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FG Sensitises Livestock Traders, Butchers on Outbreak of Anthrax Disease

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The Federal Government on Monday sensitized livestock traders and butchers in Dei-Dei international market, Abuja on the outbreak of Anthrax disease.

The Federal Government had alerted the public on the outbreak of Anthrax disease in some neighboring countries in the West African sub- region.

Speaking at the event, Dr Columba Vakuru, the Director, Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the programme was part of the government’s interventions on anthrax.

Vakuru was represented by Dr Ihekeremma Okoli, Deputy Director, Veterinary Consultant Zoonoses, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

He said the sensitisation was part of the preventive measures by the Federal Government, on measures to take in the advent of the outbreak of the disease in the country.

He said the ministry and the National One Health Coordinating Unit (NOHCU) were aware of a confirmed outbreak of anthrax in Ghana.

“There is currently no suspected or confirmed case of anthrax in Nigeria.

” However, Nigeria’s close relationship with Ghana through border movement of humans and animals, and strong trade relations can create a high risk of importation of the disease,” he said.

Vakuru said that the government has put measures in place which included, the establishment of a National Anthrax Technical Working Group (TWG), development of an incident action plan among others.

He said that one of the key interventions the government has planned was awareness creation for butchers, livestock traders and all other relevant stakeholders.

He said the disease is transmitted in animals when they breathe in or ingest spores in contaminated soil, plant or water.

Vakuru said humans could only get the disease by inhaling or breathing in spores, eating contaminated meat, or having the spores come in contact with the person’s skin through wounds.

He said the disease could also be transmitted to humans through cuts while handling a sick or dead anthrax infected animal such as cows, goats, sheep, pigs among others.

The director said signs of the disease in animals included, unclotted blood might be seen coming from the nose, ears, mouth and anus of the infected animals.

He said signs of the anthrax disease in humans included, fever, painless skin sores/ ulcers worth black center, respiratory symptoms (chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath) among others.

On mode of prevention and control, Vakuru urged the public not to buy or sell sick animals to the public in order to avoid the spread of the disease.

He cautioned livestock traders against buying animals from areas where outbreaks have been suspected or confirmed.

Vakuru urged the traders to always wear work clothes and boots when in contact with the animals.

“Regularly wash your hands with soap after contact with your animals, and always wash and disinfect floors around where your animals are.

” Do not introduce new animals with the old stock and do not dispose of dead animals yourself, rather call the Veterinary authority to do that ,” he said.

Vakuru urged the public to be on alert and report immediately to the closest veterinary doctor or veterinary authorities  any suspicion of anthrax.

” Early detection and reporting of suspected anthrax cases in animals is important for preventing the spread of the diseases to unaffected animals and you,” he said.

Also speaking,  Sanusi Mohammed, a livestock trader said the exercise was timely since they sometimes buy livestock from neighbouring countries.

Mr Musa Mohammed said the exercise would enable traders to identify signs of the disease in the event of any outbreak in Nigeria.

NAN reports that awareness was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Health, NCDC, Ministry of Environment Veterinary Council of Nigeria among others.(NAN)

Health

Unijos Donates Medical Equipment to JUTH

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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 gesture

Represented 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)

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Health

Disney Nwanne Foundation Urges Federal Government  to Reconstitute Medical and Dental Council Board

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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.

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Health

Medical Practitioner Tasks Tinubu on Security

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…..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.

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