Mechanisms of transmembrane signaling are the following EXCEPT:
a) Transmembrane receptors that bind and stimulate a protein tyrosine kinase
b) Gene replacement by the introduction of a therapeutic gene to correct a genetic effect
c) Ligand-gated ion channels that can be induced to open or close by binding a ligand
d) Transmembrane receptor protein that stimulates a GTP-binding signal transducer protein (G-protein) which in turn generates an intracellular second messenger
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) says meningitis the disease is a huge threat to human brain tissue.
The information is in a statement by Dr Dorian McGavern, the Scientist and Senior Investigator at the Institute on Tuesday in Abuja. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes (meninges) surrounding your brain and spinal cord. The swelling from meningitis typically triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and stiff neck.
According to the NINDS investigator, meningeal macrophages (shown in white, red, and blue) are on constant alert and infects the lining of the brain.
He said that the disease could leave its mark and would also affect the body’s ability to fight infections in the future.
He added that “the new study published in Nature Immunology reveals that infections can have long-lasting effects on a population of meningeal immune cells, replacing them with cells from outside the meninges that then change and become less likely to recognize and ward off future attacks.
“The research was supported by NINDS, part of the National Institute of Health (NIH).”
He explained that after infection, the immune cell landscape in the brain lining changes and brain lining immune cells that normally protect the brain from foreign invaders die and are replaced by cells from elsewhere in the body.
“These new cells are altered in a way that affects how they respond to subsequent challenges and new infections.”
According to him, one group of these macrophages is found along with blood vessels in the dura mater (the outermost layer of the meninges) and helps to catch pathogens from the blood before they reach brain tissue.
The blood vessels in the dura mater, McGavern said, were relatively open compared to the tightly sealed vessels found in other brain regions and macrophages in the dura mater, often served as the first line of defense against harmful blood-borne agents.
McGavern and his colleagues, using real-time imaging, took a detailed look at mouse meningeal macrophages, which are immune cells that live in the meninges, the protective layers covering the brain and spinal cord.
Consequently, the new macrophages are less responsive to this signal and have trouble quieting an infection-induced inflammatory response.
The result indicates that infections in the brain can have lasting effects, long after the virus leaves the system.
The findings suggest that in addition to identifying the type of infection, it may also be important to know if it is coming on the heels of an earlier bug because that may affect how the system responds.
Further studies are needed to learn about additional functions of meningeal macrophages and how these cells respond to other types of viruses and bacteria. (NAN)
What separates highly successful salespeople from others? What are the deepest core traits that highly successful salespeople possess that the wannabes don’t? How can salespeople elevate their sales success?
I often asked the above questions from salespeople during my sales training, tagged “Sell with Kindness”, and the answers I received often included:
1.Courage
2.Good personality
3.Product knowledge
4.Time management
5.Hard work
While the above traits play some roles in sales success, they do not explain why two salespeople in the same company, selling the same products, with the same experience and the same training perform differently. One salesperson can sell five times higher than another. You see, courage, good personality, product knowledge, time management and hard work are the effects not the causes; they have more to do with who you are than what you know.
Below are 99 tips you can use to elevate your sales success. They are all simple, clear, practical and reliable. The more you use them effectively, the better result you will get.
1.Begin with your mindset: Highly successful salespeople think positively, talk positively and feel good 90% of the time. They expect things to work out well for them.
2.Highly successful salespeople set SMART sales goals. They know exactly what they are working towards.
Break down your sales goals into small daily steps and take daily actions on your plans.
To be continued……
ACTION PLAN: Study the above tips morning and night. Reflect on your sales attitude and performance at the end of the day and see how well you are applying your new philosophy, principles and practices. Apply your new knowledge repeatedly.
AFFIRMATION: I am a professional problem solver. I am a sales advisor. I am blessed and highly favoured.
Pick out the answer which is the most appropriate to the term “receptor”?
a) All types of ion channels modulated by a drug
b) Enzymes of oxidizing-reducing reactions activated by a drug
c) Active macromolecular components of a cell or an organism which a drug molecule has to combine with in order to elicit its specific effect
d) Carriers activated by a drug
-Offer Free Screening to Sangotedo Residents
As Nigerians joined the rest of the world to mark the 2019 International Women’s Day, which was established by the United Nations (UN), for annual global commemoration on 8 March, for the celebration of women, no fewer than 500 women from Sangotedo/Ajah Community have benefited from the free health screening and awareness campaign, recently organised by the Afonchies Pharmaceutical Limited, in partnership with a non-governmental organisation known as Save Our Women and Girls Foundation (SOW&G).
The free health screening and awareness campaign, which took place at the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Eti – Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State, had, among the several participants in attendance, politicians, civil servants, members of the All Progressive Congress (Women Wing), artisans, and members of the Market Women Association, among others.
Speaking with Pharmanews, Dr Oyunovo Angela Evbodi, superintendent pharmacist, Afonchies Pharmacy, Ajah branch, who also spoke on behalf of the managing director, Afonchies Pharmaceuticals Limited, Pharm. Adebayo Afon, explained that the free medical screening and awareness campaign was organised by the organisation in partnership with the SOW&G, 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 would help them live longer and have a healthier life.
She added 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. “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.
Addressing participants earlier, the founder, SOW&G, Ambassador Unyime-Ivy King, said the foundation was established out of the need to serve as a structural support for work she has been doing informally for many years, adding that as a not-for-profit organization, which was incorporated in 2016, its focus is on creating social developmental awareness on issues that concern women and girls.
Ambassador Unyime-Ivy King, who was represented by Ms Bunmi Bello, social media manager, however urged the women, who besieged the place to always have their health checked periodically, in order to avert diseases, which are very deadly, adding that aside celebrating this year International Women’s Day, the programme was to positively affect the total being of women in the society.
Speaking on the responses of people towards the free health screening, as well as the motive behind it, the Manager, Afonchies Pharmacy, Ajah, who was also the coordinator of the screening exercise, Mr Kingsley Ugwu, said he was overwhelmed by the way people embraced the screening exercise, saying the turn-out was impressive and people were eager to know their status as well as what to do to live a healthy lifestyle.
According to him, regular health screening is good as it incorporates several tests, including preventative screenings and physical examinations to check patients’ current health and risks, and 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 distribution of condom and pregnancy test kit for women and girls, screening of Blood Glucose Level, Hypertension, Malaria, Body Max Index (BMI), among others.
Pharm. (Mrs) Bukky George, the founder and ceo of Healthplus Pharmacy and CasaBella Beauty, has just added another feather to her hat, by winning the prestigious Endeavor Entrepreneur Award, being the first female Nigerian to clinch the prize.
While receiving the Endeavor Entrepreneur Award Plaque at the Four Seasons Hotel in Cairo, Egypt, Pharm. George, through her Facebook video appreciated God and all those who made the achievement a possibility, saying it was one of her goals in 2019 and it has been accomplished on a significant day which was the birthday of her Equity Race.
Narrating all the hurdles she scaled through to emerge the winner, she admitted that clinching the award was worth all the efforts.” It has been a long journey for me, because I had really scaled through some hurdles. We had the First Opinion Review, Second Opinion Review, and several interviews along the way. I also scaled through the local selection panel in Lagos, Nigeria and I had some global reviews, and then came the international selection panel interviews and I got a yes”.
She further explained what Endeavor is all about, stating that it is a non-profit organization that supports high-impact entrepreneurs so that they can build thriving companies that employ thousands of people, generate billions in wages, and inspire countless others as role models. Together, these entrepreneurs hold the key to sustained economic growth in every part of the world.
Pharm. George also explained how she got to know about Endeavor entrepreneurs during her OPM programme at the Havard Business School. “We had a few in my set. I immediately knew I wanted to be one. The challenge was that they needed to first launch the Nigeria office. This happened last year and my process began”.
She said:”With the support of an unrivaled network of seasoned business leaders, Endeavor works to catalyze long-term economic growth by selecting, mentoring, and accelerating the best high-impact entrepreneurs worldwide.
“Endeavor helps entrepreneurs to think bigger, make better decisions and multiply their success. Its basic model is to link up small and mid-size businesses with these seasoned entrepreneurs so that they can get the advice and contacts they need to grow their companies into bigger businesses that can employ more people.
”The high-impact entrepreneurs in Endeavor’s network have successfully scaled their businesses and created significant wealth and job opportunities in nearly every industry and region around the world”, she stated.
While she has been receiving several accolades and felicitations on her Facebook handle, it has also been celebration galore in her office, as her employees have been celebrating her since the week begun.
The management and staff of Pharmanews Ltd. also join her colleagues in celebrating the ‘Wonder Woman’.
Sequel to the creation of the Young Pharmacist of the Year Award by Pharmanews Ltd, which saw Pharm. Isa Muhammad as the winner, the publishing firm has decided to extend the Online Competition to the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS), which is tagged:”Pansite of the Year Award”.
This is another initiative to reward innovation and active participation of Pharmacy students, who have distinguished themselves in public healthcare activities as well as community/social development.
To select candidates for this Online Competition, we hereby call for nomination of pansites, who have invented fantastic innovations, and those who have impacted their communities significantly, based on public healthcare and community development activities. Your nomination should be attached as a comment to the post.
Following the nomination exercise, the panel in charge of the exercise will select five nominees with highest nominations for an Online Poll, and the candidate with the highest votes becomes the winner.
Please note that nomination closed on Friday, 19 April 2019. While voting has already commenced and will close on 22 May 2019.
The mechanism of action of antiseizure drugs is:
a) Enhancement of GABAergic (inhibitory) transmission
b) Diminution of excitatory (usually glutamatergic) transmission
c) Modification of ionic conductance
d) All of the above mechanisms
Olumunyiwa made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the weekend.
He said that the government needed to put a lot of resources together with its partners to make sure that polio was completely eradicated in Nigeria.
According to him, India is far bigger than Nigeria, but India has been able to eradicate polio since 2012. “India was able to eradicate polio in 2012.
India is bigger than Nigeria and if we talk of resources, we have enough resources as India, so why can’t we eradicate polio?
“Nigeria was about to eradicate polio in 2016, but unfortunately there were diagnosed in Borno and for a country to be free of polio it has to be free for three years.
“We were delisted in 2016, so by this year if there are no diagnoses, then we will join the rest of the world to be declared as polio-free.
Olumunyiwa said that even though there had been remarkable progress in the eradication, but 99 per cent success was still a failure.
According to the medical practitioner, it is necessary to take serious measures to prevent polio in the country.
“Let the coverage of routine immunization be in every state, local government and community in the country.
“The Federal Government and other stakeholders should make sure that we don’t get another diagnosis just about the time that we are about to be declared polio-free,’’ he said.
(NAN)
Chairman of Phamatex Group, Prince Christopher Nebe, has raised the alarm over the unwholesome activities of drug counterfeiters, cloners and parallel importers in the country.
Speaking with Pharmanews at the company’s 2019 Customers’ Reward Function, which held recently at Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac, Nebe disclosed that the situation is giving him and other genuine owners of pharmaceutical companies sleepless nights.
“We cannot continue to pretend that all is rosy,” he said. “The activities of these parallel importers, cloners and fakers have been an unending nightmare. Consequently, we have lost unquantifiable sales and goodwill to this menace.”
While encouraging regulatory bodies and other relevant stakeholders not to rest on their oars, Nebe declared that some of the perpetrators of the act are, in most cases, familiar figures.
“We understand that these perpetrators are not ghosts but, indeed, our close neighbours in the industry. Some of them are even friendly and well known to us. Although the authorities are doing their best but this ghost continues to haunt us.
“By us, I meant all of us in the pharma sector including those of you present here at this event today. They undersell you from their hideouts, and our effort at engaging them in a price war has so far been less effective,” he bemoaned.
While canvassing support of the company’s loyal distributors, the Phamatex boss announced that he is open to their suggestions and recommendations.
“We shall welcome suggestions on the way forward, seeing that we are all affected ultimately. Please feel free to make comments and ask questions. Rest assured that all contributions will be fairly treated with a view to strengthening the bonds uniting us for better profitability this year,” he stressed.
Dignitaries at the social function included Ozo James Eze, chairman of the occasion; Pharm. Friday George, marketing director, Phamatex Nigeria Limited; Chief Joseph Ebowusim, executive director of Phamatex Group; Pharm Augustine Otu, head of sales & marketing, Phamatex Industries; Pharm. Ezekiel Ibidapo, plant manager and over 50 distributors of Hovid products.
Arguably one of the leading pharmaceutical giants in the country, Phamatex Group was founded by Prince Christopher Nebe (chairman) and Chief Joseph Ebowusim, (executive director), two industrious entrepreneurs whose dreams to build a haven where quality pharmaceuticals would continually be churned out became synergistically realised.
Since inception, these entrepreneurs have recorded overwhelming and outstanding success in the pharma industry for over 20 years in Nigeria. The company was incorporated on July 29, 2010. It became a child of necessity as a result of NAFDAC regulations to stop importation of certain generics and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.
Located in the heart of Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos, Phamatex new state-of-the-art factory, which has undergone a WHO pre-qualification exercise by a WHO American consultant since 2015, is a beauty to behold.
Dr Obi Peter Adigwe is the new director general and chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD). In this exclusive interview with Pharmanews, Adigwe emphasises the importance of local vaccines production, arguing that this should be the ultimate aim of any nation that is committed to addressing the healthcare needs of its citizenry. The NIPRD boss equally discusses the strategies currently being implemented by his administration to reposition the institute. Excerpts:
The euphoria has now worn off and the onerous responsibility associated with the appointment has dawned on me. I must first however express my gratitude to God for this appointment. Secondly I am thankful to the government for not only putting together the rigorous and comprehensive interview process that led to my selection, but also for the confidence they reposed in the system which is evidenced by the consequent appointment of the candidate that emerged with the highest score in the interview process.
That being said, the appointment is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. I have attained the relevant local and international degrees from some of the world’s best institutions. This, together with my cognate experience and extensive network has prepared me for this role. However, I must confess that divine Intervention is probably the most important factor that has stimulated the momentum which has characterised my take off in office. This has manifested in various forms, including new contacts, new ideas and immense favour.
As you may be aware, while I was at the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMGMAN), my contribution was key to the development of the medicines security concept. This concept has now been widely accepted and adopted, nationally and internationally.
At the PSN National Conference in Abia, in November 2017, the Yakassai-led PSN borrowed a leaf from our concept to argue that the development of a robust pharma sector was critical to national security. Internationally as well, I have presented this same argument. At the FAP-D Expert Working Group which held in Cairo last year, under the auspices of the African Union, I made a strong presentation on medicines security and this was adopted to underpin the African position.
As the CEO of the PMGMAN Secretariat, I also formulated and spearheaded the advocacy strategy which led to the institution of various policies that encouraged local manufacturing, such as the 2016 Fiscal Policy and the Presidential Executive Order Number 003, where procurement of locally manufactured pharmaceuticals was specifically mandated in section 4f. We also developed a robust and comprehensive strategy that enabled us push the local manufacturing agenda in over 30 MDAs, including Customs, CBN and NESREA.
Based on this, there is obviously no doubt that I am very aware of the challenges in the sector, and have, even before my appointment as director general, been instrumental to the development of relevant strategies to address them.
Since my assumption in office, this has therefore been one of my key priorities, especially since my institute’s Act specifically mandates this. As such, the institute has begun to engage in further activities that will build on existing policies and my considerable experience in this area. For instance, we have successfully lobbied for a fourfold increase of the pharmaceutical sector representation at the Presidential Business Forum, which is arguably the highest level of government engagement with the private sector.
We have also begun to work assiduously on the establishment of a very high level executive committee that will further expedite development in this area. Being in government at this level, you obviously know that there are many initiatives that we are currently pushing that I cannot discuss in detail, until we get presidential approval.
There are also many other programmes outside government, which we have initiated and are currently driving. One example is the Pharma Colloquium that we are putting together and are hoping to unveil later this year. One of the key objectives of the colloquium is to bring together all relevant stakeholders in the industry to chart a formidable way towards developing a sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Some of the areas that we will be looking at include: harmonising and consolidating researchers and stakeholders participation towards local production of medicines; improving the policy milieu to support local manufacturing; and promotion of indigenous production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and excipients.
That being said, I would like to place it on record that there are over 500 importers in the Nigerian Pharma Industry who also play key roles in the National Ecosystem, especially since the country cannot currently produce all the medicines and commodities it consumes. It should be understood that access to medicines is key, and therefore drugs that are not produced in sufficient quantities, or at all, must be imported. As such, NIPRD engages with these important stakeholders in the ecosystem to ensure that while local capacity is being built to satisfy local consumption, importers can fill the gap by ensuring that the population has access to safe, affordable and high quality medicines.
About two years ago, following the outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) serotype C that killed close to a thousand people, I was interviewed by The Guardian on the possibility for local production of vaccines as a panacea for the perennial shortage of vaccines for CSM and other vaccine preventable diseases in our setting. Among the experts interviewed, I was the only one who staked his reputation to come out strongly in support of local manufacturing of these products, and this is what I said verbatim: “Local vaccines production to address local diseases is the ultimate aim of any Nation with robust strategies to address healthcare challenges.
“Unfortunately, despite the great potential of the Nigerian pharmaceutical sector, relevant policies, partnerships have not either been articulated or implemented to stimulate local vaccines production. Currently, Nigeria has over a third of all medicines manufacturing plants on the continent. We also have the highest number of relevant international quality certifications and awards in this part of the world. These are significant resources that can be leveraged within the right policy framework to expedite local vaccines production, not just for the nation, but also for the continent.”
Following this interview, I cannot begin to tell you the number of phone calls I got from people who felt that they should challenge my position; in fact, I was roundly vilified by some very senior colleagues who never believed that we could ever produce vaccines in Nigeria. Thank God the government listened and engaged with us. The result was the six billion naira agreement that the federal government signed with a local manufacturer to produce vaccines in Nigeria.
It is however not yet uhuru, as this project still has a very long way to go. All relevant stakeholders must work together to deliver a positive outcome, not just for Nigeria, but for the entire continent. In this vein, I must commend people like Dr Ihekweazu of the NCDC for the multidisciplinary engagement approach adopted in building a robust and comprehensive framework for disease control.
Apart from policy aspect which I had already been engaged in prior to my appointment, it will interest you to know that NIPRD is statutorily charged with research and development of vaccines and related products. Since my assumption, we have now actively begun to look at developing the relevant competencies to comprehensively support this emergent sector.
As you are aware, NIPRD developed NIPRISAN, which is derived from phytomedicinal origin; so obviously this is an area where the institute has considerable expertise. However, when I was appointed, we started by taking stock of the true situation of affairs and facilities on ground to better understand how we could leverage our manpower and achievements, to promote collaborations and partnerships that would enable us secure more funding and increase activities. This we achieved using tools such as facility audits and staff forum engagements which have now helped boost personnel confidence, as well as address welfare issues within the financial capacity of the institute.
As you are aware, we are one of the only institute of our kind that has attained both the ISO 9001 and the 17025 certifications, and with close to 60 MScs and PhDs, also one of the most resourced Pharma R & D organisations on this side of the globe. So this formed the basis for our engagement strategy for old and new partners.
Based on this, we have now however started to think outside the box to ensure that apart from the federal budget envelope, activities by the institute can attract funding from activities with non-traditional partners. For instance, we initiated new dimensions in getting external partnerships by the deployment of the Contextual Processing Protocol (CPP) projects designed to harness natural phytomedicinal potential of local plants, whilst improving human capital development by creating semi-skilled jobs for youths and women at the rural grassroots and also increasing revenue generation for the states.
So far, very high-level discussions are being held with Kaduna, Edo, Lagos, Ondo and Anambra State governments to deploy the CPP projects. Our target is to do at least half of all the states in Nigeria before the year runs out.
Other stakeholders that we have engaged with are international entities with whom interaction can enable a robust and comprehensive exchange of knowledge and experience. We met recently with the Indian Government (through the Indian High Commission in Abuja), who you know have reasonably developed their traditional medicine sector, including the use of phytomedicines. We are currently working closely with them and other countries with similar expertise, to learn more about how to develop our sector.
We also met recently with the leadership of the Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines (TCAM) Department of the Federal Ministry of Health, who have the mandate to develop policy for that sector. As NIPRD has done a significant amount of work in this area over the years, we welcomed the establishment of this department in the ministry and have now initiated the development of a framework as well as an action committee to further guide engagement of practitioners that will ultimately validate and formalise use of phytomedicines.
One of the major reasons why the Pharma Sector is not yet given its due consideration in Nigeria is because it is frequently viewed from the narrow prism of only access to healthcare, whereas the sector also has great potential for socioeconomic development.
To address this, we are now reorienting key players in government and other relevant sectors about the true potential that the sector has, with respect to enabling the nation reach its overarching socioeconomic objectives, whilst still achieving its primary goal of improving access to healthcare.
In line with this thinking, at NIPRD, we are now re-engineering our projects to drive key government policies such as job creation, human capital development and revenue generation. The framework we are developing will therefore ensure that the pharma sector will not only improve access to health in Nigeria, but will also increase other socioeconomic indices, such as employment generation, knowledge transfer, capacity building, attraction of foreign direct investment, and backward integration in ancillary industries.
It is on record that the production of pharmaceuticals is associated with some of the highest value addition chains, in terms of backward integration and ancillary sector development. Empirical evidence exists that suggests that for every job created in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, between five to ten corresponding jobs are created in the wider economy. This makes the pharma sector a powerful tool for stimulating employment generation.
With prioritisation of the sector, the emergent framework will also support mergers, acquisitions and partnerships that leverage the current considerable infrastructure that exists in the sector. The opportunities thus created will generate sizeable interests from new investors, as well as other global players in the industry, and consequently attract foreign direct investment to the economy. The framework and consequent recognition of Nigeria as the pharma manufacturing hub can even become a basis for anchoring emergent development initiatives for other sectors.
With respect to backward integration, the prioritisation of the sector will further potentiate innovation and research initiatives already being spearheaded by NIPRD. For instance, activities on excipients like pharmaceutical grade starch, cellulose and alcohol, which can all be sourced locally from various natural resources, such as cassava and grains. The framework being developed will therefore enable a seamless nexus for these other local industries that provide such input to the pharmaceutical industry.
Additionally, activities at the institute aimed at training local people to harness Nigeria’s abundant rich natural biodiversity will be accelerated by the prioritisation of the sector. With the framework in place, targeted activities for the local production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) from petrochemicals, as well as natural sources, can commence in earnest.
The synergistic contribution of these aforementioned aspects is just a part of the strategy that NIPRD is developing to enable the pharma sector attract the relevant focus and attention from government and other relevant stakeholders. The prioritisation and focus is what is expected to stimulate a virtuous cycle that will consequently result in a more significant contribution to National socioeconomic objectives, including the GDP.
The vision of the institute is to build a centre of excellence in research and development of phytomedicines, pharmaceutical and biological products, drugs and diagnostics, towards improving the health and wellbeing of Nigerians and mankind. I think this vision, as articulated by my predecessors, is apt; and my resources are aimed at developing strategies and plans to enable its timely achievement.
Regarding my plans for NIPRD, these can be broadly divided into short, medium and long term and I am very sure that one interview cannot cover these three. So, for now, I will just take you through a few of the short term ones, particularly as it concerns the development of a sustainable funding mechanism, which remains the biggest challenge facing the Institute.
To diversify funding stream for the institute, one of the first things we have begun to do, is improving the Research to Market Product Ratio. To achieve this, we are now leveraging existing research, together with our significant knowledge, contacts and network of manufacturing companies and other relevant stakeholders to begin discussions around bringing more quality products to market.
We have also started to work towards enabling an increase in the inflow of grants and research funds both for individual researchers and for the institute. We have started to discuss with a number of non-traditional partners to ensure that our perspective, while being contextual, is also multidisciplinary and unique.
Currently, NIPRD has one of the best faculties in this side of the world. Leveraging this, we have begun to develop needs-based modules and programmes that can help provide contextual home-grown solutions to our healthcare issues. Following this phase, we aim to organise Trainings and Workshops to build contextual capacity for various aspects of the industry and the healthcare system. This approach will help to generate funds for NIPRD, while also building relevant competencies in identified areas.
As I said earlier, we have also now developed our Contextual Processing Protocol, aimed at stimulating how we as a nation are able to harness our natural resources. In addition to this, we are now expediting pharma raw materials research and, hopefully, once both closely related projects come fully on-stream, NIPRD can earn revenue while the Nation’s health and economy benefits.
These are just a few of the strategies we are using to address our biggest challenge, and that should give you a flavour of what our mid to long term plans are. One thing to note, though, in all the new initiatives that we are developing, our primary focus remains the development of products and processes that will improve access to medicines and healthcare.
However, we also by design, ensure that all the projects that we are developing will also increase key socioeconomic indices, such as employment generation, knowledge transfer, capacity building, attraction of foreign direct investment, and backward integration in ancillary industries. This systems’ approach has proven to be the most effective and efficient for pharmacy to make its mark in Nigeria and on the continent.
Members of the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN), Lagos State branch, were at the Shomolu Local Government Area, on Thursday 14 March 2019, which was the World Kidney Day, to create awareness about kidney diseases and also to conduct free medical screening for residents.
Addressing participants at the screening centre, the Chairman, Lagos AHAPN, Pharm. (Mrs) Titilayo Onedo enlightened them about the factors that predispose one to kidney diseases, which are untreated hypertension and diabetes, drug misuse, lack of balanced diet, consumption of alcoholic substances, lack of exercise, and some others.
She further condemned the habit of heavy beef consumption, whereby people eat all kinds of meats and carbohydrates, neglecting fruits and vegetables, which are very beneficial to the human system, saying heavy consumption of red meat does more harm to the body than good.
Speaking on the theme of the event tagged: “Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere”, Onedo explained that some medicines may predispose people to kidney diseases; as she established that long standing diabetes and hypertension have been implicated in kidney diseases. She said the unfortunate thing is that most people are not aware they have these diseases until they attend this type of free screening or visit the hospitals for some other reasons. “For some persons, even when they are aware they have the conditions, they are poorly controlled and poor control or lack of control eventually leads to kidney disease”, she said.
One of the pharmacists who spoke with Pharmanews in an exclusive interview at the programme, Pharm. (Mrs) Ayo Olaniyi said research has shown that millions of people across the globe are suffering from kidney problem, and yet they do not know until it gets to some certain stage, when it starts surfacing with different kinds of sicknesses, mostly diabetes and hypertension.
She said if these sicknesses are not controlled, they could lead to a chronic kidney disease. While mentioning that there are two major types of kidney diseases, namely acute and chronic, she said acute could be as a result of infection or as a result of the kind of drugs the person used and it can also be managed within some range of time, but when it is more than three (3) months, it graduates to chronic kidney disease, and this could lead to kidney failure.
According to Olaniyi:“The reason why this programme was put in place is to educate people, because information is power, and once a group of people get enlightened, you can be rest assured that they would spread the good news to other people around them.
“Again the kidney is a very delicate organ of the body, and once it is bad, the only remedy is to keep managing it or go for a transplant. In the case of acute kidney problem, it could still be treated to normalcy, but if it gets to chronic stage, the sure way out is to manage or have a transplant.
She therefore urged the participants to always be careful with drugs, and they should desist from taking medications without prescription,because it could lead to more serious conditions.
According to the Chairman, Planning Committee, Pharm. (Mrs) Yewande Olorunshola, kidney diseases could also be developed due to genetic disorder in some persons, and it could be detected through a Urinalysis. A Urinalysis is a test conducted on peoples’ urine to diagnose any disease. It is used to detect and manage a wide range of disorders, such as urinary tract infections, kidney disease and diabetes.
“Urinalysis involves checking the appearance, concentration and content of urine. It is what tells anyone if you have kidney problem or not, the Urinalysis shows the ketone in the body and the presence of protein, and also the blood in the urine”, she stated
One of the beneficiaries of the free medical screening, Mr Afolabi Salau, who spoke with Pharmanews at the programme, expressed his gratitude to the Lagos AHAPN for conducting such screening, because before going through the medical check up, he was unaware of his blood pressure level, until he was diagnosed of high blood pressure at the centre.
Salau, who was determined to follow-up on the disagnosis, to ensure he is better, said he was advised by the pharmacists to visit his healthcare giver regularly, until his blood pressure is normalised.
You become a success when you discover what you were born to do. That is the purpose of your life. In fact, you become a leader in your area. You are motivated by your vision to lead others. Your vision is what helps you to identify yourself and become your true self.
In order to be considered successful, you must add value to people’s lives. You must positively touch the lives of other people. Therefore, you must aspire to be a person of value. When you identify your value, people will seek you and demand your service. People pay for your service when they have value for them. Of course, you are known and remembered by the value you offer to people.
If you have a vision from God and you key into that vision, there must be tests, trials and challenges. These challenges are meant to strengthen and not destroy you. They are opportunities and experiences that are inevitable in the process of success. Therefore, you must welcome them with courage and understanding.
James 1:2 (ESV) counsels, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” Without these challenges, you will not experience personal growth and development and your business will not be resilient. In fact, a true account of any successful person or business is simply how tough challenges have been overcome.
When successful people share their testimonies, it is always a story of how God enabled them to overcome a difficult task. Without God, they might not have achieved it. In carrying out your assignment, always remember that God has promised to guide, direct and teach you, according to Psalm 32:8. He has promised to be with you and never to leave or forsake you.
I remember chatting with a colleague in community pharmacy practice and he said, “Mr Atueyi, you are lucky that you are not in practice and you can’t appreciate the problems we are experiencing. You don’t know what we are going through.” I quickly replied, “You are very correct. I don’t experience your type of problems, just as you don’t experience the challenges of publishing periodicals. Do you know the rate of morbidity and mortality in periodicals publishing in this country? Do you know that there are more sick and dead journals than healthy and living ones? If you want figures, go to the National Library”. He got the message.
You cannot succeed without challenges that will stretch you. Trials are generally part of life. They are in-built mechanisms for maturity and success. Any movement must experience resistance and any living thing must experience one type of challenge or the other. If you want to avoid resistance then don’t move; be still. Don’t do anything. That is why dead things have no challenges. Anyone who hates challenges does not love life; he loves death.
If you have a God-given vision, He is bound to provide all you need to succeed. First of all, you cannot do it without His help. If you can carry out successfully your assignment, without leaning on Him, that assignment is not likely from Him. Usually He gives an assignment that is too big for you to handle so that you will depend on Him. You must work with Him to succeed. We are co-labourers. He plays His part and you play your own part. He will not do it alone neither can you do it without Him.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine understanding. In all thine ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” When God gives you a vision, He directs you and provides the necessary resources – talents, gifts, time, money, people and so on, to ensure its successful execution. He equips those He calls. God equipped Moses to lead the Israelites with Aaron and his staff. On his own, Moses realised he could not succeed.
God does not call any person for an assignment and then leave him to fend for himself. Instead, He provides all that is necessary for its execution. God’s projects never fail because He has all the resources at His disposal. He must succeed because He is committed and faithful. As Paul put it, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8). He is sufficient in all things and, therefore, His assignments always succeed.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Abdullahi Mashi, said that the country’s health sector has an annual deficit running into about $10 billion (N3.06 trillion), in infrastructure gap.
Mr Mashi, who was represented by Omobolanle Olowu, the Head of Public Private Partnership (PPP) at the ministry, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at the First Quarter Consultative Forum.
The Forum on PPP was organised by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
Mr Mashi said with the dwindling oil price, which accounts for over 70 per cent of government’s revenue, there was no way the government alone could finance the infrastructure deficit in the health sector.
He, however, noted that the federal government current policy places emphasis on the private sector driving developments within the health sector, adding that this has created a favourable environment for PPPs and investment in health.
“The health sector has potentials for private investment and government hopes to establish private sector driven world class hospitals and diagnostic centres to reverse the direction of medical tourism to Nigeria.
“This is the right time and opportunity for the health sector to showcase its potentials as a business sector, rather than just being a social sector,” Mr Mashi said.
He said the ministry plans to rehabilitate teaching hospitals, develop solar photovoltaic systems, install temperature scanning machines at the country’s entry point, using a PPP framework.
The permanent secretary also revealed the federal government’s plan to build the Abuja Medical City, which would be a one-stop-shop for first class medical services in the country, through the Public Private Partnership.
Also, the Director-General, ICRC, Chidi Izuwah said the commission is presently working to simplify the PPP process, so that more Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government can use the model for their capital projects.
“In line with the ease-of-doing business initiative of the government, we have removed the requirement of presenting the Outline Business Case Compliance Certificates to FEC, before proceeding to the PPP procurement process.
“This has immensely improved the PPP delivery process by reducing the duration of the transaction, which has been a major complaint of many stakeholders.
“We are also working with the Federal Ministry of Justice to conclude on a template PPP agreement, which will also improve the time it takes for a PPP transaction to be concluded,” he said.
Mr Izuwah stated that Nigeria has been invited to become a member of the World Association of PPP, which is a global network of infrastructure agencies, private sector companies and PPP professionals.
He said Nigeria’s admission will open the country to more investment opportunities and partnerships, while improving on critical infrastructure.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Chairman of Nisa Premier Hospital, Ibrahim Wada, made a presentation on the successful partnership with the federal government to improve healthcare delivery at Garki General Hospital.
Also, the Executive Director, Mainstream Energy Solution, Siraj Abdullahi briefed the forum on what the company had done to improve the Kainji/Jebba Hydro Power Plant since its concessionaire.
(NAN)
The winner, Young Pharmacist of the Year 2018 Award, Pharm. Isa Muhammad has been presented with an award plaque and a cash prize on Thursday, 14 March 2019, at the Pharmanews corporate head office, Mende, Maryland.
The award presentation, witnessed by Pharmanews staff and family members of Muhammad, was a great occasion for the young pharmacist to express his profound gratitude to the Pharmanews Publisher, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, for the creation of such online competition, which brought him out as the winner.
In his congratulatory message to Muhammad, Sir Atueyi expressed his delight with the winner, as the first recipient of the award, being the maiden edition of the competition, which has now been established as an annual contest.
As an elderly pharmacist, who has used his knowledge to serve the Society and his community, Atueyi said it is his strong desire to encourage young pharmacists, who are imparting their communities with their knowledge and God-given talents, for societal development.
Sir Atueyi also noted that at times, there may be departure from degrees obtained in the university, into an innovative field for the essence of making positive change in the society, and such ideas are always welcome, provided it is for the good of human existence.
While commending Muhammad for the landslide victory he had at the Online Poll, the Pharmanews boss said the massive votes he garnered was an indication of his respectable personality among his colleagues.” In winning the award, one thing I consider is integrity, because for someone to be voted for as the overall winner, it means he is a man of integrity. We believe in people with integrity, honesty and God-fearing qualities, because their progress is of importance to us”.
While appreciating the recognition and the kind gestures shown to him by Pharmanews, Muhammad said he cannot thank the Publisher enough, for providing such innovative platform to encourage young pharmacists and to boost their morale in their fields of endeavour.
He also expressed his deep gratitude to all his colleagues who supported him all through the competition, from the nomination stage to the voting level, saying : “This is an indication to tell us that what we are doing is good, and we shall improve on it”.
The Award Winner, who narrated his confusion after the completion of his internship, said he was determined to impart from the onset, because he was not satisfied settling for only drugs dispensing and counselling, thus, he laid his hands on different things, before settling for Medinomics.com, though it is still in its formative stage.
Thus, he explained that on his emergence as one of the nominees for the online poll, himself and his team members canvassed for votes, and sought the support of other colleagues, and it became a reality.
Present at the award presentation were:Pharmanews Publisher, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi; Award Winner, Pharm. Isa Muhammad; Editor, Pharmanews, Mr Yusuff Moshood; Online Editor, Mrs Temitope Obayendo; Admin Manager, Mrs Elizabeth Amuneke; Senior Correspondent, Mr Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis; Adama Balaraba Muhammad; Fatimah Binta Muhammad; Hafsah Jumai Muhammad; and Ibrahim Abiodun Lawal.
A new study investigated by a team of cardiologists has found that aside from taking medications and eating healthy foods, observing a nap at midday can effectively help people lower their blood pressure.
One of the scientists who embarked on this research, Dr Manolis Kallistratos, said due to his present findings at the American College of Cardiology, daytime napping can definitely help boost our energy levels and productivity for the rest of the workday, also midday sleep appears to lower blood pressure levels at the same magnitude as other lifestyle changes. For example, salt and alcohol reduction can bring blood pressure levels down by 3 to 5 [millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Another study revealed that some investigators worked with 212 participants who had a mean blood pressure of 129.9 mm Hg. A person has high blood pressure if their readings of systolic blood pressure (pressure during a heartbeat) are 140 mm Hg or higher, and their readings of diastolic blood pressure (pressure between heartbeats) are 90 mm Hg or higher.
The participants were, on the average, 62 years old, and close to one in four of them smoked, had a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, or both.
Over 24 consecutive hours, the researchers took note of the participants’ blood pressure measurements, the duration of their midday naps, their general lifestyle choices (such as alcohol consumption and physical activity), and their pulse wave velocity, which measures artery stiffness, The researchers found that people who took a daytime nap saw a 5.3 mm Hg drop in systolic blood pressure, which, the researchers explain, is about as much as someone could expect when taking blood pressure medication or making certain lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure.
Dr Kallistratos explained that taking low doses of specialized drugs can lower a person’s blood pressure levels by about 5–7 mm Hg on average. Moreover, the team added that each additional 60 minutes of napping time reduced average 24-hour systolic blood pressure by 3 mm Hg.
The findings, reported on Medical Life Science, and conducted by researchers from Asklepieion General Hospital in Voula, Greece, revealed that the higher the blood pressure levels, the more pronounced any effort to lower it will appear.
Dr Manolis Kallistratos said “We obviously don’t want to encourage people to sleep for hours on end during the day, but on the other hand, they shouldn’t feel guilty if they can take a short nap, given the potential health benefits.”
The researchers noted that this is the first time that anyone has studied the effects of daytime naps on a person’s blood pressure levels. Although the team encourages further research to replicate and validate the current results, its members were confident that their study offers important new information.
Bura Muhammad Alhaji Dandala is a 67-year-old kidney patient in Gashua, whose condition started with a stomach ache but he was later diagnosed with kidney disease.
Dandala was initially ignorant of the cause of his stomach upset, until he was diagnosed of having kidney disease.
According to him:”When the pain persisted, I rushed to a friend who linked me up with an old friend, a medical doctor in Bauchi. After describing my urine colour, smell and the pain, he concluded that it was kidney related ailment. He recommended some tests for me and his suspicion was confirmed thereafter”.
Although he was privileged to enjoy early diagnosis, but thousands of other Nigerians don’t have such opportunity, due to their financial incapability or wrong diagnosis by medical personnel.
Dandala who was grateful to God for having such a faithful friend to assist him at such a troublous time, however expressed his disappointment in his state healthcare system, for its inability to diagnose his condition timely.
“It’s sad that my problem could not be detected in Gashua, Bauchi State, where we have serious cases of kidney failure. Initially, I was placed on appendix drugs here in Gashua and my condition continues to deteriorate. Thank God, I have a friend that stood by me to live up till this time,” he said.
This is just the story of one, out of over 25 million Nigerians groaning with the pain of kidney diseases. Thus, poised to ameliorate the condition of several millions of kidney diseases patients across the globe, the World Kidney Day (WKD) was established in 2006 as a joint initiative between the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF) and the International Society of Nephrology (ISN).
With the main objective of raising awareness about kidney diseases, and highlighting diabetes and high blood pressure as key risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), the WKD is commemorated every 14 March for this purpose.
Having the theme for the 2019 World Kidney Day as “Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere”, it is disheartening to know that over 25 million Nigerians are still suffering from the diseases, as revealed by the Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN).
Similar to the story of Dandala who was oblivious of his condition, until tests were conducted, reports have shown that majority of sufferers are of the working-age population, with the condition resulting in loss of jobs and poverty.
Pharmanewsonline also garnered from previous information from NAN, that the condition not only gulps huge sums of money for treatment, but it also leaves the sufferers constantly tired, in pain and at risk of death.
With diabetes are hypertension identified as major culprits in the development of the disease, experts have urged Nigerians to always embark on regular screening to be sure of their numbers.
For the commemoration of this year’s event, the official statement released by the initiators of the event, disclosed that the Day will be observed across the globe with different health activities from public screenings in Argentina to Zumba marathons in Malaysia, there will also be awareness creation about preventive behaviors, awareness about risk factors, and awareness about how to live with a kidney disease. “We do these because we want kidney health for all”.
Other objectives of the Day include: “To encourage systematic screening of all patients with diabetes and hypertension for CKD; To encourage preventive behaviours; To educate all medical professionals about their key roles in detecting and reducing the risk of CKD, particularly in high risk populations.
“Stress the important role of local and national health authorities in controlling the CKD epidemic. On World Kidney Day all governments are encouraged to take action and invest in further kidney screening. Encourage Transplantation as a best-outcome option for kidney failure, and the act of organ donation as a life-saving initiative”, it stated.
A team of researchers at Saint Louis University (SLU) in Missouri have discovered that taking a Mediterranean diet can boost athletes’ performance in four days.
They found that sticking to a plant-based Mediterranean diet could do wonders for the human ability to exercise as well as build an athletic body.
The Mediterranean diet, which is typically rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, and allows moderate consumption of fish, dairy, and red wine — contains various compounds that boost athletic performances.
Edward Weiss, a professor of nutrition and dietetics at SLU explained that Mediterranean diet offers a range of benefits, from cardio-protective effects to staving off chronic diseases. As a result of this, researchers are increasingly pointing out that this diet may be the key to a long and healthy life.
Prior to their findings, Prof. Weiss and his colleagues recruited seven women and four men who were “recreationally active”, as participants for the study. After 4 days of adhering to the consumption of plant-based diet mainly, the participants were asked to run 5 kilometres (km) on a treadmill.
In about 9 to 16 days later, the researchers repeated the test by asking the participants to follow a Western diet for another 4 days, and take the 5km treadmill test again. Previous studies have established that a Western diet is typically “characterized by an overconsumption and reduced variety of refined sugars, salt, and saturated fat.”
The researchers were also out to test the effects that these two diets would have on anaerobic or muscle-strengthening exercise. So, they asked the participants to take a cycle test, a vertical jump test, and a handgrip test at the same time points throughout the study.
Overall, the study found that people were 6 percent faster in the 5 km treadmill run after following the Mediterranean diet than they were after adhering to a Western diet.
This improvement occurred even though the participants’ heart rates were about the same and they felt just as tired on both occasions. By contrast, the diets did not have any effect on performance in anaerobic exercise. Prof. Weiss and colleagues conclude.
The findings, as reported on Science Daily Today, and published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, found that adhering to the Mediterranean diet for just 4 days is enough to boost exercise performance.
The lead author noted that many of the foods in the Mediterranean diet contain antioxidants and nitrates and have anti-inflammatory and alkalizing properties. So, this means that by sticking to this diet, a person will experience improved endurance and exercise performance.
Weiss further asserted that many individual nutrients in the Mediterranean diet improve exercise performance immediately or within a few days, “Therefore, it makes sense that a whole dietary pattern that includes these nutrients is also quick to improve performance.
“However, these benefits were also quickly lost when switching to the Western diet, highlighting the importance of long-term adherence to the Mediterranean diet”, he said.
Public Health is a high priority for world leaders and governments. Jo Brown, Programme Leader of our Master of Public Health course, provides an insight into the issues and themes of Public Health and how studying a course at the University of Derby can equip you to investigate them.
Health and wellbeing is recognised as a major indicator of a country’s growth and sustainability. The United Nations published 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. These highlight that individual countries need to be united internally in order to manage and promote the health of the nation and the environment.
The UN are demonstrating progress on these goals such as, Goal 1, No poverty where they are for example, training individuals in Georgia to have sustainable incomes by growing their own food and selling at farmers markets. However, Goal 4 Quality education, which saw Norway providing 48 million dollars to fund schools in Syria and surrounding countries, between 2016-2018 will not meet the targets. This is due to political instability and individuals fleeing violence and bombing to move to refugee camps and reinforces how fragile the aspirations are.
Today’s issues in Public Health
Public Health is a fluid issue, changing in response to disease outbreaks, terrorism and ongoing health issues such as obesity and its links to diabetes.
In the UK, we have experienced an upsurge in the number of non-communicable diseases, such as coronary heart disease, and a decrease in communicable diseases, such as the eradication of polio. We are seeing this replicated within developing countries that are becoming more westernised and are developing similar disease profiles despite the emergence of new communicable diseases such as Ebola.
This replication of disease profiles raises some questions, such as, why is the knowledge of the consequences of a westernised diet and lifestyle not shared with developing countries? Do we know that it is not shared? Within Public Health, we are faced with numerous ethical dilemmas and challenges and this is one of many that you may cover on our course.
Ask yourself the questions
Public health is not a one-dimensional topic, meaning that the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at Derby is not either, it encourages you to bring your life experiences, your opinions and analytical mind-set to debate with your lecturers and peers.
As a lecturer and a previous MPH student, I recognise that we all enter in to public health for different reasons. Mine was from the perspective of trying to understand the psychology of people. Why are some people disciplined with their health while others are not? Is it that simple or, as suggested previously, more complex than that? How do we understand these complexities and educate people on how to live a long and healthy life? Does a functioning health service aid or prevent us from taking responsibility for our own health? By questioning, we learn – this gives an overview of the type of conversations you will be involved in on the MPH programme.
Other issues to consider
Does a government accept investment from other countries in order to develop and ensure the wellbeing of their citizens both financially and mentally? The consequence of accepting investment could lead to further health issues due to changes in lifestyle.
Due to deforestation, the UN and developed countries have stepped in to assist the maintenance of forests in developing countries by providing revenue and support. This has been considered as a controversial move as it is unclear how long this support will be available and how the UN are determining progress of the initiative, i.e. whether deforestation is actually decreasing.
How does this impact on public health? Individuals in these areas are reliant on the rainforest not only for the biodiversity it creates as a source to keep soil fertile for growing and maintaining the eco structure. But also for the climate control as trees filter the levels of carbon dioxide in the air and are required to prevent the continuing rise in temperature in areas such as Brazil. All of these elements have health implications both to the individuals living in those areas and internationally as global warming knows no barriers.
Who studies on our course?
Our programme boasts students who are both international and from the UK. Some choose to study due to personal experiences that have driven them to explore how to make a difference to public health policies in their own country. Others see this as a natural progression of their current occupation and their interest in public health. While some work in public health and the programme helps validate their work.
While most people join the course from a health background, some do not. For example, geography students who have undertaken epidemiological studies are also eligible to apply, as they often explore similar themes, such as the health of children who live close to rubbish dumps and how this affects their development. Studying geography prior to MPH can have added benefits as you’ll be familiar with modules such as those delivered by specialist environmental lecturers.
Why choose to study MPH at Derby?
We pride ourselves on being a friendly University. The lecturers on the course are accessible and allocate time in every taught session for you to ask questions or seek help. The support we offer does not stop there, you will have access to study skills and bespoke sessions, you’ll also have a personal tutor who will be there to help every step of the way. If you are coming from another country, you will be delighted to know that we have an international department that is focused on helping you feel included in University life, easing your transition to the UK.
Close links with local government public health departments ensures you have access to learning and teaching opportunities such as insight visits. We have specialist guest speakers from Public Health England and various other industries to help provide key, contemporary insights.
We listen to our students’ experiences in order to further develop our programme and build upon the elements that they felt were effective in their learning.
Studying Master of Public Health is a shared experience with your peers, lecturers and the new community you are joining. Every one of these elements is important to enable you to achieve your goal. We are with you every step of the way to assist you to get there.
We’re central – in the heart of the UK, by studying at the University of Derby you’ll benefit from a location that’s perfectly placed between city life and the rural peak district.
Acclaimed– we are in the top 30 in The Guardian University Guide 2019 which sees the University climb 25 places .
Gold rated – in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2017 we were rated gold which is the highest rating within the framework.
State-of-the-art – we have invested over £200 million in the last ten years to ensure that our facilities are one of the best in the UK.
Employable – 96% of University of Derby graduates are in employment or undertaking further study six months after graduation (2016/17 HESA).
It’s global –you’ll study various issues and topics to gain a truly international perspective and if you’re an international student you’ll also have the opportunity to study topics that are relevant to your native country.
We have experience – our teaching team include public health specialists, environmental health practitioners, biomedical scientists and psychologists which will provide you with a broad view of public health.
Based in practice – this course has a focus on case studies, scenarios and practice in the community and is run in partnership with the public health team at Derby City Council.
Contemporary – the degree is mapped against professional organisations meaning that your studies will be based in real-life issues and topics.
Facilities – you’ll have the opportunity to use our state-of-the-art facilities to analyse data, interpret results and practically apply the theory for the course.
Get started with your Masters in Public Health – APPLY HERE
A recent study conducted by scientists from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Centre, has found vitamins deficiencies as one of the causes of migraines in children and adults.
The study led by Dr Suzanne Hagler, a Headache Medicine fellow in the division of Neurology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Centre, drew from a database that included patients with migraines who, according to Laboratory test had baseline blood levels checked for vitamin D, riboflavin, coenzyme Q10 and folate, all of which were implicated in migraines, to some degree, by previous and sometimes conflicting studies.
The team observed that a high percentage of children, teens and young adults with migraines appear to have mild deficiencies in vitamin D, riboflavin and coenzyme Q10 — a vitamin-like substance found in every cell of the body that is used to produce energy for cell growth and maintenance.
However, the findings reported on sciencedaily stated that further studies are required to expatiate on whether supplementation is effective in migraine patients in general. “And whether patients with mild deficiency are more likely to benefit from supplementation”, said Hagler.
Dr Haglera and her team also found that girls and young woman were more likely than boys and young men to have coenzyme Q10 deficiencies at baseline. They said that boys and young men were more likely to have vitamin D deficiency. However, it was unclear whether there were folate deficiencies, but they concluded that patients with chronic migraines were more likely to have coenzyme Q10 and riboflavin deficiencies than those with episodic migraines.
The research acknowledged previous studies that have indicated that certain vitamins and vitamin deficiencies may be important in the migraine process. Studies using vitamins to prevent migraines, however, have had conflicting success.
-As Institution Introduces Worldwide Influenza Strategy
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has suggested an annual influenza vaccination as the most effective way to prevent influenza. It noted that vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of serious influenza complications and for healthcare workers.
The Director General, WHO, Dr Adhanom Ghebreyesus Tedros made the submission during the unveiling of a Global Influenza Strategy for 2019-2030, at Geneva.
In a press statement released by the Apex Health Institution, it was noted that there are an estimated 1 billion cases of influenza across the globe annually, of which 3 to 5 million are severe cases, resulting in 290 000 to 650 000 influenza-related respiratory deaths.
Thus, to reduce influenza mortality rates across the globe, WHO launched the Global Influenza Strategy for 2019-2030, aimed at protecting people in all countries from the threat of influenza. The goal of the strategy is to prevent seasonal influenza, control the spread of influenza from animals to humans, and prepare for the next influenza pandemic.
“The threat of pandemic influenza is ever-present” said WHO Director General ,Dr Ghebreyesus Adhanom Tedros :“The on-going risk of a new influenza virus transmitting from animals to humans and potentially causing a pandemic is real. The question is not if we will have another pandemic, but when. We must be vigilant and prepared – the cost of a major influenza outbreak will far outweigh the price of prevention.”
Highlighting the components of the new strategy, Tedros described it as the most comprehensive and far-reaching that WHO has ever developed for influenza. It outlines a path to protect populations every year and helps prepare for a pandemic through strengthening routine programmes.
The two overarching goals of the new strategy as stated by Tedros are:
“Build stronger country capacities for disease surveillance and response, prevention and control, and preparedness. To achieve this, it calls for every country to have a tailored influenza programme that contributes to national and global preparedness and health security.
“Develop better tools to prevent, detect, control and treat influenza, such as more effective vaccines, antivirals and treatments, with the goal of making these accessible for all countries”.
“With the partnerships and country-specific work we have been doing over the years, the world is better prepared than ever before for the next big outbreak, but we are still not prepared enough,” said Dr Tedros. “This strategy aims to get us to that point. Fundamentally, it is about preparing health systems to manage shocks, and this only happens when health systems are strong and healthy themselves.”
However, for the strategy to be well implemented, he said effective partnerships are essential, as WHO is going to expand partnerships to increase research, innovation and availability of new and improved global influenza tools to benefit all countries. At the same time WHO will work closely with countries to improve their capacities to prevent and control influenza.
He further explained the benefits of the strategy, as it is said to meet one of WHO’s mandates to improve core capacities for public health, and increase global preparedness and was developed through a consultative process with input from Member States, academia, civil society, industry, and internal and external experts.
Nomination for the 6th edition of the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA) 2019 has commenced, as disclosed by Dr Wale Alabi, project director, NHEA.
Dr Alabi, through a press release announced the commencement of nominations for the various categories to be awarded, while he urged all stakeholders to visit the award website: www.nigeriahealthawards.com.ng to make their nominations.
He however stated that nominations will be brought to a close by midnight of 24 May 2019, while the event will take place on 21 June 2019, at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
He noted that nominations can be made for corporate or individual categories by any member of the public. You can either nominate online or download the nomination form.
According to Dr Alabi: “NHEA is the Oscar of Nigeria healthcare awards. In the last six years, the award has grown to become a point of reference in the industry. We would continue to do our best in order not to abuse the confidence placed on us.”
Moses Braimah, NHEA director of marketing, communication & strategy also explained further: “Our theme for 2019 is ‘bringing standard to the Nigerian healthcare’. This narrative is to help us focus on continuous improvement of the Nigerian healthcare delivery and standards. On our part, we have improved the technology tremendously for managing our collation, nominees’ evaluation and eventual voting process.”
About 23 awards and recognitions will be presented at the ceremony. It is made up of four main categories; Special Awards, Healthcare Delivery Services, Biomedical Technology and Pharmaceuticals. Some of the awards up for grabs include: The Lifetime Achievement Award; Outstanding State Government Healthcare Programme of the Year; Outstanding CSR Health Project of the Year, Healthcare Media Excellence (print, broadcast & electronic), Private Healthcare Provider of the Year, PharmAccess Innovative Healthcare Service Provider of the Year, SafeCare Facility of the Year, Laboratory service provider of the Year, and Radiology Service Provider of the Year.
Others are : Biomedical Engineering Service Company of the Year, IVF Service Provider of the Year, Dialysis Service Provider of the Year, Eyecare Service Provider of the Year, Laboratory Equipment Marketing Company of the Year, Nursing & Midwifery Excellence Award of the Year, Pharmaceutical Retail Outlet of the Year, etc.
NHEA is organised by Global Health Project and Resources (GHPR) in collaboration with Anadach Group, USA.
Kaduna State Government at the weekend had placed 18 horses under quarantine following an outbreak of Equine Influenza also known as Horse Flu in parts of the state.
Manzo Daniel, Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, while confirming the outbreak to journalists in Kaduna, said the affected horses have been quarantined in Igabi and Zaria local government areas.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Igabi and Zaria local governments are homes to thousands of horses used for Polo Games and for Durbar Race during Sallah by the Zazzau Emirate.
Veterinary experts said the outbreak might endanger thousands of horses usually assembled from different countries for the famous Kaduna International Polo Competition.
The competition attracts Polo Clubs with hundreds of Horses from Brazil, the UK and South Africa as well as indigenous clubs from Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Bauchi, Katisa and Niger states.
Daniel said: “The Kaduna state government in its effort to reduce the spread of the disease has quarantined and isolated the 18 affected horses from infecting others.
“Blood samples have been taken by the veterinary department to ascertain the nature and cause of the disease,” Mr Daniel said
Equine Influenza is a highly contagious and fatal respiratory disease of horses, donkeys and mules caused by strains of influenza.
Clinical signs of Equine Influenza include fever and a harsh dry cough followed by a nasal discharge.
The disease causes depression, loss of appetite, muscle pain and weakness to affected horses and donkeys.
While most affected animals recover within two weeks, the cough may continue longer and it may take as much as six months for some horses to regain their full ability.
Meanwhile, the commissioner said the State government had inaugurated campaign to control the Contagious Bovine Pleuro Pneumonia (CBPP), a lung infection outbreak that was earlier reported in the state.
The commissioner said the disease had infected 1,850 cows and had so far killed 367 herds in parts of the state.
Daniel said that the State government had procured vaccines and drugs for the treatment of the affected herds in parts of Kagarko, Kauru, Chikun, Giwa and Lere local governments.
“This kind of outbreak is viral in nature and cannot be treated completely but can only be managed and in the process, you can save a number of the animals from dying.
“Blood samples of both outbreaks which were taken to the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau for thorough investigation have been confirmed.
“Vaccines have been consigned for the CBPP, while we await the result of Equine Influenza,” he said.
The commissioner called on pastoralists to cooperate with veterinary doctors and other specialists who would vaccinate the animals to curtail spread.
He said the treatment had commenced at Babban Saura community in Chikun Local Government, where the first case of the CBPP was reported.
(NAN)
-Presents an Excellence in Leadership Award to the President
Members of the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) have craved the indulgence of the PSN President, Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa, to the existing scale to scale promotion, and stagnation of its members on CONHESS 13, a development which has not been favourable to its membership.
The leadership of the association, during a courtesy visit to Pharm. Ohuabunwa, in his office, on Thursday, laid this bare before him, noting that the situation has not improved for some years despite several representations to government and chief medical directors of hospitals on the matter.”Some others especially in federal institutions receive same scale promotion without any financial increment, which is against the extant laws of the civil service. We therefore solicit your assistance in redressing this trend”, they implored.
The AHAPN National Chairman, Pharm.(Dr) Kingsley Amibor, who presented a 17-point request to the president, also reminded the president on the long-awaited Consultancy Circular for the Fellowship of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP), urging him to use his good office to expedite action on the release of the circular and the creation of pharmacy consultancy cadre for fellowship holders in the scheme of service for pharmacists.
Amibor further pleaded for the president’s support on the adoption of Pharmaceutical Care as the philosophy of Pharmacy practice in replacement of the traditional role of dispensing for which pharmacists have been identified over the years. He noted how the association was able to secure the support of the immediate past PSN President, Pharm. Ahmed I Yakasai on this position, while explaining to the president that the association has set up a high powered committee to work out the modalities for the implementation of the policy in hospitals where the association is recognised.
He said the committee comprise top professionals and distinguished pharmacists like Prof. Azuka Oparah, University of Benin as advisor; Prof. C.N Ukwe, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Dr Dauda Dangiwa, University of Jos, and Dr Teresa Pounds, USA, as co-chairman.
Another issue presented before the president was the refusal of government to register AHAPN as a trade union, which Amibor said has balkanised their members into different unions currently registered by government, such as Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigeria Union of Allied Professionals (NUAHP) and Joint Health Union of Nigeria (JOHESU), which have not benefited their members significantly.
After delivering his speech, Pharm. Amibor presented the speech as a letter for documentation to the present, and the association also conferred on him an Excellence in Leadership Award, in recognition of his numerous contributions to societal growth, development, and selfless service to the Pharmacy profession.
In his response, the PSN President appreciated the good gesture of the AHAPN National in paying him a courtesy visit, and much more presenting him an award, noting that of all the associations that have visited him since his assumption of office, AHAPN was the first to present him an Award of Leadership Excellence.
On the request made by the group for the adoption of Pharmaceutical Care as a philosophy for pharmacy practice, Mazi Ohuabunwa commended their effort in setting up a committee to look into the matter, while assuring them of the support of the Society on the issue.
For the release of Consultancy Circular and implantation, Mazi Ohuabunwa explained how he has been working on the issue, and he is optimistic of a good outcome in the nearest future. The president however expressed caution in the registration of AHAPN as a trade union, stating that before such decision can be taken, there must be a nationally summit of pharmacists to debate the merits and the demerits of the decision, before it can be ratified by the PSN.
In his own contribution, the immediate past National Chairman of AHAPN, Pharm. Martins Oyewole craved the indulgence of the president to the reality that there is no uniformity in adherence to the scheme of service as it relates to pharmacists and other health workers promotion from the position of assistant director to deputy director, and to director. He explained that while some hospitals promote from deputy director to director, others practice from assistant director to deputy director, while they don’t have the privilege to get to the position of the director.
Members of AHAPN NEC and PSN present at the visit were: AHAPN National Chairman, Pharm. (Dr) Kingsley Amibor; Immediate Past National Chairman of AHAPN, Pharm. Martins Oyewole; AHAPN Secretary, Pharm. Olakunle Hafiz Akande; AHAPN National Financial Secretary, Pharm. Funmilayo Fagboyo; National Treasurer, Olabode Ogunjemiyo; Pharm. Titilayo Onedo, chairman, Lagos branch; Former Treasure and National Treasurer PSN, Pharm. Folake Adeniyi ; National Publicity Secretary Pharm. Francis Odigie; and Pharm. Emeka Duru, PSN national secretary.
Heavy consumers of white bread may be slowly killing themselves. After all, we kill ourselves gradually by what we eat. Dr Gueniot of Paris, on reaching his hundredth year, said, “Man does not die, but he kills himself.” Healthy living is a matter of attitude to life, thinking the right thoughts and a matter of what you eat.
The University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, in conjunction with Centre for Global Health, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA, is set to hold a workshop for pharmacists with specialisation in Oncology, at the Pharmacy Department.
The training, scheduled for 24 – 28 March 2019, is themed: “Pharmaceutical Care in Oncology Practice”, and aims at building capacity for global cancer management through reconstitution and compounding of parenteral cytotoxic medicines that meet current good manufacturing practices.
The seminar is also poised to further develop professional competence of Oncology pharmacists and radio pharmacists, develop pharmacists’ participation in clinical trials, and to connect pharmaceutical industries with pharmacists in hospitals, community and academica in order to improve cancer care.
With pharmacists in hospitals, community, industry or academic and other healthcare professionals interested in oncology as target group, the programme seeks to improve training of African oncologists and other healthcare providers, to empower them to deliver better educational, diagnostic and treatment services to their patients.
The workshop will also focus on the implementation of clinical trials to evaluate efficacy and safety of currently available cancer therapeutics in African patients and settings.
Researchers at the University of Southampton are set to launch a new study to help improve condom use and tackle sexually transmitted Diseases (STDs) among young men (16-25 years).
Psychologists at Southampton, together with academics at the University of Birmingham, the University of Westminster, and Coventry University have been awarded approximately £1.5m over five years from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to investigate the best ways to promote correct and consistent condom use. Clinicians from Solent NHS Trust, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and Barts Health NHS Trust are also involved.
Professor in Sexual and Reproductive Health at the University of Southampton and lead researcher, Cynthia Graham, comments: “Condoms are our main protection against STDs, but many things can prevent them being used effectively, such as problems with reduced sexual pleasure and the way they fit and feel. We hope to improve people’s skills and knowledge of using this type of contraceptive, while in turn helping reduce sexual risk among young people.”
The team has already developed a condom promotion programme which gives out condom kits to men and asks them to experiment with using the contents after they have undergone condom use education and training. The researchers now want to go a step further and explore whether men who go on to report enjoyable, correct and consistent condom use, after taking part in the programme, are less likely to contract chlamydia than men who haven’t undergone the programme (i.e. standard care). The study will also examine whether the condom promotion programme is delivered most effectively online or via face-to-face education sessions.
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Approximately 2,200 men between 16 and 25 years old – who don’t currently use condoms during sex with casual or new partners – will take part in either the face-to-face or digital programmes, or will receive the normal, standard sexual health advice. Over 12 months, they will periodically be asked about their sexual behaviour, condom use experience and get tested for chlamydia – allowing researchers to compare and contrast the results for the three different groups.
Findings from the study should give health professionals important insight into how best to deliver the information young people need to improve condom use and reduce STI rates.
Professor Kevin Fenton, Deputy Chair of the NIHR Public Health Research (PHR) Programme’s Prioritisation Committee, said: “This is an important area of research, following widespread public health concerns that men aged 16-25 are among those most at risk of STIs, with rates remaining consistently high among this age group.
“Interactive online training packages are an emerging way of encouraging condom use and hopefully this study will increase the evidence base in evaluating the effectiveness of public health campaigns delivered in this way.”
News Medical Life Sciences
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund has said that global measles cases increased by 48.4 per cent between 2017 and 2018.
According to figures released by UNICEF, 10 countries, including Brazil, the Philippines and France, accounted for nearly three-quarters of the total increase in cases of measles in 2018.
The UN’s agency for children said the alarming global surge in measles cases posed a growing threat to children.
The agency added that poor health infrastructure, low awareness, civil disorder, complacency and a backlash against vaccinations in some cases were driving forces in these recent measles outbreaks.
UNICEF’s executive director, Mrs Henrietta Fore, “These cases haven’t happened overnight, just as the serious outbreaks we are seeing today took hold in 2018, lack of action today will have disastrous consequences for children tomorrow.”
According to UNICEF, 98 countries saw an increase in measles cases in 2018 around the globe. It also stressed that there were several countries that reported no measles cases in 2017 but saw the disease make a comeback in 2018.
UNICEF’s principal adviser and chief of immunisation officer, Dr Robin Nandy, said, “It is very unfortunate to see measles coming back as a public health problem. I would be very disappointed if we are not worried about this. If we don’t do something about it now it could get considerably worse.
“The key message is that no country or community is immune to this. These figures show that if vaccine usage and coverage is not picked up, other countries and communities remain susceptible to measles,” Nandy said.
The World Health Organisation said the virus is common in developing countries particularly in areas of Africa.
The Punch
For women who experience depression more often than not, the remedy to the malady may not be farfetched, as a new study has revealed the culprit, which is working for 55 hours and more every week.
The research, published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health found that working excessively long days could be detrimental to mental health, as it was found to affect more women than men.
The researchers analysed data collated by the United Kingdom Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS), as it tracks the health information of about 40,000 families in the U.K. Working on data collected from 23,000 men and women, including employment information, they found that majority of people with worst mental health were women, who worked 55 hours or more per week, and even worked most or every weekend. In fact, difference in statistics was significant when compared with women who worked normal hours (35–40 per week).
Although the researchers discovered some gender differences at work, as they found that men are generally inclined to work longer hours than their female counterparts, but almost half of the female population worked part-time.
Still analysing mental health and work habits, it was found that married men were more likely to work longer hours, while married women usually worked fewer.
They also tried to describe the types of jobs that easily lead to depression, and the study authors write, “Such jobs, when combined with frequent or complex interactions with the public or clients, have been linked to higher levels of depression.”
They recognize that women often have a “potential double burden” when factoring in household duties and caring for family members. This type of work is unpaid and increases their workload across the board.
The study, reported on Medical News Today noted that “ there were a few factors that seemed to affect mental health no matter what the person’s gender was. Older workers, workers who smoke, those who earned the least, and those who had the least control at their jobs tended to be more depressed when compared with other workers who did not have these specific circumstances.
“Clinical depression is one of the most common mental health conditions. It has several risk factors, which can include a family history of depression, major life changes, trauma, stress, and certain physical illnesses. The symptoms of depression may include persistent sadness, feelings of hopelessness and guilt, loss of interest in hobbies, and sleeping issues”.
The Takeaway from this study is that working women or career women should find means of reducing their work loads, and work for lesser hours to prevent depression and other mental health challenges.
Professor Abiodun Otegbayo, has been appointed as the new Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University College Hospital (UCH) on Friday, as he took over from the former CMD Prof. Temitope Alonge, who just completed his two terms tenure of eight years.
At the handover ceremony, Alonge charged his successor to take the health institution to the next level of progress, while Otegbayo pledged to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessors with transformational leadership for the ultimate success of the institution.
Reports have shown that Otegbayo had the highest mark among seven professors shortlisted for the job interview to emerge the UCH CMD.
A native of Otan-Ile in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, Otegbayo was born in Sekondi, Ghana, on December 17, 1961, and had his MBBS in 1989 at the College of Medicine, the University of Ibadan .
Having observed the mandatory National Youth Service with the Nigerian Navy in Sapele in 1992, he did his residency training programme in Internal Medicine at the UCH, Ibadan, and obtained the Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians in 1998.
Otegbayo, who is currently the Vice President cum President-Elect of the Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria and Sub-specialty Head of Gastroenterology of the West African College of Physicians, obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Gastroenterology at the University of Tel-Aviv and clinical scholar at the Chaim Sheba Medical Centre, Tel-Hashomer, Israel in 2002. He was a Union Internationale Contre Cancer clinical fellow at the Johann-Wolfgang Goethe Hopitale, Frankfurt, Germany in 2000.
A scholar per excellence, he has taught and supervised both undergraduate and postgraduate students. over the past 20 years. He has been an examiner in Nigeria and Ghana to the West African College of Physicians since 2005 and belongs to several local and international professional associations.
He has served in several administrative capacities, some of which are President, Association of Resident Doctors; Vice President, National Association of Resident Doctors; Assistant Secretary, General Secretary, Vice Chairman and Chairman, Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), UCH; National Publicity Secretary, MDCAN; Member, Oyo State Executive Council of Nigeria Medical Association.
He was the Director of Clinical Services, Research and Training & Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, UCH Ibadan; Head, Departments of Medicine, Babcock University and Babcock University Teaching Hospital, and Department of Medicine University of Ibadan and University College Hospital, Ibadan. He was World Bank Consultant to the Ministry of Health & Sanitation, Sierra Leone and later the maiden Chief Medical Director, University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex, Freetown.
The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended over 250 addicts and dislocated 45 drug joints in Kano.
Its State Commander Dr Ibrahim Abdul, who stated this during a media briefing on Wednesday, said the anti-drug law agency also confiscated different types of drugs among which are Cannabis Sativa, heroin and cocaine.
Abdul maintained as a result of rigorous vigilante by the personnel of the agency illicit drugs like Tramadol and cough syrup with codeine are nowhere to be found in the state.
He explained the command was able to seize cannabis of about 872kilogram, 715kilogram of mycotrophic substances, cocaine 400Grams and kyats 50grams making a total of 1.637kg.
The state NDLEA commander charged politicians to desist from the act of misguiding youths to political thuggery aimed at having a drug free society.
He explained some political icons in the state were in the habit of using their premises to commit drug offences, which was a clear violation of the NDLEA Act.
He stated that criminals found dealing with drugs in those premises had been apprehended while the politicians have been invited by NDLEA and are currently facing investigation.
The Nation
Following the Ikeja High Court ruling of Thursday, delivered by Justice Yetunde Pinheiro, against the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) Lagos State branch, in the clearance suit filed against the association by Pharm. Alex Ani of Edichart, of which the defendant has been ordered to pay the claimant a total of N300,000 for general damages and cost of action, the Chairman, Lagos State ACPN, Pharm. Olabanji Benedict Obideyi has said the association is going to appeal the judgement.
According to the Vanguard report on the case, “The ruling delivered by Justice Yetunde Pinheiro ordered the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, AMONI Zone, Lagos to grant clearance to one of its members, Pharmacist Eton Alexander Ani to enable him renew his 2018/2019 license”.
It was also gathered from reports that Ani had filed a suit against the coordinator of the association, Pharmacist Aribeana Okechuwu over refusal to grant him clearance to obtain his personal clearance as a practicing pharmacist.
Also in the suit, Ani alleged that Okechukwu being the zonal coordinator of his association refused to grant him clearance even when he had fulfilled and the entire necessary requirement to obtain such clearance. He contended that the action of the defendant was illegal and prayed the court to compel the association to immediately issue him clearance to renew his license.
The ACPN Chairman, who spoke with pharmanewsonline.com through a telephone conversion, acknowledged the defendant, Pharm. Aribeana Okechuwu as a representative of the association, noting that the group still has the right to challenge the ruling to Supreme Court level, “so the issue of paying damages of N300, 000 to the claimant does not arise”.
Pharm. Okechuwu in his own capacity, also told pharmanewsonline.com that he was not satisfied with the judgement, as there were several questions left unanswered by the court, however, going by the traumatic experience he has gone through the pursuance of the case, he might not be willing to continue with the case.
“I am not in agreement with the ruling, because a lot of questions came up which are yet to be answered by the court, but it has been a traumatic experience for me, because we had seven court sessions and in between these sessions, some were postponed, and it cost me my time, though the association was responsible for other logistics for the suit.
“Being a representative of ACPN Lagos State branch, I feel ACPN will be responsible for any damages to be paid and not me. However, as it concerns me as an individual, I would want the case to be terminated at this point, even though I have questions as to how the judge obtained her judgement, I have already stated this to the Chairman of ACPN that I do not want to appeal the judgement, in order to save myself from further trauma.
“And this is the first time I have ever been taken to court, and it’s been a very traumatic time for me. The decision was not based on the merit or demerit of the appeal, is not that I don’t feel that there is a miscarriage of justice, but I just don’t want to subject myself to another session of trauma,” Okechukwu lamented.
However, Obideyi did not agree with the position of Okechukwu, saying that the decision of the association overrides his personal opinion, that as a representative of the association, he has no right to bring up his personal desires.
Obideyi said: “If he was representing the association and when the case came up, the association took it up and got legal counsel and followed up the case, he shouldn’t have gone ahead to speak to press in his own capacity without the permission of the association, and to say he is no longer interested that the association will pay the damages, he is a joker of the year”.
With the rising number of non-communicable diseases in the world, especially Nigeria, medical experts have stressed the need to embrace Bariatric surgery to prevent the adverse effects of these diseases on human lives, which sometimes leads to preventable death.
The team of medical experts from Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Lagos, which comprises Bariatric surgeon and anaesthesiologist, endocrinologist, cardiologist, pulmonologist and Bariatric dietician, lamented that the surgery, which has been in the country since 2011, has been undermined by Nigerians, adding that its benefits are enormous as it helps in increasing lifespan/expectancy.
Speaking on the need for Bariatric surgery, also known weight-loss surgery, in Nigeria, Consultant Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon, Dr. Abuchi Okaro, said obesity is becoming a serious threat to life, which should not be overlooked. He said obesity predisposes people to cardiovascular diseases, which is the leading cause of death, type 2 diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, cancers, infertility, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, low quality of life, mental illnesses, such as clinical depression, anxiety and other mental disorders.
Okaro noted that emerging scientific evidence has strongly revealed that the Bariatric surgery procedure, which include: gastric balloon insertion, sleeve, gastrectomy and single anastomoses bypass, is capable of achieving resolution of long-term of the above listed diseases, which is threatening life expectancy, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Also speaking on the importance of Bariatric surgery in preventing cardiovascular diseases, Medical Director and Chief Cardiologist, Tosin Majekodunmi, said it helps to control blood pressure in the heart, reduces hypertension, pains in the body and prevents mortality.
“Hypertension is a major problem in Nigeria. One in two adults suffer from hypertension and its complications. Bariatric surgery serves as a key component in solving these problems,” he said.
On the benefits of Bariatric surgery in preventing diabetes and cancers, Consultant Endocrinologist, Dr. Faye Korubo, pointed that obesity predisposes a person to diabetes and cancer, adding that Bariatric surgery helps to improve the outcomes of patients with these diseases.
He, however, stressed that Nigerians should embrace Bariatric surgery as a solution to preventing these disease, which could lead to death, adding that the team has brought the surgery to Nigeria with the right equipment and medical team to ensure the country rids these life threatening disease in the next decade.
No fewer than 102 people have been confirmed to be positive with Lassa fever, in addition to 15 deaths recorded in Ondo State between January and February.
Wale Oke, the State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Akure.
“As at Thursday, February 21, 102 people have been tested positive to Lassa fever this year.
“82 people in January and 20 people so far in February apart from 15 deaths recorded in January as a result of the fever but no death has been recorded so far in February.
“Most people that died either reported late or were already subjected to alternative treatment and doing self-medication before they eventually came to the hospital.
“Their kidneys and livers had been affected as a result of the delay,” he said.
Mr Oke, who is also a staff member at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, urged residents of the state to report early to the medical centre if they experienced an upsurge of temperature in their bodies.
“We have Contact Tracing Mechanism whereby we can place on surveillance for 21 days for those that may have contact with infected persons.
“We continue to monitor their temperature. If it is above 37.8,we direct them for quick treatment,’’ he said.
According to him, the centre has the highest success rate out of the three treatment centres in Nigeria for Lassa fever treatment.
He added that the state government had put in place measures to curtail the fever, adding that the government had declared a state of emergency on the health sector.
Mr Oke explained that Ondo NMA alongside Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and others had engaged in a series of sensitisation for the people of the state.
He explained that the exercise was aimed at preventing further cases in the state.
“Since the outbreak of Lassa fever, we have been moving round all the health facilities to sensitise our people to the need to maintain universal caution and also to be vigilant about Lassa fever.
“So far, we have been to almost all the local government areas in the state. We rounded off with Akoko last Wednesday.
“NMA is concerned with the infection, prevention and control out of the so many pillars involved in the management of Lassa fever, hence the basis for the sensitisation.’’
However, Mr Oke revealed that Owo, Ose, Akoko North, Akure South and Akure North were the local government areas in the state that had recorded cases of Lassa fever. (NAN)
Following the declaration of Lassa fever outbreak in the country from 21 January 2019 till date, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded a death toll of 75 and 355 confirmed cases from 20 states across 57 Local Government Areas.
Explaining efforts taken by the centre to curb the spread of the disease, the leadership of the NCDC through a press statement noted that it has activated an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate response activities. The EOC includes representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Environment, Médecins Sans Frontières, UK Public Health Rapid Support Team, US Centers for Disease Control and other partners. In addition, state levels EOCs were activated in Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi and Plateau.
The centre revealed that the last reporting week ending on the 17th February 2019, recorded 25 new confirmed cases of Lassa fever, making the total number of confirmed death 75 with 355 confirmed cases.
While the centre reported a drop in new cases of the diseases, it however stated that response activities are being intensified at the national and state level. “Rapid Response Teams (RRTs), which include colleagues from Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Federal Ministry of Environment, are supporting the response in high burden states (Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi, Plateau and Bauchi).
“In addition, the NCDC has supported states in ensuring full availability of drugs, personal protective equipment, reagents and other supplies required for case management and diagnosis of Lassa fever. There has been no single stock-out reported in any state.
“An outbreak review meeting was convened by the NCDC on the 15th of February 2019. The goal was to review response activities, discuss lessons learned and improve outcomes of the outbreak. The review highlighted significant improvement in the 2019 response as evidenced by the early decline in the number of cases when compared to the 2018 outbreak.
“These improvements have been attributed to various factors including the early deployment of One-Health national RRTs, strengthening of Lassa fever treatment centres, enforcement of environmental sanitation, introduction of the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) ring strategy, risk communications activities, high level advocacy, operational research into response activities, and others”, the document stated.
As a means of curbing the spread of vaccines preventable diseases like Lassa fever, Monkeypox, Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) Yellow fever, etc., the Director General, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) Dr Obi Peter Adigwe, has emphasised the need to effectively harness the huge medical plants resources available in the country, for local vaccines production.
Dr Adigwe, who noted that Nigeria has significant medical plants resources to boost local vaccines production, even in Africa, said “Nigeria has over a third of all medicines manufacturing plants on the continent. We also have the highest number of relevant international quality certifications and awards in this part of the world”.
The NIPRD boss made the submission in an exclusive interview with Pharmanewsonline.com, while stating however that, the huge natural resources of the Nigerian Pharmaceutical Sector have not been effectively leveraged on due to lack of articulation and implementation of relevant policies to stimulate local vaccines production.
His words: “Local vaccines production to address local diseases is the ultimate aim of any nation with robust strategies to address healthcare challenges. Unfortunately, despite the great potential of the Nigerian Pharmaceutical Sector, relevant policies, partnerships have not either been articulated or implemented to stimulate local vaccines production”.
Adigwe, who narrated how he has been in the fore-front of this advocacy for a couple of years, revealed how his efforts, even before his appointment as the DG, brought about the six billion naira agreement which the Federal Government signed with a local manufacturer to produce vaccines in Nigeria.
While explaining that it is not yet uhuru, as the local vaccines are not ready for use, and upon realisation that NIPRD is statutorily charged with research and development of vaccines and related products, he said since his assumption of office, he and his directors have actively begun to look at developing the relevant competencies to comprehensively support this emergent sector.
Aside vaccines production, the NIPRD DG also mentioned some steps his leadership is taking to impact the industry meaningfully, such as the compilation of a Pharma Colloquium, which is intended to bring together all relevant stakeholders in the industry to chart a formidable way towards developing a sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
“Some of the areas that we would be looking at include: harmonising and consolidating researcher and stakeholders participation towards local production of medicines; improving the policy milieu to support local manufacturing; and promotion of indigenous production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and excipients.
“That being said, I would like to place it on record that there are over 500 importers in the Nigerian Pharma Industry who also play key roles in the National Ecosystem, especially since the country cannot currently produce all the medicines and commodities it consumes. It should be understood that access to medicines is key, and therefore drugs that are not produced in sufficient quantities, or at all, must be imported.
“ As such NIPRD engages with these important stakeholders in the ecosystem to ensure that while local capacity is being built to satisfy local consumption, importers can fill the gap by ensuring that the population has access to safe, affordable and high quality medicines”, he stated.
The West African College of Physicians (WACP) Nigeria Chapter has scheduled its 43rd Annual General & Scientific Meeting (AGSM), tagged: ‘Abeokuta 2019’, to hold from 15 to 19 July 2019.
The conference themed: ‘’Healthcare Governance in Nigeria’’, will take place at Olusegun Obansanjo Presidential Library Green Legacy Resort, Presidential Boulevard Way, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.
The sub-theme of the conference are as follows:
• The state of health insurance and healthcare financing in Nigeria
• Exodus of healthcare professionals: implications for Nigeria
• Medicine and the law
For more info visit: www.wacphysiciansnig.com.ng
The recent call by the new President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa on President Mohammadu Buhari to sign the new Pharmacy Council Bill, which has been presented to him since last year, into law, is a patriotic call that the presidency must hasten to answer in order to address the multifarious challenges of drug safety and healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
It would be recalled that the Pharmacy Council Bill, having undergone all the legislative processes, was passed by both houses of the national assembly in 2018 and sent to the president for assent. Considering the importance of this bill, the expectation had been that the president would expeditiously attend to the document to bring the much needed transformation to the pharmaceutical sector and, by extension, the health sector.
Unfortunately, the president has continued to delay in signing this bill into law. Interestingly, the president has, in the last couple of months, signed some other bills into law. These included the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill; the National Judicial Institute Amendment Act; Quality Surveyors Registration Amendment Act and the Utility Charges Commission Amendment Act. It must be emphasised that while these bills are important and while the government has the prerogative to decide which bill to sign at every point in time, the Pharmacy Council Bill is of utmost importance and requires more urgency, considering the importance of drugs to the wellbeing of Nigerians and the security of the country as whole.
Government must be aware that the entire healthcare delivery sector depends on quality medicines to function because without drugs there would be no way to nurse the sick back to good health after diagnosis. It should also be stated that aside from food and water, medicine is arguably the next most important commodity to human existence and sustenance. The Nigerian government must therefore give the issue of drugs its deserved attention by promptly addressing the issue of the Pharmacy Council Bill.
As the PSN president has rightly observed, signing the pending bill into law will equally go a long way in holistically addressing the growing drug abuse problem that poses a major threat to the health of millions of Nigerians and the security architecture of the nation. It will further help to invigorate the pharmaceutical sub-sector of the Nigerian economy, bolstering it to achieve its full potentials.
It is noteworthy that Ohuabunwa’s call to President Buhari had come after a recent statement credited to Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.), chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Elimination of Drug Abuse, that about one million illegal patent medicine stores operate in the country. Therefore, by signing this all-important bill into law, the government would have taken a huge step towards providing the legal framework needed to tackle the problem of illegal drug outlets and other associated drug challenges in the country.
Moreover, when signed into law, the Pharmacy Council Bill has provisions that will tremendously help to strengthen agencies saddled with drug regulation and enforcement of pharmacy laws. It will further ensure that these agencies are adequately funded to deliver on their mandate of sustaining an effective nationwide tracking of drug distribution to stop the increasing incidence of medicine abuse caused by unethical drug distribution.
It is our view that if there are areas in the bill that the president has some reservations about, he can expeditiously take it up with the relevant stakeholders and ensure that such issues are addressed and corrections effected, if necessary. This pharmacy bill is very important and the president will be doing the nation a lot of good by personally ensuring it is perfected and signed into law. The time to do that is now.
-Task Fast Food Companies on Proper Libelling of Foods
Members of the Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN) have condemned the rising incidence of diabetic kidney diseases in the country, thus, they have called for legislation against those fast food companies, who hitherto have not been complying with proper libelling of foods, to indicate calorie and salt content on their food labels.
The nephrologists, who were also worried about the spate at which more professionals seek greener pastures abroad and the resultant depletion of core specialists and other allied health care providers, called on the authorities concerned to ameliorate this by providing more incentives by way of better working environment and enduring infrastructure.
The members of NAN made these remarks in the communique issued at the end of the 31st Annual General and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN), held at the International Conference Centre, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State and was hosted by the Renal Unit of the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA), from 14 to 16 January 2019.
The conference themed: ‘Kidney in multi-systemic diseases”, had it sub-themes as :(i) Viral diseases and the kidney and (ii) Inherited disorders of the kidney.
The conference, which was formally declared open by the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr Dave Umahi, ably represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Daniel Umezurike, had its keynote address delivered by Professor Solomon Kadiri (a past president of the association) while Professor Ikechi Okpechi from the University of Cape Town, South Africa gave the guest lecture. He spoke on the role of hypertension in the increasing epidemic of end stage renal disease in Africa and the need for countries in the region to act fast in curtailing this scourge.
At the end of the 3-day conference, the following resolutions were made:
“ The need for the Federal Ministry of Health to sponsor more large-scale studies on non communicable diseases surveys and mapping in the country, while commending it for the current nationwide mapping and demographic study of HIV and hepatitis B diseases.
“The capacity of the NHIS should be further strengthened to accommodate more haemodialysis session than presently allowed.
“School health services should be energized to include routine urine analysis and blood pressure checks especially in primary and secondary schools.
“The Association hereby calls for increased awareness of the advantages of peritoneal dialysis (low technology, cheaper, user friendly and no electricity required) and appeals to the authorities concerned to encourage the local production of peritoneal dialysis fluids and other consumables as obtains in other countries such as Brazil, India, Mexico and South Africa. Also, import duties could also be cancelled.
“There is a need for active antenatal and perinatal activities to routinely screen for potential congenital anomalies in the newborn as a means of detecting congenital diseases of the kidneys early”.
Becoming a consultant or specialist in a medical field of interest is the ultimate career goal of most physicians. Although there is no restriction to the number of specialisations a physician can have, most are contented with just one specialisation (considering the mental rigours and financial implications) while others who cannot go through the hurdles of the residency training programmes remain in the general medical practice throughout their career.
Yet, there are a few exceptional individuals who have defied all odds to master a combination of medical specialties in order to be of greater service to humanity. One of such is Dr Olurotimi John Badero, the Nigerian-American physician who is the world’s first and only fully trained cardio-nephrologist (combined heart and kidney specialist).
Badero is, by training, a specialist in internal medicine, cardiovascular medicine, invasive & interventional cardiology, nephrology and hypertension, interventional nephrology & endovascular medicine, nuclear cardiology as well as peripheral vascular interventions. According to him, “Putting all that together, I would like to think of myself as an interventional cardio nephrologist as well as a peripheral vascular interventionalist.”
Badero is widely known in the medical circles as a super-achiever and a rare genius. He went through an unprecedented 10 years of continuous postgraduate medical training, which made him a certified specialist in the seven areas of medicine mentioned earlier. He also performed the first transradial cardiac catheterisation and percutaneous coronary angioplasty at Central Mississippi Medical Center in 2011. This innovative procedure is recorded in only five to seven per cent cases of interventional cardiology in the U.S.
Background and education
Olurotimi John Badero was born on 30 April, 1971 in Lagos Nigeria. He was the seventh of nine children of Chief Eliab Olufemi Olujoye Badero and Stella Taiwo Badero. Olurotimi Badero was the closest child to his father and travelled with him everywhere he went. He hails from IsonyinIjebu in Ijebu Northeast area of Ogun State. His father was a trained tailor who later became a typist and administrative manager at SCOA motors. His mother, a banker, worked with Barclays Bank as a secretary in the early 1970s.
Badero spent his childhood in Lagos and Ogun states, Nigeria where he had his primary education in at St Mary’s Private School in Lagos. He proved to be an exceptionally brilliant student in school. When he was in Primary 4, he gained admission into Federal Government College, Odogbolu, for his secondary education.
While at Federal Government College, Odogbolu, he, alongside three other students participated in and won the maiden edition of the National Young Scientists’ Quiz competition in Nigeria in 1987. After completing his secondary education in 1988, he gained admission to study Medicine and Surgery at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State to. Following his graduation, he completed his one year internship at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife.
Badero did his one-year compulsory national youth service at the General Hospital, Isolo, in Lagos. After this, he relocated to the United States where he completed three years of internal medicine residency training at the State University of New York (SUNY), Downstate Medical Centre in Brooklyn, New York. He then proceeded to the School of Medicine, Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, for a two-year Fellowship in nephrology and hypertension. Afterwards, he returned to the SUNY Downstate Medical Centre for another three years of fellowship training in cardiovascular medicine.
Following the completion of his fellowship in cardiovascular medicine, Badero was admitted to Yale University School of Medicine at Bridgeport where he completed a fellowship in invasive & interventional cardiology and another in peripheral vascular intervention.
Driven by his insatiable appetite for knowledge and his passion to save lives, Badero returned again to SUNY-Downstate Medical Centre for another fellowship in Interventional Nephrology, Endovascular Medicine & Dialysis Access Intervention. As a result Dr Badero holds 6 specialty board certifications after completing 10 years of continuous postgraduate training.
Awards and achievements
Badero is a recipient of many awards, including the Association of Black Cardiologists’ scholarship award for the Best Cardiology Fellow in the U.S. in 2008, as well as the 2014 Mississippi Healthcare Heroes in the state of Mississippi. He has authored many peer reviewed journals is currently on the editorial board of the International Journal of Nephrology & Renovascular Disease.
He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology, Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, Fellow of the Society for Cardiac Angiography & Interventions. Olurotimi Badero has featured in many magazines and articles where he has been talking about cardio-nephrology and emphasising the interrelationship between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). He has also appeared on many TV networks and radio interviews, including the BBC, promoting cardiovascular and renal health awareness in the U.S and in developing countries.
He is the executive director of Cardiac Renal & Vascular Associates in Jackson Mississippi, USA, a firm he founded in 2013. He is also the medical director of St. Joseph Hospice, and is on the global Advisory Board of the therapeutics experts on Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis, Merck Pharmaceuticals U.S.A.
Badero is also affiliated with multiple hospitals in Jackson, Mississippi. He is one of nine physicians at River Oaks Hospital and one of four at River Region Medical Centre who specialise in cardiovascular disease.
Badero cherishes a close relationship with God. He is an assistant pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Vine Chapel Church. An avid painter, he believes spirituality and creativity are vital to the art of healing.
Dr Ignatius Ozoemenah Onah is a registered pharmacist, nutritionist and renowned naturopathic doctor. Born 68 years ago at Abulegwu in the then Nsukka Division of the Eastern Region of Nigeria, he is a 1979 pharmacy graduate of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). In this exclusive interview with Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis, the alumnus of both Medicina Alternativa, Colombo, Sri Lanka, and the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, relives his journey into the world of herbal medicines. Excerpts:Why did you opt for Pharmacy out of all the courses available to you?
Pharmacy to me came very naturally. I grew up in the “hospital” of my paternal grandfather, Onah Nwudele Onah, who cured almost all known and even unknown diseases and disorders known to man – including even stroke! Today, I know all – and deploy most of – the drugs I watched him use.
I also “served” as a kid drug collector for Ogbodo Nwokwor, my maternal uncle, a herbalist who had knowledge of almost all medical conditions.
As a 1979 graduate of Pharmacy from Nsukka, what was pharmacy practice like back in your day compared to today’s practice?
In those days, pharmacists were very important, principally because Pharmacy was considered very vital to everybody. Why was this so? First and foremost, we were very few – less than 2,000 of us, in a country of about 70 million. My registration number is actually 1909. This small pool of pharmacy professionals was sprinkled very unevenly across Nigeria in such a manner that there were states that didn’t even have any at all! In fact, many general hospitals only made do with NYSC pharmacists until just about two decades ago. So, since value and scarcity are always interwoven, almost everyone counted himself lucky to benefit directly from the services of a pharmacist.
Secondly, almost everyone sourced all drugs from government hospitals. And, yes, there were enough drugs in all hospitals. “Out of stock” (OS) was almost an anathema! I still remember doctors creating all manner of prescription schemes in order to crank out drugs from us for their own use. Not because they couldn’t buy the drugs, but because there were no commercial pharmacy outlets for such essential items.
There were very few pharmacies indeed – about six in the whole of Enugu, and none at our own Nsukka, in the late 70s. there were five in the entire Benin City during my internship in 1979; and just about 10 in the length and breadth of Kaduna metropolis during my NYSC in 1980!
In a nutshell, people flocked to government hospitals because they had adequate drugs for all. And since these items could not be accessed, even by doctors without passing through the pharmacist, everyone genuflected at the feet of the apothecaries! Who would not be happy with such an honour?
At what point did you conceive the idea of veering into naturopathy? Were you influenced by somebody you revere?
I was influenced by two situations, actually – my mother’s death in 2002, and my elder brother’s demise in 2006. How? Because both of them succumbed to the same “disease”, and I was also dying of the same thing, at just 55. What was the disease? Hypertension today, water retention tomorrow, arthritis next week, ulcer the week after. It was the same situation for almost all others around us then, and even now.
Why did I veer into naturopathy at that point? When my brother died at 63 in 2006, I had been in continuous clinical practice for an unbroken 27 years, and had used all the best available orthodox drugs on planet earth on him. But all failed, just as they had proved utterly impotent all through my mother’s own terminal ailments that had preceded her death four years earlier. All the drugs had failed them, and these drugs were also failing me. So I just stopped all the drugs.
In November 2006, just two months after burying my elder brother, I bought a book tiled “Smart Choices in Alternative Medicine”, edited by Dr Samuel Benjamin, a medical doctor. I could not believe it – a medical doctor propagating “alternative medicine”?
I kept devouring this trophy of a book as if my very life depended on it. I could hardly restrain myself from open celebration when I discovered that the work was the brainchild of “The Centre for Alternative and Complementary Medicine” of the State University of New York itself. It didn’t take long before I started applying everything I had learnt from the book to my body.
Why do you think natural medicine works better?
According to Dr Samuel Benjamin, “One of the major shortcomings of conventional medicine is that it sees the body simply as a sum of separate parts. This is reflected by the fact that we have different doctors for each of these parts —cardiologists for the heart, gastroenterologists for the GI system, pulmonologists for the lungs, and so on —and they rarely work together. One reason is that we are not addressing the underlying causes of these diseases; we are just suppressing symptoms with drugs. And, in my own opinion, failing woefully!”
Tell us about your crusade against staple foods like garri, rice, wheat, oats, semo and the rest.
All “local” foods – natural, whole, unprocessed, as taken by our ancestors of old – all of them are good, healthy, and even cheap. We are referring to all unprocessed animal products from domesticated animals, all tropical oils, all tubers (yams, cassava, potatoes etc) and all indigenous grains, etc. On the other hand, all processed foods (semo, rice, vegetable oils), along with all bottled drinks – yes, without exception – are unhealthy; in fact, deadly.
How do you handle rejection or opposition from people who don’t share the same ideology as yours in this your awareness campaign?
Such rejection comes only from those who have not heard my testimony. That is one reason why I conduct awareness programmes on local radio and television stations.
What are your messages on those broadcast platforms?
I tell the world of the marvelous – otherwise impossible – transformations that I have undergone in the last decade. At 68 years, I am now as strong as I was 40 years ago! Yes, all pains, all “malaria” that I was treating every fortnight; all BP, prostate, and sugar issues are all gone.
Yes, my vision is back, my hearing reintroduced – even my grey hair, along with the manifest balding of decades ago, is now a thing of the past. And, there are more! Today, this vast knowledge plus experience is dispensed to the world through our customised functional medicine vehicle, tagged “Sikamore Tree Treatment Approach” (STTA).
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has placed a ban on the use of Methyl Bromide as a fumigant in pest control.
The agency revealed that information filtered to her that some unscrupulous individuals have been illegally importing Methyl Bromide for use as pesticide in Nigeria. “NAFDAC is currently carrying out surveillance to identifying such illegal importers and they would be severely sanctioned in line with our extant laws”.
In a press statement sent to pharmanewsonline.com, NAFDAC warned farmers, exporters of Agricultural produce and Agro input dealers to desist from using Methyl Bromide as a pesticide, noting that safer alternatives are available.
The agency has also directed anybody in possession of Methyl Bromide to submit it to the nearest NAFDAC office.
The agency described Methyl Bromide as a colourless, odourless, noncorrosive and non-flammable, highly toxic to a broad spectrum of insects from egg to the adult stage. It was primarily used as a fumigant in stored product pest management.
However, NAFDAC explained that Methyl Bromide was placed on the prohibition list because of it several hazards to human health, as it is referred to as a Class I Ozone Depleting Substance (ODS). It depletes the ozone layer due to the release of bromine atom upon the breakdown of the molecule.
“Methyl Bromide is a scheduled chemical under the Montreal Protocol for substances that depletes the ozone layer and was placed on a phase out procedure from 2001. Nigeria effected the phase out of Methyl Bromide by January 2015 and since then the product has not been permitted for importation into the country.
“Methyl Bromide is an extremely toxic vapour. In humans, Methyl Bromide is readily absorbed through the lungs. Most problems occur as a result of inhalation. Methyl Bromide is a dangerous cumulative poison. First symptoms often are due to damage to the nervous system, and may be delayed from 48 hours to as long as several months after exposure. This delay, combined with Methyl Bromide’s lack of odour, means that the victim may not realize that exposure is occurring until much time has passed”, the agency stressed.
“It is no longer enough for health workers to be professional. In the current global climate, health workers also need to be inter-professional” (WHO, 2010).
Modern organisations are often complex entities in which cross-disciplinary teams are increasingly called upon to innovate, implement change, and improve work quality and efficiency. Contemporary healthcare system delivery processes involve numerous interactions among multiple healthcare practitioners with varying levels of educational and occupational training. Thus, collaboration within a team of multi-disciplinary health professionals is vital to provision of qualitative, comprehensive and patient-centered care.
Collaboration is the cornerstone of success in any healthcare system. Effective collaboration among healthcare professionals improves patient outcomes, quality and safety of patient care, as a result of the coordination and communication among the professionals.
Collaboration among healthcare professionals allows for the individual and collective skills and experience of team members to function together more effectively and deliver higher level of services than each would working alone.
This concept of collaboration is buttressed by the maxim, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. Lack of collaboration within the healthcare system often results in medical errors and thus constitutes a risk for consumers of healthcare services.
Understanding collaboration
Various definitions of collaboration have been proffered by different individuals and organisations. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines collaborative practice as when multiple health workers from different professional backgrounds provide comprehensive services by working with patients, their families, caregivers and communities to deliver the highest quality of care across settings.
A collaborative healthcare team can also be defined as a group of health practitioners from different professions who share patients and patient-care goals and have the responsibilities for complementary tasks on an ongoing basis.
Others have defined collaboration as:
A process by which different healthcare professionals work together, negotiate agreements and manage conflicts, with all valuing and understanding one another.
A dynamic, transforming process of creating a power-sharing partnership for purposeful attention to needs and problems (practice) to achieve successful outcomes.
An efficient, effective, and satisfying way to offer healthcare services through a process by which interdependent professionals structure a collective action toward patient’s care needs.
The above definitions and others reveal that collaboration is an integration of activities and knowledge that requires a partnership of shared authority and responsibility. Sullivan (1998) describes four critical elements which characterise collaborative practice in healthcare as follows:
Coordination (working to achieve shared goals).
Cooperation (contributing to the team, understanding and valuing the contributions of other team members).
Shared decision-making (relying on negotiation, communication, openness, trust, and a respectful power balance).
Partnerships (open, respectful relationships cultivated over time in which all members work equitably together).
Dynamics of collaboration in healthcare
Taken together collaboration among healthcare providers implies that providers from different specialties, disciplines or sectors work together. This includes a wide spectrum of activities, from simple, electronically-conveyed messages or face-to-face encounters to comprehensive inter-professional, perhaps integrated, work. Integration implies a certain degree of collaboration among the parties who work together.
On a practical level, it must be said that it requires an effort to integrate and translate themes and schemes shared by different professional groups. So also it is for shared ownership of common goals, decision-making processes, and the integration of specialised professional knowledge and expertise.
Members of a collaborative healthcare team bring to the team the specialised knowledge, skills, methods and attitudes of their disciplines. Members then integrate their observations, bodies of expertise and spheres of decision-making to coordinate, collaborate, and communicate to optimise client care.
Requirements for successful teamwork
Open communication
Non-punitive environment
Clear direction
Clear and known roles and tasks for team members
Respectful atmosphere
Shared responsibility for team success
Appropriate balance of member participation for the task at hand
Acknowledgment and processing of conflict
Clear specifications regarding authority and accountability
Clear and known decision making procedures
Regular and routine communication and information sharing
Enabling environment, including access to needed resources
Mechanism to evaluate outcomes and adjust accordingly
Benefits of collaboration in healthcare
Quality of care: Collaboration among healthcare professionals leads to improved health outcomes. It improves quality of care, through factors such as transfer of knowledge, sharing of information, and enhanced decision-making. Collaborative teams demonstrate improved sharing of evidence-based practices between professions, improved decision-making, and increased innovation. Synergy in a healthcare team also leads to reduced length of hospital stay, improved compliance with standards of drug prescription, improved quality audit results, and improved symptom and psychosocial management. A collaboratively practicing workforce will be more responsive, efficient, and considerate of patient, family, and community roles, as well as providing improved care.
Patient engagement: Collaboration among healthcare teams can improve patient education and patient engagement in their care. These include behavioural changes such as information seeking and effective delivery of information, patient involvement in decision-making and patient participation in self-care. When communicating information to patients, collaborative care ensures that approaches are consistent, responsive and foster understanding, thus enabling patients to participate in care decisions. Clients are supposed to be the primary actors in medical decision making, and health professionals should adopt a supportive role. Also, because learning needs, desires, capacity, and style can vary greatly among patients, it becomes necessary for the healthcare team to coordinate among the members methods for educating and instructing patients in appropriate and consistent ways. A collaborative patient-clinician interaction generates trust and rapport, which in turn leads to greater levels of openness, negotiation, successful adherence to medical care strategies, and reduced anxiety.
Patient safety: The impact of collaboration on patient safety cannot be overemphasised. Several studies have identified reductions in rates of medical error when interprofessional collaboration is strong and teams are trained to work safely, cooperatively, and in a coordinated way to avoid gaps in quality assurance measures.
Patient safety and quality of care are considered to be highly dependent on work environment factors such as teamwork culture. This is the responsibility of all levels of health organisations.
Staff and organisation benefits: Organisations and their staff also benefit from synergistic and collaborative work environment as staff satisfaction and retention is higher in healthcare organisations where staff members engage in a collaborative culture of quality and safety. Other benefits to staff include greater perceptions of empowerment and recognition. This may be because collaborative teams generally have a more horizontal rather than hierarchical power structures. They also have more open and inclusive communication and greater levels of role understanding, respect, and appreciation among members. Highly collaborative, high-performance teams may also drive value and process improvement, innovation, initiative, and performance, increase employee work engagement, and reduce staff absenteeism. All these effects result in a more competitive and efficient organisation.
In addition, the following opportunities afforded by collaborative practice have been identified by Hamid (2014):
It empowers team members
It closes communication gaps
It enables comprehensive patient care
It minimises readmission rates
It promotes team mentality/morale
It promotes patient-centered care
By Comrade Abdrafiu Adeniji, National President, NANNM
In this exclusive interview with Pharmanews, president of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS), University of Uyo (UNIUYO) chapter, Mfonobong Akwaowo, recounts his journey into Pharmacy and explains what can be done to improve pharmacy education in Nigeria. Excerpts:
Can you tell us why you chose to study Pharmacy?
Pharmacy to me is a dream realised and a goal accomplished. I am fortunate to have a retired nurse, who presently runs a patent medicine store, as a mother, and whenever she arrives home beaming with happiness, I ask myself, what kind of profession gives one such a feeling of fulfillment? I later discovered that the joy she derived from meeting people’s health needs had been responsible for her happiness. Moreover, growing up into adulthood had exposed me to the belief that the pharmacy profession would make me a complete health professional; so I decided to follow the same path.
I can therefore say that Pharmacy had always stood first in my heart. In fact, on the two occasions that I wrote JAMB, it was Pharmacy I chose.
What were your motivations for contesting for the post of PANS president?
Life has always taught me that to make a change, one cannot simply stand and be pointing at things to be done; rather, one must take the initiative by setting the pace, bringing the change by being that very change. So, I wasn’t surprised when the wave of leadership swept me off in my second year, as I did serve as chief-of-staff (COS) to the then deputy speaker, while I became the speaker in my fourth year.
On getting to my final year, having obtained a lot of insight and experience on the responsibilities and requirements of PANS leadership, I knew that by taking the mantle of leadership, I could bring about a revolutionary change. And so I vied for the post of president; and by the grace of God, I emerged winner.
What have been your achievements and challenges, so far?
We have achieved quite a lot of things that, while reminiscing, it gives me so much joy that we have contributed our quota to making PANS-UNIUYO a greater brand.
We began by sanitising the faculty environment – knowing that a cleaner learning environment, leads to proper learning. We also organised tutorials on several courses, which have assisted our colleagues tremendously.
Also, we played a perfect role as an intermediary body between lecturers and students, leading to a better relationship; and learning was enhanced. Moreover, in order to encourage academic excellence, we gave out awards to the best individuals in each class to boost students’ morale.
In addition, within the University community, we were involved in several competitions, and we came out tops in some cases. Politically, we conquered within the school as we went out as one unit and got the offices of the school’s SUG’s vice president and senate president respectively.
Outside of school, we partnered with the Trinity Healthcare Foundation to organise a hepatitis awareness, screening and vaccination campaign. This was our way of giving back to society.
We led a delegation of students to the last PANS National Convention at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, where we won almost every competition we took part in, including the elections for the office of the IPSF-contact person in Nigeria. We won the football competition, as well as the “Face Of Pharmacy”.
We also led the highest number of delegates to the last Afro-Symposium that took place in Lagos, and two of our students won individual awards.
To also impact our students, we partnered IPSF to organise a programme tagged “Leadership-In-Training”, where over 80 students were duly certified. These and many others were our achievements.
Talking about our challenges, we had difficulties bringing in partners and sponsors for our events, as we had a limited number of pharmacists coming to our aid. No pharmaceutical company supported us. Their support would have assisted us to achieve greater things than what we achieved.
Another challenge was that we faced a huge burden attending this year’s convention. We have never had a means of transporting ourselves to events. It is our desire that this can be tackled. I will, at this point, thank Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, the publisher of Pharmanews, for his support during our Health Week. I also thank the leadership of PSN-YPG National, for their kind gesture.
The present Faculty of Pharmacy, UNIUYO, took off in 1990 as a department in the Faculty of Science. Over the years, what would you say are the challenges facing pharmacy education in the school, and how can they be surmounted?
As a faculty that has been on for the past 19 years, I think our challenges begin with the fact that we are using a curriculum that is very cumbersome and gives the feeling that the programme here is a burden. There are situations in which we report to school by 8 am and leave by 6 pm – with only an hour break – almost on a daily basis, and it leaves us unprepared for the next school day.
Students here get less motivated and encouraged to excel in their academics because, together with the cluttered schedule, we have no incentives to help boost students’ morale. This could have been surmounted if we had a strong old students alumni here, coming back to donate and help raise funds to handle some of these challenges.
Also, we request that the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) look into the issue of disharmonious academic curriculum to help train better pharmacists.
What would you say are the challenges associated with studying Pharmacy here in the south-south, compared to those studying in other regions of the country?
To be specific, I will say that the main challenge in this region is the fact that we have very limited places to do Industrial Attachment. Except for the community practice that is densely distributed, other areas of practice are almost not found or limited.
Also, while there are some social welfare packages for students from other regions to help motivate and enhance their academic performance, we have few or none here.
If you had the honour of changing some things about pharmacy education in UNIUYO, what would they be?
I would work on the curriculum first, as it does not expose us to the latest trends and the dynamic nature of the profession. I will also bring about a complete change in the infrastructures here, probably improve on what we have on the ground. Then I would fully equip the laboratories with new and modern apparatus needed to make practical work fun-filled. I would also equip the resource centre with current books and reference materials, as well as equip it with ICT tools, so as to put us in line with the current trends in the profession.
After your graduation from pharmacy school, which area of practice, would you consider and why?
I am a lover of the legislature, and so have a strong affinity for the regulatory areas of the profession, such as the PCN, NAFDAC, NDLEA, and the likes. Also, public health is another aspect of the profession that I have a likeness for.
Where do you see PANS, UNIUYO, by the time you will be leaving office as president?
PANS, UNIUYO has always been a brand; today, I am glad to say that it has grown into a bigger and greater brand. When leaving office I know it would have become one of the schools of pharmacy where so many great minds and pharmacists that will run the profession in the future will be linked to. Greatness awaits her.
Dr Obi Peter Adigwe is the new director general of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD).
He graduated from the University of Jos, where he obtained his B.Pharm degree, before proceeding to obtain his postgraduate degrees from international institutions. Adigwe attended the University of Edinburgh, for his master’s degree in Global Health and Public Policy. He also studied at the University of Leeds, for his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Global Health and Public Policy.
A scholar of international repute, Adigwe has, to his credit, a significant number of peer-reviewed publications, including the first K.A.P. study on Ebola in Nigeria. He had, while in the United Kingdom, co-authored a publication that influenced an epoch-making health policy reform in the British Parliament.
Adigwe has undertaken many national assignments. He has headed, as well as served on numerous committees and working groups at the highest levels. These include the the D-8 Organisation for Economij. , United Nations, World Health Organisation, African Union and the ECOWAS.
Prior to his appointment as the NIPRD DG, Adigwe was the executive secretary of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group (PMG-MAN), where he played a key role in the development and implementation of policy initiatives, which made considerable impact in the pharmaceutical industry.
Some of his achievements in PMG-MAN include the prioritisation of the pharma industry in the 2016 Fiscal Policy, the organisation of the Landmark 2017 Pharma Expo, and his contributions to the conceptualisation of the internationally renowned Medicines’ Security Concept.
The NIPRD boss was also the pioneer Head of the Health Policy Research and Development (HPRD) Unit at the National Assembly, where he formulated research and development strategies in health policy as well as developed innovative and contextual training, research and capacity building modules.
He has also won several academic honours including the prestigious University of Leeds’ GRASS Postdoctorate award.
Pharmanews management and staff join other Nigerians to wish him a successful tenure.
Pepper is one of the most important vegetables or spices all over the world. There are different varieties of pepper in the Nigerian market. The most common variety, however, is the ata rodo, Capsicum chinense (Fam. Solanaceae).
Also known as fresh pepper, English pepper, isawumi (Yoruba), ose oyibo (Igbo), scotch bonnet, Habanero peppers, ata rodo is the hottest of all commercially grown chili peppers.
Constituents
Ata rodo contains vitamins C, A, B6 and folate. It also contains lycopeine and capsaicin
Pharmacological actions and medicinal uses
Capsaicin does not only help reduce pain, but its peppery sensation stimulates secretions that help clear mucus off a congested nose or lungs. Ata rodo has a role to play in boosting immunity. Due to the anti-inflammatory benefits of capsaicin, hot peppers can help prevent allergies and symptoms from allergies and can also help treat the symptoms of inflammation- based conditions like arthritis and headaches.
Capsaicin inhibits the production of Substance P, a compound that is responsible for the swelling and pain associated with inflammation. Capsaicin has anti-microbial properties; it inhibits bacteria and fungal growth.
Some research claims that peppers are beneficial to ulcers. Pepper powder provides trace amounts of anti-oxidants and other chemicals to aid digestive issues, healing an upset stomach, reducing intestinal gas, curing diarrhea and acting as a natural remedy for cramps. It is said to do this by reducing the acidity in the digestive tract that causes ulcers. It also helps to produce saliva and stimulates gastric juices aiding digestion.
Pepper aids the circulatory system and prevents heart disease by lowering blood serum cholesterol, reducing lipid deposits and dilating the blood vessels to aid in blood flow.
It reduces the growth of prostate cancer cells, while leaving normal cells unharmed. Research also shows consumption of large quantities of peppers is effective against breast, pancreatic and bladder cancers.
Ata rodo is known to play a part in weight management. It helps to reduce the build-up of excess body fat and aids metabolism. A 2006 study published in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” found that the capsaicin consumed in chili peppers appeared to regulate insulin levels following a meal, especially for study subjects who were overweight.
Preparations
In Nigeria, no dish seems to be complete without pepper. Apart from serving as spices, sauces, condiments and flavourings, pepper is used to decorate food and give it colour. It may be eaten fresh, cooked with a meal or prepared as a powder.
Adverse effects
Reflux, heartburn, indigestion, rectal burning, painful diarrhea and skin rash are adverse effects associated with ata rodo. Ata rodo can aggravate ulcer pain and can trigger an attack in asthma sufferers.
Economic values and potentials
Ata rodo contains elements that are used in manufacturing medications like analgesics. It has been reported that Nigeria and Ghana top tropical production of pepper with 715,000t and 270,000t respectively as largest producers. Vietnam, India, Indonesia and Brazil are largest suppliers to the global market while the United States, Europe, Japan and Australia are the major destinations of pepper exports.
Pepper farming in Nigeria is very profitable because it is an essential ingredient of every meal. The consumption of pepper is so high that farmers hardly meet the demand for it locally. In fact Nigeria still imports the commodity. This is not to talk about the export potentials.
Commercial farming of pepper is an economy booster at both individual and national level.
(Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency)
In fulfilment of its earlier promise, the management of Phamatex Group, sole distributor of Hovid products in Nigeria, has taken its distributors around its new multi-billion naira, ultra-modern pharmaceutical factory.
The facility tour took place shortly after the company’s 2019 Customers’ Reward Function at Golden Tulip Hotel on 1 February, 2019.
In attendance were Ozo James Eze, chairman of the occasion; Prince Christopher Nebe, chairman, Phamatex Group; Pharm. Friday George, marketing director, Phamatex Nigeria Limited; Chief Joseph Ebowusim, executive director of Phamatex Group; Pharm Augustine Otu, head of sales & marketing, Phamatex Industries; Pharm. Ezekiel Ibidapo, plant manager and over 50 distributors of Hovid products.
In his opening remarks, Nebe expressed appreciation to all the participants and urged them to continue to support Phamatex products in whatever way they could.
“We are like a baby still growing and need all the support we can get. With the structure you have seen on ground today, you will agree with me that it is a multibillion naira factory aimed at the future,” he said.
The chairman recalled the “dark days” of 2016 when, for many months, the company ran out of stock because sourcing for forex at the new selling rate had become somewhat nightmarish.
This, he said, was complicated by the fact that Phamatex was unwilling to join its competitors to immediately increase the price of its products.
“When we eventually did, you stood by us as you still do today. On our part, we are deliberately recruiting and stationing pharmacists in hospitals and other platforms to generate demand for Hovid products from your shelves.
“Our sales reps have also been equipped and mandated, subject to your approval, to help lift your stock and redistribute to areas that are logistically challenging to you. This, we hope, will enhance your turnover and indeed your profits,” he reassured.
Phamatex Group, one of the leading pharmaceutical giants in the country, was founded by Prince Christopher Nebe (chairman) and Chief Joseph Ebowusim, (executive director), two industrious entrepreneurs whose dreams to build a haven where quality pharmaceuticals would continually be produced became synergistically realised.
Since inception, these entrepreneurs have recorded overwhelming and outstanding success in the pharma industry for over 20 years in Nigeria. The company was incorporated on July 29, 2010. It became a child of necessity as a result of NAFDAC regulations to stop importation of certain generics and Over-The-Counter (OTC) medicines.
Located in the heart of Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos, Phamatex’s new state-of-the-art factory, which has undergone a WHO pre-qualification exercise by a WHO American consultant since 2015, is a beauty to behold.
2019 provides all of us with the opportunity of a fresh start. It is an avenue to reflect and take stock of our decisions, choices and actions in the past year, as well as make new commitments to improve our well-being in this new year.
Below are 10 questions you need to give sincere answers to that will help you achieve amazing results in 2019.
I sincerely believe giving sincere answers to the above questions can open your mind to new ways of thinking and doing things in 2019. Remember, to the problems of our lives we are the solutions and to the questions of our lives we are the answers. Have a blissful, peaceful and successful 2019.
ACTION PLAN: Answer the above 10 questions on a sheet of paper. Review your answers three times. Take action on your new discovery and decision. You will succeed.
AFFIRMATION: 2019 is my year of massive success. I am blessed and highly favoured.
We have been created in the image of God and given dominion over other lower creatures. God created man as male and female, and blessed them, saying: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28). Unfortunately, many of us have lost the revelation of who we are and what we were created to be through exposure to some philosophies and ideologies, which have generated doubt and unbelief towards God’s original purpose of creating us.
People have derailed so far away from God that they now live like ordinary animals. People do not love God and therefore do not love themselves and consequently do not love others. Anyone who does not love himself or herself cannot love another person. In Matthew 22: 37-40 Jesus says, “Thou shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Ignorance of who we are is the root cause of xenophobia. People despise foreigners or others coming from different cultures, backgrounds and customs, and plot evil for them. In Nigeria, there are cases of herdsmen killing innocent fellow citizens in order to acquire their land for grazing. The Boko Haram crisis is equally ravaging the country, especially the northern regions, for reasons difficult for some us to understand. These people are committed to the mission of Satan – to steal, kill and destroy. These evils continue because the perpetrators do not love God, and do not love themselves and therefore do not love other people.
This fundamental ignorance of the purpose of God for creating man causes problems, confusion and anarchy in our society today. When you allow distance between you and God, you cannot access His thoughts and will. Your beliefs will not be in alignment with His purpose. Consequently, you tend to believe and prioritise what people, situations and your environment tell you above His words. You gradually allow the opinion of your boss, pastor, counsellor, and friends to control your life, and you may end up living below or outside God’s purpose.
It is only when you believe what God says about you that you can rise to your full potential and become all you can be. What people have said about you is not necessarily what God has planned for you. People may see you as unworthy but God places a high value on you, as someone created in His image, blessed and given dominion over other created things. He says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you…thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Thinking outside God’s thoughts limits us. Our own thoughts create circumstances that make us operate at a level that is far lower than God planned for us. We think of recession, poor finances, lack of job, insecurity, crimes, unhappy marriage, divorce, natural disasters, depleting economic resources, diseases, failures, untimely deaths and all negative trends. In fact, these are what make news all over the world and people’s minds are preoccupied with such thoughts.
In 1998 I suffered from lumbar radiculopathy, which grounded me for about four weeks, with low back and leg pains. I had to sleep on the bare floor and later on hard (orthopaedic) mattress. The doctor made a frightening statement that I would be a regular visitor to the hospital and there would surgery, if it got worse. That negative report caused me depression for some time.
However, one day, a pastor-friend visited me prayed for me. I showed him the X-rays to elicit his sympathy. He glanced at it and said he didn’t believe in the X-rays or the doctor’s opinion. He commanded me to reject them. With faith, I rejected the X-rays and the doctor’s report. In fact, I cut the X-rays into pieces with my scissors. Surprisingly, the so-called radiculopathy disappeared within a few days. God miraculously restored my lumber bones and nerves and I have never visited the hospital again. I appropriated God’s promises for my health.
God says in Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV), “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” As long as we meditate on the negative thoughts of the world around us, we cannot get into God’s programmes. That is why we must continually renew our minds so as to understand the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.
What issues would you want the newly inaugurated PSN President Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa to focus on for the NEXT THREE YEARS?
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