Health
COVID-19: Kogi Health Professionals Caution on Religious Gathering
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The coalition of professional bodies in the health sector in Kogi, on Saturday cautioned the State Government over the lifting of ban on social and religious gatherings in the state.
The health professional bodies include: Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN).
The state government had, on Thursday, lifted the ban placed on all religious congregations across the state a fortnight ago, as part of measures to contain the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic in the state.
A statement by Kogi NMA Chairman, Dr Kabiru Zubair, on behalf of the group in Lokoja, urged the government to thread with caution on the lifting of ban on gathering at this time, saying the nation was just entering the second phase of the Covid-19 transmission.
The health professionals noted that the Community transmission was gradually over taking the imported cases and set to escalate in the coming days.
”As those already infected go through the incubation period without being identified, community transmission is likely to increase.
”Although, Kogi has not recorded any case so far but, two of it’s indigenes have died of the disease outside the state and the potential for community spread still exists.
”The preventive measures put in place by the Government initially was commendable, but government must be very tactical in relaxing these measures, especially with respect to gathering in large numbers because of the highly contagious nature of this strain of Coronavirus,” he said
He stressed that the Task Force comprising all health care workers in Kogi was worried as the state’s healthcare system remained fragile and might not be able to withstand any catastrophic emergencies.
He added that the Task Force had in the last three weeks carried out weekly appraisal of the health system on the level of preparedness for COVID-19 in the state, but observed little or no change in most of the healthcare institutions visited with respect to case management.
”We observed the slow pace of work at the designated isolation centre in the State.
”As the leaders of the frontline staff in health care delivery in Kogi, we urge the Government to expedite action in equipping the isolation and treatment centres to a befitting standard,” he said.
He urged all health workers at all levels in the state to remain vigilant at all times as they might likely encounter cases of COVID-19 as community spread was set to escalate in the coming days.
”Under no circumstances should our members rush to attend to patients without donning appropriate personal protective gears,” he advised.
He called on government at all level to improve on the hazard allowance of health care workers, especially those exposed to high risk of infection.
He urged the public to take all necessary precautions to stay safe by observing social distancing, regular hand hygiene, cough etiquette, face masked, and avoid touching of mouth, eyes and nose without proper hand hygiene.
Health
WHO Expresses Concern over Monkey Pox Outbreak in DRC
25,318 suspected cases of monkey pox, including 1,204 deaths, have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since the declaration of monkey pox outbreak in December 2022.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Tuesday.
According to the latest report, the outbreak, which was declared by the DRC Health Ministry on Dec.
16, 2022, was prompted by a notable surge in cases and fatalities associated with monkey pox as well as a fast spread to non-endemic provinces.Since the beginning of 2024, a total of 5,133 suspected cases, including 321 deaths, have been reported, according to the WHO report. It warns that the current situation of the outbreak in the DRC is of “grave concern” due to the sustained increase in suspected cases compared to previous years.
It added that with a significant burden in younger populations, particularly children under 15 years of age, who constitute the majority of both suspected cases and deaths.
In April 2024, a high-level emergency regional meeting on monkey pox in Africa was convened in DRC capital Kinshasa, gathering 12 health ministers of regional countries, aiming to develop common strategies to prevent and intervene effectively in the face of monkey pox in Africa.
“We must prevent the DRC from becoming the source of cross-border transmission, and our partnership must prioritise the health of those affected,’’ said Jean Kaseya, the director general of the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) at the meeting.
“Over the years, monkey pox has become a real public health problem for our communities in the DRC, a regional threat and ultimately a global problem.
“We must now mobilise to resolve this crisis,” said Roger Kamba, DRC minister of public health, hygiene and prevention, said at the meeting.
Monkey pox, first detected in laboratory monkeys in 1958, is assumed to be transmitted from wild animals such as rodents to people or from human to human (Xinhua/NAN)
Health
WHO Warns of ‘Bloodbath’ as Rafah Offensive Looms
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of dire consequences if Israel goes ahead with an impending military operation in Rafah.
The planned push into the southern border city of Rafah would lead to “a bloodbath,” the organization wrote on X, formerly twitter on Saturday
The WHO said that more than 1.
2 million people were currently sheltering in the area, many unable to move anywhere else.“A new wave of displacement would exacerbate overcrowding, further limiting access to food, water, health and sanitation services, leading to increased disease outbreaks, worsening levels of hunger, and additional loss of lives.
”According to the WHO, only 33 per cent of Gaza’s 36 hospitals and 30 per cent of primary health care Centre’s were functional in some capacity amid repeated attacks and shortages of vital medical supplies, fuel, and staff.
WHO calls for an immediate and lasting ceasefire and the removal of the obstacles to the delivery of urgent humanitarian assistance into and across Gaza, at the scale that is required.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu is determined to launch an offensive in Rafah to eliminate the remaining strongholds of Hamas.
The organisation said that although Israel’s allies have repeatedly urged caution, as a large majority of the approximately 2.2 million inhabitants of the Gaza Strip have fled to the south during the war. (dpa/NAN)
Health
Sickle Cell: Nigerian Surgeon Develops Compression Therapy for Leg Ulcers
Dr. Ayodele Ogunkeyede, a Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic surgeon with Hafar Al-batin Central Hospital, Hafar Albatin, Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia, has developed novel compression therapy for sickle cell anemia chronic leg ulcers.
The compression therapy involves applying a special bandage on to squeeze and compress out stagnant blood from the legs and thereby allowing blood to flow better.
This process accelerates healing, so wounds that never healed are made to heal within weeks.
Speaking in an interview session with newsmen in Ilorin, Ogunkeyede explained that development was through extensive research and innovative thinking
The surgeon said that he developed a pioneering technique utilizing compression therapy in 2015.
Ayodele, who is also a distinguished fellow of West African College of Surgeons of plastic surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, said that the procedure has offered a ray of hope to those afflicted by this challenging condition.
According to him, ulcers that once took years to heal can now be resolved within a mere three to six months due to this innovative approach.
He pointed out that the cost of the bandages was very high, but with his intervention, of manufacturing and importing the bandages, the cost was now affordable.
Ogunkeyede explained that his passion in the field had been his motivation in the innovation in the field of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) treatment.
“As both a leading surgeon and a pivotal member of the central working committee for the Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation, I have dedicated my career to advancing treatment strategies and improving outcomes for SCD patients worldwide,” he said.
Ogunkeyede explained that the treatment
had revolutionized the healing process of
of chronic leg ulcers, which is a debilitating complication that significantly impacts patients’ quality of life.
The expert noted that the groundbreaking work had been disseminated through publications in prestigious scientific journals and presentations at esteemed conferences including, the Sickle Cell Disease American Association’s 2018 annual conference.
“Studies also involves patients suffering from chronic leg ulcers in SCD, gathering invaluable insights that have informed and shaped treatment protocols.
“It also include empowering caregivers and ensuring the widespread adoption of effective treatment strategies,” he said.
Ogunkeyede disclosed that many healthcare givers in Nigeria were equipped and trained on how to administer compression therapy technique effectively, thus ensuring that patients receive optimal care and support.
The surgeon stated that people living with SCD, continue to motivate his drive and passion to drive efforts and continue to inspire hope to transform the lives of countless individuals afflicted by this challenging condition.
He added that he frequently dedicate his time to free-treatment of indigent people with SCD in Nigeria. (NAN)