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What Can Make Men Infertile

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By  Chioma Umeha Infertility is the failure of a couple to become pregnant after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse. About a third of infertility problems are due to female infertility, and another third are due to male infertility. In the remaining cases, infertility affects both partners or the cause is unclear. What is male infertility? Reproduction (or making a baby) is a simple and natural experience for most couples. However, for some couples it is very difficult to conceive. A man’s fertility generally relies on the quantity and quality of his sperm. If the number of sperm a man ejaculates is low or if the sperm are of a poor quality, it will be difficult, and sometimes impossible, for him to cause a pregnancy. Male infertility is diagnosed when, after testing both partners, reproductive problems have been found in the male. How common is male infertility? Infertility is a widespread problem. For about one in five infertile couples the pr

Experts Drum Support For Healthy Timing, Spacing Of Pregnancies

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By Chioma Umeha Lagos – Experts have stressed that achieving healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies and childbirths is one way that Nigeria’s high indices of maternal mortality will be reduced. Stating this while marking the annual World Contraception Day, recently, the Senior Technical Advisor, Advocacy for Nigeria Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI), Charity Ibeawuchi, noted that Nigeria still has one of the highest maternal mortality rate of 576 deaths per 100,000 live births (according to 2013 NDHS Report). Ibeawuchi’s views were contained in a release by Development Communications Network (DEVCOMS). She explained that Family planning alone reduces maternal deaths by more than 33 per cent yet only few Nigerian women (about 15 per cent) are using any method of family planning for spacing or limiting pregnancies while 10 per cent use modern family planning methods. She noted that the health of the women, particularly those of reproductive age,

Nigeria Renews Strategy To Achieve Zero Malaria Deaths In 2020

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By Chioma Umeha 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 h ealth 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 al

Patients’ Body Provides Cure For Erectile, Organs Dysfunction – Ikudayisi

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David Ikudayisi,  an expert in stem cell medicine and founder,  Glory Wellness and Regenerative Centre, Lagos,  tells CHIOMA UMEHA how to manage and treat cases of sexual dysfunction, arthritis, hip, knee and shoulder pain; sexual dysfunction, among others. EXCERPTS: Could describe regenerative medicine and its application to the treatment of sexual dysfunction? Regenerative medicine is a branch of translational research in tissue engineering and molecular biology, which deals with the process of replacing, engineering or regenerating human cells, tissues or organs to restore or establish normal function. Sex is cherished because of the pleasure people derive from it. It doesn’t matter whether you are a man or a woman. It is designed by nature to be enjoyed, especially when you are married. Besides, it is the only natural way of procreation. Meanwhile, there are hindrances to healthy sexual life that tend to make the lives miserable. One of such is erectile dysf

Laparoscopic Surgery Will Reverse Medical Tourism – LUTH CMD

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By Chioma Umeha Experts have said that development in laparoscopic surgery in Nigeria would reverse medical tourism which is costing the country over one billion dollars annually on capital flight. This was partly the outcome of the fourth International Workshop organised by the Laparoscopic Surgery Society of Nigeria (LASSON) in Lagos on Monday, with theme of the workshop is: “Enhancing Training in Laparoscopic Surgery in West Africa.’’ Among those who spoke were Prof. Chris Bode, the Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, who noted that laparoscopic surgery, which started many years ago in Europe and America, was just taking its root in Nigeria. Bode, who was represented by Prof. Sulaiman Giwa, LUTH Head of Surgery, said: “We are in a hurry to catch up with the developments in Europe and America, so as to reduce medical tourism. “People have read about what is referred to as key-hole surgery, which they want to go ab

Massive Immunisation Campaign Targets 41m Children In Nigeria, Chad Basin

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By Chioma Umeha A major health campaign is underway in the Lake Chad Basin area to vaccinate over 41 million children against polio to contain the recent outbreak of the disease in north-east Nigeria. Populations fleeing conflict are on the move within the sub-region, raising concerns that the virus could spread across borders. Nearly 39,000 health workers are deployed across Nigeria and neighbouring Chad, Niger, Cameroon and the Central African Republic to deliver polio vaccines in areas at high-risk for the virus during five rounds of coordinated vaccination campaigns across five countries. UNICEF is procuring the vaccines and engaging the public through mass media and grassroots mobilization. “The re-emergence of polio after two years with no recorded cases is a huge concern in an area that’s already in crisis,” said Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa.   “The scale of our response reflects the urgency: we must not allow

Productivity, Hard work Will Be My Guiding Principles – Mohammed

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By Chioma Umeha The National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Dr Audu Bala Mohammed has   said that one of his cardinal objectives in office is to increase the drive for productivity and hard work in the national Malaria response system. According to a statement, jointly signed by Mrs. Itohowo Uko, Deputy Director and Head, Advocacy Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM), NMEP and Mrs. Adaolisa Ezechukwu, Media Focal Person, Mohammed said this just as he rolled out his agenda to journalists as the new NMEP boss. He stressed: “We will strive for the highest level of excellence in staff performance within the National Malaria system to achieve best practice in programming and outcomes. “We will also aim for the best deployment of services and resources for optimum impact on beneficiaries.” Dr Audu who resumed earlier this year as the new NMEP National Coordinator had served as Director, Medical service Ministry of Health, Yobe

Anger, Physical Exertion Trigger Heart Attack – Researchers

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By Chioma Umeha A study has shown that both intense activity and emotions increases the risk of suffering a heart attack within an hour. An online report of the new research said Tuesday that intense anger or heavy physical exertion may be triggers for a first heart attack in some people. Regular exercise is a healthy antidote to stress and can help prevent heart disease – the biggest problem is that too many people get too little of it. But, the new research suggests there may be better or worse times t o exercise and that extreme can trigger harm. “This study is further evidence of the connection between mind and body. When you are angry, that is not the time to go out and chop a stack of wood,” said Barry Jacobs, a psychologist at the Crozer-Keystone Health System in suburban Philadelphia and an American Heart Association volunteer. He had no role in the study , led by the Population Health Research Institute at McMaster University in Hamilton, Onta

Oral B Marks 5 Years In Nigeria Through National Promo

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By Chioma Umeha Household oral care brand from Procter & Gamble, Oral-B, has launched its premier national consumer promotion in appreciation of its customers to mark its fifth anniversary, promising mouth-watering rewards for winners. The promotion which runs from October to December this year, will give consumers who purchase a pack of Oral-B Pro-Health toothpaste within the period, a chance to win instant prizes ranging from airtime, products, and cash prizes from N10, 000 to N300, 000. As part of the consumer promotion, Oral-B will also visit various communities in Nigeria to provide free dental checks to people through the Oral B Mobile Dental Clinic Programme, the household oral care brand said. Speaking during the media launch of the National Consumer Promotion, Tolulope Adedeji, Brand Marketing Director, P&G Nigeria said: “Oral B has reached more than five million households since we launched in Nigeria five years ago. We are celebrating th

Minister Raises Hope For Local Drug Production

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By Chioma Umeha The Federal Government has made fresh commitment to promote growth in local pharmaceutical manufacturing that are pioneering efforts in local manufacturing in Nigeria, saying it   would encourage purchase of their products and create enabling environment for their operations. Announcing this recently, in Lagos was Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who was on a working visit to May & Baker PharmaCentre in Ota, Ogun state as part of his facility assessment tour of selected local pharmaceutical companies. Ehanire further said that boosting local production is at the fore front of the agenda of the government. Ehanire said President Muhammad Buhari intends to grow the economy by improving local manufacturing and the government is interested in supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturers, and to assist them develop vaccine technology and capacity for the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in Nigeria. He