Bird Flu In China

The Department of Health, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region notified WHO on 23 January 2015, 1 additional laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.

The patient is a 79-year-old male who developed symptoms on 19 January and on the same day consulted a private doctor. He was admitted at the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of

JOHESU STRIKE: UBTH Calls For Renegotiation

The Chief Medical Director of Benin city Edo state, CMD, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Prof. Michael Ibadin, has appealed to members of the Joint Health Workers Union, JOHESU, in the country, who have been on strike since December 12, 2014 to suspend their strike and return to the negotiation

WOMEN'S CLINIC- The Most Dangerous Day In A Woman's Life

      By Dr. Femi Ogunyemi

Many across Nigeria will be celebrating a baby’s delivery today. Labour has ended with smiles, cheers and thanksgiving.
They say birthdays, funerals, weddings and naming ceremonies are the commonest social pastimes in Nigeria.

Cue music……..
What with the dancing, the food, the drink, the rituals…kolanut, salt, honey, the Pastor, the

Boko Haram Livestock Plot

 Yesterday, the federal Government revealed the purported plans by Boko Haram to use male suicide bombers who would disguise as cobblers (shoe menders) as well as livestock, like goats, cows, donkeys and camels, to carry out their deadly missions.

According to  Mr. Mike Omeri, Coordinator of the National Information Centre, “available

GOOD MORNING NIGERIA!!!

Good morning Nigeria, it's a bright Friday morning. We wish you a great start. Plus at the close of work today, i hope you can really thank God its Friday.

Bird Flu- Four more Nigerian States Affected

The Federal Government announced on Wednesday 28, that the H5N1 influenza virus, also known as bird flu, which was reported to have hit 7 states in the country is now currently in 11 states.

Nigeria to Be Certified Polio Free in January

Dr Halliru Alhassan, The Minister of Health, on Thursday January 2, says Nigeria will be certified polio-free this January.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that Alhassan disclosed this to newsmen in Sokoto while reviewing some of the activities of his ministry in 2014.

According to him, no case of polio has been recorded in the country in the last six months, and this qualifies the country to be declared polio-free in line with global requirements.

“This is because only six cases of the wild polio virus were recorded in the last six months in Kano and Jigawa states.

Expert Attributes Cause of Most Chronic Diseases to Food Intake

An Alternative Medicine expert, Dr Yusuf Issa, has attributed most chronic health problems to food intakes.

Issa, a German-trained expert in complementary and alternative medicine‎, made the disclosure at a lecture he delivered in Ibadan on sunday 4, January 2015.

The lecture which was organised by the Bodija Muslim Community, was entitled “Prevention, Management and Possible Control of Terminal Diseases”.

Bird Flu Now In Seven States- Federal Government

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, on Wednesday 22, disclosed that the Avian Influenza recently reported in Kano and Lagos States, has now spread to five other States.

He listed the states to include Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Rivers, Edo and Plateau, stating that 21 commercial farms, nine Live Bird Markets and one private zoo have been affected in the seven states.

"A total of 140,390 birds have been associated with bird flu exposures, with 22,573 (16%) mortality

Locally Produced Anti-retoviral Drugs Coming Soon- UNAIDS

Dr Bilali Camara, The Country's Director of the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) , said on Thursday, 22 January, that four companies will begin production of drugs in Nigeria.

Camara, who is also the UNAIDS Focal Point for ECOWAS, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said the local production of  drugs would enable people access treatment at a cheaper rate.He added that it will also help those on life treatment,  stressing that people live on treatment for 15 to 30 years.“We

Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) Benin Take To The Streets

The Federal Government's inability to implement a Memorandum of Understanding entered it into with Health Workers in 2013, yesterday led to a protest by the Edo State Chapter of health workers, under the umbrella of Joint Health Sector Union, in Benin City.

The dissatisfied health workers, who were drawn from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Uselu-Benin city, all wore black wrist bands, signifying a reflection of the poor state of the nation’s health sector.

The Edo State Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of University Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions, Mr. Frank Igbinovia, said the Federal Government failed to implement a National Industrial Court verdict in favour of JOHESU.

TURN DOWN FOR WHAT!!!

El' Pear Tours will be stirring the waters of Ibeno beach with its CUBE FEST beach party on the 23rd of December 2014. It's gonna be the largest beach party in Akwa-Ibom state with all it takes to blow your mind. This event will feature games and sports- Beach volley, Basket ball, Tug-of-war, Sack racing, Twerking competition, Concentration, Skipping competition and lots more.
    Santa seemed to have dropped boxes of happiness at Ibeno, you sure wanna grab yours. So if you're thinking Vacation, thinking holiday, thinking Christmas, you probably need to start thinking Ibeno, thinking CUBE FEST, and thinking Akwa-Ibom.
    Tickets for this groove is just a smashing sum of #1000 before the event date and #2000 at the venue. Transportation to and from the Venue is also a #1000. For tickets and participation, please call- 08060167611, 07080227501. Follow on twitter @cube_fest. Let's just say christmas came early in Akwa-ibom state.

Dr Fehintola Omidele Found.

Fehintola Omidele, the medical doctor who went missing in Texas on November 30th has been found well and alive. Her friends made the announcement on Facebook but didn't give much details. Thank God that she's been found.

Nigerian Doctor Residing residing in Houston, Texas USA (Dr Fehintola Omidele) is Missing.

A Nigerian Medical Doctor residing in Texas, USA, named Fehintola Omidele is missing. The 25 year old was last seen on Novenber 30th in Houston. Her car, a gray 2011 Toyota Camry is also missing. Her family and friends are begging for any information that will lead to her being found.

Cheers to my Childhood

Cheers to my childhood when Friday was the best day of the week. When I didn’t have to wake up on Saturdays to any chores, cos all I had to do was read comics and story books.  When it was okay that my only future ambition was to become pink ranger (of the Power rangers comic).  To my childhood when I drank pronto beverage and ate 2minutes noodles, a childhood when I woke up to a pot of freshly cooked beans and plantain on Saturdays.  When I did my homework early to gain permission to watch ‘Sledge Hammer’ and ‘Tales by moonlight’.  When computer socks and basket shoes were in trend. When ‘names of noise makers’ were written with cube and square roots.

Lagos Doctors Protest Non-payment of Salary Since July

DOMESTIC STAFF TALK

"...she provides food for her household and a portion for her maidservant". To be like The proverbs 31 woman is ever woman's dream. Note, she had help. The need to protect our family influences our gender choices for domestic staff. Most women prefer male domestic staff to protect their partners, and others prefer females to protect their daughters from molestation. What's your gender choice on Domestic staff. Let's talk people. 

The Story of Omotola (A mentally challenged woman), Updates and Relative Tracing. We need you to read this!!!

Omotola like all other teenage girls said she always planned to raise a daughter, but she never planned to do this by roaming the streets of Abaji as a mentally deranged woman for over 6 years. Strapped behind her back or hanging loosely around her arm, her baby always remained with her, even residents of Abaji Local government, a community well over 100km from the heart of the FCT had become accustomed to seeing the duo regularly.

Sometimes they were seen sitting together outside during heavy rainfall, other times simply walking around hand in hand, but most of the time both of them sit in front of the Abaji General Hospital where residents passing by occasionally hand them food or money.

Early Detection of Cancer and Screening

Early detection of cancer 

Early detection of cancer greatly increases the chances for successful treatment. There are two major components of early detection of cancer: education to promote early diagnosis and screening.

Recognizing possible warning signs of cancer and taking prompt action leads to early diagnosis. Increased awareness of possible warning signs of cancer, among physicians, nurses and other health care providers as well as among the general public, can have a great impact on the disease. Some early signs of cancer include lumps, sores that fail to heal, abnormal bleeding, persistent indigestion, and chronic hoarseness. Early diagnosis is particularly relevant for cancers of the breast, cervix, mouth, larynx, colon and rectum, and skin.

Screening

Screening refers to the use of simple tests across a healthy population in order to identify individuals who have disease, but do not yet have symptoms. Examples include breast cancer screening using mammography and cervical cancer screening using cytology screening methods, including Pap smears. 

FG to Provide Anti-Retroviral(ARVs) drugs to Private Hospitals (PMTCT)

The FCT Agency for the Control of AIDS (FACA)  has said that  the Federal Government will provide private hospitals with HIV drugs under the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme.

The Programme Manager, Uche Okoro, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday that the hospital staff would also be trained on how to capture the data for comprehensive HIV and AIDS services.

“This year, we are looking at 25 percent HIV scale up in private centres; the government will provide  HIV testing kits, drugs, registers and then train their staff on how to capture the data.’’

Okoro said such measure would enhance the PMTCT (Preventing Mother to child transmission) services in the FCT as most pregnant women preferred to access the services offered by private hospitals.

Cancer Prevention... A Must Read

Cancer prevention

At least one-third of all cancer cases are preventable. Prevention offers the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer.

Tobacco

Tobacco use is the single greatest avoidable risk factor for cancer mortality worldwide, causing an estimated 22% of cancer deaths per year. In 2004, 1.6 million of the 7.4 million cancer deaths were due to tobacco use.

Tobacco smoking causes many types of cancer, including cancers of the lung, oesophagus, larynx (voice box), mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, pancreas, stomach and cervix. About 70% of the lung cancer burden can be attributed to smoking alone. Second-hand smoke (SHS), also known as environmental tobacco smoke, has been proven to cause lung cancer in nonsmoking adults. Smokeless tobacco (also called oral tobacco, chewing tobacco or snuff) causes oral, oesophageal and pancreatic cancer.

Dear World..... A Story of Liberia

A Letter written from the Liberian President to the world.......

Dear World

In just over six months, Ebola has managed to bring my country to a standstill. We have lost over 2,000 Liberians. Some are children struck down in the prime of their youth. Some were fathers, mothers, brothers or best friends. Many were brave health workers that risked their lives to save others, or simply offer victims comfort in their final moments.

There is no coincidence Ebola has taken hold in three fragile states – Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea - all battling to overcome the effects of interconnected wars. In Liberia, our civil war ended only eleven years ago. It destroyed our public infrastructure, crushed our economy and led to an exodus of educated professionals. A country that had some 3,000 qualified doctors at the start of the war was dependent by its end on barely three dozen. In the last few years, Liberia was bouncing back. We realized there was a long way to go, but the future was looking bright.

Now Ebola threatens to erase that hard work. Our economy was set to be larger and stronger this year, offering more jobs to Liberians and raising living standards. Ebola is not just a health crisis – across West Africa, a generation of young people risk being lost to an economic catastrophe as harvests are missed, markets are shut and borders are closed.

Cancer; What You Need To Know

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth and spread of cells. It can affect almost any part of the body. The growths often invade surrounding tissue and can metastasize to distant sites. Many cancers can be prevented by avoiding exposure to common risk factors, such as tobacco smoke. In addition, a significant proportion of cancers can be cured, by surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, especially if they are detected early.

Key facts

• Cancers figure among the leading causes of death worldwide, accounting for 8.2 million deaths in 2012 (1).
• Lung, liver, stomach, colorectal and breast cancers cause the most cancer deaths each year.
• The most frequent types of cancer differ between men and women. 
• About 30% of cancer deaths are due to the five leading behavioral and dietary risks: high body mass index, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, alcohol use.
• Tobacco use is the most important risk factor for cancer causing over 20% of global cancer deaths and about 70% of global lung cancer deaths. 
• Cancer causing viral infections such as HBV/HCV and HPV are responsible for up to 20% of cancer deaths in low- and middle-income countries (2). 
• More than 60% of world’s total new annual cases occur in Africa, Asia and Central and South America. These regions account for 70% of the world’s cancer deaths (1).
• It is expected that annual cancer cases will rise from 14 million in 2012 to 22 within the next two decades (1). 

Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body. Other terms used are malignant tumours and neoplasms. One defining feature of cancer is the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs. This process is referred to as metastasis. Metastases are the major cause of death from cancer.

IN THE SPIRIT OF AUGUST BREAK

                   

                    

I was so sure it didn’t come from the tree I had just passed cos it’s been as dry as harmattan lately. Then the clouds began to hum a familiar tune, that’s when it dawned on me that the droplet on my nose did fall from the sky. Another. And another. And yet another. Then the wind started to smell dusty, so it clicked. Rain. The rains are here again, I couldn’t have seen that coming, I thought it was supposed to be the august break, but the rains are obviously back. I reached for the umbrella pocket of my bag and found just a shower cap, and I was stuck in a no-shade part of the road. Already wet, I might as well just carry on, and then a new thought opened up just as the sweet-smelling, lightly-pouring , virtually-unserious rain continued; because it was august break, I had totally forgotten about the rains.

Health Workers Commence Indefinite Nationwide Strike Today

                                National President of Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals.

*What is going on in this country, God have mercy!!!*

Health workers in the country will begin an indefinite strike today, Thursday, 16^th of October, over sundry issues, including the unresolved leadership crisis in the health sector, non-commencement of residency training programme for health professionals, non-implementation of new call duty allowance and non-payment of arrears.

The National President of Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, Felix Faniran, who announced the commencement of the strike yesterday in Ibadan accused the presidency and Minister of Health as being behind the crisis in the health sector, saying the effect of the strike should be blamed on government that ignored all avenues to avert it.

Passengers on Flight 1143 (Frontier Airlines on 10/13) Asked To Check In With The CDC

How has your day been dear readers?
This is worry-some, dont Panic dear readers from Texas, please wash your hands as many times as actively possible. Simple hygiene  and yes with a lot of soap.

God protect us all....

Beautiful OCPD (Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder)

She took a few steps back, examined her work and a smile played at the corners of her mouth. She ran to her notepad stuck to the wall at the left hand corner of the bedroom entrance, and with eyes wide shut, she recited her list of chores to herself. She opened her eyes, read through the list and ticked the fourth item- “lay bed”. She peeped at the bed again to make sure the edges were hospital corners. With that done, she proceeded to the next item on her list which was –“fix cereal”, she tore out a sheet and started to write-

 -warm milk

 - pour cereal into bowl

 -add warm milk

 - add desired quantity of honey

WHO to Officially Certify Nigeria Ebola Free, Advice Survivors to avoid unprotected sex for 90days

World Health Organization (WHO) will soon declare the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease over in Nigeria and Senegal after 42 days with no infections.

The 42 days is the standard period for declaring an outbreak over, twice the maximum 21-day incubation period of the virus.

However, one of the discoverers of the deadly virus said on tuesday that sex could keep the Ebola epidermic alive even after the WHO declares an area free of the disease.

" In a covalescent male, the virus can persist in semen for at least 70 days; one study suggests persistence for more than 90days, the WHO said in an information note on Monday.

Mumps (Have You Had Mumps)

Mumps is a viral infection, primarily affecting the salivary glands. The virus is transmitted by direct contact, or via airborne droplets from the upper respiratory tract of infected people. Initial symptoms usually appear 2–3 weeks after infection, and include headache, muscle pain, low-grade fever and malaise. Soon after, swelling of one or both parotid glands appears.

There is no specific treatment for mumps. The virus usually causes mild disease in children, but in adults can lead to complications, such as meningitis and orchitis. Mumps can be prevented by immunization.

Nigeria will Offer Specialized Training To Guinea, Seirra Leone and Liberia Health Personnel.

Nigeria will train 15 health workers from three West African countries worst-hit by the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), health minister,  , said Thursday.

Nigeria appears to have successfully contained its Ebola outbreak and the response model has become a reference point to other affected countries.

Mr. Chukwu spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, about the new plan while reacting to a recent request by the United Nations and the World Health Organization, WHO, to offer the training as part of efforts to combat the disease.

“Nigeria will offer specialised training to the health personnel from the three severely affected West African nations of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia,’’ he said.

Influenza aka Flu

Influenza is a viral infection that affects mainly the nose, throat, bronchi and, occasionally, lungs. Infection usually lasts for about a week, and is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, aching muscles, headache and severe malaise, non-productive cough, sore throat and rhinitis.

The virus is transmitted easily from person to person via droplets and small particles produced when infected people cough or sneeze. Influenza tends to spread rapidly in seasonal epidemics.

Most infected people recover within one to two weeks without requiring medical treatment. However, in the very young, the elderly, and those with other serious medical conditions, infection can lead to severe complications of the underlying condition, pneumonia and death.

Nigeria at 54 (Healthcare and How it Should Be)

ANALYSIS

By Osahon Enabulele

WHILE one appreciates the fact that since Nigeria got independence in 1960 from her colonial Godfathers there have been noticeable improvements in some pre-independence health indices (particularly with respect to health infrastructure, availability of Health Human Resource and training institutions for medical doctors/dentists and Allied Health Professionals), one is constrained to state that these developments notwithstanding, Nigeria is still sadly contending with most of the basic problems identified during the pre-colonial and immediate post-colonial periods.

Truly, aside from recent successes in the containment of the Ebola Virus Disease as well as publicized improvements in some health indices like Infant and Maternal Mortality Rates, Nigeria's health care system is still largely deficient with Government at all levels yet to decisively address most of the basic challenges confronting the health sector, such as:

Poor and decadent state of health infrastructure, and equipment; The Federal Government's promise in 2013 to institute a Health and Hospital Development Intervention Fund (HHDIF) as well as establish six regional world class hospitals have remained mere rhetorics.

Mortein Anti- Malaria Campaign Reaches 50,000 Pregnant Women.

Leading insecticide brand from the stables of Reckitt Benckiser, Mortein has successfully concluded its post-2014 World Malaria Day Anti Malaria Campaign in Nigeria during which over 250 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and 100 communities were visited while around 50,000 pregnant mothers were reached in the course of the month-long campaign.

The interactive and highly educative campaign targeted at pregnant mothers and children below the age of five, was activated in PHCs in Lagos, Abuja (Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory) and Abia State in the south – eastern part of Nigeria.

US Working on New Ways To Screen For Ebola (You should Read This)

By Roberta Rampton and Richard Valdmanis

WASHINGTON/DALLAS (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Monday that the government would develop expanded screening of airline passengers for Ebola, both in the West African countries hit by the disease and the United States.

The first patient diagnosed with the disease on U.S. soil, Thomas Eric Duncan, remained in critical condition in a Dallas hospital, as Obama was briefed by agencies involved in fighting the spread of the deadly virus.

The president said it was important to follow existing protocols strictly.

"But we're also going to be working on protocols to do additional passenger screening, both at the source and here in the United States," Obama said.

US Sends Experts To Nigeria to Study Her Containment Model on Ebola

The United States’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention has sent medical experts to Nigeria to study her containment model on the Ebola outbreak. 

This decision was necessary after a Liberian man, got to the US few days ago with the deadly disease. Aside visiting Nigeria, the officials will also visit Senegal to study theirs.

keep calm, keep Ebola out of Nigeria for good. Wash your hands every chance you get.

Why We Need The National Health Bill Signed Into Law!!!!! Dr Olusegun Akinwotu

A mental health physician, Dr Olusegun Akinwotu, on Tuesday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to sign the National Health Bill into law to address numerous challenges facing the nation’s  health sector.

Akinwotu, who is the president, Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba chapter, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to him, signing the bill into law should be a top government priority as the country celebrates its 54 years of independence.

Happy 54th Independence

Happy 54th Independence dear Nigerians in Nigeria and Diaspora.
It has been a series of events through the year but the idea is to keep hope alive.

The idea is to love your neighbor as you love yourself, be vigilant, most of all be kind to everyone you meet for we are all in the race together.

Have faith that things will get better and only radiate happiness and positive thoughts towards one another because that way we are covered and our families both far and near can feel the ripple effects of our kindness.

Lagos State Please Pay Our Doctors We Love Them !!!!!

By Chioma Obinna

Members of the Lagos state Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, yesterday appealed to the Lagos State Government to pay up withheld emolument of doctors under the state's employment.

Making the appeal at a press briefing in Lagos, Chairman of the Association, Dr. Tope Ojo expressed worry that the State Government withheld the emoluments of its doctors for the month of August and September 2014 as a result of the July 1 NMA nationwide strike.

"My HIV child is playing with your child" A MUST READ....

A mother's account of living with two HIV positive children has gone viral .While many would go for healthy children,the photojournalist Jen Mosher adopted HIV positive children .She got tired of the stigma associated with it and decided to pen down her feelings in an write up shared over 37,000 times..She told Buzzfeed

After doing some research and talking with other families, we absolutely knew that we could do it and that HIV was a manageable chronic disease. We took a leap of faith and asked our adoption agency if there were HIV children available for adoption in China, and were told, ‘Probably not. China has lots of HIV-positive children in orphanages but they are believed to be unadoptable so they do not make them available for adoption.’
In spite of this, the very next day, we got matched with our HIV-positive daughter, and then later, we also got matched with and adopted another amazing HIV-positive child.

Nyanya Blast Survivor Says FG Has Abandoned Her To Die

''On May 1, I  was going to work. I alighted  from commercial motorcycle and decided to buy mango at Nyanya bus stop,after which I was waiting to catch a 
bus to town.Not quite 10 minutes after, I turned and saw a man standing behind me while I was on  queue.

New Ebola ward!! Where exactly is this new ward????????

This is good news....

Interesting Breaking news!!!!! First Nigerian to survive the deadly Virus......

Ebola Alert From US State Department.

In order to help our Embassy Community better understand some of the key points about the Ebola virus we have consulted with our medical specialists at the U S State Department and assembled this list of bullet points worded in plain language for easy comprehension. Our medical specialists remind everyone that they should be following the guideline from the center for Disease Control and the World Health Organisation.

Pre-Eclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system.

Our Mission is to raise awareness to the general public irrespective of class, provide patient support, reduce maternal & infant illness and death due to Preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy .

Our vision is to sensitize the entire population of women of child bearing age whether literate or illiterate on the severity of Preeclampsia and the signs & symptoms to look out for. 

We want to make our voices loud enough so we don't have to record as many unnecessary infant and maternal illnesses and deaths.