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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.
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.
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Zulum to engage 494 professionals in Borno hospitals, health centres
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Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has promised to employ 84 doctors and 410 nurses, midwives, and pharmacists to effectively run the state hospitals and health centres. According to him, 100 auxiliary staff are to be recruited to complement the efforts of doctors, nurses and midwives in these hospitals. While announcing the recruitment at the Government House, Maiduguri, Zulum said: “To provide affordable and quality healthcare delivery to citizens of Borno State, the government has approved the appointment of 365 nurses. About 50% of them are retired nurses engaged on a contract basis, while the remaining half are fresh graduates of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.”
He added that 84 doctors are also to be employed on a permanent basis, saying: “The other doctors to be engaged are on contract and sabbatical basis. This also includes the ones that will come to the state to work during their leave of absence.”
Addressing the doctors and nurses, he also approved the establishment of a foundation year programme in the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Nobel laureates say ‘political will’ needed to end COVID-19
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Technological advancements and international cooperation have accelerated scientific understanding of COVID-19 but it will take political will to end virus outbreaks, the new Nobel laureates in medicine said Monday. Americans Charles Rice of The Rockefeller University and Harvey Alter of the National Institutes of Health were honoured along with Briton Michael Houghton for the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus.
In separate press conferences, the laureates noted how long it had taken them to achieve their results. “It is a long story, kind of a 50 years saga,” said 85-year-old Alter who began his research in the 1960s. But they added how technological improvements now meant quicker results. “There is a big difference between the 1970s and ’80s and now.
FG enlists 60,000 sanitary officers to monitor COVID-19 compliance in schools
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The Federal Government says it has deployed 60,000 Environmental Health Emergency Volunteers to enforce COVID-19 guidelines in schools across the 774 Local Government Areas of the country. The news is coming less than one week after schools were instructed to reopen on October 12. In his briefing on Monday in Abuja, monitored on Channels TV, Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, said the decision was reached after due consultations with stakeholders and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
He further explained that the deployment of the EHEVC became pertinent following concerns over post COVID–19 safety plans put in place by the Federal Government ahead of the reopening of schools.
The World Health Organisation on Monday said 10 countries in the world account for 70 per cent of all reported cases and deaths of COVID-19, and just three countries account for half. Speaking at the Executive Board special session on the COVID-19 response, WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there are now almost 35 million reported cases of COVID-19, and more than one million people are reported to have lost their lives.
He said although all countries have been affected by this virus, everyone must remember that this is an uneven pandemic. “10 countries account for 70 percent of all reported cases and deaths, and just 3 countries account for half. “Not all countries have responded the same way, and not all countries have been affected the same way.
