Flowerbud News

Category: Health and Environment

  • NAGGW boss swings into action, embarks on tour to improve services

    NAGGW boss swings into action, embarks on tour to improve services

    By News Desk

    Alhaji Saleh Abubakar, the newly appointed Director-General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Agency for the Great Green Wall, (NAGGW) has swung into action in a bid to ensure improvement of services of the agency.

    NAGGW is a Nigerian federal agency under the Federal Ministry of Environment, established to address land degradation and desertification, boost food security and support communities to adapt to climate change in the 11 Nigerian frontline states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Kastina, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa.

    Abubakar, who was recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu, was in Kano on Thursday to meet with stakeholders in order to fine-tune modalities for better service delivery in the area of land degradation and desertification, boost food security and support communities to adapt to climate change.

    The DG/CEO first met with University Consultancy Service community from the 11 frontline states to brainstorm in order to address challenges they face for better service delivery.

    Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Abubakar reaffirmed the NAGGW’s commitment towards collaborating with the university consultancy services to enhance the quality of work within the scope of the responsibilities of the agency.

    ” We are partnering with University Consultancy Services to improve our work and have more collaboration.

    ” We have just had a meeting with them now and we will improve our work. We have built bridges.

    ” We realised that there were things done in the past. They were done over and over but the results are negative.

    ” We are going back to the drawing board. With the advices we received from the university consults gathered here, we are going to do it differently,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the university consults, Prof. Adamu Umaru Zubama from the University of Maiduguri, described the engagement as fruitful and noted that vital issues were brainstormed.

    Zubama, who said that the consultants were facing challenges in so many areas of their work, expressed optimism that the new D-G/CEO would address the hitches for overall success of the agency.

    Similarly, Abubakar proceeded to meet with field officers from the 11 frontline states at the agency’s headquarters in Kano.

    Speaking at the maiden meeting, the DG/CEO said he deemed it fit to engage with stakeholders, including the field officers to brainstorm and bring out success and challenges in order to improve the services of the agency.

    “I welcome you to the maiden meeting since my appointment as the DG. I am happy to meet you, the battle commanders, to interact in order to find the way out to resolve challenges.

    “I have been going round to departments and found out there are a lot of challenges. That is why I decided to consult this tour to fix those challenges.

    “We want to do things differently. I want us to agree on a common goal for the success of this agency.

    “So, i implore you to open up your challenges, don’t hide anything because we are here to chart a new course for the agency. I am open and straight forward and ready to take action.

    “We are going to take notes of our discussion here and when we go back to Abuja, we will sit down and analyze the notes and start action,” he said.

    The field officers identified lack of synergy between departments and field offices as the major challenges .

    They also highlighted that monitoring and inspection have not been spelled out in the agency, in addition to lack of logistics.

    The DG/CEO after hearing the challenges, vowed to address them and improve on the success achieved so far.

  • We don’t compromise standard – MD, FMC Bida

    We don’t compromise standard – MD, FMC Bida

    By Mohammed Baba Busu

    Dr Abubakar Usman, the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre ( FMC), Bida, says the centre is well known for its standard and will not be compromised.

    This, the medical director said, would continue to improve on the health status of Niger people and other citizens.

    The managing director gave the assurance while addressing newsmen in Bida on Thursday.

    He said staff of the centre were covered under the health insurance scheme to improve their health status and their family members.

    “I came across a post where it stated that a junior staff of FMC Bida accessed healthcare in a private hospital in town and died during surgery. Even though she is late now, I want to clear the air that she was not a full fledged staff of FMC Bida.

    “All staff of FMC Bida are on insurance; once you are insured, you don’t pay more than 10 per cent of your medical bill in the hospital. What will take her to private hospital after all we have qualified personnel and equipment in the centre.

    “It is not out of satisfaction that she left FMC Bida to access health care in private hospital as FMC Bida that day conducted several surgeries,” he said.

    Usman said that due to medical excellence of the centre, patients were coming from Enugu and other parts of the country to access health care service in the hospital.

    The medical director assured of his continous determination to prioritise the welfare of its workers for optimal productivity.

    “On the allegation of workers not being happy, in a place you can have 100 people, if 70 workers are happy and 30 are not happy that is more than pass mark.

    “We are out for every worker but we have been guided by the law and policies of the government on promotion and welfare of workers,” he said.

    He solicited the support of workers, all and sundry, to enable him to succeed in providing affordable and quality healthcare services to Bida community and indeed Nigerians.

  • Nigeria gets largest intervention fund spent in Africa – Gates

    Nigeria gets largest intervention fund spent in Africa – Gates

    Flowerbud News

    Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, says Nigeria gets the largest intervention fund spent by the foundation in Africa.

    Gates said this during an interview session with selected journalists on the sidelines of the 2024 NutriVision Dialogue on Tuesday in Abuja.

    According to him, helping reduce health inequality globally is the top priority of the foundation, including getting rid of diseases like measles, malaria, and polio.

    “We spend a lot in Asia, but we spend even more in Africa. The country we spend the most in Africa is Nigeria.

    “That makes sense because of the population and because of the incredible needs that are here.

    “That means that I’ve literally spent billions in Nigeria.

    “I feel glad that things like the child mortality rate have come down, but we could do a lot better,” he said.

    Gates further said that the foundation planned to spend more in future, disclosing that the funding would be centred on improving primary health care.

    “Our work is almost entirely primary health care because the impact per dollar is dramatically greater than anywhere else,” he said.

    He said that asides health, the foundation also invests lots of money in the agric sector, noting that boosting agricultural productivity was critical to Nigeria’s economic development.

    This, he said, would be achievable through access to high yield and climate resistant seeds, fertilisers, improved and timely information and better weather predictions to farmers.

    According to him, this will significantly boost agricultural output and lower food cost.

    The philanthropist said that the foundation supports partners in implementing food fortification of some staple foods, noting that this improves the nutritional quality of food supply and provides a public health benefit.

    He emphasised that having access to a variety of low-cost foods, especially, milk and eggs are quite powerful to reducing malnutrition.

    Gates noted that the time was apt to utilise innovative ideas and tools in the health and agricultural sector to substantially reduce malnutrition.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that since its inception in 2000, the foundation has supported partnerships with African regional institutions, national governments, and local communities in 49 African countries.

    The foundation contributes funding and scientific expertise in support of their agendas for change.

    These partnerships have driven the success of numerous health, agriculture, equality, and anti-poverty initiatives.

    The foundation has committed more than $7 billion through 2026 to support African countries and institutions working to develop and implement innovative approaches to confront hunger, disease, gender inequality, and poverty.

    NAN

  • Swiss Pharma’s WHO prequalification, great feat for indigenous manufacturers — NAFDAC

    Swiss Pharma’s WHO prequalification, great feat for indigenous manufacturers — NAFDAC

    Flowerbud News

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
    says World Health Organisation (WHO) has added Sulfadoxine/Pyrimethamine antimalarial drugs by Swiss Pharma
    Nigeria Ltd to its list of pre-qualified medicines.

    The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made this known at a news conference in Lagos on Thursday.

    Mojisola, who described the development as a great feat, said Swiss Pharma has become the first indigenous manufacturer in Nigeria, West and Central Africa, to have two of its drugs added to WHO pre-qualified drugs.

    She recalled that the WHO Prequalification Unit in 2023 added Pediatric Zinc Sulphate tablet (20mg dispersible tablet), also manufactured
    by Swiss Pharma to its pre-qualified medicines.

    She explained that the feat was achieved following meaningful collaboration between the company and NAFDAC, as well as systematic implementation of policies.

    The NAFDAC boss noted that the current NAFDAC administration had reiterated commitment to formulate policies
    targeted at enhancing capacity of local drug manufacturers that meet global Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.

    She said “it is with great joy and privilege to inform stakeholders and the teeming Nigerian public that WHO has pre-qualified another product, Sulphadoxine/Pyrimethamine tablet from the same manufacturer to its lists of prequalified products.

    “This development makes Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited the first indigenous manufacturer in Nigeria to achieve this laudable feat in West and Central Africa.

    “With this achievement, Swiss Pharma has added another first to its arsenal of firsts. Being the first manufacturer to be recognised by WHO as operating at an acceptable level of compliance to GMP requirements in West Africa.

    “The manufacturer is also the first in finished pharmaceutical products to attain prequalification of two products in the West and Central African sub-region within the time space of 15 months.

    “Our designated inspectors in NAFDAC provided immense technical support prior to WHO’s site inspection and valuable insight into objective review of Corrective and Preventive Actions to address the few observed non-conformance recorded during
    WHO’s inspection.

    “This additional feat has reinforced our believe that with the right attitude, collaboration, synergy and appropriate policies, Nigeria Pharma Industries can become a force to reckon with.”

    The NAFDAC boss also encouraged other local drug manufacturers to emulate the feat.

    NAN

  • NAFDAC Seizes 3 Tankers For Transporting Vegetable Oil With Petrol Tanker In Lagos

    NAFDAC Seizes 3 Tankers For Transporting Vegetable Oil With Petrol Tanker In Lagos

    Flowerbud News

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized three petrol tanker trucks in Apapa, Lagos, for allegedly transporting crude edible vegetable oil.

    According to NAFDAC in a statement on Wednesday, the oil had been “trans-loaded into the tankers from an edible oil depot,” raising concerns about the potential health risks.

    The agency highlighted that using petrol tankers to transport edible oil could lead to “chemical contamination from the tankers’ previous use,” posing a serious threat to public health.

    The seized tankers were subsequently escorted to a processing facility in Sango-Ota, where the crude soy oil was handed over to the Southwest Zonal Office of NAFDAC for further regulatory action.

    In response to this incident, the Director-General of NAFDAC has established a committee tasked with developing guidelines and a code of ethics for the marketing and distribution of edible vegetable oil in Nigeria.

    NAFDAC has also called on the public to “report any suspicious or unwholesome practices related to food and regulated products.”

    The agency affirmed its commitment to protecting public health, stating, “We are committed to strict enforcement and continuous surveillance to ensure the safety of all food products in the country.”

    Source: Saharareporters

  • NDLEA recovers N6.2bn codeine consignment at Onne Port

    NDLEA recovers N6.2bn codeine consignment at Onne Port

    Flowerbud News

    The NDLEA spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja that operatives recovered the drugs from five containers.

    Babafemi said  the operation was carried out by NDLEA operatives at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers.

    This, he said, was during a joint examination of the containers with men of the Nigeria Customs and other port stakeholders on Aug. 14 and Aug. 15.

    “The bottles of the opioids were packed in 5,337 cartons with a gross weight of 133,860kg and shipped in five containers from India,”he said.

    In another development, NDLEA operatives supported by men of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies as well as community youths on Aug. 14, raided the Ise forest reserve, Saalaja camp, Ise-Ekiti.

    Babafemi said that 21,800kg of cannabis sativa(Indian hemp) on 20 hectares of farm land were destroyed.

    “The following day, Aug. 15, NDLEA officers on patrol along Onitsha- Enugu road in Enugu State intercepted a Sienna bus marked SKA-24 AG.

    “A total 200.2kg of cannabis (Indian hemp) was recovered and the driver,”he said.

    The NDLEA also said that two people were arrested with 145,400 pills of tramadol on Aug. 12 at Gadar Tamburawa, area of Kano State.

    Babafemi said that NDLEA operatives in Ogun state on Aug. 13 also arrested seven people when a cannabis plantation on six hectares was raided at Alaka village.

    In Abuja, NDLEA officers on patrol along Kwali-Gwagwalada expressway on Aug. 13 intercepted a truck from which 30,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection were recovered.

    In the same vein, NDLEA said its operatives in Niger state on Aug. 15 arrested a man in Kontagora town with 28,500 pills of tramadol, concealed in a loudspeaker and their counterparts in Kogi  on Aug. 14.

    Babafemi said that the NDLEA operatives also nabbed a man with 40,000 pills of the same opioid heading to Kontagora.

    Another man, he said  was arrested by NDLEA officers at Paparanda, Lokoja with 1,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection.

    NAN

  • IHVN’s IRCE showcases advances in Sickle Cell Disease at symposium

    IHVN’s IRCE showcases advances in Sickle Cell Disease at symposium

    Flowerbud News

    hosted a pivotal symposium on advancing care and research for patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).

    The research centre showcased the advances at its second Annual Scientific Seminar at the IHVN campus on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that since its establishment in 2015, the IRCE had been playing significant roles in advancing research in Nigeria, leveraging IHVN’s infrastructure and expertise.

    The IRCE’s ongoing efforts include more than 40 funded research grants targeting infectious and non-infectious diseases, underscoring the centre’s commitment to addressing health challenges through high-quality, culturally sensitive research.

    This year’s event with the theme — “Expanding Partnerships in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Cancer Research”, had an array of local and international experts to discuss latest advancements in the diagnosis, care, treatment and innovative research in critical health areas.

    In his presentation, Dr Mark Gladwin, an American Physician Scientist and Dean of University of Maryland School of Medicine, highlighted the impact of Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) and end-organ failure in adults with SCD, a critical concern in current medical research.

    He explained how chronic hemolytic anaemia in SCD patients leads to vascular damage, causing complications such as PH.

    He presented extensive research data, including groundbreaking findings on the role of cell-free haemoglobin and its detrimental effects on blood vessels and smooth muscle relaxation, exacerbating the risk of PH.

    He quoted a featured cutting-edge study from Dr Prithu Sundd’s laboratory, showcasing how oxidative haemoglobin triggers Neutrophil Extracellular
    Traps (NETs) in pulmonary arterioles, further complicating SCD management.

    “This research suggested that NETs, circulating from other organs, contribute significantly to lung damage in SCD patients.

    “The SCD-CARRE trial explores the efficacy of Red Blood Cell (RBC) exchange transfusion as an intervention to limit disease progression and improve outcomes in high-risk SCD patients.

    “Preliminary findings suggest that this therapy may reduce vaso-occlusive crises and acute chest syndrome, both of which are major contributors to pulmonary complications.”

    He emphasised the importance of defining high-risk subgroups among SCD patients, noting that those with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or elevated
    biomarkers like TRV and NT-proBNP are at particularly high risk of mortality.

    Dr Patrick Dakum, the Chief Executive Officer of IHVN, highlighted the strategic direction of IHVN, emphasising the importance of expanding partnerships
    that include both public and private sectors, as well as faith-based organisations.

    He said “partnerships are crucial to the broader health sector under the national healthcare plan.”

    Dakum underscored IHVN’s commitment to expanding research in cancer and SCD.

    He said “the collaboration with international institutions like University of Maryland and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authourity is essential
    for research and capacity building in these areas.”

    He also stressed the importance of a public-private mix in research initiatives, aiming to leverage the strength of both sectors to achieve comprehensive
    and effective outcomes in healthcare.

    He said that the appointment of a special adviser on SCD by the Coordinating Minister of Health signals a significant shift in government attention
    toward neglected diseases, including sickle cell.

    “This move is portrayed as crucial step in ensuring that such diseases receive the necessary focus and resources,” he said.

    He pointed out that a framework was being established to increase attention to neglected diseases, with SCD being a prime example.

    The IHVN boss added that “the appointment of a special adviser on SCD is seen as a promising development that could lead to comprehensive and sustained efforts in addressing the disease.”

    Earlier, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku, the Executive Director, IHVN’s IRCE, stressed the need to bring SCD, particularly as it disproportionately affects black people, into the limelight, alongside cancer.

    Abimiku said that both conditions were under-recognised in terms of prevention and treatment.

    She acknowledged the difficulties faced by low and middle-income countries in prioritising health issues, suggesting that critical conditions like SCD and cancer could be overlooked amid many challenges.

    She pointed out that as a country, Nigeria needs to do better in focusing on cancer prevention, including diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors, rather than just treating the disease after it occurs.

    “There is mention of the government setting up additional cancer treatment centres and diagnostic facilities, highlighting efforts to improve cancer care in the country,” she said.

    She expressed the hope that events like the symposium would bring more attention to SCD, which was particularly devastating to young people in Nigeria and even around the globe.

    She noted the importance of partnerships with institutions like the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) to conduct clinical trials and to discover a cure for the disease.

    She said that the Coordinating Minister of Health’s task force on SCD is a reflection of Federal Government’s commitment to increase awareness about the disease.

    NAN

  • IHVN’s IRCE hosts 2nd annual scientific symposium

    IHVN’s IRCE hosts 2nd annual scientific symposium

    By Abujah Racheal

    The International Research Centre of Excellence (IRCE) at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN)
    has concluded arrangements to     host its second Annual Scientific Symposium at the IHVN Campus in Abuja.

    The institute’s Senior Communications Manager, Ms Uzoma Nwofor, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja, made available
    to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    NAN reports that since its establishment in 2015, the IRCE has been playing pivotal roles in advancing research in Nigeria, leveraging
    IHVN’s infrastructure and expertise.

    The IRCE’s ongoing efforts include more than 40 funded research grants targeting both infectious and non-infectious diseases, underscoring
    the centre’s commitment to address health challenges through high-quality, culturally sensitive research.

    Nwofor stated that this year’s event with the theme “Expanding Partnerships in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Cancer Research” is scheduled for
    Aug. 14 to Aug. 15, to     convene an array of local and international experts to discuss latest advancements in the diagnosis, care, treatment
    and innovative research in critical health areas.

    She added that “the symposium will feature prominent figures such as Prof. Mark T. Gladwin, the Dean of the University of Maryland School
    of Medicine (UMB-SOM), and Prof. Taofeek K. Owonikoko, the Executive Director, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum
    Comprehensive Cancer Centre (UMGCCC).

    “Both will be accompanied by senior faculty from UMB-SOM, many of whom are actively involved in research initiatives in Nigeria.

    “Nigerian experts, including Dr Obi Adigwe, Director-General, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD),
    and Prof. Obigeli Nnodu, will also share insights alongside representatives from the pharmaceutical industry.”

    The senior communications manager also stated that Prof. Gladwin, a leading authourity in pulmonary hypertension and sickle cell disease,
    would be a special guest.

    “His (Prof. Gladwin) groundbreaking research in hemolysis-associated endothelial dysfunction has significantly advanced the understanding of complications
    in sickle cell patients, paving the way for improved treatments.

    “He is currently leading a Phase II clinical trial aimed at enhancing blood transfusion techniques to extend survival in sickle cell patients.”

    She also noted that Prof. Owonikoko, a Nigerian-born physician specialised in thoracic oncology and translational research, would contribute to the discussions.

    “As a key figure in oncology at UMSOM and University of Maryland Medical Centre, his work bridges critical research between the U.S. and Nigeria,” she added.

    She quoted IHVN’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Patrick Dakum, as emphasising the significance of the symposium in marking IHVN’s 20th anniversary.

    “IHVN has made remarkable strides in combating HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria over the past two decades. We are excited to extend our partnership
    to other public health challenges like SCD and cancer,” Dakum said.

    Nwofor also quoted the institute’s Executive Director, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku, who highlighted IHVN’s impact, noting that “this year’s symposium
    builds on the foundation laid in the previous year by extending collaborations to SCD and cancer — two health challenges significantly affecting the
    black population.”

    She stated that the symposium will feature presentations, discussions and exhibitions from industry partners, fostering an environment of
    collaboration, aimed at improving healthcare services and research capacity in Nigeria.

    Nwofor reiterated that the annual event serves as platform for promoting research on public health issues of both local and global relevance.

    NAN

  • Health ministry directs travelers to Nigeria to fill health declaration form

    Health ministry directs travelers to Nigeria to fill health declaration form

    The ministry of health has directed that all travelers to Nigeria must fill health declaration form to avoid the spread of infectious diseases.

    The ministry made this know on its official website healthapp.ncdc.gov.ng/ .

    Vanguard had four days ago, reported the resurgent of monkeypox in Africa. Two years after a global outbreak, fears are rife that a new strain of mpox — previously known as monkeypox — identified in DR Congo and now also in several neighbouring countries could further spread.

     

    Deadlier and more transmissible than previous forms, the mpox strain surging in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since September, known as the Clade Ib subclade, is spread person-to-person.

     

    The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday it was considering convening an expert committee to advise on whether to declare an international emergency, as it did during the global mpox outbreak in 2022.

     

    The Clade Ib strain causes skin rashes across the whole body, unlike other strains where lesions and rashes are usually limited to the mouth, face and genitals.

     

    The African Union health agency, Africa CDC, registered 14,479 confirmed and suspected cases of the strain and 455 deaths in DRC as of August 3, representing a mortality rate of around three percent.

     

    But researchers in the vast Central African nation say the mortality rate from the strain can be as much as 10 percent among children.

     

    The Congolese government acknowledged last month an “exponential increase” in cases.

     

    The disease has been seen in the displacement camps around Goma in North Kivu where the extreme population density makes the situation very critical,” Louis Albert Massing, medical coordinator for Doctors Without Borders in DRC said.

     

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