Health

COVID & Omicron: How to Protect Yourself against New Virus Variants

Covid and Omicron are both viruses but one spread faster than the other. Omicron is a virant of the virus that causes Covid- 19. Even with vaccines, the spread of Omicron is still higher. Despite its high transmission, researchers still don't know its origin, its symptoms and its causes. The virus has been detected in many countries and cases had been recorded. The spread of the virus is alarming hence, the aim of this article is to educate you on how to get yourself protected from this deadly virus.

Both Covid-19 and omicron has almost same symptoms hence,their prevention is same.
Below are few ways you could get yourself protected;

1. Get yourself vaccinated: This is the best way to get yourself protected from the virus. Even people with weak immune system get themselves protected with the use of vaccines. The use of vaccines will protect you from the illness and also save you from any form of symptoms.

2. Avoid crowded areas: The rate at which the virus spread is really very high. A mere body contact with an infected person can can get you infected hence,you have to keep yourself safe by avoiding areas where people are much and where there aren't enough breathing space (i.e poor ventilated area).

3. Wash hands and surfaces often: This is another way to get yourself prevented from this deadly virus. Make sure you wash your hands before and after every little thing you do such as eating, using the toilet, the use of the nose mask, touching of any part of your body, after leaving a public place, after taking care of the sick etc. You can either wash with soap and water or a sanitizer with 60% alcohol. All surfaces should be disinfect and cleaned. Surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks etc.

4. Always go for regular check-up: You should always watch for any form of symptoms and go for treatment immediately if any of the symptoms are noticed. This will help you to detect easily if affected and hence there will be immediate treatment for such person.

The month of October is set aside as the Breast Cancer Awareness month. It is marked in various countries to increase support, awareness and reduce the stigma attached to breast cancer. Breast cancer is by far the most common type of cancer in women with an increasing mortality ratio in Sub-Saharan African countries and other developing countries. This can be partially attributed to low public awareness, lack of accessible and affordable medical measures and delayed presentation of breast cancer. According to world health Organisation, 2.1 million women suffer from breast cancer each year and 627 000 women died from breast cancer in 2018. Previous studies have shown that 70-80% of African women present with stage III or stage IV breast cancer, most often, years after self-detection.

In this part of the world, there is an implanted sense of security in women, the possibility that one could have breast cancer is seen as a taboo, a punishment for offending the gods, and the thought that one could die of breast cancer is considered a tempting fate. However, neglecting the fact that being a woman is a major risk factor for developing breast cancer is a bigger offense. Around one third of deaths from cancer can be attributed to some behavioral and dietary life style; obesity, physical inactivity, tobacco use, low fruits and vegetables intake and alcohol use. This is not to rule out other risk factors that can predisposed women to breast cancer, such as old age, being a woman, genetic mutation in BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene and a family history of cancer. Being a risk factor does not guarantee that you will surely have breast cancer, as there are women who have developed cancer without a known risk factor.

Different people present with different symptoms of breast cancer, while others may not have symptoms at all. When you notice symptoms such as lump in the breast, a change in the breast’s shape, redness or flaky skin in the nipple area, pulling in of the nipple, pain around the nipple or breast region, it is important that you seek for an immediate medical treatment. The symptoms earlier mentioned do not always score to the diagnosis of breast cancer, they could be symptoms of some underlying conditions - the more reason you should seek medical advice.

Sadly, there is no adequate knowledge on the causes of breast cancer, hence, early detection remains the main measure for breast cancer control. Despite the knowledge and awareness about breast cancer among some women, few women take the necessary steps to try and detect the breast cancer at the early stage. It is good to be optimistic and prayerful about good health, but it is better to be proactive and take responsibility for one’s health. When was the last time you went for a medical check-up? This is your body and you will have to wear it all through your life time. Early detection has been linked to decrease mortality rate of breast cancer.

There are some factors you do not have control over and there are some you can take full responsibility of to reduce the incidence of breast cancer. Women should have regular screening to improve chances of early detection, keep a healthy weight, cut down food craps and stress, eat more of veggies and fruits, exercise regularly, reduce alcohol intake, shut down cigarette smoking, ask your doctor and pharmacists about the risk and the type of hormone and oral contraceptives that best suit you. Protect yourself and the women around you. It’s breast cancer awareness month, take necessary precautions, go for screening, stay pink and safe.

Maleria is an illness that is caused by plasmodium parasites. People get affected with maleria if they have been bitten by an infected female anopheles mosquito. This illness can't be spread through body contact or other physical means but, can be transmitted if you got bitten by an infected mosquito, and through other means of blood transfusion. If maleria is not properly treated, it can lead to death. Symptoms of maleria include; vomiting, sweating, shivering,fever, cough, headache etc.

Africa can completely win the war against maleria by;

To completely win the war against maleria, there have to be enough vaccines for people to use in order to get them immunized against maleria.

There have to be enough distribution of insecticide treated bed nets especially to people to in the rural areas. This distribution will go a long way in eliminating the spread of maleria.

There have to be effective antimalerial medicines for patients to use when infected.

There should be improvement in the health system; availability of experienced doctors in various health centers, construction of well equuipped health centers in the rural area, provision of antimaleria drugs for free to the poor etc.

There should be seminars to educate and orient people on how to safe themselves against this illness whenever they are infected .

There should be enough investment in the provision of all listed above .

If all listed above can be effectively done, I believe the Africa will completely win the war against maleria in few years.

5 Positive Ways Fasting can affect your Health as a Nigerian

Fasting is nothing out of the ordinary amongst we Nigerians. Indeed, we fast for several reasons ranging from religious to cultural to even political reasons. We also engage in different forms of fasting, which include dry fasting, water fasting, fruit fasting, and even white fasting. Some fast to consecrate themselves for a particular cause. Others fast because they are instructed to. Some even consider fasting as punishment to the body. However, have you ever really considered some of the positive ways fasting can affect your health? Well, here are five of them.

1. Fasting can slow down ageing

Ageing has to with gradual changes in your body that leads to a decline in bodily activities. Recent researches have shown that one of the underlying factors of this process is the accumulation of damaged cell over time, and fats and sugars have been found to be key players in the process of cell damage. When these nutrients are too many in your body cells, they overwork them and lead to what’s called oxidative stress, which eventually destroys those cells. Fasting, however, can lower the rate of these cell destruction, and thus slow down ageing.

2. Fasting can improve your brain functions

When you fast, you deprive your body of glucose, which is the major source of energy for many organs, and your body is forced to make use of fat stores. The brain also utilizes glucose, and during fasting periods, it has to find an alternative source of energy. Ketones, which are made from fats, are therefore used as substitutes. Ketones have been proven to be better energy sources for the brain, and this is why the brain functions are improved during fasting. Asides this, some researchers have found fasting to help in inhibiting inflammation of brain cells. This improves brain functions too.

3. Fasting can help you shed unhealthy Weight

If you’ve ever thought about getting rid of some extra weight, you’ve probably thought about fasting. Fasting is indeed an effective way of shedding weight and even maintaining a healthy weight. As earlier stated, when you fast, you deprive your body of calories in form of sugars and fats which compels your body to deploy your fat stores. As a result, you have higher chances of losing unhealthy weight, as long as you don’t go back to consume twice the calories you lost while fasting.

4. Fasting can make your heart healthier.

One of the major reasons behind cardiovascular diseases like myocardial infarction and even heart failures is the build-up of fats in the coronary arteries which supply the heart. When you fast, however, the amount of fat in the blood is regulated and this prevents the clogging up of the coronary arteries by fats. This way, your heart will healthier, and you will have lesser chances of developing heart diseases.

5. Fasting can have protective Functions

Apart from protecting some specific organs, fasting protects the body as a whole. It does this by inducing a process known as autophagy, which involves the clearing up of debris from cells and the removal of toxic or any potentially harmful material from the body. Researchers also believe that autophagy prevents progression of diseases like cancer and Alzheimer disease, etc. Consequently, the body is protected.

Now, we see that beyond the religious and cultural significance of fasting, it is beneficial to your health. So, the next time there's a Ramadan fast or your pastor declares a fast, I hope you remember that fasting is not just about punishing your body, but is also a rewarding activity.

How Coronavirus Keeps Underestimating National Health Systems

It's 2022 and Coronavirus, also known as COVID19 is an infectious disease caused by a deadly virus. People infected by the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people and those with underline medical problems like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and cancer are likely to develop serious illness and the best way to prevent and slow down its transmission is to protect yourself by washing your hands, or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching faces. The virus spreads primarily through drop of saliva or discharge from nose when an infected person coughs or sneeze.

The Nigerian health care system has suffered several down falls from infectious disease outbreaks, year after year despite Nigeria's strategic position in Africa. The country is greatly undeserved in the health care sphere. Health facilities which include health center personnel and medical equipment are inadequate, especially in rural areas. While various reforms have been put forward by Nigerian government to wide ranging issues in the health care system, they are yet to be implemented at state levels and local government levels for years. Nigeria’s health care has been rated among the worst in the world. In 2018 studies in the lancet of global health care access and quality ranked Nigeria 142 out of 195 countries .

The country keeps increasing in population sizes with an estimated growth of 180 million people. This positions Nigerians as the most populous black country and giant of Africa, with massive foreign investment, yet, the health sectors which should cater for health needs of the population remains in shambles. Under International Human Right Laws, the Nigerian government has an obligation to protect peoples' lifes to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food and nutrition, the highest attainable standard of health, and the right to social security. In times of economic crisis, countries must demonstrate that they have made every effort available to mobilize all available resources, including international resistance and allocate them in the way to maximize respect to human right. Government is obligated to ensure access to food, water, Health care, and other basic needs for everyone at all times and in particular, those subjects to lockdown and other restrictions on movements - it saddens that reverse is the case in Nigeria presently.

In a bid to improve Nigeria health care system during this pandemic and to cater for the less privilege who might not have anything to feed their humble stomachs, there were donations from individuals and companies alike. Nigeria’s top billionaires have donated billions to support the fight against the pandemic. When Chinese billionaire and co founder of Ali baba, Jack Ma announced intention to supports Africa’s fight against covid19 by donating essentials medical supplies, Nigerians reacted with immense gratitude, the attention was then shifted to Nigerian billionaires as Nigerians wanted to know what the country’s top business elites were doing to support their countries. Some of the top Nigerians billionaires who contributed to the good cause include Africa's richest, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who made a persona donation of 2 Billion naira to support the cause. The famous industrialist has consistently maintained his position on top of Forbes Africa’s list of richest Africans as the majority owner of Dangote industries ltd. Mr Femi Otedola also announced his donation of 1 Billion naira to the relief fund via his instagram and twitter handles. According to him, ”we must all do what we can to flatten the curve.”

Abdul-Salam Rabiu also made cash donation worth 1 Billion through the BUA foundation and supply other medical aids while Folorunso Alakija, Africa’s second richest woman and Tony Elumelu, Chairman of United Bank for Africa Plc made personal donations. Other donors are Jim Ovia and

Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Holdings Plc and founder of Honeywell Group who donated the sum of 1 Billion naira

stop using potassium bromate, NAFDAC warns bread bakers

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has cautioned bakers who use potassium bromate as improvers, saying it is dangerous to health.

According to it, as part of its efforts to curb the menace of importation, sales and distribution of counterfeit/fake regulated products and ensuring that only wholesome, safe, quality and efficacious products are imported, manufactured, distributed, sold and used by the Nigerians, it has stepped up efforts to raid defaulters.

The Acting Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr Monica Eimunjeze, at a media briefing in Lagos on Tuesday explained that potassium bromate is a banned flour improver and a known cancer-causing agent.

According to her, potassium bromate has been found to cause kidney failure among other ailments.

“Potassium bromate, popularly known as tablets in the black economy, is always attractive to merchants of death who want to make outrageous profit at the expense of citizens’ wellbeing.

“Bakers use potassium bromate because it helps to improve the texture of bread as well as increases its volume and it is relatively cheap.

“NAFDAC wishes to state that there are recommended healthy flour improvers approved by the Agency.’’

She disclosed that reiterating its resolve to reprimand offenders, operatives of NAFDAC raided and arrested suspects in connection with various fraudulent activities.

“A warehouse containing potassium bromate tablets and unregistered imported EDC – 2000 BREAD IMPROVER was raided by NAFDAC operatives on Dec. 7, 2022.

“NAFDAC officers raided the warehouse located in Apongbon area of Lagos Island in Lagos where they found 115 cartons of potassium bromate tablets.

“The tablets have a street value of twenty-eight million seven hundred and fifty thousand naira (N28,750,000:00).

“The seized tablets could be used with three hundred thousand (300,000) bags of 50kg flour to produce about thirty (30) million family-sized loaves of bread.

“Also found in the warehouse were counterfeit EDC Bread Improver, packed in sachets with a fake NAFDAC registration number 01-4242, worth three hundred thousand naira (N300,000:00).

“One Rapoluchukwu Joseph was arrested as the importer during the operation.’’

She explained that apart from improving the texture of a loaf, potassium bromate also increases its volume and it is relatively cheap.

Mr Ejimunjeze said that other counterfeit products found in the warehouse included 400 cartons of counterfeit super delicious cooking margarine with fake NAFDAC registration number:- (a1-2508) and Manufactured date:- 25/01/2022, Expiry date:- 25/01/2024 with various batch numbers.

She further disclosed that the NAFDAC had since Sept. 9, 2022, commenced an investigation which led its operatives to a long span of operations at states including Kano, Kaduna, Delta, Abia and Lagos States.

“After rigorous and painstaking efforts, the Agency’s operatives traced and arrested one Owerekwe Obinna Michael ‘male’ 46 years of 12 Boundry Street, Aba, Abia State as the importer of the counterfeit product.

“At the point of his arrest, the suspect upon sighting the operatives completely destroyed his mobile phone so that the evidence will not be traced to him. He also fought the operatives but was instantly overpowered, arrested and taken into custody.

“He confirmed that he actually imported four hundred (400) cartons of the product with the above details from Dubai through groupage and cleared at Onne Port, Port Harcourt.

“He claimed that the shipment was delivered to him by a clearing Agent, whose name he did not yet disclose He also admitted to distributing the product to markets across the country.

“Preliminary examination of the product showed that the actual manufacturer’s name was not written, but produced for a company in Indonesia.”

Mr Ejimunjeze enjoined Nigerians to watch out for these injurious products anywhere in the country and report same or any suspected fake/counterfeit or unwholesome product to any nearest NAFDAC Office.

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Health wise: The history of Vaccines

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, Vaccine is a substance given to stimulate the body's production of antibodies and provide immunity against a disease without causing the disease itself in the treatment, prepared from the agent that causes the disease(or a related,also effective, but safer disease), or a synthetic substitute.

Vaccine was first introduced by Edward Jenner, a British physician in 1796. He used the cowpox virus,vaccinia, to confer protection against Small pox. Consequently, after some years, a french microbiologist, Louis Pasteur,1881, demonstrated immunization against Anthrax, using sheep by injecting them with a formula which contains weakened forms of the Bacillus that causes the disease. Four years later,he developed a protective suspension against rabies.

In the United States of America, the Supreme court ruled that laws could require vaccinations to protect the public from dangerous transmittable diseases. After the World War II, there is the imposition of compulsory vaccination on all citizens. The Smallpox, which is at the bane of existence of the vaccine was in 1959 called by the World Health Organization (WHO) for an eradication, worldwide. The vaccine has then since been used in more than 50 countries to curtail pandemics such as flu and the recent Coronavirus that ravaged the world.

Celine Dion diagnosed with rare incurable disease, cancels shows

Canadian singer Celine Dion has opened up on her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes one’s muscles to tense uncontrollably.

The 54-year-old made the announcement in a video on her Instagram page on Thursday, where she disclosed that her 2023 shows had been moved to 2024.

The singer said, “Hello everyone, I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to reach out to you. I miss you all so much and can’t wait to be on stage talking to you in person.

“As you know, I’ve always been an open book, and I wasn’t ready to say anything before, but im ready now.

“I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time and its been really difficult for me to face my challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through.

“Recently, I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff person syndrome, which affects 1 in a million people

“While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all the spasms I’ve been having.”

The caption of the video read, “Celine Dion reschedules Spring 2023 shows to 2024,and cancels eight of her summer 2023 shows.”

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I May Not Patronise Nigerian Hospitals If Elected President - Atiku

Atiku Abubakar has said he may not rely entirely on Nigerian hospitals for personal healthcare if elected president in February.

“Health facilities that cater to my health may not be available.” Mr Abubakar said at the ongoing dialogue airing on AriseTV. “We have limitations; we know we have those limitations.”

Mr Abubakar’s response came when asked whether or not he would turn to the country’s medical establishments as president to set a clear leadership that deemphasises patronage of foreign hospitals by the country’s elite.

The former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party has lived in Dubai, the commercial hub of the United Arab Emirates, since the late aughts, only coming into the country for important holidays and political activities,

Peter Obi of the Labour Party said he would use Nigerian doctors if elected president, adding that available facilities would be improved to meet global standards.

Nigerians have long condemned the elite rush to foreign countries for medical care, a pattern attributed to the neglect of the country’s health sector. President Muhammadu Buhari has continued to travel abroad, mainly to the United Kingdom, to see his doctors.

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WHO renames Monkeypox sickness as MPOX due to Racism

Monkeypox is to be rebranded as ‘mpox’ after global health experts said the name had racist connotations and could lead to stigmatisation.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the term monkeypox would be phased out over the coming year.

Ondomind reports that it follows a forum in the summer in which two families of monkeypox - the Congo Basin and West African clades - were renamed as Clade I and Clade II.

At the time, the WHO said the decision was to ‘avoid causing offence to any cultural, social, national, regional, professional, or ethnic groups, and minimise any negative impact on trade, travel, tourism or animal welfare.’

In a statement about the move to ‘mpox’, the international health body said: “When the outbreak of monkeypox expanded earlier this year, racist and stigmatising language online, in other settings and in some communities was observed and reported to WHO.

“Following a series of consultations with global experts, WHO will begin using a new preferred term 'mpox' as a synonym for monkeypox. Both names will be used simultaneously for one year while 'monkeypox' is phased out.”

The WHO is responsible for naming new diseases and ‘very exceptionally’ will rename existing conditions.

In 2015, it released new guidelines entitled “Best Practices for the Naming of New Human Infectious Diseases,” in which it advised that diseases should no longer be named after places, specific people such as “Creutzfeld-Jakob disease’ or Alzheimer’s, occupations, such as Legionnaires disease, or animals, such as swine flu.

During the pandemic, the body renamed several variants, including the Kent variant, which became Alpha, the South African variant, which became Beta, and the Indian Variant, which became Delta.

Some 3,720 cases have been identified in the UK since the start of May, although the UK Health Security Agency has said it is seeing fewer and fewer cases reported.

NHS England said some 68,000 people have been inoculated against the disease with the smallpox vaccine since the outbreak began in May.

It is now launching a campaign offering a second vaccination to those eligible who have already had their first jab.

RukotoTV learned that Common signs of Mpox infection include the development of a new rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, and swollen lymph nodes.

Human monkeypox was first given its name in 1970 after the virus that causes the disease was discovered in captive monkeys in 1958.

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It is now one doctor to 10,000 Patients – NARD

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, says 4,000 of its members are ready to migrate abroad for greener pastures, warning that it is now a ratio of one doctor to 10,000 patients in the country.

The revelation comes as the association expressed worries over government's 'nonchalant attitudes to members’ salaries, welfare and other deserved packages," Vanguard reports

NARD revealed that Nigeria had already lost 2,000 doctors to the other countries in the last two years and that Nigeria was well short of WHO’s recommended ratio of one doctor to 600 patients.

Although he admitted that mobility of labour was recognized anywhere in the world, he, however, said there were several reasons people can decide to leave their countries or migrate to other places, tasking government to find out the reasons and address them.

“Mobility of labour is recognized anywhere in the world." NARD president, Dr Emeka Orji, told the publication on Sunday, November 27.

“There are several reasons why people can decide to leave their counties or migrate to other places even to move from one state to the other in the same country to work ranging from welfare services, remuneration, working condition, security and other social issues."

“And what government should do is to try to find out why and then address it.

“That is what a serious government does, because the truth is that it is a very serious problem in the health sector as we speak and we believe it is an emergency and that if nothing is done urgently to arrest the drift, we would come to a stage where we won’t have doctors in our hospitals.

“Over the past two years or so,we have lost over 2,000 doctors to an outside world and on average,we have lost between 100 to 160 doctors every month.

“We are not just talking about the low-level staff here, we are talking about the highly specialized doctors leaving the country.

“And when you undertake studies to know why they are leaving, 80 percent of them responded that it is because of poor remuneration.

“The salary structure we are using now came into being in 2009. That is over 13 years ago and part of th agreement we had with the government

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We have made RSUTH the best Teaching hospital in Nigeria – Wike

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital as the best of such medical facility in Nigeria.

Governor Wike made the declaration given the huge investment his administration has made that is strengthening the capacity of the specialist hospital in the training of medical personnel, research and medical innovations.

The governor spoke at the inauguration of the twin buildings housing the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences and the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, performed by the Chairman of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Prof. Abba Hassan in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

"Go to the University Teaching Hospital, you have the best of equipment you can talk about. I don't see any teaching hospital in this country today that can compare with what we have at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital."

Governor Wike noted the several other separate health service providing facilities that are integrated into the teaching hospital for holistic service delivery.

The governor enthused that even the medical personnel and students alike do have the best of medical equipment that will expose them to contemporary medical practice.

Governor Wike informed that soon, the Renal Centre and the Hostel for medical house officers that have been completed will soon be inaugurated.

With such huge investment made, Governor Wike charged the teachers and students to take their work and studies seriously so that there will be sustained excellence in the health sector.

"We are commissioning The Renal Centre and the house officers hostel which have been completed and furnished soon.

"But it beats my imagination that a teaching hospital has no Renal Centre. Go and see the Mother and Child Hospital; the gynecology and paediatric sections. Those of you who will be using the teaching hospital for your learning, you are getting the best equipment for your practical. What you see overseas is what you are seeing here.

"So, you must count yourselves to be lucky that you came at a time you won't say we don't have laboratory. You have everything now. So, there will be no excuse from you. All you need to do is to concentrate."

Governor Wike also reassured that he will not leave office without completing projects his administration has awarded. But should any be left without being inaugurated, he was confident that his successor will, in the spirit of continuity, completed them for inauguration.

"I will not leave any project unfinished. I will make sure all the projects we have started are finished. If they are not finished, maybe at 90 or 95% completion, when my successor, Siminalaye Fubara and Prof. Ngozi Ordu, come, they should use them for their first one hundred days in office projects and commission them.

"This is because, they are part of what we are doing. When I say my successor, you know they will win. You know they will win because our report card is there to show what we have done. We are in the period of operation show your report card.”

Speaking further, governor Wike directed the Commissioner for Special Projects to visit the site for building of hostels for medical students of the Rivers State University and assess what is required to complete the project in the next two months.

Governor Wike also insisted that the Pathology Department of the university should be ready for inauguration in January 2023.

Performing the inauguration of the project, Chairman of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Prof. Abba Hassan noted the audacity of governor Wike to sustain regular training of over 300 medical and other auxiliary staff.

These, he said, are also paid regularly higher than any government, including the federal government.

"Governor Wike has invested satisfactorily in this entire tripod starting with the development of manpower in the health sector, giving a foundation to sustain the investment in the infrastructure and equipment procurement.

"It will also provide opportunity for research and invention. I learned that over 300 medical and staff had been trained and are being paid regularly higher than any government, including the federal government. This will certainly help to forestall the cancerous brain drain in this sector."

Prof. Hassan expressed his excitement to be part of the event when he said, "I'm privileged to be invited on this occasion to commission one of the projects in health sector among several projects that had been commissioned so far.

"For us in the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria as regulator in training and practice of medicine and dentistry, wish to note with satisfaction the developmental so far done in this sector by your government.

"Healthcare training and services are anchored on a tripod of consisting of personnel, infrastructure and equipment procurement."

On his part, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing council of the university, Justice Iche Ndu (rtd) recalled how on the 29th of November 2019, representatives of the National University Commission (NUC) were on resource verification at RSU College of Medical Sciences.

During the visit, they insisted, he said, that before the University would be accredited by the Medical And Dental Council of Nigeria to proceed to the clinicals, commitments should be shown in building such faculty building.

He thanked governor Wike for his support that have actualised the requirement needed for full accreditation.

In his speech, Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Nlerum Okogbule said the university is appreciative of the sagacity and commitment shown by governor Wike towards the improvement of medical study and services in the institution.

In his address, Commissioner for Education, Prof Chinedu Mmom said it took the audacity of governor Wike to break the jinx by establishing the College of Medical Sciences at the Rivers State University.

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Exclusive: Buhari To Undergo Complicated Surgery To Remove Cancerous Tumour In UK Hospital

All is now set for President Muhammadu Buhari to undergo surgery for the removal of a mass in his body believed to be cancerous at Royal Brompton Hospital in the United Kingdom, SaharaReporters has gathered.

The hospital is situated at Sydney St, London SW3 6NP.

Meanwhile, sources said even though the procedure will keep President Buhari away for at least two weeks, he refused to hand over to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Mass in medicine is a lump in the body. It may be caused by the abnormal growth of cells, a cyst, hormonal changes, or an immune reaction.

Also known as tumours, they can start in any one of the trillions of cells in our bodies.

They grow and behave differently, depending on whether they are cancerous (malignant), non-cancerous (benign) or precancerous.

When cancer cells form a lump or growth, it is called a cancerous tumour. A tumour is cancerous when it grows into nearby tissues or has cells that can break away and travel through the blood or lymphatic system and spread to lymph nodes and distant parts of the body.

A Presidential source on Monday told SaharaReporters that Buhari is expected to undergo a complicated surgical procedure in the UK hospital to take out the tumour and some of the healthy tissues near it.

Presidency Confirms SaharaReporters' Story As Buhari Departs For UK Monday To See Doctors

“Our principal, President Buhari is to undergo a complicated surgical procedure in the UK. Meanwhile, the procedure is more complicated than being revealed by Femi Adesina and other presidential aides,” the presidential source said.

“It is a procedure to remove a mass inside his body believed to be cancerous, and it will be done at Royal Brompton Hospital.

“He will be gone for two weeks but could stay longer. He had earlier pushed the treatment till further notice but his doctors warned him to do it now or die. Unfortunately, he refused to hand over to Vice President Osinbajo as usual.”

SaharaReporters had exclusively reported that Buhari who recently travelled to Seoul, South Korea on a five-day official visit would also be going to London, where he would be seeing his doctors.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to depart Abuja for Seoul, South Korea on a 5-day official visit to the Asian country,” a source had said.

“The President who wanted to visit Doha, Qatar last month but was snubbed by the Qatari leader is poised to go on a merry-go-round around the world between now and his eagerly awaited exit from power in about 7 months.

“From Seoul, Buhari will proceed to London where he is scheduled to undergo a medical procedure at the Royal Brompton Hospital situated at Sydney St, London SW3 6NP, between November 1 and 2, 2022.”

Confirming the report on Monday, the Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on his Twitter account said the President would be going for a medical checkup in London and would be back in Nigeria in the second week of November.

Adesina said, “President Buhari leaves for London October 31, 2022, for routine medical checkup. He returns to the country 2nd week of November, 2022.”

This is despite the rising tension and apprehension in the country, especially in Abuja over the terror alerts issued by the US, UK and Canadian commissions.

Buhari’s trip comes a few months after Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar declined a request by the Nigerian President to visit the country.

Al Thani holds the most powerful position in the country and has a prominent role in foreign relations.

The Nigerian government had proposed September 11 and 12, 2022 for Buhari to visit the country but the Emir in a note verbale exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters said the dates were not suitable for him and asked for other dates in 2023.

Ondomind

Source: SaharaReporters

Gov Ortom Inspects N7.5bn Ongoing Projects at BSUTH

Governor Samuel Ortom has expressed satisfaction at the rehabilitation work going on at the Wards and Theatre blocks of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH.

The Governor also said he was happy that the construction work at the multi-billion naira Benue Geographic Information Service, BENGIS complex is going according to plan.

He spoke Wednesday, October 26th, 2022 after he took time to inspect ongoing rehabilitation work at the University Teaching Hospital and the construction of the multi-billion naira BENGIS complex.

The Governor explained that the State Government had accessed a 2 billion Naira loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria to upgrade medical facilities in the state.

Giving the breakdown of the disbursement of the loan, the Governor disclosed that the sum of 1.1 billion naira was spent in BSUTH with the rehabilitation of the wards and theater block at the cost of N519 million.

He continued: "We have also procured an MRI machine with the sum of over 400 million. We have also procured 2 dialysis machines and equipped laboratories, while the other 900 million has been allocated to various general hospitals in the state to upgrade medical facilities to enhance health care service delivery for our people.".

He said: "This is a legacy project that will remain here and serve us. Tomorrow as a human being, I can be sick and any of us here can be sick and this a tertiary institution for medical services that will require support.

"I commend the contractor, he did not disappoint me, he has done a quality job and he has met his timelines. He has assured me that in the next two months, once the hospital is able to move the patients to the other two floors that have been completed, they'll be able to complete their work."

The Governor also took time and visited patients at the hospital who were matcheted with various degrees of injuries by suspected Fulani herders.

In an emotion-laden voice, the Governor noted, "outside what I came to see, I had the privilege of seeing some people who survived attacks by the Fulani herdsmen attacks. You can see that a young man had his two eyes plucked by Fulani terrorists while you could see the others had their legs and hands cut off."

Governor Ortom insisted that "There is nothing like herdsmen-farmers crisis. It is just banditry and evil that have come to send our people away. I have over 2 million IDPs and people expect me to be laughing with them and to be dining and wining with them, I will not do that."

While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for directing that those who perpetrated the massacre at Gbeji in Ukum local government be brought to book, he frowned at the recent comments by the PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar for leaning more towards his kinsmen, the Fulani than standing for the entire nation.

According to the Governor, "for someone who is aspiring to be President. It shows clearly that if he becomes President some of us are not safe, Benue State is not safe."

He maintained that "As long as I am Governor, I will continue to speak on behalf of my people and protect lives and property in Benue State and nobody can stop me. So Atiku cannot stop me from speaking for my people. If he wants to stop me, let him stop his kinsmen from killing my people. No other person is committing this evil, it is Fulani terrorists," he said.

The contractor handling the BSUTH project, Engr Steven Akange of Privent Construction Nigeria Limited, explained that the project is 70% completed, stating the remaining 30% will be completed in the next two months for commissioning.

He said all materials for the completion of the project job were on ground, stating that the quality and pace of the work done is a product of total commitment from the State Government.

Engr Akange acknowledged that the State Government has been faithful in the contractual obligations as captured in the contract and thanked Governor Ortom for patronizing some of the local contractors.

On his part, the Chief Medical Director, BSUTH, Professor Terrumun Swende pointed out that the first and second top floors of wards and theatres have been comprehensively renovated, even beyond the original plan, "we have created more spaces, including call rooms at each floor. We have created call rooms for physicians to stay."

He said equipment has been procured and commended Governor Ortom for matching words with action, adding that he has given approval for the installation of a water treatment plant at the hospital.

At BENGIS, Governor Ortom also expressed satisfaction over the execution of the project, noting that it is one of the legacy projects of his administration, which has been executed at the cost of 6.5 billion Naira and one of the first among the projects that qualified for the world bank grant of 2.5 Million dollars.

He said, "We are passionate about this project because we have a growing population with a landmass that needs to be properly captured. I am happy with the quality of work and the speed of the work. I am not disappointed and I am looking forward to the fact that in the next one month, this project should be ready for commissioning so that there will be speedy processes of acquiring land titles in Benue State, not just in Makurdi but all major towns in the state."

Earlier, Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Bernard Unenge stated that the project is at 90% completion, saying the building has been completed and furnishing has commenced with external works ongoing to be concluded in the next one month to make the project ready for commissioning.

The Project Manager, Mario Bajouk also affirmed that the main building is ready with internet connectivity, noting that external works will be completed by the first week of December and thanked Governor Ortom for his sustained support since the commencement of the project.

Ondomind

Everything You Need to Know about Anxiety Disorders

So everyone’s been talking and focusing on “depression” and throwing all their weight into it, making it seems like the only mental health issue. Don’t get me wrong, it is a serious mental problem but we need to be aware of other mental issues around us that are pre-requisites to depression and not just see very other issue apart from depression as “CRAZY”.

Anxiety disorders are very common upsets that affect the mental health. Research shows that it affects 1 in 5 adults and also affects children and teens. It can be deduced that this illness is not a respecter of age or gender, although it is proven to occur more than twice as common in women as men.

WHAT IS ANXIETY?
Anxiety is actually a necessary, normal emotion portrayed by humans. It is that feeling that spurs you on, pushes you to put in more efforts. It’s that inner force that keeps you awake to study for that exam, pushes you to finish that paper and stay focused during a presentation or speech. It is a feeling of worry, nervousness or fear about an event or situation. Generally, it is a normal response to stress and it helps you cope with challenges. Obviously, this natural coping mechanism is very vital and much needed but as they say “Moderation in everything, including moderation”.

WHAT ARE ANXIETY DISORDERS?
Anxiety disorders are extreme cases of surges of anxiety. They happen when excessive anxiety interferes with your day to day activities and programmes. They are episodes and bouts of attacks that occur and hinder progress in your daily schedule. They are really serious mental illnesses that need the very much needed attention and awareness.

MAJOR TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS
Studies have revealed that there are levels and different categories of this illness. The major types are:
*     Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD): People suffering from this disorder worry excessively about trivial and harmless things and situations in their daily activities. They usually jump into conclusions and their minds are programmed to think and imagine the worst case scenarios every time. They generally think and expect the worst of people and situations when there is really little or nothing to worry about. Therefore, the excessive worry stalls them from doing their every day tasks. They may even worry and be tensed about just accomplishing their activities for the day. Women with GAD have a higher risk of having depression and other anxiety disorders than men with GAD.

*     Panic disorders: These are unexpected, sudden bouts of horror when there is no harm or danger whatsoever. Panic attacks may cause a sense of unreality, fear of inexistent impending doom or losing control. People having panic attacks sometimes believe they are having heart attacks, losing their minds or dying.

*     Social phobia: This is also called SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER. The sufferers of this disorder are allergic to “meet”. It is diagnosed when people become very anxious and self-conscious in normal everyday interactions. They usually feel watched, monitored and judged by others every time. They usually feel like the butt of every joke they hear regardless of it being related to them or not. Therefore, they feel embarrassed easily.

*     Specific phobia: This is specific to just a particular thing or subject. It is the intense fear of something of little or no danger most times. Thereby, bringing about a severe panic or anxiety attack when faced the feared object or situation.

Other conditions similar to anxiety disorders include:
*     Obsessive compulsive disorders: People with OCD have obsessions and compulsions with really unnecessary things or actions that range from having to check the stove or gas cooker severally or performing a certain routine over and over again. Consequently, these incessant rituals end up controlling the person and they become obsessed with it.

*     Post-traumatic stress disorder: PTSD starts after the experience of a traumatic event of any sort. Sometimes, the sufferer might only be a witness to a horrible or shocking event and not directly involved.

CAUSES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS
Researchers think anxiety disorders are caused by a mixture of reasons or factors I should say, which include:
*     Hormonal changes: This is more often in women and most common during pre-menstrual syndromes, menstrual cycle and menopausal changes.
*     Genetics: These disorders may run in the family and therefore, can be inherited.
*     Traumatic Events: Experiencing situations ranging from a verbal to sexual abuse can result in anxiety upsets.

GENERAL SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH ANXIETY DISORDERS
Anxiety disorders usually have specific and particular symptoms, each unique to the type of disorder but the general and most commonly similar physical symptoms are:
*     Weakness
*     Shortness of breath
*     Stomach upsets
*     Dry mouth
*     Dehydration
*     Hot flashes
*     Nausea
*     Rapid heart rate
*     Dizziness
The physical symptoms of anxiety disorders usually go hand in hand with other mental illnesses.

Can Anxiety Disorders be Treated?

Yes, anxiety disorders can be treated and cured. This depends on the type of disorder and on the cause of the disorder. Treatments include:
*     Medicine: This includes the use of pills which range from relaxants to anti-depressants.
*     Counselling: Going to talk with trained therapists who use different healing methods and behavioural and relaxation therapies to help reduce and alleviate the fears.
*     The use of both counselling and medicine: this depends on the severity of the illness.

So dears, the next time you find yourself overwhelmed by a certain thing, situation or past event, please do well to talk to someone. It might not be a professional but talk to someone you feel could understand and help you. Most importantly, when life changes the terra firma from a smooth, free one to a bumpy one filled with stumps, get a chilled glass of water and relax first!

The Practical Murder Called Abortion

BY ALUKO DEBORAH J.B (A.K.A Pensword ✍️)

Caroline turns a deaf ear to Henry's plea, begging her to calm down. Do I really want this baby? Can I afford to raise a child now? How will this impact my life? Am I ready to be a mother? She asks herself, hot tears rolling down her cheeks. A teenage girl of nineteen, she has been head over heels in love with Henry and she won't want to break his heart by turning down his incessant requests for sex. For her, a single 'doze' of sex was no big deal and will change nothing.

However, her hopes had been dashed when she received her pregnancy test report and here is Henry suggesting an abortion. 'Listen babe, I'll foot the abortion bills and you can go on with your life like nothing ever happened! You'll become as good as a virgin'

🎤Abortion is the cessation of pregnancy or fetal development. Many teens engage in abortion because of the lingering shame, harsh criticisms and fear of dropping out of school. Also, some married women practice abortion because of the financial incapacity of their family.

However, the many side effects of pregnancy abortion, whether by the use of pills or through surgery makes this practice totally unjustifiable!

🌡️For instance, the DILATION AND EXTRACTION method of abortion is such that the cervix is dilated and the doctor clamps the baby's feet with an instrument, pulling out the child, except the head. Then, scissors is used to make hole at the back of the baby's head, a tube inserted and the contents are sunctioned out. The baby collapses and the baby is born dead. What an act of sheer wickedness and heartlessness!

🌡️An abortion victim stands the high chance of the following:
⚡Damaged uterus, bowel, bladder or cervix.
⚡Heavy bleeding and the need for an additional surgery.
⚡Inability to get pregnant in future
⚡Infections leading to incessant cramp pains, fever, body swellings and vomiting.
⚡Lifetime guilt on having truncated a precious destiny.
⚡Breach of peaceful relationship with God and loss of eternal kingdom.
🛑Ladies should try their hardest to avoid teenage and unwanted pregnancy but if it occurs;
✨Seek for wise counsel and keep your baby, you may later explore other child care options (e.g adoption)
✨Stay physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy.
✨Desist from the belief that babies only become living things when they're born cuz science proves that the foetus at 2-8wks has body organs already.

Thus, you'll receive the grace to pull through.🌷

Apostle Elijah Olopade heals man with COVID 19

Another Popular cleric in Ondo State, Apostle Olopade Elijah Oluwatosin, who is the lead pastor of the House of Encounters International Ministries, has called on the government and the general public to permit him into isolation centers to pray for people with COVID-19 symptoms. Apostle Elijah stated that he already prayed for a case which now tests negative as a testimony. This is coming after Apostle Johnson Suleiman of the Omega Fire Ministries made the same declaration of healing COVID-19 patients in a Sunday service video.

In an official statement released via his social media handle, Apostle Elijah Olopade said:

"In case you have anyone with the Covid-19 symptoms, or you know any isolation center that will permit me to come pray, please send a text or call me directly on +234(0)9069652349."

According to the cleric, he is on the search for such cases to prove the healing power of God at work. In his words, "To God's glory, I've been able to pray for a case. God healed him and the symptoms stopped. So I'm looking for more cases."

Read: How GetProspa is Helping Nigerian Businesses Own Corporate Accounts at Zero Cost

NELOC News had earlier reported that the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic broke out as at December 2019 in Wuhan China and has risen in infections by large numbers according to the World Health Organisation and the Nigerian National Centre for Disease Control.

Coronavirus: Our Health in Nose Masks

As Government partially ease lockdown in various Countries globally, world governments through the United Nations World Health Organisation and several Health Organsations have now advised the use of nose masks in public settings.

Nose and face masks particularly became popular in use since the commencement of the lockdown on movement in various countries across the world in a means to reduce the wide spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Currently there is no clinically proven vaccine for Covid-19 (as at the time of publishing this content), and it appears that several country's economy is crashing down, in order to prevent the crashing of the economy and as well reducing the spread of COVID-19 by the use of nosemasks.

The use of Nose masks as the "New Normal" all across the world and the main question is does the use of a nose mask prevent COVID-19? Although the advise on the use of nosemasks when outside the house in a community setting is way different in various Countries. In Asia Countries, the wearing of nose masks in public has been a new normal since the outbreak of COVID-19.

In some European countries like Austria, Spain and the UK, there are enforcement on the use of nose masks in public gathering,

In some African countries like Nigeria where lockdown has been partially eased the use of Nose masks is enforced in order to prevent the wide spread of respiratory infectious disease such as the COVID-19.

The use of Nose masks is not an alternative to staying at home when you feel sick, the Government advised that when feel sick staying at home (self isolation) is one of the best way to reduce the spread of the virus. And it is not an alternative for hygiene such as washing the hand with soap and alcohol based hand sanitizer.

What experts Say about Nosemasks in prevention of COVID-19.

According to Prof Trish Greenhalgh, the professor of primary Health Care sciences, Niffield department of primary care health sciences, the University of Oxford. He said; 'The science on this is clear: Covid-19 is most commonly transmitted by droplets emitted when we cough, sneeze, shout, sing and even just breathe in close proximity to others. Cloth face coverings are highly effective at blocking droplets coming out of the mouth and nose. They’re not perfect, but if you can stop 90 or 95% of the droplets this will cause a very dramatic reduction in the number of people who catch the virus'.

'Face coverings, which can be made out of a double layer of cloth, are a crucially important measure for bringing the country out of lockdown, since in reality few of us can get properly back to work without getting within 2 metres of other people (either while travelling to work or in offices and factories). We can’t stay behind our front doors forever, and nobody wants a second wave of Covid-19, so covering our faces will become the new normal in public places, workplaces and on public transport.'

However, World Health Organization (WHO) published on April 6,2020 stated that "wearing a nosemask in the public is one of the means and measures to prevent and limit the spread of certain respiratory disease including the COVID-19. Importantly, WHO warns that facemasks and nosemasks are not a replacement for other protective such as Social distancing combined with other measures such as hygiene.

Coronavirus: The Positive Side On Public Health Systems

Coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, broke out in Wuhan City, China late December 2019. At the time, many people did not pay much attention towards the infectious disease until early this year when the spread of the disease became practically uncontrollable, spreading rapidly from its originating country to other countries and territories of the world while claiming lives. The world's attention has now been drawn towards this infectious disease.

The highly contagious disease comes with the possibility of causing severe respiratory infections such as a running nose, high fever, tiredness, dry cough and in some cases sore throat and diarrhea, causing infected patient to have difficulty in breathing. Having achieved a pandemic state, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centres for Disease Control (CDCs) across the world, have issued guidelines for managing the problem from biomedical and psychological points of view, with the provision of funds ,medical supports and encouragement to the workers in the Health sector.

One positive result of the Coronavirus pandemic is in the fact that World government leaders have diverted attention and focus towards the Health sector by providing necessary medical supplies to various Countries and Territories which have been affected by the virus.

Also, world business giants such as Elon Musk (founder SpaceX), Jack Ma (Co-founder Alibaba group) and other notable figures have contributed their part in order to treat and prevent the wide spread of this disease. The notable provision of medical supplies such as Ventilators, personal protective equipment, Rapid test kits among others makes a mark for the health sector here.

Upon the outbreak of novel Corona virus in Nigeria in February, the Nigeria public health sector has been highly recognized. Recently, the World bank released $82 million to support the Nigeria public health sector and the federal government of Nigeria as well gas provided #102 Billion for intervention in the health care sector, the Nigeria Center for Diseases Control (NCDC) through ECOWAS as well, has well provided 120 ventilators, 240,000 diagnostic kits and other member states.

Also, Special Isolation centers and Quick test laboratories have been set up in some states and has been accredited for use prior to the outbreak of the pandemic disease. The European Union (EU) and other world bodies are as well working hand in hand with scientists and Medical professionals to produce vaccines and medications for the Virus (COVID-19).

Coronavirus, popularly known as COVID-19, broke out in Wuhan City, China as at December 2019. It started out as a sore which was ineffecrively curbed and therefore spread through the whole body. At the time, many people did not pay much attention towards the infectious disease until early 2020 when the spread of the disease became practically uncontrollable, spreading rapidly from its originating country to other countries and territories of the world while claiming lives. The world's attention has now been drawn towards this infectious disease.

Halting business, education and the general existing structure of live, many individuals and organisations have had their share of the lot. Until the later part of 2020, individuals and institutions had

Our Health in Nosemasks

The use of Nose masks as the "New Normal" all across the world birthed questions as to whether its use really prevents COVID-19. It turns out to mean that wearing a mask is only significant for protection, saftey and hygiene. The advice on the use of nosemasks in public places is way different in various Countries. In Asian and European Countries, the wearing of nose masks in public has been a new normal since the outbreak of COVID-19.

While in some African countries like Nigeria where lockdown has been partially eased the use of Nose masks is enforced in order to prevent the wide spread of respiratory infectious disease such as the COVID-19.

The use of masks is not an alternative to staying at home when you feel sick (self isolation). At the same time, it is not an alternative for hygiene such as washing the hand with soap and alcohol based hand sanitizers.

COVID -19 Palliatives

In October 2020, the #EndSARs protests erupted across the country where individuals requested better governance and a total reform of the Nigerian Police force. This was as a result of the many deaths ensuing from the extra-judicial activities of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad. Shortly after, there was a discovery of the first palliative warehouse and many others.

While many believe that the discovery of the palliative store houeses was a distraction from the revolution that was coming, it was much more. It exhumed corrupt practices that are inbuilt and woven into the Nigerian system.