I am pleased to inform you that the April edition of Pharmanews has been published.
The PDF version is being widely distributed through our website (www.pharmanewsonline.com) which is being continually updated with the latest news and information on the global pandemic and other events. The print version, as earlier promised, will be available as soon as the lock-down is over.
Pharm.(Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi
Our website now receives an average of 120,000 hits per day and about 4million hits monthly. We have over 8000 daily average visitors and over 250,000 monthly visitors with 6000 monthly page views.
These statistics have continued to improve during this period and our advertisers, in particular, will have the added benefit of a wider exposure and reach, as more readers access our online contents in the comfort of their homes.
I thank you for remaining with us as our partners-in-progress during this COVID-19 pandemic. By the grace of God, we will continue to serve you better.
Please, stay safe to help stop the spread of the virus.
Irvingia gabonensis commonly known as ogbono, or African bush mango, are especially valued for their fat and protein-rich nuts, and highly demanded due to its huge benefits.
The high demand for ogbono is due to its high socioeconomic, nutritional and medicinal values.
Different parts of the world have different names for Irvingia gabonensis for example, it is known as ugiri or ogbono by the Igbo people, biri, goron, goronor by Hausa people, ogwi by the Benin people, mbukpabuyo by the Ibibio and Efik people, aapon by Yoruba, bobo, manguier or sauvage by French and apioro by the Deltan people.
According to numerous studies, the ogbono seed or kernels have been shown to contain about 18 amino acids with a good number of nutrients, vitamins and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus and iron.
Studies Reveal the Amazing Health Benefits of Ogbono Soup
A lot of research have been carried out to ascertain the medicinal, nutritional and other benefits of Irvingia gabonensis.
Paul Anegbeh, a researcher with the World Agroforestry Centre, agreed that the Irvingia fruits are utilised both in modern and traditional medicine for treating several diseases.
Some benefits of ogbono as established by studies include:
Edible Purposes Irvingia gabonensis fruit can be eaten as fresh fruit. The sweet pulp can be juiced or used for making smoothie, jelly, jam and wine. The seeds can be pressed for vegetable oil or margarine. The dried ogbono seeds can be ground and used for preparing ogbono soup, stew gabon chocolate and dika bread.
Antidiabetic Properties Diabetes has remained a challenging health condition that has caused the loss of several lives. Ngondi et al., (2005) noted that ogbono seed is capable of reducing fasting blood glucose levels in obese beings. Furthermore, Sulaimon et al., (2015) in a study evaluated the antidiabetic properties of Irvingia gabonensis leaf and bark extracts on alloxan induced diabetic rats.
The study showed that the aqueous extracts of leaf and bark of Irvingia gabonensis had more anti-diabetic activity than the ethanolic extracts. However, the researchers recommended further studies to determine the toxicity of Irvingia gabonensis leaf and bark extracts.
Weight Management Studies on African mango revealed that it suppresses hunger and as such very essential for people that want to minimise their food intake. Reduction of food and caloric intakes help to maintain a healthy weight. Ngondi et al., (2005) evaluated the efficacy of Irvingia gabonensis seeds in obesity management.
Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties Kuete et al., (2007) admitted that the methanolic extract of Irvingia gabonensis can be used for treating bacterial and fungal infections.
Dye Production The fruit pulp can be used for producing black dye for dyeing cloths. Both the roots and barks also contain tannin, which is suitable for dyeing.
Cosmetics Production pressed ogbono oil can be used for making cosmetics and soap. The bark can be used for treating scabby skin. The powdered kernels can be applied on the skin as a cosmetic to make the skin less oily.
Prevents Constipation Being a rich source of dietary fibre, ugiri fruit can be eaten to improve bowel functioning and for preventing constipation.
Aids Digestion The dietary fibre present in this fruit also aids easy digestion of food thereby preventing bloating.
Astringent Purposes Powdered kernels can be used as an astringent applied to soothe burns (Irvine, 1961). The powdered kernels astringent can also be applied to the skin to reduce bleeding from minor abrasions.
Dental Care The stems of the tree can be used as chewing sticks for cleaning teeth. Ogbono fruit is a rich source of potassium, iron, water, energy, protein, carbohydrate, ascorbic acid, sodium, amino acids, dietary fibre, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. The seeds contain fatty acids such as stearic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid and lauric acid.
As at 11:20pm, 15th April 2020, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced that there are 34 new cases of Coronavirus in Nigeria, in total there are 407 confirmed cases.
According to their post on Twitter, 128 people have been discharged with a total amount of 12 deaths.
They also noted that the 34 new cases are from different states in Nigeria, 18 from Lagos, 12 from Kano, two in Katsina, one in Delta and one one in Niger.
A new review of existing studies examines the evidence behind the idea that an acute bout of exercise is able to offer immediate protection for the heart against cardiovascular disease through a mechanism called “cardiovascular preconditioning.”
An acute episode of exercise can ‘train’ the heart and protect it against future damage.The results of the new research — led by Dick Thijssen, who is a professor of cardiovascular physiology and exercise at the Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom — have been published in the journal JAMA Cardiology.
As Prof. Thijssen and colleagues explained, it is a widely accepted fact that exercise protects the heart over time. However, it is less known that it can also do so within hours and that a single workout episode is enough to yield clinically significant benefits.
Cardiogram pulse trace and heart concept for cardiovascular medical exam
This under-appreciated advantage of exercise may be due to a phenomenon called ischemic, or cardiovascular, preconditioning.
The team explains the reasoning behind the theory of cardiovascular preconditioning: repeatedly exposing the heart to short, non-life-threatening episodes of ischemia — an inadequate supply of blood to the heart — makes the heart more resistant to a more serious, future ischemia episode.
A single workout session can also have immediate benefits on the brain.
The “paradox” of ischemic preconditioning is a concept first introduced in the mid-1980s, and it has been suggested that one of the ways to induce this cardio protective effect is through exercise.
So, the review by Prof. Thijssen and colleagues aimed to examine the evidence for this theory in existing preclinical studies.
Protection through exercise preconditioning
The review found that between one and three workout sessions per week can provide “strong” protection for the heart.
Moreover, one single workout episode can provide cardio protection for 2–3 hours, and even stronger and longer-lasting benefits emerge 24 hours after the exercise session has finished.
“Importantly,” the authors write, “these associations are present on the first episode of exercise, with subsequent exercise sessions reactivating protective pathways and leading to ongoing beneficial effects.”
This cardio protective effect could be explained by ischemic preconditioning, write the researchers, given that an intense episode of exercise can have systematic effects such as inducing myocardial ischemia.
Although factors such as obesity and age may interfere with some of these immediate protective effects of exercise, regular training can restore these benefits. The authors explain:
“Taken together, cardio protection through exercise preconditioning is a facile, inexpensive, and potent therapy that deserves greater recognition and further resources to establish the optimal dose.”
“Nonetheless,” they continue, “as is so often the case with the benefits of exercise, its prescription follows the cardinal rule: use it or lose it.”
Prof. Thijssen comments on the results of the study, saying, “This is a key review summarizing how a single bout of exercise can have a clear impact in keeping the heart adequately supplied with blood.”
“Firstly,” he explains, “this means that one bout of exercise can cause clinically relevant protection against cardiovascular disease.”
“Secondly,” Prof. Thijssen continues, “this means that benefits of exercise are present, even in the absence of changes in risk factors. These are both important and powerful messages for all who want to take up exercise.”
The team explains that the findings could be used to help cardiac patients through a procedure of so-called rehabilitation; an optimized dose of physical exercise in the days before a cardiac intervention may help to decrease in-hospital mortality and disease, they suggest.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as at 11:00 pm on Tuesday 14th April disclosed that there are 11 new cases of the novel Coronavirus in the country making a total of 373 persons infected with the disease.
According to the data provided, 99 have been discharged with 11 deaths.
Two multi-national pharmaceutical giants, Sanofi and GSK, have announced their intention to develop an adjuvanted vaccine for COVID-19, using innovative technology from both companies, to help address the ongoing pandemic.
The duo disclosed their plan on Tuesday in Paris and London through a press statement noting that Sanofi will contribute its S-protein COVID-19 antigen, which is based on recombinant DNA technology.
Sanofi and GSK logos
The statement revealed that the technology to drive the production has produced an exact genetic match to proteins found on the surface of the virus, and the DNA sequence encoding this antigen has been combined into the DNA of the baculovirus expression platform, the basis of Sanofi’s licensed recombinant influenza product in the US.
While GSK on its own part, the release diclosed will contribute its proven pandemic adjuvant technology. It explained that the use of an adjuvant can be of particular importance in a pandemic situation since it may reduce the amount of vaccine protein required per dose, allowing more vaccine doses to be produced and therefore contributing to protect more people.
“As the world faces this unprecedented global health crisis, it is clear that no one company can go it alone.” says Paul Hudson, chief executive officer, Sanofi. “That is why Sanofi is continuing to complement its expertise and resources with our peers, such as GSK, with the goal to create and supply sufficient quantities of vaccines that will help stop this virus.
“This collaboration brings together two of the world’s largest vaccines companies.” says Emma Walmsley, Chief Executive Officer, GSK. “By combining our scientific expertise, technologies and capabilities, we believe that we can help accelerate the global effort to develop a vaccine to protect as many people as possible from Covid- 19.”
They asserted that the combination of a protein-based antigen together with an adjuvant is well-established and used in a number of vaccines available today. An adjuvant is added to some vaccines to enhance the immune response and has been shown to create a stronger and longer- lasting immunity against infections than the vaccine alone. It can also improve the likelihood of delivering an effective vaccine that can be manufactured at scale.
The companies plan to initiate phase I clinical trials in the second half of 2020 and, if successful, subject to regulatory considerations, aim to complete the development required for availability by the second half of 2021.
The statment reads in parts:
“As previously announced by Sanofi, development of the recombinant-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate is being supported through funding and a collaboration with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The companies plan to discuss funding support with other governments and global institutions prioritising global access.
“Strategic alliances among vaccine industry leaders are essential to make a coronavirus vaccine available as soon as possible,” says BARDA Director, Rick A. Bright, Ph.D. “Development of the adjuvanted recombinant-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate holds the potential to lower the vaccine dose to provide vaccine to a greater number of people to end this pandemic, and help the world become better prepared or even prevent future coronavirus outbreaks.”
The companies have set up a Joint Task Force, co-chaired by David Loew, Global Head of Vaccines, Sanofi and Roger Connor, President Vaccines, GSK. The taskforce will seek to mobilize resources from both companies to look for every opportunity to accelerate the development of the candidate vaccine.
Considering the extraordinary humanitarian and financial challenge of the pandemic, both companies believe that global access to COVID-19 vaccines is a priority and are committed to making any vaccine that is developed through the collaboration affordable to the public and through mechanisms that offer fair access for people in all countries.
These efforts mark a significant milestone in Sanofi’s and GSK’s ongoing contributions to help fight COVID-19. The companies have entered into a Material Transfer Agreement to enable them to start working together immediately. Definitive terms of the collaboration are expected to be finalised over the next few weeks.
GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer. GSK is the leading manufacturer of vaccines globally.
While Sanofi is dedicated to supporting people through their health challenges. It is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health, with the focus on prevention of illness with vaccines, providing pf innovative treatments to fight pain and ease suffering.
-Task FG on provision of PPEs, ventilators, others -Say COVID-19 is not greatest killer of Nigerians
The coalition of healthcare professionals including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA); Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN); and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) have unanimously called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to provide conducive and safe working environments for all healthcare workers highly exposed to the risk of contracting the deadly Coronavirus.
The leadership of the three associations decried the deplorable working conditions of their members in the hospitals, while calling on the government to supply Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs), ventilators, test kits, and all other essential equipment and devices to enable the health workers deliver safe and effective care to patients.
They further condemned the appalled working conditions of healthcare professionals, characterized by understaffing, shortage of Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs), long working hours, poor salary and risk allowance, “and the unpreparedness of our weak health system despite our persistent early warnings and by the WHO, that health workers are exposed at work to fatal hazards that threaten their health, their families’ health, putting in peril the capacity of the health system to respond to the emergency of COVID-19 pandemic”.
Presidents of NMA, PSN, NANNM, in a joint statement issued to the press bared their minds on government’s insensitivity to the plight of frontline health workers in the war against the global pandemic, warning that if there is no urgent actions to correct the anomalies, the nation’s weak healthcare delivery system may be comatose sooner than later.
“The times we are living in requires both government and frontline actors to focus on a set of immediate targeted emergency actions. The health workforce is facing the most acute crisis our members have ever been confronted with in recent years, except perhaps in 2014 when Ebola virus disease was also imported into our country.
“Health workers represent about 12 per cent of the COVID-19 infected population globally, and the death toll is getting unbearable. We mourn with a great sense of sorrow the demise of Dr. Aliyu Yakubu, a Katsina State private medical practitioner who is the first casualty from our community of practitioners”, they stated.
The healthcare practitioners also pointed it out to government that the greatest killer of Nigerians as at today is not COVID-19, describing how Lassa fever, malaria, other infectious diseases, as well as non-communicable diseases are still rife and actually killing more patients.
They did not fail to mention the dire need of motivation for these frontline warriors, in form of regular and timely payment of salaries, emoluments and other incentives including paid leave, childcare and security to all workers who must continue working.
“The fact that healthcare workers are still being kidnapped by criminals or harassed by security agents on their way to work leaves much to be desired. Government at all levels must take practical steps to safeguard all health workers. We do not want health workers who save lives to be called heroes. They are not heroes! They are professionals who claim and deserve respect, dignity, the right to protection, recognition, decent wages and decent working conditions” they emphasized.
Restating their commitment to partner governments at all levels, the healthcare professionals disclosed that they have jointly established a Special Health Response Squad of volunteers from the three associations to provide a pool of well trained professionals to complement what the government already has on ground. The Special Health Response Squad would be well kitted with adequate PPEs.
They further hinted on the newly created Squad, saying it would be divided into different categories according to areas of need; with some working at the isolation centres, while some will engage in information, education and communication with the media.
The leadership of the three healthcare groups, vehemently expressed their disappointment of government’s action in bringing on board the Chinese doctors in spite of all the evidence based warnings from the various health professional associations and other stakeholders in the country.
They however warned sternly that “under no condition should they be allowed near any Nigerian patient directly or remotely. They must observe supervised mandatory quarantine for 14 days and be tested for COVID-19 appropriately, as per protocol, before they are allowed into the streets or communities”.
Business School Netherlands (BSN) has got another global recognition, as it recently climbed the leadership ladder to rank among top MBA providers in the world, as published by CEO magazine.
The new position attained by the internationally recognized institution, has made “BSN outpaced over 138 other excellent programmes from different continents of the world in terms of the quality of Faculty, learning environment, class sizes, tuition fees, faculty, delivery methods, international diversity, gender make-up and more,” the report revealed.
Speaking on the newly attained height of the institution, Prof Lere Baale, CEO, BSN, Nigeria, expressed his profound joy in the achievement, saying it is a source of immense pride for them, while he pledged their commitment to the innovative Action Learning and students-first approach.
He said: “Achieving 11th position out of a group of 85 Tier-One global universities and business schools is an immense source of pride for us and reaffirms our commitment to the innovative Action Learning and students-first approach. We are honoured to be recognized by the CEO Magazine for the fifth consecutive year”.
Explaining why Business School Netherlands is rated so highly, Baale said their international standard of operation attracted international observers, and the CEO magazine in the last six years, as they couldn’t ignore BSN’s innovative curriculum and their widely-experienced faculty.
“In the last six years, international observers including CEO magazine have taken note of our innovative curriculum and world-class faculty who are not mere professors but gladiators in the global business marketplace.
“Also noteworthy is the impressive career outcomes of our alumni. Many of them are securing investments from global venture capitalists, getting appointments and gaining fast promotions in Fortune 500 organizations and public sector appointments,” he quipped.
In a report titled “CEO Magazine Global MBA Rankings”, the publishers of CEO Magazine disclosed the rationale for the ranking thus: “…in an increasingly congested market, selecting the right business school can be difficult which is far from ideal given the time and investment involved.
“Using a ranking system entirely geared and weighted to fact-based criteria, CEO magazine aims to cut through the noise and provide potential students with a performance benchmark for those schools under review”.
According to the report, specific criteria considered in assessing business schools are based upon key performance indicators considered to be of interest and value to potential students are as follows: Quality of faculty (weighted 34.95%), international diversity (9.71%), Class Size (9.71%), accreditation (8.74O/o), faculty to student ratio (7.76O/o), price (5.83O/o), international exposure (4.85O/o), work experience (4.85%), professional development (4.85%), gender parity (4.85O/o) and delivery methods (3.8O/o).
The publication ranks Business School Netherlands among the best eleven business schools to study MBA programmes globally. “It ranked no.11 out of over 150 MBA programmes that were thoroughly examined from all over the world”, it revealed.
With study centres in different locations across the globe, including Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt; Business School Netherlands has its main campus in the Netherlands
The CEO Magazine Global Rankings is a global recognition utmostly desired by the world’s top business schools. CEO Magazine has published its MBA rankings annually for the past 6 years. It is peculiar because it is acceptable by world top organizations as a yardstick in differentiating among the ever-widening options of MBA programmes around the globe.
The magazine processed data from more than 161 schools, offering no less than 303 different programs in 27 countries (77 online MBAs, 87 EMBAs and 139 Full-time and Part-time MBAs).
The Rankings focused primarily on Identification of the business schools which combine the exceptional quality of content, facilitation, and other indices with great return on investment.
As at 09:50 pm on Monday, 13 April 2020, there are 343 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria, as 20 new cases were confirmed same day, while 91 infected persons have fully recovered and have been discharged with 10 deaths.
The breakdown of the 20 new cases shows that Lagos, the epic centre of the disease has 13, with 2 in Edo, 2 in Kano, 2 in Ogun and 1 in Ondo.
Reporting update on the situation of the disease in the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control made through its Twitter handle , disclosed thatthe virus has spread to 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
It tweeted thus: “Twenty new cases of #COVID-19 have been reported as follows: 13 in Lagos, two in Edo, two in Kano, two in Ogun and one in Ondo. “Currently, Lagos has 189 new cases, FCT- 56, Osun- 20, Edo- 16, Oyo- 11, Ogun – nine, Bauchi – six, Kaduna – six, Akwa Ibom – five, Katsina – five, Delta – three, Enugu – two, Ekiti – two, Rivers – two, Kwara – four, Ondo – three, Benue – one, Niger – one, Anambra – one and Kano – three”.
Earlier on Monday, Major General (Rtd) Muhammad Buhari had announced a 14-day extension of the lockdown in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun, to curb the spread of the viral infection, while some citizens have condemned the stay at home extension, owing to what they described as huge hunger on the part of the masses, as the distribution of palliative measures is yet to reach them.
President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the current lockdown order in Lagos, Ogun and the FCT, for another 14 days, to ensure proper containment of the novel Coronavirus in the country.
The president made the declaration in a nationwide broadcast on Monday. He said the decision to extend the initial 14-day lockdown was taken after “having carefully considered the briefings and report from the Presidential Task Force and the various options offered.”
“It has become necessary to extend the current restriction of movement in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT for another 14 days effective from 11:59 pm on Monday, 13 April, 2020. I am therefore once again asking you all to work with Government in this fight.
Although, he explained that the decision wasn’t easy for his administration to take, but it became imperative in order to end the spread of COVID-19 in the country, as the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control has alerted on community transmission of the virus.
“This is not a joke. It is a matter of life and death. Mosques in Makkah and Madina have been closed. The Pope celebrated Mass on an empty St. Peter’s Square. The famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris held Easter Mass with less than 10 people. India, Italy and France are in complete lockdown. Other countries are in the process of following suit. We cannot be lax.
“This is a difficult decision to take, but I am convinced that this is the right decision. The evidence is clear.
“The repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable.
“We must not lose the gains achieved thus far. We must not allow a rapid community transmission. We must endure a little longer.”
It would be recalled that Buhari had made an initial announcement of 14 days lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja, on 29 March 2020, to curb the spread of the virus in the country, which was supposed to expire by the end of today, Monday 13 April 2020.
However, Pharmanewsonline reports that there have been outcry from different quarters to relax the order, following untold hardship and hunger brought about by the restriction on the populace.
5 new cases of Coronavirus have been confirmed in Lagos, Kwara, and Katsina by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC)
As at 09:10pm on April 12, there are 323 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Nigeria. 85 patients have been discharged, and 10 deaths have been recorded.
Here is a breakdown of cases across states in the country; Lagos- 145, FCT- 54, Osun- 20, Oyo- 11, Edo- 12, Bauchi- 8, Akwa Ibom- 5, Kaduna- 5, Ogun- 4, Enugu- 2, Ekiti- 2, Rivers-2, Benue- 1, Ondo- 1, Kwara- 2, Delta- 1, Katsina-1.
President Muhammadu Buhari will be addressing the nation through a nationwide broadcast 7pm today, as the lockdown on Abuja, Lagos and Ogun expires today, Mr Femi Adesina, special adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, has said.
Adesina made the disclosure through a statement issued to the press at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Monday, 13 April 2020 .
President Muhammadu Buhari
The statement reads: “President Muhammadu Buhari will broadcast to the nation Monday, 13 April 2020, 7pm. Television, radio and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) respectively for the broadcast”.
A survey made by Pharmanewsonline shows that there is tension across the nation regarding the spread of the novel Coronavirus, as 19 states are now affected, with a total of 323 confirmed cases, which has fueled speculations on the extension of the lockdown.
May the Lord lift up your heart, at Easter and always. May the miracle of Easter bring you perfect peace, joy unlimited, and prosperity. Hope you always feel His love shining in your life. Praying that you feel Christ’s peace all year.
Happy Easter celebration to all our numerous readers, advertisers, and well wishers. Surely, Coronavirus will not claim our lives nor businesses, as we wish you speedy recovery from any adverse effect of the lockdown on your families and businesses.
While we enjoin you to stay safe, avoid crowded gathering, keep social distance, always wash your hands with soap and water, make use of alcohol based hand sanitizer, and wear personal protective equipment, PPE, like face mask, gowns, etc.
The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) says it has placed four of its nurses on isolation, after their contact with a patient who died of COVID-19. Prof. Tokunboh Fabamwo, LASUTH Chief Medical Director, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos. NAN recalls that the hospital had earlier on Saturday confirmed the death a patient who tested positive to COVID-19, saying the patient died at its Institute of Maternal and Child Health (Ayinke House), LASUTH. Fabamwo said: “All the doctors took precautions when attending to the patient. “When the woman was about to die and was gasping for breath, the nurses rushed to her and tried to do pulmonary resuscitation on her. “They moved more closely to her. Even, they were protected, we felt that because of that closeness, we should isolate them so that they won’t go home and be a risk to their families.” He added that the patient’s corpse had been evacuated with usual protocol, adding that her husband’s sample had taken for COVID-19 test. The chief medical director added that they were waiting for the deceased husband’s test result. He disclosed that the hospital would enhance its Triage protocol far from the Emergency Centre, by erecting a tent to screen for temperatures of visitors and patients during a visit to the health facility. Fabamwo said that anyone with high temperatures would be isolated and handed over to officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The patient was said to be suffering from puerperal sepsis and was transferred from the Alimosho General Hospital to the Emergency Unit of LASUTH. However, the patient died in the course of her treatment.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as at 09:30 pm on Friday 10th April 2020, disclosed that there are17 new cases of the virus in the country making a total of 305 persons infected with the disease.
Making the disclosure through its Twitter handle, the agency noted that the 17 new cases of #COVID19, eight were from Lagos, three in the Katsina, two in FCT, one in Niger, one in Kaduna, and one in Anambra.
The Agency also added there are 58 discharged, and seven deaths recorded in the country.
Also, Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced that seven more COVID-19 patients have been discharged from the Infectious Disease Hospital in the state today April 10.
This brings to 46 the number of patients that have recovered and have been discharged since the index case of the viral disease was first recorded in February.
With 158 confirmed cases, Lagos is the epicenter of Coronavirus disease in Nigeria.
As a means of containing the recent pandemic threatening human race all over the world: Coronavirus, the management of Biomedical recently demonstrated a huge support to the Kwara State Government by distributing food items to different households in the state.
Briefing the Deputy Governor of Kwara State, Mr Kayode Alabi on the reason for the programme, the management said the kind gesture was to alleviate the suffering of the host community.
COVID-19: Biomedical Management Supports Kwara State Government
They noted that the outreach was a successful one indeed, as they were able to fulfil their mission, which was to see to people’s hunger in the community and this was achieved.
The team stated that “stay safe” is the recent public health campaign, and the reason is to stimulate the consciousness of the public.
Advising residents of Kwara State, the Biomedical management team told the community dealers on the need to maintain good hygiene, live healthy and stay safe during this period of containment, so as to curb the further spread of Covid-19 in Kwara State.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as at 09:30pm on Thursday 9th April 2020, disclosed that there are 14 new cases of the virus in the country making a total of 288 persons infected with the disease.
Making the disclosure through its Twitter handle, the agency noted that the 14 new cases of #COVID19, 13 were from Lagos, and one in Delta state.
The Agency also added that as at 9:30pm April there are 288 confirmed cases, 51 discharged, and seven deaths recorded in the country.
Also, Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced that the state has discharged seven coronavirus (COVID-19) patients. He announced this via his Twitter handle
He added that the 7 patients include one female and six males. Three of the discharged male patients are foreign nationals; two Ukrainians and one Italian.
In support of the frontline ‘warriors’ at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi-Araba, and other staff members caring for the COVID-19 patients, the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos (UNILAG) recently donated packs of hand sanitizers for use at the tertiary health institution.
Prof. (Mrs) Glory Ajayi while presenting the hand sanitizers at LUTH.
Speaking at the presentation of the hand sanitizers, the Dean, Prof. (Mrs) Glory Ajayi, accompanied by other management team of the faculty of Pharmacy, said the donation was on behalf of the Vice- Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe FAS, the management and the entire University of Lagos community, to the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Chris Bode and the management of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos.
She explained that the presentation of the hand sanitizers (gel and solution formulations) produced by the Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, UNILAG, was to identify with LUTH and by extension, the Lagos State and the nation in support of the courageous and patriotic fight against COVID –19 pandemic and for use by the frontline ‘warriors’ in the hospital healthcare team and other staff members caring for the COVID-19 patients.
Prof. Kemi Odukoya, during the presentation.
Ajayi said:”This is a sacrifice that the University believes will be useful at this trying and difficult times and prayed that God will terminate both the spread of the virus and the infections in human lives in Jesus name, Amen”.
Receiving the items, the LUTH’s CMD deeply appreciated their kind gesture, and expressed his gratitude to the Vice- Chancellor and the entire University of Lagos community. Present at the presentation were: Prof. Chris Bode, CMD, LUTH; Dr Babajide Grillo, DA, LUTH; Prof. Lanre Adeyemo, CMAC, LUTH; Dr Deji Oluwole, deputy CMAC LUTH; Prof. (Mrs.) Glory Ajayi, Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy; Distinguished Prof. (Mrs) Cecilia Igwilo; Prof. Olanrewaju Silva; Prof. Udoma Mendie, HOD, Pharm. and Pharm. Tech;Prof. Olukemi Odukoya; Prof. Aderonke Adepoju- Bello, and Dr Emmanuel Anyika.
– As hospital pharmacists express fears over imported testing kits
Sequel to the arrival of the 15-man Chinese medical team in the country on Wednesday, in spite of general outcry against their invitation by the federal government, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has reiterated its stand against the Chinese team visit, while calling on government to ensure their thorough screening.
The NMA President, Dr Francis Faduyile and the Secretary-General, Dr Olumuyiwa Odusote, in a press statement Thursday evening, disclosed the position of the association on the development, as they requested the publication of the names, designations, and qualifications of the medical experts.
Chinese medical team
The statement reads: “We demand a thorough screening of the so-called medical team of experts by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and other relevant regulatory bodies to verify their status, as we call on the Federal Government to publish the names, designations/status, and qualifications of the so-called medical experts.
“The Nigerian Medical Association in furtherance of her responsibility to the Nigerian people wishes to reiterate her earlier stance on the rejection of the visiting Chinese “Medical Experts” at this time even as the Federal Government (FG) has rebuffed all entreaties”.
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) Pharm. (Dr) Kingsley Amibor has expressed the fears of his members about the safety of the imported testing kits and other materials the Chinese medical team came with, asking about their authorisation status.
Amibor, who spoke with Pharmanewsonline in an exclusive chat on the issue, said there is so much worry about the coming of the Asian medical team into the country, even though the federal government did not give heed to them. “Back here in Nigeria, there are fears too that the presence of these Chinese doctors may not really help much based on their antecedents from other countries.
“Another thing is the equipment brought in by the Chinese, how are we sure they are not contaminated with the virus? Who conducted tests on them? Who authorized release to other countries? Was it same China or World Health Organization (WHO) officials? If the answer to above question is positive, that is if there is independent confirmation that the test kits and other equipment are free of viral contamination, then the government can go ahead and distribute them for use by healthcare workers.
“But my take is that those equipment should not be used on Nigerian patients without first being subjected to tests by Nigerian authorities to be sure they are not contaminated with the virus”.
He further maintained the association’s stance regarding the operation of the team, saying “The Chinese doctors should not be left alone with our people, but will need to work with and through our medical doctors. They can share their experiences with the treatment protocols they applied in their country to treat their people with our Nigerian doctors. And if they apply such and do not achieve positive outcomes within a specified time limit, then they should try other options. But we should not depend entirely on these Chinese “experts”, he warned.
Reacting to the statement credited to the Director General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu who said 90 per cent of COVID-19 patients do not require treatment to recover, Amibor said reports have shown that Covid-19 patients fall into two broad categories, the first being those with mild symptoms who get well with symptomatic treatment and are subsequently discharged. While there are those with severe pneumonia which is usually life threatening. These ones will need ventilators to assist with oxygen flow.
Continuing, Amibor said “It is possible then that the so called Chinese experts may have been invited to help manage the category of patients needing ventilators to survive. They may have brought ventilators with them from China, in which case it will be necessary for them to educate their Nigerian counterparts on how to use the ventilators.
“But whatever they do, such ventilators must first be subjected to tests to confirm they are free from contamination with the virus. We are aware of reports from other countries that received similar equipment from China that were found to be defective or outrightly, contaminated with the virus’’.
He therefore cautioned the Nigerian government to be careful with the Chinese doctors and their equipment. It is comforting to hear that they will undergo 14 days quarantine before access to Nigerian healthcare workers.
The 15-man medical team from China arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Wednesday, with 16-ton test kits, ventilators, disinfection machine, disposable medical masks, drugs, infrared thermometer and other items ordered by the federal government.
They are said to be experts in infectious diseases, respiratory illness, intensive care, cardiology, neurology, general surgery and anesthesiology.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued conditional approval for the use of medical devices required to impact positively on public health outcomes, in the current battle against the ÇOVID-19 pandemic.
It listed the medical devices covered by the emergency use approval as follows: COVID-19 antibody, antigen test kits, and personal protective equipments,PPEs.
NAFDAC Logo
The agency gave guidelines for the conditional use of the devices, noting that the antibody test kits (IgG/IgM) can be used in COVID-19 confirmed individuals, who can then be tested at the designated centres using the antibody kits, to confirm that they have antibodies and as such may not be infected again. The antigen tests kits on the other hand, can detect the COVID-19 antigen in patients with or without symptoms. The results are only qualitative (positive or negative).
Speaking through a press statement made available to Pharmanewsonline, the NAFDAC DG, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, disclosed that the current condition of COVID-19 in the country, compelled the agency to take some drastic steps in regulating the use of medical devices for easy diagnosis of the virus. She said: “NAFDAC, in pursuant to the powers conferred on it by section 5 of the NAFDAC Act, to regulate and control the manufacture, importation, exportation distribution sale, use and advertisement of medical devices, has taken some regulatory steps in the fight against COVID-19.
“The current COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated that NAFDAC put measures in place to ensure access to health commodities that have the potential to impact positively on public health outcomes. These include, but are not limited to, diagnostics necessary to support public health infrastructure and guide the response necessary to combat and address the pandemic.
“There has been a global effort by innovative diagnostic companies to develop test kits to aid in detection of the virus in patients to guide the management of the disease. The Agency has recently received many requests for Emergency Use Authorization for some of such diagnostic test kits to support the national response and ensure expanded testing capabilities”.
In addition to this conditional approval, she however cautioned that full approval of any diagnostic/test kit by NAFDAC for COVID-19 will be subject to in-country validation to assess the sensitivity or rate of failure (i.e., indication of false positives), and specificity.
Failure to comply could lead to revocation of any approval granted for importation of the products and forfeiture of same to the agency for destruction, she averred.
Adeyeye also disclosed that NAFDAC has put in place regulatory measures to ensure quality, safety and efficacy criteria are assessed. These measures are supported by documentation which include the following:
Prior registration and approval by reference regulatory authorities such as those of Japan, USA, Germany, Canada, European Medicine Agency, etc.
Registration by the regulatory authority in the country of manufacture; and declaration of conformity and validation/performance evaluation /clinical evaluation report.
The statement reads in part:
“NAFDAC will continue to stay abreast of current best global practices in this area and monitor updates to the WHO collated list of medical devices being used by different countries.
“NAFDAC has reduced the “registration to approval” time from 120 working days to 10 working days due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus far, the agency has processed seventeen (17) applications using the expedited review process but has only granted Emergency approval to seven (7) companies using the criteria listed above.
“The availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare providers is a critical component of the effort to stem the COVID-19 pandemic. These PPEs include gloves, protective goggles, face shields, protective gowns and masks in the form of particulate respirators and surgical masks. These must meet certain technical requirements and specifications in order to achieve the objective and offer some measure of protection to health care providers and limit their exposure to infection .
“Please note, no vaccine has been approved for any clinical trial. That may not happen before one year to eighteen months, after clinical trials must have been conducted in different countries. This will be followed by rigorous in-country assessment in line with laid down protocols to further ensure safety and efficacy”.
The association maintained that the first and foremost ethical responsibility of all healthcare professionals in situations like the COVID-19 pandemic is to provide urgent medical care and ensure availability of approved medications for appropriate use, as anything contrary to this will be unprofessional.
Dr Anthony Ikeme, NAPPSA president
It stated that the increased demand for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19 has exacerbated their already limited availability for patients who rely on them to meet their medical needs, as they are experiencing difficulty in accessing the medicines for their conditions.
NAPPSA in a press release expressed worries for this set of patients who depend on chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for their conditions as their symptoms do not respond to other treatments and there are no alternatives. “Many of these patients are not able to fill their prescriptions today, due to major shortages of hydroxychloroquine in the wake of nationwide confirmed reports of pharmacies having depleted their supplies and all drug manufacturers reporting back-orders”.
The statement signed by the NAPPSA President, Dr Anthony Ikeme and the Secretary, Dr Aloysius Ibe stated that NAPPSA joins the American Medical Association (AMA), American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) in condemning this unethical act.
Acknowledging ongoing clinical studies all over the world to determine the efficacy in using hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine to treat COVID-19, the association noted efforts by the FDA in collaboration with innovators to expedite action on these activities, including leveraging scientific information about the virus and ongoing clinical trials in the US and other countries such as China, Japan, South Korea and Italy.
It cited the example of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) as it has begun a randomised controlled trial for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with the investigational antiviral drug, remdesivir, while the FDA has been working with the drug sponsor to find multiple pathways to both study the drug under the FDA’s investigational new drug (IND) requirements, and thus collect helpful data about the efficacy of the drug, as well as provide the drug to patients under emergency use.
It explained that the FDA is committed to continuing to make use of its expanded access programme to allow the emergency use of remdesivir for eligible patients. To date, the agency has already granted over 250 patients access to this product. The data collected from the expanded access programme may contribute to the agency’s understanding of the drug, but controlled clinical trials are needed to determine if it is safe and effective for the treatment of COVID-19 infection.
The association therefore called on the medical community to ensure these products are effective; otherwise they risk treating patients with a product that might not work when they could have pursued other, more effective, treatments.”If clinical data proves the effectiveness of this product for treating COVID-19, NAPPSA anticipates an increased demand for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine. It is thus very important for drug regulatory agencies to engage domestic manufacturers to ramp up production of these drug products to mitigate any potential supply chain pressures.
The release further reads in part:
Illegally marketed COVID-19 products
“Despite the joint global efforts to facilitate prevention and treatment options, it is extremely important for everyone to know that some people and companies are trying to profit from this pandemic by selling unproven and illegally marketed products that make false claims, such as being effective against the coronavirus. Fraudulent COVID-19 products can come in many varieties, including dietary supplements and other foods, as well as products claiming to be tests, drugs, medical devices, or vaccines. NAPPSA urges the international regulatory agencies to closely monitor the market to combat these products with fraudulent claims.
Ongoing clinical trials
“Innovators are looking at products in a variety of areas, including the assessment of antiviral drugs that might treat the specific virus, as well as host targets, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor inhibitors that may be helpful in reducing lung inflammation and improving lung function in COVID-19 patients, thereby potentially slowing the progression of severe respiratory symptoms. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. has announced the initiation of a randomized controlled clinical trial of sarilumab, an antibody to the IL-6 receptor, to assess whether the modification of the inflammatory response by this treatment provides benefit to COVID-19 patients.
“There is also global interest in evaluating whether therapies, such as convalescent plasma and hyperimmune globulin, antibody-rich blood products that are taken from blood donated by people who have recovered from the virus, could shorten the length, or lessen the severity, of the illness. Facilitating the ultimate widespread use and availability of safe and effective medical countermeasures is critical for several reasons. In addition to reducing the severity and duration of respiratory or other symptoms through medical treatments, it could also help lessen the burden on medical personnel, equipment, and facilities”.
Founded in 2006 and representing over 7000 pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, pharmaceutical educators, NAPPSA works to support global health by enabling the advancement of pharmaceutical practice, sciences and education. Many NAPPSA members are in the frontline providing pharmaceutical care to patients in COVID-19 pandemic and as members of the global health community we share responsibility of sharing our professional knowledge and experience with other healthcare professionals, organizations, policy makers and the general public.
As a means of improving access to affordable and quality medicines for the Nigerian citizens, Airtel Nigeria and mPharma recently struck a deal to eliminate major barriers to good patients’ outcomes and quality healthcare delivery in the country.
The partnership, launched on World Health Day 2020, was designed to offer millions of Airtel subscribers across Nigeria access to ‘mutti’ for free, to enable them enjoy access to quality medicines and healthcare services, with a focus on affordability, accessibility and availability.
Gregory Rockson
Speaking on the collaboration, Managing Director & CEO of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, said ‘mutti’ is a loyalty rewards programme, which will enhance subscribers to receive a notification message and would be able to sign up to join ‘mutti’ and start enjoying all the exciting benefits.
According to Gregory Rockson, co-founder and CEO of mPharma, “there is no better time than now for all stakeholders to come together to fight for affordable cost of medicines and increasing access to quality medicines for all. In these uncertain times, we restate our commitment to our clients whose ability to access quality and affordable medicines will remain our priority”.
Speaking further on the programme, Mr Rockson said mutti subscribers would have access to quality medicines at affordable prices, discounts on all purchases, flexible payment plans, free health checks/consultations and a flat N500 delivery fee in Lagos, Portharcourt, Abuja and Warri.
He remarked that with the introduction of this programme, poor access to affordable medicines and healthcare, which hitherto has been a major barrier to economic growth of many countries in Africa, will be nearing elimination in Nigeria.
To enrol & enjoy amazing offers visit http://bit.ly/mymutting or call 09022439644 & 017006112 today!
Nomination has commenced for the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award, NHEA, the Oscar of Nigerian healthcare, which is an annual event organised to recognise and celebrate outstanding personalities and organisations for their extraordinary contributions to healthcare in Nigeria.
The organisers in a press statement mailed to Pharmanews, revealed the criteria to be considered by the NHEA Jury team before announcing winners to include: Outstanding performances; the creation of new business models; recognizing and embracing new trends; market leadership and inspirational performance among others.
NHEA 2020 Banner
It is in the light of this that the management of Pharmanews Ltd (Winner, 2017, 2018, & 2019 Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award for Print Media) seeks nomination from her loyal readers and advertisers for the category of: Healthcare Media Excellence Award-Print.
Being the 7th edition of the healthcare excellence award ceremony, nominations for different award categories are expected from over 8,700 healthcare stakeholders and members of the public, as the grand finale will be graced by members of the healthcare community, dignitaries from affiliate sectors and personalities in top echelons of the society.
Themed: “Inspire, Innovate, Collaborate”, the organisers expressed their intention to continuously use the platform presented by the award to inspire, promote innovation and collaboration in the ecosystem.
According to the NHEA Chairman, Dr Anthony Omolola, “The programme will recognise the rapid growth of Nigeria’s healthcare sector, the role of technology and the capacity of organisations and individuals to influence and set new performance standards in Nigeria and beyond”.
The date for the grand finale, scheduled to hold in September at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, will be communicated in due course, while nominations continues.
To nominate Pharmanews and other candidates for the various categories, click the link below:
Nurses under the aegis of National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and the Forum of Local Government Nurses and Midwives (FOLGONM) have condemned what they described as governments’ insensitivity to the plight of nurses, as frontline caregivers in the raging global pandemic.
The nurses, who berated government at both federal and state levels, for its negligence of their welfare without adequate provision of personal protective equipments (PPEs), flat rate hazard allowance, without special compensation for crucial services as implemented in other climes during the COVID-19 outbreak, said the newly introduced graduated emolument for health workers is rather discriminatory and demotivating.
A cross-section of nurses at a conference.
In a special interview with the President of NANNM, Com. Abdurafiu Adeniji, he said healthcare interventions in the country may not be successful, if those at the helms of affairs will continue to perpetuate the act of sidelining those set of health workers who are in the majority in the healthcare team.
“Government attitude no matter how well intentioned is not good enough as far as the fight against COVID-19 pandemic is concerned. The pockets of protests being witnessed is a testimony to the fact that there is no way any intervention in the health sector can be successful without full stakeholders’ participation.
“We have engaged governments severally and we keep reiterating the fact that attempting to address public issues while excluding nurses and midwives and other frontline health professionals at the policy formulation level is an exercise in futility”, Adeniji asserted.
Comrade (Nurse) Abdrafiu Alani Adeniji
The nurses president further listed their grouse with governments noting that the provision of hand gloves, face mask, protective booth, eye glasses, gowns and other equipment are in short supply.
“The compensation for the exigencies of this crucial services is demotivating. The government approved hazard allowances for healthcare professionals are at a flat rate. But what is flying now is graduated emolument for a category of health workers. This is discriminatory and demotivating. While there is no commendation for allowances spelt out presently, the discriminatory nature of healthcare policy is demotivating and it will definitely not encourage high productivity and harmony in health sector.
“We are talking of issue of life and death, and the value of life is not graded, hence there must not be ranking in compensating healthcare professionals as it is presently been proposed. As combatant in the war field tackling COVID-19, this should be addressed to attain equality”, he charged.
Expressing the experiences of nurses in Lagos, where the battle rages most, the Lagos NANNM Chairperson, Mrs Blessing Israel also decried the discriminatory disposition of the Lagos State COVID-19 Committee to the association, saying they were not recognised on board.
Mrs Mary Lateef-Yusuf, Chairperson, Lagos FOLGONM
She said: “NANNM is expected to be a member of the Lagos State COVID-19 Committee, as we are major stakeholders with largest members in the healthcare system, but to our greatest surprise, we were not invited to the committee”.
Israel however noted that the state branch on its own constituted a committee that moves from unit to unit, most importantly units that lack PPE and other materials, and try to supply them, in order to keep their members safe in the line of duty.
On the invitation of Chinese doctors by the federal government to come and assist the healthcare team in the country, she took her stand with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), as they have said such move is unnecessary.
For the National Chairman of FOLGONM, Com. Femi Agbede, the proposed federal government’s initiative to bring 18-man Chinese experts to assist the Nigerian healthcare team in the fight against ÇOVID-19 is absolutely out of place.
“I’m completely against this plan. We might end up compounding the problems in our hands. In what capacity will they function? Is it as experts or direct caregivers. Don’t forget our socio -cultural differences.
“Again coming from another country, they will require to be quarantined for at least 14 days on arrival, and based on standards and protocols, they must pass through regulatory body before they can operate here. While one appreciates the efforts of FG, experiences and expertise can be shared through other means without necessarily coming down” he quipped.
Our chat with the Lagos FOLGONM Chairperson, Mrs Mary Lateef-Yusuf, revealed that all Primary Health Centres are shut down, with the exception of flagship centres, which run 24 hours services.
She further disclosed that there’s no coverall PPE wears in any of the facility throughout the 57 LGAs/LCDAs. “This is principally because we are not expected to manage any COVID-19 cases”.
However, the state FOLGONM Chairperson quickly added that in response to the increasing number of community transmission, the LGA commenced training for different categories of staff on active case ssearch.
On Chinese experts invitation to Nigeria, she expressed mixed feelings, but emphasized on the provision of more PPEs.
“Well, it may be necessary if the projection becomes real, but for now all resources should be channelled towards procurement of more PPEs and respirators for all the Isolation centres”, she noted.
Poised to give our readers and advertisers better services in spite of the #COVID19 pandemic, Pharmanews–your global health journal has continued to improve on its services in terms of healthcare information dissemination, by keeping readers abreast of latest development in public health, especially on how to stay safe from the novel Coronavirus, as well as expanding our reach to over 250,000 readers per month.
Our website now receives an average of 120,000 hits per day and about 4 million hits monthly. We have over 8000 daily average visitors and over 250,000 monthly visitors with 6000 monthly page views.
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Relaxing in a hot bath both improves inflammation and lowers blood sugar levels, research suggests.
Indulging in a warm soak for an hour triggers the release of a chemical that combats inflammation in the same way as exercise.
Taking some time out in the tub also releases a substance that lowers blood pressure, the study also found.
Researchers from Loughborough University analysed ten sedentary, overweight men after they either sat in a 38°C (100.4°F) bath or rested for an hour.
Blood samples were taken before, immediately after and two hours post the immersion to test the men’s glucose and insulin levels, as well as to look for markers of inflammation.
Heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature recordings were also taken every 15 minutes during the bath.
The men who had the hot bath were then asked to have ten more at home over two weeks before undergoing additional blood tests.
Results showed that just one hot bath raises levels of the inflammatory chemical IL-6 in the bloodstream. This also increases during exercise, which triggers an inflammatory response.
Peaks in IL-6 are then followed by the release of substances that combat unhealthy levels of inflammation.
CAN TAKING A HOT BATH HELP DEPRESSION?
Taking hot baths could be a better way of treating depression than exercising, a study found in October.
People who go to a spa for an hour twice a week show better improvements in their mental health than those who work out regularly.
Experts suggested this could be because it restores the body’s natural temperature rhythm over the course of a day, which can be disrupted in depressed patients.
Regular bathing is faster-acting and easier than exercise, scientists said, and the study showed people are more likely to continue with it over the long term.
Researchers from the University of Freiburg in Germany tested the effects of thermal baths on 45 people with depression. The research was published on the website bioRxiv.
A single hot soak also triggered the release of nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels and therefore decreases blood pressure.
After the men’s daily at-home baths, their blood sugar and insulin levels were lower while they were fasting and resting.
The study was published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.
The researchers, led by PhD student Sven Hoekstra, believe a bath could ‘improve aspects of the inflammatory profile and enhance glucose metabolism in sedentary, overweight males’.
They added a hot soak ‘might have implications for improving metabolic health in populations unable to meet the current physical activity recommendations’.
A person may be unable to exercise if they have suffered an injury, an asthma flare-up or a concussion.
The participants did, however, report feeling uncomfortable during the hour-long bath, which may be due to the temperature of the water or the amount of time they spent in it.
Around one in four adults worldwide suffer from high blood pressure.
If it is consistently high, this puts an extra strain on the heart, which has been linked to a higher risk of a heart attack, heart failure and stroke, as well as kidney disease and even dementia.
Inflammation has been linked to everything from asthma and coeliac disease to Crohn’s and even organ transplant rejection.
This comes after research released earlier this month suggested exposure to blue light lowers a person’s blood pressure.
After 14 healthy men were exposed to blue light for just half-an-hour, their blood pressure levels were reduced just as much as with medication, according to a study by the University of Surrey and Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf.
There are indications that people the world over are still indifferent to the kind of meals they consume, despite massive campaigns on adequate intake of fruits and vegetables to ward off diseases and premature death.
One in Five Deaths Due To Poor Diet
According to a major global study conducted by researchers at the University of Washington, it was found that one in five deaths is traceable to the two extremes of malnutrition among poor people and unhealthy eating among rich.
The report published on Daily Mail Online, formed part of the Global Burden of Disease report, the most in-depth study of global mortality rates ever conducted, revealed that the biggest challenge is the lack of whole grains, fruit, and vegetables in diets.
The researchers still identified the unhealthy habit of heavy salt and fat consumption in foods.”The biggest driving factor is that millions of people are eating a diet which consists of too much salt and saturated fat, and not enough fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, omega 3, and whole grains, the authors warn”.
The studies, drawing from the input of 2,500 experts, also showed that one in seven people – 1.1 billion – are ‘living with mental health and substance use disorders’. Major depression ranked among the top ten causes of ill health in all but four of the 195 countries and territories covered.
It noted that mental health services are chronically underfunded in most nations, especially in the developing world.
The study puts the global population afflicted with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease at 2.6 million worldwide in 2016, and more than 40 percent surge from only a decade earlier.
“Alcohol and drug use accounted for some 320,000 deaths, including 86,000 for opioids. Opioid abuse – mostly pharmaceutical – in the United States has reached epidemic proportions”.
“We are facing a triad of trouble holding back many nations and communities – obesity, conflict and mental illness, including substance abuse disorders,’ said Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington in Seattle, which centralized and analysed the millions of data points used the studies”.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as at 09:30 pm on Monday 6th April 2020 disclosed that there are six new cases of the virus in the country making a total of 238 confirmed cases infected with the disease.
Making the disclosure through its Twitter handle, the agency noted that the six new cases of #COVID19, five were from two in Kwara, two in Edo, one in Rivers and one in the FCT.
For a breakdown of cases by states Lagos- 120 FCT- 48 Osun- 20 Oyo- 9 Edo- 11 Bauchi- 6 Akwa Ibom- 5 Kaduna- 5 Ogun- 4 Enugu- 2 Ekiti- 2 Rivers-2 Benue- 1 Ondo- 1 Kwara- 2
A recent study conducted by scientists from the University of Louisville, USA, has found that eating raw garlic could reduce the risk of developing memory problems in old age.
The scientists wanted to investigate the role human aging digestive systems play in the development of memory problems, and whether an organic compound in garlic called allyl sulfide could help prevent decline.
Allyl sulfide “has many health benefits and is known for its detoxifying agents” the authors of the study wrote.
Referring to the microbes which populate the human body and outnumber our own cells by 10 to 1 Dr. Neetu Tyagi, co-author at the university said: “The diversity of the gut microbiota is diminished in elderly people, a life stage when neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s develop and memory and cognitive abilities can decline.
We want to better understand how changes in the gut microbiota relate to aging-associated cognitive decline.”
Image of a Garlic
The scientists tested their hypotheses on 24 month old mice, equivalent to humans aged between 56 to 69-years-old, using allyl sulfide. They then compared their memory skills to 4 month old mice and 24 year old mice which did not take the compound.
The mice which took allyl sulfide had better short and long-term memory skills, and their gut bacteria was healthier compared with the mice of the same age which didn’t take the chemical.
The researchers further found that allyl sulphide preserved a gene expression of neuronal-derived natriuretic factor (NDNF) in the brain which is crucial for long-term and short-term memory.
The researchers discovered the mice which were given the garlic compound also showed higher levels of NDNF gene expression as well as hydrogen sulfide gas, a molecule that prevents intestinal inflammation in the gut.
Dr. Jyotirmaya Behera, one of the researchers said: “Our findings suggest that dietary administration of garlic containing allyl sulfide could help maintain healthy gut microorganisms and improve cognitive health in the elderly.”
Consuming raw garlic on a daily basis helps to lower cholesterol levels because of the anti-oxidant properties of Allicin, a compound produced when garlic is crushed. It is also immensely beneficial to regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Garlic is usually used as a spice in foods, but some people don’t know that it can also be good for health. It has been used for thousands of years to treat various human diseases and can reduce the risk of developing certain kinds of cancers such as breast and stomach, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.
Scientists hope that the breakthrough could help fight incurable cystic fibrosis and chronic wounds in diabetics, as well as tackling Methillin Resistant Staphylococcus Auerus (MRSA) and common hospital infection.
Most of us prefer to start our day with a warm glass of tea or coffee. However, when it comes to water, we usually prefer to grab a cold one.
If Ayurvedic experts are to be believed, you are doing more harm to your body by doing this. Although drinking warm water does not entice your taste buds as warm tea or coffee, regular consumption of warm water provides a myriad of health benefits, including weight loss and pain relief. According to experts, every human being needs to drink at least 7 to 8 glasses of water daily. Here are the surprising benefits of you drinking warm water:
Reduces constipation:
Warm water consumption eases bowel movements and relieves constipation. Drinking a tall glass of warm or hot water on an empty stomach every morning improves bowel movements and also reduces the frequency of stomach problems such as bloating, gas and constipation.
Improves digestion:
Some studies have shown that the consumption of warm water is linked to better digestion. It’s not definitive yet, meaning more studies need to be done, but there is also anecdotal evidence that it seems to work for many people. Try it out and let us know if it makes a difference for you!
Helps in weight loss
Planning to lose weight through a diet? Well, you could drink some warm water instead. By drinking warm water, there is a slight increase in your body temperature, which in turn accelerates your metabolic rate. Being a zero calorie drink, warm water prevents hunger pangs and also satiates your senses, making it an excellent weight loss aid.
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Detoxifies your body:
Not many people know that warm water acts as a potent potion to cleanse your body by flushing out harmful toxins through your sweat and urine. This in turn flushes out the toxins trapped in your body. You can also add lemon juice and honey to warm water for better results.
Heals Nasal & Throat Congestion:
Drinking hot water is an excellent, natural remedy for cold, cough and sore throat. It dissolves thick cough or phlegm and eliminates them easily from your respiratory tract so that you can get relief from a sore throat. Hot water also helps in clearing the nasal congestion
Prevents premature ageing:
In addition to cleansing your body of toxins, warm water increases your skin’s elasticity and enhances its ability to perform repairs, thereby reducing the signs of premature ageing such as wrinkles, dry skin and dark patches.
Enhances blood circulation:
The heat from drinking how water helps improve your circulation, so that your blood and nutrients can flow freely to where they need to go.
Improved circulation means increased oxygen, and if you add some lemon to your hot water, the citrate it contains is also said to enhance blood circulation too.
If you really want to boost your circulation, lifting weights or other intense exercise is a great way to do it. You can even increase the circulation to your brain by trying out a few inverted yoga poses.
Improves immunity:
Warm water with some honey and squeezed lemon stimulates the lymphatic system to flush out toxins which means a healthier immune system for you. Add some ginger and you’ve got yourself a tasty drink which is very immune-system friendly!
Alleviates pain:
The heat from warm water soothes muscles by increasing blood flow and relaxing them. So, if you are suffering from cramps or muscle spasms, apply a hot water pack on the affected area to ease the pain. It has been an age-old remedy to relieve pain and swelling due to muscle cramps as well as to deal with menstrual pain and headache.
Induces sleep:
Sipping warm water during your meals (especially during dinner) or before going to bed, not only aids in digestion and cleansing your body of toxins but also helps your body relax and soothes your nerves. Additionally, it will also make you feel rejuvenated in the morning and prevent midnight cravings.
Protects against skin infections:
Apart from rejuvenating skin cells, daily consumption of warm water detoxifies your skin, thereby lowering your risk of skin-related ailments. The rule of drinking at least eight glasses of warm water daily holds true in dealing with acne. Warm water helps unclog your pores and flushes out the toxins present within the skin. Additionally, it also acts as a natural moisturiser for dry and parched skin.
Reduces your risk of water-borne diseases:
Another added advantage of drinking warm water is that you are at a lower risk of suffering from water-borne diseases. This is because, boiling water kills the number of microbes present in the water, thereby making it fit for consumption as compared to water at cold or room temperature.
Improves hair health:
Warm water helps maintain hair health, promotes hair growth and prevents dandruff from coming back. Warm water keeps the scalp hydrated and increases root activity, giving you soft and shiny hair.
Improves menstrual cramps:
Warm water with some carom seeds is a natural and inexpensive remedy for soothing menstrual cramps. The heat relaxes the abdominal muscles, relieving the pain caused by muscle spasms. It can also help with other types of pain including headaches, body aches and tummy aches.
Coconut water is actually the juice present inside the interior cavity of young, tender coconut. Its water is one of the nature’s most refreshing drinks, consumed worldwide for its nutritious and health properties.
The water can actually be obtained by carefully opening a green, healthy, and undamaged coconut through a narrow opening. Here are 6 benefits of coconut water that explain why it has become so popular:
Regulates blood pressure
According to research, coconut water helps improve blood circulation, lowers high blood pressure levels, thereby reducing the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues. It is also said to control your blood sugar levels.
Help lose weight
If you are on a weight loss spree, coconut water should be a must-have in your diet chart. Low in fat, drinking this beverage can help one feel full and reduce cravings.
6 Reasons To Drink Coconut Water
Increases immunity
Rich in nutrients and vitamins like riboflavin, niacin, thiamin and pyridoxine, and folates, coconut water has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties that can help increase your body’s immune system and fight viral infections like flu.
For pregnant women
Doctors often recommend coconut water during pregnancy as it helps fight constipation, heart burn and slow digestion.
Improves kidney function
Due to its minerals, potassium and magnesium content, coconut water is beneficial to a person suffering from any kidney disease. This water also acts as a diuretic and increases the flow and production of urine.
For your skin
If you have acne or pimple problems or want to retain its youthfulness, apply coconut water on your face and leave it overnight. Due to its repairing properties, it can even be applied to hands and nails.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as at 09:30 pm on Sunday 5th April 2020 disclosed that there are eight new cases of the virus in the country making a total of 232 confirmed cases infected with the disease.
Making the disclosure through its Twitter handle, the agency noted that the eight new cases of #COVID19, five were from Lagos, two in the FCT, one in Kaduna.
For a breakdown of cases by states Lagos- 120 FCT- 47 Osun- 20 Oyo- 9 Edo- 9 Bauchi- 6 Akwa Ibom- 5 Kaduna- 5 Ogun- 4 Enugu- 2 Ekiti- 2 Rivers-1 Benue- 1 Ondo- 1.
Twenty-three have been discharged with five deaths
The Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has recently announced the discharge of five more Coronavirus patients from the Infectious Disease Hospital in Lagos. In a post shared on his Instagram page Sunday evening, the governor said a 10-year-old girl is amongst the five patients discharged today.
The governor said he is happy to inform Nigerians that five more patients comprising two males and three females including a 10-year- old girl have tested negative twice consecutively to COVID-19 and have been discharged to reunite with their families, adding that this brings to 29 the total number of patients who have fully recovered and discharged from our facility at Yaba.
He expressed sadness at the news of the 36-year-old man who died of Coronavirus in a private facility in the state on Saturday 4 April.
Babajide-Sanwo-olu
The governor appealed to Lagos State citizens not to stigmatize those that have been discharged from the hospital, as this act could bring feelings of shame, hopelessness and despair. He added that all they need to do is to support them in whatever form to get over the memories as soon as possible
”It is however sad that the State has recorded another death, bringing to two the total number of deaths from COVID-19 in Lagos State. I need to reiterate that the result of tests conducted by our health workers on the recovered patients is a confirmation that they pose no threat to the community,” he said.
He also thanked the frontline health workers who are taking good care of the patients, and members of the Lagos State Health family and the Emergency Operation Centre for their kindness and flexibility in managing the patients and checking the spread of the disease.
He appealed to residents of the state to continue practicing social distancing and taking all precautionary measures as the state continues its battle against the ravaging viral disease.
”Let us remain indoors and shun the temptation to breach the presidential restriction that has been placed on our state so that the gains recorded so far are not eroded. It has come to our notice that some of our youths still engage in sporting, socializing, and other related activities, this is very unfortunate. This act could jeopardize our efforts and the laudable intention of the lockdown. I therefore advise you to adhere strictly to our instructions so that together we can win the battle,” he advised.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as at 11:15 am on Sunday 5th April 2020 disclosed that there are 10 new cases of coronavirus in the country making a total of 224 confirmed cases infected with the disease.
Making the disclosure through its Twitter handle, the agency noted that the 10 new cases of #COVID19, six were from Lagos, two in the FCT, two in Edo.
For a breakdown of cases by states- Lagos- 115 FCT- 45 Osun- 20 Oyo- 9 Akwa Ibom- 5 Ogun- 4 Edo- 9 Kaduna- 4 Bauchi- 6 Enugu- 2 Ekiti- 2 Rivers-1 Benue- 1 Ondo- .
Twenty-seven have been discharged with five deaths
When China confirmed the outbreak of coronavirus, now officially named COVID-19, on 31 December 2019, most Nigerians had earnestly prayed that the viral disease would not find its way into the country and also hoped that the government would resolutely take all necessary measures to safeguard the nation and its citizens from the scourge.
This admixture of apprehension and hope was largely fuelled by memories of the harrowing experience the nation went through in 2014 when Ebola found its way into the country through a Liberian-American lawyer, Patrick Sawyer. The 40-year-old Sawyer, had arrived Nigeria aboard an aircraft from Liberia.
That an infected Sawyer was able to enter the country from Liberia, one of the nation’s worst affected by the Ebola epidemic at that time, was considered quite tactless and unacceptable by many Nigerians who had expected the government to have done much more to prevent the incursion of the disease into the country.
One of the lingering scars of that grave error was the loss of the distinguished Nigerian doctor, Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, who heroically oversaw Mr Sawyer’s treatment. There were seven other fatalities out of the 20 cases of Ebola infection linked to Mr Sawyer. This was in addition to the seismic socio-economic disruptions witnessed in the country for the 92 days that the epidemic lasted, before the nation was eventually declared Ebola free on 20 October, 2014.
Sadly, to the disappointment and dismay of many Nigerians, on 28 February, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, confirmed that an Italian man who had arrived the country from Milan, Italy, three days earlier, had tested positive to COVID-19. Nigerian thus became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to be hit by the disease, and with that began the trademark “fire-brigade” attempt to contain the spread of the infection in the country.
But if Nigerians had been chagrined by the fact that the authorities allowed a repeat of what happened with Ebola to happen with coronavirus, then they were in for a greater shock when it was discovered that, contrary to earlier claims and assurances by the government, the country was not fully prepared to combat an outbreak of the disease.
Indeed, as at 3 February, the federal government, had through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), declared that it had not only put in place measures to ensure that COVID-19 was prevented from entering the country but had also set up mechanisms to swiftly contain any possible outbreak.
The authenticity of these claims began to crumble with the reports that the isolation centre in which the index case was quarantined was in a deplorable state, so much that the hapless Italian had threatened to flee the centre due to “excessive heat and mosquitoes”. Then came the ultimate blow, as the number of confirmed cases of the infection has so far grown from one to eight, as at the time of writing this.
Even though the coronavirus disease has not spread in the country as many would have expected, given the poor state of our health facilities, it must be emphasised that our carelessness as a nation could have cost us dearly as many countries with better health systems and more resources are now in dire straits as a result of COVID-19. In fact, it is for this reason that many nations have been taking very drastic measures such as flight ban and visa cancellation to curtail the spread of the condition in their countries.
Curiously, while many of these nations around the world were prioritising the health and safety of their citizens, the Nigerian government, citing economic reasons, refused to place a travel ban on countries with active spread of the virus.
Not even the massive calls from different quarters, including the Senate and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), for a total shutdown of the nation’s borders, could jolt the government to the health hazard it was inviting on the citizens. Indeed, the NMA had gone so far as to raise the alarm that, at least, 730 people from high-risk countries of coronavirus entered the country on a daily basis.
Yet the government remained adamant. It was not until the confirmed cases had escalated to eight before the government eventually announced, on 18 March, travel restrictions for travellers from 13 high-risk Covid-19 countries. It is indeed deplorable that the Nigerian government should be more interested in economic considerations when the health of the citizen was in serious jeopardy. The government need not be reminded that the citizens must be alive first before they can benefit from and contribute to the economy.
The outbreak of COVID-19 should equally be a wake-up call to the intrinsic nexus between drug availability and national security. The nation’s pharmaceutical industry is bound to have a tough time providing the medicines needed by our huge population of over 200 million in the next couple of weeks, except the coronavirus is imminently curtailed. This is because India and China that we depend on for finished pharmaceutical products and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and other inputs for local pharmaceutical manufacturing are no longer supplying to us as they battle to take care of their own citizens at this precarious time.
It is our view that the Nigerian nation must begin to look inward and act right on matters of healthcare. The government must know that prioritizing the health of citizens at all times and also being better prepared to handle emergency public health challenges like the COVID-19 outbreak is fundamental to the survival of the nation.
In the middle of lockdown in their country, “Coronavirus” pandemic, an Indian couple has recently named their newborn twins ‘Corona, a boy and ‘Covid, a girl’.
The couple based in Raipur, capital of Chhattisgarh, a state in India, said, to them, the names connote the triumph they had over the hardships they experienced in the build up to the successful delivery which spanned March 26-27. The twins were born in Dr BR Ambedkar Memorial Hospital, a government hospital in Raipur.
However, they may reverse their decision in the future and rename their children, the couple told local media.
“I was blessed with the twins — a boy and a girl — in the early hours (of) March 27. We have named them Covid (boy) and Corona (girl) for now,” Mother Preeti Verma, 27, told news agency PTI.
“The delivery happened after facing several difficulties and therefore, my husband and (I) wanted to make the day memorable. Indeed, the virus is dangerous and life-threatening but its outbreak made people focus on sanitation, hygiene and inculcate other good habits. Thus, we thought about these names,” Mrs Verma added.
Coronavirus: Mother Preeti Verma with her newborn twins
“When the hospital staff also started calling the babies as Corona and Covid, we finally decided to name them after the pandemic,” she explained further.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on March 24 announced a 21-day lockdown of India’s 1.3 billion population in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus.
Angst has since spiked, forcing Mr Modi to seek the forgiveness of the million of poor people in India. So far, the country has had a reported 2,032 cases and 58 deaths.
The Verma couple had to breach the restriction when Mrs Verma — who also has a two-year-old daughter — began to feel labour pain in the late night of March 26.
“I suddenly experienced severe labour pain and somehow my husband arranged an ambulance operated under 102 Mahtari Express service,” Mrs Verma further told PTI
“As no vehicular movement was allowed on roads due to the lockdown, we were stopped by police at various places but they let us go after noticing my condition.
“I was wondering what would happen in the hospital as it was midnight, but fortunately doctors and other staff were very cooperative.
“Our relatives, who wanted to reach the hospital, could not make it as bus and train services were stopped due to the lockdown,” she said.
The babies were delivered in the early hours of March 27, within 45 minutes of the couple’s arrival, Indian Times also quoted Shubhra Singh, a spokesperson of the hospital, to have said.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as at 10:30 pm on Saturday 3rd April 2020, disclosed that there are 20 new cases of the virus in the country making a total of 210 persons infected with the disease.
Making the disclosure through its Twitter handle, the agency noted that the 20 new cases of #COVID19, 11 were from Lagos, three in the FCT, three in Edo, two in Osun, and one in Ondo.
The Agency also added that as at 11:00 am 3rd April there are 190 confirmed cases, 20 discharged, and two new deaths recorded in the country, one in Lagos, and the other in Edo state.
Also, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo Olu announced on his twitter page that four patients have been discharged from the Infectious Disease Hospital, three females and one male have fully recovered, adding that they all tested negative twice.
Teeth discolouration could be a very unpleasant condition for those living with it, as it tends to diminish their self esteem among friends. These blemishes can differ in colour from yellowish-brown to black-brown, and their shapes and sizes also vary.
There are different causes of teeth discolouration, but some of them are as follows: Foods and drinks; Red wine due to the tannic acid in it; Nicotine and tobacco products; Tartar; tooth decay, aging, genetics and so on.
The good thing about blemishes on the teeth is that they can be avoided as well as treated with home remedies and professional treatment.
Just as preventive care is advocated for than treatment options, seasoned dentists who spoke with Medical News Today have highlighted some daily practices that could prevent the condition from occurring.
A person with teeth discolouration
Tips to prevent spots on the teeth are:
Brush the teeth with a fluoride toothpaste for 2 minutes twice daily.
Floss once a day.
Rinse the mouth with water or brush the teeth after eating, especially when meals have contained high amounts of sugar, chromogens, or tannins
Use a fluoride-based mouthwash daily. This is not recommended for children under 6.
Regularly get dental cleanings and assessments.
Stop using nicotine or tobacco products.
Use a straw when drinking beverages other than water.
Talk with a dentist about any habits that may harm the teeth, such as grinding.
Some foods can help to strengthen enamel and prevent discolouration. Those rich in roughage or fiber can help to scrub bacteria and bits of plaque off the teeth. Others form barriers to plaque or contain chemicals that help to neutralize the acids that weaken enamel.
Foods that may help prevent tooth discolouration include:
green, leafy vegetables, such as kale, spinach, and broccoli
cheeses and fermented yogurts
high-fiber fruits and vegetables, such as apples, plums, pears, and celery
foods rich in certain antioxidants, including carrots, ginger, and garlic
whole grains and cereals
However, for the established condition of teeth discolouration, the following treatment can be used:
Treatment for teeth discolouration
The cause of brown spots on the teeth will determine the best treatment.
The following home remedies can eliminate stains caused by foods, drinks, or lifestyle habits such as smoking:
A man flossing his teeth
Brush the teeth with a mixture of baking soda and water every few days
Rinse the mouth with a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution every day or every few days. Always rinse the mouth with water afterward.
Many over-the-counter products can eliminate tooth discolouration. A person will usually see results after 1–2 weeks, though there is no guarantee.
Some over-the-counter options include:
whitening mouthwashes and rinses containing hydrogen peroxide
tray whitening systems containing carbamide peroxide bleaching gel
If discolouration is caused by tartar or medical conditions, a person may need to visit a dentist.
A dentist or dental hygienist will use instruments to scrape, blast, or rub tartar and plaque away from teeth. A dentist may also perform minor procedures to whiten the teeth and protect them from further decay. These include bleaching and applying topical fluoride.
Tooth discolouration associated with celiac disease is permanent. Most stains and spots caused by fluorosis or tooth decay are likewise irreversible.
More than 1,002,159 people have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 disease worldwide, according to figures collected by researchers from Johns Hopkins University.
The death toll from the deadly virus has also surpassed 51,000 while about 208,000 patients have recovered.
Italy remains the country worst affected by the outbreak, with 13,915 deaths, followed by Spain, with 10,003 deaths.
The US accounts for most cases in the world with 234,000 people infected and 5,316 deaths recorded so far.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as at 08:00 pm on Thursday 2nd April disclosed that there are 10 new cases of the novel Coronavirus in the country making a total of 184 persons infected with the disease.
According to the data provided on Twitter, seven new cases were recorded in Lagos, three in the FCT. Twenty have been discharged with two deaths
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has recently announced that 11 more Coronavirus patients have been discharged from the Infectious Disease Hospital in Lagos through his instagram verified page.
He said the patients have all tested negative and were discharged today April 2nd. The cheering news comes two days after 9 patients from the Hospital were also discharged from the hospital.
Read his statement below
“Dear Lagosians, I am happy to break to you, the news of the discharge today of 11 more patients from our facility in Yaba. They have fully recovered, tested negative to COVID-19 and have been allowed to return home to their families. This brings to 18 the number of discharged patients in Lagos since the index case was reported” the governor explained.
Sanwo Olu said it is a thing of joy that we have not recorded any mortality, adding that he hopes and pray that it remains so. He also said he and his team will not rest on their oars but continue to work assiduously for the full recovery of the other patients so that they can return home to their families and the community.
Babajide Sanwo Olu, Governor of Lagos State
He further explained that the tests results of these patients came out negative twice is a big assurance to him and his team that they pose no threat to the community. He added that they are therefore, releasing them in furtherance of our commitment for a disease Free State.
“May I warn that this is not the time to relax, but to maintain our vigilance against Coronavirus because of the community infection that we are beginning to experience. We should be sober as the battle continues.
“Reports of youths gathering for social and sporting activities, as well as those massing for religious purposes are quite unfortunate. This kind of insensitivity could be a weak link in our collective effort to break the chain of transmission of the infection” he warned.
“The order for law enforcement agents to ensure that residents comply with the directive to stay indoors remains. I enjoin members of the organized Private Sector and others to read the Federal Government’s guidelines on the restriction of movement so that the directive is not breached in any way” Sanwo Olu said.
“Again, I assure you as your Governor and Incident Commander, we will not relent in our efforts to completely eradicate this disease from our state,” he assured. Thank You all and God bless”.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as at 08:00 pm on Wednesday 1st April disclosed that there are 23 new cases of the novel Coronavirus in the country making a total of 174 persons infected with the disease.
According to the data provided on Twitter, nine new cases were recorded 9 in Lagos, 7 in the FCT, 5 in Akwa Ibom, 1 in Kaduna and 1 in Bauchi State As at 08:00 pm 1st April there are 174 confirmed cases of COVID19 reported in Nigeria. Nine have been discharged with two deaths
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