Chioma Umeha

Counterfeit drug: NAFDAC parades 4 more importers - Impounds N59.3m products By: Chioma Umeha National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has reiterated its effort to ensure zero-tolerance to fake drugs with a breakthrough in the arrest and parade of additional four importers of fast moving counterfeit medicines and products, Thursday, in Lagos.  Announcing what he considered a groundbreaking event during a press briefing, Dr. Paul Orhii, Director General, NAFDAC, said that he is more embarrassed by people dying due to fake drugs than flimsy claims of those described as fake drug abettors on failure of technology in identifying fake products. Parading several counterfeit medicines which the agency seized since the past weeks, Orhii pledged to employ technology and method to stamp out fake drugs and products in the country. The total sum of the counterfeit medicines impounded is N59, 300,000. Among those who were paraded yesterday, b

Int’l Day for Biological Diversity 1.8b people ’ll lack water by 2025 – UN By: Chioma Umeha U nless there are increased efforts to reverse current trends, the world will run out of fresh water come 2025, according to the United Nations (UN). The world body stated this on Wednesday, while marking the International Day for Biological Diversity. This year’s theme for the Day is “Water and Bio-diversity,” which corresponds with the UN Designation of 2013 as International Year of Water Cooperation. The Year is being coordinated by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water. It also called for stronger scientific alliances to understand and protect natural resources. “We live in an increasingly water insecure world where demand often outstrips supply and where water quality often fails to meet minimum standards. Spring-water “Under current trends, future demands for water will not be met. Although seemingly abundant, only a tiny amount of the water on our planet is easily

Natural ways to improve your breathing By: Chioma Umeha D o you suffer from asthma, bronchitis, COPD, lung cancer, emphysema or sleep apnea? There are ways to improve your breathing from experts. When drawing a breath is a challenge, the pulmonary, there is timely information, new research findings from specialists to help you cope with your condition. In this piece, you will discover exciting advances and the most useful, current information to help you prevent or treat conditions affecting your lungs. You also will learn how to prevent these diseases and, when symptoms arise, the best ways for you to work with your doctor to diagnose and treat them.  Use a humidifier in your bedroom, or place a pan of water by your bed.  Pan of Water  Purchase (zip-up) pillow cases that are designed to keep tiny dust mites and bed bugs from causing you problems.  Keep lots of clean-air plants in your home.  Breathe through your nose as nose hairs filter air and d

2013: 17,400 women succumb to maternal deaths By: CHIOMA UMEHA T he maternal and child mortality situation in the country has continued to worsen with Nigeria still retaining the second highest global burden of maternal deaths in the world next to India. Dr. Oluwarotimi Ireti Akinola, Chairman, Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics in Nigeria (SOGON), Lagos Sector–in an interview with CHIOMA UMEHA (HEALTH EDITOR) gives an overview of maternal and child mortality reduction programme in the country. Excerpts: Oluwarotimi Ireti Akinola Why are pregnancy-related health complications and deaths on the increase? Pregnancy is not a disease but privileged function entrusted to women. However it has become such a great battle that many have lost their lives in the struggle.  Following the rise on the incidence of pregnancy-related health complications and deaths, Prof Mahmoud Fathalla commended the English term used to describe what women do to give birth to a

Why canned fruits, vegetables are healthier than fresh produce By: Chioma Umeha T he question:”Are canned fruits and vegetables a healthy alternative to fresh produce?” is common. Expert reports from Johns Hopkins Health Alerts answers in affirmative. Here are their reasons: Although the heating process involved in canning does partially destroy some vitamins and other essential nutrients found in fresh produce, canned produce is still good for you. Very few of us pick, prepare and consume our produce at peak freshness — when it’s the most nutritious. Fresh fruits and vegetables are harvested before they are ripe, trucked long distances and stored before they make it to your produce section. As they age further in your grocery store or refrigerator, they lose additional nutritional value. Canned Fruits  Canned produce, in contrast, is packed and sealed at the peak of freshness, which helps prevent further nutrient loss associated with the canning process. In

NAFDAC arrests, parades drug counterfeit importers By: Chioma Umeha N ational Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested and paraded alleged importer of fast moving counterfeit medicines, mainly anti-bacterial cream and cosmetics, worth N106, 210 million in Lagos. The drug counterfeit dealer, Mr. Olisaemeka Osefoh was arrested following a tip-off, when operatives from NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement Directorate raided a warehouse located at Progressive Traders Market known for the sales of jewelries and cosmetic products, within Trade Fair Complex, Badagry Expressway, Lagos.   Some of the counterfeit medicines discovered and impounded were; Skineal Cream (I58 cartons x 10 x 24 x 15g), Funbact-A Cream (43 cartons x 3O x 12 x 30g), Mycoten Cream (719 cartons x 40 x 10 x 20g), Neurogesic Ointment (131 cartons x 40 x 10x35g), Rough rider Condom ( 56 cartons), Iman Luxury Powder ( 20 cartons) and Heal Balm (205 cartons). Addressing j

Polio may paralyse, kill 250,000 children By: CHIOMA UMEHA There are fears that 250,000 children each year may be paralysed or die as a result of polio, if the global effort to eradicate the disease fails. At the Global Vaccine Summit penultimate week, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) presented a comprehensive six-year plan to eradicate polio. The first plan is to eradicate all types of polio disease – both wild poliovirus and vaccine-derived cases – simultaneously. Global leaders and individual philanthropists signaled their confidence in the plan by pledging three-quarters of the plan’s projected US$ 5.5 billion cost over six years. They also called upon additional donors to commit up front the additional US$1.5 billion needed to ensure eradication. The new plan capitalizes on the best opportunity to eradicate polio, with the number of children paralyzed by this disease at their lowest level ever (223 in 2012and 19 so far this year). The urgency

2.4b will lack improved sanitation in 2015 By: Chioma Umeha O ne-third of the world’s population (2.4 billion) will remain without access to improved sanitation in 2015, according to a joint WHO/UNICEF report issued Wednesday.   The report, entitled: Progress on Sanitation and Drinking-Water 2013 Update, warned that, at the current rate of progress, the 2015 Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of halving the proportion of the 1990 population without sanitation will be missed by eight per cent or half a billion people. While United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and WHO announced last year that the MDG drinking water target had been met and surpassed by 2010, the challenge to improve sanitation and reach those in need has led to a consolidated call for action to accelerate progress.  “There is an urgent need to ensure all the necessary pieces are in place – political commitment, funding, leadership – so the world can accelerate progress and reach the Millenniu

Nestlé’s Nescafé celebrates diamond jubilee By:  Chioma Umeha N escafé Instant Coffee, a brand of beverage from the stable of Nestlé, which began as an idea solve the problem of what to do with unsold coffee in the late twenties is celebrating its diamond  jubilee and its position as one of the world’s favourite drinks. According to studies, more than 5,500 cups of Nescafé instant coffee are consumed every second with different varieties serving different tastes and preferences across the world.  “We are celebrating the rich history and heritage of Nescafé, the world’s first instant coffee, which has kept the distinct coffee aroma. Over the past 75 years it has evolved from a tin of coffee to a full portfolio of products and systems,” said Carsten Fredholm, Head of Nestlé’s Beverage Strategic Business Unit. “Nescafé is present in over 180 countries and we are also highlighting its promise for future growth as it continues to lead the coffee beverage category,” he

World’s Kidney Day 2013: Nigeria to build first kidney hospital  By: Chioma Umeha K idney Foundation for Africa (KFA), a non-governmental organisation has announced plans to build a kidney hospital in Nigeria, to provide affordable care services to patients with kidney problems and save billions of dollars lost in procuring such services outside the country. Speaking during a press briefing organised Wednesday, to mark this year’s World’s Kidney Day, Executive Director, Kidney Foundation for Africa, (KFA) Clinton Peters, said that the hospital will render healthcare services in a cost effective manner. Peters stressed on the need for early detection. “Early diagnosis and immediate nephrology referral are key steps in management because it enables predialysis education, allow implementation of preventive measures that delay or even halt progression of Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD) to end stage renal disease, as well as decrease initial morbidity and mortality,” Peters

Fashola’s wife to be unveiled as face of infant HIV prevention  By: Chioma Umeha L agos state government is worried that despite the existing facilities and services, the State still contributes significantly to the unacceptably high national maternal deaths and the national burden of HIV, due to low utilisation of PMTCT and Family Planning (FP) services. The State is one of the 12+1 States which accounts for 70 percent of the Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV burden in Nigeria with its HIV prevalence of 5.1 percent based on the 2010 National HIV Sero – Prevalence Sentinel Survey and its vast population of 21,883,048, according to the Lagos State Bureau of Statistics. In view of this, government is set for another round of campaign to accelerate the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV and maternal death reduction in the state. The goal is to catalyse high level support for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and materna

Hand washing: Over 150, 000 children don’t see their fifth birthday due to diarrhoea By: Chioma Umeha  E very year, over 150, 000 children do not see their fifth birthday due to diarrheal diseases caused by unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene practices, a new study by U-Report confirmed. Experts have said that the trend is worrisome as simple handwashing with soap has been found to be one of the cheapest, simplest and most effective means of preventing diarrhoea and pneumonia, the leading causes of Nigerian child’s death. L-R: Nollywood Actress and Brand Ambassador , Dettol, Patience Ozokwor (Mama Gee), General Manager, West Africa, Reckitt Benckiser, Rahul Murgai; Marketing Director, West Africa, Reckitt Benckiser, Oguzhan Silivrili, Nollywood Actress and producer with students of Royal Master’s Schools, Ikeja at the Media Parley unveiling the Dettol ‘Give Life A Hand’ Campaign in commemoration of Global Handwashing Day 2014.  “Every year over 150,000 children