Health
FG: Over 1.6 Million Nigerians Now on HIV Treatment
The federal government has said it has been able to put 1,619,133 persons living with HIV on regular treatment.
The number represents 98 per cent of the population that had tested positive to the virus.
It said based on the findings it made, government was working towards expanding the points of service from the current 6,000 to about 40,000 locations identified in the mapping across the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Gambo Aliyu who gave an update on government’s efforts, described the achievement as a significant leap when compared to 838,020 persons captured in the treatment net in 2017.
Addressing stakeholders and the media at a press conference to flag off this year’s World AIDS Day in Abuja, Aliyu said the theme of this year’s World AIDS Day which was, “Equalise to End AIDS: Equal Access to Treatment and Prevention Services,” seeks to end unequal access to HIV prevention and treatment among vulnerable population groups.
He said the objective was to promote equal access across population that were marginalised, among the vulnerable and key affected population groups by removing economic, social, cultural and legal barriers to HIV prevention services across population groups that are vulnerable to HIV.
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According to the NACA boss, Nigeria’s success story was evident from the significant dip in the HIV prevalence of 3.4 per cent in 2017, to a population based prevalence of 1.3 percent in 2018
“As at the end of September 2022 we have 1,619,133 persons on treatment, which represents a significant leap when compared to 838,020 persons in 2017.
“Our treatment sites have increased from 251 in 2007 to 2,262 in 2020,” he said.
Aliyu disclosed that new HIV infections have gradually declined from 103,404 in 2019, to 92,323 in 2021.
He added that significant growth in key population treatment centres have risen from 10 in 2017, with a coverage of 16,147 to 118 in 2021 with coverage of over 221,010
Also, he said pre-COVID 19 Molecular laboratory assessment done in 27 sites was now in over 100 sites accessible for prevention and treatment purposes
In the same vein, Aliyu said through Alignment 2.0 HIV prevention and treatment was now shifting ownership to states while guaranteeing continued partnership and support from Donors
He noted that the launch of N62 billion Trust Fund of Nigeria (HTFN) was a further step towards sustained country level funding and ownership of the national response.
Health
Warning to men with beer bellies as scientists find protruding gut may raise the risk of dementia
Warning to men with beer bellies as scientists find protruding gut may raise the risk of dementia
Beer bellies may cause brain aging and reduced cognition in middle-aged men, a study found.
Those carrying extra abdominal weight and with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease were found to have lower brain function (stock)
Those carrying extra abdominal weight and with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease were found to have lower brain function.
Researchers believe higher fat deposits in the pancreas and liver may lead to a higher risk of dementia.
However, this was not the case for women.
Michal Schnaider Beeri, of Rutgers Health, New Jersey, said: ‘In middle-aged males at high Alzheimer’s risk, but not females, higher pancreatic fat was associated with lower cognition and brain volumes, suggesting a potential sex-specific link between distinct abdominal fat with brain health.’
The researchers studied 204 healthy middle-aged people with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease.
They found men with higher abdominal fat had lower cognitive function.
Previous studies have shown that men with higher BMI are at increased risk of dementia.
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But this new research suggests the problem relates specifically to middle-age spread.
Subcutaneous fat (left) is more visible outside of the body, padding the outer layers of muscle just underneath the skin. People with more of this fat will have a ‘pear-shaped’ body. People with more visceral fat (right), which is more dangerous but less noticeable, are at an increased risk of many metabolic diseases
Sapir Golan Shekhtman, of Sheba Medical Center in Israel, added: ‘Our findings indicate stronger correlations compared to the relationships between BMI and cognition, suggesting that abdominal fat depots, rather than BMI, is a risk factor for lower cognitive functioning and higher dementia risk.’
The study is published in the journal Obesity.
The excess fat that accumulates around the torso and surrounds vital organs is called visceral fat — and it contributes to a beer belly and an undesirable apple body shape.
Visceral fat is the most dangerous type, leaking fatty acids into the bloodstream. It differs from the less dangerous subcutaneous fat that accumulates just below the skin’s surface and is responsible for wobbly fat and cellulite.
It comes after a study of more than 2.5million people and found that every extra 4in (10cm) of waist size was associated with an 11 per cent higher chance of dying prematurely from any cause.
But having broad hips or larger thighs can help us to live longer, the study said.
Many academics believe waist circumference is a more accurate indicator of obesity, and risk for illnesses such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, than the commonly-used body mass index (BMI).
Warning to men with beer bellies as scientists find protruding gut may raise the risk of dementia
Health
Dentist shortage: UK to waive qualifying exam for foreign dentists
Dentist shortage: UK to waive qualifying exam for foreign dentists
The UK government is currently making plans to permit foreign dentists to practice their profession without undergoing a qualification exam in a bid to address the shortage of dentists.
The proposed changes therefore aim to expedite the process, allowing foreign dentists to commence work sooner. Currently, dentists from non-European countries must pass an overseas entrance exam to work in Britain.
The General Dental Council (GDC) would therefore be empowered to provisionally register dentists based on its assessment of their qualifications, ensuring patient safety and care quality are upheld, while dentists on the provisional register would require supervision.
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Shortage of dentists
A significant majority of NHS dental practices are unable to accommodate new patients, resulting in a notable increase in emergency room visits for dental issues, particularly among children with tooth decay.
Also, the shortage of NHS dentists has led to long queues forming outside a new dental practice in Bristol, the first in the city to accept new patients in over six months.
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The situation escalated to the extent that police had to intervene as the practice struggled to accommodate the overwhelming demand, resulting in the disappointment of many patients.
The dental union has therefore criticized the government for attempting to address the shortage without tackling the underlying issues deterring dentists from NHS work.
On the other hand, Health Minister Dame Andrea Leadsom The shortage of NHS dentists has led to long queues forming outside a new dental practice in Bristol, the first in the city to accept new patients in over six months.
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Current situation
Currently, dentists who obtain their qualifications outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) such as Nigeria must undergo an examination administered by Britain’s dental regulator, the GDC.
This is with the exemption of dentists holding qualifications from 14 specific universities in Australia, South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and New Zealand are exempt from this examination requirement, only if they graduated before 2001.
Health authorities have characterized this UK entrance exams as “red tape,” attributing them to “prolonged delays” in dentists’ registration processes and subsequent commencement of treatment for patients.
Dentist shortage: UK to waive qualifying exam for foreign dentists
Health
Heatwave: Drink more water, doctors issue health care tips
Heatwave: Drink more water, doctors issue health care tips
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has issued health care guidelines for the heatwave currently being experienced in parts of the country.
The association made the advisory in a message posted via its X handle on Saturday.
The advisory, titled ‘Stay safe in the heatwave,’ read, “As temperatures soar, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and take care of ourselves.”
The association warns “that the extreme temperatures could provoke ill health, endanger Eutherians, and may cause death. Staying safe in hot weather is essential for your well-being. Let us look out for each other and take the necessary precautions to stay healthy.”
The tips are as follows:
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol, as they can contribute to dehydration.
Wear loose, light-weight, and light-coloured clothing to help your body stay cool.
Seek shade: Limit your time outdoors during the hottest part of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you must be outside, seek shade whenever possible.
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Take cool showers or baths, as they can help lower your body temperature and provide relief from the heat.
Know the signs of heat-related illnesses: Be aware of symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, headaches, rapid heartbeats, and confusion. Seek medical attention immediately if you or someone you know experiences these symptoms.
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