Contrary to a statement credited by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire that there are enough medical doctors in the country, the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, on Thursday disagreed with the statement, saying, “based on the facts available to them, the country does not have enough medical doctors.
In an interview with Vanguard, the President of NMA, Dr Uche Ojinmah, who believed that the minister may have been misquoted said a country that parades a ratio of 1 doctor to 450,000/5000 patients contrary to the World Health Organization’s ratio of 1 doctor to 600 patients have no enough doctors to attend to a population of over 200 million people.
“I don’t think he (minister) is serious about that but the fundamental thing here is that don’t want enough doctors. He must have been misquoted because from 1960 to 2020, we have produced recorded over 80,000 doctors and 5,000 dentists registered with the Medical and Dental Council.
When you remove those that have died, those that have left the profession and those that have joined politics as well as those that have stopped practising, it will come down to about
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40 or 50,000 doctors. Today, out of this number left, almost 20,000 have left the country, leaving us with about 20,000 to 25,000 doctors to cater for over 200 million Nigerians. This will give us a ratio of about 1 doctor to 450,000 or 5000 patients. The WHO ratio is 1 to 600 and this is the yawning gap and the Minister feels that 2000 to 3000 doctors produced in a year can cover the gap. “
He said even if Nigeria produces 2,000 to 3,000 medical doctors annually, they cannot replace consultants that have up to 15 to 20 years of experience the country loses to other countries due to poor remuneration, environment and insecurity.
He said: “The minister is also looking at it from the perspective of numbers. He is not looking at the level of experience of those that are leaving the country. Even if we agreed that the 2,000 to 3,000 doctors are enough, these are doctors that will go for house jobs, and then go for youth service and you are using it to equate consultants, medical officers long time medical officers, paediatricians etc that are leaving the country.”
Alleging that the government does not want to acknowledge there is a problem, Ojinmah accused the government of running away from the solution to the problem which is the increase in wages, provision of appropriate equipment, and making the hospital environment conducive to fighting insecurity nationwide.
“We do not agree with the Minister based on the facts available to us, go and check the number of doctors who have registered with the UK Medical Council in the past two weeks. They are over 260 doctors and that is just the only UK. I am not talking about America and Canada. Canada is coming down and taking them and running away. I want to believe that the Minister of health was misquoted.”
He called on the Federal government to tackle the brain drain problem in the health sector by addressing factors pushing doctors out of the country.
Vanguard
Measles outbreak kills 42 in northern Nigerian state
The Adamawa State Government confirmed on Friday evening that 42 individuals have tragically succumbed to a measles outbreak.
Felix Tangwame, the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, disclosed this somber update, specifying that the fatalities occurred in Mubi and Gombi local government areas.
Addressing reporters following a state executive council meeting at the Government House, Yola, Tangwame detailed the extent of the outbreak. He revealed that eight wards in Mubi and seven wards in Gombi were affected by the measles outbreak, resulting in the loss of 42 lives out of 131 and 177 affected individuals, respectively, in the mentioned LGAs.
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In response to the crisis, all local government areas in the state have been placed on red alert as a precautionary measure to prevent further spread.
Tangwame emphasized the promptness of his ministry’s response upon receiving reports of the outbreak, attributing their ability to manage the situation effectively to swift action. He assured that both the government and development partners are actively engaged in addressing the situation.
Nido infant milk neither registered nor sold in Nigeria – NAFDAC
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, on Sunday declared that the Nido infant milk formula, alleged to contain sugar or honey, was not registered and sold in Nigeria.
The director-general of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, made this known in a statement obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
Mr Adeyeye said the attention of NAFDAC’s Management was drawn to an online publication alleging that one of the worlds largest consumer goods company added sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products sold in many poorer countries, contrary to international guidelines aimed at preventing obesity and chronic diseases.
It stated that the online publication of April 17, 2024 was being circulated widely to the general public.
Mr Adeyeye said the report further stated that samples of baby food products sold in Asia, Africa and Latin America were tested and results revealed that sugar and honey were added in form of sucrose in samples of Nido and Cerelac.
“The Management of NAFDAC wishes to use this medium to reassure the public that the Agency exercises due regulatory diligence in the registration of infant and young children foods distributed and used in Nigeria.
“This is in line with relevant Codex Alimentarius international food standards (Codex) and more specifically, Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).
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“This is applicable to all categories of infant and young children foods distributed by manufacturers, importers, and marketers of infant and young children foods operating within Nigeria.
“Regarding the mention of Nido follow-up milk formula in the publication, NAFDAC wishes to state that the product is not registered in Nigeria, is not known to the Agency and is not in circulation in Nigeria,” she stated.
According to Ms Adeyeye, the range of Nestle Cerelac infant cereals distributed in Nigeria are duly registered with NAFDAC in line with the Nigerian Industrial Standard for Foods for Infants and Young Children.
“Processed Cereal Based foods (NIS 256:2010) and the Codex Standard for Processed Cereal-based Foods for Infants and Young Children (CXS 74-1981 was adopted in 1981, revised in 2006, amended in 2017, 2019, and 2023), as well as the applicable NAFDAC regulations for compliance with safety, quality, and labelling requirements.
“Adequate, optimal nutrition during infancy and early childhood is essential to ensure the growth, health, and development of children to their full potential.
“The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) implements the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, developing international food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice with the mandate to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair international food trade.
“Nigeria (NAFDAC) is an active participant at these international food standards setting arena to contribute Nigerians positions during food standards development,” it said.
According to the statement, the Agency, on March 22 held a stakeholders engagement with members of the Association of Infant Food Manufacturers and Marketers in Nigeria, AIFMN, anchored by the Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FSAN, Directorate, to further drive home the importance and special place of infant and young child nutrition.
Adeyeye reassured the public that the Agency was fully alive to her responsibilities of assuring the safety, wholesomeness and quality of infant and young children foods offered for sale in Nigeria in compliance with the relevant standards and regulations.
NAN
5 reasons men need to eat pineapple before sexual intercourse
Sex ought to be an enjoyable activity, but many factors can get in the way of such enjoyment. Factors like low libido, lack of stamina, and erections can prevent such enjoyment. That’s why pineapples are so important. Many people believe it only benefits women, but it has many sexual benefits for men.
Pineapples are rich in manganese, an antioxidant that fights free radicals and prevents cellular damage. A manganese deficiency can lead to diseases like heart disease and diabetes, which are linked to erectile dysfunction. However, adequate manganese intake can increase blood flow and prevent infertility.
Pineapples are rich in bromelain, which increases testosterone production and provides many sexual benefits in bed. This hormone regulates libido and encourages nitric oxide oxidation which makes men more sexually active.
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Pineapples are also rich in vitamin C and thiamine which can increase low libido in men. Thiamine stimulates the development of sex hormones, and this is especially important when men can’t have an erection during sex.
Pineapple can help increase sexual stamina, especially for those who find themselves exhausted from sex. Sex requires endurance and stamina, with studies showing men can burn up to 101 calories in 30 minutes of sex. To enjoy bedroom fun without exercising, consider indulging in pineapples, which are rich in vitamins B1 and C, which can help increase sexual stamina.
Pineapple consumption before sex can enhance the taste of ejaculate by making it sweeter. This is due to the high levels of acid and sugar in pineapple, which make semen less bitter and more sweet. The primary benefit for partners is the added sweetness, in case they want to taste it.
Raw pineapple, rich in vitamin C, is an antioxidant that strengthens the immune system and prevents inflammation. Studies on rats have linked reduced inflammation to improved blood flow, which is important for sexual health.
This is because healthy blood flow is essential for achieving sexual arousal and erectile function for penetrative sex. This increased blood flow and higher blood pressure within the penis make the penis firm and erect.
Finally, a cup of pineapple or one pineapple finely chopped is enough; do not eat more than that, as it will have the opposite effect.
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