… NANNM Chairman says nurses are well paid

It was reported in some national dailies on Monday that patients of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospitals have allegedly charged nurses in the hospital for stealing and reselling their drugs to them.

Information gathered from the patients revealed that some of the nurses have unofficially converted themselves to drug vendors, by selling the stolen drugs from patients at cheaper rates to other patients. It was learnt that because the patients’ names are not written against the drugs, it makes it easier for the nurses to steal them.

In a reaction to this allegation, speaking with pharmanewsonline.com, the Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) Mr Awojide has said that the issue requires urgent investigation, as nurses are well paid than descending so low to the demeaning act of stealing patients’ drugs.

Awojide who disclosed his amazement at the development, expressed his disbelief in the allegation, calling for immediate inquiry into the case.”One thing is sure; there is urgent need for investigation into the issue, because both senior and junior nurses’ officers are well paid. I don’t believe any nurse can exhibit such heinous character”.

Awojide further emphasised on the need to correct a widespread misconception about nurses, saying that it is generally believed that all females in uniform in the hospitals are nurses, whereas it is not so. He said aside nurses; there are other staffs like clerks, social workers, and cleaners who wear uniform in the hospitals.

He therefore pleaded with the  patients to exercise some patient, that perpetrators of the evil act will be brought to book.

The Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN) and the South East Ophthalmologist’s Forum (SEOF) in partnership with Pfizer have raised the alarm over the scourge of eye threatening disease- Glaucoma in the five South Eastern states of Nigeria.

Rising from a one- day symposium on the effect of the dreaded eye ailment in Enugu,  the experts unanimously asserted that unless urgent steps are taken by policymakers to stem the tide, an appreciable percentage of residents of the affected states in the zone might go blind in no distant time.

The conveners explained that their fears were informed by the outcome of a research conducted by the eye care specialists in the country which showed that the South East has the highest prevalence of severe visual impairments of people over 40 years, with two per cent of residents of the zone already down with the disease.

Interestingly, specialists from all the specialist hospitals in Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states converged in Enugu state for a one-day brainstorming session on how to find solution to the problem.

The forum also planned new strategies and would commence fresh research on why the zone is the worst hit compared to other zones of the country.

The Director of Corporate Affairs Pfizer, Margaret Olele, intimated the audience on how Pfizer is committed to contributing positively to patient care in our communities with relevant stakeholders to reduce the burden of Glaucoma.  The Glaucoma Symposium was designed to update healthcare professionals on the latest advances in medical and surgical management of Glaucoma.It highlights insights in Glaucoma management, medicals, surgical techniques and the burden of Glaucoma in Sub- Saharan Africa and Nigeria.

Addressing newsmen as the session progressed, the chairperson of SEOF, Professor  Rich Umeh stated that the aggressive approach had become imperative in the war against Glaucoma. “This is where the media, church and community groups come in. Everybody has to join this campaign to stem the tide”.

Also, the National President of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria, Prof. Sebastine Nwosu and the facilitator of the forum, Dr. Nkiru Akaraiwe said the challenge had become worrisome to them.  Prof. Sebastine Nwosu urged persons whose relatives suffered eye diseases not to hesitate in subjecting their own eyes to regular tests. Emphasising the prevalence of Glaucoma in the zone, the medical experts, noted that it would be terrible if they failed to do anything despite their training as ophthalmologists and urged affected families to approach specialists in good time.

According to the specialists, Glaucoma blindness was the commonest eye disease in the zone with prevalence rate of 1.2 percent compared to other zones with less than 0.3 per cent.  The implications, they noted was that out of every 100 blind persons, one or two would have Glaucoma.

“This is obviously genetic, not because of what we eat or drink. We want to alert people on the need to go through eye checks once or twice every year. If you have a relative that had eye problem, the person is blind, it simply means you have to subject your entire family to go through Glaucoma check immediately because Glaucoma will not give you any signal before it comes, Prof. Umeh noted.

She noted that though research was conducted ten years ago, other studies done segmentally have shown that the situation had even worsened, adding that it had become imperative for specialists, and policy makers to equally come up with new strategies.

“Forty years is actually the most active year and it will be unthinkable for young men to get to irreversible blindness. We must do something urgently “. She stated.

For Dr. Nkiru Kizor-Akariwe, “You rather lose a leg than lose your vision. So everybody should take advantage of the expertise offered by the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, the Park Lane Specialists Hospital, GRA Enugu and other Government hospitals across the South East “. Participants were drawn from various hospitals in the region.

It was a colourful celebration of selfless service, as the Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs) Lagos branch organised a special 2016 Forum, to appreciate past and present executives of the association,

The event, which was the first in the history of the association, was graced by Dr (Mrs) Ogori Taylor, FPSN, Prof. B.O Silva, dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, UNILAG; Prof. Olukemi Odukoya, former dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, UNILAG; Pharm. Bisi Bright, CEO, LiveWell Initiative; Pharm. (Mrs) Moyosore Adejumo, DPS, Lagos State; Pharm. Margaret Obono, Pharm. Dere Awosika, representatives of women groups and others.

Addressing the audience, ALPs Lagos Chairperson, Pharm. Dupe Ologunagba, thanked every member of the association, who had contributed to its success in the outgoing year, while appreciating the Almighty God for His faithfulness and  benevolence to all the members in the state.

 She disclosed that the special forum was a way of appreciating all who had served the association, in one capacity or the other, since its inception three decades ago.

“Today, these selfless, honourable and distinguished ALPians shall be formally celebrated. Unfortunately, some of these heroes have fallen, but their services will remain green in our hearts as legacies and templates for the upcoming generation,” she said.

The event, which also served as end-of-year get-to-gather and thanksgiving forum for the association, was used to recognise all the supporters of the organisation, for their immense contributions.

Ologunagba further listed projects implemented by the group in 2016 to include hosting of the 12th Biennial National Conference of the association, tagged, “The Lady Pharmacist in Strategic National Development” in the first quarter of the year; School Health and Moral Programme at Reagean Baptist Secondary School in Yaba; participation in the Lagos Pharmacy Week, with a programme on Drug Abuse and Misuse, which focused on youths in Mushin, Lagos State; Cancer Awareness and Sensitisation programme among Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in the state; among others.

She also revealed that, for the year 2017, her vision is to ensure that the association attains greater heights and impacts more in its socio-professional outreach.

In her words: “ALPs desires to undertake the second phase of her Cancer Awareness Sensitisation and Screening Programme in collaboration with TBAS groups in the state, and it will be community based. ALPs will also execute her School Health and Moral Programme. These programmes will be undertaken in the first and second quarters of the year.”

She however noted the areas of improvement for the association to include strategic membership drive and collaboration with pharmaceutical organisations in school moral and health programmes.

The keynote speaker, Dr (Mrs.) Ogori Taylor, tasked lady pharmacists to begin a crusade on consumption of local foods, saying Nigeria ranked among countries with the largest number of malnourished   children.

Taylor, who recently retired from the World Health Organisation (WHO), stated that evidences from empirical studies suggested link between malnutrition and mental retardation, a condition that continues to affect a considerable number of Nigerian children.

The former WHO employee further decried the rate of consumption of noodles, coloured foods and other sweeteners among Nigerian children, saying these classes of foods are worse than fast foods in terms of nutrient deficiency.

“From childhood, let us inculcate the culture of eating vegetables, fruits and other natural foods into our children, instead of them craving for junks and synthesised foods which add no value to their development,” Taylor said.

She also spoke on the prevalence of communicable diseases among adults, saying this can be prevented through daily exercise and eating of nine portions of fruits and vegetables daily.

Professors Odukoya and Silva in their goodwill messages to the association appreciated the members for their good works while urging them to do more and pursue excellence in their various aspects of pharmacy profession.

The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of awards to the past and present executives of the association; while Pharm. Bunmi Laja emerged as “ALPian of the year.”

An international expert in healthcare and pharmaceuticals has stated that to curb the perennial challenge of drug counterfeiting in Nigeria, there must be proper marketing surveillance, as well as sincere commitment on the part of regulators.

Speaking recently with Pharmanews during a special dinner held in honour of local pharmaceutical manufacturers in the country at Shoregate Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, Dr Emily Kaine, senior vice president on global public health for the United States Pharmacopeial (USP) Convention, explained that although counterfeiting is a global problem, there are effective measures that can be taken to combat it.

According to her, “As long as there are bad actors, there are going to be counterfeits. What we found out is that with the right marketing surveillance and right investment, the bad actors can be discouraged and weeded out.”

Kaine further explained that the “right investment” she referred to must start with a total commitment from regulatory authorities such as National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

A doctorate degree holder from Columbia University, the USP’s senior vice president remarked that although it was her first visit to Nigeria, she had nevertheless heard a lot about the potentials and prospects of the country’s pharmaceutical industry.

“I must say that I am impressed by the commitment, quality, enterprising spirit and the passion in the industry. Really inspiring! I am so pleased about having the opportunity to work with these great pharma leaders in the industry through our integral programme at USAID,” she said.

Kaine added that she was particularly impressed with the Pharmanews journal, admitting that she initially thought it was published overseas.

L-R: Dr Ebere Ekpunobi, managing director, Neimeth Pharmaceuticals Limited; Adebola Adekoya, USP’s quality assurance specialist; Dr Emily Kaine, senior vice president, United States Pharmacopeial (USP) Convention and Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, managing director of Pharmanews Limited

“Good content, great quality. It is really inspiring!” she enthused.

When asked for suggestions on how manufacturers can best cope with the current recession, Kaine stated that much as she wouldn’t want to comment on the issue, she could not help describing it as “an incredibly challenging situation.”

“But then, I have to say that sustaining quality and investing in those fundamentals to deliver quality to the pharmaceutical sector has its own reward. For us, we believe that if half of the products imported into the country are produced locally, Nigeria shouldn’t have problem competing globally. But it has to go hand-in-hand with quality,” she declared.

In terms of capacity building, Kaine disclosed that USP had made major commitments across the continent, adding that the Convention was always looking forward to doing more and maximising its impact through partnership and through working with all local constituents.

The health and pharma expert further noted that it was really a pleasure seeing so many local pharmaceutical giants in Nigeria.

“Again, it is a testament to the fact that we really have some committed local partners. And you know, without them, there is no reason for us to be here (Nigeria). I think we have a pretty good future,” she stressed.”

In a separate interview, Dr Chimezie Anyakora, a consultant and USP chief of party, disclosed that 2016 was a wonderful year for the USP Convention.

“We have done a lot of support programme in the pharma industry and I am so excited with what is happening in the sector. People are picking up and thinking of quality. Presently, Nigeria is supplying many African countries with quality pharma products in a big way.

“For me, our little contribution makes me so excited. NAFDAC has a new laboratory right now. The right news about Nigeria is getting onto the map more and more. It is more about a country where quality matters,” he opined.

Anyakora who, some months ago, held a week-long capacity building programme for local pharma manufacturers and NAFDAC inspectors at Banex Hotel in Lagos, further explained that the Convention’s mission is to train, support and give empowerment where it is needed.

“Our training is not just an interactive forum. The manufacturers will know what the innovators are thinking and vice versa. That way, we know the dialogue will be much better and will lead to improvement in quality. I am a strong believer in the Nigerian brand. As I keep telling people, I see a future that is superb!” he enthused.

While applauding the atmosphere of camaraderie that pervaded the banquet room, the USP chief of party noted that the goal of the forum was to bring together as many local manufacturers in Nigeria as possible to interact and network.

“We hope to have it more often. As you can see, we have more CEOs and directors around. It is advocacy. We want to tell the whole world that Nigeria is not what they used to think of it. Before now, people thought you cannot get large pharma procurement from Nigeria.

“I am therefore using this opportunity to encourage our people that instead of investing billions in pharma industries abroad, we have capable companies here. As earlier said, this type of forum is like a peer review mechanism where people see one another, network and get encouraged,” he remarked.

In a show of appreciation, Pharm. Okey Akpa, chairman, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMGMAN) applauded the Dr Emily Kaine-led USP team for seeing the need to collaborate with local manufacturers.

“It was a privilege to follow a delegation to see what USP has in store for Nigeria. I am even more excited with their senior vice president who is here in person today. Although, just like Oliver Twist, we still expect more from you. Let me say that we couldn’t have had a better partner than USP at the moment,” he said.

Also in attendance at the dinner were Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, managing director of Pharmanews Limited; Prince Chris Nebe, chairman, Phamatex Industries Limited; Pharm. Kunle Ekundayo, chief executive officer, Drugfield Pharma Limited; Ikenna Orakwe, head of public health, Chi Pharma and Biola Adebayo, ex director, Fidson Healthcare Plc.

Others were Dr Obi Adigwe, PMGMAN’s secretary general; Ignatus Anukwu, pharma manager, Swipha; Tosin Jolayemi, managing director, Daily Need Industries Limited; Dr Ebere Ekpunobi, managing director, Neimeth Pharmaceuticals Limited; Nonyelum Okpagu, USP project coordinator and Adebola Adekoya, USP’s quality assurance and quality control specialist.

The United States Pharmacopeial (USP) Convention and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) formed a cooperative agreement about 20 years ago to promote quality of medicine globally. This gave rise to a USP programme known as ‘Promoting the Quality of Medicines (PQM). Today, PQM is active in 38 countries.

In Nigeria, the PQM programme has been active for about four years. Its office was formally established two years ago in Lagos.

…As HCPAN holds 12th Annual AGM/Scientific Conference

In line with the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s recommendation that every country allocates at least 15 per cent of its annual budget to healthcare, as well as making health insurance compulsory for all its citizens, some experts in the health sector have described the 3.6 per cent allocation to healthcare in the last national budget as not just ridiculously low but totally unacceptable.

The disclosure was one of the submissions made at the 12th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Healthcare Providers’ Association of Nigeria (HCPAN) held recently at NECA House, Ikeja, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Dr (Chief) Adeyeye Jimi Arigbabuwo, former national vice president of HCPAN, decried the way federal government’s handling of health sector in 2016, stressing that if care is not taken, the presently ailing sector may eventually collapse.

“Our health sector is struggling. What we are trying to do is to make sure we call for rescue, and in calling for rescue, all of us must form the rescue team and we must learn to tell each other the truth,” he said.

He further emphasised the need for immediate implementation of the National Health Act, which according to him, had been left unimplemented since 2014.

In his words: “I want to tell you that by not implementing that law, every health facility you see around today is illegal because the law states that after two years (and that was since 2014), if certain things are not met, it is as good as if we are operating an illegal healthcare delivery system. So the number one thing to do now is to implement the Act.”

He added that government needs to urgently address the issue of scarcity of healthcare workers and maldistribution of the few available ones.

According to him, out of the estimated 40,000 doctors that the country currently has, more than 70 per cent of them are serving in urban areas, leaving the remaining 30 per cent to serve the rural population which he said constitute the bulk of the population.

“So, apart from scarcity, we have to look at human resource in the health sector and ensure that there is proper distribution,” Arigbabuwo said.

Speaking in the same vein, Dr Umar Oluwole Sanda, HCPAN president, stated that the healthcare sector did poorly in 2016, as the budget allocated to it was clearly inadequate, adding that the federal government must increase its budgetary allocation to the sector so that it doesn’t end worse in 2017.

“There is need for government to show more interest in health insurance, as many Nigerians cannot afford the bills of hospitals,” Sanda said. “In most healthcare facilities in the country, it is quite difficult to access healthcare services because of the cost; so it is important that the government invest in the future of health insurance, especially in a recession period like this.”

Speaking further, Dr Sanda noted that one of the challenges facing the association is the issue of capitation being paid to health workers by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), stressing that the money is too meagre to meet the needs of the workers.

He also stated that the best way to ensure quality health care delivery for Nigerians at all times is to encourage them to invest in health insurance as they wouldn’t need to pay out-of-pocket.

“Since many citizens find it difficult to even purchase simple malaria drugs and pay their hospital bills especially with the increased price of majority of health products due to the ongoing recession, HCPAN, a private elementary association of various health professionals including medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists and laboratory scientists, has decided to partner with the government and the public sector to relieve Nigerians of financial burden  while receiving quality health treatment,” Sanda said.

In their own submissions, the duo of Dr (Mrs) Adenike Olaniba, a public health consultant and immediate past president, HCPAN; and Dr Kalada Richard, registrar and chief executive officer of Institute for Healthcare Financial Management, disclosed that health insurance in Nigeria has had very little impact since its debut in 2005, as it has only been able to capture about five percent of the population.

According to Olaniba, until the NHIS is able to capture the remaining 95 per cent of the population who are yet to be covered by the scheme, the impact of the scheme will continue to remain limited.

Other dignitaries at the event were Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, immediate past president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), who was the chairman of the event; Dr Kalada Richard, keynote speaker; Pharm. Madehin Gafar, chairman, Organising Committee and national secretary, HCPAN; Pharm. Anthony Oyawole, vice-president, pharmacy, HCPAN; Dr Priscilia Imade; and Mr Igwe Akujobi, among others.

The President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Pharm. Ahmed I. Yakasai, has inaugurated two new committees- Education and Inter-professional, at the Pharmacy house, Anthony Village, Lagos, on Thursday 19, January, 2017.

The two newly constituted committees –Education and Inter-professional, will be led under the distinguished chairmanship of Prof. Cecilia Igwilo and Pharm (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi respectively.

Addressing the committees, Yakasai challenged them to work assiduously to move the profession to the next level. He assured the committees his utter commitment to support their objectives when they need him.

“We are for the people. We are for the public. We believe we should treat everyone with utmost respect and relevance” The President says.

The Chairman of education committee, Prof. Igwilo appreciated the President for the kind gesture to the members of the committee to serve the profession and promise the committee will serve beyond expectations.

Members of the Education Committee include: Prof I C Igwilo- Chairman; Prof Chinedum Peace Babalola- Secretary; Prof Umar Pate; Prof A O Okhamafe- Vice Chairman;  Prof Chinwe Victoria Ukwe; Prof Ray Ozolua; Prof Isa Marte Hussain;  Prof Martins Emeje;  Prof C Esimone;  Prof Funsho Eniojukan; . Prof Mbang N Femi- Oyewo; and Pharm. Onyeka Onyeibor

While the Inter-professional Relations Committee is made up of: Pharm Ifeanyi Atueyi- Chairman;  Pharm Gafar Madehin- Secretary;  Olarewanju Familusi; and  Dennis Irobi.

Pharmanews is wishing them best of deliberations and operations.

The PSN wishes to inform all pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies that arrangements have been concluded with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) to facilitate a smooth registration season in 2017.

This is particularly key to achieving a faster pace of licensure of practitioners and pharmacy facilities to ensure that the tenets of Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) are entrenched for consumers of health in Nigeria.

According to the Face book post of the President, Pharm Ahmed Yakasai, the  2017 the procedures will entail that all pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies fulfill the protocols of regularizing their membership of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) following which they would be issued Clearance Certificates by the respective state branches. Regularisation of membership will include the payment of a compulsory building fee of N5, 000 in line with resolution of the National Council of PSN passed on February 17, 2016.

“This move becomes necessary in line with Annual General Meeting (AGM) directives that NEC should commence a physical possession of the Pharmacy House at Victoria Island, in Lagos State and swing into action in building all our properties in Lagos and Abuja”.

The post further stated that the Clearance Certificates will subsequently be used to obtain Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) scratch cards to proceed with registration formalities.

“It is imperative to continue to stress the statutory/legal imperatives of the relevant pharmacy laws which include the proviso in part II section 4(1) and (2) which states inter-alia”.

“4(1) A selling dispenser shall in the month of January in each year sent to the Registrar a list of all the premises (form B) where his business, so far as it comprises the sale of drugs is being carried on and the name of the selling dispenser or chemists having the personal control (form J) of the business on each premise.

4(2) A selling dispenser or chemist who fails to comply with the provisions of this section is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction in respect of each offence”.

The president therefore urged pharmacists in all cadres of practice  to immediately pay their practicing fees in view of section (14(1) of the PCN Act which provides that “No registered person shall practice as a pharmacist in any year unless he has paid to the Council in respect of that year, the appropriate practicing fee which shall be due every January.

It is important to inform members of the PSN that after due consultation with the PSN NEC, the PCN has taken a bold decision to invoke the provisions of section 14(6) of the PCN Act which posits that “any pharmacist who in respect of any year without paying the practicing fee practices as such is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction”.

The National Secretariat of the PSN will continue to evaluate the registration procedure in all states to ensure that the consuming public has access to good quality and registered pharmacy facilities in 2017.

The PSN National Secretariat conscious of its responsibilities has also continued to engage the Federal Government and other level of Government including the appropriate regulatory agencies via PCN and NAFDAC on the need to enforce all Pharmacy and Drug Laws in the months ahead. Naturally, registered pharmacists must continue to set noble standards and we urge all to heed this clarion call by getting registered to avoid embarrassment.

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibajo has called for public private partnership (PPP) for effective healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

The Vice President made this call in Abuja today at a stakeholder’s meeting involving key players in the health sector towards scaling up innovative solutions for efficient health care systems through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

He noted that Public Private Partnership was vital towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through primary healthcare.

He stressed the need for a comprehensive National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to ensure quality healthcare delivery to the citizenry adding that government cannot finance healthcare from public funds alone hence the participation of the private sector was pertinent.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Minister of State for Health, Dr.Osagie Ehanire said that the Federal Ministry of Health had embraced this Public Private Partnership initiative to leverage on the assets, competencies, resources, network and innovation of the sector to accelerate improvement in health outcomes.

He reaffirmed that the service delivery innovation challenge was unprecedented in that it was the first time the Nigerian health sector had taken this approach to private sector engagements, stressing that Nigeria was the first Global Financing Facility (GFF) country to define a clear pathway for integrating the private sector into its Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health plus nutritional service delivery in Nigeria.

He was quoted saying: ‘’the improvement of our reproductive health indices and developmental milestones to meet both national and international target is a collective responsibility’’.

While commending investors in the Global Financing Facility, partners and all stakeholders who worked tirelessly to improve maternal, child and adolescent healthcare delivery in Nigeria, he urged the private sector, traditional and religious leaders as well as academia to join ranks with government in addressing these challenges in service delivery to ensure that Nigeria remains on track in the quest to end preventable deaths among women, children and adolescents.

In his goodwill message, the World Bank Country Director, Rachid Benmessaaoud who was represented by Senior Health Specialist, Dr.Oluwole Odutolu said that the Global financing Facility would provide a roadmap which is result based for countries to develop and monitor the implementation of Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) platform for ending preventable deaths and improving the health of women, children and adolescents.

He assured that the World Bank remained committed to supporting the process that would lead to accessing GFF funds and the improvement of the health of every woman, every adolescent and every child.

Also in his goodwill message, the Executive Director, Finance and Strategy, Sterling Bank PLC, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman said that Sterling bank was delighted to partner with the Federal Ministry of Health and other stakeholders in transforming the health sector by improving the reproductive, maternal, new-born, child and adolescent health and nutrition in Nigeria.

He also said that the scaling-up innovative solutions for efficient health systems through public private partnership was key to achieving tremendous advancements and success in the health sector.

FMoH

In adherence to the decision of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum taken in 2009 to address the rising maternal and child morbidity in Nigeria, which stipulated the implementation of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) twice yearly nationwide, the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has directed health officers to ensure comprehensive implementation of all stages of the policy in the state.

Governor Bello urged the health officials to specially pay close attention to the needs of women, children and nursing mothers.

He gave the directive through the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Folashade Ayoade, at an event in Lokoja, the state’s capital in north-central Nigeria

The event, according to Channels TV  report, was organised to officially flag off the week-long free healthcare services for women and children to mark the 2017 MNCHW in the state.

The governor said his administration was poised at bringing good health to the doorstep of everyone living within the state.

He directed the Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Saka Haruna, to ensure that every stage of the exercise was comprehensively covered.

Governor Bello also ordered the administrations of the 21 local government areas in the state to ensure the success of the programme.

In his remarks, Dr. Haruna thanked the governor for his determination to introduce the ‘Health  Plus’ programme.

He expressed hopes that the programme would aid the renovation, remodeling and re-equipment of health facilities in order to reduce mortality rate in the state.

The highpoint of the event was the immunisation of children which was administered by the Secretary to the State Government.

It was witnessed by representatives from WHO, UNICEF, Federal Ministry of Health, Centre for Integrated Health Programmes, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, as well as top government officials and nursing mothers in the state.

A new strain of Avian Influenza virus, popularly known as bird flu, has entered Nigeria and spread to 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with over 3.5 million birds affected, the Federal Government has said.

According to the government, in a bid to prevent the entry of the disease into their respective countries, Nigeria’s neighbours have proposed a ban on poultry and poultry products from Nigeria.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, disclosed this in Abuja for Tuesday at a consultative meeting with commissioners for agriculture/livestock, states directors of veterinary services and major stakeholders in the poultry industry.

Ogbeh explained that the first outbreak of bird flu in Nigeria was reported in 2006 and spanned through 2008, but was controlled and eradicated through concerted efforts facilitated by the availability of resources from a World Bank-sponsored project and support from the country’s development partners.

The minister said, “Almost a decade later, precisely in December 2014, the disease reoccurred in a commercial poultry farm and a live bird market in Kano and Lagos states, respectively. The current status of the disease in the country is quite alarming; it has now affected 26 states and the FCT, with over 3.5 million birds culled so far.

“Recently, a new strain of the bird flu virus (H5N8) was reported in Kano. The new strain is believed to be very pathogenic and more devastating to poultry species and, therefore, it may further add to the burden of the H5N1 strain that is currently circulating in the country.

“The disease is transboundary in nature and also trade-limiting; some of our neighbouring countries have proposed to ban poultry and poultry products from Nigeria. This may undesirably lead to an egg glut in the country.”

Ogbeh stated that there were already huge and unacceptable losses in the poultry industry and the nation as a whole, and urged the agriculture commissioners of the various states to retrace their steps in order to provide safe food for Nigerians as well as ensure national self-sufficiency in food production.

He noted that aside from paucity of funds, other challenges that led to the outbreak of the disease included lack of compliance with on-farm quarantine measures and movement restriction; violation of biosafety measures leading to rapid spread of the disease; and clustering of poultry farmers with limited adherence to hygienic measures.

Others, according to the minister, are reluctance of poultry farmers to register with the state directors of veterinary services for easy monitoring and regulation; and unregulated activities of egg and manure merchants.

To help address the challenges, Ogbeh said the Federal Government had provided disease containment materials, reviewed the national emergency preparedness plan on Avian Influenza, enhanced the laboratory diagnostics capacity at the National Veterinary Research Institute in Plateau State, and created awareness and advocacy on the disease.

He stated that other measures put in place to address the situation were the allocation of quality grains to the Poultry Farmers Association to support its members across the country, and the payment of N707.67m to 276 farmers as compensation.

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