Chioma Umeha

Dr. Damian Avar is a General Practitioner from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL). Avar, the founder and CEO of DoctorsHub Nigeria, in this interview with CHIOMA UMEHA , discusses growing cases of diabetes in Nigeria and how the trend could be checked. Excerpts: What is the current situation of diabetes in Nigeria? According to the World Health Organisation, over 1.7 million new cases of diabetes in Nigeria were recorded in 2016. And with about five million Nigerians, according to the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) currently living with the disease, Nigeria comes top on the list of countries in Africa with the highest incidence and prevalence of diabetes.  Sadly, this value has been projected to double by 2030. So really, the fact that diabetes is on a rapid rise in Nigeria is incontestable. Why is diabetes on the rise in Nigeria? There are certain risks factors which predispose people to developing diabetes. While there is ofte

Olumide Akintayo, the immediate past President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) recently, delivered the 2017 Marquis Annual Memorial Lecture at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, entitled, “Leadership and Excellence In Pharmacy Practice.” In this interview with CHIOMA UMEHA , he reviews pharmacy profession in Nigeria and advocates reforms that would engender effective leadership and excellent pharmacy practice. Excerpts: Can you take a holistic look at the state of pharmacy practice in Nigeria; how would you rate it? To declare that pharmacy practice in Nigeria sometimes thrives in an atmosphere of confusion is an understatement. Prevarications and vacillations have become the unenviable cross of the Nigerian Pharmacist. An evaluation of the various sectors of our practice reveals that it is still not uhuru. In academic pharmacy, you are witnesses to the unending tales of woes that have manifested in lack of teaching aids and res

By Chioma Umeha New research shows eating tomatoes in their entirety can fight stomach cancer. Scientists from Oncology Research Center of Mercogliano, Italy, found that the red fruit inhibits cell growth when eaten in its entirety. The team tested extracts of the San Marzano and Corbarino tomato varieties, and found that as well as inhibiting growth, the tomatoes also slowed down the cloning behaviour of the stomach cancer cells. “Tomatoes’ effects seem not related to specific components, such as lycopene, but rather suggest that tomatoes should be considered in their entirety,” study author Daniela Barone said, referencing previous studies that state only tomato chemical lycopene has cancer-fighting properties. Results have been published in the Journal of Cellular Physiology, with authors sharing their hopes that the research will lead the way for new treatments and diet choices. “Our results prompt further assessment of the potential use of specific n

By Chioma Umeha Donated sperm is then cryopreserved (kept frozen) until it is sold, again at no cost to the donor. In most cases, the sperm donor has the option of donating anonymously, or he can choose to release his personal information to couples interested in purchasing donated sperm. In addition to earning money, some men feel good about donating sperm because it helps others achieve their dreams of becoming parents. How does sperm banking work? Advancements in technology have made sperm banking relatively convenient and affordable. To begin the process, a man will go to a sperm bank facility and provide a semen sample. Or, he can use one of a few FDA-approved home kit to collect a sample in the privacy of his own home, and send the sample to a clinical lab for storage. This method can help reduce the anxiety and stress that accompanies semen collection at a sperm banking facility. Once the sperm sample has been collected, the sperm banking facilit

By Chioma Umeha As infertility rates increase, more and more couples are using assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including artificial insemination and IVF, to reach their dreams of parenthood. The increased demand for these procedures has resulted in an increase in sperm banking.A sperm bank, also referred to as a cyrobank, is a facility that collects, freezes, and stores human sperm. The sperm kept at a sperm bank is either donated by men to be used by couples seeking sperm donations for artificial insemination or IVF procedures, or is provided by men who want to preserve their own sperm for future use. Why do men choose to bank their sperm for future use? Male fertility can be compromised by a variety of factors and life events. Sperm banking offers men an insurance policy in the event that their fertility is diminished at the time in their life that they are ready to father a child. Age is key contributing factor to declining sperm count

By Chioma Umeha Experts including a one-time Minister of Health, Prof. Eyitayo Lambo, have appealed to healthcare professionals to put an end to lingering inter-professional rivalry and incessant strikes in the health sector, saying it is inhibiting to the health of Nigerians and the nation. Lambo further said that professional collaboration remains a positive strategy to strengthen the national healthcare system and improve health outcome. Lambo who spoke weekend at a symposium entitled, “Health of the Nation: The Imperative of Inter-Professional Collaboration,” advocated for inclusion of inter professional collaboration skill in curriculum of health professionals. The symposium which held at the University of Lagos was organised by the Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) in partnership with Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN). Lambo, who was the Ministry of Health boss under the administration of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, also said health

By Chioma Umeha The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, on Monday urged Nigerians not to panic over the recent declaration of Ebola outbreak in Congo Democratic Republic, saying the Federal Government will ensure that the disease is not imported to the country. The minister made the call while inspecting thermal screening machines located at the Port Health Stand of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja. Adewole was on assessment tour of screening machines at the airport. He said: “We want to assure Nigerians that we have never stopped screening people. It has been going on at the International wing of all the airports in the country, although passengers many not have noticed it. “There is no reason to panic, everything is under control. If there is a need to screen local passengers we would do that but, for now we are concentrating on passengers on international travels.”

By Chioma Umeha Prof. Isaac Adewole, the Minister of Health, has announced that the Federal Government has conducted free 4,349 surgeries and 17, 793 health screenings for poor Nigerians across the country. The Ministry had set a target to deliver 10,150 free surgeries and screenings to help alleviate the sufferings of indigent Nigerians. In addition to this, the ministry also carried out over 200,000 nutritional interventions for Nigerians suffering from malnutrition in the north east. The intervention has since scaled to become a full fledged project, the Health Sector Nutrition and Emergency Response delivering a set of comprehensive health interventions and emergency services in the troubled region. His words: “Government must pay for those who cannot afford healthcare.” Adewole said that the programme is a promise kept by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, which has a pro-poor universal health coverage agenda. The Minister said that the

By Chioma Umeha Skin infections or disorders constitute a significant proportion of consultations in clinics in the country. Patchy skin, dark spots, boils, dis-colouration and easy tanning of the skin may not only lead to acne and pimples. Instead, lurking behind these conditions, one may come across scarier illnesses. Most often than not, skin problems can be a biological tap on your shoulder for other grave health conditions. According to the Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice, skin diseases are one of the three common causes of morbidity in the developing countries of sub-Saharan Africa, along with malaria and diarrhoea. To this effect, Ardent World Inc. (AWI), a renowned global cosmetics company has explained the rationale behind the launch of its women friendly range of natural based cosmetics products saying, it contains ingredients like glutathione and Vitamin C that can counter free radicals that damage the skin. In an interview with journa

By Chioma Umeha For some time, pharmacists have been expressing concerns over delays in the appointment of a new Director General (DG) for the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and reconstitution of the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria’s (PCN) governing council. They link the poor state of affairs in the pharmaceutical sector to absence of substantive NAFDAC DG and government’s dissolution of the governing council of PCN, especially as both agencies are charged with the regulatory functions in the industry. The group under the auspices of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) further alleged failure of government to stick to the provisions of Section 9 of the NAFDAC enabling Act in the appointment of its DG/Chief Executive Officer. These they believe have hampered the effectiveness of these bodies to carry out their statutory functions. The PCN is charged with regulatory functions such as disciplinary action, accreditat