Health
India donates essential medicines to combat COVID-19 as Nigeria seeks collaboration to produce vaccines
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has described the gesture of donation of medicinal items by India to Nigeria as “gracious and touching” as the global plague affects all countries, and India has its own problems just as Nigeria has hers, in spite of which India still tried to find the resources to donate to Nigeria and other countries.
The Minister said this when the High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, Shri Abhay Thakur came to deliver 586 Cartons of medicines meant to combat COVID-19, a gift from the Government and People of India to Nigeria.
The donated medicines are Hydroxychloroquine and antibiotics which the High Commissioner, Thakur stated was “sent to Nigeria in line with the commitment made in the conversation between H.E, Dr. S. Jaisankar, and the Minister for External Affairs of India and his Nigerian Counterpart, H.E. Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Foreign Affairs on 24th April, 2020.”
In a statement at the occasion, the High Commissioner of India to Nigeria said “the donation underscores the special and unique ties between India and Nigeria.”
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire also revealed that “Nigeria and India share information management protocols and tactical advice and long interactions between our countries” which he said, “is almost legendary.” Ehanire said “relationship between the two countries spanned Defense, Science, Research and very many other spheres and Education, particularly.”
Osagie also said “perhaps the most poignant of the relationship” between India and Nigeria is “pharmaceutical.” He said India is a hub of pharmaceutical industry and all countries look forward to India in that respect.” He added that “We look forward to collaboration with you as we thank you for the donated products because of our position in Africa as the most populous country, a distinction that we share with you in Asia, and also that Nigeria is a hub with other West Africa Countries; the market here is huge and opportunity for collaboration are endless. We have mentioned your distinction in the production of APIs which to us here in Nigeria are extremely important.”
The Minister further revealed “an area of interest” which he said need to be stressed: Vaccine production revealing that Nigeria “is an aspiring vaccine production country” which he said has “gone into a partnership with a private company to produce vaccine for the use of our citizens.” He requested to collaborate with India for the production of vaccine for the use of Nigerians, revealing further that the aspiration of the whole world now is the development of vaccine for COVID-19.” Nigeria, the Minister said is most interested in seeing a way to connect with the outside world to share knowledge, to share experience and advances for the production of a useable vaccine against COVID-19.”
The list of the donated medicines from India to Nigeria include: Azithromycin 250 MG Tab; Hydroxychloroquine 200 MG Tab; Hydroxychloroquine 250 MG Tab; Cefotaxime Sodium 1000 MG Inj; Metronidazole5 MG/ML 100 MLIV; Ceftiaxone1 MG Injection; Ceftiaxone1 500MG Injection; Chloroquine 250 MG Tab; Levocetrizine5 MG; Ibuprofeen 400 MG Tab; Paracetamol 500 MG Tab; and Montelukast10MG Tab all packaged in 589 Cartons.
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.
The Federal Government has greenlit the allocation of N25 billion to bolster the efforts of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in advancing healthcare accessibility and quality across Nigeria.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, made this known, stressing the steadfast commitment of the current administration towards revamping the healthcare system to achieve Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) for all Nigerians.
In a statement by Deworitshe Patricia, a spokesperson for the ministry, Pate emphasised that the government’s strategy for health sector transformation involves the implementation of a Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) and the Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme (NHSRIP).
Addressing the imperative for reforms in Nigeria’s primary healthcare delivery, Pate highlighted the significance of revising the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and its associated programmes.
Pate outlined the objectives of the revised guidelines, which include expanding healthcare services for underserved populations, particularly women and children, reducing maternal mortality rates, alleviating out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, and standardizing healthcare quality across primary healthcare facilities nationwide.
“The Ministry, in collaboration with development partners, is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for all Nigerians, with a special focus on vulnerable groups,” stated Pate. “Through initiatives like NHSRIP, we aspire to minimize the need for long-distance travel for medical care, thereby improving the overall health outcomes and well-being of our citizens.”
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.
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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