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Don’t leave Nigeria, health minister begs medical practitioners

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Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammad Pate

Don’t leave Nigeria, health minister begs medical practitioners

Abuja—The Federal Government, yesterday, begged medical practitioners in the country against relocating to foreign countries, urging them to remain not only committed but also patriotic to the service of their fatherland.

The plea came as the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, inducted over 600 foreign trained medical and dental graduates, thereby increasing the workforce in the gnation’s health sector and adding to the capacity for human resources for health.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammad Pate, who stated this at the event, insisted that medical practitioners must remain in the country to “build a better image for the health sector and build our nation.

“I must say this, please don’t japa, let’s do this together and build a better image for the health sector and build our nation,” Prof. Pate,who was represented at the event by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms. Kachollom Daju, said.

The minister added: “You have all journeyed from your various homes to pursue education abroad, overcoming not only academic challenges, but also cultural, emotional and logistical hurdles. Your experience both in the classroom and in the field have equipped you with unique skills and characteristics that will enhance your practice of medicine or dentistry.

“It is obvious that this is a special moment for you and your family, friends, mentors and those who have supported you along the way.

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“Your achievements reflect their support, sacrifices and faith in your potential. I will also like to extend my appreciation to the universities, institutions and most especially the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria that provided the educational foundation for your growth and ensuring compliance to the prescribed guidelines.

“Today, dear doctors, as we take the Hippocratic oath, you are making a solemn commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards in your practice.

“The chairman has already ruled out some of the points for you that you need to work on as doctors. Commitment, humility, service to patients and what the empathy and compassion is, amongst other things.
“The political sector for the government and health is moving towards quality care, safe care, safety of people. Because through the years, the health sector in Nigeria has been inundated with a lot of citizens complaining about the state of our health care system. Now we have over 600 of you being doctors today and you are coming into this space that is very critical to our nature of journey.

“Therefore, you are pledging to serve humanity with compassion, integrity and a deep sense of responsibility. We now hope that your work will directly impact the lives and well-being of your people. Because the trust that society places on you is immense and you see the responsibility that you must challenge with the utmost seriousness and professionalism.

“Let us not forget that as health care professionals, you are constantly called upon to demonstrate empathy, resilience and adaptability.

“The world of medicine and dentistry is ever-evolving and so too must you evolve, whether it be through innovating new technologies, taking a breath in the latest new technology, or adapting to the needs of a diverse population. The future of our planet abroad will serve as a foundation for the lifelong commitment to many alike.

“As we embark on this new chapter, I urge you to approach your profession with the same passion and determination that brought you to this point. Furthermore, to advocate your patients, who are always seeking their health care, remember that every patient you see with a personal report is safe and is in good health. Approach each case with the same level of care and commitment, no matter where you are in the world, because we need you too.

“And I must say this, please don’t Japa, let’s do this together and build a better image for the health sector and build our nation.”

 

Don’t leave Nigeria, health minister begs medical practitioners

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NAFDAC seizes ₦300m worth of counterfeit drugs in Lagos

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17 hours ago

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November 28, 2024

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NAFDAC Seizes ₦300m Worth of Counterfeit Drugs in Lagos

NAFDAC seizes ₦300m worth of counterfeit drugs in Lagos

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered counterfeit medicines worth ₦300m during a raid at Tyre Village within the Trade Fair Complex, Lagos State.

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, NAFDAC revealed that the operation led to the confiscation of fake pharmaceuticals, including Amoxicillin 500 mg, Ampicloxa capsules 500 mg, and packaging materials for Augmentin capsules 625 mg.

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“These counterfeit medicines pose serious health risks, such as treatment failure, organ damage, and potential carcinogenic effects due to their unknown compositions,” the statement warned.

The facility has been sealed, and a suspect linked to the illegal operation has been invited for questioning as investigations continue.

NAFDAC seizes ₦300m worth of counterfeit drugs in Lagos

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Female doctors campaign against rising iron deficiency anaemia in Kano

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1 day ago

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November 28, 2024

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Female doctors campaign against rising iron deficiency anaemia in Kano

The Kano state chapter of Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) has intensified campaign against the growing cases of Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) in Kano, describing it as a dangerous trend that need to be curbed urgently.

MWAN raised the concern during a sensitization awareness campaign it organized at Government Girls College, Kano, on Wednesday.

The event was organized in collaboration with the National Committee on Adolescent Health (NCAH) and Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

The sensitization awareness was part of this year’s World Day of Iron Deficiency Anaemia with themes: “Iron for Maternal Survival : Combating Iron Deficiency to Prevent Post Partum Haemorrhage,” held at the school premises.

Speaking during the event, the chairperson of Kano state Chapter of the NWAN, Dr. Halima Adamu said the association decided to organise the awareness campaign as part of its contributions to prevent such disease, especially among younger girls in the state.

Dr. Halima Adamu who described the iron deficiency as one of the foremost contributions to disease burden around the world, predominantly affecting young. Children (mainly under-5 years), premenopausal women and population groups from low and middle income countries.

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She added that a systematic review investigated children and iron deficiency and the results found the global prevalence of iron deficiency to mostly underdeveloped nations.

She called on the relevant stakeholders in the health sector and government at all levels to work collectively in order to prevent the disease across the country.

In her presentation, the Guest Speaker at the occasion, Dr. Nafisa Sidi Sani said efforts have been intensified, especially, in various aspects of awareness aimed at preventing the disease.

She assured that with the support from the stakeholders and private sectors, as well as, governments, the sky will be their limit.

She said: “Anaemia is only one of the many consequences resulting from being iron deficient. Over 1.2 billion people worldwide were diagnosed in 2016 with iron deficiency anaemia, and it is among the five highest causes of years lived with disability.

“Iron deficiency anaemia can cause a fast or abnormal heartbeat, which means the heart has to pump harder to ensure there is enough oxygen in the blood. This may lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure.”

In her vote of thanks, the Vice Principal of the school, Malama Maimuna Bashir applauded the organisers efforts in this regard.

Malama Maimuna Bashir assured that the students definitely would utilize what they learnt into practice in order to improve and sustain their health.

Highlights of the event include distribution of shoes, drugs and pamphlet to the students donated by the Medical women’s Association of Nigeria.

 

Female doctors campaign against rising iron deficiency anaemia in Kano

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Measles infection reached 10.3 million people in 2023 – WHO

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4 days ago

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November 25, 2024

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Measles infection reached 10.3 million people in 2023 – WHO

A new report by the World Health Organisation, WHO, has shown that no fewer than 10.3 million people were infected with measles in 2023.

The new estimates from the WHO and the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, showed that the surge was a 20 per cent increase from 2022. The report further traced the surge on inadequate immunisation coverage globally.

Measles is preventable with two doses of measles vaccine; yet more than 22 million children missed their first dose of measles vaccine in 2023. Globally, an estimated 83 per cent of children received their first dose of measles vaccine last year, while only 74 per cent received the recommended second dose.

Coverage of 95 per cent or greater of two doses of measles vaccine is needed in each country and community to prevent outbreaks and protect populations from one of the world’s most contagious human viruses.

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus who spoke on the report, said: “Measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the past 50 years. To save even more lives and stop this deadly virus from harming the most vulnerable, we must invest in immunisation for every person, no matter where they live.

“The number of measles infections are rising around the globe, endangering lives and health,” CDC Director Mandy Cohen said. “The measles vaccine is our best protection against the virus, and we must continue to invest in efforts to increase access.”

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As a result of global gaps in vaccination coverage, 57 countries experienced large or disruptive measles outbreaks in 2023, affecting all regions except the Americas, and representing a nearly 60 per cent increase from 36 countries in the previous year. The WHO African, Eastern Mediterranean, European, South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions experienced a substantial upsurge in cases. Nearly half of all large and disruptive outbreaks occurred in the African region.

The new data showed that an estimated 107,500 people, mostly children younger than 5 years of age, died due to measles in 2023.

“Although this is an 8 per cent decrease from the previous year, far too many children are still dying from this preventable disease. This slight reduction in deaths was mainly because the surge in cases occurred in countries and regions where children with measles are less likely to die, due to better nutritional status and access to health services.

Even when people survive measles, serious health effects can occur, some of which are lifelong. Infants and young children are at greatest risk of serious complications from the disease, which include blindness, pneumonia, and encephalitis (an infection causing brain swelling and potentially brain damage).

The report further showed that as measles cases surge and outbreaks increase, the world’s elimination goal, as laid out in Immunisation Agenda 2030, was under threat.

“Worldwide, 82 countries had achieved or maintained measles elimination at end of 2023. Just this week, Brazil was reverified as having eliminated measles, making the WHO Americas Region once again free of endemic measles. With the exception of the African Region, at least 1 country in all WHO regions has eliminated the disease.”

It further called for urgent and targeted efforts by countries and partners, particularly in the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions, and in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings to vaccinate all children fully with two doses of measles vaccine.

“This requires achieving and maintaining high-performing routine immunisation programmes and delivering high-quality, high-coverage campaigns when those programmes are not yet sufficient to protect every child.

It further noted that countries and global immunisation partners must also strengthen disease surveillance, including the Global Measles Rubella Laboratory Network (GMRLN) as strong disease surveillance is critical to optimising immunisation programmes and detecting and responding rapidly to measles outbreaks in order to mitigate their size and impact.

Measles infection reached 10.3 million people in 2023 – WHO

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