Chioma Umeha

Following its recent performance in the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry, Fidson Healthcare Plc has emerged winner of the 2014 Nigerian Frost & Sullivan Award for Growth, Leadership and Excellence. The award ceremony held in the United Kingdom last month is in recognition of Fidson’s definitive vision and strong management, which stoked a growth rate of 26 per cent in 2013, acknowledging Fidson’s role in transforming the Nigerian Pharmaceutical industry.  According to Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst, Danielle de la Mare, the Nigerian pharmaceutical market was estimated to be approximately US$1.19 billion in 2013, with year-on-year growth of 12 per cent. Fidson’s audited report for the same period shows revenue growth of 29 per cent from N7.2 billion in 2012 to N9.2 billion in 2013. Fidson grew its gross profit by 26 per cent, from N4.1 billion in 2012 to N5.1 billion to 2013, while it’s operating profit increased by 60 percent and operating margin by 3 per cent. Furtherm

There is growing concern about the high level of malnutrition in Nigeria just as recent statistics has shown that the country remains one of the first 36 in the world with the highest burden of malnutrition.  According to experts, the nutritional status of many Nigerians is still far from expected, as the prevalence of all forms of malnutrition remains high. Specifically, statistics shows that about 37 per cent of Nigerian children are stunted, 29 per cent underweight and 18 per cent wasted, while micronutrient deficiencies are also high. This is even as researchers from the Federal Ministries of Health and Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as Nestle Nigeria, have lamented that nutrition-related diseases continue to be an issue of public health importance in Nigeria as it slows economic growth and perpetuates poverty through direct losses in productivity.  Such losses they said come from poor physical status, poor cognitive function and deficits in schooling as well a

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health has launched the pro-poor community health project; a project that focuses on improved outreach services in communities.  The project also encourages members of the community to take advantage of health care services provided at the primary health centres (PHCs) close to them. At a ceremony held recently at the Eti-Osa Local Government secretariat, Igbo-Efon, to launch the project, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, explained that the pro-poor community health project sponsored by JICA commenced in year 2014 and expected to run through year 2018, adding that the aim is to expand and improve the concept of universal health coverage, reduce child morbidity and mortality and improve maternal health.  She added that the project which is presently being implemented in Eti-Osa LGA is targeted at poor communities where lack of

A recent study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) adds to evidence that eating breakfast is important for good health. HSPH researchers found that men who regularly skipped breakfast had a 27 per cent higher risk of heart attack or death from coronary heart disease than those who did eat a morning meal.  Non-breakfast-eaters were generally hungrier later in the day and ate more food at night, perhaps leading to metabolic changes and heart disease. The study was published recently, in the American Heart Association (AHA) journal Circulation. The scientists analyzed food questionnaire data and health outcomes from 1992-2008 on 26,902 male health professionals, ages 45-82.  During the study, 1,572 of the men had cardiac events. Even after accounting for diet, physical activity, smoking, and other lifestyle factors, the association between skipping breakfast and heart disease persisted. “Skipping breakfast may lead to one or more risk factors, including obesity, high bl

In line with its commitment to pro¬tect and educate consumers on the dangers of buying and using cheap substandard product, Dettol, one of the leading antiseptic brand from the stables of RB has further strengthened its partnership with the Nigerian Medi¬cal Association (NMA) at the associa-tion’s 55th Annual General Conference held in Ibadan.  Speaking during the conference, the Marketing Director, RB West Africa, Silivrili Oghuzan, said Dettol is most delighted to further strengthen our part¬nership with the Nigerian Medical As¬sociation to further promote safety and good health. He further explained: “Dettol has been consistently partnering with statu¬tory bodies within the health sector in¬cluding NMA, Ministry of Health, NAF¬DAC and local governments to educate consumers about the best hygiene prac¬tices and contribute to the health and wellbeing of families in Nigeria for the last 50 years.” Silivrili said Dettol’s on-going cam¬paign is focused on educating Nigerian families

Fifty paramedics drawn from An­glophone countries of Central and West Africa are met from 18 to 21 this month at the maiden edition of the International Course in Applied Nu­trition organised by the Nestlé Nutrition Institute Africa.  The theme of the train­ing was ‘The first 1000 days of life: Early Nutrition and long term health’. The meeting is in line with the com­mitment of Nestlé, one of the leading nu­trition, health and wellness company to provide education programmes for good nutrition and feeding practices and help healthcare professionals to have a greater impact on the nutritional aspects of care of future generations. In a statement from Nestlé Central & West Africa Region, Corporate Commu­nications & Public Affairs Department, Rizwan Yousuf, Category Manager, Nestlé Nutrition, Nestlé Nigeria, said: “We are convinced that good maternal nutrition during pregnancy, followed by exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months, is the best method to ensure a go

When you pick up a box of doughnuts or cookies, you are typically not surprised to see that the offering contains loads of sugar. However, there are also foods that aren’t typically thought of as overly sweet that actually pack a shocking sugar punch. A few things to always keep in mind: Be wary of a product that is labeled as nutritious, and do not assume   a food is low in sugar just because its brand sounds healthy. Here are   foods that are loaded with sugar.  Canned or packaged fruit  Make sure you do not assume that everything labeled as fruit is healthy. According to experts, packaged or canned fruit is packed with sugar, even those items with labels that say “in light syrup” or “made with real fruit.” This includes products like apple sauce, fruit chillers, and canned fruit. Specifically, experts have suggested keeping an eye packaged fruits, reasoning that they are in the same ballpark as a standard-size chocolate candy bar, which contains 27 grams of sugar.  Fl

A vaccine to help protect against some forms of cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) has been on the market for years. But new research shows that a newer version, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2014, can prevent more than 80 per cent of cervical cancers.  The new 9-valent human papillomavirus vaccine, which guards against seven cancer-causing HPV types, also has the potential to protect against other cancers including anal, oral, and penile cancers. All of the HPV vaccines available defend against HPV types 16 and 18, which are known to cause about two-thirds of cervical cancers in the United States. The 9-valent vaccine also guards against five additional types of HPV, which combined cause about 15 per cent of cervical cancer cases. According to the National Cancer Institute, HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. The virus causes nearly all forms of cervical cancer and five per cent of all cancers. 

Continued from last week...  Protein bars  If you rely on protein bars for the occasional meal or snack, it may be time to re-evaluate. Research shows that there are 20 grams of sugar in a Clif Builder’s Protein Bar. Many protein bars are advertised to be healthy options for diet-conscious people, but they’re usually packed with sugar and carbs. Need more proof? According to Women’s Health, a PowerBar Performance Energy Bar in Citrus Burst contains a staggering 29 grams of sugar.If your diet is already high in sugar, you may want to consider switching out your bars for raw almonds, peanuts, or seeds instead, according to Men’s Fitness. Also, always make sure to read labels first to ensure you are not buying a protein bar that is oozing with sugar and artificial ingredients.  Fruit juice  Juice is usually thought of as a healthy, good-for-you option. However, its sugar content can be through the roof. Take grape juice, for example. Women’s Health writes that an 8-oun

Studies have proved that skipping breakfast is dangerous to the health. Experts are worried over the rising number of people who miss breakfast in today’s society in view of its grave consequences. About 18 per cent of males and 13 percent of females between the ages of 35 and 54 are breakfast skippers, according to a 2011 study.  Benefits of breakfast:  Diabetes: Skipping breakfast may increase a woman’s diabetes risk, according to a study published recently, in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Women who ate breakfast an average of zero to six times per week were at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than women who ate breakfast every day.  Heart disease: Eating breakfast was associated with a lower incidence of heart disease in men between ages 45 and 82, according to another study in the journal, Circulation. The study also found that skipping breakfast was associated with hypertension, insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar levels.  We