Posts

How Ignorance, Poverty Lead Women To Traditional Birth Homes.

Image
Fortune smiled on 19 year-old Iyabo Abayomi immediately after her traditional wedding. She became pregnant, and her husband, Bamidele, handed her over to his eldest sister, whom he believed would properly guide her through the peril of pregnancy. The Lagos-based Bamideles hail from Yoruba land in Nigeria, where pregnancy is viewed as a time of great peril for a woman. Many sayings and actions attest to this, but the most widespread is the greeting after child birth: e ku ewu omo (congratulations on delivery from the peril of childbirth). It is therefore common practice for young pregnant women to be under the tutelage of older ones believed to be experienced in pregnancy matters for guidance during this period of peril. Iyabo’s non-literate sister-in-law immediately enrolled her in a near by traditional maternity home, admonishing her to abide by all the instructions that would be given there. “My sister in-law told me she had had all her children at the maternity home, ru

High Consumption Of Potato Increases Risk Of High Blood Pressure – Study

Image
Scientists has said that high consumption of potatoes (whether fried, boiled, baked, or mashed) is associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure. The research which was published in the British Medical Journal suggested that replacing one daily serving of potatoes with other, non-starchy vegetables could reduce the risk of developing hypertension. The researchers, from Harvard Medical School in the US, followed over 187,000 men and women from three large US studies for more than 20 years. They measured dietary intake, including frequency of potato consumption, with a questionnaire. Blood pressure was measured by a health professional. After taking into account other risk factors for hypertension, the researchers found that four or more servings a week of potatoes was associated with an increased risk, compared with less than one serving a month. However, consumption of crisps was not found to increase risk. The researchers wrote: ‘These findings have poten

When Childbirth Puts Woman’s Life In Danger

Image
“I came here because my bladder busted when I went to deliver my baby many  years ago and since then  my health  condition has  not remain the same due to pains and discomfort l go through on a daily basis.” These were the words of  Lucia Ofoegbu, 63, from Anambra  State. Lucia is among the women who were recently treated of Vesico Vagina Fistula (VVF ) at the National Obstetrics Fistula hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.  Lucia said she was thrown out of her matrimonial home, because she came down with VVF, 50 years ago, following a ruptured  bladder. In this story which will bring tears to most eyes, Lucia in an emotion-laden voice, which contrasts with the joy she now feels, told a team of health reporters on a facility visit to the hospital, the first National VVF hospital in the country, that the condition took away her pride. The facility visit was part of a three-day training for health reporters, sponsored by Engender health, an international non-governmental org

Trained Manpower, Appropriate Technology Will Reduce Misdiagnosis.

Image
The recent alarm on rising global incidence of cancer by the World Health Organisation (WHO) should worry African countries, including Nigeria, where the disease is becoming prevalent. Available statistics show that Nigeria accounts for  10,000 cancer deaths annually, while 250,000 new cases occur yearly. Prof. Innocent Ujah, Director- General of the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research (NIMR)Yaba, Lagos, in this interview with Chioma Umeha , announced that  the prevalence study for Humanpapilloma Virus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer will be out this year. Excerpt: The issue of misdiagnoses is a serious problem in this part of the world. How do you think we can improve on laboratory services, especially as concerns Cancers? Diagnosis involves the technician that is manpower development. The next is the technology.  Are we using the appropriate technology? If we are using the updated technology, then with trained manpower, we should be able to reduce misdiagnoses

Expert Urges Infertile Couple To Seek Medical Assistance

Image
A fertility expert and Consultant gyneacologist, Dr. Taiwo Orebamjo has called on couple who are infertile to seek help from gyneacologist than visiting quacks that could jeopardise their chances of delivery as it records it’s first In vitro Fertilisation (IVF) baby girl. In a chat journalists in Lagos, Dr. Orebamjo  who  is the Medical Director/CEO of Lifeshore Fertility Centre, a subsidiary of Parklande Specialist Hospital, Surulere, Lagos, warned couples who are facing challenges of infertility to stop patronising those who will take advantage of them like herbalists and native doctors. He explained that there are different forms of IVF, but insisted that one cannot know what suits a couple until a fertility expert is consulted, adding: “When you see fertility expert, he will now decide the right treatment to be given, the ultimate is IVF. But, sometimes it could be simple treatment that is required and if that is not successful, you then go on with IVF. Visibly el

Poor Funding Hinders Malaria Research – NIMR

Image
Following World Health Organisation (WHO) latest survey which shows that not less than 51 million Nigerians, equivalent to 30 per cent of the population, tested positive to the malaria parasite in 2015, researchers have decried growing paucity of funds required for research which is impeding the roll out of malaria interventions and others. The researchers who are from Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR),Yaba, Lagos, while noting that the highest number of Malaria cases occurred in the North West and North Central zones of the country, raised alarm that Nigeria is not on track for malaria elimination. Lamenting, the Deputy Director (Research) and Head, Malaria Research Programme (NIMR) Dr. Sam Awolola, said with such high malaria burden, and continued reliance on foreign intervention, the country is far from being on track to end the malaria scourge. Awolola, who raised the alarm at a forum organised by NIMR in commemoration of this year’s World Malaria Day

Pharmacy Marred By Lack Of Teaching Aids, Research Grants

Image
Olumide Akintayo, a member of the National Executive of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the immediate past President of the society, in this interview addresses the challenges of practicing pharmacy, fake drug distribution, among other issues bugging the sector. According to media reports, you decried the state of pharmacy practice in Nigeria during the just concluded annual health week of the Pharmacy Academy of Nigeria Students (PANS), University of Benin (UNIBEN). Mention challenges which pharmacy professionals are facing. Stating that pharmacy has continued to thrive in an atmosphere of confusion is an understatement. Uncertainties have become the unenviable cross of the Nigerian Pharmacist.  An evaluation of the various sectors of pharmacy practice shows that some aspects epitomize a mass of putrefying sores. Academic pharmacy is marked with unending tales of woes which have manifested in lack of teaching aids and research grants for the academic

Junk Food Damages Kidneys- Study

Image
Eating junk foods such as burgers, fries, biscuits and fizzy drinks may cause as much damage to the kidney as diabetes, a new study has warned. Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity and the number of cases are rising worldwide at an alarming rate, an online report said. In type 2 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin or does not react to it. This causes an accumulation of sugar (glucose) in the blood, which can have severe long-term consequences for organs, including the kidneys, where it can lead to diabetic kidney disease, researchers said. Hence, finding a way to block glucose re-absorption in the kidneys could offer a potential treatment for lowering blood sugar levels, they said. For the study, researchers from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK used animal models of diabetes and models of diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance to see how insulin resistance and too much sugar or fat affect glucose transporters in the kidney. The rats wer

Nature & Living

Simple Ways To Reduce Stress Here’s how you can get more out of each day…   Have a laugh  While working and carrying family responsibilities, stressing out too much about them will simply cause more grief  both mentally as well as physically, according to experts. However, there are several ways you can unwind –  watch your favourite comedy, catch up with close friends and talk about funny memories. Research says that every time you laugh out loud, increased oxygen flows to your organs, blood flow increases, and stress automatically reduces.   Spend time with your pet Pets are known not only to give you unconditional love, but spending time with them is actually good for your health. Studies say that when you pet your dog/cat even for just a few minutes, your body releases feel-good hormones like serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin, and also decreases the amount of the damaging stress hormones. This results in lower blood pressure, less anxiety and even better immun

Nigeria Renews Strategy To Achieve Zero Malaria Deaths In 2020

Image
About three billion US dollars is lost to malaria yearly due to out of pocket treatment and prevention costs.  This amount could pay the annual salaries of 2.2 million Nigerians on minimum wage.” This statistics is based on a recent report from experts working with a public health non-profit making organization, the Society for Family Health (SFH). The SFH experts also say that the socio-economic and health burden of malaria is high. The disease constitutes “a major cause of absenteeism in schools, offices and markets, and affects the national economy.” Malaria accounts for about six out of 10 out-patient visits and three of 10 admissions in healthcare facilities. They further state that malaria accounts for 11 per cent of maternal mortality and three of 10 deaths in children less than five years. The trend is worrisome to experts who say that Nigeria accounts for one-third of global malaria deaths. According to them the disease is also responsible for a quarter of