Monday 27 November 2017

Scaling up Child Spacing to Achieve SDG 3, 5 in Northern Nigeria


The Kaduna State Ministry of Health and Human Services, through Kaduna State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA) in collaboration with the Child Spacing Technical Working Group and financial support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is organising a two-day regional consultative meeting on Child Spacing strategies for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)  on maternal health in Northern  Nigeria from November 28 to 29 this year in Kaduna.

The conference will bring together about 200 participants comprising a wide range of stakeholders including policy makers, health workers, health educators, the media and Civil Society Organisations from the Local Government Areas of Northern Nigeria.

The main aim of the meeting is to build a consensus on a regional strategy for improvement of access and utilisation of reproductive health services and information in Northwest Nigeria by 2018.

Sunday 19 November 2017

Novartis Partners Foundations to Combat Cancer in Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania

Rebecca Ejifoma

Novartis, the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) have partnered to devise a common approach to improve access to cancer treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

The objective is to provide patients with rapid cancer diagnostics and appropriate care. While first focus will be on Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania, this is as the organisations reveal that cancer is on the rise in Africa, with more than 500,000 deaths annually.

Each partner brings unique expertise in cancer diagnosis and treatment. This complements the work the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) is doing to improve access to affordable, quality-approved oncology medicines in the region.

ASCP will build healthcare capacity for immuno-histochemistry (IHC) analysis in two hospital laboratories in Ethiopia and Tanzania. ACS will support training of healthcare professionals in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda to ensure quality processes in the transportation of biopsy samples and in the administration of chemotherapy. Novartis will provide funding to support the technical work. This initiative will serve as a pilot for the future roll-out of similar activities to other countries.

Knorr to Curb Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Women, Girls

Rebecca Ejifoma

In line with Unilever’s commitment to sustainable living, the company is spearheading efforts to help reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in Nigeria, especially among women and adolescent girls through Knorr Force For Good programme.

With about 7 billion people living in the world, natural resources have come under tremendous strain globally. Rising temperatures, water scarcity, double burden of nutrition and increasing gaps between the poor and the rich are some of the challenges facing the world.

Some corporate organisations have come to understand that companies must be a part of the solution to these issues. They have realised that these issues do not only affect our communities but also challenge the commercial sustainability of the business. One of these companies is Unilever a purpose-driven company, whose purpose is simple, to make sustainable living commonplace.

As part of a globally driven approach to integrate solutions to sustainable development into business operations, a number of Unilever Nigeria’s brands have adopted social missions, in which the brands help to address social issues. Unilever Nigeria then partners with NGOs or governments to ensure these missions have scale.

Friday 17 November 2017

New MICS5 Data Highlights Nationwide Drop in Infant Mortality and Increase in Child Malnutrition in Nigeria

Rebecca Ejifoma
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), UNICEF and other key partners have officially released the results of the fifth Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS5) conducted in 2016 and 2017.  The survey results showed that Nigeria made significant improvements in some areas while others remain unchanged or have worsened since 2011 by not keeping pace with population growth when the last survey was conducted.

According to the results, the infant mortality rate has dropped to 70 per 1000 live births from 97 in 2011. Equally, deaths among children under age five have dropped to 120 per 1000 live births from 158 in 2011.

However, malnutrition among children under age five has worsened nationwide with the highest concerns in northern states. Child wasting (children who are too thin for their age) increased from 24.2% to 31.5%, while child stunting (children who are too short for their age) increased from 34.8% to 43.6%.

LifeStraw Launches Safe Drinking Water in Nigeria

Rebecce Ejifoma                                                                                                                      

(Middle) Mr. Steve Ofieno flanked by representatives from Health sectors across Nigeria at the launch of LifeStraw in Lagos, Nigeria recently
            
In pursuance of its aim to save more children daily from diarrhoea and cholera in Nigeria, LifeStraw has launched its products providing clean and safe drinking water free from bacteria viruses and other parasites.

This was launched in Lagos state where various stakeholders in the health sector alongside teachers from across Nigeria were present to unanimously eliminate under five diarrhea – the second leading cause of mortality among children under five years olds.

On the theme, ‘Availing safe drinking water for all',  the Country Director, Vestergaard Ltd, Mr. Steve Otieno described LifeStraw as a tool that filters and eliminates 100 per cent protozoan, bacteria and the entire parasites. “Water may look clean. But that doesn’t mean it is safe for drinking.”

Thursday 16 November 2017

Aliko Dangote Foundation Joins Global Leaders to Fight Malnutrition, Pledges US$100m for Nigeria


The Global Nutrition Report 2017 launched at the Summit showed that despite progress, 155 million children globally are stunted and the world is off track on meeting internationally agreed nutrition targets.

What problem can be found in every country in the world and affects one in three people globally? What problem is so rife that the World Health Organisation (WHO) terms it “the new normal.”? The surprising answer is malnutrition. It is not an issue that grabs many headlines or attracts much funding, yet malnutrition in its various forms, from hunger and wasting to obesity, has become the number one driver of global disease and the underlying cause of nearly half of all global child deaths.

Global Summit Global Action

The leading platform in the fight against malnutrition is the Global Nutrition Summit, the first global forum of the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition. The recently concluded Global Nutrition Summit 2017 gathered an impressive array of governments, international agencies, foundations, civil society organizations and businesses to Milan, Italy.

It was convened with the objective of taking stock of nutrition commitments made to date, celebrating progress toward global goals on nutrition, and announcing additional commitments to accelerate the global response to malnutrition in all its forms.

Tuesday 14 November 2017

Marriott International Continues Expansion in Africa: Targets over 200 Hotels with over 37,000 Rooms

Rebecca Ejifoma

From the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) in Kigali, Rwanda, Marriott International has announced further expansion plans in Africa with seven new hotel signings, marking a Debut in Ivory Coast and strengthening presence in Ethiopia, Ghana and Nigeria.

Marriott International was the first global chain to make a significant investment in Africa with the acquisition of Protea Hotels for $210 million in 2014. The company is targeting over 200 hotels with 37,000 rooms open or in the pipeline by 2022, equating to around $8.5 billion of capital investment by its real estate partners, reinforcing its continued commitment to expansion in Africa and solidifying its leadership on the continent. The investment is expected to generate substantial economic activity and around 50,000 direct and indirect jobs once the hotels open.

“Africa today makes a very compelling story. We are seeing unprecedented traction for our compelling brands, driving our momentum of growth,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International.

Monday 6 November 2017

Sage Foundation Partners Bricon to Raise ₦3.6m for Cancer Patients

Every year, more than 80,000 Nigerians lose their battle with cancer, and more than 100,000 new cases are recorded
Participants during the Walk for Hope exercise in Lagos

Rebecca Ejifoma
The Sage Foundation in partnership with The Bricon Foundation, a Nigeria-based non-profit organisation aims to raise $10,000 (about N3.6 million) to support cancer patients who cannot afford medical treatment in its effort to create awareness about cancer and assists cancer patients and their families.

The Keeping Hope Alive $10,000 Challenge has three phases: the first of which was the ‘Walk the Talk cancer walk in Lagos, on Friday, 27 October', to raise funds and create awareness about breast cancer. The Sage Foundation appealed to colleagues, business partners, customers and the wider community to support the cause by getting people to sponsor their walk, the proceeds of which will go towards the Keeping Hope Alive fundraising initiative.

According to Sage, every year, more than 80,000 Nigerians lose their battle with cancer, and more than 100,000 new cases are recorded. For many of the two million Nigerians living with the disease, life-saving medical treatment is not an option, either because of the high cost or because there are not enough support centres equipped to handle the disease.

Saturday 4 November 2017

N-Power Health Volunteers Take Malaria Outreach to Oredo LGA


Following the collaboration of the Edo State Government and the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to eradicate malaria from the state, the N-Power Health Volunteers in Utagban Community in Oredo Local Government Area have organised a one-day malaria awareness seminar.

The state government has a commitment to primary healthcare and has been collaborating with relevant development partners to deliver its mandate on essential health services to communities.

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to President Muhammadu Buhari on Job Creation and Youth Employment Programme, Mr. Afolabi Imoukhuede, while delivering an address at the seminar, on Friday, commended the Presidency for initiating the programme which has impacted the lives of young Nigerians.

Represented by the focal person in Edo State, Osayuwamen Aladeshelu, Mr. Imoukhuede stated that the N-Health programme is poised to liberate unemployed graduates and enable them contribute their quota to societal development.
Mr. Imoukhuede noted that the N-Power Health volunteers at Utagban organised the programme to support Edo State Government’s fight against malaria.

Friday 3 November 2017

Obafemi Martins Donates 200 Wheel Chairs, 3,240 Crutches, other health equipment to LASG

…Gesture, Act of Selfless Service, Commitment To Humanity, Says Ambode


Governor Ambode in hand shake with Obafemi Martins
Nigeria Football international, Obafemi Martins on Thursday donated health equipment worth several millions of naira to the Lagos State Government, saying it was part of his philanthropic gestures to give back to the society.

Among the equipment he donated through his Obafemi Martins Foundation (OMF), include 200 Wheel Chairs, 3,240 Crutches, 100 Baby Courts, 60 Hospital Beds, 13 Electric Wheel Chairs and 3200 Blind Sticks.

Presenting the equipment to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode at a short ceremony held at Lagos House in Ikeja, Martins, who currently plies his trade with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C in China, said the mission of his Foundation is to assist members of the community who are in need as a result of being handicapped.

“I am grateful to announce that the Foundation is currently prepared to donate a lot of wheel chairs, electronic wheel chairs, clutches and other equipment. I am confident that this contribution will impact lives in our communities. Through service to our community, we can all make a difference,” Martins said.

Wednesday 1 November 2017

Project Alert Issues over N1.383m for Baby Michael’s Facial Hemangioma

Rebecca Ejifoma
(Left) Effah-Chukwuma handing over the cheque for the surgery to baby Michael's aunt, Ezeanyeji and (Right) LTV representative, 
Rescuers of baby Michael Alvez – Project Alert on Violence against Women, Kate Henshaw, Temitope Oluwagbemi and Aramide Kasunmu – have issued a cheque of N1.383,500 to the baby’s family for the immediate surgery of the boy’s facial hemangioma at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

This exercise was done at a media parley held in Lagos where families of the baby and the rescuers finalised plans for the interest of the child.

According to the Executive Director, Project Alert, Mrs. Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, the issued cheque is following the estimates on the cost of surgery for the three years old baby as the foundation received from the baby’s aunt – Syndi Ezeanyeji – as received from LUTH.

The estimate includes: immediate operation (65,000 x 8) N52,000; To and feeding for two weeks x 8 cost N135,600; tentative cost for drugs cost N377,400; radiological investigation cost N42,500; laboratory investigation N48,000; miscellaneous items not routinely provided by the Hospital cost N160,000 and contingency cost N100,000. That totals N1,383,500.