Drama in FMC Owo, Ondo State

There was a mild drama at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo local government area of Ondo state this Tuesday, when the Chief Medical Director(CMD) of the institution, Dr Abiodun Olufemi Omotosho went into hiding to escape from being arrested by the officials of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) during their visit to the Centre.

DailyPost has gathered that it was the third time security operatives would have visited the FMC, but failed to arrest Omotosho.

EFCC had been trailing the FMC boss following an alleged mismanagement of funds meant for the purchase of CT scans and other medical equipment worth millions of naira.

It was gathered that, the security officials were acting on a petition written by some Medical Doctors of the hospital against the CMD led management team over alleged diversion of the money meant for the purchasing of the equipment.

NDA President Advices Members on Dental Health

The President of the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), Dr. Akanbi Olojede has charged members of the association in the country to adopt precautionary measures in order to deal effectively with dental and medical emergency conditions by equipping themselves with the necessary training, skills and equipment.

Olojede gave the charge in Lagos during the pre-conference press briefing of the 2nd Ordinary General Meeting and scientific conference with the theme: 'Management of emergencies in dental practice', which will hold in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Olojede noted that studies had shown that medical emergencies do occur in the dental practice; "therefore dentists should be prepared to handle emergency situations wherever it arises with the requisite facilities, because medical emergencies are likely to occur during and after local anesthesia which is primarily during tooth extraction and root fillings."

ANADACH Inaugurates Healthcare Excellence Awards

Determined to provide a virile platform for proper recognition and to celebrate success, innovation, growth and excellence in Nigeria's health sector, the Global Health Project and Resources (GHPR) in colaboration with Anadach Group, USA has instituted the Nigerian Health Care Excellence Awards (NHEA).

Backed by the Federal Ministry of Health and other professional and regulatory health bodies, nominations for the maiden edition of the NHEA is ongoing.

Speaking on the awards at a press briefing in Lagos, Project Coordinator, Dr. Shola Alabi said over 43 individuals and organisations have been nominated for the various corporate and individual categories listed for recognition. "NHEA is aimed at recognising the rapid growth in the health care sector and the capacity of individuals and corporate organisations to influence and set new performance standards in Nigeria and beyond," Alabi said.

National Health Bill has been Passed (Finally) NMA Applauds Senate

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has lauded the Senate over the passage of the National  Health Bill which had been pending in the house for the past seven years.

According to the NMA President, Dr Osahon Enabulele, “we  received with a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment the news of the passage of the National Health Bill by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“NMA applauds the Senate, particularly the leadership of the Senate ably led by Senator David Mark and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa-led Senate Committee on Health, for their dispassionate consideration and passage of the National Health Bill.

A Cry for Help By Nigerians to Nigeria

Repeated Boko Haram attacks targeting Christians in northeastern Nigeria have created a humanitarian aid crisis in neighboring cities where tens of thousands have fled for safety, Nigerian relations expert Adeniyi Ojutiku told Baptist Press.

In the latest violence, Boko Haram gunman are blamed for three separate attacks Wednesday (Feb. 26) that killed at least 37 people in northeast Nigeria, including an attack on a Christian theological college, Nigeria based Vanguard News reported.

The attacks occurred just days after Boko Haram invaded a secondary boarding school in Yobe State, killing 43 students, ages 13 – 17, and staff. Earlier news reports quoted Police Commissioner Sanusi Rufai as saying no female students were harmed at the boarding school. But according to updated Vanguard News reports that Ojutiku confirmed as credible, 16 female students were abducted.

"This thing is happening by the hour. It's no longer weeks apart. It's crazy," Ojutiku said. "The Lord is our help."

Between the PDP, Governor Ameachi and Rivers State Healthcare System.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State has described the state’s free health policy for the elderly and babies as a failure.

The party said it was an eloquent evidence of the total collapse of the State economy against the claims of Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s administration.

The PDP in a statement by Jerry Needam, Special Adviser, Media to the State Chairman, Felix Obuah regreted that virtually all the hospitals and health centres across the 23 Local Government Areas and the BMH, Port Harcourt “are now operating on OS (Out of Stock) and can no longer cope with the situation, prompting the doctors in government owned hospitals to abandon their duty posts for weeks
now”.

The Fake Nigerian Doctor, British Couple and the unknown Baby

A British couple spent 10 years trying to conceive. Then the husband's friend recommended herbal programme and introduced them to Dr Cletus Okolo in Lagos who they paid £4,500 for bags of herbs to help them conceive. The herbs made the woman swell up as if pregnant. Read full story below...

From Daily Mail 

A couple’s desperation for a baby led them into a programme of bogus herbal treatments that convinced them she was pregnant and had given birth - until DNA tests proved it was a lie. The British couple, who have not been named, returned from the specialist hospital in Nigeria to bring up their 'daughter' in Britain when they were arrested, and the little girl seized.

They had gone to a doctor in Lagos, Nigeria, to spend more than £4,500 on 'herbs' in a last ditch attempt to conceive after a decade of trying. Miraculously, the substances they ate seemed to mimic the effects of pregnancy. Even a London GP believed the symptoms, issuing a maternity leave certificate.

Nine months later, Dr Cletus Okolo staged a charade labour, during which the mother was drugged. At the end, she was handed what she believed to be her daughter.

Nigeria Records Breakthrough In Sickle Cell Treatment

Patrick Ochoga

Hope came the way of sickle cell patients weekend when the management of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) completely drained infected red blood cells from a 27-year-old patient and replaced it with un-infected ones.

Announcing the feat to journalists in a press conference, the chief medical director (CMD) of the hospital, Professor Michael Ibadin, said the success was achieved through a collaboration with the University of Basel Switzerland which provided the technical support and the machine identified as cobe spectra which would drain the blood through one arm and replace it through the other arm at the same time.

Prof Ibadin explained:  “The same department that championed the breakthrough in the stem cell transplant some two years ago is again in the news and we need them to share it with the members of the public. As adults, we have about six litres of blood in us, then that blood is divided into two; a part is liquid and the other parts are cells. These cells are of different types, some are red, some are white, while some are in other colours.

PHN to Hold First Ever Healthcare Hackathon

Following the launch of the Nigeria Health Innovation Marketplace (NHIM), the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PHN) is set to convene the first ever healthcare hackathon in four days time.

PHN is partnering with the Ministry of Communication Technology, Open Data Day, the Saving One Million Lives Initiative (SOMLI), NPHCDA, World Bank, Code for Africa, Co-creation Hub, Idea Hub and Cousant Technologies to drive the initiative.

The PHN, the public-private institution led by Aliko Dangote, founding patron; Bill Gates, Jim Ovia, co-chair; Muhammad Ali Pate, co-chair; Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Sola David Borha, Muntaqa Umar-sadiq, managing director/CEO and others is the country’s foremost private sector platform.

Scientists Create First Human Lungs.

Scientists have for the first time in history created human lungs in a lab, an exciting step forward in regenerative medicine, but an advance that likely won't help patients for many years.

If the lungs work, and that's a big if, they could help the more than 1,600 people awaiting a lung transplant. Lungs are one of many body parts being manufactured in the lab, some parts, such as tracheas and livers, are even further along.

The researchers in Galveston, Texas, started with lungs from two children who'd died from trauma, most likely a car accident, Nichols said. Their lungs were too damaged to be used for transplantation, but they did have some healthy tissue.

NMA Urges Nigerian Government to Prohibit Smoking in Public Places

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Wednesday in a statement issued by the NMA President, Dr Osahon Enabulele, called on governments at all levels to implement laws against smoking in public places.

The statement said Enabulele made the call on Monday while commending the Lagos State Government for signing into law a bill prohibiting smoking in public places.

"The association commends this bold effort by the Lagos Sate House of Assembly in striving to protect public health, promoting public decency and safe guarding the health and morality of children in Lagos State.

CPC Reads the Riot Act to Coca-cola on Substandard products

Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited

• Firm: We complied with council’s directive

Steve Omanufeme and     Crusoe Osagie

In its efforts to protect Nigerian consumers from unwholesome practices of manufacturing concerns, both multi-national and local, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has directed Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and its manufacturing unit, the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), to subject their manufacturing processes to the council’s inspection for a period of 12 months to ensure compliance with laid down safety standards and regulations.

The directive is coming on the heels of a recent investigation by the CPC, which revealed that cans of Sprite manufactured by NBC, under the licence of Coca-Coca Nigeria Limited, were unwholesome for human consumption.

VVF Woman Delivers stone: Here's Why....

A 25-year old woman in a remote village of Yolde Pate in Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa on Tuesday delivered a sizable stone.

Madam Amina Bello of Unguwar Jalo village, narrated her story at the opening ceremony of Vesico vaginal fistula (VVF) free medical treatment in Yola Specialists Hospital.

Bello, who was also a VVF patient told the gathering that after four years pregnancy, she finally delivered a sizable stone last year.

“I was holding a pregnancy for the duration of four years, which I bitterly suffered because of the heavy weight of what is contained in the stomach.

State Hospital, Ota, Recorded 150 Unclaimed Corpses In 2013 – CMD

Dr Babatunde Banuso, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), State Hospital, Ota in Ogun State, on Monday, said the hospital recorded 150 unclaimed corpses in 2013.

He chief medical director told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ota that the corpses were given mass burial on March 22 and March 23, 2013.

Banuso said the corpses included armed robbery suspects killed by the police and accident victims, while some were picked on the road.

He said the hospital management first placed an advertisement in newspapers in case anyone may want to claim any of the corpses.

The hospital chief added that after the expiry date as stipulated in the advertisement, the hospital gave the victims a mass burial.

Physician's Note to Pregnant Women

Dr Adeolu Arikawe, a General Physician, on Wednesday, advised pregnant women to avoid the intake of Vitamin A, as it could cause abnormalities in babies..

Arikawe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that it was important to educate pregnant women about the effect of Vitamin A, in order to have healthy babies.

“A pregnant woman should avoid the intake of Vitamin A in pregnancy as much as possible because it has been identified to be one of the causes of abnormalities in some babies,” he said.

Arikawe also explained that an expectant mother should be encouraged to take some multivitamins, to boost appetite and develop immunity.

“Folic acid is necessary for the development of the foetal nervous system, which starts forming very early in pregnancy.

Leprosy And Bribe-for-defection As Serious Matters

Edegbe Odemwingie

Despite a drastic reduction in the number of the world’s leprosy patients, from 5.2 million in 1985 to a mere 189,000 by 2012, Nigeria has been losing the battle to contain the disease. EDEGBE ODEMWINGIE reports on last week’s intervention by federal lawmakers and the bribe-for-defection allegation in the House of Representatives.

The House of Representatives last Tuesday raised the alarm over the outbreak of leprosy in Nigeria which last year recorded 3,805 infections according to the Leprosy Mission in Nigeria.

The new alarm ranks Nigeria among 16 endemic countries in the world recording more than 1,000 new cases annually, a development federal lawmakers blame on Nigeria’s dysfunctional health care delivery system.

To this end, the House called on the country’s health ministry to set up treatment centres across the six geo-political zones to ensure early detection and treatment in a bid to check the resurgence of leprosy infection. The House Committees on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (lead) and Health were detailed to ensure compliance and report to the House in three weeks.

These were fallouts of a motion on urgent national importance moved by Hon. Patrick Ikhariale (PDP/Edo) on the leprosy outbreak in Nigeria.

“Leprosy, a forgotten issue is staging a comeback… a high level of neglect has taken place in the health sector… we must take every step and commit our resources to ensure that the health of Nigerians is not at risk,” Ikhariale said in his lead debate.

3000 Receive Free Medical Treatment in Kano

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo has sponsored free medical treatment for 3, 000 persons in his constituency.

The exercise was carried out by the Kano State Medical Students Association led by Rufa'i Datti Gwarzo.

Senator Gwarzo's free medical exercise took place in three districts of Gwarzo local government areas which covers 10 wards.

During the exercise, drugs and other medicaments were distributed to the beneficiaries free of charge.

Senator Gwarzo has promised to sustain the programme as part of effort to provide quality healthcare service to the people of his constituency.

Nigerians Don't go for Medical Check-up, you need to know why!!

Most Nigerians don't make it a point of duty to know their health status while many practise self-medication even when they are sick. LARA ADEJORO who spoke with some Nigerians and medical experts highlights some of the factors responsible for this unhealthy habits.

Going for medical check-up is definitely not in the habit of most Nigerians and thereby don't place high value on their health as a result it affects productivity and performance.

Snapped?? Why Housewife Killed Doctor!!!!!!

Obiageli Oriuwa

The real motive, a 35-year old woman, Mrs Obiageli Oriuwa, allegedly killed a medical doctor, Ikechukwu Oriuwa, who was her husband’s younger brother, has been revealed by the family of the victim.

Obiageli, who has been arrested and is undergoing interrogation at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, allegedly stabbed the 37-year old medical doctor to death at their family house at 52, Ladega Street, Ajegunle in Apapa, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, during an argument between them on Tuesday.

She was initially detained at Tolu Police Station in Ajegunle before the matter was transferred to Panti.

Doctor in Court !!!!

Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday re-arraigned a 61-year-old medical doctor, Michael Adekunle, over alleged $243,500 (about N36.5 million) fraud.

Adekunle appeared before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of an Ikeja High Court on a six-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences.

The defendant, who lives at 10 Catholic Mission Street, Lagos Island, was previously arraigned on June 19, 2012, before Justice Aishat Opesanwo.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted a N2 million bail.

Bleeding in Early Pregnancy

Bleeding in early pregnancy could be distressing, especially for a first timer or for women who have had such experience in the past with unfavourable outcome. Many factors may be responsible for this. They include: implantation bleeding, infection, impending miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy — that is pregnancy outside of the womb.

Bleeding in early pregnancy may be in form of spotting, moderate flow, or heavy bleeding, even with clots. It could also be associated with or without pain.

MDGs: FG Deploy 1,480 Health workers to 148 Villages

In a bid to fast track the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially in health related goals, the federal government yesterday inaugurated the Village Health Workers Scheme (VHWS).

 

Speaking during the inauguration at the state house in Abuja, the First Lady Patience Jonathan disclosed that the scheme, which has created jobs for young school leavers would see a total of 1480 village workers deployed to communities in about 148 local government areas across the country to support the health officers in the various communities.

She further said the VHW will encourage people living in the rural communities make use of the health facilities provided by the government.

 

The International Community stands ready to support Nigeria ----- UN Envoys on MDGs

With about 694 days to the dateline for Health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the United Nations Special Envoy to Nigeria for Financing Health, MDGs and Malaria, Ray Mr. Chambers, has called for more concerted effort to accelerate the progress of the various programmes under the MDGs.

First Cochlear Implantation done in Nigeria -- LASUTH

Lagos State University Teaching Hospital LASUTH performed first-ever Cochlear implantation in the country.

The medical breakthrough which was performed in collaboration with Cochlear Foundation in Germany is meant to improve hearing in cases of severe deaf people.

At a media briefing on the success of the surgical procedure, which two people benefited, the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Professor Adewale Oke explained that lot of occurrences like generic effects and infections could account for hearing defects and could happen in children and adult.

Ways to Prevent Pile

Adequate water intake and consumption of healthy meals are keys to preventing haemorrhoids or piles, an Abuja-based medical doctor, Dr Kingsley Umeh has said.

Umeh told said  in Abuja on Thursday that most people do not get enough fibre in their diet, because they would not eat enough fresh vegetables and fruits. Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins that have occurred in the rectum due to constant strains during bowel movements.

It can be external and internal in outlook, thereby making the patient very uncomfortable.