Chioma Umeha

CHIOMA UMEHA In Cape Town Global leaders have issued an urgent call for countries to invest in health and social sectors to meet the targets for maternal and stillbirth reduction at the first biennial International Maternal Newborn Health Conference (IMNHC2023) in Cape Town, South Africa. The experts convened to drive urgent action for the health of mothers and newborns by leading with evidence, sharing effective implementation strategies, reviewing joint progress, and nurturing collaboration and innovation.  Participants heard firsthand stories from impacted countries, communities, and women about how the current plateau in progress affects real lives at the IMNHC2023. “It’s about accountability, and this is something that we all must take responsibility over. We work in environments where a lot of women and families are not empowered,” said Dr. Queen Dube, Chief of Health Services for the Ministry of Health Malawi and AlignMNH Steering Committee Co-chair. New data and goals proposed

CHIOMA UMEHA  Cape Town Nigeria accounts for one in seven global maternal deaths, implying that over 50,000 Nigerian women die yearly, a United Nations report said, ranking the country second among 10 others responsible for 60 percent of women and newborn deaths, worldwide. The latest estimate was contained in the progress tracking report by the WHO, UNICEF, and the UNFPA was launched on Tuesday at the ongoing “International Maternal Newborn Health Conference' (IMNHC2023). The World Health Organisation (WHO) released the report on Tuesday, titled, "Improving Maternal and Newborn Health and Survival and Reducing Stillbirth: Progress Report 2023," which revealed, Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, is currently ranked second after India. According to the report, 788 women and children died "per thousand" in India, while 540 perished "per thousand" in Nigeria in 2020. In the same year, India accounted for 17 percent of all maternal, neonatal, an

By Umeha Ucheoma Ogun Photo:  Funmi Osineye, Manager, Nestlé Professional Nigeria, educating the participants on the use of MAGGI seasoning. The quality and cost of these items for consumers are two factors that experts advise food businesses to always take into consideration.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a balanced diet is important for both excellent nutrition and health, and it may also lengthen life.  A variety of chronic non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, can be prevented by eating a balanced diet, which also strengthens muscles, improves immunity, strengthens bones, and keeps skin, teeth, and eyes healthy. Sadly, in a low-income nation like Nigeria, the caterers, food sellers, canteens, and "bukkas" that cater to this market sector do not always receive the support they require to offer wholesome, affordable meals that may guarantee that their clients receive the nutrients needed for optimum health.  However,

By Ucheoma Umeha  Ogun L to R: Akinlonu Foluso, Director Legal Services, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development; Sunday Dare, Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports Development: Shakiru Lawal, Country HR Manager, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, at the launch of Alliance for Youth Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has signed on to the initiative as a development partner to the alliance, recently. President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed concern over Nigeria's rapidly growing population, claiming that the country is one of the few whose fertility is still increasing despite being the largest in Africa and ranking seventh globally. According to the United Nations 2022 World Population Day estimate, Nigeria's population will reach 216 million in 2022 at a pace of 3.2 percent annual growth.  According to Buhari, fertility depends on a young population, with over 72 percent of the population being under 30 years old and half of the female residents being between

By Ngozi Okpalakunne Over 125 women in Lagos have been trained in different skills by Karis and Eleos Hand of Hope Foundation in partnership with Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC). The women who were trained in skills such as baking, make-ups, tie and die, cleaning detergents, bead making among others were drawn from  Alausa and  Agidingbi  area of Lagos state. They were also  given a start- up kits by the NBC. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the training which came under the theme, “empower her’’,  wife of the Lagos state governor, Ibijoke  Sanwo–Olu described women empowerment as one of the potent weapons to fight poverty and build a successful  society. According to Ibijoke who was represented by,  Abimbola , when women are empowered  and supported to thrive in their  businesses and careers, they  stand a better chance to build their homes properly  which in turn  would have  a positive multiplier effect on society  at large. In her words: ‘’The result of what happened in a given

Bartholomew Abuchi and Yusuf Ogunbunmi, both light-welterweight fighters, received N1.5 million on Saturday for winning the best boxer and runner-up awards at GOtv Boxing Night 26. At the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos' Molade Okoya Indoor Sports Hall, an eight-bout boxing event was held.   As the night's top fighter, Abuchi—who won his fight against Samuel "African Mayweather" Adebayo by unanimous decision—was awarded the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy and the N1 million cash reward that goes along with it. The second-place finisher, Ogunbunmi, was rated the second-best performer of the evening for his work in the hotly contested match against Kabiru "KB Sniper" Salawu, which he won by a split decision. He was the inaugural recipient of the N500,000 second-place award, which was presented at this year's GOtv Boxing Night. GOtv Boxing Night 26 hosted eight bouts instead of the traditional seven. In the International featherweight challenge, T

Dr. Oluwaseun Akinbobola, CEO, Beaconhill Smile Group Ltd, receiving the Best Dental Service Provider in the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award  (NHEA) 2022 edition from Mr. Biodun Olofinkinle, Group Head, Human Resources, Beaconhill Smile Group Limited, recently. In the 2022 edition of the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA), Akinbobola's group of dental clinics won Best Dental Service Provider. According to Akinbobola, "Oral and maxillofacial surgery is safe as long as it is performed within the required parameters."  A surgical subspecialty of dentistry known as oral and maxillofacial surgery focuses on facial cosmetic surgery as well as reconstructive surgery of the human face, mouth, and jaws.  Examples include the treatment of oral, head, and neck cancer, the management and extraction of wisdom teeth (trans alveolar extractions), and facial injury and trauma surgery (Le Fort fractures, symphyseal or para symphyseal fractures). Others include cleft lip and