Saturday 28 October 2017

Down Syndrome Foundation Benefits from N1 Billion Jackpot Lotto


Following last week’s successful launch of the Kanu Heart Foudation’s N1 billion jackpot lotto, Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN), is the next to benefit and today launches dsf.afromillionslotto.com

Sited in Lagos, DSFN’s mission is ‘to bridge the gap between people with Down Syndrome and the rest of the society, through a support system that seeks to integrate them fully into the community in which they live’. The charity provides educational programmes and help for thousands of people throughout Nigeria with Down Syndrome.

With a jackpot starting at N1 billion, the DSFN lotto, in conjunction with the AfroMillionsLotto, features a twice-weekly draw offering the biggest jackpots in Africa. Twenty percent of every ticket sold will go directly to DSFN to ensure its important work continues. This includes a campaign to raise awareness of the syndrome and generate understanding throughout Nigeria.

Ogun State Extends Health Insurance Scheme to Institutions, Moves to End Maternal Death

Lauretta Omosogha

The Commissioner for Health Ogun State, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, has revealed that the community-based primary health insurance scheme, Araya, has been extended to tertiary institutions across the state as he assured the state would ensure no woman dies in childbirth.

The commissioner said this at the presentation of cheques to beneficiaries of Araya scheme held at the Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta the state capital.

“The scheme is targeted at the less-privileged in the community. Hence, it has been extended to include tertiary institutions in order to accommodate people with special intervention,” he added.

According to Ipaye, Araya targets particularly the vulnerable ones within their population, adding that they had discovered that some beneficiaries required special interventions. “And we have got the governor’s approval to extend the coverage for people under Araya to tertiary care”, Ipaye said.

Expert: Having Children Reduce Breast Cancer Risk


Rebecca Ejifoma

Experts like Medical Director (Ph.D), Dr. Sophia Merajver, has urged all women to have children and practice breastfeeding for more than 18 months as a way of reducing the risk of developing breast cancer.

Now, breast cancer is one of the commonest cancers women in Nigeria that kills, especially when diagnosed late.

It is to help reduce the mortality caused by this disease that medical experts and oncologists have recommended that women have children and breastfeed for more than 18 months, as Merajver listed seven risk factors women should beware of to keep them safe from cancer.

Having children
According to Merajver, having children fights cancer. Having children later in life or not having them at all increases a woman’s risk of developing cancer of the breast. She adds: “This is a risk factor that can always be controlled.”

However, research has it that not just having children but also breastfeeding them is pivotal to avoid such cancer. According to findings, many ladies fear to breastfeed for more than 12 months - they are afraid of having their breasts fall flat like the walls of Jericho in the Bible. But of course, remember the cliché, "What goes up must come down".

Although breastmilk, according to experts, gives a lasting benefit to both mother and child, many mothers still eschew breastfeeding. But interestingly,  whether you breastfeed or not, your boobs will sag one day.

Limit Alcohol
Women, who consume two to three drinks – or more – per day have 20 per cent higher breast cancer risks. The expert further, however, recommends that no more three to four bottles be taken per week.


Overweight or Obese
Those who are overweight or obese have a higher breast cancer risk especially after menopause when most of a woman’s oestrogen comes from fat tissue. This leads to higher a oestrogen level which can increase breast cancer risk.

UNICEF Donates Home Appliances to Lagos Police for Children in Protection

Rebecca Ejifoma
(Left) Representing the CP, DCP Bolaji Salami and UNICEF representatives, Rocio Aznar and Dr. Wilfred Mamah (Child Justice Consultant) flanked by other officers at the Lagos Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja
In line with its commitment to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3 for all children, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has donated electrical appliances and other home equipment to the Lagos Police Command Gender Office for the welfare of children in custody across the state.

During the donation exercise held at the Lagos State Command Headquarters in Ikeja, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF Abuja, Mrs Rocio Aznar, said Lagos state police was in the front line campaign on violence against children in the country.

Appliances donated included: 12 pieces of Panasonic indoor air-conditioner, 12 pieces of Panasonic outdoor air-conditioner, three pieces of ceiling fan with blades and 12 pieces of standing air-conditioner among the several others still being delivered.

“This comes from the highest order. The President, Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 committed to end violence against children in Nigeria. He launched a national campaign to that effect. All states in Nigeria should follow suit to end violence against children in the country,” she added.

According to Aznar, a national survey on violence against children showed that they were high levels of prevalence of violence against children. “Six out of 10 children in Nigeria suffer various forms of violence before they turn 18. One in four girls suffer sexual violence and one in six boys suffer sexual violence.”

Friday 27 October 2017

MeRck KGaA Marks the Launch of Merck Foundation

Rebecca Ejifoma

After the success of Merck Africa Luminary in Germany, Kenya and Cote d’Ivoire, Merck Foundation, a non-profit company and a subsidiary of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted the Fourth edition of their annual “Merck Africa Asia Luminary” on the 24th and 25th of October 2017, in partnership with Egypt’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Africa Fertility Society and the International Federation of Fertility Societies- IFFS.

This is in its pursuit to contribute towards building healthcare capacity, the fourth Luminary held in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Egypt brings together African and Asian countries from 24th to 25th October 2017 in Cairo, Egypt.

Prof. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Executive Board and Family Board of E.Merck KG emphasised: “Merck is a value driven company, and that is one of the reasons why Merck through its foundation is committed to support the social and economic development of Africa, Asia and developing countries by building healthcare capacity and improving access to innovative and equitable healthcare in the continent.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation, Dr. Rasha Kelej, emphasised: “Merck Foundation brings more than 450 healthcare providers, policy makers, academia and researchers from Africa, Asia and CIS countries are to benefit from the valuable educational and social development sessions by top international experts in Diabetes, Fertility, Oncology, Cardiology, Women Health and Research.

Wednesday 25 October 2017

U.S. Promotes STEM Education in Nigeria, Trains 460 Students, Teachers on Robotics

Rebecca Ejifoma

The United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria, in collaboration with RoboRave International, a U.S.-based robotics education academy, began a week-long robotics workshop for 460 elementary, secondary, and university students, STEM teachers, robotics enthusiasts, and scientists.

The training is being hosted at the American Corner at Co-Creation Hub (CCHUB), Yaba, Lagos from October 23 to 25 and at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Complex, Abeokuta, Ogun State from October 26 to 28.

The workshop seeks to boost technology education in Nigeria by engaging the participating students in hands-on robotics activities to stimulate their interest in math and science as well as careers in the STEM fields.

IGP’s Wife Charges Officers’ Wives on Environmental Hygiene

Rebecca Ejifoma
(Right) Bar. Ibrahim Idris and Mrs. Edgal flanked by other senior officers' wives during the commissioning of the Water Project at Highway Police Barracks, Ikeja Lagos.
Wife of Inspector General of Police and National President of Police Wives Association (POWA), Barrister Asmau Ndayako Ibrahim Idris, has cautioned all wives of Police officers in Lagos State to maintain a hygienic lifestyle with constant environmental sanitation as efforts to rid off illnesses caused by such diseases. 

She said this during the President routine Tour to Lagos state for Flag-off of Environmental Sanitation and Barracks Inspection, Commissioning of the Water Project and Economic Empowerment of Police Wives Association (PWA) members in Lagos at Oduduwa Ikeja GRA, Lagos. 

“You should maintain a healthy environment at all times. It is said that cleanliness is next to Godliness. We are aware that 50 per cent of diseases in African can be eradicated by cleanliness. Diseases like malaria, diarrhea and vomiting, skin rashes among others are linked to dirty environment. 

Idris, therefore, said that it was imperative for them all to ensure the health of their husbands and families is in good shape by keeping a clean environment. “So, as I flag off this environmental sanitation today, I implore the Lagos State POWA members to make it a duty to keep their environment clean. This must be followed by regular routine barracks inspection.”

Tuesday 24 October 2017

Edo First Lady Partners Stakeholders on Reduction of Neonatal Deaths

Rebecca Ejifoma

(From right) Edo State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Jimoh Ijegbai; Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; and wife of Edo State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu during the stakeholders’ meeting on the prevention of neonatal deaths in the state which held in Benin City on Monday, October 23, 2017.

The wife of the Edo State Governor, Mrs Betsy Obaseki, has partnered stakeholders in the health sector to reduce the death of neonates (babies between 0 to 28 days old) in the state.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting on the prevention of neonatal deaths in the state, organised in Benin City on Monday, Obaseki said that more collaborations are needed to strengthen the country’s health sector.

She assured citizens that she would continue to partner with other stakeholders to implement the Essential New-born Care Cost (ENCC), an initiative of the federal government launched in 2016, that is geared towards reduction of neonatal deaths in the country.

The First Lady urged stakeholders to take the collaboration seriously and bring in their wealth of experience to ensure that the ENCC initiative succeeds in the state.

Monday 23 October 2017

Kate Henshaw, Project Alert to Give N1.3m for Baby Michael’s Medicals

Rebecca Ejifoma

Rescuers  – Nollywood screen goddess, Kate Henshaw – and Project Alert on Violence against Women have announced their intention to give back a cheque of N1.38m to family of baby Michael Alvez towards his medical expenses at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) on October 24 at Project Alert office.

In March this year, the rescuers had announced their intention to refund all donations made towards the medical intervention to the sick boy, who has facial hemangioma. This was as Michael's family rejected assistance from the RESCUERS at a meeting with the Social Welfare Department at Alausa; and allegations that the RESCUERS wanted to forcefully take away their child for adoption.

Sadly, immediately after the announcement, the RESCUERs said they had begun the refund process, refunding a few people who demanded their money when the family returned to the RESCUERS to plead that they re-commence financial assistance towards the baby's medical treatment. To this end, they requested for and received a cost estimate from LUTH for the baby's treatment.

But after due consultation with the RESCUERS, Project Alert on their behalf is issuing LUTH via the family (his aunty Sindi especially) a cheque for Baby Michael's medical treatment.

New World Food Prize Africa Institute to Produce Borlaug-Adesina Fellows

...Donors grow Adesina’s fund for young African agripreneurs to US $600,000
Rebecca Ejifoma

The World Food Prize Foundation, in partnership with President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, is set to establish the World Food Prize Africa Institute.

This follows the awarding of the 2017 World Food Prize to Adesina this week in Des Moines, Iowa, where he announced his decision to dedicate the $250,000 cash prize to set up a fund fully dedicated to providing financing for the youth of Africa in agriculture to feed Africa.

Motivated by the 2017 World Food Prize Laureate’s decision, donors have made additional contributions to the fund.

“The World Food Prize-Africa Institute will support young agripreneurs, whom we will call Borlaug-Adesina Fellows. This will allow us to strategically continue Dr. Norman Borlaug’s legacy of taking agricultural technologies to the farmers, and my philosophy of promoting and engaging agriculture as a business,” Adesina announced this durung the Laureate Address at a Luncheon during the World Food Prize-Borlaug Dialogue Symposium on Friday.

According to him, the Youth of Africa are the future of the continent and to them he pledged his support.

Saturday 21 October 2017

Obesity in Nigeria – A Sign of Affluence or the Slippery Slope to Death

By Prof Rotimi Jaiyesimi


Being of big weight was seen as an evidence of wealth and affluence in certain circles of Nigeria and Africa. Being skinny was perceived as being poor. You remember the practice of the ‘Calabar Fattening Room’ in preparing the bride to look ‘good’ before marriage.

The number of overweight (obese) people in the 1970s – 1990s was not of the proportion we now see in society. With increased economic growth in some of the Low–Medium-Income Countries (LMIC), has come the arrival of Western fast food diets and embraced by the middle-upper class of society.

Looking round our towns, cities and shopping malls, one cannot but fail to see men, women and children who are really overweight. One in eight Nigerian men are obese and the picture in women is no different. This developing picture is made worse by the fact that we are no longer as active as the previous generation who walked to school, played football rather than play video games.

Dr. Ogundare Builds Library for College of Medicine LUTH

Rebecca Ejifoma

The CEO of New Cross Petroleum, Dr. Bolaji Ogundare, has commissioned a newly built library to the Faculty of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (LUTH) as part of his contribution to his alma mata.

During the unveiling at the University of Lagos, CMUL, Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Lagos, the Oil mogul told newsmen that building a library for the department had been his desire among other things.

“I came to this school without a knowledge. Eventually what I realised I was lacking was the access to global information and knowledge. So, I decided at that point that we should work on a library because if you give people knowledge then you open up the world to them. And this is what we wanted to do,” he expressed.

With this achievement in giving back, he commended the school for total corporation and enabling environment. “I appreciate the college, the provost and the entire lecturers for supporting our ability to create this enabling unique environment. I still feel fortunate going through this institution.”

Wednesday 18 October 2017

The Novartis Foundation Launches Healthy Schools against Hypertension, Obesity in Children

Rebecca Ejifoma

The Novartis Foundation in collaboration with the University of Basel and other partners have launched Healthy Schools for Healthy Communities in its efforts to address poor health, hypertension and obesity in disadvantaged schools in South Africa.

Following the successful first stage of the Disease, Activity and Schoolchildren’s Health (DASH) research project, coordinated by the University of Basel in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, this second phase builds on learnings to further develop and scale successful interventions to more schools in the country, and potentially across other geographies in the future.

The goal of Healthy Schools for Healthy Communities – known locally as ‘KaziBantu’ – is to improve the overall and cardiovascular health of schoolchildren and their teachers.

Its focus will be on promoting health literacy, ensuring a formalised physical exercise programme, providing access to medical examinations including anti-helminthic treatment, monitoring cardiovascular risk factors and providing nutritional supplementation where necessary.

Tuesday 17 October 2017

Rotary Gives $49.5m to Eradicate Polio, Challenges the World to Continue the Fight

Rebecca Ejifoma

With fears that polio may to countries that are polio-free and put children at higher risk worldwide if not fully funded and committed, Rotary is giving $49.5 million in grants to support immunisation and surveillance activated by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

This is as the world is on the brink of eradicating polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that once paralysed hundreds of thousands of children each year with only 11 confirmed polio cases this year.

Hence, to recognise this historic progress, Rotary clubs worldwide will host events in conjunction with Rotary International’s fifth annual World Polio Day celebration on October 24 this year.

Development Bank: Africa Holds Key for Feeding 9 Billion People by 2050

...Calls for land tax for unused agricultural land or underutilised agricultural land
Rebecca Ejifoma

Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina addressing participants on World Food Day
President of African Development Bank and 2017 World Food Prize Laureate, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has said that Africa holds the key for feeding the nine billion people that will inhabit this planet by 2050.

The Laureate said this at the Norman Borlaug Lecture delivered on World Food Day at State University in Des Moines, Iowa, where he called for land tax for unused agricultural land or underutilized agricultural land to provide incentives for faster commercialisation of agriculture and unlocking its potential in Africa.

With the lecture titled ‘Betting on Africa to Feed the World,’ delivered yesterday, October 16, Adesina called the world to help Africa to rapidly modernise its agriculture and unlock its full potential.

“Africa sits on 65% of the uncultivated arable land left in the world. So, what Africa does with agriculture will determine the future of food in the world,” he emphasised. “African farmers need more than a helping hand. They need a policy lift,” he said.

World Food Day: Obaseki Salutes Farmers, Rural Women for Contributions to Human Existence

Lauretta Omosogha
The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has saluted farmers, rural women, food processors, distributors and other actors in the agricultural value chain for their contributions to human existence.

Obaseki gave the commendation on Monday in commemoration of the World Food Day, October 16 each year, set aside by the United Nations in honour of the founding of Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) in 1945 and other organisations that are committed to ensuring food security.

“As the world celebrates the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and other institutions that work tirelessly in mobilising actions to check threats to food security across the globe, I wish to salute farmers, rural women, food processors, distributors and other actors in the food value chain for their contributions to human existence,” he said.

He added that despite the myriad of challenges that farmers face over access to land, inadequate agricultural loans, seedlings and other farming inputs in Nigeria, our farmers have remained resilient in their desire to put food on our tables, which according to Abraham Maslow’s hierarchical order of human needs, is a non-negotiable need and basic to survival.”

Thursday 12 October 2017

Monkeypox: No Monkey Pox Virus in Imo

Rebecca Ejifoma

The Imo State government has authentically assured residents and Nigerians that there is no Monkey pox virus in the state as rumor is being spread creating anxiety among pupils and parents in Owerri, the state capital.

It stated this in a media release it issued on Wednesday that its attention was drawn to “the wicked and unfounded rumor being spread over the monkey pox virus which created undue anxiety in Owerri, the state capital especially among some parents on Wednesday October 11 this year”.

According to the release, the State government wants to inform Imo people in particular and the public that the monkey pox virus is not in Imo and will never be in Imo “in Jesus Name”.

Wednesday 11 October 2017

Monkey Pox: Lagos State Urges All to Sanitise their Environment

Rebecca Ejifoma

The Lagos State Government is reiterating the need for the public to observe and maintain a high standard of personal and environmental hygiene at all times as part of the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Monkey pox to the State.

An outbreak of Monkey pox has been reported in some States in the country. The first case was reported on September 22 this year and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) clinically confirmed it as a case of Monkey pox.

 Following this, 31 suspected cases have been identified, including two in Lagos.      “These two suspected cases are currently being investigated in the State,” Commissioner for Health Lagos, Dr. Hide Idris had said.

Though no confirmed case has been recorded, he told newsmen in a media briefing on October 9, that there was the need to sensitise the public and provide adequate information on measures for prevention and control of the disease in line with the policy of the State Government.

Now, research shows that Monkey pox is a rare viral zoonotic disease (from animal to man) caused by Monkey pox virus which occurs primarily in Central and West Africa close to tropical rain forest where there is frequent contact with infected animals. The symptoms in human is similar to those seen in the past in small pox patients although less severe.

The first human case was identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) in 1970 where Monkey pox is believed to be endemic. Outbreaks have been reported in DRC, Sudan with sporadic cases reported from other parts of Africa.

Human is usually infected through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluid, cutaneous or mucosal lesions of infected animals or through handling of infected monkeys, Gambian giant rats, Squirrels, rodents and the common bush-meat (in local parlance) are the major reservoirs of the virus.

Tuesday 10 October 2017

Mother Bathes Son with Hot Water for Damaging Her Bag

Rebecca Ejifoma
Mother bathes son with 
hot water for damaging 
her bag in Ikorodu area 
of Lagos State on 
October 5 this year.

This case was reported in 
Oshodi-Isolo Ejigbo Child 
Protection Network (CPN)
platform on October 5 this 
year.

Investigation still on...















Coca-Cola to Launch $2m Safe Birth Initiative in Nigeria, Ivory Coast

Rebecca Ejifoma


In line with its long-standing commitment to women and the well-being of communities, Coca-Cola company is set to launch the Safe Birth Initiative in support of the Ministry of Health to reduce the high rate of maternal and newborn mortality in Ivory Coast and Nigeria through its Safe Birth Initiative.

The Coca-Cola Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) Group President, Brian Smith, said this during a courtesy visit to the President of the Republic of Ivory Coast, Alassane Quattara.

“The commitment to help promote sustainable development in the communities is a fundamental part of Coca-Cola’s strategy for sustainable business growth. This programme, which demonstrates this commitment, will help save the precious lives of many mothers and newborns and also support the remarkable efforts of the Ivorian government at rebuilding this vibrant country,” he expressed.

In addition, the programme will focus on strengthening the capacity of maternity and neonatal units in selected public hospitals in the two countries. With US$2 million grant from Coca-Cola to Medshare International Inc., the US-based not-for-profit NGO will source essential equipment, kits and supplies worth about US$20 million to enable safe deliveries and post-delivery emergency care for both mothers and their newborns.

There will be training of biomedical technicians and other appropriate hospital personnel by Medshare International on the operation, repair and maintenance of the donated equipment as well as the reactivation of a huge stock of faulty or abandoned equipment in public hospitals which is a major challenge for the country’s healthcare delivery system.

This intervention comes as Ivory Coast, which has enjoyed stability and one of the fastest economic growth rates since the end of a civil war in 2011, grapples with some of the highest maternal and newborn death ratios globally.

Monday 9 October 2017

MonkeyPox Hits Lagos, Two Cases Recorded


Rebecca Ejifoma


The Lagos State Government on Monday revealed that two suspected cases of the virulent Monkey Pox have been recorded in the state following the outbreak in Bayelsa on Thursday October 4 and in Akwa-Ibom on October 8.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, revealed this at a news conference today Monday 9, who said the suspected cases were currently being investigated in the state.

"Though no confirmed case has been recorded, there is need to sensitise the public and provide adequate information on measures for prevention and control of the disease in line with the policy of the State government," he expressed.

Idris added that the two suspected cases were recorded in a private hospital he didn’t disclose. “One of the suspects just came from Bayelsa State and ate Bush meat. But the two suspects are re currently being quarantined in the their various houses pending the result of the investigation.”

Idris, however, said in the wake of this outbreak, the state government was reiterating the need for the public to observe and maintain a high standard of personal and environmental hygiene at all times as part of the precautionary measures to prevent the spread to the State.

Femi Olaleye, Foundations Call Women for Free Cancer Screening


Optimal Cancer Care Foundation (OCCF) in partnership with Sponsors and Donors and two major diagnostic centres in Lagos: Nucleus Diagnostic Centre and Arrive Alive Diagnostic Centre are bringing to you massive 50% discounts on all Breast ultrasound scans, mammograms and FNAC tests and of course, free clinical breast examinations at the Foundation’s screening centre.

OCCF is known and recognised worldwide for its philanthropic fight against the dreaded cancer that has sent many women and girls to early grave. 

Today, however, "October is #breastcancerawarenessmonth - a time where we all join forces to reduce the burden of breast cancer in Nigeria and across the globe," Dr. Olaleye said.

On what to do to get screened, he urged all to drive to the foundation looking #PrettyInPink 💕💕💕 on any of the Fridays in October. The foundation is sited at 118 Bode Thomas Street, Surulere Lagos.

Remember: "Early detection is key". "Have a wonderful day and don't forget to share with all the women you care about."

#GoPinkFriday #EarlyDetectionIsKey!

Thursday 5 October 2017

Healthcare Fund Announces Anchor Investors

Rebecca Ejifoma

Rx Healthcare Fund, an Africa-focused healthcare private equity fund currently under establishment, has announced that GE Healthcare (a leading global provider of transformational medical technologies and services) is set to become an anchor limited partner in Rx.

This is following an earlier commitment to Rx by the African Development Bank, the proposed minority investment by GE is subject to completion of fundraising.

Rx, which is led by former Egyptian Minister of Health Dr. Hatem El Gabaly, is a private equity fund managed by a newly setup fund manager in partnership with EFG Hermes, the leading financial services corporation in the Middle East and North Africa.

Indeed, the Fund aims to address growing demand for high-quality healthcare services across North African and Sub-Saharan jurisdictions, through investments in high growth potential entities in three key sectors: specialized hospitals, medical diagnostics, and pharmaceuticals.

“Access to long term development funding is the cornerstone of sustainable healthcare development in Africa”,  President & CEO of GE Healthcare Africa, Farid Fezoua.

WHO Enlightens Public on How Monkeypox Spreads, Panic in Bayelsa

There is panic in Bayelsa State as 10 persons were confirmed to have contacted the Monkeypox disease.

The 10 persons, including a medical doctor, were being treated at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ebi Etebu, who confirmed the story, said the state government was working to ensure the disease was contained. He said health workers in the ministry were looking for 49 other people believed to have come in close contact with the identified carriers.

WHO
According to World Health Organisation, Monkeypox is a rare disease that occurs primarily in remote parts of Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests.

The monkeypox virus can cause a fatal illness in humans and, although it is similar to human smallpox which has been eradicated, it is much milder.

The monkeypox virus is transmitted to people from various wild animals but has limited secondary spread through human-to-human transmission.

Typically, case fatality in monkeypox outbreaks has been between 1% and 10%, with most deaths occurring in younger age groups.

There is no treatment or vaccine available although prior smallpox vaccination was highly effective in preventing monkeypox as well.

Monkeypox is a rare viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms in humans similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although less severe. Smallpox was eradicated in 1980.However, monkeypox still occurs sporadically in some parts of Africa.

Monkeypox is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. The virus was first identified in the State Serum Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1958 during an investigation into a pox-like disease among monkeys.

WHO Recommends Large-Scale Deworming to Improve Children’s Health, Nutrition

Rebecca Ejifoma

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that periodic deworming programmes with a single-tablet treatment can drastically reduce the suffering of those infected with parasitic intestinal worms and protect the 1.5 billion people currently estimated to be at risk.

Four main species of intestinal worms, also known as soil-transmitted helminths, affect almost a quarter of the world’s poorest and mostly marginalised people. They are a major public health problem because the worms disrupt people’s ability to absorb nutrients, impeding the growth and physical development of millions of children.

According to WHO, it had long promoted large-scale treatment for intestinal worms, but this is the first guideline approved by its Guidelines Review Committee confirming that deworming improves the health and nutrient uptake of heavily infected children.
“There is now global evidence-based consensus that periodic, large-scale deworming is the best way to reduce the suffering caused by intestinal worms,” says the Director of WHO’s Neglected Tropical Diseases Department, Dr Dirk Engels.

Experts Call for Basic Life Support against Cardiac Arrest, Sudden Death

…thick muscles and chests as one of the causes of sudden death
Rebecca Ejifoma


Chief Executive Officer, Georgia Arrhythmia Consultants and Research Institute, Dr. Felix Sogade and certified Electrophysiologist, Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Dr. Joseph Poku have called on all Nigerians to learn basic life support skills as efforts to reduce the alarming incidence of sudden deaths among blacks including Nigerians.

They said this at the awareness symposium on cardiac arrest held at the Healings Stripes Hospital Foundation, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to Sogade there is low knowledge about the importance of basic life support in the country. He said that the victim of cardiac arrest could be resuscitated and have pulse for 10 minutes before emergency help arrives.

He explained that from the onset of cardiac arrest till the person dies, each minute is very important. “After the sufferer is resuscitated, if assistance does not come within 10 minutes the chance of surviving is zero. So, there is need for people around the victim to act quickly and be able to take step to restore the heart back to regular rhythms.”

Sogade added: “About 40 per cent of people who die suddenly, die at home in their sleep – may be difficult to intervene - and the other 60 per cent may die during physical activities or working hours, may have chance of surviving when aids come at appropriate time.

As an Associate Professor of Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine and Chairman, Board of Directors for the Association of Black Cardiologists in United State of America, Sogade listed some of the causes of sudden death condition that is common among blacks around the world.

“Some of the causes among other multiple conditions responsible are: when the heart muscle is very thick due to thickness of the heart muscle. When they exercise themselves, there is not enough blood flowing to the heart. It is good for someone to build big muscles and big chest, but in the heart that is very bad because the muscles do not get enough blood supply. When they now focus on physical exercises like table tennis or playing a competitive sport, they further compromise blood flow to that area of the heart and the heart will go into a dangerous abnormal rhythm and they die,” he expressed.

Monday 2 October 2017

Merck Foundation Supports Training of 20 Future Oncologists in Africa Oncology Fellowship

Rebecca Ejifoma
In partnership with Ministries of Health across Africa, the Merck Africa Oncology Fellowship Programme is giving back to the society through Merck Foundation’s programmes to build cancer care capacity in Africa, provide Africa with 20 New Oncologists through Merck Africa Oncology Fellowship Programme established in India, Kenya and Egypt.

This is in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 to sustainably invest on building healthcare capacity to improve access to equitable healthcare solutions.
The programme provides one-year and two-year oncology fellowship and a three year master degree in medical oncology at Tata Memorial Centre, India, University of Nairobi Kenya and Alexandria University, Egypt, respectively.

CEO of Merck Foundation, Dr. Rasha Kelej, said: “One of the main objectives of Merck Foundation is to build a strong platform of qualified medical, paediatric and surgical oncologists across the continent through the Merck Africa Oncology Fellowship Programme.”

“Twenty candidates from Uganda, Zambia, Ethiopia, Namibia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Tanzania and Kenya have enrolled in the Merck Africa Oncology Fellowship Program in partnership with African ministries of health, the University of Nairobi, Kenya, Tata Memorial Centre, India and Alexandria University, Egypt in 2016 and 2017. We are very proud of our contribution to lead Africa to a better future through changing the landscape of Cancer care in the continent”, Kelej added.

The Foundation started the second stage of their Africa Oncology Fellowship Programme last year with the aim to increase the limited number of oncologists in Africa.

Speaking still, the Chairman of Executive Board and Chairman of Board of Trustees of Merck Foundation, Prof. Frank Stangenberg- Haverkamp, explained: “Improving cancer care needs a substantial improvement in infrastructure and increase in the number of specialised workforce, which does not exist in many, if not most, Sub-Saharan African countries. Enrolling more candidates from more African countries into our Fellowship Programme is an important step forward towards improving access to cancer care across the continent.”

WHO: About 25 Million Unsafe Abortions Occur Yearly Worldwide

Rebecca Ejifoma

A new study by World Health Organisation and the Guttmacher Institute published today in The Lancet, 25 million unsafe abortions (45% of all abortions) occurred every year between 2010 and 2014 worldwide. The majority of unsafe abortions, or 97%, occurred in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

This is in line with World Contraceptive Day 2017 as observed every September 26. The annual campaign centres around a vision where every pregnancy is wanted. Launched in 2007, WCD's mission is to improve awareness of contraception and to enable young people to make informed choices on their sexual and reproductive health
“Increased efforts are needed, especially in developing regions, to ensure access to contraception and safe abortion,” says lead author of the study and scientist in the WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research, Dr Bela Ganatra.

He said that when women and girls cannot access effective contraception and safe abortion services, there are serious consequences for their own health and that of their families. “This should not happen. But despite recent advances in technology and evidence, too many unsafe abortions still occur, and too many women continue to suffer and die.”

Classifying abortion safety
The new Lancet study provides estimates on safe and unsafe abortions globally. For the first time, it includes sub-classifications within the unsafe abortion category as less safe or least safe. The distinction allows for a more nuanced understanding of the different circumstances of abortions among women who are unable to access safe abortions from a trained provider.

When abortions are performed in accordance with WHO guidelines and standards, the risk of severe complications or death is negligible. Approximately 55% of all abortions from 2010 to 2014 were conducted safely, which means they were performed by a trained health worker using a WHO-recommended method appropriate to the pregnancy duration.

Almost one-third (31%) of abortions were “less safe,” meaning they were either performed by a trained provider using an unsafe or outdated method such as “sharp curettage”, or by an untrained person albeit using a safe method like misoprostol, a drug that can be used for many medical purposes, including to induce an abortion.