Chioma Umeha

Chioma Umeha Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, wife of the Ondo State governor and the founder of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), at the weekend re-stated her commitment to the fight against breast cancer, noting that BRECAN had over the years positioned itself as a leading organisation in Nigeria. Anyanwu-Akeredolu spoke at the inauguration of Abuja Chapter executive Committee and Investiture which took place at NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, which was organised to mark this year’s World Cancer Day celebration. She noted that it was timely for every Nigerian to begin to play collective and individual roles in the fight against cancer   by creating awareness both in small and on a large scale among market women, students, among others. Anyanwu-Akeredolu also used the opportunity to congratulate the newly inaugurated executives noting that with the inauguration of the Abuja Chapter of BRECAN, nothing else best expresses her dedication to the fig

Dr. Taiwo Orebamjo The luteal phase is the phase of the ovulation cycle that occurs after the egg has been released and lasts around two weeks. During this time, a woman’s body releases progesterone and thickens the lining of the uterus to prepare for pregnancy. When the luteal phase lasts for 10 days or less, it is known as a short luteal phase or a luteal phase defect. A woman with a short luteal phase may have a harder time getting or staying pregnant. Her body will not have as much progesterone as a woman with a longer luteal phase. However, treatments are available for women with short luteal phases who wish to become pregnant. This piece will take a look at the symptoms of a short luteal phase, along with what causes it and the treatment options that are available. There are often few symptoms for a woman who has a short luteal phase. In fact, many women will not realize they have a short luteal phase until they attempt to conceive. A short luteal

Chioma Umeha Malaria No More congratulates the six countries recognised by the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) for their leadership in driving continued reductions in malaria cases and deaths. A statement   on Tuesday, signed by Ms. Michal Fishman, Managing Director, Strategic Communications, Malaria No More said the countries receiving the 2018 ALMA Awards for Excellence were announced at the 30th African Union (AU) Summit. They are: Senegal, The Gambia, Zimbabwe and Madagascar for achieving a more than 20 percent reduction in malaria cases from 2015 to 2016; and Algeria and Comoros for being on track to achieve a more than 40 percent drop in cases by 2020 since 2015. Of the winning countries, all are recipients of funding and technical assistance provided through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and/or the Global Fund to Fight HIV, TB and Malaria. Recognition of these countries’ efforts comes at a critical time in the malaria fight,

•Says It’ll Help Nigeria To Achieve National Security On Medicine Chioma Umeha Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), has described Fidson Healthcare Plc, multi-billion naira manufacturing plant at Ota, Ogun state as a state-of-the-art world-class facility with all the ultra-modern high-tech machinery that will enable the country to achieve national security through the supply of quality medicines at affordable prices. Yakasai who said this recently, when he led a powerful team of his National Executive Council (NEC) members in a familiarisation visit to the factory, noted that it is the biggest pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in West Africa, and added that the company deserves the support and patronage from government and other stakeholders. The PSN boss, in a release, said that the team was warmly received by Pharm. Biola Adebayo, the Executive Director, Operations. He said that after going round the facility, “the

Chioma Umeha The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women) has urged private sector and civil society organisations(SDGs) to partner with government to ensure the advancement of Nigerian women and girls in line with Sustainable Development Goals 5. The call came from Ms Comfort Lamptey, UN Women Country, Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, at a news briefing held after a Private Sector CEOs breakfast meeting on “Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals for Women’s Empowerment in Nigeria” in Lagos. Lamptey said that the private sector in Nigeria was well-positioned to bring funding and new solutions to achieving the SDG-5 by 2030 with its on-the-ground networks and its ability to innovate. She said the Nigerian private sector was similarly positioned to advance transformation by harnessing the power of the SDGs to promote the empowerment of women and girls in the country. “Cultural barriers and early marriage are

Chioma Umeha Your eyes play a significant role in your health. Many steps can be taken to ensure that your eyes are protected and remain as healthy as possible. We have selected the best vision-boosting tips to help you protect your eyes into your golden years. Millions of individuals experience eye problems each year. Some eye issues result in permanent vision loss or blindness, while others can be corrected with contact lenses or glasses. The National Eye Institute estimate that in the years between 2010 and 2050, the number of individuals affected by the commest eye diseases – including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma – “will double.” Many of us are resigned to the fact that as we age, our eyesight will deteriorate. But could we improve our vision, protect our sight, and prevent many of the diseases that compromise the health of our eyes? Studies have revealed ways to protect your eyes from damage a

Chioma Umeha For many women in Nigeria, a country with one of the highest maternal death rates in the world, the prospect of giving birth can be scary. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says more than 150 women die every day in pregnancy-related = in Nigeria, an average of one death every 10 minutes. It’s not surprising that many pregnant women worry about coming out of the hospital or clinic alive. “I told my family members to pray for me,” says Mary Onyema, a mother of two. “I am sure that is why I am alive today. “I nearly died of childbirth complications during my first delivery,” she says. “I had infection in the genital tract, miscarriage and this was accompanied with fever, pain in the lower abdomen and an ill-smelling vaginal discharge.” Despite her fears, Mary counts herself lucky because she was in a private clinic. “The situation is worst in public hospitals,” she says. “The workers are not motivated and emergency services are a

Chioma Umeha Six African countries were recognised by the 30th African Union Summit, during the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) for their exemplary leadership in driving down malaria cases, even as regional and global progress risks losing momentum. A statement signed by Simon Crump, Portland Communications, Nairobi, which was made available to INDEPENDENT says that the ‘2018 ALMA Awards for Excellence,’ were presented to their heads of state. The countries include; Madagascar, the Gambia, Senegal and Zimbabwe that were recognised for reducing malaria cases by more than 20 per cent from 2015 to 2016. However, Algeria and Comoros received credits for being on-track to achieve a more than 40 per cent drop in cases by 2020. ALMA is an alliance of 49 African countries working to end malaria on the continent by 2030. The ALMA Scorecard for Accountability & Action tracks progress and drives action on malaria control and elimination, and are chosen by

Chioma Umeha To improve reproductive healthcare in the country, Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN), a non-governmental organisation, has tasked government at levels to increase its investment in the area. The demand came after a strategic meeting and training workshop of the Network which its members are Nigerian journalists that campaign for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) issues and policies. According to a communique issued at the end of the meeting which held in Ibadan, Oyo State recently and jointly signed by the President and Secretary of the Network, Mr. Roland Ogbonnaya and Mrs. Yinka Shokunbi respectively, the Network said the state of reproductive health care in the country was ‘below acceptable standard.’ Consequently, the Network expressed dissatisfaction that government at the Federal and state levels were not doing enough to improve the situation. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines reproductive

Dr. Anuma Kalu Ulu, is a Nigerian–born medical practitioner based in the United States but who was on medical mission in Nigeria recently. In this interview with CHIOMA UMEHA , he takes a critical look at a number of health issues in Nigeria. Excerpts: You have been in practice for many years within and outside this country, could you tell us what we are not doing right? There is really no basis for comparison, everything we are doing here is wrong. I have to be frank. Some of you may have had the opportunity to travel and see what obtains in other climes. I trained here before I travelled, and since I travelled and got my further training, I have been coming here to practise. So, I stand in a better stead to actually compare and say based on world standard, we really don’t have anything here that is called a hospital or medical delivery system. The system is rippled with many practices that would land a medical staff in any other clime in jail or a situation whe