Locally known as arakke (Hausa), achara mmako or okpete (Igbo) and ireke (Yoruba), sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), belongs to the grass family Poaceae. Though it is native to Papua New Guinea, it has become a part of the crop production of more than half of the world There are 36 varieties available.
Constituents: Apart from sugar, sugarcane contains some minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, vitamins and other nutrients like resins, hydrogen cyanides and alkaloids, which are mainly in low quantity.
Preparations: It can either be eaten in pieces or drunk as juice, either plain or topped with mint, lemon juice, ginger or black rock salt. Sugarcane juice may be applied to the skin directly or added to face mask and scrub.
Pharmacological actions and medicinal uses: the juice is alkaline in nature, because of the high concentration of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and manganese, which helps prevent diseases like cancer that cannot survive in an alkaline environment.
Sugarcane juice aids in digestion, due to its high potassium levels; prevents stomach infections and exhibits laxative properties, further improving bowel movement.
Image of a Sugarcane
It also prevents heart diseases and stroke, as it helps decrease the levels of unhealthy cholesterol and triglycerides
As sugarcane juice is high in soluble fibre, it has natural sugars and reduces the bad cholesterol levels in the body. It also helps in reducing weight.
It contains natural sugar, which has a low glycaemic index, that prevents a steep rise in blood glucose levels in diabetics. So it can act as a substitute for aerated drinks for them. However, people with Type-2 diabetes should consume it in moderation and after consultation with their doctors.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) which are part of the natural constituents of the juice help to fight acne, reduce blemishes, prevent ageing and help in keeping the skin hydrated. The diuretic properties of thejuice helps in treating urinary tract infections, kidney stones and ensure proper functioning of the kidneys. It also helps to strengthen the liver and is, thus, suggested as an excellent remedy for jaundice. Sugarcane juice is a good source of glucose, which helps to re-hydrate the human body and gives it a boost of energy.
Studies show that sugarcane juice protects against tooth decay and bad breath, due to its high mineral content. Sugarcane has copious amounts of vitamin B9 and folic acid, which protect the unborn child from birth defects, such as spina bifida.
According to studies, sugarcane juice also helps women with ovulating problems, therefore increasing the probability of a safer conception. Sugarcane juice helps to replenish lost proteins and helps in speedy recovery from fever.
Adverse effects: An ingredient called policosanol, present in sugarcane, can cause insomnia, upset stomach, dizziness, headaches and weight loss if consumed excessively. It can also cause blood thinning and can affect the cholesterol levels in the blood.
Economic potentials: Some of the world’s most consumed or used products come from sugarcane. 70 per cent of world sugar production comes from sugarcane. By-products of sugarcane processing include molasses (used in making rum), ethanol and bagasse (used as biofuel).
Results of a study revealed that every stage of the commodity chain is profitable. If research is well funded, local technology in sugarcane could save Nigeria foreign exchange of more than $100 billion annually, make Nigeria self-reliant in sugar production by the year 2020 and facilitate the emergence of Nigeria as a developed nation.
On 1 October, Pharmanews Limited celebrated its 40th anniversary and the 80th birthday of its founder and managing director, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi at a memorable ceremony in Lagos. The event was graced by family members, friends and associates of Sir Atueyi, as well a huge number of captains and stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry.
Although the Pharmanews journal actually clocked 40 years of uninterrupted monthly publication in May 2019, the decision to mark the anniversary on 1 October was to combine it with the birthday of the founder, Sir Atueyi. This decision was a fitting reflection of the interconnectedness of the story of Pharmanews with that of the life of Sir Atueyi.
The anniversary celebration was indeed a momentous avenue to affirm the power of divine grace and providence – to which Sir Atueyi attributes much of his success – as well as to highlight the indispensability of purpose, focus, determination and unwavering faith in God in achieving success and fulfilling destiny. Indeed, as Sir Atueyi revealed at the event and particularly in his autobiography, “My Life and Pharmanews” which was launched on the same anniversary day, the journal had to surmount a myriad of challenges to be consistently published every month since May 1979 without missing an edition. Considering the mortality rate of periodicals generally and health publications in particular, the celebration was for all intents and purposes worthwhile.
L-R Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, founder/MD, Pharmanews Limited; Chief Bunmi Olaopa, president, Great Ife Pharmacy Alumni Association (GIPAA) and Jimi Agbaje PDP’s Lagos State governorship candidate
The importance of building good relationships, through commitment to selflessness, honesty, integrity, genuine interest in the needs of others and consistency in offering value-added services in business, was also brought to the fore through the massive turnout of well-wishers for the October event and the overwhelming support received from within and outside the country. In particular, the turnout of major players in the pharmaceutical industry at the memorable anniversary celebration, 50 of whom were honoured with awards by the management of Pharmanews, added colour and prestige to the event.
The success story of Pharmanews, which has become not just the flagship journal of the pharmaceutical sector but the health sector, has multi-dimensional implications and lessons for diverse categories of individuals and businesses, especially in the pharmaceutical sector. Pharmacists must strive to think out of the box and not confine themselves to the conventional roles that academic knowledge assigns to them. Service to the profession and to humanity, as a whole, which was a factor in Sir Atueyi’s foray into pharmaceutical journalism, must be prioritised above monetary gratifications. Moreover, the place of passion in deciding one’s career path, creating a reputation of integrity and remaining focused amidst oppositions, distractions and adversities is of utmost importance in benefitting from the Pharmanews’ example.
Pharmacists can indeed set good examples to others within and outside their industry on innovative and strategic thinking, as well as the possibility of succeeding without taking shortcuts or delving into unethical practices or outright illegalities. By making the satisfaction of its partners a cardinal objective and center-point of its operations, Pharmanews has risen from being the leading pharmaceutical health publication in Nigeria and West Africa to being a global health journal with a strong online presence and a first choice for players in the industry whenever they want to disseminate health and pharmaceutical information to their various publics.
While Pharmanews is a great example to follow for those desirous of going into health journalism, it must also be noted that the journal itself must continue to evolve in tandem with the dynamic needs of its readers and partners. It must also continue to build the competencies needed to sustain its role as a leader in health information dissemination.
Professor Olawale Sulaiman is a globally acclaimed professor of neurosurgery and spine surgery. Currently regarded as the best spine surgeon in America, Sulaiman is highly skilled in the application of minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat spinal disorders and complex nerve reconstructive surgery.
As the system chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at Ochsner Health System in New Orleans, Louisiana, Sulaiman oversees all of the clinical and academic neurosurgery activities at all Ochsner-owned and network hospitals. Recently, Ochsner Department of Neurosurgery was named number four in the country for patient care and quality by CareChex.
In 2016, Sulaiman was named co-medical director of the award-winning Ochsner Neuroscience Institute, thereby expanding his leadership role to including neurosurgery, neurology, physical medicine and rehabilitation and neurocritical care departments.
Humanitarian missions
For many years, Professor Sulaiman has been committed to improving the quality of healthcare available to disadvantaged people in sub-Sahara African countries, especially in Nigeria. He began his medical mission to Nigeria in 2010, where he would visit every few months. Now, he travels almost every month and spends seven to ten days, performing surgery there.
Another remarkable sacrifice by Professor Sulaiman was his agreement with his employers (Ochsner Institute) to give up 15 per cent of his salary in order to give him the flexibility to travel for his medical missions. For over six years, he and his team have performed surgeries on over 500 patients, as well as screened and provided preventative medicines to 5,000 people. His employers have bought into his vision and support his efforts by sending medical supplies overseas with him.
Sulaiman is also the CEO and Chairman of RNZ Global Limited, a company focused on healthcare development, operations and management in sub-Saharan Africa, and is at the forefront of revolutionising healthcare in the region. The firm has played a major role in bringing modern neurosurgery and spine practice to many in Nigeria, raising the standard of neurosurgery in both private practice and government teaching hospitals.
Professor Olawale Sulaiman
Aside from the contributions of kindhearted people like Sulaiman, quality and affordable healthcare is inaccessible to millions of people in Nigeria. With an inadequate health insurance system, only a privileged few of the population with the means can afford the high cost of standard healthcare available in few hospitals in the country. Sulaiman is using his influence and expertise to bring this issue to the forefront.
As a well-respected thought leader in the Nigeria’s healthcare challenges, Sulaiman acts as an advisor to Nigerian ministries of health at the state and federal levels. He has recently been appointed as Special Adviser to the Governor of Kwara State on Health Matters.
Education and career
Professor Sulaiman was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1970. He had his secondary education at St. Gregory’s College, Lagos. His academic brilliance earned him the National Scholarship for Academic Excellence for his tertiary education and to pursue his dream of becoming a surgeon.
Sulaiman completed a combined MD/MSc degree at Medical University, Varna, Bulgaria, in Europe, where he received the university prize for academic excellence and graduated among the best in medical school. His interests in nerve and spinal cord injury and regeneration research led him to the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, where he also completed a PhD in Neurosciences (neurobiology of nerve injury and regeneration) under the tutelage of a world-renowned neurophysiologist, Dr Tessa Gordon.
He completed his neurosurgery residency at University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He also completed two world-renowned clinical fellowships in both complex nerve reconstruction (Louisiana State University Health Science Centre, USA – under Dr David Kline) and complex spine surgery (Medical College of Wisconsin, USA – under Drs Larson and Maiman).
Sulaiman is board-certified in neurosurgery by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is currently the medical director of the multidisciplinary Back and Spine Centre at Ochsner, as well as the director, Laboratory of Neural Injury and regeneration.
The acclaimed neurosurgeon has extensive research experience in both nerve and spinal cord injury and regeneration and he runs a nerve/spinal cord regeneration translational research laboratory at Ochsner. He is also a recipient of several honours and research grants, including: Research Excellence Award/Fellowship by the Canadian Institute for Health Research; Outstanding Research Recognition/Incentive Award by the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research; Principal Investigator Research Fellowship Award by the Rick Hansen Institute/Alberta Paraplegic Foundation.
Sulaiman is a reviewer for many neurosurgery and neuroscience journals and has also authored several peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in these areas. He is a member of many editorial boards and the Associate Editor for Biomedical Reviews and Section Editor for Frontiers in Surgery.
Sulaiman lectures at local, national and international meetings, including serving as faculty, moderator and member of the scientific programme committee at neurosurgery national meetings (CNS, AANS, Louisiana association of neurological surgeons). He currently serves as a Professor of Clinical Neurosurgery at Tulane University, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Sulaiman is happily married to Patricia Sulaiman, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. Like her spouse, Patricia is also very passionate about improving the quality of life of indigent people living in Nigeria. They both launched RNZ Foundation for the management of their philanthropic activities.
Professor Sulaiman and Patricia are blessed with three children.
Image of a young man suffering from Erectile Dysfunction
A recent study conducted by Dr A. Festus and others of the University of Ife in Nigeria, found that 44 percent of men aged 30 to 70 suffer from erectile dysfunction, of which 8 percent was severe and 36 percent moderate.
According to the research, Erectile Dysfunction (ED) or impotence can be defined as persistent difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection sufficient to have sexual intercourse, when a man is unable to get or keep an erection firm enough to engage in sexual intercourse.
While another study in the journal Panafricanmed revealed that the rate of ED among men is alarming, and it makes them attend primary care clinics regularly.
However, Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, chief medical director, Medical Art Centre & Mart Medicare, Lagos, has urged all ED sufferers to undergo a complete medical examination that includes laboratory tests and measurement of the male hormone panel to indicate the level of testosterone replacement that is needed.
The reproductive endocrinologist, who spoke with Pharmanewsonline through an email interview, mentioned the principal hormones that would be tested to include: testosterone, thyroid, dihydroepiandrosterone and growth hormone.
He said treatment will include a combination of testosterone replacement therapy, psychotherapy, herbs, diet and exercise, reduction in the intake of grapefruit, alcohol and fats.
The World Health Organization (WHO), also disclosed that the total androgen levels, not just testosterone also affect male ED as these hormones decline as men age. The apex health institution’s study found that androgen levels of men aged 70 were only 10 percent of that of men of 25 years.
The scientists found that the incidence of erectile dysfunction increased as men got older from 38.5 percent for men aged 31-40 years to 64 percent for the older age group of 61-79 years. Of social significance is the discovery of the researchers that most men deny the existence of ED.
While 39 percent regard it as a myth, 24 percent attributed it to various non-scientific causes which they usually blame on their wives. They, therefore, use this excuse to look for younger partners, only to discover that the problem has not gone away. They may stop looking for younger partners but the denial of its existence and not realizing that ED has a medical foundation stops men from seeking appropriate medical help.
Image of a young man suffering from Erectile Dysfunction
Common causes of ED as validated by previous studies are listed below:
Medical Conditions
Serious medical conditions, such as heart disease, could be the origin of your erectile dysfunction. In fact, causes of heart disease and erectile dysfunction are very similar. ED symptoms may occur earlier than those of heart disease due to cardiovascular issues like atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis, the narrowing of blood vessels throughout parts of the body, is believed to be the most common cause of erectile dysfunction and a warning sign of a future heart attack or stroke. Other medical conditions that put men at risk for erectile dysfunction are diabetes, chronic kidney disease, multiple sclerosis and Peyronie’s disease.
Medications
Are you taking any prescribed or over-the-counter drugs on a regular basis? Certain medications may make it difficult for you to get or keep an erection, like antidepressants, antihistamines or blood pressure medications. While these drugs may treat a condition, they can also affect hormones, nerves, or blood circulation, which can all increase the risk of erectile dysfunction. If you think your ED may be the result of a medication, it’s best to consult your physician.
Emotional Distress
Have you been fighting with your partner? Relationship problems causing stress can lead to struggling in the bedroom. Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, guilt, and fear of sexual failure are other contributing factors.
Lifestyle Choices
Making poor health decisions on a daily basis may affect your ability to get an erection. Men who are overweight, habitual smokers, alcoholics, or substance abusers are more prone to experiencing erectile dysfunction. Eating foods high in flavonoids, like blueberries, help reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction. Increased flavonoid intake also helped men smoke less, drink less and exercise more.
Physical Injury
While exercise is great for your health, be cautious of any physical activity that could injure your lower half, as injuries to these areas of the body can cause erectile dysfunction. With the increasing popularity of cycling, men have expressed concern about whether this exercise contributes to ED.
A recent study published in the Journal of Men’s Health concluded that there was no relationship between prolonged cycling and erectile dysfunction.
With 30 million Americans currently suffering from erectile dysfunction, a number estimated to rise to 320 million worldwide by 2025, it’s important to be active in your health care. Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing impotence and share your concerns about any underlying causes.
Pelvic floor exercises have long been known to help patients with incontinence. The study conducted by a team of scientists in Bristol involved participants who had been suffering from erectile dysfunction for at least six months. 40 per cent of participants reported that they regained their erectile function within 3 to 6 months. A further 35 per cent reported, that they noticed a significant improvement to their condition.
The scientists from Bristol compared the effectiveness of these exercises to that of Viagra and believe regularly exercising your pelvic floor muscles may be the best way of preventing erectile dysfunction. The exercises train the muscles surrounding your penis, which improves the blood flow and improves your ability to gain and keep an erection.
Physical exercise – how sport can help
Exercising regularly is a great way to improve the state of your general health and boost your performance. A series of prolonged bad habits can damage the tissue responsible for erections over the years.
When combined with a healthier lifestyle, regular physical activity can contribute to improving your blood flow and restore your ability to get erections. All you need to do is to maintain a regular activity, even if it’s just 30 minutes a day, to improve your blood pressure, blood flow, cardio and overall health. Even walking is a good option, although it’s better to practice a sport or do some hard exercise to push yourself!
However, there is one sport you may want to avoid: cycling. Long-term and long hours of outdoors cycling can damage the nerves in your pelvic area which control erections. Indoors cycling is much less hazardous as the seat is generally wider and less prone to damaging your body.
References: Science Alert; Medical News Daily; WebMD; and Science Daily.
Everyday we read about huge outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases on the pages of newspapers. Yellow fever is one of the vector borne, vaccine preventable diseases that is endemic in Nigeria and has been a source of persistent outbreaks over the years, given that we have a very effective vaccine, available at no cost to patients in every public healthcare centres in Nigeria.
The latest and most recent outbreak this week was in some Local Government Areas of Katsina State, and it witnessed a lot of reported deaths. It’s not something new to us, yet it still catches many of us unaware.
Yusuf Hassan Wada
In the last five years, Nigeria was faced with several outbreaks of Yellow fever, Lassa fever, Cerebrospinal Meningitis, Cholera, Ebola and Monkey pox. The outbreak of Yellow fever in Nigeria is reported to have occurred over thirty years ago. Although a multi-agency national Emergency Operations Centre is coordinating the national response with some sister agencies; but it is worthy of note, that the national and state primary healthcare development agencies have been pushing very hard to increase routine immunization coverage rates in the country.
A single shot of the vaccine protects for at least 10 years or a lifetime,
Yellow fever is a vaccine-preventable disease, and an endemic viral disease in tropical areas of Africa. It is also an acute viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes usually the Aedes species which transmit the virus from person to person. The “yellow” in the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients. Symptoms include fever, headache, jaundice, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.
It is important to ask if our changing climate is contributing to flare-ups of infectious diseases. Climate change presents a clear and present danger to human health. Climate plays an important role in the seasonal pattern or temporal distribution of diseases that are carried and transmitted through vectors because the vector animals often thrive in particular climate conditions.
Health impacts are already being demonstrated in Nigeria, climate variability and extreme weather events drive the increase in the frequency and intensity of mosquito-borne diseases. When it rains, it unleashes several years’ worth of mosquito offspring. Once the mosquitos have infested much in that area, it’s typically not long before a serious mosquito-borne disease outbreak will take place.
Under extreme climate changes particularly rainfall and temperature can also impact both mosquito life cycle and viral replication as well as some other factors such as deforestation, lack of immunization, accelerated urbanization, high mosquito density, low population immunity, and limited mosquito control resources which puts us at imminent risk for widespread and deadly yellow fever outbreaks.
What this tells us is that the need to increase awareness and advocacy on the prevalent of this disease and the role of climate change which is of crucial importance. Much can be done to prevent and mitigate the health impacts of climate change, with timely information on an impending outbreak which helps enable the implementation of control measures and risk communications.
Ideally, we should have an effective epidemiological surveillance system which should be well monitored such that outbreaks of diseases can be detected and controlled at the local government level before they snowball into a national emergency. State ministries of health should have their internally developed protocol for responding to these outbreaks with support from the federal government.
There are exciting times ahead in the fight against disease outbreaks and epidemics, especially at a time when donor nations are curtailing spending. Now is the time for the Nigerian government to fund early detection and prevention of epidemics. Preventing epidemics before they breakout saves the government money & improves the health of all Nigerians. We must stop the hawking and selling of fake Yellow Fever cards to passengers at international airports in the country. We must also start thinking ahead and increase funding at the community, local, state and national levels to shore up health systems and prevent the spread of outbreaks.
As Katsina State and many other states launch the mass injectable yellow fever vaccine programme, which is now active in and managed by the Primary Health Care Development Agency in hospitals, schools, mosques, churches, markets, motor parks and other places; there is need to also increase community to community sensitization & social mobilization, increase surveillance, strengthen routine immunizations services and entomological survey should be conducted.
We have all it takes. There is no excuse for being caught unprepared. Let’s all advocate for more support! Yellow fever could be near you. Get vaccinated today.
Yusuf Hassan Wada is a Public Health Advocate and writes from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto. He can be reached at hasawa2011@gmail.com
Mr Ifeanyi Atueyi is the Vice President, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy and a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists. He shares his experiences with SUCCESS NWOGU.
How do you feel at 80?
I give gratitude to God that I am of those whose lives have been spared to attain the age of 80. When I was much younger, we used to look at people of 80 as very old. But at 80, I feel I am not old as such because what I was doing when I was 60, I still try to do most of them today.
Like what and what?
The way I work. There is only a little reduction in my capacity and enthusiasm for work and even in my productivity. I have cut down on my movement but I think I am more productive. I still write. My brain is still okay. I test my brain to see if I suffer from dementia but it has not come. I still remember things and I am still versed. I write a book every year. When I fail to do that, I will know I’m getting old but I have not skipped any year.
Pharm.(Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi
So how many books have you written already?
I have written 20 books. The latest is my autobiography. The autobiography is my 20th book. I co-authored a few of my books. I had my son and a few others to assist me but after a few books, I started writing alone.
How has it been so far?
At 80, God has blessed my family. We have five children and 12 grandchildren. We do not see much of our grandchildren except those who are here in Nigeria. They are doing well in different areas of life.
I married my wife, Joan, who is from Mbaise, Imo State in May 30, 1970. The marriage has been very lovely.
In terms of my association, I have been an active member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria from the 70s till today. I have kept on attending the annual national conferences. In fact, I had started attending in 1973 when it was held in Kano and since then I have never missed any. Each outgoing president gives me a plague for consistency. This year’s event will be held in Kaduna in November. By God’s grace, I will be there and it will be the 46th consecutive time at the conference.
I also attend Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship. I attend national directors’ meeting on Thursdays. We also have chapter meetings. It is a fellowship that I’ve been part of since 1989. I was a chapter president, after that I became a field representative and later got promotion to national director, which is the highest level of promotion. Because of my age, we are made Emeritus National Director.
I am an Okija man. There is Okija -in- home Club of which I am one of the founders. The club was founded in 1972. Today I am the only living pioneer; we have lost others. Though we are all in Lagos, our focus is on how to improve Okija. At the end of every year, we go to our hometown for a symposium or any other activity.
In August 2004, a shrine in Okija was invaded by the police who found human skulls there. What has become of that shrine today?
There was Okija shrine. It had been there and people knew about it in 2004 when it was learnt that politicians and businessmen were going there, especially when they had misunderstandings. The shrine was used to settle cases and heavy fines were imposed on people. It was alleged that the shrine was capable of killing the offender and for anybody killed; their property would be brought to the shrine. But some of us know that it was a trick. Some people made money at that time.
In my town, people built very fine houses and were living well. It was a business. They hired commercial motorcyclists to assist them bring clients. They also had agents in some villages who brought them clients. Politicians were also going there to settle issues. It was idol worshipping and immoral. But since the government stepped in, the issue has gone down but it is not totally dead. It is no longer a lucrative business.
The incidence of use of fake drugs has not yet abated, what is the way out?
In the mid 90s up till early 20s, it was very terrible in the country. The negative impact was felt because many manufacturing plants closed down as they could not survive anymore. But there was a dramatic improvement when Prof Dora Akunyili was appointed as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. Things started to improve although there are still fake drugs in the country today, and not only in Nigeria.
The US was respected for being strict with food and drug administration but there are still fake drugs there and all over the world. It is also a problem that has been worsened because of porous borders, so products are able to come in. Also importers of fake drugs can still use the airports in such a way that the Customs won’t detect. The current NAFDAC DG, Prof Moji Adeyeye, is doing very well.
You are the publisher of Pharmanews. What inspired you to move from practising pharmacy to writing and publishing?
I dabbled into what I am doing. I did not know about publishing or journalism but God has a way of working. I did not know the reason why I studied Pharmacy. When I was going to the university, my only interest was to get a Bachelor of Pharmacy and not to practise Pharmacy. In fact an uncle who brought me up continued asking me what I wanted to do. I did not have any idea of publishing.
But in 1974, we attended National Pharmaceutical Conference in Kano. It was peculiar because at the conference, my good friend, Dr. Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, persuaded me to serve as the Editor-in-chief of the Pharmaceutical Society journal. The editor at that time was very ill. He later died. Reluctantly, I accepted. I found it very interesting and I put all my zeal into it. I took interest in the journal even more than my job which I was being paid for at that time. I was the Production Manager for a company in Abuja and I was editing that journal. I really improved the news collection and revenue for the journal. However, after serving for four years, I gave it up.
In 1978, I had a problem in my work place. I had worked in many places, I had worked in Pfizer, West African Drug Company, a Lebanse Company, and also for the Federal Government. But I did not have job satisfaction. The last quarter of 1978 was full of confusion for me but it was in that confusion of how to manage my life that God told me what He wanted me to do. That was how the idea of Pharmanews came. So in January 1979, I resigned. I have been doing that from January 1979 till date and I have never looked back. I have focused on it for the 40 years. I have used it to pay my bills.
What kind of experience did you have as a child?
I was born in October 1, 1939. My father, Job Atueyi, died in 1947 when I was eight years old. But my mother lived long, she died at 92 and she lived with me for her last nine years until she died. I learnt a lot of things from my mother. She was religious. She was not well educated but at her time, she was one of the ladies that had a bit of education. She could read the Bible and was a very committed Christian.
She hated stealing, telling lies and borrowing and I learnt these principles from her. So I hate borrowing. I have never borrowed any money from anybody or any bank. To start Pharmanews, I never borrowed any money from anybody or organisation. I needed N2,000 as capital to start the business. For the first edition of Pharmanews, God provided the money. I was looking for colleagues who would support me, they all agreed.
Then I asked: ‘Please can you support me with funds to help me get out the first publication?’ Surprisingly, nobody did! But God took me to a company in Lagos. I shared my idea with an English man who was running the company and had never met before. He told me he would pay for adverts in advance from May till December. I never thought of it. And that each January, he would renew the contract. That was how Pharmanews started publication. Up till today, that money has been keeping us.
What about your education?
I had primary education up to Standard Six at Okija. Since I lost my father in 1947, my mother took care of me and my younger sister. She paid the fees. But in 1954, I was about to get into secondary school and it became another thing. So God sent a helper, Mr Daniel Erinne. He saw the potential in me and told my mother not to worry about paying my school fees and that he would take care of that. I later attended Merchant of Light Secondary School, Oba, Anambra in 1954. Then I moved to Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha. I sat the Higher School Certificate examination in 1959 and was admitted into the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1961.
What food do you enjoy the most?
When I was younger, I used to eat whatever was food and any drink that was sugary. I liked fried food like plantain. I even thought soft drinks were better than water. I nearly damaged my health completely with wrong foods – junk food – until I realised what was happening. I might have died young if not that God saved me.
How do you keep fit at your age?
I walk, that is the exercise I now do. I do not sit for a long time. It has been helping me.
Source: This interview was first published on The Punch Newspapers
The election, conducted recently at the Anambra State PSN Secretariat in Awka, saw Pharm. (Dr) Amarachukwu Loveth Nwaka emerge as the new chairman, with Pharm. Marymartha Akubueze, as vice-chairman.
Other members of the new executive committee are: Pharm. Florence Okolo, secretary; Pharm. Amaka Izuehie, assistant secretary; Pharm. Okonkwo Chinelo, publicity secretary; Pharm. Nkem Obiano, financial secretary; Pharm. Nonso Ndibe, treasurer; Pharm. (Mrs) Okoli Chisolu, internal auditor; Pharm. (Dr) Uchebo Obiageli, immediate past chairman; Pharm. (Mrs) Egbuonu Edith (DPS MOH), unofficial member; Pharm. (Dr) Joy Ichoku (DPS NAUTH), unofficial member; and Pharm. (Mrs) Gloria Nwosu (HOD COOUTH) unofficial member.
Speaking on behalf of the new executives, the chairman expressed their acceptance of the call to serve the association AHAPN, saying they were doing so with a deep sense of responsibility and humility.
While soliciting the maximum cooperation of all members of the association, Nwaka reminded them of the need to work with the national body of AHAPN to achieve their collective goal of elevating hospital pharmacy practice in Nigeria and enhancing of healthcare delivery.
She said this would be easily achieved by embracing innovative disruptions, not just to remain relevant in the scheme of things but also to reposition hospital and administrative pharmacy practice AHAPN.
Members of the new AHAPN Anambra
“At this juncture, we wish to implore that we improve our attendance to AHAPN meetings and to remind us of the ten points to follow in order to move our practice to the next level as outlined by Prof. Erhun at the last AHAPN National conference. They are: Personal capacity building; clinical pharmacy practice; drug storage; drug procurement; rational use of drugs; hospital formulary and drug list; drug and therapeutics committee; drug information services; drug revolving fund; and research and documentation”, she said.
She also appreciated the immediate past executives of AHAPN for paving the way forward and moving the association ahead.
“I also commend the effort of every one of us. Without you, there would be no AHAPN in the state”, she stated.
One of the genuine needs of human beings is happiness. People spend their entire lives looking for true happiness. They work night and day just to become successful in order to find joy. However it seems happiness is so difficult to find nowadays in our world of show off and materialism. Many people are frustrated, unhappy and depressed because they haven’t even defined what happiness means to them and how they can achieve true happiness.
Achieving true happiness is not that difficult. Truly happy people have developed habits for over 6,000 years of human existence. There are days I have been sad and frustrated; so I know what it is to feel helpless, hopeless and worthless. However, regardless of what life throws at me I have developed the habits of staying on top of my game, finding my true happiness and sharing that state of joy and peace with people around me.
The seven habits below will help you to achieve true happiness.
Be authentic: Those who are truly happy are true to themselves. They accept who they are, embrace their strengths and weaknesses and are comfortable in their own skin. Happiness naturally flows to those who embrace their uniqueness and love who they are wholeheartedly. Be thyself.
Take responsibility: You can’t be truly happy if you don’t take responsibility for your actions. Truly happy people complain less, blame less and compare less. They take personal responsibility for their mistakes, failures, successes and happiness. Being truly happy is your personal responsibility. Take charge.
Define what happiness means to you: Many people want to be truly happy but they have never taken the time to define what happiness really means to them. Little wonder why they are not happy. To me, happiness means doing what I love, taking care of my family, achieving my set goals and becoming better on a daily basis. Define what true happiness means to you and work towards your standard.
Surround yourself with good people: People have enormous effect on our emotional state in life. Therefore, you must be careful who you surround yourself with. You can’t surround yourself with negative people and expect to be truly happy. You need positive vibes and energy to sail through the tough journey of life. When life throws you heavy punches, it is good people that will encourage you to stand up, move up and show up in order to step up.
Commit to personal growth. You can’t be truly happy if you are stagnant in life. True happiness comes to those who are committed to never-ending improvement in who they are and what they do. Your progress is a serious business and you must focus your attention on it. Becoming better and better on a daily basis should be your mantra. Tony Robbins wisely said, “Happiness equals progress.”
Be a blessing to others: Happiness doesn’t come from what we get, it only comes from what we give. If you develop the habit of consciously giving back to others, you will experience true happiness. And we all have what we can give. So give freely, contribute wholeheartedly and share graciously, without expecting anything in return. You can’t buy happiness with money or knowledge but you can use both to create happiness if you use them to bless others.
Count your blessings: Gratitude is a sure way to achieve true happiness. In fact, gratitude is your door to unlimited joy, peace and pleasure. If you develop the habit of consciously counting your blessings, which, by the way, are numerous and you feel sincere gratitude for these blessings, your life will be filled with positive energy and contentment. You see, you can’t be grateful and still feel miserable or bitter or frustrated. So, be good to yourself and develop the habit of gratitude.
While life is a combination of good times and bad times, the seven habits elucidated above will help you to be happy, stay happy and share happiness with others. They will help you to lift your head above the challenges of life during difficult moments. They will enable you to stay afloat during good times.
I can guarantee you that the more you inculcate these habits into your lifestyle, the more you experience true happiness with all its benefits.
ACTION PLAN: Be authentic. Take responsibility for your happiness. Surround yourself with good people. Be grateful. Share happiness with others and commit to personal growth.
AFFIRMATION: Happiness is my birthright. I am blessed and highly favoured.
Sesan Kareem helps individuals and organisations achieve lasting results by coaching them to have fast tempo for action and a bias for bottom line.
A recent study has shown that taking a high blood pressure drugs when one is about to dash to bed could provide a shield against heart attack, stroke and cardiac arrest.
The study published in the European Heart Journal proves the effects of taking antihypertensive at bed time.
This Spanish study included over 19,000 individuals on medication for high blood pressure. There were a total of 19,084 Spanish Caucasian participants with high blood pressure and of these 10,614 were men and rest was females.
The average age of the participants was 60.5 years. The patients were put into two groups randomly and one of the groups took the drugs in the morning (9,532 participants) while the other took it at bed time (9,552 participants).
These participants were then followed up for a period of around 6 years. Results showed that those who were taking their medication before bed time had halved their risk of dying from heart attacks, stroke or heart failure. Over the period of follow up there were a total of 1,752 participants who experienced heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, needed coronary intervention or died due to cardiovascular disease.
According to the researchers there is a natural drop in blood pressure during sleep. The risk of heart attacks and strokes remain if the pressure does not dip and remains high throughout the night. If the BP medication is taken at bed time, they wrote, the pressure remains controlled during the night and the risk of heart attacks and strokes is decreased.
This study showed that the participants taking the medications at bed time had a lower average BP during the day as well as night compared to their counterparts who took them in the morning.
The team also took into account other factors that contributed to heart attacks, strokes and raised blood pressure including age of the patient, gender, smoking status, history of similar events, fall in BP while asleep etc. before they concluded the benefits of taking the medications at bed time.
Image of a woman sleeping after taking hypertensive drugs before bedtime
Their results showed that there was a 56 percent lowered risk of death due to cardiovascular disease, 49 percent lower risk of stroke and 44 percent lower risk of heart attacks if the drugs are taken at bed time compared to the other group.
Lead researcher Prof. Ramon Hermida, from the University of Vigo, in a statement said, “It’s totally cost-free. It might save a lot of lives.” He said that physicians need to recommend this to their patients. He added, “Current guidelines on the treatment of hypertension do not recommend any preferred treatment time. Morning ingestion has been the most common recommendation by physicians based on the misleading goal of reducing morning blood pressure levels.”
“The same antihypertensive medication, the same molecule, at the same dose, ingested at two different times have totally different pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and therefore they behave as two totally different medications,” said Hermida. He went on to explain, “The results of this study show that patients who routinely take their anti-hypertensive drugs at bedtime, as opposed to when they wake up, have better-controlled blood pressure and, most importantly, a significantly decreased risk of death or illness from heart and blood vessel problems.”
According to the findings on MedicalNewsToday, the team called for more studies involving different populations across the globe to see if the same hypothesis was applicable to all patients and also applicable for different BP lowering medications and their brands.
Vanessa Smith, a scientist from the British Heart Foundation, warned that if one is currently taking blood pressure medication, it is important to check with the pharmacist before changing the time to take it.
She added that there may be specific reasons why the doctor has prescribed medication in the morning or night.
-As President Buhari urges for documentation of his research works
While condolences are still pouring in at the Ajekigbes on the demise of the Nigeria’s renowned oncologist, it has been revealed that he died of stage four prostate cancer.
The Founder of Atinuke Cancer Foundation, Tinu Lawal, one of the close associates of the oncologist, disclosed this in a newspaper interview on Wednesday, saying the deceased was diagnosed of the late stage of prostate cancer sometimes in June this year.
Prof. Aderemi Ajekigbe
Lawal, who is a cancer survivor revealed her last conversation with the deceased after he was diagnosed of the cancer thus: “He said to me: ‘Welcome back. I’ve joined your league.’ I said: ‘Which of your league, sir?’ He said while I was away, he had some complications while he was sleeping. He couldn’t carry his body. He had to call the ambulance to carry him. By the time they ran tests and everything on him, he had prostate cancer, Stage Four.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the academia and medical professionals to urgently document the research findings of the cancer specialist for the benefits of humanity.
The Nigeria’s president, who was among the first set of people who condoled with the family of the deceased and the medical profession, described the late oncologist as a rare gem, who after retiring from active service, still lent his God-given intellect to research and advocacy of early detection of cancer, so that the scourge can be reduced in the country.
Mr Buhari, who sent his condolence message through a statement by a presidential aide, Femi Adesina, said Ajekigbe’s death is a huge loss to the country, because he had contributed to knowledge in various fields of Engineering, Pharmacy and Medicine.
According to the statement, the president “salutes the commitment to the scholarship of the departed, which saw him first qualifying as an engineer, later as a pharmacist, and eventually as a medical doctor”.
Prof. Ajekigbe, practised for decades at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), rising to head the Oncology and Radiology department, and retired in 2017.
A western diet of sweet and fatty junk food increases your risk of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study warns.
The report of the study published on Medicalnewstoday revealed that Americans have a higher average risk than most other nationalities of developing the degenerative brain disorder, and have done for years.
That is likely due to their dietary pattern, which drives up cholesterol and Alzheimer’s-influencing proteins that create blockages in the brain.
This is according to Dr William Grant, the lead author of a landmark review of international data tracking Alzheimer’s disease and its causes.
He said: ‘Mounting evidence from ecological and observational studies indicates that the Western dietary pattern especially the large amount of meat in that diet is strongly associated with risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Image of a Western Diet
‘Although the traditional Mediterranean diet is associated with about half the risk for Alzheimer’s disease of the Western diet, the traditional diets of countries such as India, Japan, and Nigeria, with very low meat consumption, are associated with an additional 50 per cent reduction in risk of Alzheimer’s disease.’
Dr Grant, of San Francisco’s Sunlight, Nutrition, and Health Research Center, looked at a host of peer-reviewed studies to draw his conclusion, which is published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
He also conducted an investigation into how changing global diets affected rates of Alzheimer’s disease.
First, he looked at Alzheimer’s disease prevalence from 10 countries (Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Egypt, India, Mongolia, Nigeria, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, and the United States).
Then he cross-referenced those findings with official dietary guidelines.
For example, he would see that Japan’s Alzheimer’s rate in 1985 was 1 per cent, then he would look at dietary guidelines five, 10, and 15 years before 1985 to track the influence.
Then he would see that Japan’s Alzheimer’s rate in 2008 was 7 per cent, so he would look at dietary guidelines five, 10 and 15 years before that date.
In every country, a swing towards Western dietary lifestyles coincided with an increased rate in Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr Grant warns that the most important dietary link to Alzheimer’s appears to be meat consumption, with eggs and high-fat dairy also contributing.
Diets high in grains, fruits, vegetables, and fish are associated with reduced risk of the disease.
Higher amounts of vitamin D is also associated with reduced risk of the disease.
But these factors cannot counter the effects of meat, eggs, and high-fat dairy, he warns.
– As FOLGONM holds 10th annual conference/scientific workshop
To achieve the health components of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Lagos State, it is imperative for nurses to scale up their practices with the application of eHealth, which will enhance effective healthcare delivery to patients at the grassroots, particularly those in under-served communities, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has said.
Sanwo-Olu was the distinguished guest of honour at the 10th Annual Conference/ Scientific Workshop of the Lagos State Chapter of Forum for Local Government Nurses and Midwives (FOLGONM), held at the Adeyemi Bero Hall, Alausa, Ikeja, from 15 to 18 October 2019.
Lagos State FOLGONM Chairman, Com. Mary Lateef –Yusuf (3rd from left) flanked by some executives of the state chapter at the conference
The governor, who was represented by Mr Akeem Muri-Okunola, head of service, Lagos State, at the conference, commended the local government nurses for their efforts in manning several health centres without doctors, saying that the government was aware of all their commitments in caring for the populace.
He however implored them to take advantage of digital health by upgrading their knowledge on the use of technologically based tools to advance healthcare delivery in the state, which, he said would cause a decrease in morbidity and mortality rates.
He said: “Nurses must realise that they are pivotal to healthcare delivery in the state as well as the nation, and as such, they must always upgrade their skills and professional qualities like emotional intelligence, readiness to attend to patients, motivational skill, empathy and ability to adapt to a changing environment, to create a healthier nation.”
Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Sustainable Development Goals: Nurses at the Forefront of Transforming Lives Today and Tomorrow”, the keynote speaker, Mrs Modupe Shode, clinical instructor, Department of Nursing Science , Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), noted that nurses have key roles to play for the health components of the SDGs to be actualised.
“The SDGs presents us with an opportunity to apply the knowledge we have acquired as nurses to create a healthier and better world for the citizens of our nation. The realisation of these targets will improve the lives of people in our communities, our families and even our own health”, she said.
She further stressed that nurses have key roles to play in attaining the SDGs especially goal three, which is related to health, adding however that in performing these roles, there is need for additional support to nurses, given their competencies and the extremely inadequate number of nurses throughout the world.
Going forward in advancing healthcare delivery system in the country, she charged nurses to strive to make their voices heard, as well as participating in actions that may assist in changing health policies for the benefits of patients.
Earlier on, the Lagos State FOLGONM Chairman, Com. Mary Lateef–Yusuf, in her welcome address appreciated all nurse delegates from the 57 Local Government Areas in the state, noting that FOLGONM is a pressure group under the parent body of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
Concerning the achievement of SDGs, she said efforts and will were needed to install infrastructure that would support inclusive growth, enhance access to basic services and promote environmental sustainability of the goals.
She further noted that the sub-theme of the conference: “No health without mental health: Exploring tools for the true PHC integration”, became imperative due to the increasing rate of suicide as a lot of people who suffer from depression rarely get treated because of the stigma associated with visiting a psychiatric hospital.
“The time has come to explore tools for true PHC integration in the management of mental illness. This will offer sufferers of mental illness the opportunity to receive the needed care without the shame of stigmatisation”, she stated.
Lateef–Yusuf, while appreciating the state government for the approval of nurses’ uniform allowance, which she said had not been paid in the last 15 years, pleaded with the governor to look into the plight of retirees, who she said were yet to get their emoluments three years after their retirement. She also urged him to consider implementing the newly approved minimum wage.
They are known as first-line therapy for erectile dysfunction in men, but a new study has shown that Viagra can reduce the risk of heart disease in men with type 2 diabetes. According to the researchers from the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, death risk after heart attack is 40 percent lower with Viagra use.
While recent statistics showed that over 1.5 million Nigerians are living with diabetes, a report published on Medicalnewstoday, stated that diabetes is a known risk factor for poor cardiovascular health; and studies from this link http://www.themanlyzone.com/heart-disease/ and others have suggested people with the condition are almost 50 percent more likely to have a heart attack than those without diabetes.
Image of a drug called Viagra
According to the American Heart Association, adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease than those without diabetes, and around 68 percent of people aged 65 and older who have diabetes die from a form of heart disease.
Lead author of the new study, Prof. Trafford and colleagues noted that previous studies have suggested medications called PDE5 inhibitors – which include the drug Viagra (sildenafil), the first-line therapy for erectile dysfunction – may have heart health benefits for patients with diabetes. Viagra may benefit heart health for men with type 2 diabetes
Study co-author Prof. Andrew Trafford, from the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, and colleagues, remarked that type 2 diabetes is the most common of the disease.
“In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas is either unable to produce enough insulin – the hormone that regulates blood glucose levels – or the body is unable to effectively use the insulin that is produced. As a result, blood glucose levels become too high”.
To conduct the study, the team set out to assess how PDE5 inhibitors affect the risk of heart attack incidence and mortality among men with both erectile dysfunction and type 2 diabetes.
The researchers analyzed the 2007-2015 electronic health records of 5,956 men aged 40-89 who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Of these men, 1,359 were prescribed PDE5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction.
Overall, the team found that men who were using PDE5 inhibitors were at 31 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality during the average 6.9 years of follow-up.
You may have all the wealth you can possibly acquire – including expensive cars, houses, lots of investments and assets – but still not feel rich enough. Definitely, there is a missing link. That missing link is how you think. If you don’t think you’re rich, you are not rich. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”
You become rich when you have the mind-set of abundance. You attract the feeling of abundance when you are happy with yourself, with what you have and actually enjoy them. Norman Vincent Peale said, “If you paint in your mind a picture of bright and happy expectations, you put yourself into a condition conducive to your goal.” Limited thoughts create limited lives and limited success.
What are your expectations? If you expect positive outcomes, most often they will come to pass. If you expect negative outcomes, they will also show up. In computer language, we say, “Garbage in, garbage out.” Therefore, it is better to create an attitude of expectation from life, which has endless opportunities. Thinking of inadequacy comes from poor thinking, which takes richness away from your life.
Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi
If you want to count your riches, never just count only the money and assets you have. Consider the blessings and benefits money cannot buy. Just think of lives you’re positively touching. Think of the value people have for your life. How do people feel at the mention of your name? What legacy are you leaving?
A truly rich person may not necessarily have the best things in life but he makes the best use of whatever he has. He actually enjoys life. You don’t have to wear the most expensive wristwatch, shoes, rings or drive the most expensive cars. In fact, a study of the lifestyle of many millionaires shows that they don’t indulge on those luxuries. They live a simple life and take care of little things. They are not wasteful or ostentatious. But they know and believe they are rich. It has been found that millionaires don’t even wear varieties of clothes.
If you want to feel truly rich, start counting all the things you can have which money cannot buy. If you want to enjoy a life of true abundance, seek peace of mind, joy of living, helping, giving and serving others selflessly. Add value to people’s lives and show gratitude to those who help you in one way or the other.
Remember that God is the Giver of all good and perfect gifts (James 1:17). He will never give His children any blessing that will ultimately derail His purpose for them or too much for them to handle. He is interested in the prosperity of His people. It is His pleasure that His children have joy, peace, good health, and that their real needs supplied.
Don’t have a get-rich-quick mentality. Have the grace to let wealth grow like a plant. It should not be like a mushroom that grows overnight only to die soon after. The successful life is not a quick-fix. It does not happen overnight. It is a not an event but a process. This is why people who win lotteries do not usually sustain their wealth. Getting rich through gambling, football pools and lotteries is usually not enduring.
It has been observed that the poor and middle income earners spend a lot of their hours in front of the TV while rich people continuously read and learn. They are interested in making money and investing. Comparing your material possessions with your neighbours’ will not make you richer. Instead, it can bring you poverty mentality.
It is always better to look inwards for God’s blessings in your life. When you do that, you will always be grateful to God. This attitude of gratitude brings greater blessings.
Above all, do not love money which is the root of all evil. When money is loved and accumulated beyond measure, the owner will never be satisfied. He will still want more and more.
Bear in mind also that lack of money is a major cause of the evils we have in the society today. A lot of crimes today are associated with poverty.
What is richer than God’s blessings and benefits? Psalm 103:3-5 asks you not to forget such benefits – forgiveness of your sins, redeeming you from hell, crowning you with love and mercy, wrapping you with goodness and renewing your youth.
Several studies have found that people with lactose intolerance cannot absorb lactose properly, because their digestive system produce too little of an enzyme known as lactase. When these set of people consume foods containing lactose, they may experience gas, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramp.
According to reports, over 50 million people suffer from lactose intolerance worldwide.
What is lactose?
Lactose is a natural sugar found in milk and other dairy products. The body makes an enzyme called lactase that breaks down lactose into smaller sugars that the body can then digest and use for energy.
What is lactose intolerance?
If one has Lactose intolerance, the body may not be able to break down all the lactose that one eat or drink. People with lactose intolerance do not produce sufficient amounts of lactase needed to break down the lactose.
This causes undigested lactose to find its way to the large intestine where bacteria start to digest it. This can cause nausea, stomach cramps, gas, bloating, and diarrhea for people with lactose intolerance whenever they eat or drink milk or foods that contain a lot of lactose.
Woman Hand Writing Lactose Intolerance with black marker on visual screen.
How can I tell if I have lactose intolerance?
If you experience nausea, stomach cramps, gas, bloating, or diarrhea within 30 minutes to several hours after eating or drinking foods with lactose, you may have lactose intolerance.
What should I do if I think I have lactose intolerance?
Do not try to diagnose yourself. If you think you might be lactose intolerant, it is important for you to see your health care provider. The same discomfort caused by lactose intolerance could also be caused by other health conditions. Your health care provider is the only person who can confirm that you are lactose intolerant. Once your health care provider figures out what is causing your digestive discomfort, you can work with them or a dietitian to try to manage your symptoms.
How can my health care provider tell if I’m lactose intolerant?
Your healthcare provider will likely ask you a number of questions about your symptoms and what typical days of eating look like for you at your appointment. For some individuals, the first suggestion from a healthcare provider to confirm a lactose intolerance diagnosis is to stop eating or drinking foods with lactose and to see if your symptoms improve. You may also have a hydrogen breath test to confirm this diagnosis.
A hydrogen breath test is done by breathing into a machine that measures the amount of hydrogen in your breath within 90 minutes of consuming lactose. If you are lactose intolerant, your body will produce more hydrogen than if you are lactose tolerant.
Can some people be more lactose intolerant than others?
Yes. There are different degrees of lactose intolerance. For example, some people may be able to drink 1/2 cup of milk without symptoms but have symptoms when they drink 1 cup. Other people may have difficulty drinking even less than 1/2 cup of milk. Over time you will learn how much milk or other dairy products you can handle without having symptoms.
Are there different “types” of lactose intolerance?
Yes. Some people are born without the ability to make the enzyme lactase. People with this type of lactose intolerance have the most difficulty drinking or eating foods that contain lactose. More commonly, people become lactose intolerant as they grow older and their body slowly makes less and less lactase. Some people become lactose intolerant after having surgery or a gastrointestinal infection.
Will I always be lactose intolerant?
If you became lactose intolerant because of an illness, most likely you will not be lactose intolerant forever. If you were born with lactose intolerance or you are having more trouble digesting milk products than you did when you were younger, you might always have some degree of lactose intolerance.
What should I do if I’m lactose intolerant?
If your healthcare provider has told you that you are lactose intolerant, there are several things you can do so you won’t feel gassy, bloated, or have stomach cramps or diarrhea after you eat lactose-containing foods.
Try these helpful tips:
Know what foods and drinks contain lactose. Lactose is in most dairy products, some baked and processed foods such as bread, dry cereal, candy, cookies, salad dressings, cream soups, drink mixes, and prepared foods like pizza.
Pay attention to food labels. Food labels list all of the ingredients in order of the amount. The ingredients included in the largest amounts are listed first while those at the end of the list are in the smallest amounts. For example, if milk is listed first, you know that the product contains mostly milk. If you are lactose intolerant it may be a product that you want to avoid or eat in small amounts.
Start with small portions of dairy foods. If you can tolerate small portions, you might be able to add more a little at a time. As you slowly add dairy foods over time, you will be able to figure out just how much lactose your body can handle.
Combine dairy foods with nondairy foods. Eating dairy foods with other foods slows the release of lactose into your body. This makes it easier for your body to digest and breakdown the lactose.
Eat smaller portions of milk or dairy products more frequently. Instead of drinking full servings (1 cup or 8 ounces) of milk, try drinking smaller servings (1/2 cup or 4 ounces) throughout the day.
Eat dairy foods that are naturally lower in lactose. Cheese and yogurt generally have less lactose than milk. This is because the lactose is partially broken down during the aging process in cheese and by the bacteria in yogurt. Specifically, aged cheeses like parmesan, swiss, and brie, and yogurts that say “live active cultures” on the label tend to be low lactose options.
What if these suggestions don’t work?
If you still have discomfort after trying out these ideas, you may try a lactase supplement, such as Lactaid or a generic brand, before having foods that contain lactose. You can buy the lactase supplement as a chewable pill or liquid drops for a milk product. The supplement can be purchased without a prescription and will help your body to break down the lactose in the foods you eat or drink. You can also enjoy milk or ice cream that is labeled as lactose free. The brand Lactaid also sells dairy products with the enzyme lactase already added into their foods, so this can also be helpful if your body has a hard time tolerating even small amounts of lactaid.
What else do I need to know?
Learn about secret ingredients that contain lactose. These ingredients include dry milk solids (including non-fat milk solids), buttermilk, lactose, malted milk, sour or sweet cream, margarine, whey, whey protein concentrate, and cheese. Sauces, dressings, and soup often have lactose. Baked and processed foods such as cookies, cakes, and pancakes may also contain lactose. Check your food labels!
Some medications contain lactose. Ask your health care provider if there’s lactose in any medications that you might be taking and read the label yourself, too.
Remember the calcium. If you don’t drink milk you need to make sure you’re getting enough calcium from other sources in your diet.
“Our bowels are very sensitive organs,” says Sioned Quirk of the British Dietetic Association. “If we’ve been ill, or if we’re stressed or run down, we often will have some type of bowel symptom. It’s not necessarily lactose intolerance.”
If you’re lactose intolerant, you probably won’t need to completely cut out milk or other dairy foods from your diet. These foods provide calcium for your body and other important nutrients. Managing your lactose intolerance with support may be even easier than you think.
You probably know someone with lactose intolerance. Maybe that person is a family member, a friend, or you. It’s most common among Asian Americans, African, individuals of Jewish descent, Mexican-Americans, and Native Americans, but affects people of all races and ethnic backgrounds. That being said, any person could have lactose intolerance, therefore share the story so as for them to also benefit from it.
-Conducts free medical screening on over 200 youths
As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), Afonchies Pharma Limited, a leading community pharmacy in Ajah, Lekki, Lagos, has taken the campaign against drug abuse and misuse, including free medical screening, to the people of Prayer City, Abijo Village, Ajah, Lagos State.
The health campaign and screening exercise were held during the yearly camping programme of the national youth body of the Doers of The Word Evangelical Church, at the Prayer City, Abijo Village, Ajah, Lagos State.
Some members of Afonchies Pharma Industry screening some participants at the event.
Speaking on the rationale behind the initiatives, Mr Kingsley Ugwu, manager, Afonchies Pharmacy, who was also the coordinator of the campaign, said: “We decided to organise the medical outreach and free screening exercise to give back to our community and to promote healthy living among Nigerians.”
According to him, regular health screening is good as it involves checking patients’ current health status and risks, adding that “if any problems are found, the healthcare provider will provide information on treatment plans and ways that you can prevent health issues in the future.”
The free health screening featured screening for blood glucose level, hypertension, body mass Index (BMI), among others.
Also speaking at the programme, Dr Oyunovo Angela Evbodi, superintendent pharmacist, Afonchies Pharmacy, Ajah branch, who spoke on behalf of the managing director, Afonchies Pharmaceuticals, Pharm. Adebayo Afon, explained that the free medical screening and awareness campaign were organised as part of the company’s contribution to improving public healthcare.
Speaking further, Evbodi, who had her Pharm. D, from the Kwame Nkrumah University, Ghana, noted that regular health screening and awareness can help detect health problems before they become complicated and sometimes untreatable, adding that by getting the right health services, screenings, and treatments, people are taking steps that will help them live longer and have a healthier life.
She noted that people need to consider their health first in everything they do, adding that looking healthy is not always an indication that one is free from diseases.
A cross-section of members of Afonchies Pharma Industry in a group photograph at the event.
“We have discovered that many people do not know where to go to when they want to access drugs; therefore, it is necessary for us to be here to showcase our presence to the people of this community and to tell them that there are lots of things that they are missing by not regularly patronising registered pharmacists”, she said.
Aside health screening and treatment, the Afonchies team also gave health talks and educated the populace on what to do to prevent diseases and better manage their health. A major component of the health outreach programme was a lecture on drug abuse and misuse as well as management of diabetes and hypertension.
In his lecture titled, “Management of Diabetes and Hypertension”, Pharm. Peter Ogbole, spoke on the importance of regular physical exercise to the body, saying although it may not be easy initially, the benefits far outweigh any pain that may be involved.
Ogbole also urged the participants to have their blood pressure checked periodically, in order to avert cardiovascular diseases, which he said are very deadly.
While appreciating Afonchies for the good gesture, the pastor in-charge of the youth body, Pastor Leo Fadare, said he was quite happy with the team, noting that the free screening exercise and lecture were a big boost to the programme and would linger in the memory of the youngsters.
He further enjoined other healthcare providers and organisations in the country to take a cue from what Afonchies Pharma has done and reach out to assist people in enjoying better health as a way of giving back to the society.
Men who are currently having issues with their marriage due to premature ejaculation can now smile as scientists from Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City have recently found a special wipe to treat the disease.
The special “wipes” surrounded with a mild anesthetic called benzocaine appear to help reduce premature ejaculation, the study found.
The condition occurs when a man ejaculates sooner during sexual intercourse than he or his partner would like. Premature ejaculation is a common sexual challenge.
Premature ejaculation is the most common form of male sexual dysfunction, affecting about one in three men aged 18 to 59, according to the American Urological Association (AUA).
Adding that currently, most drug treatments for the disease in the world are limited to creams or sprays.
Explaining further on what premature ejaculation is, Dr David Samadi, a chief urologist at the hospital said it means ejaculating in less than 2 minutes after penetration.
A photograph of a couple, in which the man is suffering from premature ejaculation.
He also noted that while benzocaine and other anesthetics have been used before to treat the condition, their use in a bedside wipe is new.
“Premature ejaculation can break up relationships and have a profound effect on people’s lives,” says David Edwards, a GP in Chipping Norton and president of the British Society of Sexual Medicine (BSSM).
According to findings on ResearchGate, the prevalence of premature ejaculation among sexually active men in Nigeria is over 71 percent, majority of them seek for help from spiritual leaders, hospitals, chemist shops and traditional leaders.
The new study funded by the wipes’ maker, Veru Healthcare included 21 men with premature ejaculation who were in monogamous heterosexual relationships.
Fifteen used the wipes, which contain 4 percent benzocaine, while six others received a placebo wipe with no anesthetic.
After two months, the men in the treatment group showed significant improvement in premature ejaculation compared to those in the placebo group, said a team led by Dr Ridwan Shabsigh, who specializes in men’s sexual health in New York City.
“This study is encouraging in demonstrating a new and innovative way to reduce the symptoms of the condition,” AUA spokesman Dr Tobias Kohler said in a meeting news release.
“Premature ejaculation can cause a variety of issues related to negative feelings and emotions that can lead to problems with sexual relationships. This data shows topical 4 percent benzocaine wipes is a promising therapy to treat the most common form of sexual dysfunction among men,” he said.
Kohler is associate professor and residency program director at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.
But Samadi brought up one potential downside: benzocaine’s effect on the man’s sex partner.
“The study has not mentioned a common problem of using topical anesthetics, which is absence of an orgasm in the female partner,” Samadi said. “Topical anesthetics can be absorbed through the vaginal wall and reduce the partner sensation if a condom is not used.”
Dr. Harris Nagler, a urologist at Long Island Jewish Medical Centre in New Hyde Park, N.Y, reviewed the study and agreed that the wipes are a “novel technique for application of topical anesthetic to decrease penile sensitivity and premature ejaculation.”
But he added that the study was small and was also too vague about a number of factors, such as a “lack of consistency of measurement of time to ejaculation.”
And Nagler said topical anesthetics won’t help every man battling premature ejaculation.
That’s because the treatment has “also resulted in erectile dysfunction in some men due to penile numbness, and vaginal insensitivity — affecting partner satisfaction,” Nagler said.
“However, it is reasonable to assume that there would be men who would benefit by this novel approach,” he said.
Although many people have read about why intake of excess salt is not good for their health, but they found it difficult to reconcile the link between both, as they don’t know the level at which the damage goes.
A recent research at Weill Cornell Medical College for Medicine in New York has suggested that a diet high in salt may promote cognitive decline by destabilizing levels of the protein tau.
Protein tau is a protein that maintains the stability of the microtubules that serve as a transport system within brain cells.
Dr Giuseppe Faraco, an assistant professor and the lead author of the study explained that an extreme intake of salt has always had associations with poor cerebrovascular function, and high salt intake is an independent, well established risk factor for dementia.
According to previous research, dementia is the usually progressive deterioration of intellectual functions such as memory that can occur while other brain functions such as those controlling movement and the senses are retained, also excessive levels of tau are a hallmark of dementia.
The study, reported on MedicalNews Today, found that a diet high in sodium leads to dementia in the mice by triggering the overproduction of a molecule that promotes inflammation.
The molecule, interleukin-17 (IL-17), stops brain cells from producing nitric oxide. Nitric oxide has the role of helping blood vessels to widen, which allows blood to flow. However, insufficient levels of nitric oxide can lead to restricted blood flow.
In this mouse study, a high salt diet triggered high levels of IL-17, which in turn, lowered nitric oxide level Hls and reduced blood flow by 25%.
Faraco and his team theorized in the new study that high levels of sodium would do the same thing cause dementia by restricting the blood flow to the brain, an effect mediated by low nitric oxide.
However, the experiments revealed something unexpected.
The researchers fed 8-week old male and female mice either a regular diet or a diet enriched in sodium for 4–36 weeks.
The scientists performed behavioral, cerebrovascular, and molecular studies, which revealed that the low levels of nitric oxide that were induced by a high salt diet affected the levels of tau protein in the brain.
An excessive buildup of tau is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s. Typically, tau supports neurons by stabilizing structures called microtubules, which transport nutrients to neurons’ axons and dendrites. They are a part of the cytoskeleton, or “scaffolding,” that supports neurons.
“Tau becoming unstable and coming off the cytoskeleton causes trouble,” Dr Iadecola explains.
The researcher added that tau should not roam freely inside the cell because if it detaches from the cytoskeleton, it has the potential to build up in the brain, leading to cognitive difficulties.
Image of a salt
In the study, the scientists found that nitric oxide “puts the brakes on activity caused by a series of enzymes that leads to tau disease pathology.”
So, to further test the dynamic between nitric oxide, tau protein, and cognitive impairment, the scientists combined the high salt diet and restricted blood flow with an antibody that kept tau proteins in check.
These results led the researchers to believe that the link between dietary salt and tau pathology is a direct, causal one that does not depend on restricted blood flow.
The authors concluded by saying avoidance of excess salt intake and maintenance of vascular health may help to stave off the vascular pathologies.
Dr Iadecola warns about the dangers of excess salt diets, suggesting that the findings in rodents are a good reminder of the risks to humans of high sodium intake.
However, more research is necessary to replicate the rodent findings in humans.
“The stuff that is bad for us doesn’t come from a salt shaker, it comes from processed food and restaurant food, and we’ve got to keep salt in check. It can alter the blood vessels of the brain and do so in a vicious way.” Dr Costantino Ladecola.
Thus, to friends and colleagues who cannot eat a meal without the sharp taste of salt in it, prevention is better than cure. To be free from brain impairment, it is better one reduce salt intake.
Stretch marks could be most described as nuisance to many people, especially Africans, who might have tried several ways to eliminate them without a lasting solution. They are usually linear, smooth bands on the skin, which depending on skin colour, can appear as red or purple and which fade over time to leave silvery pale marks.
According to available statistics, it occurs in 40-90% of women, stretch marks appear following rapid repeated over-stretching of the skin over weak connective tissue. The most common areas affected are the: #Abdomen #Breasts #Hips #Flank #Buttock and the #Thighs.
There are several local home-made preparations, though they have no scientific evidences, but have been in use through cultural norms, while the users have validated their positive results. According to them, all that is required is to apply the natural substance on the surface of the stretch marks, for about 10 minutes, then rinse with water thereafter.
The natural preparations are :Aloe Vera gel, egg white, Lemon Juice,Potato juice,Shea butter balanced diet, regular hydration and eating of fruits and veggies.
Although many creams, gels, lotions, laser and cosmetic surgery have all been proposed as treatments for the condition, but there is little medical evidence to support the efficacy of such treatments, as studies have shown that current treatments are particularly limited in their ability to deliver long-lasting improvements for all skin types.
However, studies have validated the use of Bitter almond oil, Tretinoin cream (retinoic acid) and Silicone gel as effective natural methods of treating stretch marks.
In a report compiled by MNT, the following were propounded as effective natural remedies for the skin disorder
A back of a human being with stretch marks
Bitter almond oil
A study aiming to identify the effect of applying bitter almond oil with and without massage for preventing stretch marks during pregnancy found that a 15-minute massage applied with almond oil during pregnancy reduced the development of stretch marks.
Applying bitter almond oil without massage had no apparent effect, however, leading the authors of this study to conclude that those who are pregnant should be informed of the positive effects of massaging with applied almond oil early in pregnancy.
Tretinoin cream (Retinoic acid)
Studies indicate that the topical application of tretinoin significantly improves the clinical appearance of early stretch marks, although the process responsible for the clinical improvement is unknown.
In one study, tretinoin reduced the length of the stretch marks by 14 percent and the width by 8% after six months of treatment. In another study, 12-weeks of treatment decreased the length of stretch marks by 20 percent.
However, products containing retinoic acid are teratogenic (can result in congenital defects) and should not be used by anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding. Tretinoin is extensively used in the treatment of acne (as Retin-A) and in the treatment of stretch marks.
Although alternative therapies in the treatment of stretch marks have been faulted due to lack of empirical evidence, but there are proven preventive measures.
Experts have advised the maintenance of a healthy weight, avoidance of yo-yo dieting, eating of balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals – particularly vitamins A and C and the minerals zinc and silicon for healthy skin. More importantly, women are advised to aim for slow and gradual weight gain during pregnancy and drink plenty of water (6-8 glasses daily).
To mark its 2nd annual international conference, the Nigeria Association of Foreign Trained Pharmacists (NAFTraPH) held an awareness lecture at the Barcelona Hotel International, Wuse 2, Abuja, Nigeria.
The NAFTraPH conference was themed: “Non-communicable diseases in Nigeria, the need for timely healthcare and public health professionals’ involvement and interventions”, had participants from the United States of America and Nigeria.
The Logo of the Nigeria Association of Foreign Trained Pharmacists
In his welcome remarks, Dr John C. Ejezie, NAFTraPH president, said the association has come a long way in fulfilling the vision of its founders, who are the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Program (FPGOP) Class of 2012 at the University of Ibadan.
He acknowledged the major role played by Professor (Mrs) Chinedum P. Babalola in assisting the Class of 2012 actualize the dream of forming and officially registering the association.
He further recalled Babalola’s remarks on the association, noting she said that “the association is a unifying organization for all foreign trained pharmacists (NAFTraPH) to enable us harness and leverage on our abilities and potentials to improve on the healthcare needs of our people and communities, especially, in the areas of pharmaceutical care, regardless of pharmacy practice areas.
“She also stated that the group is synonymous with the proverbial melting pot, noting that where unique training experiences are amalgamated to produce synergistic outcomes”.
Speaking on the theme of the conference Ejezie explained that as much as people would want to contain communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases; most heart diseases, diabetes, chronic kidney diseases, etc., have continued to pose real public health challenges.
He maintained that NAFTraPH have members that are well trained to identify some of these diseases and refer patients to physicians or hospitals, where they can access care, especially community pharmacy or even healthcare facility, or pharmacy practitioners.He said that quality patient care is now a requirement and the norm in most healthcare systems around the world, and a re-imbursement criterion.
“In the words of the Minister of Health, Hon. Dr Osagie E. Ehanire, during 2019 NAPPSA Conference in the USA, ‘it is not about any of the healthcare professionals, but about the patient’”, he quoted.
Admonishing the pharmacists, the NAFTraPH president said “Understanding that we can do more as healthcare professionals, regardless of discipline or professional affiliations is very critical to the overall patients’ health outcomes. Please, let us join hands”.
It has been observed that some folks stay in bed for nearly half- of-the-night-time with their eyes wide-opened, while sleep keeps eluding them. To alleviate this condition, Clinical Nutritionist, Shawn Stevenson has suggested that going to bed naked can help improve the situation.
Stevenson, a public health expert, with an outstanding recording of impacting some 3,000 clients’ lifestyles, including celebrities, explained how going to bed bare can marvelously induce sleep in insomniacs.
Rear view of young man laying down on his bed naked.
According to him:” Your body’s sleep cycles are heavily influenced by something called thermoregulation. When it’s time to rest, there is an automatic drop in your core body temperature to help initiate sleep. If the temperature in your environment stays too high, it can be pretty difficult to reach the ideal state for restful sleep”.
In his chat with Daily Mail, he noted that studies have shown that insomniacs tend to have a significantly warmer body temperature than normal right before bed, though exactly why is unclear.
Among his less radical steps to keep cool, were keeping the bedroom between 16c to 20c, wearing fewer and looser clothes to bed and alternatively going naked in bed.
“If you and your partner both sleep in the nude, you can reap the benefits of the anti-stress hormone oxytocin. Also known as the ‘cuddle hormone’, it has a calming effect that counters the effects of cortisol and helps promote sleep”, he asserted.
To make this year’s commemoration of World Polio Day a memorable one, members of the Rotary Club of Gbagada, District 9110, Nigeria, in a carnival-like style stormed the ever busy and densely populated Gbagada community in their numbers to sensitize residents on the need for eradication of poliomyelitis through vaccination and giving support to victims.
Cladded in a special outfit for the campaign, the President, Rotary Club of Gbagada, District 9110, Rotr. Akinwale Odutola, hinted on the reason for the awareness walk, noting it was to create additional avenue for acquainting the public with vital information about polio and the efforts of the Rotary Club to ensure the country exit the list of polio endemic nations.
President, Rotary Club of Gbagada, District 9110, Rotr. Akinwale Odutola, and some members during awareness campaign
Expressing the delight of Rotary Club of Gbagada, District 9110, Nigeria, to celebrate this year’s WPD with the people at the grassroots, he said it was an opportunity to give support to victims of the second most deadly disease in the world, which has globally left millions disabled and pulled many people further into poverty.
However, Odutola noted that the reason for holding the awareness campaign in Gbagada community was because of its vast population and also, being an area of the state with great numbers of all the ethnics in Nigeria, adding that the choice of the area was strategic as it is the host community of the campaign.
Odutola further stated that Nigeria has been delisted by the World Health Organization from among three countries where polio remains endemic, adding that If Nigeria is eventually given a clean bill, Afghanistan and Pakistan will remain the only countries where the disease is still endemic.
Speaking in the same vein, Pharm. Gbenga Olubowale, former chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Lagos State Branch, who also doubled as the chairman, Rotary Committees, Rotary Club of Gbagada, Lagos, District 9110, noted that Nigeria which had assumed a pariah status in the global polio eradication community, because it was single-handedly responsible for half of the global incidence of polio, today, due to the efforts and commitment of Rotary and its partners, has gone three years without polio.
According to Olubowale, “It is good to agree that Nigeria passing the three-year benchmark without a single wild polio virus case is a step forward to certifying the entire African region wild poliovirus-free, but it must be noted that the achievement is a very fragile one which the country must delicately manage with cautions so that we do not go back to square one,” he warned
He added that routine immunization coverage and quality surveillance remain most critical in the build up towards certification and post certification. He however warned that there could be as many as several new cases of polio in the next 10 years, if efforts to combat the deadly virus are not sustained.
A cross section of Rotary Club members during the rally.
“Talking about the level of awareness, it is better here in the south than the north, so we still have a lot to do as far as awareness creation is concerned. Meanwhile, one good thing that we have working for us is that we as Rotarians have taken the bull by the horn in terms of awareness creation. Also, Rotary Club Gbagada, District 9110, has been at the fore front of the campaign. Beyond attaining the zero level of polio, we need to continue working and ensuring that the campaign never stops”, he advised.
Also speaking, Rotr. Kemi Akintilo, president, Inner Wheel Club of Gbagada, said the celebration marks a major milestone in the history of Nigeria’s Polio Eradication Programme as the country reaches 3 years without reporting a case of wild poliovirus.
“We at Inner Wheel Club are supporting Rotary to ensure that as women, our fellow women are all informed and aware of what to do to ensure that polio is kept at bay. The children should be encouraged to be immunized and ensure that the message is communicated to all. Polio, to a certain extent is known by people and they are ready to kick it out. We are happy with the level of awareness and we are hopeful that if it continues, polio will no longer be a threat to us in this country.
According to her, the objectives of Inner Wheel Clubs, which is a female wing of the Rotary Club is to promote true friendship, encourage the ideals of personal service and to foster International understanding, saying any woman who share those aims can join Inner Wheel.
-As Lagos NANNM Council Holds 9th Delegates Conference
It was an exciting atmosphere at the Nurses’ House, NANNM Secretariat in Lagos on Tuesday, as the outgoing Chairman of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) Lagos State Chapter, Comr. Olurotimi Julius Awojide, gave a commendable stewardship of his four-year tenure to delegates at the conference.
The 2-day 9th Quadrennial State Delegates Conference, of NANNM’S State Council, witnessed election of new executives of the chapter, as well as hand over ceremony to the new crop of leadership to pilot the affairs of the association for the next four years.
Names of delegates who emerged at the polls to become executives of the new administration include: Comr. Blessing Isreal, chairman; Comr. Mary Lateef- Yusuf, vice-chairman; Comr. Adeola Morolake, financial secretary; Comr. Taiye Uledor, treasurer; Comr.Adenike Akinla, P.R.O; Comr. Kayode, auditor I; and Com. Sanni Habeeb, auditor ii.
Lagos NANNM outing Chairman, Comr. Olurotimi Julius Awojide,flanked by some executives of his adminsitration, while receving an award of excellence, presented to him by the council chairman, on behalf of the state chapter.
Speaking on his achievements for his tenure, Awojide appreciated all members of his administration, saying without mincing words, his administration enjoyed the maximum support of every nurse in the state, which explained the success attained by his leadership.
His words:”We took over from the caretaker committee in 2016, we made promises to our members on what we intended to achieve and the time has come to render account of our stewardship. To God be the glory, we did our best to move the association forward. This is because that the delivery of value to members is the fundamental objective of any democratically-elected administration”.
Lagos NANNM outing Chairman, Comr. Olurotimi Julius Awojide,and DSP Olatunji Disu; (middle) flanked by other members of the high-table, in a group photograph at the conference.
He forged ahead to highlight achievements of his tenure to include: Passage of Bill establishing Lagos State College of Nursing, Igando; Harmonisation of scheme of service of nurses; accountability; election of NANNM into NLC and JNC; honouring of NANNM’s heroes; image laundering for nurses/war against quackery; new utility bus for nurses; new giant generators for NANNM House; uniform allowance for nurses; financial assistance to nurses in need; reversal of denial of promotion; mentoring of student nurses; capacity building; among others.
He however urged the new crop of leaders to press home for other pending needs of the association, which he could not achieve including: Upgrading of graduate nurses; central payment of uniform allowance; lateral conversion; domestication of internship programme in Lagos State for graduate nurses; promotion of nurses to directorate cadre; conflict resolution among nurses and nurse leaders; demoted apex nurse re-instead; resuscitation of elongated salary; employment of more nurses, and so on.
Speaking on the theme of the conference: “Employer-Employee Relationship and the Union”, the guest speaker, Mrs Remi Iherijika emphasised the need for the nurses’ union leaders to be proactive and reliable as employer-employee relationship is a conflict-laden relationship, requiring careful management.
Cross section of delegates at the conference.
She highlighted the qualities of a vibrant union to include strength, independence, dynamism, and being proactive, whose executives can look at employers’ eye-ball –to-eye-ball to discuss employees issues without losing focus.
She asked the leaders” What is the position of your union on the privatisation move of hospitals? If you fold your hands, in five years’ time, the story will change”.
Iherijika further tasked the delegates on the need to upgrade their knowledge regularly, saying the currency in unionism is knowledge, thus, they must acquire it daily.
The highpoint of the conference was the presentation of awards of excellence to the outgoing chairman, Awojide , and DSP Olatunji Disu.
The story of the 80th birthday celebration of Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, managing director, Pharmanews Ltd, will be uncompleted without the mention of the dinner organised by Pharm. Kennedy Izunwa, managing director, Foundation Pharma Ltd, also member, Pharmacy Tower Committee, and his colleagues, in honour of the Pharmanews boss at 80.
The 80th birthday dinner, held at the serene environment of the New Chinese Restaurant, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, was attended by Kennedy Izunwa and his friends, Pharm. Paul Ekwebelem; Pharm. Clifford Esomonu; and Mr Amish Savia of Asoj Soft Caps PVT. Ltd. India; the celebrant Sir Atueyi and wife, Lady Joan Atueyi.
Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi and Lady Joan Atueyi (cutting the birthday cake) while Paul Ekwebelem (left); Pharm. Kennedy Izunwa; (2nd from left); Pharm. Clifford Esomonu (2nd from right) and Mr Amish Savia of Asoj Soft Caps PVT. Ltd. India (right), look in admiration.
It was be recalled that Pharmanews Ltd celebrated her 40th anniversary and 80th birthday of Atueyi on 1 October at the Sheba event centre, Ikeja, which was immensely graced by key stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry.
Atueyi expressed his profound gratitude to the organisers of the birthday dinner, saying he never saw it coming, as it was well appreciated, and he welcomed their partner, Savia, who came all the way from India to felicitate with him.
In spite of several findings on the association between respiratory conditions and obesity, there seems to be no solid conclusion, hence a new study in the journal European Respiratory, has recently shown that fatty tissue can accumulate in the airways of people with obesity, possibly contributing to asthma and other respiratory problems.
According to the World Health Organisation, obesity has become a top issue across the world, in the United States alone; more than one in three adults have obesity.
While this condition is associated with an intensified risk for many other health problems, it is unclear through which mechanisms it contributes to some of these issues.
The study explains how this may be problematic for people who are overweight or who have obesity, as it may contribute to the development of respiratory conditions, such as asthma.
“Our research team studies the structure of the airways within our lungs and how these are altered in people with respiratory disease,” explains first author John Elliot, from Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth, Australia.
“Looking at samples of lungs, we spotted fatty tissue that had built up in the airway walls. We wanted to see if this accumulation was correlated with body weight,” he continued.
Image of how the lungs truly look like
Using material collected from an earlier study, the researchers looked at lung tissue samples from 52 deceased people: 15 had not had asthma, 21 had had asthma but died due to unrelated causes, and 16 had died due to asthma-related causes.
The investigators used special dyes to study the structure of 1,373 airways to identify how much, if any, fatty tissue was present in them. The researchers also looked at data regarding each donor’s body mass index (BMI).
The team discovered that fatty tissue does build up in airway walls. They also found that the higher a person’s BMI, the more fat accumulates in the airways.
Additionally, the fat buildup may affect the normal structure of the airways, blocking them and causing inflammation in the lungs, which, in turn, may contribute to asthma and other respiratory problems.
In a related development, another study has also compared obesity to an infectious disease, in the way that we might ‘catch’ unhealthy behaviours from those people around us.
What the latest study does is suggest another reason why maintaining a healthy weight is so important to the proper functioning of the human body – and the more we know about that, the better we can aim towards it.
“This is an important finding on the relationship between body weight and respiratory disease because it shows how being overweight or obese might be making symptoms worse for people with asthma,” says Thierry Troosters, president of the European Respiratory Society, who wasn’t involved in the study.
“This goes beyond the simple observation that patients with obesity need to breathe more with activity and exercise. The observation points at true airway changes that are associated with obesity,” he added.
There seems to be an enormous gap between what pharmacists actually do and what the public perceive them to do. Despite their immense potentials and actual contributions to healthcare in our country, they are usually faced with an unfortunate, huge lack of recognition and appreciation for their roles within the healthcare system.
A consulting room with its restricted access and privacy provides a distraction-free environment for patients to build up a relationship with their doctors. The public perception however is that because pharmacists work in a shops (majority of which have private consulting areas now), they are less important, less professional with some even not realizing that Pharmacy is a profession. I often hear some people remark that anyone can practice as a pharmacist, provided you have worked in a pharmacy long enough, irrespective of your level of education.
Yusuf Hassan Wada
The public need to acknowledge that pharmacists work in different work environments: academia, research, regulatory, drug discovery, drug manufacture, clinical settings, among others. It is difficult for me to imagine a world without pharmacists. Can you?
Today’s world faces problems that are complex and complicated. Too often the debate over health outcomes and managed care has glossed over a series of complex social, political, and ethical issues. The field of Pharmacy in developing and developed countries is showing rapid progress with new discoveries, policies and paradigms and seeing new challenges which require new and rapid responses.
How can we leverage this in Nigeria? Policy or politics? Political decisions have strong influence which in turn affect other policies and political initiatives around the economic growth. If there’s anything the noble profession of Pharmacy in Nigeria requires more than everything else, it is involvement in politics and policy making.
Given the prevailing trend in Nigeria today, pharmacists especially community pharmacists are seen more as businessmen/women than healthcare providers. With this widespread notion, community pharmacies need to win over the hearts of the public over their roles through policies that put them as first destination for patients.
This explains the community pharmacy involvement and underutilization in the National Health Insurance Scheme for the control of infectious diseases like tuberculosis, HIV, and AIDS in provision of effective interventions such as family planning/child spacing, which will assist in moving the country closer to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Adolescent reproductive health, health screening, disease prevention and health promotion, reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, Malaria and HIV related mortality, are some of the interventions where pharmacists can be very useful considering the expansive and intensive nature of their training.
In the hospital setting, the responsibility of many pharmacists are obscured within a dispensary where patients may not even have a glance at the pharmacist. It is only in few hospital settings he is involved on the clinical reviews and evaluation. Pharmacists can increase their research base and start clinical trials of novel drugs and head such panels, set up researches into post marketing survey that would earn them a place and listening ears by the clinical team. As for the issue of dispensing drugs today, auxiliary nurses and doctors can now do as well as what pharmacists can do. Patent stores can (illegally) conveniently carry that out as well as open stores. Without a strong professional voice and participation in the national policy making, the profession will be unable to lobby for and meet the business demand outlined above.
Another reason is that pharmacists are largely marginalized in the clinical drug selection process; a sharp contrast to the situation in developing/developed countries. Where is the National Drug Distribution Guidelines, implementation strategy? In 2015, the Federal Government, under its National Drug Distribution Guidelines, directed that all open drug shops in market places should be shut down by July 1, 2015, shifted to 2018, yet they are still in existence.
Again, drug production and discovery; policy reversals, poor infrastructure, lack of patronage for local products and inconsistency in government policies and funding have been a challenge with only less than 40-45% essential drug production in the country. We still import APIs that we have the capacity to not only produce but to help other countries’ economy to boost and develop our economy. Policy support will help in patronizing made-in-Nigeria pharmaceutical products and domestic innovation in building capacity to produce novel and affordable medicines for local health problems; which in turn will stimulate economic development, decrease dependence on international donor programmes, and contribute to improving global health in Nigeria.
Social media also has become a forum for political discourse, a means for political engagement. Although, there is an increasing tide of awareness from young pharmacists lending a voice. We must use the media of our creative works to address the problems of our political environment. Technology has transformed the way millennials participate in politics and furthermore, it has changed the way we shape policy.
Pharmacists should be advocates and resource persons for health information. Your patients could get information through different channels and platforms. It could be written materials. It could be an app that connects patients to online health information. It could be face-to-face counseling with patients on things like smoking cessation, nutrition or fitness. The trick is making it convenient for patients.
If this is the case, why won’t as men of honor join the national politics? How will pharmacists continue to change policy if they are not in the vital decision- making positions to do so? As a consequence, there is a gap between those governing us and what we believe. Advocacy, especially political advocacy, is often viewed as a form of persuasion or influence, but it is also a form of education. A shift to a healthcare system where pharmacists are routinely reimbursed for providing medication therapy management would require policy change at the national level.
One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors –Plato (427 BC – 347 BC). As men of honour, we need to do as much as possible to ensure the relevance of the profession in Nigeria’s political scene. Let’s take care of the pennies and the pounds would take care of themselves.
Yusuf Hassan Wada wrote this from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto. He can be reached on hasawa2011@gmail.com
The World Pharmacists’ Day is celebrated every year on September 25th, which is coordinated by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) worldwide. The theme of this year’s Annual Pharmacists Day is “Safe and effective medicines for all” which aims to promote pharmacists’ crucial role in safeguarding patient safety through improving medicines use and reducing medication errors to the general public, the clinicians, political actors and all stakeholders in the health sector.
Role of pharmacists’ in safeguarding patient safety through improving access to safe and effective medicines and their rationale use, as well as the tremendous efforts pharmacists are putting in reducing medication errors have increasingly manifested in many ramifications related to positive therapeutic outcomes and human health in general.
In Nigeria, unlike many other countries of the world, an ambitious middle-income country and Africa’s largest economy, it struggles to provide some of the most basic health services to its citizens. Access to essential medicines is yet threatened by high poverty rate. Affordability declines drastically down the population profile of poverty lane, for instance, an anti-diabetic drug could costs minimally about N1,500 for a 30-day supply, thus costs a low class citizen with N30,000 minimum wage approximately 2 days salary to get it. Indeed, cancer care costs about 5 times the monthly minimum wage for a government employee and an anti-hypertensive drug costs about half a day’s work for a month course of treatment in Nigeria.
Yusuf Hassan Wada
It is disheartening that out-of-pocket health service and detaining patients to pay their bills are a reality. There is great disparity in the availability of health services between urban and rural areas, between poor and rich. Some years ago, all African countries met, and agreed in Abuja to give at least 15 per cent of their entire national budget to health. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s health budget is hovering between five and nine per cent annually.
The state of pharmacy practice in the country poses a public health concerns mainly with uncertain access to quality medicines, weak standard of practices and a weak regulation of controlled drugs. It is no coincidence that Nigeria currently has one of the worst drug market controls in the world, a high rate of antibiotics resistance and one of the worst cases of drug abuse.
In order to fulfill the Declaration ‘Health for all’ which encompasses ‘”Safe and Effective Medicine for all’ the WHO presented the concept of ‘universal health coverage’ (UHC), which is defined as “all people receiving quality health services that meet their needs without exposing them to financial hardship”.
Research has also shown an existing data indicating a shortage of pharmacists necessary to achieving safe and effective medicine in Nigeria. This is supported by a research being done by Aniekan et a.,l “Analysis of pharmacy workforce capacity in Nigeria” that suggest that only 12,807 pharmacists are in active professional practice as indicated by the number of licensed pharmacists in 2016 which represent 1:15,000 of the country population.
Restructuring the drug distribution sector is key to achieving safe and effective medicine for all. Distribution of drugs requires efficient supply chain systems and appropriate regulation to ensure that the medicines that reach the consumer are in their intended qualitative state, ensure that the medicine that gets to the consumers are qualitative, effective, affordable, safe and supported with the required instruction to ensure rational use in entrenching a distribution system that drug and related facilities must be well managed to ensure they can deliver quality service.
Today, we are talking about the spread of chronic illnesses like kidney and liver diseases. A lot of these problems could be traced to the uncontrolled proliferation of medicine stores in Nigeria. When medicines are available everywhere, people tend to abuse them.
Even so, the inability to effectively address the country’s numerous challenges on open drug market has contributed to the persistent barrier towards achieving the safe and effective medicine for all. The production, distribution and consumption of fake and sub-standard drugs no matter the form, reason or quantity, approach taken should not be condoned or trivialized which happens a lot in open drug market. Most of the occurrences of fake drug dealings go unrecorded which has contributed tremendously to untimely and avoidable deaths especially of the uneducated.
The quality of health care services and medicines is poor and remains a huge source of concern. The private sector remains the main hub for counterfeits and substandard low-price product and main source of medicine for many Nigerians with over 10,000 unregistered patent and proprietary drug stores predominating the sector.
Information and communication technologies offer the opportunity for tremendous innovation in medicine access with rigorous citizen education and sensitization, especially of the uneducated with regards to the what, how, when and where to use drugs. While mobile technology is essential to the medicine for all efforts, data coverage towards getting a central database for prescription, over the counter (OTC) and controlled drugs which are abuse will go a long way toward reducing abuse, resistance, misuse and dependence.
On the back of the need to adopt technology towards sanitizing drugs distribution and ensuring its quality in Nigeria, circulation of counterfeit medicines dropped from 40% in 2001 to 16.7% in 2015. NAFDAC pioneered several authentication technologies targeted at fighting counterfeit drugs and as first regulatory agency in the world to use the TRUSCAN. A new mandatory method called “mass serialization,” often combined with “track-and-trace” requirements, is becoming the worldwide standard for regulators in securing the supply chain end-to end. Mandatory licensing of patented drugs to improve access to essential treatments for NCDs and infectious diseases is necessary with increased funding for health.
Finally, it is important to generate political will towards the achievement of Safe and Effective Medicines for all. This should be championed by the Nigerian government in collaboration with some international health agencies, NGOs, health advocacy agencies and the state ministries of health. This requires strategic education at all levels of political institutions in the country. Politicians and public office holders should be convinced to view the effective and safe medicine for all goals as an official mandate which must be achieved.
Hopefully, as implementation gets into place, all these issues could be resolved. A more structured system of action and stewardship will lead to a health service standard worthy of emulation, by ensuring strict compliance and the enforcement towards achieving safe and effective medicine for all.
Thank you.
Yusuf Hassan Wada writes from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto. He can be reached at hasawa2011@gmail.com
Early studies have indicated the benefits of onions in boosting immunity, regulating blood sugar, reducing the risk of gastric ulcers, as an anti-inflammatory and antibiotics agents. However, a new study has found that a compound found in onions has anti-ovarian cancer effects.
The study published in Scientific Reports and conducted by researchers from Kumamoto University in Japan, revealed that onions are low in calories and high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
According to the team, a 2014 review from the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most common type of ovarian cancer. With a 5-year survival rate of approximately 40 percent, effective treatments for the illness are needed.
Although new cases of EOC ranks 10th among female malignancies, the team says the number of deaths due to this type of ovarian cancer ranks fifth in the United States.
About 80 percent of patients with EOC have a relapse after initial chemotherapy treatment. As such, the researchers looked into the effects that a natural compound in onions – called onionin A, or ONA – has on EOC.
After examining the effects of ONA on a preclinical model of EOC in cells, the researchers found that the growth of EOCs slowed down after the team introduced ONA.
The finding which was reported in MedicalNewsToday serves as a pointer for all women to eat more onions and as condiment in other foods in order to keep ovarian cancer at bay.
The welcome announcement of an end to famine conditions in South Sudan this week should not distract from the fact that severe food insecurity continues to put the lives of millions of children at risk in north-east Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen, UNICEF warned today.
“There is no room for complacency,” said Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF Director for Emergency Programmes. “While famine has been reversed in South Sudan, the lives of millions of children are still hanging by a thread. The crisis is far from over and we must continue to scale up our response and insist on unconditional humanitarian access, otherwise the progress made could be rapidly undone.”
In all four countries the situation continues to be of the highest concern and the number of children at imminent risk of death remains alarming.
In north-east Nigeria, Boko Haram violence continues to contribute to large-scale population displacement, limit market activity and restrict normal livelihoods. Around 5.2 million people remain severely food insecure, with 450,000 children expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition this year. The start of the rainy season will further complicate the humanitarian response, with deteriorating road conditions and flooding making populations harder to reach, and raising the risk of water-borne diseases.
Image of Children in North-East Nigeria and South Sudan
In Somalia a fragile population, battered by decades of conflict, have been further exposed by prolonged drought conditions. It is estimated up to 275,000 children will suffer from severe acute malnutrition in 2017, making them nine times more likely to die of killer diseases such as cholera, acute water diarrhoea and measles, which are spreading through the country.
In South Sudan, the number of people struggling to find enough food each day has grown to six million, the highest level of food insecurity ever experienced in South Sudan. This year, almost 276,000 children are estimated to be severely malnourished and in need of immediate life-saving aid. Famine has eased after a significant scale up in the humanitarian response, according to new analysis released this week, however the situation remains dire across the country.
And in Yemen, where almost 400,000 children are estimated to be severely malnourished, an unprecedented cholera outbreak, with over 175,000 suspected cases and more than 1,000 deaths to date, has complicated the ongoing humanitarian response. Some of the children who have become ill or died from cholera were already suffering from malnutrition, weakening their immune system. The health system is on the brink of collapse, with hospitals and treatment centres struggling to cope and medicines and medical supplies quickly running out. Famine is possible in a worst-case scenario as the conflict continues
Beyond these four countries, food, water and health crises are endangering hundreds of thousands of children across the Greater Horn of Africa, the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.
This year, UNICEF is working with partners to provide therapeutic and life-saving food treatment to over 314,000 severely malnourished children in Nigeria, over 200,000 severely malnourished children in South Sudan, more than 200,000 severely malnourished children in Somalia, and 320,000 children in Yemen.
UNICEF is also restoring and equipping health facilities, developing medical and nutritional supply pipelines and providing clean and safe water to vulnerable children and families. In Somalia, 1.8 million people have been reached with safe water, and in Nigeria over 2.6 million people will be reached with a basic supply of clean water this year.
In Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen UNICEF requires US$251 million to provide children with food, water, health, education and protection services until the end of the year.
The task of transforming the ailing Nigerian health sector has been assigned to the newly appointed Dr Osagie Ehanire and Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, minister of health and minister of state for health respectively. These two men, recently appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari, certainly have their work cut out of them as the challenges facing the health sector are quite daunting.
Although both Ehanire, a distinguished anesthesiologist and vascular surgeon, who trained at University of Munich, Germany; and Mamora, a respected physician/general practitioner, who later ventured into politics, have impressive academic and professional records, the ministry of health has over the years proven to require more than impressive curriculum vitae to effectively manage.
Therefore, except these new helmsmen of the health ministry do something different from what their predecessors did, they will not only fail to change the narrative of the health sector, but will also end up as their predecesors whose tenures are remembered more for the failures of the nation’s health system than for their great careers as professionals.
Dr Osagie Ehanire, minister of health.
Top on the agenda of the new health ministers must be how to innovatively fund the health sector. They must as a matter of urgency devise ways to mobilise the needed funds for healthcare as the age-long problem of low budgetary allocation remains an albatross for the sector.
It is disheartening that the Nigerian government’s allocation to health in 2019 was just about 2 per cent of the total budget which is a far cry from the stipulated 15 percent agreed by African countries in April 2001 when the historic Abuja Declaration was made by African countries under the auspicies of the African Union. Even though this historic agreement was signed in Nigeria, the Nigerian government has been a permanent defaulter. The health budget in Nigeria has never been above 5 per cent since that agreement was signed, while some smaller African countries have been complying and getting great benefits from it.
More worrisome is the fact that more than half of the 2019 budget (62 billion) is for recurrent expenditure, while a meagre 50.15 billion is for capital expenditure. Even though the sector will also get extra 1 percent of the consolidated revenue (51.22 billion), as stipulated by law, and already earmarked for the Basic Health Care Fund, the fact is that this money is still grossly inadequate to provide the healthcare needs of about 200 million Nigerians.
An important aspect of healthcare financing the new health ministry helmsmen must also focus on is how to reform the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to make it effective and efficient. Perhaps, it is necessary to retool the law establishing it to give it a clear direction, as the NHIS presently plays the dual role of a regulator and provider. It will be better if the NHIS can just be a regulator, helping to ensure quality in the scheme as it is only when this is done that more Nigerians can embrace it and the hope of universal health coverage can be achieved. This will also help reduce the unacceptably high level of out-of-pocket payment for service delivery by patients.
Another germane area the new health ministers must address is the poor state of primary healthcare in the country. Considering the fact that majority of Nigerians needing healthcare are at the grassroots, it is inimical that this sub-sector is in such a sorry state. The hope that the National Primary Health Care Development Agency will help transform primary healthcare across the country has sadly not materialised. This is the time to properly fund the agency to enable it deliver on its manadate.
Beyond all these, however, the new health ministers must work to build relationships among healthcare practitioners and encourage interprofessional collaboration. The ministers must at all cost avoid the controversies of recent years that made other health workers perpetually suspect the motives of health ministers and acusing them of only protecting the interest of their medical doctor colleagues. The Nigerian health system can only thrive and deliver quality healthcare when all the stakeholders work in harmony and for the interest of the patient.
Yussuf Sultan is president of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS), University of Lagos (UNILAG) Chapter. In this exclusive interview, the 500-level pharmacy student, who recently paid a courtesy visit to the corporate head office of Pharmanews shares his views on the state of pharmacy education in Nigeria, his reasons for the visit, as well as his assessment of the nation’s healthcare system. Excerpts:
Tell us about your experience as a pharmacy student in the last four years
Pharmacy has been interesting, as well as being very stressful, reminding me of the times I have to stay up overnight filling laboratory manuals and others.
What prompted your decision to study Pharmacy?
I’ve always wanted to be in the health sector. My mum works in a hospital and I admire health professionals and what they do. More interestingly, when I was the health prefect of my secondary school, I had to research on topics about health for the school’s notice boards, which further drew me to Pharmacy. Also, I loved Chemistry; so Pharmacy was my best choice.
L-R: Adekunle Adeleke, editor-in-chief, PANS (UNILAG Chapter) in a warm handshake with Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, managing director, Pharmanews while Sultan Yussuf, president, PANS looks on.
Why did you contest for PANS-UNILAG presidency and what challenges did you face at the initial stage?
I have been interested in PANS since 200 level, when I was a member of some committees and I was very interested in PANS activities. I was a senator in 400 level and I decided to play my part in making PANS better. That’s why I decided to run in 500 level. The challenge I faced initially was how to balance academics with presidency but, thank God, it’s been going well so far.
It should be tough being the president of PANS in an institution like UNILAG. Tell us about your challenges and successes.
One of the challenges of every administration is sponsorship, which is still a challenge today; but we are hoping to get support from people we’ve met and written to. About successes, I can say that this administration has been able to achieve a lot from the programmes we’ve had and more that we are hoping to do.
Aside from pharmacy education, what is your view about the general standard of education in UNILAG?
University of Lagos is the university of first choice and the nation’s pride. And, as we speak, it’s still the same. The academic standard is top-notch, with relatable and reliable staff.
What do you think is wrong with the way pharmacy education is being done in Nigeria?
Pharmacy education is stressful as I said earlier but it’s understandable because of the workload. There is little or no time for socials. We have to squeeze time and beg our colleagues to take part in PANS activities sometimes; and it’s quite worrisome.
If you have the honour of changing some things about pharmacy education in UNILAG, what would they be?
For now, more time for students to have extra-curricular activities and maybe reduce the number of courses every semester
Amidst a tight academic session, you recently paid a scheduled visit to the publisher of Pharmanews, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi. What was the purpose and outcome of the visit?
Yes, we visited our dear Pharm. Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, who is our patron, to keep him abreast of the activities we had had so far and the ones we’ll be having this semester to improve our relationship with him and also seek his support. We were very well welcomed and really appreciated it. He gave us words of encouragement and promised us his support
Where do you see PANS, UNILAG, by the time you will be leaving office?
I see PANS as an association which focuses on welfares of its members and encourages members to take part in extra-curricular activities and leadership; and most importantly leaving it better than I met it.
Ewedu (Cochorus olitorius) is one of those green leafy vegetables rich in minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. It contains loads of iron, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, proteins, fibers, Vitamins A, C and E, riboflavin, niacin and folate. These are nutrients that help the body fight diseases and maintain good health.
The scientific name Cochorus olitorius was derived by a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist, Carl Linnaeus, from an ancient greek word Corchorus or Korkoros. He explained that Corchorus leaves are consumed in the cuisines of various countries. Corchorus olitorius is used mainly in the cuisines of southern Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and West Africa, Japan and China. It has a mucilaginous (somewhat “slimy”) texture, similar to okra, when cooked.
Popularly known as jute mallow in English, Ewedu is one of the Yorubas’ cuisines that is widely cultivated as vegetable fiber after cotton. The seeds are used as a flavouring agent, and herbal tea is made from the dried leaves.
Image of Cochorus olitorius (Ewedu)
Although, prior to this time, jute is alien to some tribes in the country, but the consumption is gaining ground nowadays, as it is popular eaten with Amala in major restaurants in Nigerian cities.
Adebukola Adefule Ositelu, a professor of medicine and consultant ophthalmologist at the College of Medicine University of Lagos (CMUL)/Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), in Lagos, recommended the drinking of vegetable juice freshly made with jute in an empty stomach can prevent and cure the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
Furthermore, a study published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine revealed the benefits of eating Ewedu for health. Some of the benefits are listed below:
Stabilize blood pressure
Omega 3 content in Ewedu is useful in normalizing blood pressure when consumed. Disorders of the body such as dizziness can sometimes be caused by high blood pressure or too low blood pressure. Omega 3 content of Ewedu will help blood pressure to be stable. That way, hypertension can be prevented and avoided.
Prevent aging
Ewedu is very good to keep skin stay young because it contains vitamins that are very important as an antioxidant. Essential fatty acids in Ewedu can keep skin moist, because it will prevent the loss of water through the skin, thus reducing the wrinkles that are the main cause of aging, so eating ewedu is one of the alternative solutions.
Vitamins A, C, and E contained in Ewedu is the key to ward off tissue damage that can cause cancer. Inside, there are also antioxidants and lignin that can provide protection against the development of cancer cells, inhibit the incidence of tumors, and increase the life span for breast cancer patients.
Now studies have found Ewedu is also beneficial in the fight against prostate, ovarian and colon cancer. Cancer is one of the dangerous diseases that can bring people to death. So, we should eat Ewedu to prevent it from happening.
Strengthen bones and teeth
In Ewedu there is a good calcium for healthy teeth and bones. In addition, there is also useful phosphorus to maintain bone density. Thus, bone can avoid the danger of osteoporosis. So, consuming ewedu every day will give health to bone and teeth.
Reduce the pain
Vitamin E in Ewedu can work to reduce pain, such as injuries, body aches, and other aches. It can also increase stamina. It is very beneficial because those pains will create bigger problems and disturb our daily activities.
Lower cholesterol levels
Omega 3 content in ewedu also has other functions. According to the study, the omega 3 content in Ewedu is also able to lower cholesterol levels too much in the blood and reduce the risk of heart disease. The content of omega 3 fatty acids can also be used as an anti inflammation in the body for gout disease.
Prevent skin cancer
In Ewedu there are antioxidant compounds that work to prevent the adverse effects of free radicals, especially on the skin. A body that lacks antioxidant levels can be a major health problem. Among them are skin cancer caused by uncontrolled oxidation process from free radicals. According to the National Institute of Health, ewedu can be used to protect themselves and improve the skin from damage caused by ultra-violet rays.
Preventing acne
Eating Ewedu also has many other benefits, namely to prevent acne. Acne is usually caused by bacterial build-up, dirt, and can also be due to oily skin. It will make the sebum substances in the body produce a maximum. Substances sebum is produced that serves to prevent the occurrence of acne and clogged pores. Even some studies say sunburned skin can heal faster by consuming ewedu.
Helps Lose Weight
Various substances such as fatty acids, omega 3 and lignans serve to reduce appetite. Fiber and fat in ewedu can make full all day. This is very useful for people who want to lose weight. In addition, there are also various other contents such as vitamin B, magnesium, and zinc that have a role in maintaining weight. So, ewedu is perfect for a diet program.
Cure Asthma
Respiratory distress in the form of asthma can also be treated by taking Ewedu regularly. It is able to overcome the problem of asthma because it has the content is suitable to relieve asthma.
In addition, aromatherapy from Ewedu is also suitable for treating asthma. In addition to asthma, the content of anti-inflammatory substances in ewedu can work to heal the inflammation of the lungs.
Cautions of Eating Ewedu
Eating Ewedu gives so many benefits. However, there are some cautions if we eat it too much or don’t eat it with the right dosage.
For Pregnant Mother
Even though there is still a little information about this, the pregnant mother needs to pay attention and avoid eating Ewedu too much. Some say that it contains some compounds that can affect the pregnancy, so pregnant mother should consult with the doctor first before consuming it.
The Hygiene of Ewedu
There are some bacteria in Ewedu, and they are very dangerous if it goes into the body. They can cause some symptoms such as stomachache, diarrhea, constipation and other diseases in the body. We need to wash ewedu carefully and ensure it cleans before eating it.
Pesticide and Pests
The most important part of Ewedu that we can eat is the leaf. So, if we use pesticide, it will be dangerous because its chemical compounds in there will go into the body. In addition, there are also some pests that always eat the leaves, so it will lose some nutrients.
Following several findings of various studies that excess weight is not unconnected with increased risk of developing severe conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer, scientists have found the antidote to this ugly condition in man, which is a healthy breakfast.
The researchers who worked with 50,660 adult individuals, all aged 30 or older , from the Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2), from U.S. and Canada, as participants in the study discovered that eating a good breakfast and letting go of your snacking habits may provide the key to leading a healthier life and preventing weight gain.
According to the study published in the Journal of Nutrition and reported on Medical News Today, unhealthy weight gain has been identified as a problem that many Americans have to tackle and which state-led programs promoting wholesome dietary habits seek to prevent. Although the prevalence of obesity in Nigeria may not rank as high as that of America, but it is evidenced that a portion of the Nigerian population is still struggling with weight gain.
The new study, conducted by a team led by Dr. Hana Kahleova, from the Loma Linda University School of Public Health (LLUSPH), in California, was aimed at establishing the possible link between when and how often people eat, and their body mass index (BMI).
To achieve this goal, questionnaires were administered to the participants detailing their medical history, eating practices, physical activity, and other relevant information. As the study went on, they filled in follow-up forms declaring any major health events. The final follow-up questionnaire reported how often participants had normally taken their meals, and at what times of the day.
Having established some bio index of participants like body types and sizes, their eating habits and health outcomes were monitored for an average period of 7 years.
The results indicated that healthy breakfast void of junks can keep weight gain at bare
The means to attain the health components of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) received a boost at the 10th annual conference/scientific workshop of the Forum for Local Government Nurses and Midwives (FOLGONM), held at the Adeyemi Bero Hall, Alausa, Ikeja, from 15 to 18 October 2019, as speakers stressed on the need to create an enablement environment at the Primary Healthcare Centres, which will enhance patients access to basic facilities, thereby decreasing morbidity and mortality rates.
In her welcome remarks, the Director of Nursing Services, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, Mrs Olusola C. Ayeni, noted that while the key to ensuring quality of maternal and child care is a system’s perspective on the provision of care, the major factor in achieving this is the PHC system. Thus, she said there would be continuous misplaced priorities, inefficiencies and a moribund health sector in Nigeria, if only secondary and tertiary institutions are equipped to the neglect of PHC system.
L-R : Dr Eniayewun A.Benjamin, permanent secretary, Health Service Commission; Mrs Dorcas Shonibare, director of nursing services, Ministry of Health, Yaba; and Mrs Olusola C. Ayeni, director of nursing services, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, at the conference.
She further stated that when the PHC works, the health system will be more effective and efficient, and this can only be done when nurses are placed appropriately in the scheme of things at the management level because they are pivot to any health service delivery.
For the Lagos State FOLGONM Chairman, Com. Mary M. Lateef-Yusuf, efforts and will are needed to install infrastructure that will support inclusive growth, enhance access to basic services and promote environmental sustainability of the SDGs.
Explaining the choice of the theme and sub-theme of the conference, which are:” Sustainable Development Goals: Nurses at the forefront of transforming lives today and tomorrow”, and “No health without mental health: Exploring tools for the true PHC integration”, respectively, she said each nation has to input sustainable infrastructure to achieve the 17 –point agenda, within the stipulated time frame.
She further stated the imperative of the subtheme, noting that it was necessary with the frequent rate of suicides in the country, as people who suffer from depression hardly get treated due to the stigma associated with psychiatric hospital. “The time has come to explore tools for true PHC integration in the management of mental illness”, she quipped.
Lagos State FOLGONM Chairman, Com. Mary Lateef –Yusuf (3rd from left) flanked by some executives of the state chapter at the conference
While appreciating the state government for the approval of nurses’ uniform allowance, which has not been paid in the last fifteen years, Lateef –Yusuf craved the governors’ indulgence to the plight of retirees, who are yet to get their emoluments three years after their retirement, and the issue of the new minimum wage.
The keynote speaker, Mrs Modupe Shode, clinical instructor, Department of Nursing Science (LASUCOM) who spoke on the topic:” Sustainable Development Goals: Nurses at the forefront of transforming lives today and tomorrow”, noted that nurses have key roles to play for the health components of the SDGs to be actualised.
Thus, she challenged the nurses to put their professional knowledge into use by preventing child and maternal deaths, end extreme poverty, improve quality of life, end violence and oppression, in order have justice in the society.
A cross section of nurses at the conference.
“The SDGs presents us with an opportunity to apply the knowledge we have acquired as nurses to create a healthier and better world for the citizens of our nation. The realisation of these targets will improve the lives of people in our communities, our families and even our own health”, she said.
She further stressed that nurses have key roles to play in attaining the SDGs especially goal 3, which is related to health. In performing these roles, she admitted that there is need for a thoughtful and appropriate deployment and support for human resources and particularly to nursing, given the competencies and the extremely inadequate number of nurses throughout the world.
Going forward in advancing healthcare delivery system in the country, she charged the nurses to strive in order to make their voices heard and participate in actions that may assist in changing health policy for the benefits of patients.
New guidance from WHO, launched ahead of World Cancer Day (4 February), aims to improve the chances of survival for people living with cancer by ensuring that health services can focus on diagnosing and treating the disease earlier.
New WHO figures released this week indicate that each year 8.8 million people die from cancer, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. One problem is that many cancer cases are diagnosed too late. Even in countries with optimal health systems and services, many cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when they are harder to treat successfully.
“Diagnosing cancer in late stages, and the inability to provide treatment, condemns many people to unnecessary suffering and early death,” says Dr Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department for the Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention.
“By taking the steps to implement WHO’s new guidance, healthcare planners can improve early diagnosis of cancer and ensure prompt treatment, especially for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. This will result in more people surviving cancer. It will also be less expensive to treat and cure cancer patients.”
All countries can take steps to improve early diagnosis of cancer, according to WHO’s new Guide to cancer early diagnosis.
The three steps to early diagnosis are:
Improve public awareness of different cancer symptoms and encourage people to seek care when these arise.
Invest in strengthening and equipping health services and training health workers so they can conduct accurate and timely diagnostics.
Ensure people living with cancer can access safe and effective treatment, including pain relief, without incurring prohibitive personal or financial hardship.
Challenges are clearly greater in low- and middle-income countries, which have lower abilities to provide access to effective diagnostic services, including imaging, laboratory tests, and pathology – all key to helping detect cancers and plan treatment. Countries also currently have different capacities to refer cancer patients to the appropriate level of care.
WHO encourages these countries to prioritize basic, high-impact and low-cost cancer diagnosis and treatment services. The Organization also recommends reducing the need for people to pay for care out of their own pockets, which prevents many from seeking help in the first place.
Detecting cancer early also greatly reduces cancer’s financial impact: not only is the cost of treatment much less in cancer’s early stages, but people can also continue to work and support their families if they can access effective treatment in time. In 2010, the total annual economic cost of cancer through healthcare expenditure and loss of productivity was estimated at US$ 1.16 trillion.
Strategies to improve early diagnosis can be readily built into health systems at a low cost. In turn, effective early diagnosis can help detect cancer in patients at an earlier stage, enabling treatment that is generally more effective, less complex, and less expensive. For example, studies in high-income countries have shown that treatment for cancer patients who have been diagnosed early are 2 to 4 times less expensive compared to treating people diagnosed with cancer at more advanced stages.
Dr Oleg Chestnov, WHO Assistant Director-General for Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, notes: “Accelerated government action to strengthen cancer early diagnosis is key to meet global health and development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
SDG 3 aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Countries agreed to a target of reducing premature deaths from cancers and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) by one third by 2030. They also agreed to achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. At the same time, efforts to meet other SDG targets, such as improving environmental health and reducing social inequalities can also help reduce the cancer burden.
Cancer is now responsible for almost 1 in 6 deaths globally. More than 14 million people develop cancer every year, and this figure is projected to rise to over 21 million by 2030. Progress on strengthening early cancer diagnosis and providing basic treatment for all can help countries meet national targets tied to the SDGs.
Most people diagnosed with cancer live in low- and middle-income countries, where two thirds of cancer deaths occur. Less than 30% of low-income countries have generally accessible diagnosis and treatment services, and referral systems for suspected cancer are often unavailable resulting in delayed and fragmented care. The situation for pathology services was even more challenging: in 2015, approximately 35% of low-income countries reported that pathology services were generally available in the public sector, compared to more than 95% of high-income countries.
Comprehensive cancer control consists of prevention, early diagnosis and screening, treatment, palliative care, and survivorship care. All should be part of strong national cancer control plans. WHO has produced comprehensive cancer control guidance to help governments develop and implement such plans to protect people from the onset of cancer and to treat those needing care.
Cancers, along with diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic lung diseases, are also known as NCDs, which were responsible for 40 million (70%) of the world’s 56 million deaths in 2015. More than 40% of the people who died from an NCD were under 70 years of age.
WHO, and the international community, have set targets to reduce such premature NCD deaths by 25% by 2025 and by one third by 2030, the latter as part of the SDGs. Countries have endorsed a range of targets to address NCDs, including making available and affordable basic medical technologies and essential drugs for treating cancers and other conditions in health facilities.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Young Pharmacists Group (PSN-YPG), Lagos State Chapter is leading the campaign for youth to become champions of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDGs).
Cross section of the participants paying good attention to the speaker
The group revved up its advocacy during the Lagos PSN-YPG Week opening ceremony themed: Young Pharmacists as Champions of the SDGs 2030, held at sheraton hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, last Friday.
Speaking on why the event was organised, Pharm. Funmbi Okoya, the Lagos State coordinator of the Lagos YPG said pharmacy is a very versatile profession with skills and knowledge that are of relevance to numerous sectors, noting that young pharmacists active involvement in the achievement of the SDGs will contribute immensely to creating the ideal future.
L-R Mr Oluwafemi Boboye, workshop coordinator of the Nigerian youth SDGs network, Dr (Mrs) Moyosore Adejumo, director of pharmaceutical services, Lagos State ministry of health, Mr. Seun Fakorede, commissioner for youths and sports for Oyo State and Ajadi Michael, mental health programs lead.
He stated further that as health care professionals, pharmacists can drive the implementation of SDG 3 (good health and wellbeing) and SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation), adding that pharmacists as owners of businesses and employers of labour in the manufacturing industry and retail pharmacy space also have important roles to play in SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), and SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production).
Members of the organizing committee, sponsors, speakers and panelists at the PSN-YPG Lagos Week opening ceremony.
“As educators, we can contribute to SDG 4 (quality education) and educate more people about the 17 SDGs and how they can contribute towards them,” Okoya said.
Speaking on the future of young pharmacists in Nigeria, he said as youths, young pharmacists can be the driving force for development in the society as change-makers, innovators, communicators, critical thinkers, and leaders.
Some of the representatives from Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria
He also encouraged the young pharmacist to be change agents, noting that they need to stop pointing fingers and instead seek to get involved either through their organisation/companies or through an NGO. They should also get involved in local politics, he said.
Pharm. Okoya equally urged pharmacists to seek to be a part of the future being built for them, adding that they should learn more about the 17 SDGs and how it can help transform Nigeria by 2030.
Also speaking at the colourful ceremony attended by many young pharmacists, Mr Seun Fakorede, commissioner for youths and sports, Oyo State, advised the young pharmacists to stop feeling young and start taking responsibilities, adding that there is a need for a paradigm shift in the pharmaceutical sector and that the young pharmacists are the ones that can implement this shift.
“It is high time young pharmacists take action and stop excuses which are good reasons for bad results,” he said.
He also urged pharmacists to make proper use of the internet, noting that everyone can have an idea about anything, adding that people should go online to learn how to sew clothes, to make bags, shoes, arts and crafts. They can also learn how to start business on youtube, he said.
The pharmanews weekly treasure hunt is still ongoing, the rules of the game has not changed, anyone who first finds any of the recharge cards is expected to drop a “thank you” comment on the story.
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In three provinces, from November 2019, medical practitioners from Democratic Republic of Congo will commence the use of a second Ebola vaccine to fight the deadly virus, an AFP’s release has stated.
According to the AFP’s report, Dr Jean-Jacques Muyembe, the national anti-Ebola operation leader in the DRC said, it’s time to use the new Ad26-ZEBOV-GP vaccine, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson’s Belgian subsidiary.
Explaining to the citizens, Muyembe said, it will arrive in the Eastern City of Goma, in North Kivu Province, on 18 October and will be in use from the beginning of next month.
DRC’s latest Ebola epidemic, which began in August 2018, has killed 2,144 people, making it the second deadliest outbreak of the virus, after the West Africa pandemic of 2014-2016.
Muyembe said the communes of Majingo and Kahembe had been selected to receive the vaccine as they were considered the epicentres of the epidemic.
DR Congo to Launch Second Ebola Vaccine in November
“We will extend this vaccination to our small traders who often go to Rwanda to protect our neighbours,” he added.
“If it works well, we will expand vaccination in South Kivu and Ituri.”
DR Congo’s eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu sit on the borders with Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
The Belgian laboratory will send a batch of 200,000 doses to neighbouring Rwanda and 500,000 doses in the DRC, Muyembe said.
More than 237,000 people living in active Ebola transmission zones have received a vaccination produced by the pharma company Merck Sharpe and Dohme since August 8, 2018.
The J&J vaccine had been rejected by DRC’s former health minister Oly Ilunga, who cited the risks of introducing a new product in communities where mistrust of Ebola responders is already high.
But Ilunga’s resignation in July appears to have paved the way for approval of the second vaccine. He currently faces charges that he embezzled funds intended for the fight against Ebola.
In his letter of resignation Ilunga said “actors who have demonstrated a lack of ethics” want to introduce a second vaccine, but did not elaborate.
Muyembe, who took over the Ebola fight in the DRC in July, said “The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has the most science-based data.”
Still in the felicitation mood with Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, who clocked 80 on 1 October 2019, executives of the Board of Fellows (BOF) of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) led by the Chairman, Prof. Mbang Femi–Oyewo, paid a courtesy visit to Pharmanews corporate head office, Mende, Maryland, Lagos, on Friday.
The Chairman, who congratulated Atueyi once again on his milestone achievements of 80 years birthday, 40 years of uninterrupted publication of Pharmanews, and being the winner of the Nigeria Healthcare Media Excellence awards for three years consecutively, prayed for more divine enablement for him and the organisation to continue climbing higher and higher every day.
Prof. (Mrs) Mbang Femi-Oyewo, chairman, BOF-PSN in a warm handshake with Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi,managing director, Pharmanews, during BOF’s visit to Pharmanews.
Femi-Oyewo further commended the Pharmanews boss for his commitment in writing several books even more than some professors, while she prayed for him that his ink will never run dry. She however urged him to write a book on healthy eating habits for people in their fifties to enable them live long in good health like him.
Upon the request of the PSN President Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa to know the financial records of the BOF, she said they discovered that there so many Fellows but very few financial Fellows. Thus she disclosed the intention of the Board to publish the list of financial Fellows of the PSN, in order to encourage others to clear up their arrears, because according to the constitution of PSN, Fellows are not to be in debt.
“The Bye Law of the Board states that : “Membership of the Board shall be in accordance to the constitution of PSN, provided the Fellow has paid all the levies and dues in respect of the year of admission, the Fellow is not in arrears of dues for more than a year”, she stated.
L-R: Pharm. Abiola Ama Okeowo, unofficial member; Pharm. Ernest Okafor; assistant treasurer; Prof. (Mrs) Mbang Femi-Oyewo, chairman, BOF-PSN; Pharm.(Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, managing director, Pharmanews Ltd; Pharm. (Mrs) Rosemary Nikoro; secretary; Pharm. (Chief) Chris Ibeto, treasurer; Pharm. Edith Nwachukwu, ex officio member; and Pharm. (Chief) Yetunde Moroundiya, during the visit to Pharmanews.
The BOF Chairman, also made mention of the availability of the communique from the last Mid-Year meeting of the group, being the first of its kind, it was well organised and recorded a great success, though it cost them a lot of us, “but since it was the first one, we decided that we had to get it right”.
The pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), again appreciated Atueyi for his contributions to Pharmacy students’ activities in the universities and his generous donation of Pharmanews every month to the faculties.
Atueyi in response expressed his gratitude to the BOF executives for their visit, describing it as an epoch-making visit, being the first time BOF executives will be coming to visit Pharmanews. He also congratulated the Chairman, as the first female professor to emerge BOF chairman.
The Pharmanews boss further commended Femi-Oyewo for the successful mid-year meeting organised by the group, saying it was well planned, with the choice of speakers, who did justice to the theme of the symposium.
Atueyi, however advised the executives to embark on proper investigation and documentation before publishing the list of financial members, in order to ensure that everyone is carried along and for their record to be respected.
He narrated his experience with a pharmacist while trying to collate the list of pharmacists who are 80 years and above. He said the octogenarian had since gone into full time politics, and claimed he is no longer a pharmacist, but he told him that he is still a pharmacist.
“While trying to get details about this pharmacist, I saw his phone contact so I called him. I said I’m Pharm. Atueyi he said he knows. Then I told him I want to update records of some of us who are above 80, but he said I’m no longer a pharmacist. I said no, that you are even a Fellow. He said no, I’m no more a pharmacist, I’m now a politician. I asked what is your age? He said I’m 87 years. So I told him that though he has left Pharmacy practice, but he is still a pharmacist. So that could be happening to some Fellows who are completely outside the profession, and have forgotten that they are still pharmacists”, he explained.
Therefore, he noted that it requires a lot of information gathering on their side, before they finally document, which will also accord the document respect.
The celebrant, Pharm. Adesanmi Popoola and his wife, Fola at the former’s 60th Birthday Thanksgiving reception.
The glitzy ceremony which took place at Classique Events Place, Oregun, Lagos on 10 October, 2019 was a spectacle one to behold, as friends and families took turn to felicitate with the celebrant, while listing the various ways he has affected their lives positively.
Dr John Nwaiwu, managing director, JB Pharmaceuticals; Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa, president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN); Pharm. Adesanmi Popoola, celebrant; Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, managing director, Pharmanews Limited; Prof. Mbang Femi-Oyewo, chairman, PSN Board of Fellows; Pharm. Rosemary Nikoro, secretary, PSN Board of Fellows and Pharm. Jimi Agbaje, former Lagos gubernatorial candidate at the ceremony.
Others were Chief Adebayo Adelabu, former Oyo guber aspirant; Pharm Chris Ojeabulu, managing director, Oak-Faith Pharmaceuticals Limited;Dr John Nwaiwu, managing director, JB Pharma; Dr Polycarp Emenike, managing director, Neros Pharmaceuticals; Pharm. Martins Igbonacho, chairman, Al-Tinez/Centaur/Xcel Pharmaceuticals; Barr. Steve Okoronkwo, managing director, Al-Tinez/Centaur/Xcel Pharmaceuticals; Pharm. Chukwuemeka Obi, managing director, PharmacyPlus Limited and Dr Obiorah Chukwuka, chairman, Greenlife Pharmaceuticals.
Barr. Steve Okoronkwo, managing director, Al-Tinez/Centaur/Xcel Pharmaceuticals; Pharm. Adesanmi Popoola, celebrant and Pharm. Martins Igbonacho, chairman, Al-Tinez/Centaur/Xcel Pharmaceuticals.
The 9th edition of Medic West Africa annual expo witnessed a massive turnout of hundreds of healthcare professionals and well over 250 renowned exhibitors.
Held at the expo centre of Eko Hotels and Towers, Victoria Island, Lagos, the two-day event was officially declared open by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.
A cross section of exhibitors at the event
There were about 600 delegates and 20 countries represented at the annual health exhibition. From state-of-the-art imaging equipment to the most cost-effective disposables; developments in surgery to advances in prosthetics and pharmaceuticals, the carnival-like occasion was well knitted to the admiration of participants from West African healthcare community.
Also in attendance were eminent personalities such as Dr Osagie Ehanire, minister of health; Prof. Akin Abayomi, commissioner for health, Lagos State; Pharm. Remi Adeseun, country director, IQVIA; Bukayo Hanidu, consultant, Anadach Consulting; Voke Oshevire, executive director, JNC International; Dr Pamela Ajayi, chief executive officer, Synlab Nigeria Limited; Pharm. Clare Omatseye, president, Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) and Dr Wale Alabi, project coordinator, Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA).
Medic West Africa prides itself as the leading healthcare business platform in the West African region. Connecting manufacturers and service providers with clinicians, procurement professionals, dealers and distributors is the primary goal of the event.
The management of IQVIA has announced the promotion of her General Manager in Nigeria, Pharm. Remi Adeseun to a new position as the Principal, Public Health Africa, with immediate effects from 9 October 2019.
The promotional announcement was contained in mail addressed to all employees of the organisation and signed by the Senior Vice-President, General Manager, AMESA, Amit Sadana.
“Remi Adeseun will take on a new role as principal in our public health team, managing all of our public health practice across Africa”, the mail noted.
L-R: Remi Adeseun principal, public health Africa, IQVIA; Senator (Dr) Ibrahim Oloriegbe, chairman Nigeria Senate Committee on Health; Prof. Babatunde Salako, DG, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research; Mr Alex KK Abban deputy minister, Ministry of Health, Republic of Ghana; and Prof. Akin Abayomi, commissioner for health, Lagos State, Nigeria, at the Medic West Africa Conference, recently concluded.
IQVIA’s management further commended Adeseun for his commitment and dedication to service since he joined the company in 2017, noting that he has assisted in no small measure in advancing the goals of the organisation in English West African speaking countries.
The electronic letter reads: “Remi will be based in Lagos and will continue to be involved in our activities in Nigeria as the GM of our local entity. He joined IQVIA in 2017 and has helped more than double our business in English Speaking West Africa.
“These changes reflect our commitment for IQVIA in Africa towards growing our footprint with existing clients, adding new clients, and accelerating new offerings. With this foundation in place, I am confident IQVIA Africa will scale”.
Aside his professional qualities, Adeseun is adept at moderating events in the healthcare industry, and most recent of the events he was privileged moderate were the Healthcare Leaders’ Panel”, at the Medic West Africa Conference (the Largest Healthcare Event in West Africa); and Pharmanews 40th Anniversary, 80th Birthday of Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi.
The management and staff of Pharmanews Ltd join his family and colleagues to wish him hearty congratulations.
In recognition of her numerous contributions to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in the area of customer service and capacity building in Pharmacy, Prof. (Mrs ) Cecilia Ihuoma Igwilo, West Africa’s first female Professor of Pharmacy, was on 10 October 2019, conferred with Outstanding Service Award as the first officer of the quality Assurance and SERVICOM unit of UNILAG from 2006 -2012.
The award was presented to her during the International Customer Service Week, held at the JF Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos on 9 and 10 October 2019.
In attendance at the occasion, were other eminent awardees like Professor G.O. Otinwa, director, quality assurance, SERVICOM unit; Professor L .O. Chukwu, director of academics, planning unit, Professor Solomon Okunuga, registrar, Joint University Preparatory Examination Board (JUPEB).
M-R Prof. Igwilo and her husband, Engineer Igwilo receiving the Outstanding Service Award presented by the Vice Chancellor representative Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, while Prof Grace Otinwa and Prof Shaibu smile in admiration.
Receiving the award, Prof. Igwilo said students are the biggest customers in the great university, therefore they must be treated well, adding that they must be appreciated for their patronage by giving them accurate service.
She noted that they should not be taken advantage of, especially the young ones that just got into the university; their scripts must be released at the appropriate time in order for them to know if they are succeeding or not.
During the event, the JUPEB registrar spoke on the essence of magic of service, defining what service means he said, nothing is accomplished if there is no service or if service breaks down.
M-R Prof. Solomon Okunnuga receiving the Outstanding Service Award presented by the Vice Chancellor representative Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, while Prof Grace Otinwa and Prof Shaibu smile in admiration.
“We all receive service everyday in one form or the other, services are in grades and so it will be imperative to know that all services cannot be put inside one basket,” He added.
Explaining what the magic of service means, Prof. Okunnuga, said one of the magic of service is to be customer focused, adding that in the process of providing service in the university, we put students’ success as our primary focus, then we will always look for a way to meet the students with good service.
“In a magic of service, customer satisfaction is the overriding factor”. He said
It is well known that eating lots of fruit and vegetables is good for your physical health, but our latest research suggests that it might be good for your mental health too.
A study from Australia in 2016 found improvements in psychological well-being after increases in fruit and vegetable consumption. We wanted to know if this finding held true using a larger sample (more than 40,000 participants) from the UK Household Longitudinal Study.
Fruits and vegetables
Our analysis showed that increases in the consumption of fruit and vegetables are linked to increases in self-reported mental well-being and life satisfaction in data that spans a five-year period, even after accounting for other determinants of mental well-being such as physical health, income and consumption of other foods.
The benefits of physical activity for mental health are well established. The estimates from our work suggest that adding one portion to your diet per day could be as beneficial to mental well-being as going for a walk on an extra seven to eight days a month. One portion is equal to one cup of raw vegetables (the size of a fist), half a cup of cooked vegetables or chopped fruit, or one piece of whole fruit. This result is encouraging as it means that one possible way to improve your mental health could be something as simple as eating an extra piece of fruit every day or having a salad with a meal.
World Mental Health Day Banner, created by Pharmanewsltd
It is important to stress that our findings alone cannot reveal a causal link from fruit and vegetable consumption to increased psychological well-being. And we can’t rule out so-called “substitution effects”. People can only eat so much in a day, so someone who eats more fruits and vegetables might just have less room in their diet for unhealthy foods. Although we accounted for bread and dairy in our study, ideally, future research should track all other foods consumed to rule out alternative explanations.
But when taken in combination with other studies in this area, the evidence is encouraging. For example, a randomised trial conducted in New Zealand found that various measures of mental well-being, such as motivation and vitality, improved in a treatment group where young adults were asked to eat two extra portions of fruit and vegetables a day for two weeks, although no changes were found for depressive symptoms, anxiety or mood.
Though our own study cannot rule out that people with higher levels of mental well-being might be eating more fruits and vegetables as a result, a recent commentary on our work by the authors of the 2016 Australian study sheds further light on this. The authors show that the number of fruit and vegetable portions eaten in a day can predict whether someone is diagnosed with depression or anxiety two years later. But the reverse does not seem to be true. Being diagnosed with depression does not appear to be a strong predictor of fruit and vegetable consumption two years later. This suggests that it is perhaps more likely that eating fruits and vegetables is influencing mood and not the other way around.
Looking for causes
Although several studies, including our own, have found a link between fruit and vegetable consumption and mental well-being, we need large trials to provide robust evidence that the link is causal. However, randomised controlled trials are expensive, so another way to identify causation is to focus on the biological mechanisms that link the chemicals commonly found in fruit and vegetables to physical changes in the body. For example, vitamins C and E have been shown to lower inflammatory markers linked to depressive mood.
Born on 30 October, 1944, at Ibogun Odejimi area of the present-day Ifo Local Government, Ogun State, Prof. Festus Adio Ogunbona is a pharmacist of high repute. An emeritus professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, he is an old boy of Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos. Ogunbona, who bagged a B.Pharm from University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1969 proceeded to obtain a PhD (in Pharmaceutical Chemistry) from Chelsea College, University of London in 1973.
In this interview with Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis, the former dean and deputy vice-chancellor (administration) of Obafemi Awolowo University recounts his activities as chairman of Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), his apathy to vying for presidency of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), as well as the circumstances that led to artemisinin combination therapy replacing chloroquine in malaria chemotherapy. Excerpts:
Prof. Festus Adio Ogunbona
Sir, you were the chairman of PCN for five years. Tell us about the intrigues of managing such a complex institution and what has changed between the PCN of your time and now.
I was chairman of PCN from 2003-2007, not for five years. And I would rather talk about the strategies, not intrigues, in managing such an important federal government agency.
Firstly, I got myself well-informed about the activities of the Council by reading through all the previous minutes of the Council. I consulted widely with the relevant stakeholders, such that at the first meeting held on the day of inauguration, 14 August, 2003, three main challenges were identified and dealt with in a period of six weeks.
The Council took very important decisions at the second meeting in terms of its modus operandi. For instance, it was decided that all meetings of Council were to hold at the PCN headquarters, Idu, Abuja. Before then, the meetings were rotated round state capitals.
No representation was allowed at Council meetings. For example, if a state director of pharmaceutical services sent someone to represent him at a meeting, he would be admitted to the meeting only as an observer and was not paid any allowances (both travel and sitting). The resultant effect was an almost 100 per cent attendance by the membership, as stated in the PCN Law.
All matters placed before Council passed through its appropriate statutory committees, such that only their recommendations were discussed at the Council meeting. The statutory committees (serviced by appropriate departments of the Council) were carefully composed to ensure representation from the PSN, the state governments and the universities. Any fresh matters raised or arising from the deliberations from the statutory committee reports were referred to appropriate committees. This definitely cut down the time spent at Council meetings to a few hours (rather than days as in the past), while allowing a thorough discussion of all matters before decisions were taken.
What was your experience like working with the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) as a visiting professor?
In NUC, I had the opportunity of contributing towards the development of the entire Nigerian university system in several assignments I was given. I did do so by participation at various meetings, seminars and workshops. I also went on sentry visits to some universities in the company of staff of appropriate departments in the agency.
As chairman of NUC standing committee on private universities, tell us about the inherent challenges of such office and some anomalies you encountered.
My main duty as chairman, standing committee on private universities (SCOPU), was to guide the committee to carry out a thorough assessment of the various applications for establishment of private universities in the country, in accordance with the regulations in the NUC law on same. I was privileged to have, serving with me on the committee, highly intelligent and very experienced NUC staff (mostly deputy directors).
With the exception of Covenant University, University of Ibadan and University of Nigeria, no other Nigerian university made the list of Times 1,000 World University Ranking. From your experience as a former DVC, where did we get it wrong?
I would rather not comment on webometric rankings of Nigerian universities carried out on annual basis by some international organisations.
You have had a decorated career as deputy vice chancellor, dean and NUC professor. Of all these offices, which one did you find most challenging and why?
I do not know of any decorated career but all I know is that I served as the dean of my faculty, deputy vice chancellor (Administration) of my university and visiting professor to NUC at different stages of four decades of my academic career.
Each office presented itself with various challenges which were turned to opportunities. Definitely, the office of the DVC, where one was dealing with issues related to security of life and property on campus and various infrastructure serving both students and staff, such as electricity and water supply, posed the greatest challenge.
After a long wait, President Buhari has eventually announced his choice of candidates for the posts of health minister and minister of state for health respectively. Which areas do you think should be the focus of the ministers?
I am not a politician but I believe that the two ministers just appointed are quite conversant with the health situation in the country. One was a former minister of health in the first term of the current administration and the second was a former senator, who was very much involved during his four-year tenure in the health committee of the Senate.
I also believe that the two ministers are quite experienced to be able to sort out the priorities with adequate guidance from the officials of the ministry of health. I cannot pretend to be playing to the gallery. I am an academician who will make my comments and advise based on current information on ground.
For example, when I had the opportunity as the chairman of PCN in serving on a committee set up by the former minister of health (Prof. Eyitayo Lambo) to look into the adoption of WHO directive on the use of Coartem (artemisinin-lumefantrine) as the only artemisinin combination product to be used to replace chloroquine in malaria chemotherapy, I was able to convince the committee to modify the drug for Nigeria to artemisinin combination therapy (ACT). This was actually the original recommendation of the WHO.
The approval of our recommendation led to local manufacturing companies being able to manufacture and launch their own ACT products in the country. If the original recommendation from the FMOH had been approved, Nigeria would have been restricted to importing only Coartem to treat malaria. This was my humble contribution as an academic who had been involved in research on antimalarials for years.
How would you rate the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry, compared to your time?
I cannot assess the performance of the pharmaceutical industry now.
You have mentored quite a handful of successful pharmacists. Is there one or two that have impressed you so far? Tell us why.
I have many successful pharmacists who passed through my tutelage and are well placed in all the areas of the profession, including academic, industrial, community, hospital and administrative pharmacy. It is very difficult for me to pick even ten. I would rather not do that.
Is there any plan to take a shot at PSN presidency in future and what will be your reason(s)?
Never
Is there a particular reason for the apathy?
I believe that I have paid my own dues to the PSN in many spheres. Let our younger colleagues carry on the banner to higher and higher level.
You are yet to tell us about some laurels, awards and recognitions you have garnered over the years.
An academic, like l am, values only those honours related to my academic work. But I stated my fellowship of the PSN which I believe I earned, given my activities in the Society over the years, up to 1991. Recently, I earned the highest honour that could be bestowed on an academic by the university system in form of appointment as an emeritus professor. I consider this the greatest honour ever conferred on me.
If you were to be given a chance to practise Pharmacy in another dimension other than academia, what other arm of the profession would be your destination?
It is difficult for me to choose any other arm of the profession because some of my lecturers had been preparing me and some of my mates for the academia. I was not allowed to think of any other area, given the fact our VC had challenged those of us who were performing well in our set to be ready to go for our PhD.
I remember some months back, when I enrolled in a fitness class, initially I didn’t find it funny, though I endured it for some weeks but I had to stop, because fitting exercise into a busy schedule can be a roadblock to a successful regime. However, people do not need to dedicate large amounts of extra time to exercise.
Experts in the field of fitness are saying one should consider online fitness training, with a computer, smartphone or tablet, and a workout pro on the other end, one can achieve this goal.
Fitness training involves engaging in physical activity and increasing the heart rate beyond resting levels. It is an important part of preserving physical and mental health.
The same survey found that around 1 in 13 adults have extreme obesity and face an increased risk of severe health complications.
Some websites offer live action, two-way trainer-led workouts with the instructor’s supervision and instructions as you go.
Others offer customized routines that you follow from a video library or with an app. Many will track your progress and update your routine as needed.
Young athletic black man training on rowing machine in gym.
Some provide monthly consultation through phone calls or video chats or feedback, when you send in a videotaped workout, and answer your questions via text.
As you investigate the choices, it is imperative to check that the trainer is certified by an established fitness organization.
There is also wisdom in asking for references and reading of comments on social media, mostly Instagram, not just testimonials posted on the website. You also need to beware of unrealistic promises. Compare the costs from different companies so that you know what you’re getting for your money.
The benefits of regular physical activity are wide-reaching and should form a part of every person’s day to help them remain healthy.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend at least 2.5 hours of moderate cardio activity or 1.25 hours of vigorous cardio activity every week, plus two days of strength training.
Online training isn’t right for everyone, especially if you’re out of shape or have medical issues. But even then, it could help during the second stage of a fitness plan after getting an in-person assessment and workout routine.
To make the forthcoming Nigeria Sales Conference a memorable one for participants, the convener of the conference, George O.Emetuche, has outlined a list of world-class keynote speakers including: Chief Dr Innocent Chukwuma OFR, founder and group chairman of IVM Innoson group; Birtrus Danharbi Chinoko, DG, centre for management development; Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa, president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN);Sir Robert O. Anwatu, managing director/ CEO roban group, and others to feature at the conference.
The sales conference, scheduled for 25 October 2019, at the Kobb Civic Centre, Polo Park, Abakaliki Road, GRA-Enugu, will have in attendance over 2000 participants from different sectors of the economy to glean from the wealth of experience of the renowned speakers for the conference.
Nigeria Sales Conference
Themed “The Salesman in you”, the conference will also feature two panel sessions, exhibitions and many more.
According to the Convener, Emetuche, managing director, Selling Champion Consulting Ltd, the Nigeria Sales Conference is set to provide a world class capacity, and as well build platform for sales professionals and small medium enterprises (SMEs). It will also provide a reputable and far-reaching networking arena for business community.
“The panel sessions will provide participants the opportunities to explore unique solutions to their challenges in business. As believed that information is key, the more you know, the more you can do, the more you excel”, he explained.
Other keynote speakers for the conference are: Dr Adebola Olubanjo, founder and executive chairman of Adebola Sobanjo company; T.O. Enudu, director of studies, ESUT Business School, Enugu; Vincent Onodugo, management consultant, scholar of University of Nigeria; Charles Iloegbunam, managing partner, Asterisks Concepts; Chidi Okoro, former md at GSK consumer Nigeria.
While participation for the conference is free, for more information, interested participants should visit: www.nigeriasalesconference.com or call: 07060559429, 08186083133
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