Chioma Umeha

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

Total knee replacement surgery: Lagos records more success By: Chioma Umeha E fforts of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in the total knee replacement surgery exercise witnessed further advancement with the successful surgery of  another set of beneficiaries, including; two female petty trader, aged 62 and 52. Announcing this Tuesday, was Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, during the presentation of recent beneficiaries at LASUTH, who said that the goal of total knee replacement surgery exercise which commenced three years ago in Lagos is to reduce the rate of capital flight which is lost to conducting the exercise overseas. Idris also said that the total knee replacement surgery facilities and services are part of his Ministry’s commitment to build local capacity for surgical procedures.  According to him, this would also provide training for resident doctors aspiring to become certified specialist as nursing staff and physiotherapists responsible

Nigerians treat malaria through self-medication By: Chioma Umeha A recent weekly poll showed that 51 per cent Nigerians treat malaria through self-medication. According to the poll released by NOI Polls Limited, weekend, 44 per cent of Nigerians visit the hospital to see a doctor when they have malaria, 38 per cent simply buy medicine from the pharmacy or chemist, while 13 per cent make use of native herbs such as, Dogonyaro, Agbo, Neem leaves and Lemon grass.  The remaining four per cent do not use any medicine. The poll also showed that seven out of 10 Nigerians (66 per cent) have had malaria at least once in the last one year. It further stated that women are more likely to visit the hospital than men. This is because majority of Nigerian men simply visit the pharmacy to buy malaria medicines or opt for native herbs more than women, the survey showed. As the survey puts it, “almost seven in 10 Nigerians (66 per cent) have had malaria at least once in the pa