Frontpage News (3249)
COVID-19 Pandemic: Countries Urged To Take Stronger Action To Stop Spread Of Harmful Information
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The World Health Organization (WHO) together with the UN, specialised agencies and partners today called on countries to develop and implement action plans to promote the timely dissemination of science-based information and prevent the spread of false information while respecting freedom of expression.
WHO, the UN, UNICEF, UNAIDS, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), UNESCO, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN Global Pulse initiative and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), together with the governments of Indonesia, Thailand and Uruguay held a webinar on the margins of the 75th UN General Assembly to draw attention to the harm being done by the spread of misinformation and disinformation, the latter being deliberate misinformation to advance an agenda.
An effective COVID-19 vaccine could help us emerge from isolation and end the social distancing required during this pandemic; but it will only work if people are willing to be vaccinated.
We conducted a survey in June 2020 that addressed whether people’s willingness to use a COVID-19 vaccine and adopt other preventive healthcare measures was associated with trust. The survey was conducted in nine countries: China, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Africa, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. A thousand individuals were surveyed in each country, and the responses were weighted to the most recent census data.
Genotype Testing Helps Avoid Genetic Diseases In Children, Says Expert
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The Medical Representative and Director, Bentoluene International Health Concept, Ogunleye Toluwalope, has called on singles to always check their genotype before getting into any marriage relationship to avoid the challenge of sickle cell disorder in their children.
He told newsmen, as the world celebrates Sickle Cell Awareness Month, that Nigeria has the highest population of people living with sickle cell disease, SCD, in the world and “over the years we have spoken to young ones that there is nothing like ‘love at first sight’.
Commonwealth Doctors Seek More Investment In Health Workers’ Care, Safety
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As the world marks the 2020 World Patient Safety Day (WPSD), with the theme: “Health Worker Safety: A Priority for Patient Safety.” the Commonwealth Medical Association, CMA, has called on governments and other stakeholders to make greater investments and sustained commitments to the working conditions, occupational health and safety of healthcare workers.
In a message to mark the day in Nigeria, the President of CMA, who was former President of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Dr Osahon Enabulele maintained that health worker safety was essential
Nigeria can now reach its target of testing more than 10 million residents for coronavirus (COVID-19) with a World Health Organisation (WHO)-approved on-the-spot coronavirus test that costs $5 (N2,500) and gives results in 15 to 30 minutes.
The news of the breakthrough came just as it was gathered that the number of people killed worldwide by the COVID-19 pandemic had exceeded one million, with experts warning that it might double before a vaccine was found.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has announced 201 fresh Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, with one death recorded in 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the last 24 hours.
The NCDC made this known on its official twitter handle on Wednesday. The health agency said that the new cases had brought the nation’s confirmed COVID-19 infections to 58,848. According to the NCDC, Lagos recorded the bulk of the new infections with 77 cases, while Rivers, Plateau and FCT had 37, 25 and 13 new cases respectively.
NAFDAC To Phase Out Production Of Alcohol In Sachets 2023/2024
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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it will totally ban production of alcohol drink in sachets by 2023/2024. Its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that banning of the product would come in phases.
Adeyeye said that alcohol drink in sachet would be phased out by 2023 ending or first week of 2024, when it would no longer exist in the society. NAN reports that Adeyeye, had earlier expressed worry over the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small volume glass and Poly-Ethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles.
Bayelsa Health Workers Lament Alleged Discriminatory Labour Practices
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Bayelsa State chapter of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has lamented the alleged unfair labour practices at both the Federal and state government health institutions.
The MHWUN said although health workers were acknowledged as frontline workers and heroes during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic, they were not adequately remunerated for the risks associated with their duties while preference was given to some unions.
Lagos Inspects Public Health Facilities, Promises Upgrades
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The Lagos State Health Service Commission has promised to upgrade the facilities of some general hospitals in the state. The Permanent Secretary of the commission, Dr Benjamin Eniayewun, spoke while visiting the Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikorodu, Gbagada and Alimosho general hospitals.
Eniayewun was said to have led an 11-man team on the inspection from 14 to 25 September. According to a statement on Tuesday, the inspection is part of initiatives to position public health institutions for excellent service delivery.
Cancer Patients Most Hit By COVID-19, Gov’s Wife Laments
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The wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, has identified cancer patients as people most hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The medical doctor, who is the founder of Medicaid Cancer Foundation, said this at a webinar tagged, “The state of cancer control amidst COVID-19” organised for African Cancer CEO’S Forum by the Ministry of Health. According to a report of the panel discussion made available to our correspondent on Tuesday, Shinkafi-Bagudu noted that before the pandemic, most cancer patients travelled to access health care.
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Considering almost every aspect of the Nigerian economy has reopened, it's tempting to assume that the COVID-19 pandemic is over. FYI, it's not. Paul Adepoju reports on healthnewsng.com, an online health news site. Cinemas across Nigeria are now reopening after they were forced to shut down operations in March 2020 no thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, international travels have resumed and state governments across the country are already unveiling plans to reopen schools at all levels from next week. For many citizens, these developments are suggesting that the pandemic has come and gone.
COVID-19 has gone forever and will never return, an Ibadan-based pastor told his congregation which responded with a resounding shout of amen.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says the agency introduced e-registration to simplify the registration exercise for its customers. NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
She also said the agency would embrace digitisation in carrying out its activities in order to reduce frequent human interaction. Adeyeye noted that the reforms in the agency also involved the training of staff to meet the demands of various customers.
Covid-19: Do not drop your guard, experts caution Nigerians
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Nigerians have been admonished not to drop their guard and become complacent because of the gradual drop in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection being recorded in the country. Certified Infection Prevention & Control, IPC, an expert with the Africa Centre for Disease Control, Africa CDC, Mrs Margaret Ayorinde, who gave the warning in Lagos said the risk of contracting the coronavirus remained high because it had not been eradicated.
“We should still be on our guard because of the emerging 2nd wave of the COVID-19 that is surging around the world.
As Nigeria celebrates 60 years of Independence, National President, Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Jimmy Arigbabuwo, has called on the Federal Government to step up health budget to at least 10 percent of the gross national income.
Increase in health budget, the physician noted, is critical to the country’s attainment of Universal Health Coverage. Dr. Arigbabuwo said to achieve UHC and improve the health of citizens, there must be more focus on funding, health insurance, manpower, adequate equipment and infrastructure, among others.
