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