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Oyo offers free TB treatment for residents

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THE Oyo State Government has offered free screening and treatment in all the health facilities across the state for individuals with persistent cough suspected to be Tuberculosis (TB).

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan stated this at the weekend in Ibadan in his address to commemorate the 2018 World Tuberculosis Day, with the theme  “Find and notify all TB cases in Nigeria” and the slogan “Wanted: Leaders for a TB free world”.

Dr Azeez said that the free screening and treatment initiative of the Governnor Abiola Ajimobi administration is to reduce the spread of TB in the society, noting that all health facilities in the 33 Local Government Areas and 35 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) have been mandated and mobilised to effectively carry out TB screening and treatment.

The commissioner enjoined any individual with persistent coughing to visit health facilities for check-up, explaining that the most common symptom of Tuberculosis is persistent cough lasting 2 weeks or more which is accompanied by fever, night sweat, weight loss, chest pain, loss of appetite, coughing up of blood mixed with sputum and tiredness while the spread of TB could be attributed to living in an overcrowded environments, poor hygienic conditions, indiscriminate spitting of sputum and poor cough etiquette, malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, Diabetes mellitus and smoking.

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He said that every March 24th of every year was set aside by the World Health Organization since 1882 as the World Tuberculosis Day when Dr. Robert kochs announced the discovery of the germ mycobacterium tuberculosis that causes tuberculosis disease, stressing that TB is a contagious disease that affect all ages and kills nearly 5000 people every day worldwide due to lack of access to treatment.

Dr Adeduntan added that over 10.4 million people had TB death in 2017 and there were 1.8 million TB deaths in 2016 making it the top infectious killer disease Worldwide, saying “”Nigeria now ranks 5th among the 22 Countries of the world with highest TB burden coming up from previous 4th position in 2010. This is the result of scale up and expansion of TB treatment centre as an implementation strategy across all states in Nigeria”.

He allayed the fears that Individuals suffering from TB need not be isolated once they are on treatment but should be encouraged by the community to attend clinic regularly, as tuberculosis can be completely cured provided the treatment started early and drugs are taken regularly for the stipulated length of time required.

The Commissioner reiterated on the need to create a neat and healthier environment in the state, saying that the state government will continue to prioritise cleanliness of its environment.

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Dr Adeduntan acknowledged the unflinching support of the Damien Foundation Belgium to the state on TB control programme, saying that the foundation has contributed immensely to infrastructural and capacity developments across the State.

He also commended religious and occupational groups, civil society organizations and the media houses for the tremendous improvements and support for the TB control programme.

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Photos: Saudi Medical Team Make History, Separate Nigerian Conjoined Twins

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In a monumental achievement for medical science, a team of Saudi professionals at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital has completed the separation surgery of Nigerian conjoined twins, Hassana and Husaina.

The directive for this historic achievement came from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, demonstrating the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing healthcare.

The complex procedure, initiated on Thursday morning, was the result of meticulous planning and execution by a dedicated team of 38 medical experts. This group included consultants, specialists, technicians, and nursing staff, all working in harmony to address shared areas in the lower abdomen, pelvis, lower spine, and lower spinal nerves of the twins.

The surgery, unfolding in nine carefully planned stages, lasted approximately 14 hours. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), and head of the medical team, expressed confidence in the success of the procedure, citing a noteworthy 70% success rate.

“This is a momentous occasion that showcases the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing medical science and providing compassionate healthcare globally,” he said.

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The successful separation of Hassana and Husaina commemorates the 60th operation conducted by the Saudi programme for separating conjoined twins. Over the past 34 years, this programme has offered care to 135 conjoined twins from 25 countries.

Dr. Al Rabeeah expressed heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Saudi leadership for their steadfast support of the programme.

He said, “The successful separation of Hassana and Husaina exemplifies the Kingdom’s dedication to humanitarian causes and its role as a leader in global healthcare.”

The Press Attaché at the Saudi embassy in Abuja, Mohammed Alsahabi, remarked on the accomplishment, stating, “This remarkable feat underscores the strong collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria in healthcare. We take pride in contributing to the improvement of these twins’ lives and their families.”

The separation of Hassana and Husaina represents not just a medical triumph but also serves as a symbol of hope for numerous individuals confronting similar challenges globally.

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Health

Pregnant Girls Rescued in Anambra’s Baby Factory Raid { Photos}

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Five pregnant girls ranging from 14 to 21 years were rescued by security operatives during a raid on the facility on February 7, 2024.

Security operatives in Umunya, Anambra State, have rescued no fewer than five pregnant girls during a raid on a baby factory.

The joint effort, orchestrated by the Anambra State Ministry of Health and regional security agencies, uncovered a disturbing reality behind the facade of the facility.

The facility is identified as ‘Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity located on a road along the Tansian University, Umunya

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, revealed during a Wednesday briefing that the establishment, named ‘Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity’ along a road near Tansian University, Umunya, was deceptively operating as a hospital while serving as a hub for child trafficking.

“We found that some hospitals that are not registered are operating in the state. We have created data that will capture the hospitals in the state so that people will be able to have quality, good healthcare.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, briefs journalists.

“Unfortunately, in one of the hospitals that we came for inspection, we found out that in our data system, they were not registered. We came here to verify and look at what is happening,” the commissioner said.

Obidike said the facility lacked registration with the Anambra State Government, adding that seven nurses on duty fled during the raid.

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The commissioner specified the ages of the victims, ranging from 14 to 21 years, stressing Governor Charles Soludo’s commitment to addressing this menace.

Five pregnant girls ranging from 14 to 21 years were rescued by security operatives during a raid on the facility on February 7, 2024.

“Unfortunately, the hospital is not registered and activities are suspected to be very fraudulent. So we decided to just see the senior doctor in the hospital and all the seven nurses.

“They locked us outside. Before they opened the gate, they followed the back and ran away. Seven to eight of them ran away. We saw little girls here that are pregnant, some of them ranging from 14, 15, 16 and 21 years,” he added.

 

 

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Diphtheria Outbreak Claims 10 Lives in Jigawa

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In a tragic turn of events, Jigawa State has been hit by an outbreak of diphtheria, with at least 10 people losing their lives.

The outbreak has spread across 14 local government areas, raising concerns among health officials and the local population.

The State Ministry of Health officially confirmed the outbreak during a press briefing held in Dutse on a somber Sunday.

Dr. Salisu Mu’azu, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, revealed that, as of now, two cases have been officially confirmed in Kazaure and Jahun local government areas.

However, the situation is far from contained as an alarming 91 suspected cases are under investigation, with samples sent to Abuja for confirmation. What makes this outbreak particularly troubling is that it has struck areas with a history of zero-dose routine immunization against diphtheria.

“So far, we have confirmed two cases in Kazaure and Jahun local government areas, while additional samples have been sent to Abuja for confirmation,” he said.

Dr. Mu’azu emphasized the urgency of the situation, prompting the ministry to launch a swift investigation, collecting crucial information and data from the affected regions.

Authorities wasted no time in alerting the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHDA) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to coordinate a comprehensive response.

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“The state government is actively preparing to administer vaccines as soon as they become available”, Mu’azu stressed the urgency of the situation.

The roots of this outbreak can be traced to the disruptions in healthcare services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The suspension of routine immunization during that period has posed a significant challenge in combating such epidemics.

In response, the NPHDA and NCDC have taken a proactive approach, closely monitoring the situation and collaborating closely with the State Ministry of Health to ensure a swift and effective response aimed at containing the outbreak.

Local communities have been urged to remain vigilant and strictly adhere to any directives issued by health authorities to mitigate the further spread of diphtheria.

The tragic loss of lives in Jigawa State serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of maintaining robust healthcare systems, even during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.

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