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Less Than One-Third Of Nigerian Girls Attend Secondary School - UNICEF

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The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed that Nigeria has the largest number of girls not in school and has launched an initiative tagged “Girls for Girls” (G4G) to facilitate education of girls as well as empower them with information and knowledge. The UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Fall, who announced this said the UN agency plans to facilitate the education of  one million girls in Bauchi, Niger, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states. Fall disclosed this via a press statement signed by its spokesman, Mr. Geoffrey Njoku, lamenting that Nigeria has the largest number of girls not in school. He explained that the initiative would help the girls build their capacity and create access to education so as to enable them to stand up for themselves. According to him, “a vast majority of girls in Nigeria do not complete primary school. The average girl stays in school only through age nine. Less than one-third of girls in Nigeria enrol in the lower secondar

Doctors, Pharmacists Pledge To Bury Differences ..Resolve To Give Healthcare Delivery Priority

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To usher a new dawn in healthcare where the interest of patients will be paramount, doctors and pharmacists in the country under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) respectively, have pledged to bury their differences. The goal according to them is to boost the country’s healthcare delivery system by offering quality and effective healthcare services to patients   through a harmonious relationship and teamwork. To this effect, the leadership of the two professional bodies, said it had set up some committees on inter- professional collaboration to ensure the implementation of the decision among healthcare professionals. The committees will ensure a smooth working relationship among all the various professional groups in the health sector, including nurses, laboratory scientists, among others. Disclosing this during an interactive session in Lagos recently, Dr. Mike Ogirima, President of NMA and Pharm. Ahmed Yakas

Reasons Nigeria Should Study Cuba’s Model Of Infant HIV Elimination

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Experts have continued to strongly canvass for Nigeria to study Cuba’s model of infant HIV elimination since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Cuba as the first country in the world to eliminate Mother-To-Child Transmission (eMTCT) of HIV and syphilis to replicate same in the country. Indications are rife that Nigeria would one day succeed in eliminating Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and syphilis infection from mother-to-child. Confirming this experts reason that if Nigeria adopts policies like Cuba which made history in June 2015, emerging the first country in the world to eliminate MTCT of HIV and syphilis she will achieve the same result. The Joint United Nations programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) and World Health Organization (WHO) declared Cuba the first country in the world to eliminate the transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to child. WHO in a statement sent through an international delegation drafted from th

Family Planning; Women Share Experiences.

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To help residents to attain quality life and improve access to family planning services in Lagos State ( NURHI ) began a 72-hour renovation and equipping of clinics in 50 state selected public health facilities in 2016. Journalists who embarked on a  recent  visit to the family planning clinics established by the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative ( NURHI ) in selected Primary Healthcare Clinics (PHCs) in Lagos State confirmed that safe childbirths have improved in the areas that benefitted from NURHI gesture. A 42-year-old mother of three, Mrs. Yetunde Idowu, said that she was happy to access family planning at Itire-Ijesha PHC. Speaking to j ournalists  during the tour which was organised by an NGO, Development Communications ( DEVCOMS ), Idowu said the clinic is now more conducive. “I feel at home being counselled and given my preferred method in the clinic.” She also observed that her body did not accept the implant method and that she had to opt for pills having

Reproductive Health: Osotimehin Death, Is Big Loss

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Reproductive Health Journalists Grieve Over Osotimehin; Says His Death Is Big Loss The Network  of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN) has commiseratd  with the Nigerian and global health community on the demise of the Executive Director, United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA), Professor Babatunde Osotimehin which occurred penultimate Sunday. NRHJN  which is the foremost  body of journalists  with passion   on Reproductive Health and Rights reporting, described  Prof . Osotimehi's death  as a colossal loss to the global and local health industry. A statement jointly signed by Mr. Roland Ogbonnaya and Mrs. Yinka Shokunbi, the President and Secretary of  NRHJN respectively,  said, "Until his death, Professor Osotimehin was a pillar of support to our body." He gave necessary encouragement to NRHJN to remain forthright in the reportage of issues around women and children with special attention on young people, the statement said. "

Maternal Health: Group Urges Women To Utilise PHC Centres.

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The need for women, especially the pregnant ones to take full charge of their lives through ensuring the use of healthcare centres to prevent high rate of maternal mortality has become one of growing concern. The issue was the major high point recently, when Mamaye/Evidence 4Action, a non-governmental organisation in collaboration with Lagos State Ministry Health organised an advocacy campaign in Amuwo Odofin and Ori Ade Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). The goal was to sensitise women and educate them on how to avoid maternal and infant deaths. Stressing on how timely the sensitisation programme is to the people of the community, Dr. Orebiyi Olatunji Sunday, medical officer of health of Amuwo Odofin Local government, said that one of the things that is quite obvious in Amuwo Odofin is that maternal mortality is 525 per 100, 000 women. “So it’s very high and it’s the same thing with Lagos state, so we need to reduce the maternal mortality. We can only get that done when

Federal Government Approves Central Coordination.

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The Federal Executive Council (FEC) today approved a memoranda from the Federal Ministry of Health seeking for approval of central coordination, placement, posting and funding of all Medical and Dental graduates to Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) accredited Housemanship and Internship training centres. A statement signed by Mrs. Boade Akinola, Director, Media and Public Relations, for the  Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, quoting the Minister said that  this is to address the enormous challenges fresh graduates face in securing placement for the one year mandatory programmes. Over the years due to constraints in the funding of the Housemanship and Internship training in Nigeria, a large number of fresh Medical and Dental graduates have not been able to undertake and complete the training within the allotted time limit thereby preventing them from becoming fully registered Medical and Dental Practitioners ready for services within and outside Nigeria. The Housema

Mothers Receive Cash Gifts For Giving Birth To Triplets, Quintuplets

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IVF: Mothers Receive Cash Gifts For Giving Birth To Triplets, Quintuplets ·        FAAI, Nordica Fete Children That age is not a barrier to child bearing cannot be disputed.  This fact was confirmed recently, when Mrs. Folashade Akiode was honoured during the Nordica Bon Bon family fiesta held to mark this year’s International Children’s Day for breaking all medical rules of menopause and having her set of triplets seven years ago, at  57. Mrs. Akiode who retired from the Lagos State Civil Service as Director of Service, but now doing her own business was married for 18 years before she had In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) at Nordica fertility Clinic, delivering a set of triplet. Making the presentation of N50,000 to Mrs. Akiode, Dr Abayomi Ajayi, Managing Director, Nordica Fertility nationwide told journalists that the event which held in Lagos, was organised by Fertility Awareness Advocacy Initiative (FAAI) with collaboration from Nordica Fertility to celebrate children bo

PSN Hails Federal Government's 40% Order Preference To Local Goods Procurement

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Pharmacists under the aegis of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria(PSN) have commended the Federal Government on the recent Executive Order on support for local content in public procurement. Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo had on May 18, 2017, signed the Executive Order, which mandated all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to give preference to local goods and services in their procurement activities. The order also directed that made-in-Nigeria products should be given preference in the procurement of relevant items as it stipulated that 40 per cent of spending by the MDAs must be expended on locally manufactured goods and services. A statement jointly signed by Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, PSN President and Pharm Gbolagade Iyiola, PSN National Secretary, which was made available to Independent, noted that the federal government deserves commendation for deeming it fit to include locally manufactured medicines in the Executive Order as specified in

Minus Funding, FG’ll Be Paying Lip Service To Fistula Intervention –Efem

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Chief Iyeme Efem, a Fellow of Institute of Social Works (FSOW) and professional in Social Works is at the vanguard of global efforts to eliminate Obstetric Fistula. Fellow of Institute of development Administration (FDA) and the Country Project Manager, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Fistula Care plus Project, in a recent interview with CHIOMA UMEHA to commemorate International Day to end Obstetric Fistula spoke on prevention, treatment and management of the condition. Excerpts: What is obstetric fistula? Obstetric Fistula is a hole, or abnormal opening in the birth canal that results in chronic leakage of urine or faeces . Theme for this year is “hope, healing, and dignity for all.” This captures the essence of repairing of obstetric fistula. Firstly, people need to understand that women with fistula are stigmatised and marginalised within the society. They have lost respect and they are either begging on the streets or hidden at home, depending o