Chioma Umeha

Chioma Umeha President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) on Friday performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the society’s multi-million naira eight-floor edifice tagged, “PSN Towers.” The ground breaking ceremony came after a long struggle by the PSN to retrieve the land located in the eyebrow area of Victoria Island in Lagos. The land which is estimated at 1,430 square metres was allocated to the society by the first Civilian Governor of Lagos, Alhaji Lateef Jakande at a time he was giving lands to professional bodies which applied for same. It was learnt that the development of the land was contracted to two different contractors on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis but the contractors allegedly defaulted. It eventually became a matter of litigation as the case was taken to the Land Tribunal in Lagos. But when the President of PSN assumed the mantle of leadership, he explored every avenue to ensure the recovery of

L-R: Prince Julius Adewale, Nigerian Pharmacist and legal practitioner; Pharm Ahmed Yakasai, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN); Chairman, Pharm Lekan Asuni, Nigeria Pharmaceutical Industry IT, Platform Project; Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, Past president of PSN, during the launching of the Pharm iT NDDG online Platform, and PSNPay, Online Capitation Payment platform and unveiling of PSN Vision 2050 Strategy document held at Sheraton hotels, Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday. R-L Pharm. Tosin Adeyemi, National Editor in Chief, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN); Dr. Arinola Joda, Publicity Secretary, PSN; Rosemary Nikoro, Secretary, Board of Fellows, PSN; Pharm  Ahmed Yakasai, President; Pharm. Bolanle F. O. Adeniran, Chairman, PSN Lagos State and others,  during a press conference on the forthcoming 91st annual national conference of PSN scheduled to  hold from October 29 to  November 3, at lbadan Oyo state, held in Lagos, weekend. •Launches Premier Pha

•Says It’s Responsible For Epidemics Of Sudden Deaths Chioma Umeha Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has attributed epidemics of sudden deaths associated with heart attacks to consumption of industrially produced Trans-Fatty Acids (TFAs) are toxic chemicals. The apex body of medical doctors therefore called for the elimination of industrially produced Trans-Fatty Acids (TFAs) from Nigeria’s food supply by banning Partially Hydrogenated Oils or setting strict limits on TFAs in food in line with international best practices. According to NMA, sudden deaths is traceable to CVD have continuously swollen the epidemic proportions and figures of NCDs around the globe and in Nigeria. In Nigeria, CVD accounts for seven per cent of deaths annually, with NCDs as a whole causing 24 per cent of total deaths. One diet-related factor that contributes heavily to the incidence of CVD is industrially-produced TFA. Industrially-produced TFA is a toxic chemical that incre

Chioma Umeha To improve drug distribution channel and ensure safety of medicines in compliance with the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG), the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) is to roll out a pharmaceutical information technology online platform. The online technology known as Pharma IT NDDC Platform would be launched in Lagos today, alongside the PSN Pay, a digitalised system of payment and collection of PSN annual capitation and other technical and interest groups of the society’s dues both in states and national. Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, PSN President announced this at a press briefing in Lagos on the forthcoming 91st annual national conference of the society, saying, the online platform would improve the distribution   channel and enhance the safety and efficacy of medicines. Yakasai explained that this would be made possible as the IT platform would act as a regulator in the distribution and use of medicines among manufacturers and consum

Chioma Umeha The National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) has advised Nigerians to stop self-medication and go for Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) for proper malarial testing, dismissing reports that Lagos was malaria-free. Dr Audu Mohammed, the National Coordinator, NMEP, made the call at the Integrated Health Parley organised by Breakthrough Action-Nigeria in collaboration with the Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) in Lagos, insisting that RDT is the way to effective Malaria treatment. Represented by Mr. Chukwu Okoronkwo, the Head, Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation, the NMEP boss also called for more donor agencies and increased domestic financing to drive malaria elimination in the country even as North West leads in malaria burden. He maintained that adequate funding was needed to achieve malaria-free Nigeria. Mohammed further announced that the burden of malaria remains a public health concern, but lamented that the country i

Chioma Umeha Married at the age of 17, Hadassah Isah had no idea of what future had in store for her until she tied the nuptial knots and became pregnant. Like every newly wedded young lady, Hadassah was happy. But, her joy was cut short by dyspareunia – pain during sexual intercourse. Also, Hadassah suddenly began to experience virginal itching, painful urination and menstrual problems. Next, she was diagnosed with genital tissue damage, reproductive tract and chronic genital infections. The diagnosis further showed keloids and cyst. Her new marriage was threatened with failure. Hadassah’s joy was therefore unimaginable when it became confirmed that she was pregnant. But, her joy was short-lived. She developed Fistula after struggling with prolonged labour for three days, despite undergoing Caesarean section. According to her doctor, Hadassah’s health crisis ranging from haemorrhage, excessive bleeding, pain, shock, genital tissue swelling, infections, p

Chioma Umeha Prof. Isaac Adewole, the Minister of Health, has commiserated with the family of Hauwa Liman, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) humanitarian worker murdered by Boko Haram. A statement signed By Mrs. Boade Akinola, Director, Media and Public Relations, Tuesday, said; “The Honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has commiserated with the family of Hauwa Liman, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) humanitarian worker murdered by Boko Haram.” Professor Adewole, who described the murder as callous and unfortunate, said the health workers should not be a target in any conflict zone as they are recognised as humanitarian service providers. He prayed for the repose of her soul and called on Boko Haram to follow the rules of International engagement which respect the right of humanitarian workers in conflict zones.

Chioma Umeha Dr. Jide Idris, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, has tasked nurses in the State health sector on the need to embrace the core values of the nursing profession in the care of patients. Idris gave this charge today during the 2018 Nurses Assembly, a programme sponsored by the Lagos State Government to update nurses, midwives and educators in Lagos on professional guidelines and policies affecting the profession. He noted that nurses are integral part of the think-tank of the State government who contribute a lot to formulation and implementation of policies in the health sector. Idris who was represented by Dr. Funmilayo Shokunbi, the Director, Medical Administration, Training and Programmes in the Ministry of Health, implored nurses to continue to exude professionalism, discipline, integrity, humility, selflessness and great care in the discharge of noble duties. Earlier in her remarks, Mrs. Dorcas Shonibare, the Director of Nursing Se