Benue gov orders free delivery for pregnant women in PHCs – Newstrends
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Benue gov orders free delivery for pregnant women in PHCs

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Pregnant Women

Benue gov orders free delivery for pregnant women in PHCs

Benue state government has ordered that the delivery of new born babies in Primary Healthcare Centre, PHCs, in the state be free of charge even as it commenced the distribution of free delivery kits called Mama Kits to expectant mothers.

The Executive Secretary of the Benue State Primary Health Care Board, BSPHCB, Mrs. Grace Wende made this known in Makurdi at a one day review meeting of health stakeholders and development partners at the Local Government level.

She said the meeting was aimed at reviewing and restrategizing on programmes and interventions in order to improve Maternal and Child Health Services and all the Health Care services in the various Local Government Areas, LGAs.

According to her, “the meeting is an intensive and integrated review meeting. Integrated in the sense that we are talking about all the activities being handled at the Local Government Health Authority. We want to know what we are doing well and what we are not doing well in order to correct all the errors.

“After this meeting so much will come forth because so much investment is going on to the various LGAs. We have the Investment Fund by the Impact Project supporting the Primary Health Care Board, by the World Bank.

“This investment Fund was given to us last year and we started last year. We are going to provide this to all the PHC per Council Ward. That is the Basic Healthcare Provision Facilities that are being supported by the Federal Government. The Federal Government has the Renewed Hope to ensure that all Primary Health Care, PHC, facilities are viable.

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“We are on the verge of revitalising all the PHC in the 276 Wards in Benue State. Everything is set, we are improving on the buildings and provide accommodation for the officers in charge so that they can provide 24 hours service to the people of Benue State across the 276 Council Wards of the state.

“We are supporting the PHCs. They are simultaneously receiving basic equipment. They are receiving delivery beds and equipment and the focus is on reducing Maternal and Child mortality in Benue.

“In fact it is not only in Benue because the Federal Government is insisting that we improve all the indices across the country and here in Benue we are doing just that.

“That was why I was completely shocked when I read somewhere that PHCs in Benue are not working. Those behind that fake news were obviously out to do mischief to tarnish the image of a government that has been doing so much in the health sector.

“In Benue today we have insisted that delivery is free of charge in all PHC. We are also giving out free Mama kits. We are providing it at all PHCs to be given free to every pregnant woman who comes to deliver. These are things they collect money for, but the Benue state Government is giving it free of charge to all PHCs for distribution to expectant mothers.

“We are doing so much through Governor Hyacinth Alia who has not relented in his support to ensure that our people enjoy quality Healthcare services.”

The Project Manager Impact Project,
Dr. Energy Ochai, explained that “the review meeting is geared towards analysing basically the activities that take place at the LGAs and the PHC facilities.

“This is with regards to their Immunisation activities, the services they render at the PHCs also in regards to deliveries that are ongoing at the PHCs and other technical and administrative issues.

“Generally we are taking a look at the investments that have gone into improving the structures of the PHCs in Benue state. We are taking a look at the result that we have gotten from the investment that have gone in there. Some of the results are encouraging while some of them show that we need to do a lot better.”

Declaring the meeting open earlier, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Yanmar Ortese who noted the importance of the meeting pointed out that though the first quarter statistics showed a decline in health outcomes in the state “there is great improvement in quarter two data.”

Benue gov orders free delivery for pregnant women in PHCs

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NAFDAC destroys N5bn fake, expired products in Aba

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NAFDAC destroys N5bn fake, expired products in Aba

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down 150 shops at Eziukwu Market in Abia over fake and expired products Worth N5 billion.

The agency disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday on X.

NAFDAC said the shops were shut during a two-day operation on December 16 and 17, while products valued at N5billion were destroyed at the market.

The director of the South-East zone, Martins Iluyomade, expressed dismay at the continued illegal activities despite a previous undertaking signed by market leaders in December 2023 to expose counterfeiters.

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According to the statement, Mr Iluyomade described the market as a hub for counterfeit and substandard products.

“Our team uncovered a large-scale production and distribution of fake and expired goods, including beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, and vegetable oils.

“Revalidated food items such as milk, yoghurt, noodles among others were also destroyed,” the statement said.

It reaffirmed NAFDAC zero tolerance for such practices and emphasised its unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health while working toward a permanent solution to the problem of counterfeiting in the market

 

NAFDAC destroys N5bn fake, expired products in Aba

(NAN)

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Eating fish regularly minimises risk of incurable hearing condition – Study

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Eating fish regularly minimises risk of incurable hearing condition – Study

Tinnitus is the sound of ringing in the ears. It may also be described as roaring, buzzing, hissing, or clicking inside the head. The sounds may come and go. Or they may be ongoing. The sounds range in severity from a mild distraction to a disabling condition and may manifest with buzzing, hissing, or clicking inside the head.

The sound may happen in one or both ears and may have different tones. A team from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston studied 73,000 individuals to understand how common this disorder is, which affects millions  with a constant ringing in their ears.

Over a span of 30 years, those who consumed more than two servings of fish weekly had nearly 25 percent lower odds of getting tinnitus compared to those who seldom or never ate fish. Even eating just one serving a week resulted in a 13 percent reduced risk.

Certain types of fish, like tuna, light-fleshed varieties such as cod or halibut, and shellfish, were linked to a reduced risk, while darker fish like salmon and swordfish seemed to increase the risk.

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Interestingly, fish oil supplements, known for their benefits to heart, brain, and joint health, were also connected to a higher risk of tinnitus. It’s estimated that tinnitus is diagnosed in almost 1 in 6 persons.

While age-related hearing loss, ear injuries, and circulation issues are known to contribute to tinnitus, the exact cause remains unclear. Previous studies have suggested that dietary factors, such as high levels of calcium, iron, and fat, might heighten the risk. However, this new research is the first to analyse data over such a lengthy period.

Past findings have also shown that seafood can lower the risk of hearing loss, with one study suggesting that increased fish consumption might reduce hearing issues by up to 20 percent. Scientists believe that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish could protect inner ear cells or reduce inflammation caused by loud sounds, chemicals, or infections.

The Boston team’s investigation, based on a database of US nurses, aims to shed light on the connection between fish consumption and tinnitus, potentially aiding future patients. The authors of the study expressed hope that identifying factors that can be changed might help in preventing tinnitus and guiding targeted treatments.

Eating fish regularly minimises risk of incurable hearing condition – Study

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Nigerian doctor claims increased s3xual activity lowers cancer risk for women

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Dr. Rasheed Abassi

Nigerian doctor claims increased s3xual activity lowers cancer risk for women

Dr. Rasheed Abassi, a Nigerian medical practitioner, has sparked widespread debate following comments on TVC’s programme Your View, where he recommended increased sexual activity for women as a way to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

The doctor also advised men to consider polygamy, citing its potential health benefits, including a lower risk of prostate cancer.

“Women need to have more sex to reduce breast cancer risk. When a woman reaches orgasm, she releases oxytocin, which lowers her chances of developing cancer,” Dr. Abassi stated during the interview.

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Addressing men’s health, Dr. Abassi claimed that polygamy could improve longevity and reduce prostate issues. “Men with two to three wives live longer than men with one wife. If your son is not getting rid of his DHT (dihydrotestosterone), he is likely to develop an enlarged prostate,” he said.

He also linked the absence of regular erections to potential cardiac problems. “Any man not waking with a full erection already has cardiac issues. My oldest patient is 92 years old and has a four-year-old daughter — and that’s DNA-proven,” he revealed.

When asked about the risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) associated with increased sexual activity, Dr. Abassi emphasised the importance of safe practices. “The condom is not 100% protective, but we still advise it. Awareness is key,” he said.

He also noted that some men cite the cost of contraceptives as a challenge, comparing it to the financial costs of engaging in sexual activities.

 

Nigerian doctor claims increased s3xual activity lowers cancer risk for women

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