Health

The Health System in Nigeria has passed through a lot of challenging times.

 This assertion was made on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the Physicians' Week of the Oyo state branch of the Nigeria Medical Association(NMA) with theme, ''Nigeria's Health Care Delivery System and the 2023 Democratic Transition : A Time to Change the Narrative by the Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital(UCH) Ibadan, Nigeria, Prof. Abiodun Otegbayo.

''The Nigeria health system has suffered a lot, this is a backward change. This year's budget gave the health sector an encouraging allocation; over a trillion Naira.

The Government of the day and others should manage the budget for the health sector. I just pray that the health system would not collapse. I urge all of you o use your influential positions to help us in the health system,'' Prof. Otegbayo stated.

In his presentation on the theme of the week, the Vice Chancellor of the Olabisi Onabanjo University(OOU)Ago-Iwoye, Oun state, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola Johnson expressed hopes that the narrative in the country would change.

''In the course of 20 years, we are still talking of changing the narrative. Hopefully the narrative will change. Nigeria's political structure affects every aspect of our daily need. State governments should allocate 10 per cent of their budget to the health sector. We are in a civilian rule not democratic governance today. The government at all levels must be proactive,'' Prof. Johnson concluded.

The Nigeria Medical Association(NMA) in Oyo state has declared that it shall not endorse any candidate for the 2023 general elections in line with its status as a professional association.

This declaration was made on Monday, by the NMA chairman, Dr. Wale Lasisi, during a Press conference to outline activities lined up for the Physicians' week 2022 with theme, ''Nigeria's Health Care Delivery System and the 2023 Democratic Transition : A Time to Change the Narrative'' in Ibadan, Nigeria.

''That is absolutely untrue. We are apolitical, we are not endorsing any candidate, we will not endorse any candidate, we are making plans to invite gubernatorial candidates. NMA is not endorsing any candidate, we are a group of professionals without political bias. We all know that as an association we have members with different political backgrounds.''

Similarly, the National President of the NMA, Dr. Uche Ojinmah has called on Nigerians not to back candidates that lack the competence to deliver the dividends of democracy.

 ''All citizens must respond to the call of Nigeria for good leadership and should never, for pecuniary benefits, sell or support candidates that cannot move our nation forward. May God grant us the courage to be who we ought to be by standing for equality and progress. May our loyalty be only to Nigeria and may our loyalty not be tested by any past or present commitment.'' ''Let us all patiently wait to hear the plans of the presidential candidates for Nigeria, especially in the health sector, before pitching out a political support tent. Despite the national drawbacks, the Nigerian doctor has a lot to celebrate this week just for being alive.''

Workers in Nigeria have continuously lamented their poor conditions of service and poor welfare. In this interview, the Chairman Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals(NUAHP), Oyo state council, Comrade Oladayo Olabampe insists that his union has similar challenges. Excerpts :

How has been in journey so far, as regards addressing issues of leadership in your union?

God has being helping us. And members of the union have been cooperative with the help of God we have had a smooth journey. Although it has not been easy, we have tried our bets. God has helped us in most of the issues while we are still discussing some others, the Government is giving attention to a number of the issues and some are still undergoing some struggle.

What are the highlights of your achievements?

The major achievements start with the fact that we have a listening Governor, and we also interact with organs of the Government. When we have issues they listen to us, when we have some issues the state Government listens to us. Committees have sat and the outcome of their sittings are recommendations awaiting favorable implementations. There is the issue of teaching allowances, for years my members have been denied teaching allowances. These allowances are given to staff who are not employed to teach, but find themselves teaching. To teaching allowances are given to them as compensation. For some time now the Government has denied them the teaching allowances. In addition, the Government shall implement the CONHESS (Consolidated Health Salary Structure)salary scale for health professionals, this is the equivalent used for physicists, CONMESS(. We have made a case for the consequential adjustment of CONHESS(Consolidated Health Salary Structure for our members. This has also received attention, and it is awaiting implementation. When we mounted the saddle we commenced the compilation of data of health professionals who are gainfully employed. The result is the acute shortage of health professionals. Although the Government has employed some health professionals, there is an improvement, we are still expecting more.

What about the challenges confronting your union? Our challenges are not different from other unions.

Our number one challenge is that the Government always complains of lack of funds. We have made a strong case for our members regarding welfare. A major challenge is the mass exodus of our members to foreign countries to seek greener pastures. The exodus has created a lot of vacancies at both the State, Federal and Local Governments. The rate of exodus is not in tandem with the rate of recruitment. This has resulted in the shortage of health professional in the health sector. The brain drain has also not helped matters. However, we want our members to practice in their fatherland, but we hope the Government at all levels shall create an enabling environment.

Nigerians have been called upon to cultivate good nutrition habits to remain healthy and sound.
This call was made on Thursday by a Health Nutritionist, and President of BEWEM Services/Berg Live Healthy Foundation, Ms. Betty Folarin-Akinlosotu during a Health, Nutrition, and wellness workshop with Theme- Learning Healthy Habits and Lifestyles that Helps you prevent and cure diseases in the most affordable ways- in Ibadan.
 
''Micronutrients are very good for the body. It provides vitamins essential for the human body. You can get it from foods and vegetables. Good nutrition keeps you healthy and sound. Eat lots of vegetables to keep you healthy. Observing regular sleep and rest in addition to embarking on exercises  will keep you healthy and sound.''
In his remarks, the Vice President of the Foundation, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke outlined the role of nutrition in healthy living.
''Nutrition is a hyper-critical part of health and development because the child and maternal health, stronger immune systems, lower risk of non-communicable diseases(for example, diabetes and cardiovascular disease), and longevity are functions of good and healthy nutrition. Malnutrition is a diverse issue that needs support from multiple sectors-Nutritionists, Dieticians, the Medic, etc. The determinants of malnutrition are multiple and extremely complex. So encouraging quality and safety of the food as a lifelong behavioral trait is the duty of all general and nutrition specialists in particular.''

The authorities in the Gambia have stated that the total number of coronavirus cases is 3,958.
This is contained in the  252nd national situation report. 
According to the report, 6 new patients got discharged from the treatment centers while 5 COVID-19 patients are currently on oxygen therapy.
The Gambia currently has75 people in hotel quarantine, 125 active cases, and a crude case-fatality ratio of 3.2%.

The Federal and State Governments have been called upon to enforce the use of face masks in public places to stem the increasing cases of coronavirus in Nigeria.

This call was made by the Ezendigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, who also doubles as the Vice President (South) Ezendigbo in Diaspora.

‘’The Federal and state Governments should enact an executive order to ensure the effectiveness of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. It is a welcome development that the Federal and state Governments have relaxed the lock down a bit, but I suggest that the Government should enforce the use of face mask by anyone leaving home for the public’’.

 ‘’Anyone going to the market should put on face mask. Okada riders and their passengers should also put on face masks. Nobody should be exempted, all Nigerians should be compelled to put on face masks, given the fact that they are out in the public. Anyone caught in the public without face mask should be penalized, irrespective of the individual’s status in the society‘‘.

 ‘’This is for the good of all and sundry. It is noticeable that the coronavirus cases are on the increase daily all over the country, therefore urgent measures must be put in place to curtail the spread. A fine of between N1,000 and N5,000 should be made for those who violate the order, this will ensure full compliance. Anybody that is not ready to pay the fine should be prosecuted in the law court. The restriction of movement of people from one part of the country to the other, and one state to the other is still on, but thousands of able bodied young men, excluding women and children, are on a daily basis, been secretly moved from one part of the country to the other. This is suspicious. People are gripped with fear all over the country, all is not well’’.

‘’The Federal Government should allay the fears of Nigerians that there is no hidden motive behind this movement of able bodied men from one part of the country to the other, by making a nation wide address. It is not the best for Government to be silent during this period. State Governors should continue to address people in the states on a weekly basis, appealing to them to see the need to obey the orders for the good of everyone, until the coronavirus pandemic is over. They should do this with maturity and with firm resolve to remind the people of the dangers inherent in flouting the order and the consequences for flouting the order. Look at the streets, only very few people are moving about in the public with face masks, majority are out there without face masks, this is very dangerous’’.

‘’In Rivers state, I like Governor Nyesome Wike for been a Governor of action and discipline, but I also feel that the bulldozing of two hotels by the Governor is an action taken too far.

It would have been better if he had acted with human face by either sealing up the hotel or seeking legal redress, the bulldozing of the hotels is unchristian like. If he had sealed up the property or sought legal redress, it would have been better’’, Eze(Dr)Anozie concluded.

The All Workers Convergence(AWC) has called on the Federal Government to make provision for  Financial  and Social welfare packages for Nigerians as the coronavirus ravages the land.

This call was made by the AWC through its National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

‘’Th AWC calls on the Federal and state Governments to see how families and individuals can get financial support, free medical care and subsidies for utilities within this period, electricity and communication should ve provided Free of Charge for Nigerians. The Federal Government must also provide adequate protection for all those on essential services, who will daily meet up with the needs of the people. More importantly, since Government at all levels have ordered the closure of work places, they should ensure the early payment of salaries to workers and all necessary welfare packages including the further downward review of the pump prices of petroleum products. In conclusion the AWC is calling on all leaders to be more responsible to citizens in this trying period’’, Comrade Emelieze stated.

The move by the Federal Government of Nigeria to concession the 22 Teaching hospitals in the country has been described as a calculated step to empower the elite.

This position was made known by the All Workers Convergence(AWC)through its National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

‘’From all angles and social indices before Nigerians, it has become obvious to everybody that our so called government is giving up its responsibilities, therefore governance is been abandoned systematically. This, Nigerians have seen as an attempt to concession the 22 teaching hospitals in the country. In a nut shell, government is trying to privatize these government hospitals, thereby making the prospect of health care delivery only for the highest bidder, which of course is the elite, more of a cash and carry process’’.

‘’It therefore means that those who cannot afford the bills are free to die. The position of the AWC, is that government should immediately reverse the idea of concession of the 22 teaching hospitals it owns’’, Comrade Emelieze declared.