Health
FG, UNFPA Unveil Guidelines On Safe Termination Of Pregnancy
Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and other partners has inaugurated three key reproductive health policies to accelerate family planning uptake, as well as reduce maternal mortality and morbidity in Nigeria.
Prof. Isaac Adewole, the Minister of Health, who was represented by the Director of Family Health, Dr. Adebimpe Adebiyi, unveiled the documents in Abuja on Tuesday.
The documents that were unveiled are: the National Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal indications and National Depot-MedroxyProgesterone Acetate-Sub Cutaneous (DMPA-SC) Accelerated Introduction and Scale-up Plan (2018-2022).
DMPA-SC is a modern family planning method that combines the contraceptive drug and needle into a single unit. It is administered sub-coetaneously (under the skin).
The other documents, also inaugurated by the minister, was the Global Family Planning Visibility and Analytical Network with the National Logistics Management Information System (NAVISION).
“The documents will support the government and its partners to speed their efforts on family planning.
“It will also catalyze efforts to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity thereby improving the health of women and girls in Nigeria,’’ Adewole said.
Also, the Acting Country Representative of UNFPA, Dr. Eugene Kongnyuy noted that the three documents was very important to UNFPA.
Kongnyuy, represented by Dr. Titi Duro-Aino, a Reproductive Health Analyst, UNFPA, said: “The documents that are very dear to UNFPA are the National Depot-MedroxyProgesterone Acetate Sub Cutaneous (DMPA-SC) Accelerated Introduction and Scale-up Plan (2018-2022).
“The DMPA-SC will allow women in rural and hard-to-reach areas access and use it to prevent unwanted pregnancies.’’
According to him, the Global Family Planning Visibility and Analytical Network allow visibility into the supply chain.
“It enables the stakeholders to track exactly where family planning commodities are to avoid overstocking and stock-out of these commodities.
“It also enables women who need the commodities to get it as at when due,’’ he said
Kongnyuy said the commodities were free at all public health facilities in the country.
He said the third document, the National Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal indications, would ensure that reproductive rights of women were upheld.
Health
NAFDAC Shuts Maiduguri Market Over Sun-Dried Drugs After Flood
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has ordered the immediate closure of the Gomboru drug market in Maiduguri following severe flooding that submerged the area and contaminated the drugs sold within the market.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, NAFDAC disclosed that the decision was made after reports surfaced that contaminated drugs, which had been washed and sun-dried for resale, were being sold at the market.
“After the recent flooding in Maiduguri that submerged the Gomboru drug market where contaminated drugs were washed and sun-dried for resale, the @DGatNAFDAC ordered the immediate closure of the market to conduct a thorough shop-to-shop removal of these compromised drugs,” the agency wrote.
The flooding, which ravaged Maiduguri, was triggered by the rupture of the Alau dam on the Ngadda River, located 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of the city.
The floodwaters claimed at least 30 lives and displaced 400,000 residents, leaving large parts of the city and surrounding areas in devastation.
NAFDAC’s intervention is aimed at safeguarding public health by preventing the sale and consumption of contaminated drugs.
The agency has mobilized teams to inspect the market and ensure the removal of all compromised pharmaceutical products.
Health
Cholera Outbreak: Rep Oseni Urges Residents to Prioritise Hygiene, Safety Measures
Engr. Aderemi Oseni, Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State has expressed deep concern following the recent outbreak of cholera cases in the state.
Cholera, a highly contagious bacterial infection transmitted through contaminated water and food, poses significant health risks, particularly in densely populated areas with inadequate sanitation.
Oseni urged residents of Oyo State, especially those in his constituency, to prioritise hygiene practices and strictly adhere to recommended safety measures, emphasising the critical importance of proactive measures to halt the disease’s spread.
In a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan, the state capital, the lawmaker underscored the necessity of maintaining clean water sources and practicing proper sanitation methods.
“Cholera outbreaks can be significantly reduced if we all take responsibility for our hygiene habits and ensure our surroundings are clean,” he stated.
The APC chieftain also stressed the urgency of seeking prompt medical attention at the first signs of symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, which are characteristic of cholera.
“Early detection and treatment are crucial in combating cholera and preventing its spread. Access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation are fundamental rights that must be upheld, especially during health crises like this,” he asserted.
Oseni further called for unity and collective action in combating the cholera outbreak.
He expressed confidence that through concerted efforts and vigilant adherence to preventive measures, communities can contain and ultimately overcome this challenging public health issue.
“By working together, maintaining vigilance, and prioritising hygiene practices, we can effectively mitigate the impact of cholera on our communities,” the lawmaker concluded.
Health
Ondo Resident Doctors Begin 14-Day Warning Strike
Resident doctors at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Ondo State have initiated a 14-day warning strike, as confirmed by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The strike action, led by the association’s President, John Matthew, highlights various grievances, notably the non-payment of seven months’ salaries to new members.
Matthew added that the strike also addresses the non-payment of palliative to House Officers since February, the failure to disburse the February Hazard Allowance despite prior assurances from the state government, and the ongoing shortage of staff due to resignations.
Matthew lamented the drastic decrease in resident doctors, citing a decrease from 150 doctors to a mere 26 in recent months.
In response to the situation, he urged management to prioritise the full payment of arrears owed to members, immediate payment of the February 2024 palliative to house officers, and prompt disbursement of the February hazard allowance.
The association further called for urgent measures to address the critical shortage of clinical manpower within the institution.
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