The Pediatric Association of Nigeria – PAN is particular about improving the vaccine coverage in the country and working at reducing issues of zero dose in communities.
The Association has therefore taken action in this regard by training pediatricians in the south-south region of Nigeria on how to promote vaccine uptake in communities.
The Pediatricians who were sensitized on tackling vaccine hesitancy and improving demand generation at a one day workshop in Uyo were also prepared for the upcoming Phase 2 Human Papiloma Virus- HPV vaccination programme.
Also, the training alsobecame necessary following the roll out of the first phase of the HPV vaccine by the federal government to cover Akwa Ibom, 14 others states and the federal Capital Territory FCT.
The initiative formed part of the clinical measures aimed at protecting the teenage girls of ages 9 to 14 in the country against cervical cancer and related diseases.
Speaking with INSPIRATION FM News at the event, the President, Pediatric Association of Nigeria, Prof. EKANEM EKURE said vaccinating the teenage girls (9-14years) will help build immunity that will fight against cervical cancers and other diseases.
On her part, Consultant Pediatrician at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Dr FRANCES OKPOKOWURUK noted that the boy child can also be infected with the virus, hence will need vaccination too, while Director General Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, VIVIEN OTU called on all stakeholders to create more awareness about the HPV vaccine.
Some delegates from Rivers and Cross River States at the training had this to say.
The training which is in partnership with the International Pediatric Association will be held in all the regions in the country and it is targeted at raising immunisation champions to sensitize citizens about the HPV vaccines.
The Phase 2 vaccination programme for HPV will commence on May 20, 2024 in some south South states including Rivers, Cross River, Edo, and 18 other states.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare announced that it is implementing new strategies to enforce the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017.
The Gunshot Act 2017 mandates all hospitals in Nigeria to accept and administer immediate and adequate treatment to persons who have sustained gunshot wounds with or without police clearance.
It added that every person, including security agents, has a responsibility to assist individuals with gunshot wounds and ensure their swift transportation to the nearest medical facility.
In recent months, there have been reports of cases where healthcare providers, have turned away gunshot victims, citing the absence of police reports as justification, and has resulted in the loss of lives.
Spokesperson of the ministry of health, Patricia Deworitshe, expressed concerns about the slow or non-compliance by most medical facilities with the Gunshot Act 2017
“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is concerned about the spate of gunshot incidences and refusal of some of the health facilities to administer treatment and care for the victim or patient without police report,” Deworitshe stated.
Deworitshe said that the minister of health, Muhammad Ali Pate, is working on the development of specific strategies to ensure nationwide compliance with the Act by healthcare facilities.
She, however, did not disclose the details of these strategies but said the minister called on all medical practitioners to comply with this national law by providing prompt treatment and care for these victims to prevent death
“The police is also urged to comply with and enforce the provisions of the compulsory treatment and care for victims of gunshot ACT 2017 with promptness as well as reassure the health facilities that treatment of gunshot victims is not illegal,” she added.
In this article, I want to share insights from a recent episode of “Sharing Life Issues,” where we delved into essential health checks for men, women, and children with Pharm Dianabasi Inyang. Often, people focus on various aspects of their lives, such as finances, spirituality, emotions, and romance, for updates or adjustments. However, health, a crucial aspect, is frequently overlooked, regardless of one’s financial capacity.
Medical professionals on the show have noted that more women tend to seek medical attention than men. However, let’s explore why regular health checks are essential. Pharm. Dianabasi Inyang likened the human body to engines, cars, generators, and devices we regularly service. While we invest time and resources in maintaining our machines, we tend to neglect our bodies, the very tools earning us the funds for these expenses. Many people only visit hospitals or pharmacies when they are already sick, neglecting preventive evaluations, which should be a regular practice.
Voluntarily scheduling annual visits to the hospital helps identify health issues early, facilitating timely intervention and management. Routine health checks also aid in detecting genetic abnormalities and preventing the development of serious illnesses. Now, Let’s explore some of the health checks we all should endeavour to have.
Health Checks for Kids:
It might surprise you that some mothers neglect to take their babies for vaccinations or immunizations. However, for most hospital-born children, scheduled hospital visit dates are provided to mothers or caregivers. These visits allow the general practitioner or pediatrician to monitor the child’s growth, ensuring they meet expected milestones (which vary for each child). During these visits, necessary immunizations are administered.
For hospital-born children, tracking growth is more straightforward due to scheduled checks and considerations for the baby’s body weight. Parents visiting traditional birth attendants should be discouraged from doing so. Babies born outside hospitals might miss the advantage of scheduled visits for immunization and growth evaluation. Parents should make an effort to take these babies to health centers or hospitals for documentation and to address any missed assessments from traditional birth attendants.
Regular health evaluations for children facilitate the detection of genetic disorders, bone formation issues, and defects like eye problems, which can impact a child’s social and academic performance. Dental checks are also crucial for ensuring proper teeth formation and arrangement, preventing children from enduring teasing about their dentition and preserving their self-confidence and esteem.
Health Checks for Men:
Men are often reluctant to visit the hospital, being perceived as strong. Regardless of strength, when it comes to health, it’s essential to take the necessary steps. Some crucial checks for men involve prostate screening, a prevalent issue affecting men. Prostate checks, especially from the age of 40, are vital, and early detection is key. Other important checks include monitoring blood pressure, sugar levels (for diabetes). Men should proactively present themselves for hospital evaluations, considering that many health challenges for men are asymptomatic and may cause significant damage before becoming apparent.
Health Checks for Women:
Women, particularly those of childbearing age, often visit the hospital, especially when pregnant or trying to conceive. This provides an opportunity for some women to undergo evaluations through routine tests. However, it’s important to note that some women only visit the hospital when unwell. Regular health checks are strongly recommended for women, including monitoring high blood pressure, checking for diabetes, and conducting routine breast cancer examinations at home and during doctor’s visits. Women are encouraged, starting from age 25, to undergo cervical screening.
For sexually active individuals….STI & HIV screening with or without a trusted partner is encouraged.
In conclusion, yearly full-body checkups are essential for both men and women, enabling early detection and intervention. Regular health checkups become more critical with age. Let’s promote awareness, educate others, and collectively prioritize routine screenings to prevent silent health threats. Health is wealth we are told a kazillion times, and in 2024 and beyond, make it a resolution to prioritize regular health checkups for a fantabulous and healthy year.
Cheers to a healthy 2024!
Written by Maris ‘Damaris’ Iloka.
www.twitter.com/siramsparkle
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed the outbreak of dengue fever in Sokoto State. Director-General of NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, who disclosed this in a statement, yesterday, in Abuja, observed that, so far, about 71 suspected cases, 13 confirmed cases and zero deaths had been reported in the state from three local councils Sokoto South (60 cases), Wamako (three) and Dange Shuni (one).
Adetifa noted that majority of the suspected cases reported fell between the ages of 21 and 40 years, adding that the cases were detected in November 2023.
He stated that the NCDC-led multi-sectoral National Emerging Viral Haemorrhagic Diseases Technical Working Group, collaborating with partners and relevant stakeholders, conducted a rapid risk assessment to guide in-country preparedness activities.
The DG observed that the current risk level of the outbreak is moderate, based on a dynamic risk assessment, adding that there is adequate in-country capacity (including technical, health workforce and diagnostic) to respond effectively in the event of a large-scale outbreak.
“Nigeria has also responded to viral haemorrhagic fever epidemics like the Ebola Outbreak in 2014 and subsequently Lassa fever. The NEVHD TWG coordinates preparedness efforts for Ebola Virus Disease and other emerging viral haemorrhagic fever diseases,” the statement reads.
“This has built our preparedness and response capabilities for viral haemorrhagic fevers like the dengue virus over the years. There is a diagnostics capacity for the dengue virus at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory in Abuja and the Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto Teaching Hospital Laboratory Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology,”
He noted that the NCDC would proceed to optimise existing Lassa fever testing laboratories and others within the NCDC national laboratory network for DENV diagnosis to improve preparedness and readiness in the event of a large-scale outbreak.
Adetifa advised Nigerians, especially people living in Sokoto, to adhere strictly to preventive measures, such as wearing clothes that cover as much of the body as possible to avoid mosquito bites and sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets. He also urged the residents to use insect-repellent in sleeping areas and ensure proper sanitation to reduce the breeding of mosquitoes.
