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Ogun State Government has warned residents of the state to stop dumping corpses of babies and faeces in public waste bins placed along major roads.

The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya gave the warning in an interview with New Telegraph on Sunday.

Oresanya lamented that residents of Abeokuta, the state capital had been abusing public waste bins placed along major roads and markets by dumping dead babies and faeces in them.

The commissioner who was reacting to the indiscriminate dumping of refuse and open defecation on the multimillion naira Panseke pedestrian bridge in Abeokuta, said the government is making plans to secure the bridge from beggars, robbers and the destitute who have taken over the bridge.

Findings by New Telegraph revealed that the bridge, tagged the longest pedestrian bridge in West Africa, constructed by the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun had been taken over by robbers, beggars and the destitute.

“We put out a giant waste bin along the road going towards the market (Panseke market), we put another smaller one around the place where okada riders are staying so that they can be putting their waste inside it, but every time we go there to clear the wastes, we found out that the bins contain faeces and dead babies.

“When their children die, they don’t bury them, they will just dump them in the bins. There is a major social problem in that area that needs special attention and we are looking at it holistically”, Oresanya said.

Speaking on the deteriorating condition of the pedestrian bridge, Oresanya said, “The bridge was constructed so that the pedestrians can use it to cross the road, but on that same bridge, you will find out that only a few pedestrians can use it, people on a wheelchair, physically challenge will not be able to cross that bridge is their any alternative organized for them? No, but we are working on that.

“So that bridge in itself has that kind of effect maybe the construction because I don’t see areas there where physically challenged people can climb that bridge. We need to redefine and probably put a zebra crossing around that area where motorists will have a place to wait for pedestrians and for the physically challenged to cross safely on pedestrian walkways in the area.

“We have to put gates there to stop the destitute from sleeping on the bridge in the night and defecating on it because what we heard is that in the night people can’t use that bridge at night and the destitute that stay there, they rob people, sleep and defecate there.

“We cannot put policemen there to stay on the bridge to work who will sleep there overnight, so they have to be locking that bridge around 6 pm to stop destitute in the night.”

The Association of Table Waters Producers (ATWAP) has stated that the price of pure water may be sold for N100 per one due to the high cost of production materials.
They lamented that producers face challenges such as the high cost of diesel, lack of power as well as high cost of production, stressing that the price of water sales reflects the situation of the country.

The manufacturers spoke on Tuesday, February 28 at a press conference in Lagos.

They noted that for producers to bring quality portable water to the doorsteps of consumers, they’ve to pay more, because of the current cost of materials for water production.

One of its representatives said: “Pure water is sold for N50 now, and it is even going up to N100 per one. At our own end, there’s nothing we can do. The cost of production is high.

“As at last year December, we were buying materials (nylon) for N1,100 per KG. The 6 kg of nylon is now N3,600/N3,700. The cost of treatment is also high. The increment for these materials comes at 3 times in one week. It is also difficult for us to increase the price of water.

“If ordinary Nigerians can’t afford pure water, I don’t know where we are going. Every water producer is funding the pure water factory on personal pockets or borrowed money.

“Many banks don’t give pure water producers loans. We want Nigerians to bear with us. We don’t want Nigerians to buy water at more than N20 per sachet. The cost of production including the price of diesel has affected so many things.”

At least 20 students of some boarding public schools in Potiskum, Fika, and Fune local government areas of Yobe State have died from a suspected Meningitis outbreak.

It was learnt that the deaths were recorded in Government Science Technical College, Government Girls Science Technical College, and Federal Government Girls College, all in Potiskum LG.

A source in the town told our correspondent that at least 20 students died, adding that most of the affected students had been admitted to the Specialist Hospital in Potiskum and were responding to treatment.

When contacted, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Muhammad Sani Idris, confirmed the outbreak, saying 20 students were killed by the disease suspected to be meningitis.

He said Governor Mai Mala Buni had directed the state Ministry of Education to temporarily relocate to Potiskum in response to the outbreak.

The commissioner also confirmed that several students had been admitted to Potiskum Specialist Hospital.

He said, ‘‘This disease is from God and you can’t run away from it once it comes, but we must wake up to fight this outbreak to curtail it from spreading to other areas. After this outbreak hit the Government Science Technical College Potiskum and other two secondary schools, I as Commissioner, my Permanent Secretary, and the Executive Secretary of the state’s Science Technical Board as well as the chairman of the Teaching Service Board have been relocated to Potiskum temporarily.

‘‘I had a meeting with the principals of these three secondary schools to join hands together and fight this disease. We have parked out ambulances in all these schools for emergency cases. We also assigned three teachers to work for three hours in the classes checking the conditions of these students who are not affected.

‘‘After three hours another three teachers will take over from them checking the health condition of these unaffected students asking them if they are not feeling fine or have new reactions in their bodies. We are doing this 24-hour service as proactive measures to ensure that we curtail this disease.

‘‘At least 17 students have died in two secondary schools belonging to Yobe state government while one lady from the Federal Government Girls College also died as a result of this disease.

‘‘I cannot give you the number of the affected students now because there are students who are in isolation centres in their schools. We also have some students who are currently receiving treatment in the hospital due to their health condition.

‘'We received a report that this disease has spread to some schools in Fika and Fune LGAs but so far we have a record of 20 students who died in both primary and secondary schools in the state after finding new cases in Gadaka and Jajere villages who are under Fika and Fune LGAs.

‘‘His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni had directed the Ministry of Health to send their medical team (doctors and technicians) to investigate the cause of this outbreak and provide drugs and other medication. We thank God they (students) are doing well, we are hoping that things will get better.”

Dr. Idriss emphasized the importance of ensuring the well-being of all students and finding effective remedies for those affected, stressing the establishment of temporary isolation centres in schools to provide students with first aid treatment.

‘‘We have temporarily relocated to Potiskum until all the students are in good health. We established temporary isolation centres. Ensuring their well-being is our responsibility. So we will not relent in providing all the necessary support,” he added.

Cross River Government warned about a possible outbreak of viral haemorrhagic fever in old Ndebeji, in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.

Viral haemorrhagic fever is any group of infectious diseases that interfere with the blood’s ability to clot.

They are spread by contact with infected animals, people or insects. Examples include Ebola and yellow fever.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, said in Calabar that a suspected index case was currently being investigated in complete isolation at the Ndebeji healthcare centre.

He said he had directed the state’s epidemiologist and her team to work with the local government team to collect samples from suspected cases for diagnosis.

“They will provide palliative case management and institutionalise adequate infection prevention and control in the facility.

“They will also work with community leaders to identify and restrict movements of known contacts till the sample results of the suspected index client are out and entrench risk communication in the community.

“I must note that cases are most likely to present early with fever, rash, body weakness, bleeding from body openings or may even be asymptomatic,’’ he said.

Dr Ayuk appealed to residents to avoid rodents and insect bites, adding that they should put on personal protective wear if they must come close to livestock, other animals and zoos.

The Nigeria Army Referral Hospital, Kaduna, (NARHK) has confirmed the death of three health workers and a patient within two days following the outbreak of a strange disease.

The army, in an internal correspondence dated 21 February seen by PREMIUM TIMES, said the three health workers were managing the patient at the hospital for the disease.

The memo, signed by SO Okoigi, a brigadier general, was addressed to the headquarters of the Nigerian Army Corps, Bonny Cantonment, Victory Island, Lagos.

“The Accident and Emergency (A&E) Dept of 44 NARHK has witnessed the loss of 3 members of staff and a patient in the last 48 hours with some in critical condition.

“They are suspected to have died from Acute Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF). This followed the management of a patient with febrile illness thought to have been the index patient with the disease 10 days ago, having presented with a febrile illness”, the memo stated.

The army said the symptoms of the disease were likened to malaria and resulted to acute kidney failure.

“The patient also died from the suspected disease condition. The common symptoms in those affected included fever, and nonspecific symptoms likened to malaria.

However, the illness was complicated by abnormal liver function, acute kidney failure, encephalopathy, microangiopathy, elevated D-Dimer among others”, the memo stated.

Measures being taken
The official said the accident and emergency (A&E) unit of the hospital has been closed down for thorough disinfection process and samples had been taken from suspected contacts and the deceased and sent to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) laboratory in Kano for analysis.

Meanwhile, Kaduna State epidemiologists have been invited to help in unraveling the aetiology of the febrile illness with a view to curtailing its spread, the memo added.

“This is in addition to strict disease Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures that have been directed to be emplaced. Ribavirin injection (antiviral agent) has also been commenced on other suspected cases and those identified on contact tracing.

“44 NARHK have also been directed to suspend accepting new cases from the general public in the interim while the situation is being contained. The significant risk of contracting VHF among healthcare workers underscores the need to strengthen IPC practices across all NA health facilities.

“Prevention remains the best approach in dealing with such outbreak since treatment options are limited against a background of high mortality often recorded as in the current case at 44 NARHK. This can be achieved by raising the level of hospital preparedness for VHF outbreaks through capacity building and ensuring the use of universal precautions when dealing with all patients.

“Sequel to the foregoing, it is imperative that all units put in place strict IPC measures immediately to safeguard hospital staff and patients.

“Furthermore, IPC guidelines are to be strategically located for all members of staff to see and adhere to. This is forwarded for your information and strict compliance. Commanders and Commanding officers are to disseminate this information to their subunits”, the memo concluded.

Dr. Mansur Kabir as the new Chairman of the board of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control and reappointed its Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Moji Adeyeye.

He also appointed a new Director-General for the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Olajide Idris, who replaces Prof. Ifedayo Adetifa.

Idris assumes office on February 19, 2024.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, announced the appointments in a statement on Thursday titled ‘President Tinubu approves leadership changes in health and social welfare sector.’The President approved the appointment and reappointment of board chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers for eight agencies under the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

They include Prof. Abba Zubairu and Dr. Saleh Yuguda as board chairperson and CEO, respectively for the National Blood Service Commission; Prof. Afolabi Lesi and Dr. Fatima Kyari as board chairperson and CEO, respectively for the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria; Wasilat Giwa and Ibrahim Ahmed as board chairperson and CEO, respectively for the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and Dr. Babajide Salako and Dr. Tosan Erhabor as Board Chairperson and CEO, respectively, of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria.

He also appointed Prof. Adamu Bakari as Chief Medical Director of Moddibo Adama University Teaching Hospital, Yola, Adamawa State, and Prof. Reuben Eifediyi as CMD of the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State. New NCDC Chief, Idris, received his MBBS degree from the University of Lagos’ College of Medicine, after which he obtained a Master’s degree in Public Health from the Ivy League’s Yale University in Connecticut, United States of America.

He served as the Commissioner for Health in Lagos State from 2007 to 2019, after serving as the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Health from 1999 to 2007.

The New NBSC Chairperson, Prof. Abba Zubairu, has served as the Medical Director of the Mayo Clinic in the United States of America, following a long career in which he served as a Resident Doctor at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital as a Post-Doctoral Fellow.

He undertook a Clinical Fellowship at the Harvard Medical School’s Transfusion Medicine Programme during which he obtained a Master’s degree in Clinical Science at the same institution.

The New MDCN CEO, Kyari, is an ophthalmologist and Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Medicine who obtained an MBBS degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, after which she obtained a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of London’s School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She also obtained a Doctorate in Public Health from the same institution.

Ngelale noted that the President expects the new leadership to “substantially raise the standards of healthcare service delivery for the exclusive benefit of all strata of the Nigerian population.

Press Statement on non-compliance of Medical Facilities on the Gunshot ACT 2017

In recent times, the society has witnessed a rise in the loss of lives as a result of the refusal of some health facilities to attend to gunshot and victims of one-chance who do not present police reports.

Gunshot victims come under medical emergencies that require urgent attention in order to save the life of the patient or victim. It has come to the knowledge of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social welfare, of the slow or non- compliance by most medical facilities going contrary with the gunshot Act 2017 which mandates all medical facilities to provide for the compulsory treatment and care for victims of gunshots; and related matters. The Act goes further to stipulate that:

(a) Every hospital in Nigeria whether public or private shall accept or receive for immediate and adequate treatment with or without police clearance.

(b) Every person including security agents shall render every possible assistance to any person with gunshots wounds and ensure that the person is taken to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment.

In line with this mandate, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is concerned about the spate of gunshot incidences and refusal of some of the health facilities to administer treatment and care for the victim or patient without police report.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare,Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, therefore calls on all medical practitioners to comply with this national law by providing prompt treatment and care for these victims to prevent death while, strategies are being put in place by the Ministry to ensure compliance to the Act by Nigerian healthcare facilities.

The police is also urged to comply with and enforce the provisions of the compulsory treatment and care for victims of gunshot ACT 2017 with promptness as well as reassure the health facilities that treatment of gunshot victims is not illegal.

Signed:
Patricia Deworitshe
Director (Information)
5/2/2024

The Lagos State Government on Sunday gave a five days quit notice to different squatters under the Ijora Causeway bridge and Lagos Blue rail Line over head bridge in Ijora to remove all their shanties for constituting a danger to the Lagos Blue Line corridor or risk demolition and removal.

The quit notice was given by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab when he led a high powered team that included the Chairman, Special Intervention Squad on the Restoration of the Lagos Badagry Rail Corridor Clean-Up, ACP Bayo Sulaiman and Special Adviser on the Environment, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu on an inspection of the Ijora and the under bridge.

Wahab lamented the security risk that the occupation of underneath the blue rail line bridge by mini buses, block moulders, fuel sellers and miscreants posed to the safe operation of the blue rail line service, saying government would not allow this to continue.

The Commissioner stated that the State Task Force on Special Offences would take full possession of the whole expanse of land under the Ijora Causeway Bridge and would be sustained by the state government.

He also gave a 24-hour quit notice to all those selling petroleum products under the Ijora Bridge to move all their trucks and containers or risk confiscation, adding that they posed enormous dangers to the infrastructure and human presence in the area.

The commissioner said no form of enforcement must be carried against distributors and sellers of styrofoam products until the expiration of the three weeks moratorium granted them.

He maintained that the three weeks window would allow all producers and distributors to mop up all the stock they have before the enforcement of the ban takes effect.

The Environment team was also at the Park View Estate in Ikoyi where a secondary collector has been infringed upon from the upstream by building across and fencing it off.

He directed the Drainage Enforcement and Compliance Department to serve proper notices to all the property owners asking them to give unfettered access to the state to monitor its secondary collectors and remove any impediments if any.

Wahab said monitoring and enforcement of the laws on the environment would be an everyday affair and that this explained why the ministry had picked up from where it stopped last year.

Abia State ministry of environment has banned the use of Styrofoam foils, popularly known as ‘Take Away’.

The ministry in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Ogbonna Asonye on Saturday, said the use of the product as food containers has been banned in the state.

He noted that Take Away had earlier been banned in some states, including Lagos and therefore, advised the public to immediately discontinue the use of the foils until investigations are fully carried out on the dangers of the product to public health.

Meanwhile, some defaulters were on Saturday, arrested and sanctioned in Umuahia during the January 2024 Clean Up exercise in the State.

The defaulters, who were arrested in some parts of the State capital during the environmental sanitation hours, were caught either trading or loitering, in contravention of the government’s earlier orders.

However, the clean up recorded a high level of compliance as many residents cleaned their gutters, while trucks provided by the State government evacuated generated wastes.

STYROFOAM: NO GOING BACK ON BAN AND USAGE IN LAGOS

At a consultative meeting of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources with representatives of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Restaurant and Food Services Proprietor Association of Nigeria (REFSPAN) at the Secretariat, the government has maintained that there is no going back on the total ban of usage and distribution of single-use plastics in the State.

The Lagos State government has been having different conversations with manufacturers on ways to end the use of single-use plastics in the State despite the pronouncement of the ban over 3 years ago, but the government has decided to take a bold step to stop the use, particularly styrofoam.

The havoc and destruction caused to public utility by single-use plastics during and after the rainy season is unimaginable. If the producers had been responsible enough to respect the law, the government would not have had to wade into the matter.

The number of lives that have been lost through the effect of the use of styrofoam, the destruction of the ecosystem and aquatic lives as well as the menace brought upon the environment cannot be quantified.

As a responsible government, the lives of the residents are far more important than the profit producers set to make for the continuous production of styrofoam.

The only moratorium that the state is willing to offer all producers and distributors of styrofoam is to delay the commencement of enforcement of the ban by three weeks after which the government will go on full enforcement of the law.

PRESS RELEASE

January 3, 2023

We are restructuring not Ending Operations in Nigeria - JSM Assures

Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Limited ("JSM" located in Awa, Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, has made clarifications over the reports making the rounds in the media suggesting that the company has ended its operations in Nigeria.

JSM, which was inaugurated on September 23rd, 2017, by the former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has become the market leader with its top-quality syringes in Nigeria in addition to creating hundreds of employment opportunities for Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians at large.

However, despite the huge sum invested in the syringe factory, the management staff have been unable to meet up with its expected target, hence the decision of the investors to restructure and reorganise the management team and the entire structures of the production lines for better profitability and sustainability.

In a statement issued by JSM investors through the Managing Director of VKS Group of Companies, Mr. Onur Kumral, the investors dismissed news reports that JSM was ending its operations in the country completely. The Managing Director explained that contrary to reports, the company is only undergoing a restructuring phase which will only make the company experience a brief break within this period.

Kumral noted that the reorganisation of JSM is a decision of the investors following the inability of the management to meet up with its expected targets for several years stressing that the shake-up only affects management staff and the entire structures of the production line, which is geared towards better productivity of the company. He assured that the company will return to full operations soon.

The statement reads in part: "JSM is simply undertaking temporary measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of its operations. Restructuring is not new in any given business environment and sometimes you undertake reviews with sustainability in mind.

"When you set up a multimillion-dollar factory such as JSM, it is important to take a critical review of its operations and that of the management staff. JSM is a for-profit business and when expected targets are not met year after year, a shake-up is inevitable, which is what we have decided to do.

"We want to assure our esteemed customers that there is no need to panic. We are still in business as Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Limited and we are poised to keep to our commitment to remain as the producer of the highest quality syringes in Nigeria.

"We call on the general public and our esteemed customers to disregard insinuations in certain media outlets reporting a total shut down of JSM operations in Nigeria, we remain in business, and we will come back stronger than before."

Signed:

JSM INVESTORS

Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing (JSM) company in Awa, Onna LGA of Akwa Ibom, has ended its operations, attributing the decision to “unforeseen circumstances affecting our business operations.”

The company, reputed to be the largest syringe manufacturing venture in Africa, was inaugurated in 2017 by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Though it had stopped production many months ago, it finally announced the end of operations on December 31, 2023, saying it had to implement temporary measures to ensure the company’s long-term sustainability.

In a memo addressed to all the workers, a copy of which was made available to journalists, stated that all positions, including yours, have been placed on temporary redundancy effective January 1, 2024.

The statement titled ‘Temporary Redundancy – Service Not Needed Till Further Notice’ said, “We trust this message finds you in good health. It is with a heavy heart that we write to you today to communicate a challenging decision that Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company Limited has had to make due to unforeseen circumstances affecting our business operations.

“After careful consideration and a thorough evaluation of our current business situation, we regret to inform you that we must implement temporary measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of the company.”

It added, “Unfortunately, this includes placing all positions, including yours, on temporary redundancy effective January 1, 2024. We want to emphasise that this decision is not a reflection of your individual performance or dedication to the company.

“The challenging business environment we find ourselves in has compelled us to take these difficult steps.

“Please return all company belongings in your custody. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during these challenging times.”

Professor Ademola Popoola of the Department of Surgery, University of Ilorin (Unilorin), has warned that penile erection after 30 minutes in sexual intercourse is purposeless and harmful to men.

Popoola raised the alarm in Ilorin during his paper presentation at the 250th Inaugural Lecture of the university, entitled: “That All May Pee in Peace”.

According to him,” a person who has more than 30 minutes of erection should report immediately to the hospital”.

He stated that the erection must be aborted as soon as possible by a competent doctor in order to preserve penile erection subsequently.

The expert, who observed that the penis needs to be turgid or erect for satisfactory sexual intercourse, however, said the erected penis often fractures or breaks.

“Research shows that the right side of the penis ruptures more than the left side,” he said.

Similarly, Popoola stated that in a person’s lifetime urination, which is supposed to be fun and reliving, may become a problem and sometimes if intervention is not made on time, it could lead to the demise of the individual.

The don, who teaches in the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences of Unilorin, observed the various causes of challenges with urination in women.

“They include abnormal shifting of the uterus, urethrocele and other uncommon causes such as perforation ovarian teratoma and anteverted uterus,” he said.

🚨 Zurmi Update 🚨

Patients & MSF staff are safe following clashes in Zurmi, Zamfara. Rising level of insecurity has forced a partial evacuation of MSF staff, halting outreach activities. Limited access to free health facilities exposes the most vulnerable to greater risks.

Due to the proximity of clashes to Zurmi General Hospital, MSF could not guarantee the safety of its patients and staff. MSF urges actors to safeguard medical facilities and allow for the provision of free healthcare in #Zamfara.

MSF appeals to all parties involved to cease hostilities immediately to protect vulnerable persons. We will do our best to maintain operations however we urge other humanitarian actors to increase their support to displaced populations affected by conflict in #Zamfara.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS TWO NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of two (2) new Chief Executive Officers of Agencies under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare:

Executive Secretary / CEO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) — Dr. Muyi Aina

Director-General / CEO, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) — Dr. Kelechi Ohiri

Dr. Muyi Aina is a globally renowned public health leader with a Masters in Public Health degree from Harvard University (USA) and a Doctorate degree from Johns Hopkins University (USA), following his first medical certification at the University of Ilorin.

Dr. Kelechi Ohiri most recently served as the Managing Director for Strategy at Global Alliance for Vaccines in Geneva, Switzerland. He obtained a Masters in Public Health degree from Harvard University (USA) and another Masters degree in Public Policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government following his first medical certification from the University of Lagos. He has obtained significant experience serving in the World Bank, McKinsey & Company, and has shaped reforms to the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom.

President Bola Tinubu urges the new leadership of these two critical agencies in the sector to prioritize quality, fairness, and accountability in the provision of world-class health care to all segments of the Nigerian society.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

October 20, 2023

Michael Umoh, the late doctor of Lagos University Teaching Hospital(LUTH) did not die after a 72-hour call, the management said today.

A statement issued by LUTH management debunked the viral news that Umoh was overworked.

“The narrative of a 72 hours non-stop shift is false”, the management said.

The reaction follows another by the Association of Resident Doctors at the hospital.The association also debunked the story and expressed concern about the extent of misinformation being disseminated in the social media.

In Thursday’s statement, the management set the record straight:

“LUTH management understands the fact that the family of Dr Umoh is presently mourning the death of their beloved son and requested the foreclosure of any media engagement regarding the death of their son.

“It is important for us as a management to make clarifications regarding the circumstances surrounding his death.

“Dr Umoh died on Sept 17 while in church with his parents. The management was informed, and the death was later confirmed by one of the Consultants in his unit (Neurosurgery).

“The death of Dr Umoh is unfortunate but the narrative of a 72 hours non-stop shift is false.

“The record from Neurosurgery unit shows that the last time he was on call was 13th and 14th September, 2023.

“He was not on call on the 15th, 16th and 17th (the day he died), contrary to the insinuations on social media. He was at home with his parents on Sept. 16 and Sept. 17,” the management said.

Prior to this time, the management said, he was on call on the Sept. 7 and Sept. 8.

”This shows that Dr Umoh was on call for a total number of four days in September, 2023.

“A delegation from LUTH visited the family on Wednesday to commiserate with the family and to get more details of the circumstances surrounding his death.

“The parents gave the details of what they thought must have contributed to his death but pleaded that the wish of the family be respected and that the narrative is not for public consumption,” it said.

The management described Dr Umoh as a hardworking and diligent house-officer, and a very promising young man.

It said he will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues.

“May his soul rest in peace, and may the Almighty give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss” LUTH said.

The College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, is saddened to learn about the loss of one of our alumni from the 2022 graduating class, Dr. Michael Umoh.

Until his demise, he was an intern at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

No fewer than 16 dead babies are among the 108 unclaimed corpses that would be mass-buried by the University of Abuja by the end of August.

The mass-burial, according to the management of University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, was a move to decongest its morgue located within the hospital at Gwagwalada, Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT.

In a public notice by the hospital and sighted by our correspondent, the abandoned or unknown corpses were brought into the morgue mostly by security agents, including police and FRSC officials.

It listed that four babies named Ayomide, Olaniyi, Gbenga Bidemi and Joshua were brought into the morgue on November 9, 2021 while babies named Kamibili, Chentiwu, Augustine and one other unknown baby were brought in by June 22 and 26, 2023 respectively.

The hospital added that a set of triplets that were brought in on June 11, 2023, were yet to be claimed as well, noting that all of them will be buried together if they are not claimed within two weeks from now.

“The Management of University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, wishes to notify the general public and depositors of abandoned or unknown corpses that in her efforts to decongest the morgue, shall evacuate the abandoned corpses if there is no claim of the bodies after 2 weeks of this publication,” it read.

Daily Trust reports that among other 92 adults to be mass-buried are Haruna Ibrahim, Musa Muhammed, Yusuf Ibrahim, Sugar Joy, Abdullahi Mohammed and Paul Ishaku while others are unknown.

Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD has suspended its over two-week old nationwide indefinite strike.

NARD leadership has consequently directed all members to resume work at 8am on Saturday, August 12.

NARD President, Emeka Orji in a message to AIT.live says there will be a review of the progress made in implementation of agreement reached with government in the next two weeks.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service can authoritatively report that the body of one adult male that jumped into the lagoon on Tuesday afternoon, Aug 8, 2023 from Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge has been recovered dead, today.

The search and rescue operations began in earnest immediately the alert of the incident was received at 14:53 hours culminated into the recovery of the body today by 09:15 hours at the LASEMA end of the lagoon bank.

The collaborative efforts include that of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Waterways Authority, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Health, Environmental Monitoring Unit and the locals to foreclose the joint operations.

Adeseye Margaret
Director,
Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service
August 10, 2023

All centre leaders are by this notice adviced to begin preparations for this nationwide protest.

List of some products GSK owns...

Augmentin
Ampiclox Beecham
Amoxil Beecham
Andrew’s Liver Salt
Ventolin Inhaler
Zinnat Tablet
Voltaren Emugel
Betnovate and cream
Betnovate C cream
Locazade Boost
Sensodyn paste
Otrivin Nasal Drop
Duodart
Avamys Spray
Xyzal
Amongst others!!!

After 51 years of operation in Nigeria, British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced plans to end its prescription medicines and vaccines in the country.

GSK, producer of Panadol, shuts down operations in Nigeria

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Nigeria Plc says it plans to cease operations after evaluating the options for moving to a third-party distribution model for its pharmaceutical products.

The company is well-known for its products such as Augmentin, Neosporin, Panadol, Sensodyne, Advair, Ventolin, Theraflu, among others.

GSK Nigeria announced the development in a statement sent to the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX) on Thursday and signed by Frederick Ichekwai, the company secretary.

The company said it is working with its advisers to agree on next steps and plans to submit a scheme of arrangement to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which if approved, will see it return cash to shareholders except its parent company, GSK UK.

The company, which employs over 290 people, assured that all necessary legal proceedings would be met as regards employees and shareholders.

‘In our published Q2 results we disclosed that the GSK UK Group has informed GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria PLC of its strategic intent to cease commercialization of its prescription medicines and vaccines in Nigeria through the GSK local operating companies and transition to a third-party direct distribution model for its pharmaceutical products,” the statement reads.

“The Haleon Group has also separately informed the Board of its intent to terminate its distribution agreement in the coming months and to appoint a third-party distributor in Nigeria for the supply of its consumer healthcare products.

“For the above reasons, and having, together with GSK UK, evaluated various other options, the Board of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc has concluded that there is no alternative but to cease operations.

“Today we are briefing our employees whom we will treat fairly, respectfully and with care, meeting all applicable legal and consultation requirements.

“The Board is conscious that shareholders will have many questions; we have been working assiduously with our professional advisors to agree on next steps and we will be shortly submitting to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a draft Scheme of Arrangement which may, if approved, see shareholders other than GSK UK, receive an accelerated cash distribution and return of capital.

“The Board acknowledges the support of the GSK Group in its intentions to make this possible, full details of which we hope to publish shortly. In the meantime, however, we cannot give you assurance of the final terms of any scheme, or that any scheme will be approved by the SEC or by shareholders.

“Shareholders are advised to seek professional advice and continue to exercise caution when dealing in the company’s shares until a further announcement is made.”

The Nigerian government has directed the management of Federal tertiary hospitals to commence the enforcement of the “no work, no pay” policy against the striking resident doctors.

The striking doctors, members of the National Association of Resident Doctors, have, however, remained adamant, insisting the government has no moral justification for its action.

This policy means that the doctors who participate will not receive their regular salaries during the strike.

The directive was contained in a letter dated 1 August and titled “Re: Incessant Strike Action by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors: Implementation of “No work, No pay” policy of the Federal Government.”

Directives
In the letter, the government expressed disappointment that the doctors initiated the strike despite attempts at conciliatory meetings involving various stakeholders, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the National Assembly, all of which proved unsuccessful in reaching an agreement.

It instructed the hospitals to implement the ‘no work, no pay’ policy and also keep an attendance register for resident doctors who are willing to continue working despite the strike.

“I am directed to inform you that the Federal Ministry of Health has instituted the policy of “No work, No Pay” against the striking resident doctors in line with circular Ref. No.58598/8.1/II/182 dated June 22, 2016,” the letter read in part.

“I am further directed to request you to maintain an attendance register for all residents willing to work and furnish the ministry of such names on a monthly basis.”

No work, No pay policy
Under Nigerian law, workers’ unions on strike are typically entitled to their full salaries. However, the Government can invoke the “no work, no pay” rule if it deems the strike illegal or unjustified.

Historically, this rule has been rarely enforced and has often been reversed once the strike is called off or suspended.

Adamant NARD
Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday night, the President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Emeka Orji, said the doctors are going to escalate the strike beginning next week.

Mr Orji said the health ministry has failed to resolve the issues.

“Well it’s unfortunate that the federal ministry of health that has done a very poor job is trying to shift blame for their failures to other ministries and trying to say that because they don’t have a substantive Minister they can’t do anything,” he said.

“They are now developing the capacity to think that the best thing to do is to start implementing punitive measures.”

He said the association held its national leadership committee meeting Friday and NEC will also meet over the weekend.

“Things are going to escalate by next week, people are really angry, doctors are angry. They are angry that the government has not resolved any of the issues placed on the table and then the Ministry of Health is thinking along the line of punitive measures,” he said.

Mr Orji said “From Monday there will be a level of escalation that they will not imagine. it’s unfortunate that we have gotten to that point. But they called for it and, I know our members will respond.”

Doctor’s strike
The resident doctors embarked on an indefinite industrial action on 26 July following what they described as the failure of the Nigerian government to meet their demands.

The doctors are demanding, among other issues, the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), tangible steps on the “upward review” of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and payment of all salary arrears owed its members, since 2015.

The doctors also want immediate massive recruitment of clinical staff in the hospitals and abolishment of the bureaucratic limitations to the immediate replacement of doctors and nurses who leave the system.

They also want the immediate review of hazard allowance by all the state governments as well as private tertiary health institutions where any form of residency training is done.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the strike is disrupting health services in health facilities in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.

The resident doctors comprise the bulk of medical personnel in Nigeria’s tertiary hospitals; hence health activities are mostly crippled when they are on strike.

The Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos State chapter, has directed all the doctors working in the three Government hospitals on the Lagos Island to begin an indefinite strike over the death of its colleague, Dr Vwaere Diaso.

The NMA also declared a five-day mourning period in the state and asked doctors in the other government-owned hospitals to scale down activities as a mark of respect for the dead colleague.

The hospitals to embark on the indefinite strike are the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos; Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos, and the Massey Street Children’s Hospital, Lagos.

The association said Diaso died on Tuesday at the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, after she was trapped in the elevator for more than 40 minutes before she was rescued, and there was no blood available to resuscitate her.

The NMA made this known in a press statement signed by its state Chairman, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu, and Secretary, Ismail Ajibowo, on Wednesday.

“The NMA Lagos State received with rude shock the death of one of our members, Dr Vwaere Diaso, a medical house officer, whose death occurred as a result of injuries sustained when the elevator she was in crashed.

This is heartbreaking, heart-wrenching, and quite unfortunate. We commiserate with her immediate family, her colleagues on the Island, the Medical Guild, and all body of doctors in Lagos State.

The information we got was that she was trapped in the elevator for more than 40 minutes before she was rescued.“We were also reliably informed that there was no blood available for resuscitation, and this has become a recurring issue as a result of the review made by the government on the previous policy on blood donation.

“To us, this was an avoidable death and it’s unfortunate that it was allowed to happen. We are pained and we are mourning. We are well aware that this same elevator has been a source of problem for many years during which several complaints have been made to all relevant agencies with no respite, the statement read in part.

The association, however, demanded an immediate and unbiased investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“We declare a five-day statewide mourning period; we demand an immediate, unbiased investigation into the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident; all those found culpable in this matter, especially the General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure Management Agency, Ms Adenike Adekambi, are all brought to justice.

“We direct all our doctors in the three government hospitals on the Island (GH Lagos, LIMH, and MSCH) to commence indefinite strike action until the investigations are completed and justice served; we immediately direct our doctors in all the other government hospitals to scale down activities as a mark of respect for our dead colleague. Only emergency services should be rendered for the next five days.

“The government should as a matter of urgency commence the complete overhaul of the house officers’ quarters on the island; all other infrastructures in all our government hospitals that need repairs should be urgently attended to.

The blood transfusion system in Lagos State needs immediate revamping for improved services.“As a result of this sad incident, the State Officers Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos State, has decided that the upcoming Annual General Meeting will be a low-key event as a mark of respect to our colleague.

We appeal to our colleagues to remain calm as NMA Lagos State leadership is on top of the situation and will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is not just served but seen to have been served,” the statement noted.

No life deserves to be lost at the workplace over a preventable cause. Many more are at risk if we continue to excuse the failure of the Government to make the workplace safe and conducive for health practitioners who are already devoting their lives to public service
#NARDMourns

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has just declared a total and indefinite strike.

This is becoming barely 24hours after a meeting with the speaker of the house of representatives, Tajudeen Abbas in Abuja.

The speaker had pleaded with the doctors’ union to shelve their planned strike and allow for more negotiations.

But the union in a statement on Wednesday morning, said it can no longer trust the government.

There major demands are:

1. Immediate payment of the 2023 MRTF

2. Immediate release of the circular on one-for-one replacement

3. Payment of skipping arrears

4. Upward review of CONMESS in line with full salary restoration to the 2014 value of CONMESS

5. Payment of the arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum to the omitted doctors

6. Reversal of the downgrading of the membership certificate by MDCN

7. Payment of MRTF, new hazard allowance, skipping and implementation of corrected CONMESS in State Tertiary Health Institutions

8. Payment of omitted hazard allowance arrears.

It would be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier in June met with the leadership of the union where he promised to resolve all areas of trade dispute with the resident Doctors.

This means the Ministry of Interior is mandated to issue licenses for the cultivation of cannabis thereby enabling the utilization of this plant for various beneficial applications.
The development comes after the Supreme Court impeded the passage of the law by striking out section 43 of the law as unconstitutional.

Section 43 of Act 1019 stipulates that the Minister on the recommendation of the Commission may grant a licence for the cultivation of cannabis popularly referred to as "wee" in Ghana, which is not more than 0.3 % THC content on a dry weight basis for industrial purposes for obtaining fibre or seed for medicinal purposes.

On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, Parliament has taken Narcotics Control Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Bill is composed of a single clause when passed will empower the Minister to grant a license for the cultivation of cannabis in the country.

A report from the Committee on Defence and Interior said the object of the Bill is to amend the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019). To empower the Minister to grant a license for the cultivation of cannabis which has not more than 0.3 percent THC content on a dry weight basis for industrial purposes for obtaining fiber or seed or medicinal purposes.

I’m very excited Parliament has passed the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023, which seeks to decriminalize the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes. This is a defining moment in Ghana’s history. As a farmer, adding the cultivation of cannabis to my portfolio for medicinal/ industrial purposes is definitely something I’m looking forward to. God bless Ghana. 🙏🏿 #idey4u

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced the outbreak of diphtheria infection in some parts of Abuja.

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by the corynebacterium species that affect the nose, throat, and sometimes, skin of an individual.

Some symptoms of diphtheria include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes, neck swelling, and difficulty in breathing.

Speaking at a media conference on Monday, Sadiq Abdulrahman, the FCT director of public health department, said the disease has already killed a four-year-old child.

Abdulrahman said the outbreak of the disease in the nation’s capital was confirmed after one result from the samples taken from suspected cases in a village close to the Dei-Dei area, returned positive.

He tasked residents to take personal hygiene seriously and advised them to report any strange symptoms, particularly, one relating to their respiratory health to relevant authorities.

“Two weeks ago, we got information from a community within the FCT of eight cases and that made our team pick some samples,” he said.

“The samples were taken to the National Reference Laboratory, Gaduwa and the NCDC, and one of the suspected cases came out positive.”

The director said the department was collaborating with neighbouring states to checkmate the further spread of the disease through border surveillance.

Also speaking, Yahaya Vatsa, executive secretary of the FCT Primary Health Care Board (PHCB), said unvaccinated people and those living in crowded and unhygienic environments are at high risk of contracting the disease.

He said to reduce the risk of contracting the disease, FCT residents should ensure their children are fully vaccinated with three doses of the pentavalent vaccine.

“This is recommended in the national childhood immunisation schedule,” he said.

The executive secretary added that the FCTA, through the PHCB had concluded plans to revaccinate all children bellow 14 years in the affected communities.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has certified that Golden Penny Semovita and other Semolina products do not contain plastic or any similar contaminants.

The agency said this is in response to a social media video showing a woman washing Golden Penny Semovita in a sieve using cold water with the claim that the residue she got after sieving was plastic.

NAFDAC noted that a similar video was shown in 2020 which the agency had addressed at the time.

NAFDAC Director General, Moji Adeyeye, in a statement today, said the agency confirmed that the claim was not true after an appropriate analytical testing in its internationally accredited laboratories.

The agency added that Semovita contained the expected components plus the required Vitamin A, describing the claim in the viral video as misleading.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is notifying the public of a batch of unwholesome Sprite 50cl glass bottles circulating in Nigeria. This product was discovered following a consumer complaint received and investigated by the post-marketing surveillance unit of the Agency.

On investigation, at the point of purchase and supplier’s address, over five (5) crates of the implicated batch of Sprite 50cl glass bottles were discovered to be contaminated with particles.

The affected batch of the unwholesome product has been sampled for laboratory analysis in the NAFDAC laboratory and the Agency has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to carry out surveillance and mop up the implicated batch of the unwholesome product.

Similarly, a comprehensive current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) Inspection of the manufacturing site is to be carried out by the Agency, this is to find the route cause of the contamination and ensure compliance to marketing authorization.

Furthermore, the company, (Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (Abuja plant) has been directed to recall the implicated batch of the unwholesome product and report to NAFDAC for effective monitoring.

Product details

The details of the products are as follows.

Product name: Sprite 50cl glass bottles

Product manufacturer: Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (Abuja plant)

BN: AZ6 22:32

MFD: 180423

BB: 180424

NAFDAC implores distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance to avoid the consumption, sale, or distribution of the unwholesome product. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.

Anyone in possession of the above-mentioned batch of Sprite 50cl glass bottles is advised to submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office. If you, or someone you know, have consumed this product or suffered any adverse reaction/event after consumption, you are advised to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicion of distribution and sale of unwholesome packaged food products to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng

Similarly, consumers are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the consumption of unwholesome packaged food products to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med-safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng

NAFDAC……..Customer-focused, Agency-minded!!!

Signed Management

The world should be prepared to respond to a disease outbreak of "even deadlier potential" than COVID-19, the head of the WHO said after the UN agency launched a global network to monitor disease threats.

In a speech at the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday (22 May), WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the end of COVID-19 as a global health emergency did not mean the global health threat was over.

"The threat of another variant emerging that causes new surges of disease and death remains," he told the annual decision-making meeting of the WHO's 194 member states.

"And the threat of another pathogen emerging with even deadlier potential remains."

Kicking off the 76th meeting of the WHA on Saturday (20 May), the WHO launched the International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) to help identify and respond to emerging disease threats using genomics.

The genetic information from viruses, bacteria and other disease-causing organisms can help scientists recognize and track diseases and develop treatments and vaccines. It can show how infectious or deadly a particular strain is, and how it spreads.

The network aims to give every country access to pathogen genomic sequencing and analytics as part of its public health system, Tedros said at the launch.

The IPSN Secretariat, hosted by the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, will bring together genomics and data analysis experts from around the world, incorporating governments, philanthropic foundations, multilateral organizations, civil society, academia and the private sector.

"It is therefore with great hope that I declare #COVID19 over as a global health emergency.

However, that does not mean COVID-19 is over as a global health threat.

Last week, COVID-19 claimed a life every three minutes – and that’s just the deaths we know about.

As we speak, thousands of people around the world are fighting for their lives in intensive care units. And millions more continue to live with the debilitating effects of post-#COVID19 condition.

This virus is here to stay. It is still killing, and it is still changing. The risk remains of new variants emerging that cause new surges in cases and deaths.

The worst thing any country could do now is to use this news as a reason to let down its guard, to dismantle the systems it has built, or to send the message to its people that #COVID19 is nothing to worry about.

What this news means is that it is time for countries to transition from emergency mode to managing #COVID19 alongside other infectious diseases.

I emphasise that this is not a snap decision. It is a decision that has been considered carefully for some time, planned for, and made on the basis of a careful analysis of the data.

If need be, I will not hesitate to convene another Emergency Committee should #COVID19 once again put our world in peril.

While this Emergency Committee will now cease its work, it has sent a clear message that countries must not cease theirs.

On the Committee’s advice, I have decided to use a provision in the International Health Regulations that has never been used before, to establish a Review Committee to develop long-term, standing recommendations for countries on how to manage #COVID19 on an ongoing basis.