Do we really understand the effects of rape in a woman?

The recent alleged rape saga between career photographer Busola Dakolo and the general overseer of COZA church, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo has opened my eyes on how Nigerians perceive rape or sexual assault. I noticed many of us blame the woman for the despicable act probably because the accused is a pastor. Are we rape enablers? Our social media comments speaks volumes.

Rape enabling statements like: “touch not my anointed”, “she must have enjoyed it”, “she is too beautiful not to be raped”, “why saying it now”, “it was a consented rape” are totally insensitive and out of place. I thought they said we are a deeply religious country? But why are we like this? A lot of ladies are been raped daily but cannot speak out for fear of becoming the accused instead of the victims. We either know somebody that has been raped or sexually assaulted before or somebody who knows somebody that has been raped. Yet we do take matters of rape serious. Or is it because it has not happened to us or our family members?

Rape simply means a man having sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent. It does not have to be forceful. But most times it is. A woman can also rape a man without consent. If you drug her and have sex with her it is still rape. It has no justification, and there is no time frame for reporting a rape case.

Before I write further on today’s main topic of discussion, please take note of the following:

A man can rape his wife or vice versa
A father can rape his daughter
A son can rape his mother or vice versa
A man can rape a man
A woman can rape a woman
A man can rape a prostitute and it is still a crime
That it happened twice a week does not rule out rape
A boyfriend can rape his girlfriend or vice versa
Anybody, irrespective of how highly placed can be accused of rape (deal with it)
Rape committed 50 years ago can be reported today. It is still a crime and we must take it serious.
It is not something funny. Don’t joke with it.
It is crime that is punishable by law or death
A person can be wrongly accused of rape but it does not mean we should brush allegations of rape aside
That a girl is beautiful is not an excuse for her to be raped
Nobody enjoys rape or sexual assault
That the accused is a pastor, imam, bishop, pope, governor, lawmaker or president does not make it false


In case you don’t know; these are the effects of rape on a woman

Instead of us to support victims of rape to speak up and tell their stories, we are criticizing them and indirectly encouraging sex predators among us. A woman that is raped or sexually assaulted suffers myriad of physical, psychological, emotional, sexual and societal problems than you can imagine.

Read below for more explanation….

Physical effects of rape on the woman

A woman that was raped suffer some physical effects like:

Bruising
Bleeding
Vaginal tears/laceration
Anal tears
Cervical laceration
Vesicovaginal fistula
Difficulty walking
Soreness
Breast trauma
Unwanted pregnancy
Body pains
Death from strangulation, traumatic brain injury
Unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortion
Sexually transmitted transmitted infections like HIV, gonorrhoea, syphilis, warts etc
Menstrual irregularities or problems


Psychological effects of rape on a woman

These are numerous. The negative side effects on the psychology of a woman are:

Low self esteem
Depression- helplessness, hopelessness
Nightmares and night terrors
Addiction (to alcohol, substance abuse, sex)
Suicidal thoughts or ideation
Disorientation
Sleeping disorders
Eating disorders
Guilt
Feeling of unworthiness
Blame
Shock
Fear
Trust issues
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Anger
Social stigma
Sexual disorders
Overprotection of children
Suicide- Remember Ajayi Tokunbo? A one time of face of NTA and a career woman who later committed suicide in 2000 leaving a suicide note that she could not bear the pain and stigma.
Life long pains and sorrows
Psychosis
Marital problems
Divorce
Drop out from school
Some rape victims take to crime


And finally, sexual assault and rape are serious crimes motivated by a need to control, humiliate and harm. If a victim does not fight back does not mean consent.

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/30/in-case-you-dont-know-these-are-the-effects-of-rape-in-a-woman/?amp

Hey go to my site to read about gynaecomastia, the causes and the treatment. I find it difficult posting it here. Thank you

Memories as ECOWAS honours Adadevoh,  Koffi Anan and others.

The 2018 ECOWAS Prize of Excellence has been posthumously awarded to a former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan and Dr Ameyo Stella  Adadevoh for their contributions to region’s growth and aspirations .

The prize was presented to representatives of their families at the 55 Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on Saturday in Abuja, NAN reports.

The award was also presented to Madam Germaine Acogny, a Senegalese dancer and choreographer responsible for developing African Dance and the creation of several dance schools in France and Senegal.

The wife of the former UN secretary-general, Nane Annan, the son of Adadevoh, Bankole Cardoso and Acogny received the awards and cash prizes of 20,000, $10,000 and $15,000 each.

Annan, who died on Aug. 18, 2018, was a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from Jan. 1997 to Dec. 2006.

He and the UN were the co-recipients of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize and was also the founder and chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation.

Also, Adadevoh, who was confirmed to have tested positive for Ebola virus disease on Aug. 4, 2014, and was being treated, died on Aug. 19, 2014.

She is renowned for her contributions towards curbing the spread of Ebola virus in Nigeria by placing the patient zero, Patrick Sawyer, in quarantine despite pressures from the Liberian government.

The wife of Annan, who gave an appreciation speech on behalf of the recipients, expressed gratitude to ECOWAS for the award.

“Thank you for this generous recognition of the immense contribution to the objectives of ECOWAS by my husband and dear friend.

“I would also like to thank ECOWAS on behalf of the two other laureates, two outstanding women of West Africa, the late Dr Ameyo Adadevoh her selfless sacrifice to curb the spread of Ebola in Nigeria.

“And Madam Germaine Acogny for the quality and richness of your artistic production,” she said.

She also said the Kofi Annan Foundation was working with ECOWAS and other partners in West Africa to strengthen democracy and elections, resolve conflicts, support reconciliation and improve food security.

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/29/ecowas-honours-adadevoh/?amp

Does Krest bitter lemon prevent pregnancy?

Many foods, drugs and drinks have been proposed to be effective in preventing pregnancy or at best act as a contraceptive since the beginning of mankind. I have met ladies who testify to using coke, salt, water, ampiclox, Pepsi, Schweppes, Mountain Dew, lemon, 7-Up, quinine and herbs to prevent pregnancy. They say they take it either before or after intimacy and it works for them with no scientific backing.

The new ‘contraceptive’ in town is Krest Bitter Lemon � recently popularised by Bukola Timi, wife of the soul musician Timi Dakolo who shared a sad story of how she was defiled by a certain big Pastor of COZA church and thereafter forced to drink Krest after the despicable act. While many Nigerians have taken sides on the issue (as expected) , others while condemning the act, have questioned the rationale of the pastor allegedly forcing her to take Krest.

The debate now is: “does Krest bitter lemon prevent pregnancy?

A medical doctor reacts quoting a study from Pubmed……………..

DRINKING KREST BITTER LEMON DOES NOT PREVENT PREGNANCY!

Dr. Ivwighren Eric gave his expert opinion on this heated debate. He said: “I have heard reports of people drinking Krest bitter lemon to prevent pregnancy. Krest does not prevent pregnancy when ingested. Please do not be misguided. Krest bitter lemon is a carbonated soft drink containing lemon and quinine. It is acidic in nature. A research was done to check the effect of different soft drinks on sperm by mixing them with semen under different condition in term of temperature and pH. It was shown that Krest lemon drink completely immobilized sperm in its acidic factory condition. Other soft drinks like Pepsi and Coca Cola also reduced sperm motility but to a lesser degree in their acidic factory state.
Hence, the research showed the potential of Krest lemon drink as a post coital(after sex) contraceptive, especially to serve poor countries where the drink is readily available and cheap. The experiment took place in the laboratory where the semen was mixed with Krest lemon. That’s why we can only talk about its potential contraceptive function. Also, its contraceptive effect, WHEN MIXED WITH SEMEN, is as a result of the immobilization of sperm by its acidic state which will prevent the sperm from swimming to meet the egg for fertilization. Thus, drinking Krest lemon to prevent pregnancy will not achieve the desired aim as it does not get to the sperm in the female genital tract when ingested. In fact, it produces alkaline(non acidic) byproducts following body metabolism when ingested”.

Let justice prevail on this issue of an alleged rape.

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/29/drinking-krest-bitter-lemon-does-not-prevent-pregnancy-dr-eric/?amp

I think so. Everyone. Even those previously vaccinated.

Electronic yellow card to replace old yellow card from July 1st, 2019.

The Federal Government has announced its plan to phase out old version of Yellow Card and replace it with new e-Yellow Card with effect from July 1.
The information is in a statement by Mrs Boade Akinola, the Director, Media and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health.

She stated that the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Abdulaziz Mashi, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja.

Yellow Card is the proof of vaccination against yellow fever, which is a requirement for international travelers from risk countries like Nigeria and as evidence that the carrier is vaccinated against the disease.

Mashi said that the new card would contain enhanced security features that could be verified anywhere in the world by scanning the bar code or checking the card number on the yellow card portal.

According to him, the introduction of the new e-Yellow Card is to address the issue of fake cards which hitherto constituted a source of national embarrassment.

He said that with effect from July 1, the new e-Yellow Card would be the only valid documented proof of vaccination against yellow fever.

He added that yellow fever was a viral haemorrhagic fever caused by a virus transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, and may cause fatal illness but it was a vaccine preventable disease.

He said that Nigeria and some other countries were endemic for yellow fever, as such, travellers to endemic countries were at risk of exposure to infection by the yellow fever virus; hence the mandatory vaccination against the disease.

The permanent secretary said World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended that all international travellers, aged nine months and above and are visiting Nigeria, must be vaccinated against yellow fever.

He added that additional measures were adopted at points of entry for the prevention and control of yellow fever, which involved mandatory requirement of evidence of vaccination against Yellow fever on arrival into Nigeria.

He noted that some countries also require evidence of vaccination against yellow fever as a condition for entry.

Mashi said that from July 1, travellers arriving Nigeria without proof of yellow fever vaccination would be vaccinated at points of entry and issued the card, after payment.

He enjoined the public to cooperate with the ministry through Port Health Services Division, to prevent and control cross-border transmission of yellow fever by taking the vaccination and obtaining the e-Yellow Card.

He said Nigeria was part of the global coalition and movement to eliminate yellow fever epidemic by 2026.

Recall that in 2012, the South African Authorities deported 125 Nigerians for alleged fake yellow cards and the Nigerian authorities retaliated with the deportation of 85 South Africans for similar reasons.

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/28/old-yellow-card-expires-july-1st-fg/?amp

#Medicine_And_Marriage_The_Challenge

Medicine is a very demanding profession. It’s not just because it deals with saving the very delicate human life, but also because taking care of the sick, dealing with emergencies and all of that, is never an easy feat.
Doctors, by the very nature of their demanding job, are inherently overworked. They are tired most times, underpaid even, and of course owed months of salary just like the many other government professionals nationwide. However, they are expected to carry out their jobs with an unrivaled air of magnanimity and equanimity. After all, they represent the select few who achieved the dreams that eluded so many, right?

While this has a ring of truth to it, another equally disturbing, maybe exhilarating, thought is the idea of getting married to a doctor. It’s one thought that many find celestial and admirable on one hand, while others on the other hand consider it the height of folly.

Married doctors do not only manage patients, they also learn to manage their families, especially spouses, in order not to lose them to their jobs. Hence it’s always an issue when a doctor wants to get married, especially those doctors in the very demanding specialties like Trauma Surgery, Orthopaedics, Neurosurgery, etc. Will my spouse cope with my long hours of absence? Will it affect my marriage? How about the kids (especially if the woman was the doctor)? Who would take care of them when I’m away on duty?

The questions are endless.
To this end, there is always this unspoken decision by many doctors to want to marry their fellow doctors (or at least nurses) since they will understand your professional plight. However, people like me, the hardcore family-oriented people crazy about established family roles, would not want to marry a fellow doctor strictly from a professional point of view. If it would happen – and I’m hoping it doesn’t – it would have to be because she complemented me in every respect and thus the decision came by default.

There was this famous case here in UBTH a few years ago, where an obviously under-cared-for husband came to the hospital at night and raised hell because his senior registrar wife had been on call for an extended period and the dude obviously missed her conjugal duties and his fresh meal (in contrast to the frozen and then thawed ones he’d had to endure for long), amongst other things. The man threatened to raise hell and even pull his wife out of the residency program because he didn’t understand if she was married to him or to her job.
Would you want to save lives and then lose your family and marriage?

In the the end, the consultants and security had to plead with him to calm down and go home, with the promise of seeing his wife the next morning. It was a tell-all drama that succinctly captured the same issues that spouses of doctors regularly face.
In mild to moderate cases, the spouse is frustrated, lonely, pissed off and then forced to endure the marriage; in severe cases, it could lead to an end of the marriage.

I admire the sacrifices of doctors, but this issue is one that worries me, if I’m being honest.
Personally, I want, first and foremost, a good wife; an educated one, I have to add, but I’d rather she ain’t a doctor like me.

I’m sure the thought of being or marrying a doctor is still a dream for many, for obvious reasons of financial independence and prestige [not like doctors are rich, they’re just comfortable]. I understand the dream, after all I know first hand how it feels; but to me, however, it could pose a problem.
Imagine me coming home from the hospital tired and eager to jump into bed with my wife to relieve stress after a hard day’s work, only to hear that she had rushed off to the hospital for night call, or that she had an emergency she needed to attend to, or stuff like that.

I can’t deal with it please.

I also know that a lot of understanding and communication need to be established in such a marriage to make it work, but we all know that it’s not easy. Yes, people have done it and are still doing it, but it takes nothing away from the challenge it brings.

So the question is simple: would you love to date or marry a doctor? If you’re married already, would you have loved it better if you were married to a doctor? And how do doctors balance their marriage?
Please, let’s hear your thoughts.

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/27/doctors-and-marriage-the-challenges-pros-cons/?amp

Presidency reacts to NAFDAC tariffs suspension on Pharmaceutical products and foods.

Mr Tola Johnson, a presidential aide, has commended the National Agency for the Administration of Food and Drug Control (NAFDAC), for suspending its recent hike of tariffs of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Johnson, a Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on MSMEs, recalled that the recent increase of MSMEs tariff to 60 per cent by NAFDAC made pressure groups and MSMEs across the country to agitate and express dissatisfaction because it was not favourable.

He gave the commendation on Thursday in Abuja at the 2019 “World MSMEs Day” celebration organised by Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), NAN reports.

“I commend NAFDAC for giving listening ears to the MSMEs; an increase from N10,000 to N84,000 in MSMEs tariff would have caused a lot of burden to the MSMEs in the country,” Johnson said.

He expressed satisfaction with the suspension and advised the agency to always engage all stakeholders and spell out its reasons before increasing any tariff.

Johnson also commended the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for extending its bonanza period for registration of small businesses to August 2019.

He advised the MSMEs to seize the opportunity to register their businesses with appropriate and meaningful names to boost their businesses and financial transactions.

According to him, the MSMEs have major challenges which differ in various places, ranging from finance issues, power generation and training, among others.

He identified the broadest challenge facing the MSMEs as access to finance and reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to continue to introduce laudable schemes which MSMEs could access easily with low-interest rates.

Recall that on Thursday the governing council of the National Food and Drug Administration and Control temporarily suspended the implementation of new tarriffs on Pharmaceutical and Food products following pleas, protests and protracted discussions with stallholders in the said industry.

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/28/nafdac-suspension-of-tariffs-on-pharmaceutical-products-commendable-presidency/?amp

A neuro-psychiatrist, Prof. Richard Uwakwe has identified post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bad economic, insecurity  and socio- political instability as major causes of the growing suicide acts now prevalent in Nigeria. He how advised that paying attention to traumatised persons, showing concern and human compassion could go a long way in curbing the upsurge.
Uwakwe made the suggestions,Thursday, at the second edition of public lecture of the College of Medicine, Enugu state University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Parklane-Enugu.

Uwakwe, a guest lecturer from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka said that study of suicide was a herculean task as it is philosophical, psychological, sociological and neurobiological. He cited incidences of suicide cases in Nigeria to include the medical doctor that jumped into Lagos lagoon, the case of a Redeemed Christian Church of God Pastor, and so many University Students whose statistics showed that they recorded 42 percent of the increase in last six months

According to him, “suicide is not a case of mental disorder, even though that 90 percent of the people who have committed suicide were mentally deranged. “There is no cure for suicide, but individual and collective responsibility, such as listening, showing concern and human compassion could go Memory Lane in retarding the increase.

“Government should create enabling environment for employment, the number of unemployed youths in the country is too alarming; many of these cases are out of economic hardship. “Church leaders community, health workers, every human being should join in hands to curb it,” Uwakwe suggested.

The World Health Organisation had earlier this month warned that over 24 million Nigerians may suffer from various mental disorder(s), a situation worsened by the dismal number of health institutions and professionals.

And just recently the daughter of the former governor of Oyo state, self-acclaimed journalist and social media influencer Miss Kemi Olunloyo raised and alarmed and called for help following what she called her increasingly suicidal thoughts as a result of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)  from her incarceration in a Port Harcourt prison.

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/28/ptsd-economic-hardshipunemployment-cause-of-suicides-psychiatrist/?amp

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has abolished the payments of user-fees for persons living with HIV/AIDS who want to access treatment at State-owned Health facilities.

Governor Wike said that the State Government will take over the payment of the user-fees to encourage more Rivers people to seek treatment for HIV/AIDS.

He spoke on Wednesday during a Courtesy Visit by an American Delegation of from the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention under the auspices of the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria at the Government House Port Harcourt.

Governor Wike said: “We will stop all fees collected as user-fees for persons under the HIV/AIDS Treatment Programme . This is our contribution to the partnership with the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We will take over the payment of the HIV/AIDS user-fees for the Public Health facilities in the state.

“The Deputy Governor will be in charge of the programme since she is a medical doctor. We are committed to working with the United States Government to ensure we tackle this disease “.

He said that the Rivers State Government will support the efforts of the United States Centre for Disease Control and prevention and Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria in the programme against HIV/AIDS.

He said: “The Rivers State Government will take all necessary measures to assist the centre in this current push across the state.

“All the necessary support will be extended to the agency as they work in different locations of Rivers State “.

Head of the Delegation of the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Tedd Ellerbrock said that 210, 000 persons are currently infected with HIV/AIDS in Rivers State, with 40, 000 currently on anti-retroviral treatment.

He said that the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention is launching a new programme where 110,000 infected persons will be placed on anti-retroviral treatment to stem the spread of the disease and control the epidemic.

He appealed to the Rivers State Government to take over the payment of user-fees for persons living with HIV/AIDS who want to anti-retroviral treatment.
“The United States Government is funding the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria in this effort. The US Government will be deeply involved in all the 23 Local Government Areas.

“We will deeply appreciate if you will help us with the user-fees. We have found that if there are user-fees, people are discouraged from coming forward to seek treatment. We are providing the anti-retroviral drugs and the US Government is paying for the programme “, he said.

Declaring free treatment for HIV patients in the state is a right step towards tackling the scourge of HIV in our society.

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/26/free-treatment-for-hiv-patients/?amp

IVF linked to breast cancer

Women who try to start a family using IVF may be putting themselves at greater risk of breast cancer.
Those who have had fertility treatment are 10 per cent more likely to get breast cancer, according to a study described as a ‘wake-up call’.

Women aged 40 and over may have an even higher risk, being 65 per cent more likely to be diagnosed.

The danger is believed to come from powerful drugs which are used to stimulate women’s ovaries so they produce more eggs for IVF.
That triggers female hormone oestrogen, which is needed to grow eggs but is also linked to breast cancer.

Researchers led by the University of Copenhagen tracked more than 600,000 women for up to 21 years during the study, which was presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) in Vienna.
Commenting on the findings, fertility expert Professor Geeta Nargund, a lead consultant at London’s St George’s Hospital and medical director of Create Fertility, said: ‘This is a wake-up call about the use of high dose stimulation in IVF, especially in women over the age of 40.
‘We must act now as a precaution.’
The researchers looked at all women given fertility treatment, including IVF, at clinics in Denmark between 1994 and 2015.

These 58,534 women were compared to more than 560,000 women matched for age who had not used fertility clinics.

The risk of breast cancer was 10 per cent higher in women who had received fertility treatment, with eight in every 1,000 women diagnosed.

That compared with six in every 1,000 women who had not had a fertility procedure such as IVF.

Researchers looked at women who were aged 40 or over when they gave birth to their first child, finding those who used fertility treatment had a 65 per cent higher risk of breast cancer.

This may be because older women sometimes need a higher dose of drugs to stimulate their ovaries, and are more vulnerable to the oestrogen these drugs trigger.

Dr Jane Stewart, chair of the British Fertility Society, said: ‘We shouldn’t be complacent about long-term effects.

‘Previous studies have been reassuring of breast cancer but clearly the discussion is not closed.’
But Dr Roy Farquharson, the president of ESHRE from Liverpool Women’s Hospital, said the effect was ‘marginal’ and more studies are needed.

Examples of these fertility drugs or ovarian stimulating drugs are bromocriptine, metformin, gonadotropins, letrozole, and clomiphene citrate (clomid).

Now that IVF have been linked to breast cancer, what is the way forward?

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/26/ivf-increases-risk-of-breast-cancer-in-women-by-10-research/?amp

I am going to narrate the personal experience I had with a patient who later had hemorrhoid surgery.

I am a medical doctor and a corp member serving in one of the private hospitals in Benin city Nigeria and I must say it has been a wonderful experience.

I was the doctor on duty that day when this patient male 36 years was brought into our clinic by his brothers. The said patient was barely able to walk and appears to be in severe pains coupled with some form of distress. He was practically crying and begging for help and relieve from his pains.

Immediately i jumped into action, told his relatives to take him to the emergency room and took a quick history from him and his relatives. He said he had been having recurrent anal protrusion for the past 15 years now. He said this anal protrusion started small, was initially able to push it back in and was bearably painful. However, since 2016, the swelling has increased, difficult to push back in and bleeds profusely when he defaecates. He told me that passing stool has become a dreadful event because of the severe pains and profuse bleeding. In the same 2016, he was counselled for hemorrhoidectomy by a surgeon but he declined because of fear of the complications and general anaesthesia.

He does not carry heavy loads or lifts weight, he does not have peptic ulcer disease, not diabetic or hypertensive, does not smoke or takes alcohol.

I did abdominal examination and ended up with digital rectal examination (anal examination). It was classical, the anus was protruded, bleeding and packed with cotton wool. The cotton wool was soaked with blood. I had to apply lidocaine spray or gel to be able to touch the swelling(because of his pains). The swelling was not reduceable (could not be pushed back) into the anus and was ulcerated. The swelling was in the 3, 7 and 11 O’clock position (you may not understand this term)

I instructed my ever ready nurses to give him injection diclofenac and Pentazocine to relieve his pains and calm him down. He was also started on some antibiotics.

I made a diagnosis of 3rd degree external and internal hemorrhoids and I counselled him for emergency hemorrhoidectomy. He expressed his fears for general anaesthesia and I re-assured him that we will do a spinal anaesthesia for him during the surgery. With this, he will be able to see, hear and even talk to the surgeons during the surgery. He agreed and signed the consent form (medical document containing terms of agreement between the doctor and the patient). The patient was also counselled on the possible complications of hemorrhoidectomy.

Now is the cost of surgery. Calmer now, we negotiated the price of the hemorrhoid surgery with the patient and the relatives. We both agreed he will pay #170,000 for the surgery including drugs, blood transfusion(if need arises), tests and hospital stay ( we estimated he would spend 5 days to 1week in the hospital for proper recovery).

Some blood tests was done. We grouped and cross-matched 2 pints of blood, checked his packed cell volume (PCV, which was 35%), performed a renal function test, blood sugar test, urinalysis, bowel preparation and an abdominal ultrasound scan.

Patient was worked up, primed and prepared for the surgery by the nurses

Thereafter, I put a call through to my Medical Director and the general surgeon to tell them about the patient and they came in almost immediately for the surgery. The general surgeon came in with the anaesthetist and the patient was wheeled to the to the theatre.

In the theatre, patient was re-assessed and re-interviewed by the general surgeon(I am his junior and still learning under him) in order to pick what I missed. Second evaluation and opinion is recommended in medical practice. Thereafter, the anaesthetist passed his spinal anaesthesia and surgery was commenced in earnest after placing the patient in lithotomy position. I was part of the surgical team.

The troublesome anal veins causing the hemorrhoids was removed in stages by the surgeon. He ensured the patient lost minimal amount of blood. He ligated (tied up) some of the bleeding veins. After the surgery, he packed the anus with gauze impregnated with antibiotics (sufra tulle) a to prevent infection and further stop bleeding.

The patient discussed with us throughout out the surgery and also told us to help him take pictures for his personal consumption.

We finished the surgery within 45 minutes to 1 hour and patient was there after cleaned up and rolled to the recovery room.

The immediate post up condition of the patient was satisfactory. He was told not not eat for 2 days and placed on dextrose infusion . He was on strict bed rest with adequate painkillers and strong antibiotics. On the third day post surgery, the gauze in the anus was removed and he was commenced on sitz bath (to help relieve his pain, clean up the anus and reduce inflammation and swelling), pap, ‘agidi’, and other light foods to encourage bowel movement. In the evening of that same day he started eating his normal heavy food to open up the anus.

We continue him on antibiotics and on the 4th day, he moved bowels. Passing stool was initially painful but later subsided.

The common complications of hemorrhoid surgery are bleeding, post-operative pain, wound infection and breakdown (hemorrhoidectomy is a dirty surgery), urinary retention because of the anal pain, and the long term complication of anal stenosis.

Luckily for this patient, apart from his constant pain which was taken care of by adequate analgesia, there were no other complications. He lost minimal amount of blood and there was no need for him to be transfused.

He was discharged on the 6th day and you need to see the smile on his face. I told him to continue with his sitz bath twice daily for 2 weeks.


https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/25/hemorrhoid-surgery-my-personal-experience-with-a-patient-with-photos/?amp

Patients Blinded by injection claims improvement in vision.

Recall that Nimedhealth reported that 10 patients went blind in a Kaduna eye clinic following injection by a Russian drug called Avastin. Well, the patients are beginning to regain their sight following series of investigations and treatment by the hospital management.

The hospital management and the National Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) made frantic efforts to unravel the cause of the blindness, which is yet to be disclosed.

However, the corrective surgeries carried out on the patients on Tuesday were successful as only one of the patients still cannot see at all.

When the hospital management invited journalists to interact with the patients, they said, their sights were gradually returning, though they were yet to return fully to what their situation was when they came to the hospital.

The management said the speedy recovery of the patients was miraculous, as they never expected it to be that fast.

One of the patients, who described their three weeks blindness as an accident, said she could now identify colours of dresses and notice moving objects unlike in previous weeks.

She, however, commended the hospital’s management for taking full responsibility for the incident, though she insisted that thorough investigation be carried out to unravel the mystery behind their blindness.

She said: “We need to know what led to the blindness. Could it be as a result of contamination of the injection? Is it from the supplier, hospital or manufacturer?

“We were told that the full recovery could take up to three months and we hope so. At the moment, I am not seeing fully except to identify colours that are very close to me.”

For 71 years old Rosadeen Rakiya, she was scared of going permanently blind and had gone to another hospital after the incident, where it was confirmed to her that she would regain her sight.

Rakiya said: “Two of my eyes were injected and I could not see again thereafter. But following the treatment we have been receiving, I can see but not clearly yet. But I can walk on my own now.

“The doctors told us that our sights would improve gradually. After the incident, I went to another hospital to find out if I could see again and I was told I would see again.

“Today, I am happy I can see, even though not completely clear. For two weeks after the injection, I could not see, but I thank God today.”

Another patient, Hajara Husaaini, whose one eye was affected, also confirmed improvement in her vision after the surgery and commended the hospital management for its efforts

According her, “the hospital, since the incident, havs been treating us for free, and as at today (Wednesday), I can see with the eye slightly.

“The hospital still treats us and the doctors have assured us that all will be well.”

However, contrary to the accounts of others, Mr. Zakariah Idzy said he still could not see anything even after the surgery.

He said: “I have gone through series of operations since the incident but I am still not seeing. About four doctors carried out various tests on me but my situation still remains the same. Although a female doctor told me the healing will be gradual and I hope so.”

Idzy’s wife, who cried as she spoke to journalists, lamented that the situation of her husband, being the breadwinner of the family, has caused untold hardship, as they now borrow money to feed.

“I presently borrow money to feed the family and even to come to the hospital to see my husband. My daughter has left all she is doing to remain here with the father while I take care of the home,” she said.

But, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Mahmoud Alhassan, assured that, like others, Mr. Idzy will regain his sight too and very soon.

The CMD reiterated the commitment of the hospital to doing all it takes to address the situation, saying that the hospital had since the incident been up and doing on their case, working round the clock, which has resulted in tremendous successes.

He explained that, what happened was an accident which the hospital has learnt a lot from and will guard against.

Avastin is a drug used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is also used to treat diabetic eye disease and other problems of the retina. It is injected into the eye to help slow vision loss from these diseases.

Avastin is the brand name for the drug, which is called bevacizumab. It blocks the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the back of the eye. Those blood vessels can leak and affect vision, causing vision loss from wet AMD and diabetic eye disease.

This should not be the end, the authorities should investigate the cause of the blindness and report released to the public.

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/25/updated-we-can-now-see-says-patients-blinded-by-injection/?amp

The trendy dance and fitness craze called Zumba could relieve millions of women from the agony of menstrual cramps, research suggests.

A study found a one-hour class of the Latin-inspired workout once a week reduces the discomfort of menstrual cramps.

Menstrual cramps, or primary dysmenorrhea, affects at least half of menstruating women and is thought to be caused by an influx of chemicals called prostaglandins.

Prostaglandins cause blood vessels in the uterus to constrict, which prevents oxygen reaching the womb’s tissue, triggering pain.

Exercise in general is thought to ‘flush out’ these chemicals, boosting the uterus’ supply of oxygen-rich blood.

Zumba, which counts Cher among its legion of fans, may be particularly appealing due to it being ‘fashionable, affordable and less formal’ than other exercises classes, the researchers claim.

The research was carried out by Cairo University in Egypt and led by Dr Ahmed Samy, of the department of obstetrics and gynecology.

Primary dysmenorrhea is defined as menstrual cramps that occur immediately before or during menstrual bleeding, with no signs of ill health in the woman’s pelvis, the researchers wrote in the Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.

Younger women are most at risk of the condition, which can also cause mood swings, diarrhoea, absenteeism and even vomiting.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like aspirin, are recommended as the go-to treatment, followed by the Pill.

But research suggests a quarter of women refuse to take these treatments, and are instead increasingly opting for non-pharmacological relief, such as yoga, meditation, herbs, and massage.

With past studies suggesting Zumba helps women lose weight and socialise, the researchers set out to uncover whether it could also relieve menstrual discomfort.

They analysed 98 women, aged 18-to-25, who had been diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea.

The primary form of the condition occurs when pain is present during each menstrual cycle and is not due to any other disorder.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is defined as discomfort that is caused by a condition in a woman’s reproductive organs, such as endometriosis or fibroids.

The women were divided into two groups, with the first 49 taking part in a one-hour Zumba class once a week for two months.

Results revealed the women who did Zumba experienced significantly less pain after both four and eight weeks.

The women were divided into two groups, with the first 49 taking part in a one-hour Zumba class once a week for two months.

The remaining 49 participants had no intervention and acted as ‘controls’.

With past studies suggesting Zumba helps women lose weight and socialise, the researchers set out to uncover whether it could also relieve menstrual discomfort.

Results revealed the women who did Zumba experienced significantly less pain after both four and eight weeks.

On a pain score out of 10, those who took part in the Latin-inspired exercise programme saw their discomfort reduce by 2.94.

And the duration of pain also went down.

Those in the Zumba group experienced an average of 4.9 hours of discomfort at week eight.

This is compared to an average of 9.10 hours among the controls.

The Zumba classes were also found to be safe, with no side effects being reported.

‘Zumba is easily used for women, available in many countries, time-saving,’ the researchers wrote.

‘[It has] no adverse effects and could be affordable.

‘[Therefore] our results could be generalisable and applicable for many women suffering from PD.’

Exercise is thought to increase blood flow through the womb, which ‘facilitates the exit of prostaglandins from the uterus’, they added.

Overall, Zumba is a ‘fashionable, attractive’ form of exercise that combines ‘Latin rhythms and aerobic steps’ to move the entire body.

The ‘less formal, easier’ choreography may make it more appealing than ‘other group exercise classes’.

The researchers stress, however, further studies with more participants, and women of an older age, are required.

According to Wikipedia, Zumba is an exercise fitness program created by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto “Beto” Pérez during the 1990s.

A Zumba class combines fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body using principles from aerobic and fitness to achieve cardio and muscle-toning benefits.

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/25/menstrual-cramps/?amp

How to prevent asthmatic attacks in NYSC camp/surviving asthma in Nysc camp.

All sorts of people with one medical condition or the other are posted to various camps by the National Youth Service Corps for a compulsory 3 weeks camping, orientation, and training before they are now posted to their places of primary assignment(PPA) for the service year proper. Among the Corp members posted to camp are asthmatics, sicklers, hypertensives, ulcer patients, hypertensive patients, persons with hemorrhoids, diabetics and so on.

Asthmatics are more in number in the camp, and also because the conditions (unhygienic and unconductive) of most NYSC camps in Nigeria always triggers crisis in asthmatics, I have decided to share tips on how to live, prevent and survive with asthma in the camp.

Read the tips below…….

Accept you are asthmatic.

Prepare a medical report before going to the camp. This report must be duly signed by a medical doctor on a public hospital.

Dont forget your inhaler. In fact go to camp with 2 inhalers.

Always be with your inhaler.

Learn how to use your inhaler.

Go to camp early so as to get a good space in the hostels.

In the hostel, sleep close to the window or under the fan.

Prepare for extreme cold- go with sweaters

Ensure you don’t choose a duty bed

Drink plenty of water.

Ensure you don’t get dehydrated.

Have a water container with you and take it everywhere.

Sleep close to the window for fresh air.

As soon as you arrive camp, please go straight to the camp clinic and let the camp doctors know you are asthmatic.

Go with your medications.

Please know the names of your medication. It makes it easier for your camp doctors.

Know your triggers and avoid them

No strenuous exercise please

Eat plenty of fruits.

Go to camp with 2 bed sheets. Always change your bed sheets.

Avoid enclosed and stuffy places.

If you cannot go for parade let them know and don’t force yourself.

Know the foods that you react to and avoid them.

No matter the platoon you belong to please don’t join them in the kitchen.

If you suspect you are about to have an attack, walk straight to the clinic with your inhaler.

Stay close to the camp clinic.

Let your platoon leaders know you are asthmatic.

Avoid dust as much as possible.

Please go with facemask, if you are posted to very dusty states like the northern parts of the country.

Stay in a well ventilated environment.

Please don’t stress yourself.

Avoid heat exhaustion as much as possible.

No smoking please.

No binge drinking.

Do not drink alcohol in camp.

Do not indulge in strenuous or physically exhaustive exercise.

Avoid crowded places in camp

Be emotionally intelligent. Don’t let anyone toil with your emotions. Extreme emotions can trigger asthmatic attacks.

Make friends with responsible individuals in camp.

Learn a skill. Attend their skill acquisition programmes

Watch out for other asthmatics in camp and make friends with them. This helps most times.

This article is dedicated to a beautiful Corp member called Amarachi. Her asthmatic attacks was so frequent that she was now practically staying with us in camp clinic in Nasarawa. She was allergic to almost every thing in camp. She was later redeployed to serve close to her family.

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/24/tips-on-how-to-prevent-asthma-attacks-in-nysc-camp/?amp

Do you know that some genotype test results could be wrong? A hematologist speaks on wrong genotype test results and the way forward.

Professor Sagir Ahmed, a consultant hematologist at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), has explained why many prospective couples who submitted themselves for genotype testing before marriage could end up with wrong results. Speaking to newsmen on Saturday during the celebration of the 2019 World Sickle Cell and Blood Donation Day at Bayero University Kano (BUK), Professor Ahmed said there were two issues concerning the increase in birth of children with sickle cell disorder despite the intense sensitization on the problem.

“As far as genotype testing is concerned, there are two issues: One, those who deliberately refuse to do the testing before marriage should know that they are responsible for whatever happen to their children after marriage. “Two, There are those who submit themselves to hospital for the genotype testing but the test results were wrongly issued. Usually, this happen when the test is done using ordinary method,” he said.

“There are several methods by which genotype can be determined and the commonest method is called hemoglobin electrophoresis. On the other hand, the sophisticated method is called hemoglobin chromatography. “I will advise individuals who are about to get married to to have their genotype determined by hemoglobin chromatography genotype test and this is available at AKTH and possibly, other hospitals in Kano,” he added. Professor Ahmed said many couples end up getting wrong genotype test results because they opt for the electrophoresis method of test which he said is cheaper and prone to errors. On the management of sickle cell disease, the expert, who also lectures at the BUK hematology department, identified the key factors that could cause, pain, known as “crisis” in patients. He said in addition to malaria and other infections, menstruation, pregnancy and psychological and mental issues could also trigger crisis.

A hematologist is a medical doctor or a pathologist that specializes in the diseases of blood and blood forming organs.

Have you ever had a wrong genotype test results?

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/24/most-genotype-test-results-before-marriage-are-wrong-prof-ahmed/?amp

An article on tips on how to live long with hypertension, & home remedies for high blood pressure that really works.

A person is diagnosed of hypertension when he or she has a persistently high blood pressure of greater than or equal to 140/90 on two visits to the clinic. A blood pressure of 160/100 is considered hypertension especially if the risk factors are there.

To cut the long story short, I want to share with us salient tips on how to live long with hypertension (high blood pressure). Persons with high blood pressure can lead their normal lives and achieve their live goals.

The goal is to avoid complications of hypertension like stroke, kidney failure, blindness, leg ulcers and so on

So now, how can one live long with hypertension? It is easy. See below.

How to live long with high blood pressure

Accept you are hypertensive

No self pity

Take your drugs regularly

Take your drugs as prescribed

Don’t miss your drugs

Please don’t stop taking your drugs

Please refill your drugs when it finishes

Exercise

Reduce your weight- know your BMI

Eat healthy meals

Avoid fatty diets

Don’t smoke

No to alcohol. At best cut down on alcohol.

Say no to anything that will stress you

Live happy

Make peace with all men

Always check your blood pressure

Have a blood pressure machine to monitor your blood pressure at home

Always talk to your doctor or health care providers

Avoid noisy environments

Don’t keep it secret, let your trusted family members know.

Don’t miss appointment with your doctor

Listen to soft music

Please make your environment as serene as possible

Don’t miss your drugs

Please know the complications of hypertension

Know thyself. Take note of the signs and symptoms you have when you suspect your blood pressure is high

Go for routine renal function test

Go for routine renal scan

Do urinalysis at least every 3 months

Go for routine chest radiograph

You will benefit from routine ECG

No herbs please

Reduce your salt intake. Low sodium diet

Please do not add uncooked salt to your meals

See the Ophthalmologist for routine eye check

Please know the names of your drugs. If possible memorize them

Avoid caffeinated drinks

Please no energy drinks

Reduce foods that contain high cholesterol

Talk to your doctor about any complications of your hypertensive medications

Go for routine blood sugar check

Don’t patronize quacks

If possible join the hypertensive support group.

Tell your trusted colleagues about your high blood pressure

Ensure you sleep well

Savour the beauty of nature

Visit friends

Go for outings, picnics or field trips

Eat plenty of fruits

Yoga, meditation, guided breathing and other relaxation techniques helps control hypertension

Tell yourself life does not end with hypertension. Get that job, build that house, start that business, get that qualification and start a family.

Don’t faith it. It is not spiritual

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/23/tips-on-how-to-live-long-with-hypertension/?amp

Go to the hospital and be evaluated by a doctor please

Seminal fluid analysis is a medical test done to assess the characteristics of the male semen and the spermatozoa therein. It is usually done to evaluate the male fertility or infertility, and for verifying the success of vasectomy (a permanent method of male contraception).

In this article, I will enlighten us on the common terminologies used in seminal fluid analysis and maybe give us some snippets on the interpretation of the results.

Medical Terminologies used in seminal fluid analysis
Semen: Also called seminal fluid or ejaculate, is an organic fluid that contains spermatozoa, enzymes, fructose, and other proteolytic substances. It is produced by the male gonads . About 96 to 98 percent of semen is water.
Spermatozoa: A very active cell contained within the semen that helps fertilize the female ovarian. It is problems with the quality and quantity of spermatozoa that negatively affects the male ability to impregnate a woman.
Ejaculation: Ejaculation is the discharge of semen (normally containing spermatozoa) from the male reproductory tract, usually accompanied by orgasm. Problems of ejaculation are: (1) Anejaculation which is the condition of being unable to ejaculate and (2) dysejaculation is an ejaculation that is painful or uncomfortable and (3) Retrograde ejaculation which is the condition where semen travels backwards into the bladder rather than out the urethra. Semen for seminal fluid analysis is collected via ejaculation or otherwise.
Collection: The process of collecting the semen for analysis from the male. It is done through masturbation, condom collection(non spermicide condoms) and epididymal extraction. Semen collection via coitus interrupts (withdrawal method) is no longer encouraged because of the high risk of contamination and part of the ejaculate may be lost. Please be aware that semen for analysis is best collected right in the lab or clinic. This is to avoid error that occurs from temperature changes or preservation during transportation.
Sperm count: The amount of spermatozoa contained in an ejaculate. It is different from total sperm count.
Total sperm count: It is the sperm count multiplied by volume
Aspermia: absence of semen
Azoospermia: absence of sperm
Hypospermia: low semen volume
Hyperspermia: high semen volume
Oligozoospermia: Very low sperm count
Asthenozoospermia: poor sperm motility
Teratozoospermia: sperm carry more morphological defects than usual
Necrozoospermia: all sperm in the ejaculate are dead
Leucospermia: a high level of white blood cells in semens. It signifies an infection
Volume: It is the amount of semen released per ejaculation. The World Health Organization says semen volume of 1.5ml to 2ml and up to 5ml is normal. Men also produce more seminal fluid after lengthy sexual stimulation and arousal. Reducing the frequency of sex and masturbation helps increase semen volume. Sexually transmitted diseases also affect the production of semen. Men who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) produce lower semen volume.
Motility: Motility means movement. Motility is the ability of the spermatozoa to move towards the female ova in order to fertilize it. This is very important. Some males with fertility problems have issues with sperm motility (sluggish sperm) . The World Health Organization recommends at least 50 percent motility per ejaculate.
Morphology: Simply means the shape of the sperm cell. It has to do with the presence or absence of defective spermatozoa. The World Health Organization recommends the spermatozoans should contain at least between 50% to 60% of normal forms.
Colour: The colour of the semen matters a lot. According to Wikipedia, semen normally has a whitish-gray color. It tends to get a yellowish tint as a man ages. Semen color is also influenced by the food we eat: foods that are high in sulfur, such as garlic, may result in a man producing yellow semen. Presence of blood in semen (hematospermia) leads to a brownish or red colored ejaculate. Hematospermia is a rare condition. Semen that has a deep yellow color or is greenish in appearance may be due to medication. Brown semen is mainly a result of infection and inflammation of the prostate gland, urethra, epididymis and seminal vesicles. Other causes of unusual semen color include sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, genital surgery and injury to the male sex organs.
Fructose level: Fructose is the substance or the “energy house” of the spermatozoa. It is this energy that drives or propels the spermatozoa to the female egg. The WHO recommends an ejaculate of semen to contain 13umol of fructose. Absence of fructose or reduced levels indicate problems with the seminal vesicles.
[b]PH: [/b]means the acidity or alkalinity of the semen. The spermatozoa thrives in an alkaline environment of between 7.2 to 7.8.
Vitality: A term recently introduced in seminal fluid analysis (SFA). It simply means the measurement of the number of spermatozoa that is alive in an ejaculate. The world health organization recommends that at least 75 percent of the sperm cell should be alive.
[b]Measurements method: [/b]Seminal fluid analysis is done with computer assisted semen analysis (CASA) and Raman spectroscopy
[b]Repeat SFA: [/b]Most times, the results of your first semen analysis are not encouraging and may require a repeat. If the results from a man’s first sample are subfertile, they must be verified with at least two more analyses. At least 2 to 4 weeks must be allowed between each analysis.
[b]Cost: [/b]Of course you don’t think SFA is free. The last patient I sent to do the test in one of the popular fertility labs in Nigeria paid #20,000 Naira. It is covered by NHIS.
Please avoid smoking, alcohol, and sexual intercourse 2-3 days before going for a SFA as these may affect the outcome of the final results .

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/18/seminal-fluid-analysis/?amp

Lists smoking, alcohol, maternal infections, uterine defects, medical disorders, maternal age and genetic defects as causes of miscarriage.

A Consultant in Obstetric and Gynaecology, Dr David Ede-Edokpolor, has said that about 40 per cent of all conceptions ends in miscarriage after implantation as a result of maternal infections, medical disorders, maternal age, alcohol, smoking, and uterine abnormalities.

In an interview with our correspondent, Ede-Edokpolor, advised pregnant women to avoid alcohol and smoking during pregnancy as this could also cause miscarriage.

He said, “Up to 80 per cent of spontaneous miscarriages occur in the first trimester. The incidence is influenced by age, history of a previous full-term pregnancy, number of previous spontaneous miscarriages, a previous history of stillbirth, and a history of a previous infant born with malformation or known genetic defect.

“Maternal age could also be a cause of miscarriages, the older the woman, the worse the outcome of the miscarriage. Prevention of miscarriages is by prompt treatment of all infections listed above and early identification and prompt treatment of medical disorders.”

He advised women who have suffered miscarriages to go to the hospital and see an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist for proper evaluation, assessment and treatment.

“More than 70,000 women die from complications of induced abortions and over 99 per cent of these deaths are due to unsafe procedures carried out in developing countries,” the expert said.

He listed the different types of miscarriages as threatened miscarriage, incomplete miscarriage, inevitable miscarriage, complete miscarriage, missed miscarriage, recurrent miscarriage, septic miscarriage and complete miscarriage.

A miscarriage is defined as loss or expulsion of a pregnancy before 28 weeks gestation. In developed societies where the special care baby units are well equipped and can salvage babies below 28 weeks, viability would be defined as gestation of 20 weeks to 24 weeks.

In the mind of the public, the term abortion is usually confused with a deliberate termination of pregnancy and criminal abortion while miscarriage is an accidental or spontaneous end to a pregnancy. To the medical person, the terms miscarriage and abortion means the same thing. Other causes of miscarriage are hormonal imbalance, immunological abnormalities like systemic lupus erythromatosis (SLE) and ABO and Rhesus incompatibility.

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/21/causes-of-miscarriage/?amp

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, says his administration is committed to improving the welfare of sickle cell patients.

The governor also commended eHealth Africa for donating Rapid Diagnostic kits to be used for detecting sickle cell genotype in the state.

The governor, according to a statement on Thursday, spoke at the commemoration of the 2019 World Sickle Cell Day, held at the Sickle Cell Centre in Benin City, Edo State.

He said incidence of sickle cell anaemia could be checked, reduced drastically and possibly eradicated if people took the test to know their genotype, especially before marriage and after delivery of babies.

He said, “We are concerned about the welfare of sickle cell patients in the state and will continue to collaborate with development partners to improve support to the centre.

“We commend the eHealth Africa for their donation of Rapid Diagnostic kits to improve genotype testing in the state. This is one area we are concerned about. We restructured the Sickle Cell Centre last year and some funds were made available to improve facilities at the centre.”

Programme Manager, Health Delivery System, eHealth Africa, Muhammed Hassan, said the Rapid Diagnostic kits donated to the centre would help in detecting genotype of about one million people in the state.

He urged government to increase the advocacy campaign to encourage people to know their genotypes so as to reduce incidence of sickle cell anaemia.

He said the organisation was partnering the Edo State Government for the deployment of the test kits across the state, and urged sickle cell patients to enrol for the state’s proposed Health Insurance Scheme.

The President of the Sickle Cell Club, Mr Aigbonoga Asekome, commended Obaseki for his support and called for speedy passage of a bill to strengthen the operations of the Sickle Cell Centre.

Do you know that the Edo state government have a sickle cell centre that caters for the health needs of sickle cell patients at a highly subsidized rate. Some medications there are even free.

The Sickle Cell Anaemia Centre, along Hotel Plaza Road, GRA Benin City, Edo State, is a health organization for services in improving the standard of healthcare of persons with sickle cell disorder, genetic counselling, prenatal diagnosis, newborn screening, leg ulceration treatment & transcranial doppler ultrasound.

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/21/edo-state-committed-to-the-welfare-of-sickle-cell-patients-obaseki/?amp

It is part of the patients bill of rights introduced by Osinbajo in 2018. Patients now have rights to ask for doctors qualifications even before consultations.

Know your rights.

See previous thread
https://www.nairaland.com/5256613/dss-arrests-fake-medical-doctor

Ibrahim Mustapha, a fake doctor and principal medical officer of Cottage hospital, Fufore in Adamawa state, has been arrested by the Department of State Services for killing patients in the cause of his fake practice.

He is said to have performed over 500 surgical operations causing the death of about 46 patients from January to May 2019.

Parading the fake doctor in Yola on Thursday, DSS Director in the state, Bola Olori, said the DSS has, “effected the arrest of one Ibrahim Mustapha, who operated illegally as a PMO in Fufore Cottage hospital, Fufore local government area of Adamawa state”.

Mr. Olori said a preliminary investigation revealed that Mustapha holds National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) certificate, an equivalent of Senior Secondary School certificate or High School.

The fake surgeon confessed to forging MBBS credentials according to the DSS but denied causing the death of any patient throughout his career until his arrest.

“Yes, I’ve forged the documents as stated by the DSS boss and also done both major and minor surgical operations, including caesarian section, altogether more than 500 surgeries without causing the death of any of my patients as claimed.”

But the DSS said, “He perfected the illicit act in Gombe where he worked as a ward attendant in several clinics. He was aided by a practicing doctor who gave him sample copies of his NECO results, MBBS of Bayero University Kano, NYSC Discharge certificate and Medical and Dental Council if Nigeria, annual registration license.

“The suspect subsequently gained employment into the Adamawa state Hospital Management Board in October 2015 as a doctor and rose to the post of PMO, serving at both the Cottage hospital Mayo-Belwa and Fufore.”

Mustapha ran out of luck when he attended visa interview as a potential medical team member for the 2019 hajj operations.

He was exposed by a man who knew him in Gombe as a ward attendant in an undisclosed clinic.
A fake doctor or quack is a person that parades his/herself as medically qualified to administer treatment to sick patients or understands the pathology of diseases but not certified by the medical licensing board. They are abound world wide but more in developing countries like Nigeria.


https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/20/fake-doctor-who-claims-he-has-performed-500-surgeries-caused-46-deaths-arrested/?amp

An enquiry into the cause of total blindness in 10 patients in a Kaduna eye centre.
Medical experts at a tertiary health institution in Kaduna State are now working round the clock to unveil the circumstances leading to the total blindness of 10 out-patients after they were injected with a drug the same day.
The victims, who are regular patients of the National Eye Centre, Kaduna became totally blind the same day they received injections for eye-related problems.

Once the incident happened, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) intervened and took the drug for a test. The agency’s findings are being awaited.

Shocked by the development, the hospital management recalled all the affected patients and placed them on free treatment and feeding.

LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that despite the efforts of the hospital management, none of the patients is yet to regain his or her sight.

A source said that when the incident occurred, NAFDAC went to the hospital within 48 hours and took a sample of the drug that was administered on the male and female patients including the one that was not opened for investigation and analysis.

The sad incident reportedly took place in May this year.

Some of the victims, who narrated their experiences to LEADERSHIP Weekend, said they were still in shock on how they suddenly became blind after taking the injection.

They said that they were yet to get satisfactory explanations on the cause(s) of their blindness the same day after they were injected with a drug in the same bottle.

The management of the hospital said they were not leaving any stone unturned to ensure that the victims regain their sight.

The hospital management said they have embarked on a thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident.

The chief medical director (CMD), Dr. Mahmoud Alhassan, said that the hospital had been injecting other patients with the same drug without any problem.

The injection they were given is the same drug we use to give to patients to reduce bleeding in the eye, especially for diabetics and other patients.

He said: “Interestingly, this is the second, third and last time some of them are taking this particular drug and these reactions just took place.

“The drug is made by Russians. One of the patients complained that her vision had gone down so she came and we thought it was abnormal reactions; we treated it as an infection. We took actions and gave them drugs.

“We still have to clean the eyes, their vision will come back, the CMD said.

Alhassan, who confirmed that NAFDAC came to the hospital within 48 hours of the incident and took samples of the drug, said that it included the used and the unused drugs.

“The point is that these eyes are severely affected eyes. Their vision is poor and we are trying to help them. We have been talking to them and doing our best but it might take two to three months to achieve the desired results because eyes heal gradually. They will be able to get them back,” he said.

“In fact, two of them are very happy now because their situation is now better than it was before. Aside the medical efforts we are making, we are also carrying out necessary investigation, we are not happy with the situation and we will address it accordingly,” he said.

Meanwhile, the patients who until the sad occurrence were out-patients and received same injection at one point or the other without any implications, said that they were yet to recover from the shock.
They questioned the rationale behind the incident as they admitted that they had been receiving the injection but now with no satisfactory explanation as to the cause of the blindness to all of them that were injected the same day.

What could be the cause of this total blindness? Could the drug be expired, adulterated or contaminated? Is it the right drug or it was wrongly labelled by the manufacturers. The cause of this incidence must be investigated by the NAFDAC and report released to the public.

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/20/total-blindness/?amp

A sickler shares story on how he survives sickle cell anemia.

Few days ago, we lost Uche.
She was a gem, a warrior and an ever present member of the Sickle Cell Community.
I remember it was this time last year.
We got talking via the Sickle Cell WhatsApp group, she needed blood and I had a friend of mine come donate for her.
It was then we got to know that we were both on admission in the same hospital (LUTH). She was in the female ward and I was in the male ward.
Uche was super positive! She would wake me up with words of encouragement and would tell me to believe! That we would both win. Of course we did win! And we have won severally since then.
But she didn’t get to win on this particular occasion. She lost it to the dreaded sickle cell.
To you, Henry (whom we also lost a few months back), Mohammad (my brother) and the thousands of warriors who are long gone, continue to rest in power.
I know a whole lot of people get this scary look when they hear about Sickle cell.
Truth be told, sickle cell can be dreadful.
Talk about the long nights, the painful episodes, the stereotypes and all.
But in-spite of all these negativities we’ve had some positives.
There are warriors who live till old age and see their grandchildren. There are those who’ve not recorded any hospital visit in years. We have those who are super healthy and are living their best life.
For us living with sickle cell, information is vital.
Getting adequate information about our condition is not only important but can save us tons of worries.
As today marks the World’s sickle cell day, I’ve listed a few natural management procedures for US and for our caregivers as well.
These procedures have helped me overcome my deepest moments as a warrior and also helped me stay healthy! And I’m super certain it can do so for you.
1. Preventing Dehydration – In case you didn’t know, these past few months have been one for me to forget. Been on admission for at least four times, got my first ever blood transfusion coupled with loads of emotional bargains.
But it all got better when I did one thing! Increase my water intake!
I started taking nothing less than 5 litres of water daily! That’s a lot, yeah? But it surely helped.
The thing is, sickle cell crisis most times is a reaction to low oxygen levels in the blood, which can be caused by extreme physical conditions and dehydration.
Taking at least 4 liters of water daily, coupled with getting adequate rest is key to preventing crisis and staying on top of your game.
2. Avoiding your Triggers – This is also very helpful. Triggers are what leads to your crisis.
For me, it’s dehydration, stress, infection, malaria and funny enough consuming too much of sweet things.
For you, it might be different. It is essential you identify those things, and try to avoid them
3. Diet – Foods play a large role too! Because as warriors, our body needs more nutrients than the average individual, so it’s highly beneficial if we load our foods with varieties.
I won’t be specific here, but make it a habit as a warrior to consume fruits and veggies on a daily basis!
Your body needs folate to produce red blood cells, it needs protein and healthy fats to reduce anaemia symptoms and also it needs lots of antioxidants to fight infections! Don’t deny it!
Make I stop here abeg! The thing don dey long
Lastly, it is our collective duty to help achieve a pain free society!
Nigeria currently has the highest number of people living with sickle cell!
But despite that, you still see young carriers (AS and AS) playing love and believing God will take control. I pity them!
I’m not even concerned about them, I’m concerned about the poor child they intend to bring to a life of pains!
In as much as you can, genotypic compatibility is so important! Please ensure you are compatible before you say I do!
Obrigado! Gracias!

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/19/he-survives-sickle-cell-anemia/?amp

The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to disregard rumour of a positive case of Ebola Virus Disease in the country, saying that effort had been heightened at the various ports of entry into the country to ensure that sick people making coming into Nigeria were properly screened.

Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda have witnessed a resurgence of the virus in their countries lately, with Ugandan Ministry of Health announcing on June 11, 2019 the first cross-border cases in the current outbreak.

He also described as false, an alleged message circulating in the social media purporting a positive case of Ebola Virus Disease in the country.

The Permanent Secretary also called on members of the public to discourage the circulation of any unverified information, which he said, could cause harm to innocent people and unnecessary panic among the citizens.

Abdullahi said, “FG (has) assured (citizens) that since the reports of outbreak of EVD in the Democratic Republic of Congo, heightened surveillance had been on-going at the various points of entry by officials of the Port Health Services division of the ministry to prevent importation into Nigeria. To this effect, every sick passenger has been properly screened and I can say categorically that none of the patients screened has tested positive for Ebola or any deadly disease.

“In line with WHO’s guidelines, a recent preliminary risk assessment conducted by the Nigeria Ebola Preparedness team, coordinated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control indicated that the overall risk of importation of EVD to Nigeria from Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda is low, but we are not resting on our oars in view of trading activities of Nigerians.

“The Nigerian government remain fully committed while working closely with the WHO, state ministries of health, partners and all other stakeholders, to protect the health of all Nigerians. However, necessary protocols are being followed in line with international Health Regulations.”

The deadly Ebola virus disease outbreaks occurred in 2014 where a certain Liberian diplomat, Patrick Sawyer became the first source of Nigerian contact and lead to the death of the Dr. Stella AdedovahDr. Stella Adedovah who diagnosed it. She is credited with having curbed a wider spread of the Ebola virus in Nigeria by placing the patient zero, Patrick Sawyer, in quarantine despite pressures from the Liberian government. When threatened by Liberian officials who wanted the patient to be discharged to attend a conference, she resisted the pressure and said, “for the greater public good” she would not release him. She is known for preventing the Nigerian index case from leaving the hospital at the time of diagnosis, thereby playing a key role in curbing the spread of the virus in Nigeria. On 4 August 2014, it was confirmed that she had tested positive for Ebola virus disease and was being treated. Adadevoh died in the afternoon of 19 August 2014. She was survived by her husband Afolabi and son Bankole among other relatives.

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/19/it-is-fake-news-fg-dispels-rumour-of-ebola-outbreak-in-nigeria/?amp

Today is World Sickle Cell Day and I a decided to share this with us and probably dispel this myth.

Good morning and how was your night? I have heard a group of both educated and uneducated persons discuss sickle cell anemia with baited breathe. They usually discuss a whole lot of issues ranging from the importance of doing a genotype test before marriage, how to take care of a sickler child, how to boost the blood level of a sicker, the inheritance of SS gene, to the problems of sickle cell anemia, the cost burden of raising a “sickler” is expensive and the life span of sickle. Others have heard is that sickle cell anemia is only found in black people and it is a disease of blackness. Some say sickle cell disease is contagious and pregnant women should stay away from sufferers. Others believe it is not curable. There is another common belief that sicklers are immune or protected from malaria attack.

What strikes me in these discussions is the lifespan of a sickler. Most of these people surprising have usually pegged the lifespan of sickle cell sufferers at 21 years. Many believe sicklers don’t live to adulthood. Some even say if a sicker does not die at 21 years, he or she will not die again till old age. I realized it is a common belief that has taken hold of the minds of people across the world especially in Africa.

But how true is this common belief?

Leave a comment please.
https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/05/15/question-of-the-week-is-it-true-that-sickle-cell-patients-die-at-age-21/?amp

Is there anything that cannot be faked in Nigeria? A Nigerian man this morning exposed and shed light on the circulation of fake peak milk satchet products in the Nigerian market.

In the video, the man took his time to show to world how he came to the conclusion that peak milk products are being faked citing suspicious National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) number, obvious colour changes in both the original and the adulterated peak milk.

NAFDAC and the consumer protection agency needs to wake up to its responsibility of protecting Nigerians from adulterated products. Essential commodities like drugs, food items, water, drinks, and even hospital consumables are been faked with reckless abandon with no real court conviction or administration of justice.
About 100,000 deaths a year in Africa are linked to the counterfeit drug trade, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

In this video, he explained beyond reasonable doubts that something suspicious is going on with the peak milk products in the Nigerian market.

Where do we go from here?

Video evidence of counterfeit or fake peak milk satchet in circulation.

Let share this until it gets to the manufacturers of the peak products. Recently the celebrated 60 years of giving nourishing vitality.

Adulterated food products have been linked to diarrhoea, food poisoning, malnutrition, cancers and even deaths.

When we push back on fake drugs and food products, we directly or indirectly save a life .

Watch the video below as I could not upload it here on Nairaland. It is a 2 minutes 20 seconds video. Thank you

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/19/fake-peak-milk-in-circulation-video-evidence/?amp

Nurses stereotypes. Probably feed up with the myths, falsehoods, untruths and negative stories about nurses, a man bears his mind on the stereotyping of the nursing profession on facebook.

He has very strong points and we must stop male and female nurses stereotypes

Read below…… ……

“Nurses are this! Nurses that.

Quotes from those who are never in the shoes of these gorgeous people.

Nurses Stereotypes.

Stereotypes.

Stereotypes.

Nurses are this! Nurses are that!

Ndị ara Ndị ara.

Jeez! A friend suggested I should mind my tone while writing.

Of all the stereotypes melted to professions, individuals, tribes etc.

The one that hits me more is that melted to Nurses.

40% of humanity feel the same way as well.

This post may or may not be long but you need to read it.

I don’t need to be a nurse before I render my dissatisfaction.

Nurses are often unsung heroes from providing round-the-clock assessment and beside care to administering medicines, wound care, diagonistics and counselling.

Nurses are indispensable clinicians.

They are not just there to be taking a patient’s pulse or blood pressure, setting up IVS, emptying bedpans etc.

Yet stereotypes in the television, film and other media have long cultivated public misconception of the nursing profession.

Especially from Nollywood.

Besides if Nurse Nono is rude, a gossip, wicked and even an ashawo doesn’t negate the fact that Nurse Chinelo is also wicked and dates a doctor.

So why the stereotype melted to nurses?

On the lips of many.

Every nurses has had at least one affair with a doctor.
What all nurses do is to wipe patients all day long.

Nurses are inferior to doctors.

Nurses are low lives.
All nurses are super filthy.

The question “Why’d you become a nurse and not a doctor?

When people assume that there’s nothing to do during night shift since all the patients are asleep.

They are gossips.

The doctor always knows more.

Etc.

Nollywood is number one culprit of this crime. Nollywood has unrepentantly portrayed the Nursing profession in a negative light.

Just go to YouTube and type nurse.

You will marvel with what you’ll see.

Hot nurses.

Abakaliki nurses.

Nurse Cecilia.

Calabar nurses.

Nurses on night duty.

Nurses were thought of as caring and compassion and Nursing was viewed as an admirable occupation to which so many aspire.

Today we are being brainwashed by the mass media and writers of popular TV shows and movies have depicted nurses in demeaning roles, typically portraying them as sexual objects, frivolous, or being subservient to male doctors.

Nollywood movies associates nurses with sex and cruelty, stamping an impression on the profession in the minds of millions of Nigerians.

In fact 86% of the 280 films featured nurses as overtly sexual.

Doctors are “god” in charge of things. Doctors are seen performing many critical functions that in real life are actually performed by Nurses.

Some even forget the male folks that are also nurses.

Or would they be referred as being incompetent, corrupt, homicidal etc as well?

Nevertheless, fictional nurse characters tend to remain mostly insulting and unrealistically marginalizing the Nursing profession.

The implication of this stereotype is that it distorts people’s perception about Nursing profession and negatively influences their attitudes towards nurses in the real world.

Majority don’t value what nurses do only but a few because all they remember is the low life nurse he/she saw in the movies.

The bottom line is that writers of TV shows and movies should take artistic license to ensure accuracy instead of feeding the public with false information about this profession.

Nurses on their own side needs to be prepared to describe what they do. They need to speak out.

For me and others who cares.
Professional nurses don’t grace the doctor’s bed. They collaborate with them to provide solutions to health problems.

Saying they are gossips, drug addicts etc. They abide by the ethics of their profession.

They are not irresponsible, inferior or unintelligent set of people. If only they tell you what they go through to pass their final exams. You will shatap.

Saying nurses sleep with patients. Mehn! Are you still us on this planet?

They are not cruel, wicked, disrespectful, errand girls, prostitutes etc.

They don’t wash doctor’s cars.

You know the “Golden Rule”?

Yes na.

You know am.

Apply it.

Treat nurses as you’ll like them to treat you.

Be kind and calm while addressing them. Many of them are wired differently whatever Oshim endures, Chinelo may not endure.

Remember that irrespective of the pay they receive. It’s never easy to take care of another person that is not a family.

95% of the functions performed at the hospital are done by them not the doctors.

Nurses are God sent.
Nurses are caring.
Nurses are beautiful.
Nurses are smart.

When next you take nurses as low lives then you need to go for brain surgery.

I’m really proud of guys.

We love you guys.”

The nursing profession are being wrongly misrepresented in the world today. Join hands to put a stop to these nurses stereotypes or myths. It can only be done by education and public enlightenment like what this man just started. Funny enough, he is not a nurse but a Philosopher.

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/19/nurses-stereotypes-a-facebooker-lashes-out-dispels-every-nurses-myths/?amp

Cholera confirmed in 3 local government areas.

76 cases recorded so far

Yola North, Yola South and Geirei LGAs affected.

Toll free lines for case reporting released.

Adamawa Government on Tuesday confirmed to the Nation newspaper the outbreak of cholera in three local government areas of the state with one death from the 76 cases recorded.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Information Officer of the State Ministry of Health, Abubakar Mohammed, made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola.

“Adamawa State Ministry of Health wishes to inform you and the general public that the state has recorded confirmed cases of cholera in three local governments namely Yola North, Yola South and Girei respectively.

“The Epidemiological unit of the ministry received the report on acute watery diarrhea and vomiting on 12th May, 2019, samples collected and tested using both Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and cultured results from reference laboratory yielded positive.

“As at today Tuesday the 18th of June 2019, a total of 76 cases were recorded with 1 death, giving a case fatality rate (CFR) of 1.3%.

“Yola North reported 44 cases with 1 death (CFR= 2.3%); Yola South has 1 case with no death (CFR = 0%); and Girei recorded 31 cases with no death (CFR=0%).”

The ministry said that it has commenced action with other partners, adding that the State Rapid Response Team and Emergency Operation Centre had been activated, while Active case search teams were recruited, trained and deployed.

It said that community mobilizers were also engaged to carry cholera preventive messages on house to house bases, while All identified households in the affected communities were decontaminated.

It said treatment center had been set up in Yola Specialist Hospital to support case management.

”A 24 hour ambulance services and toll free lines were made operational to ease the movement of suspected cases from the communities to the health facilities. Mass media campaigns in radio and TV will commence to sensitize general public on cholera prevention and control measures and good hygiene promotion practices.

“General public is hereby encouraged to report any suspected case immediately to the nearest health facility or Call the following toll free lines 08031230359, 07080601139 for prompt response. All calls made to the lines are free of charge,” the statement said.

These are the key facts of cholera according to the World Health Organization.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by Vibro cholerae that can kill within hours if left untreated.
Researchers have estimated that each year there are 1.3 million to 4.0 million cases of cholera, and 21 000 to 143 000 deaths worldwide due to cholera.
Up to 80% of cases can be successfully treated with oral rehydration solution (ORS).
Severe cases will need rapid treatment with intravenous fluids and antibiotics.
Provision of safe water and sanitation is critical to control the transmission of cholera and other waterborne diseases.
Safe oral cholera vaccines should be used in conjunction with improvements in water and sanitation to control cholera outbreaks and for prevention in areas known to be high risk for cholera.
A global strategy on cholera control with a target to reduce cholera deaths by 90% was launched in 2017.

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/18/cholera-outbreak-confirmed-in-adamawa/?amp

Nobody can help you here. Please go to the nearby hospital for a doctor to take a look at your throat and probably remove it. Take your health seriously please.

Unsafe abortion deaths highest in the Northeast.

1 Nigerian woman dies from unsafe termination of pregnancy every 8 minutes


About 2,000 Nigerian women die of unsafe abortion annually with Northeast recording highest rate, says Dr Christopher Lamai, Head of Department, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.
Lamai made the disclosure to the Nation Newspaper at the capacity building workshop for journalist on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (WSRHR) organized by Ipas Nigeria, an international NGO on Tuesday in Gombe.

He said the rate contributed to 13 per cent of mortality in the country as many women died from abortion more than malaria.

According to him, every eight minutes women die of unsafe abortion while an estimated 220,000 children are left motherless annually as a result of abortion related death.

He advised participants to fully sensitize the public on how to undergo safe abortion towards reducing the rate of mortality in the country.

Earlier in her remarks, Mrs Hauwa Shekarau, the Ipas Country Director said the objectives of the training were to equip journalist with international, regional and national legal framework for the protection of WSRHR.

Shekarau said the training would also transform the attitude of the media on issues around WSRHR.

She said that Ipas was working closely with legislatures and law enforcement among other stakeholders on importance of safe abortion to reduce high rate of mortality in Nigeria.

Abortion in Nigeria is highly restrictive and various governments have not been bold enough or probably lack the political will to review and liberalise our shackling abortion laws. I think the reason is because of our hypocritical deeply religious nature and our refusal to tell ourselves the truth. I am of the opinion that these our primitive abortion laws tramples on the fundamental right of choice of women and something needs to be done urgently about it. Because abortion is illegal many women resort to quacks who are specialists in performing very unsafe termination of pregnancy.
The complications of unsafe termination of pregnancy (TOP) include:
(1) haemorrhage (bleeding)
(2) incomplete abortion
(3)septic abortion (infection)
(4) cervical tear
(5) uterine perforation
(6)cervical incompetence and
(7) infertility due to tubal damage.

https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/06/18/unsafe-abortion-kills-over-2000-nigerian-women-yearly-dr-lamai/?amp