Community pharmacists advocate urgent reforms in health insurance
Determined to improve the health indices of Nigerians through universal health coverage, the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has called for a wide range of reforms in the new dispensation to offer much better and robust therapeutic outcomes for consumers of health in Nigeria.
Newly elected National Chairman ACPN, Samuel Adekola, at his inauguration ceremony of in Benin City, Edo State, told journalists: “Specifically, we shall collaborate with stakeholders in health to institute a well-defined prescription policy for prescribers and dispensers in both the public and the private sector in tandem with the law.
Stepping up efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance
Worried that most disease may soon become untreated, countries including Nigeria are making significant steps in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR). But, according to a report released Tuesday by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO), serious gaps remain and require urgent action.
Meanwhile, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned that the dangerous practice of sale and consumption of fruits artificially ripened with calcium carbide may be the major cause of rising cases of sleeping disorders, mouth ulcers, skin rashes, kidney problems and possibly even cancer.
NAFDAC, CHAI present guidelines for implementation, enforcement of MAS
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control {NAFDAC) in partnership with Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) have presented guidelines to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of the Mobile Authentication Service (MAS) Scheme by stakeholders in Nigeria.
The guidelines, presented on Wednesday at the NAFDAC’s Laboratory in Oshodi, followed the concerns of the House of Representatives towards ensuring that the MAS is reactivated and applied to all drugs purchased in the country as well as the mandate on its Committee on Health Services to ensure compliance with the resolutions and the commencement of the scheme’s nationwide campaign in order to curb the menace of fake and counterfeit drugs in Nigeria.
World Bank Earmarks $4m For Kwara Health Sector
The World Bank has earmarked the sum of $4m to strengthen health care service delivery in Kwara State. The Head of World Bank’s Health in Africa Initiative, Prof. Khama Rogo, disclosed this during the inauguration of the Kwara Health Insurance scheme in Ilorin, capital of the state on Wednesday.
Rogo, who is also the bank’s Lead Health Sector Specialist, stated that many African leaders had attempted to carry out the health insurance scheme in their respective countries without success.
President Buhari Pledges Upward Review Of Budgetary Allocation To Health Sector
President Muhammadu Buhari says the Federal Government is considering an upward review of budgetary allocation to the health sector to improve the quality and access to medical facilities across the country. Buhari made the pledge when he received the new executive of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) at the State House, Abuja on Thursday. According to him, the review will reflect the government’s priority of ensuring that Nigerians get better health care, especially in specialized areas.
“We place quality healthcare on our priority list, and we are already marching on with the Primary Health Care services and some state governors have bought into it. “We are committed to universal health care.’’
Treat Patients with Respect, NHIS Urges Health Workers
National Health Insurance Scheme on Tuesday urged health workers to treat patients with respect and dignity in order to ease access to healthcare.Budget: UNICEF Tasks Nigeria On 15% Allocation To Health
The United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF), has tasked the Nigerian Government on effort towards the targets of 15 percent annual national budget allocation to the health sector. UNICEF Deputy Representative, Isiye Ndonbi, stated this at the 2nd Annual Legislative Summit on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Nutrition, themed: the role of lawmakers in the implementation of 1 percent consolidated revenue fund and preparation for the mandatory contribution of Nigerians to health insurance, held in Abuja.
Fake Medical Doctor Nabbed in Ondo
A man, Emmanuel Owolanke, has been arrested by the Hospital Services Department of the Ondo State Ministry of Health for illegally operating a hospital. Owolanke, who has his hospital at Uso town, in the Owo Local Government Area, was alleged to be parading himself as a medical doctor and was said to have been carrying out surgical operations on unsuspected patients.Cholera: New cases decline – NCDC
Although cholera cases are still being reported from eight states, there has been a general decline in the number of new cases, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has said. The eight states where cases are still being reported are Adamawa, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Kogi, Plateau and Kaduna.
NCDC in a statement signed by its CEO, Chikwe Ihekweazu, on Saturday said in the last four weeks, there have been no cases reported from Anambra, Nasarawa and Yobe states.
Ahead of world hepatitis day, here’s what to know about the disease
The World Hepatitis Day, observed July 28 every year is aimed at raising global awareness on hepatitis. Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver tissue.
There is five group of Hepatitis A, B,C, D and E. The disease is regarded as a silent killer because while some people do not have symptoms, other develop yellow discolouration of the skin and whiteness of the eyes, poor appetite, vomiting, tiredness, abdominal pain, or diarrhoea.
