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Stakeholders Advocate New Policies on Child Health

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A meeting on the Second Edition of Nigeria Research Days for Maternal Newborn and Child Health, ended in Abuja on Friday with participants calling on Researchers to begin to engage parliamentarians and policy makers at both National and sub-national levels for buy-in into researches for possible policy change and implementation.

The 3-day stakeholders’ meeting, with the theme: “Integration of Mental Health into Reproductive and Community Health: Community Mobilisation and Engagement,” also stressed the need for appropriate linkages with the National Health Research Committee and program departments to agree on focus and need before setting research priorities for the country.

 The meeting, held at Rockview Royale Hotel, Wuse II Abuja, from 24th to 26th September, 2019 was aimed at sharing the research findings from the three IMCHA projects in Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health plus Nutrition (MNCAH+N) in Nigeria; and to discuss the use of the research findings in decision making in MNCH, as well as to enhance the capacity of stakeholders to use the regional evidence-based policy making guidance.

The workshop attracted 79 participants, including the representative of Nigeria’s Minister of Health; the representative of the Director-General  of the West African Health Organization (WAHO); officers from the Federal Ministry of Health (Departments of Family Health, Planning Research and Statistics & Public Health); Federal line Ministries, Agencies and  Parastatals including the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and the National Population Commission (NPopC).

 There were also state representatives, made up of Implementation Research Teams from Oyo, Edo and Bauchi states; the Academia, Professional Associations (PAN, NISONM, SOGON, NANMN, SOFPON, APN, NISPID); Development Partners (UNICEF, CHAI, JHPIEGO), NGOs (PSN Africa, FOMWAN); Research Groups (NETBRECSIN, WHARC) as well as other key stakeholders in MNCH.

The meeting was declared open by Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire (who was represented by the Director, Family Health Department, Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi mni), who welcomed paerticipants and expressed optimism in the output of the meeting.

Director-General of WAHO, Professor Stanley Okolo, who was represented by Professor Issiaka Sombie, in his own remarks, reiterated his commitment to provide support to any project designed to impact positively on the lives of women and children in the West African sub-region

In a communique issued at the end of the workshop, participants observed that the list of “Research Priorities” compiled by the National Health Research Committee has not properly captured some key MNCH issues, and that some policies are not informed by research, while many researches are not designed to address existing policy needs.

While regretting that there was currently no functional Central Medical Library in Nigeria as the one in Lagos is dilapidated, the participants also observed that there was weak capacity of policy makers on the use of evidence for policy making because of the disconnect between researchers and policy makers.

They further observed that evidence from the Scaling up care for perinatal depression for improved maternal and infant health (SPECTRA) implemented in 11 LGAs of Oyo State   shows that capacity of primary health care providers can be built to deliver evidence based mental health care. “Evidence also shows that Community engagement and participation still remains the bedrock for better outcome in MNCH projects as demonstrated in the resultant zero maternal death in Etsako east LGA and Esan South east in Edo and improved spousal communication on MNCH, Toro LGA, Bauchi. However, community structures are yet to be fully incorporated in the design and implementation of other projects.”

Describing community health fund as a viable option to address the finance gap in access to quality service delivery, the workshop observed that there is a need to develop an implementation plan for the mental health policy which will incorporate mental health into MNCH.

Other recommendations by the workshop that there should be an interface between researchers and policy makers to ensure research addresses priority gaps and engender proper policy making guidance. The existing MNCH Research Days, should be strengthened.

It urged the Ministries of Health to begin to commission researches that will directly address policy needs and that future MNCH Research Day meetings should be broadened to include parliamentarians

The capacity of researchers and users should be built on the areas of grantsmanship and the use of research evidence.

The organisation of specific days dedicated to research on MNCH in Nigeria; was one the main recommendations from the situation analysis on Knowledge Transfer and evidence use carry out by WAHO as part of Moving maternal newborn and child health Evidence into Policy in West Africa (MEP) in 2015. This request tried to bring all stakeholders together in a platform to foster collaboration between researchers and decision-makers, to share the results of ongoing research and to prepare the use of these results in decision-making and practices.

Stakeholders based, the first edition held from 11 to 13 July 2018 in Abuja, Nigeria on the feasibility study to ensure ownership of this platform. The final communique of the first edition recommended that the Nigeria Research Days for MNCH should be organised annually under the leadership of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health. As the first edition, the actual conference will be organise for 3 days with about 50 participants.

Health

Mental Illness: Kebbi Gov’t. Offers Free Treatment to 23,542 Patients

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The Kebbi Government says it offered free treatment to 23,542 patients with mental illness
at the Zauro Psychiatric Medical Outreach from 2023 till date in the state.

The Commissioner, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Aliyu, made this known at the weekly ministerial press
briefing organised by the state’s Ministry of Information and Culture.

He said “the ministry intervenes in cases of mental health and other social challenges.

“Between May 2023 and now, 23,542 patients with mental illness cases received treatment and medications at the Zauro Psychiatric Medical Outreach in Birnin Kebbi.

On regulation of the conduct of Almajiris, Sani-Aliyu disclosed that a unit had been established to carry out a demography of Islamiyya and Almajiri schools in the state.

He added that the aim is to identify age and number of pupils, their various origins, parents and their living conditions for appropriate actions.

He added that “over 1,500 cases have been handled by the state Hisbah under the Shari’a Department of the ministry to usher peace, tranquility and brotherhood in our society.”

On partnerships, the commissioner said that the ministry facilitated the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and Qatar Foundation.

This, he said, would result to the construction of over 200 boreholes and other social amenities for the teeming populace.

“Furthermore, the ministry will establish linkage with the Indonesian Embassy on possibilities of strengthening bilateral cooperation in economic, socio- cultural and education cooperation,” he said.

Sani-Aliyu said that the state government had liaised with the ministry to intervene in cushioning the effect of hardship faced by the people before, during and after Ramadan in the state.

“The areas we intervened are: Ramadan feeding at designated Mosques across the state, targeting 11,400 persons per day and the vulnerable groups Ramadan intervention for girls’ schools and women groups in centres across the state by Wife of the Governor, Hajiya Nafisa Idris, targeting 1,700 families.

“Others are the joint house to house Ramadan packages in Birnin Kebbi and women groups at designated centres in three emirate headquarters outside Birnin Kebbi, targetting
14,000 families, among others.”

The commissioner commended Gov. Nasir Idris for the idea to use religion to reduce moral decadence, youth waywardness, vices and crimes through moral education and counselling in liaison with relevant government agencies.  (NAN)

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Tuberculosis Claims 1,869 Lives in Kwara in 2023–Commissioner

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Dr Amina El-Imam, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, has submitted that in 2023, Tuberculosis claimed about 1,869 lives in Kwara.

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a serious bacterial infection of the lungs, with symptoms such as persistent bad cough, chest pain, and breathlessness

El-Imam, who spoke on Monday in Ilorin while delivering a speech at the commemoration of the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day, explained that the disease continues to claim over 4,000 lives daily globally.

She stressed the importance of investigating all cases and ensuring that patients receive anti-TB drugs.

“It is only when all active cases are treated that we can break the chain of transmission of Tuberculosis.

“The Kwara State Ministry of Health remains committed to finding cases of Tuberculosis wherever they may be.

“We are intensifying community sensitization and active case search using our well-established structures of community informants, surveillance officers, and community TB/HIV workers,” she affirmed.

El-Imam highlighted the Kwara Government’s collaboration with partners to ensure zero costs for Tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment for patients.

She acknowledged Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s commitment to strengthening the state’s capacity for Tuberculosis diagnosis and services across all wards.

Also speaking, the wife of the Kwara governor, Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, represented by Alhaji Ganiyu Opeloyeru, the Director-General of Ajike People’s Support Center, reiterated government’s commitment to eliminate tuberculosis and promote a healthy Kwara.

Abdulrazaq urged all Kwara residents to report suspected tuberculosis cases in their communities to reduce the risk of infection.

Also, Dr. Oluwatosin Fakayode, the Director of Public Health, emphasized the importance of citizens supporting the various healthcare efforts of the present administration to help reduce TB spread, echoing this year’s theme.

Reports says that highlight of the 2024 World TB Day includes an outreach to Mandate Market, Ilorin, where people were tested for Tuberculosis free of charge. (NAN)

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2024 WTBD: WHO Raises Alarm Over 2.5m People Infected in 2022

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The World Health Organization, WHO, has raised alarm over 2.5 million people that were infected with Tuberculosis, TB in Africa in 2022.

In a statement issued by WHO, to commemorate 2024 World Tuberculosis Day, WTBD, and made available to journalists in Abuja.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, in the statement said 

In 2022, there was a 20% increase was recorded in identified paediatric TB cases compared to the previous year.

She lamented that TB continues to be the second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, surpassing the toll of HIV/AIDS. 

The statement reads, “Since then, a 20% increase has been recorded in identified paediatric TB cases compared to the previous year.

This signifies a positive step, indicating a more practical approach to recognizing TB in children and a decisive push to end this ancient disease.

According to Dr. Moeti, “Today, we reflect on our progress while recognizing the challenges in our efforts to eliminate it as a public health threat. 

“TB continues to be the second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, surpassing the toll of HIV/AIDS. According to the latest report, about 2.5 million individuals contracted TB in 2022 in the region, equating to one person every 13 seconds. 

“Additionally, the number of TB deaths in 2022 reached 424,000, resulting in the loss of one life every minute—even when TB is preventable and treatable. These figures underscore the urgency of our collective action in addressing the ongoing TB epidemic and highlight the need for sustained efforts to end it.

“WHO African Region supports our member states’ fight against TB in Africa by setting strategic directions, developing monitoring tools, like the African TB scorecard with the African Union, and ensuring progress towards the End TB Strategy. 

‘Our Organization is dedicated to generating and sharing knowledge on effective TB control methods. We support countries by updating TB treatment guidelines to reflect the latest practices and expanding access to rapid diagnostic tools. Emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation, the WHO African Region encourages knowledge exchange and collaborative efforts across countries, significantly advancing the mission to eliminate TB as a public health threat in Africa.

“In the WHO African Region, we celebrate another milestone: diagnosing 70% of TB patients, marking a substantial reduction in missed cases and propelling us closer to our goal. This achievement is a testament to the relentless efforts of our Member States and partners, showcasing what can be accomplished through a shared vision and concerted action.

“Between 2015 and 2022, our region achieved a remarkable 38% reduction in TB deaths, surpassing the initial End TB Strategy milestone of 35% by 2020. From 2015 to 2022, the region also saw a 23% reduction in new TB cases, exceeding the initial End TB Strategy target of 20% by 2020. All this underscores the effectiveness of implemented strategies and renewed commitment from countries.

“However, while the reduction in TB deaths is commendable, it still falls short of the 2025 End TB Strategy target of a 75% reduction. Similarly, the 23% decline in TB incidence misses the mark of the 50% reduction target for 2025. This highlights the need for continued and intensified efforts to meet these ambitious goals”.

She decried, the “Challenges such as delayed diagnosis, limited access to new tools and technologies, and the ongoing threat of multi-drug resistant TB require continued vigilance and sustained efforts”.  

She therefore tasked stakeholder to join WHO in providing resources, enhancing community engagement, conducting research, and forming private-sector partnerships. 

“Through this unified action, we can address the challenges of TB in Africa and achieve our goal of its elimination as a public health threat.

“I urge all our Member States to prioritize a multi-faceted approach that addresses the root causes of the disease while bolstering our efforts in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. 

“I urge health leaders to intensify their commitment to strengthening health systems, ensuring equitable access to TB care, and scaling up innovative interventions. 

“Investing in research and developing new tools, including vaccines and improved diagnostics, is essential to accelerate progress. 

“Furthermore, countries must prioritize addressing the social determinants of TB, such as poverty, inequality, and limited access to healthcare, to achieve sustainable outcomes. Collaboration across sectors and borders is paramount. 

“I firmly commit to supporting all our Member States and partners with unwavering determination for a world free of TB. Set”, she said.

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