka, Nasarawa State, were arraigned on a two-count bordering on joint-act and theft, the offence they denied committing.

    The Prosecutor, Edwin Ochayi, told the court that one Mrs. Favour Eyo of Millipat Lodge, Airport Road in Abuja reported the matter at the Wuye Police Station in Abuja on April 14, around 11.30 am.

    He said that the complainant alleged that on April 13, the accused persons who were guests at the lodge, stole four plasma television, valued at N260, 000.“Though one of the televisions was recovered along Airport Road, the suspects were traced and arrested on April 15 at Masaka and they confessed to having committed the crime,” Ochayi said.

    He added that it was the fifth time, Suleiman, the second accused was committing similar offence.

    According to the prosecutor, the offence is contrary to and punishable under Sections 79 and 287 of the Penal Code.

    The Judge, Hassan Ishaq, granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with one surety in like sum.

    Ishag also ordered that the sureties must write a letter of undertaking that the defendants would not commit further offence.

    He adjourned the case until May 16 for hearing.

    NAN

  • Pregnant women stage protest against Akeredolu [Photos]

    Pregnant women stage protest against Akeredolu [Photos]

    Apparently worried over the outrageous childbirth medical bills in Ondo under the administration of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, pregnant women on Thursday staged a protest, grounded activities at Ondo State Specialist Hospital, in Akure.

    According to a witness, who spoke to TheNewsGuru.com on the peaceful demonstration, the protesters reportedly demanded that Akeredolu reverse the new ₦25,000 bill for normal delivery which was absolutely FREE (including caesarean section, CS) under former Governor, Olusegun Mimiko.

    Our source quoted one of the pregnant women: “ This is not the Ondo we used to know, under Mimiko, we don’t pay a dime to get maternal care, in fact the government gives us maternal kits that contains some of the things we will need in the persiod.”

    Hitherto free delivery at the Mother and Child Hospital by the immediate past administration where pregnant women in the state had their safe delivery without paying any fee has now been abolished. Sometime last year, a mother and her new born child were detained at the hospital over failure to pay for the fees demanded by the hospital. It took the intervention of a philanthropist who raised the said amount before she could be released.

    Under Akeredolu, the health sector in the state according to critics is nothing to write home about. Apart from the crazy bills for pregant women, there has reportedly been dearth of personnel, especially doctors and nurses at the hospitals, thereby putting the lives of patients in danger during emergency.

     

     

  • Four pregnant women, 140 other Nigerians return from Libya

    Four pregnant women, 140 other Nigerians return from Libya

    No fewer than 144 Nigerians, which included four pregnant women, were on Thursday repatriated from Libya with the assistance of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU).

    The returnees arrived at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 10.30 pm.

    They returned aboard a chartered Airbus 320 with registration number LZ-MDI operated by VIA Airways.

    The returnees comprised 54 adult females — four of whom were pregnant — and seven female children as well as 79 adult males and four male children.

    The South West Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Suleiman Yakubu, received the returnees on behalf of Federal Government.

    Also on hand to receive them were officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) , the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) , Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Police.

    The returnees were each given £100 to settle down in Nigeria, while some state governments assisted them with transport back home.

    Telecommunications company, Airtel, in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs, also gave the returnees free mobile phone handsets and SIM cards to facilitate their reintegration.

    In 2017, 6,806 Nigerians were brought back from Libya with the efforts of the IOM and EU.

    The Nigerians had been stranded in the volatile North African country enroute Europe, with many being subjected to abuse.

  • Over 3,027 pregnant women living with HIV in Nigeria – NPHCDA

    The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) said on Friday 3,027 out of 121,396 pregnant women tested positive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) during the first round of the Maternal and Newborn Child Health (MNCH) Week.

    A representative of the Agency, Victoria Azodoh, disclosed this at a three -day seminar on Reproductive, Maternal, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) for Wives of North Central Governors in Minna.

    She also said 1,870 out of 129,838 women of childbearing age also tested positive to HIV.

    Azodoh said the data was gathered during the MNCH week nationwide.

    She also said 336,430 children were immunized, 29,265,569 given Vitamin A and 15,240676 dewormed across Nigeria.

    The Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, expressed dismay at the high malnutrition and maternal and child mortality rate in the country, describing it as disheartening.

    Mrs. Buhari, who was represented by former deputy Governor of Plateau State, Chief Pauline Tallen, said the situation whereby the nation records 120 deaths per 1000 live birth is unacceptable and should be addressed.

  • Children’s Day: U.S. provides N3bn grant for 175,000 pregnant women, children in Borno

    The United States Government has provided an additional 9.5 million dollars (about N2.9 billion) to the UN’s World Food Program (WFP) to ensure good health for pregnant women and children under five years in Borno.

    The U.S Embassy in a statement on Friday in Abuja said the fund was to ensure that more than 175,000 mothers and children did not suffer from malnutrition during “lean” season in 2017.

    It quoted U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID), Nigeria Mission Director Stephen Haykin as saying that “the grant was from USAID’s Health, Population, and Nutrition Office.

    Haykin said the grant was to augment ongoing support for the humanitarian assistance in Nigeria by U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance and Food for Peace.

    He said it was also to seek to bridge a funding shortfall announced by WFP late last month.

    According to him the grant will fund a blanket supplementary feeding programme to protect the nutrition status of children aged six months to five years.

    He said that it would also help in lactating women in Internally Displaced Persons Camps and host communities of Borno State through provision of specialised nutritious foods.

    “In response to the call by WFP to meet a severe funding shortfall, USAID is pleased to play a part in making sure that the most vulnerable of those impacted by the Boko Haram conflict are taken care of.

    “This support will go to nine areas where the needs of mothers and their children are the greatest”, he said.

    He said that the assistance would help WFP reach additional 110,000 children under five and 65,000 pregnant and nursing mothers with specialised nutritious food commodities in nine local government areas in Borno.

    “WFP launched what is known as a Blanket Supplementary Feeding Program aims to prevent the further decline in nutritional status among young children suffering from moderate acute malnutrition.

    “It is also aimed at protecting the nutritional status of others who are not yet malnourished but are at high risk”, he said.

    He said the programme would distribute the nutrient-rich food monthly through the end of the rainy, or “lean”, season in August.

    According to him, the programme anticipates to significantly reduce the burden on the health system related to treating malnutrition as well as other health conditions related to under nutrition, consequently preventing related mortality.

     

     

    NAN