Health
El-zakzaky Frustrating Indian Hospital Authorities – FG

The Federal Government has said that Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), who was taken to India for medical treatment, was frustrating the Indian hospital instead of subjecting himself to medical treatment.
The cleric, who was arrested in 2015 following a clash between his members and military personnel in Zaria, was granted bail on medical grounds, following a Kaduna High Court order on Aug.
5, 2019.El-Zakzaky, along with wife, subsequently traveled to India, via Dubai, for medical treatment on Sunday, Aug.
12, after government and relevant agencies took steps to comply with the order.But the Federal Government, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the religious leader was frustrating the authorities of the Indian hospital where he was to be treated.
In a statement titled “The true story on El-Zakzaky in India”, the government said that the cleric, who particularly chose Medanta Hospital, India for the treatment, had begun to display ulterior motives against laid down procedures.
The statement signed by Grace Isu Gekpe, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, said that the cleric refused to subject himself to preliminary medical checks after State officials resisted his pressure to handover his International Passport to him.
“He also demanded free movement and access to visitors of all kinds, and also requested to be allowed to check into a 5-Star Hotel instead of being admitted in the hospital.
“That request was rejected on the ground that he came into the country for medicals, and not as a tourist, especially with the Visa issued on medical grounds and not for tourism.
“He also demanded that Police protection be withdrawn from him by the Indian authorities.
“Against medical ethics and standard practice, he requested to nominate Doctors of his choice to join the ones tasked by Medanta Hospital to perform medical treatment on him and his wife.
“That demand created a stalemate as the Hospital insisted that he would not dictate to it on the choice of medical personnel to carry the required medical treatment.
“Frustrated by his antics, the Indian authorities have expressed willingness to return him to Nigeria with immediate effect. This is on the account that they will not allow him use their country to internationalise his group’s activities.
“Against this background, the Nigerian government wishes to commend the stand of the Indian Government as well as apologise to her for the unruly behaviour of El-Zakzaky.
“Similarly, the attention of the public and, indeed, the international community, is hereby drawn to these unfortunate developments,” the statement said.
The statement affirmed government’s readiness to prosecute El-Zakzaky through due process if and when he is returned to the country, urging Nigerians to ignore his claims that he was being held in circumstances worse than he was in Nigeria. (NAN)
Health
Unijos Donates Medical Equipment to JUTH

The Management of the University of Jos has donated an upgraded Tissue and Renal Equipment to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).
Prof. Tanko Ishaya, who presented the equipment to JUTH management in Jos, said it would facilitate kidney and other organ transplant on patients.
”These medical equipment were procured through N1 billion grant offered this institution by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund).
”This will save Nigerians millions of dollars on oversea trips to treat kidney related diseases,” he said.
The vice chancellor advised JUTH to put the equipment into good use for the benefit of humanity.
Reciving the items, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of JUTH, Dr.
Pokop Buptwatda, thanked the university for the gestureRepresented by Dr Ishaya Pam, former CMD of the hospital, Buptwatda revealed that the equipment had been test run to carry out successful kidney stones surgery on two patients, adding that seven other patients were booked for same surgery.
”With these equipment on ground, JUTH will become a referral kidney plant centre in Nigeria.
”It will bring succour to people, because many Nigerians are suffering from kidney and other related diseases.
‘The Tissue Laboratory is the first of its kind in Nigeria
”Already, medical personnel from the
Department of Medical Microbiology, JUTH, are currently undergoing thorough training on how to effectively and efficiently use the equipment,” he said. (NAN)
Health
Disney Nwanne Foundation Urges Federal Government to Reconstitute Medical and Dental Council Board

By David Torough, Abuja
Disney Nwanne Foundation, a patients’ rights advocacy non- profit organisation has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently reconstitute the board of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). The MDCN is responsible for regulating the practice of medicine and dentistry in Nigeria, and its board has been vacant since the expiration of the terms of its previous members in 2020.
“The absence of a properly constituted MDCN board is a serious threat to patient safety in Nigeria,” said Martins Obi Nwanne, Convener of Disney Nwanne Foundation.
“The MDCN is responsible for setting standards for medical and dental education, licensing doctors and dentists, and investigating complaints of professional misconduct. Without a board in place, these essential functions are being neglected” he said in a statement at the weekend in Abuja.
Disney Nwanne Foundation is a patients’ rights advocacy nonprofit organisatiin that works to protect the rights of patients and improves the relationship between patients and their caregivers in Nigeria.
The Foundation provides education and resources to patients, and advocates for reforms to the Nigerian healthcare system
According to the Foundation, the lack of a properly constituted MDCN board has led to a number of problems, including:
” delays in processing applications for medical and dental licenses
“backlog of complaints of professional misconduct and
lack of oversight of medical and dental schools”.
These problems are putting patients at risk. For example, without a properly constituted MDCN board, it is more difficult for patients to ensure that their doctors and dentists are properly trained and licensed. Additionally, it is more difficult for patients to file complaints against doctors and dentists who have committed professional misconduct to conclusive effect.
“The federal government of Nigeria has a responsibility to protect the health and safety of its citizens,” said Nwanne. “By failing to reconstitute the MDCN board, the government is failing to meet this responsibility.”
Disney Nwanne Foundation urged the federal government to take immediate action to reconstitute the MDCN board as the health and safety of Nigerian patients depends on it.
Health
Medical Practitioner Tasks Tinubu on Security

…..Medical Practitioner Tasks Tinubu on Security
By Raphael Atuu, Abuja
A medical practitioner and chief executive of Shawaline herbal products, Dr Shawalin Igwe has called on president Bola Tinubu to improve security in the country with some new ideas.
Igwe made the call during an Interview with DAILY ASSET correspondent in his office in Abuja.
The medical practitioner said a new approach was necessary if the present administration wants to succeed in the security sector.
He pointed out that,every state has a governor who was the chief security officer of the state, and it was his duty to make sure the security was guaranteed as this could be done by carrying all the security agents along , chairmen of local governments and make sure it goes down to the grassroots not only the state capital.
Igwe also said, the community chiefs should be tasked on security matters, stressing this would make information flow.
The medical practitioner urged that people found wanting or breaking laws and order should be punished to serve as a deterrent to others .
“A country where nobody is punished for doing wrong, will only encourage more wrong doings” and urged the president not to include emotions and political affiliation towards fighting insecurity in the country.
Igwe further stated that ,there must be snergy between the judiciary and executive in fighting insecurity, justice should not be delayed in law courts so as to give the public confidence in the system.
While appreciating the media for their contribution so far in raising the alarm concerning , Igwe said the media has a major role to play in the fight but quickly added that the government needs to motivate and protect them to operate , especially reporting security and other news .
He added that the security personnel should be equipped with modern equipment to fight insurgency, and a compensation model should be introduced to the families of fallen security personnel who died fighting to protect the country so as to motivate the ones alive.