Health

japa, health
Health

`Japa` in Health Sector: Implications and way forward

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The nation’s health sector is facing myriad of challenges including outbound medical tourism, deteriorating infrastructure, low budgetary allocation, poor remuneration.

A combination of these factors has birthed one of the greatest headaches in the sector, exodus of healthcare professionals particularly doctors and nurses.

Nigeria has a doctor-to-population ratio of one doctor to 8,000 population, a far cry from one doctor to 600 people as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

A media report quoted the president of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Uche Ojinmah, as saying that in the last eight years over 5,600 Nigerian doctor migrated to UK alone.

The exodus is even worse among nurses.

No fewer than 75,000 nurses and midwives have reportedly left the country in the last five year, according to Mr Micheal Nnachi, the president of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives.

The implication of this is that Nigeria which is already experiencing manpower deficit in the health sector is fast losing the available ones. This is not a good omen for citizens health and well being after all a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.

The Federal Government Federal has responded with increase budgeting, allocating N1.17 trillion to the sector representing 5.75 per cent of the N20.5 trillion 2023 budget, the highest budget ever for health.

The 2023 budget is a remarkable leap from the N826.9 billion the sector got in 2022 and the N547 billion allocated to it in 2021.

President Bola Tinubu’s 2024 budget proposal before the National Assembly out of the N27.5 trillion proposed budget, N1.33trilion will go to health sector. As in the previous budget, it represents roughly five per cent of the budget.

However, this still falls short of African leaders Abuja Declaration that 15 per cent of every African country’s annual budget should go to the health sector.

Stakeholders however say that budgetary allocation alone cannot drastically reduce the migration, arguing that a conducive working environment will make a huge impact in that regard.

“Equipment to work and adequate sector funding are crucial’’, said Ojinmah.

Ojinmah said the right working environment and remuneration bring job satisfaction, adding that every doctor’s joy was to see the patient successfully treated.

“Currently, Nigeria has about 30, 000 doctors to take care of over 200, 000 Nigerians, and this is a serious issue that needed quick attention from those at the authority.

“We need to do something quickly to stop this madness. We have pointed out four things that, if they are reversed, the Japa too will be reversed.

“The things are to pay good remuneration because the doctor’s salary here is meager, pay attention to security issues, and stop the insecurity going on in some parts of the country“, he said.

Dr Grace Otokpa, Chairman, Medical and Dental Council, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital branch, said the exodus of doctors, nurses, and other health workers from Nigeria was taking a serious toll on the health sector.

According to her, some hospitals have shut down some wards because of dearth of doctors.

She canvassed a `stronger political will in terms of making policies that are human-friendly.

Dr Ogbonna Obinna, President of Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals called on the government at national and sub-national levels in Nigeria to urgently address matters affecting the welfare, morale and well-being of health workers.

While the call for addressing the drift continues, the Federal Government said it was working out a comprehensive solution to health sector challenges.

Nurses urge adequate investment in manpower and infrastructure to transform Nigeria’s health sector.

Mr Toba Odumosu, secretary, the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Lagos Zone, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recently that adequate infrastructure and enhance welfare package will mitigate the challenges.

“We need to improve the funding of PHCs so that they can deliver preventive and quality healthcare to citizens. The minister has a wealth of experience in PHC system; so, he is familiar with the terrain,” he said.

“What we expect are policies that should encourage people to stay back.

“One of the major concerns to nurses is working in a system that doesn’t support one to practise to the full extent of one’s professional qualification and training“, he said.

The federal government said it working on a more comprehensive approach to tackling the challenges facing the sector rather than treat isolated symptoms.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said Tinubu administration was putting together a marshal plan to `put everything in order’.

“From the way Mr. President is going, it is for the betterment of the sector beyond the shore of the country that we have to improve, not only in business but even in bringing in investors into the country“, he said.

The minister said that recently, there was a signing of a bilateral agreement with subnational stakeholders, signifying that the Federal Government’s readiness to partner with all stakeholders to fix the sector,

As the curtain falls on 2023 and Nigerians welcome 2024, they expect the government to match words with action and improve the nation’s health sector. This, certainly, will discourage brain drain in the sector. (NAN)

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Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus
Health, News

Niger admonishes judicious use as NG-CARES disburses grants to 283 beneficiaries

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Each of 283 beneficiaries of the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme in Niger got N150,000 grant on Thursday in Minna.

NG-CARES aims to support government in responding to the COVID‐19 crisis by restoring the livelihoods and food security of poor and vulnerable households.

Anchored in the Economic Sustainability Plan of the Federal Government of Nigeria, NG-CARES also aims at promoting recovery of medium and small scale enterprises.

Thursday’s beneficiaries were drawn from Agaie, Bida, Kontagora, Suleja and Chanchaga local government areas of Niger for the second phase of the grants disbursement.

Commissioner for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, Mrs Elizabeth Shaba, launched the second phase on behalf of Gov. Umaru Bago

She advised the beneficiaries to use the grants judiciously.

“I advise you to use the money wisely. For the women, this is not the time to buy gold or wrappers to wear for competition; and for the men, do not use the money to marry new wives.

“Government wants you to use the money to expand your current businesses and to come up with good results as you were taught during your two-week training to improve your livelihood,’’ she said.

Earlier, Malam Hussaini Kpange, Head of Niger State Cash Transfer Unit of NG-CARES said the scheme is an emergency intervention designed to restore the livelihood of the poor and vulnerable affected by the COVID-19.

He explained that the scheme had three target areas with each having sub-components known as Delivery Linked Indicator.

Kpange said the livelihood grant sub-component of the first target area offers soft skills training and one-off grant payment of N150,000 to a productive household member to improve their existing businesses.

In her remarks, Hajiya Hauwa Bako, Focal Person and Special Adviser to Gov. Bago on National Social Investments Programme, urged beneficiaries to use the opportunity to make positive changes in their lives and communities.

Two of the beneficiaries, Umi Attahiru and Musa Jato, appreciated President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Bago for their concern for the less privileged and pleaded for the sustenance of the programme. (NAN)

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Health, Lifestyle

Don’t Miss Out on These Health Benefits of Honey

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By Vera Awuah –

Honey is sweet fluid produced by honeybee using the nectar of flowering plants. There are about over 300 hundred varieties of honey which vary in colour or /and flavor. Honey contains mostly sugar as well as mixed amino acids, vitamins and minerals, iron zinc, and antioxidant. Honey, which is rich in nutrients and antioxidant. has antibacterial properties and can play a role in diabetes management as part of a balanced diet.

In addition to its use as a natural sweetener, is the use of honey as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial agent. people commonly use honey orally to treat cough and topically to treat burns and promote wound healing. Honey is generally safe in adult and children above a year old. It might be helpful in treating burns and coughs and possibly other conditions.

The products also have several potentials health benefits and plays a role in many home remedies and alternative medicine treatments. Honey is essentially pure sugar with no fats and only trace amount of protein and fibre. It contains small amount of nutrients but most people typically don’t consume enough for it to be a significant dietary source of vitamins and minerals.

Safety Benefits and Side Effects of Honey

Honey is likely safe for the use as a natural sweetener, cough, suppressant and topical products for minor sores and wounds.

Avoid giving honey-even a tiny taste to babies under the ages of 1year.

Honey can cause a rare but serious gastrointestinal condition (infant botulism) by exposure to clostridium botulinum spores. Bacteria from the spores can grow multiply in baby’s intestines producing a dangerous toxin.

Some people are sensitive or allergic to specific components in honey, particularly bee pollen.

Although rare, bee pollen allergies can cause serious and sometimes fatal adverse reactions. Sign and symptoms include wheezing, Nausea, vomiting, weakness, Dizziness, fainting, excessive perspiration irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and stinging after topical application.

Honey might affect blood sugar levels.

Honey is often easy to add to your diet to get a small boost of antioxidant from honey such that you can use it in any way you’d typically use sugar.

It’s excellent for sweetening plain yogurt, coffee, or tea.

You can also use it in cooking and baking.

However, remember that honey is a type of sugar. So consuming it will cause your blood sugar levels to rise. Consuming large quantities of honey, especially consistently over a long period can contribute to weight gain and increase your risk of diseases like type 2diabetes or heart diseases. Honey offers several potential health benefits.

Thanks to the beneficial compounds as it contains such antioxidant and propolis and it’s a great alternative to sugar but should only be consumed in moderation. it still behaves like sugar in your body.

Happy eating!

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Global Measles Crisis
Health, News

2023 Escalating Global Measles Crisis: Millions of Children Remain Unvaccinated, Warns WHO/CDC

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By Grace Audu (HEALTH CORRESPONDENT) –

A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has shown that following years of declines in measles vaccination coverage, measles cases in 2022 have increased by 18%, and deaths have increased by 43% globally (compared to 2021).

According to a joint press release by the WHO/CDC today, this takes the estimated number of measles cases to 9 million and deaths to 136 000 – mostly among children.

Measles continues to pose a relentlessly increasing threat to children. In 2022, 37 countries experienced large or disruptive measles outbreaks compared with 22 countries in 2021. Of the countries experiencing outbreaks, 28 were in the WHO Region for Africa, six in the Eastern Mediterranean, two in the South-East Asia, and one in the European Region.

“The increase in measles outbreaks and deaths is staggering, but unfortunately, not unexpected given the declining vaccination rates we’ve seen in the past few years,”said John Vertefeuille, director of CDC’s Global Immunization Division. “Measles cases anywhere pose a risk to all countries and communities where people are under-vaccinated. Urgent, targeted efforts are critical to prevent measles disease and deaths.”

Measles is preventable with two doses of measles vaccine. While a modest increase in global vaccination coverage occurred in 2022 from 2021, there were still 33 million children who missed a measles vaccine dose: nearly 22 million missed their first dose and an additional 11 million missed their second dose. The global vaccine coverage rate of the first dose, at 83%, and second dose, at 74%, were still well under the 95% coverage with two doses that is necessary to protect communities from outbreaks.

Low-income countries, where the risk of death from measles is highest, continue to have the lowest vaccination rates at only 66%; a rate that shows no recovery at all from the backsliding during the pandemic. Of the 22 million children who missed their first measles vaccine dose in 2022, over half live in just 10 countries: Angola, Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Pakistan and Philippines.

“The lack of recovery in measles vaccine coverage in low-income countries following the pandemic is an alarm bell for action. Measles is called the inequity virus for good reason. It is the disease that will find and attack those who aren’t protected,” said Kate O’Brien, WHO Director for Immunization, Vaccine and Biologicals. “Children everywhere have the right to be protected by the lifesaving measles vaccine, no matter where they live.“

​​CDC and WHO urge countries to find and vaccinate all children against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases, and encourage global stakeholders to aid countries to vaccinate their most vulnerable communities. In addition, to help prevent outbreaks, all global health partners at the global, regional, national, and local levels must invest in robust surveillance systems and outbreak response capacity to rapidly detect and respond to outbreaks.

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