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

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.

An eight-storey residential building was completely destroyed with five missiles in the capital’s Basta district, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).

Hezbollah’s al-Manar media outlet quoted the Lebanese health ministry as saying four people were killed and 23 injured. Videos have now emerged purportedly showing the wreckage of a building.

The Israeli military made no immediate comments on the reported strikes early on Saturday.

The massive Israeli attack happened at about 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT) on Saturday, and the explosions shook the city.

In the dark, emergency teams searched the site in Basta, a densely populated area.

Footage showed a plume of smoke rising from a huge crater after one building collapsed.

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In recent months, Israeli air strikes have killed several top Hezbollah members in Beirut, including the group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began a major offensive against Hezbollah in September, carrying out air strikes and also sending troops into southern Lebanon.

The hostilities escalated after the Iran-backed Hezbollah fired repeated salvoes of rockets into Israel in solidarity with Hamas, the Palestinian group that carried out the deadly 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel.

Israel’s stated goal in its war against Hezbollah is to allow the return of about 60,000 residents who have been displaced from communities in northern Israel because of the group’s attacks.

In Lebanon, the conflict has killed more than 3,500 people and forced more than one million from their homes, Lebanese authorities say.

Earlier this week, a US mediator visited both Israel and Lebanon in an attempt to secure a ceasefire.

Amos Hochstein indicated some progress had been made – but has not publicly commented on any details.