T H I S D AY ˾ SEPTEMBER 3, 2020
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NEWS
Traditional Medicine Can Be Nigeria’s Biggest Export, Ooni Says Martins Ifijeh The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye-Ogunwusi Enitan has stated that if Nigerians, policy makers and other stakeholders give traditional medicine the priority it deserves, it will become the country’s biggest export. Disclosing this during a press briefing to commemorate the African Traditional Medicine Day held in Lagos
recently, he said the section of medicine has been in existence in Nigeria for over 500 years, and that if fully supported, it could become a major foreign exchange earner for the country, and that Nigerians will be healthier for it. He said: “We need to rise up to the new challenge by providing the needed funding, legislative and policy support to jump start
Africa Traditional Medicine as an alternative to boost our economy. “The current economic downturn occasioned by COVID -19 pandemic has compelled the region and Nigeria in particular to seek effective diversification of the economy, and the time is now.” He said that the pandemic has brought the need for Nigeria to look at the im-
portance of herbal medicine, adding that the pandemic has created an incredible and virile condition for the indigenous herbal medicines to thrive. The traditional ruler also used the opportunity to launch the Pan African Foundation for Traditional Medical Research and Development (PAFIMERD). He named a Nigerian herbal medicine, Virasol
as one of the over 40 herbal medicines submitted to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for registration as immune booster against COVID-19. “I am very glad the herbal remedy has passed NAFDAC laboratory tests and the registration number will be out this week. “The Virasol immune boosting herbal medicine is
one of the series of herbal remedies developed under the aegis of my new initiative, Pan African Foundation for Indigenous Medical Research and Development (PAFIMERD) for which I am launching today to the glory of Almighty God,” he said. He also added that traditional medicine has the capacity to prevent Nigerians from visiting hospitals; using himself as an example.
Nursing, Expectant Mothers Charged on Healthy Living Omolabake Fasogbon Nursing and expectant mothers in Nigeria have been advised to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep them away from diseases. This is also as reports have established that pregnant women were clinically vulnerable to COVID-19 because of their exposure to viruses like flu. Speaking during a medical outreach organised by Power Oil recently, Brand Manager of the firm, Ms. Prerna Pathre said the outreach was part of the organisation’s Health Camp project aimed at ensuring the wellness of all. She said, “It is only a healthy woman that can raise a happy family, which is why we decided to take the programme directly to mothers in primary healthcare centres across the country. “The outreach is currently
running simultaneously across nine locations - Lagos, Ikeja, Akure, Onitsha, Abuja, Ibadan, Benin, Kano, and Warri. We are proud to state that as at mid-August, approximately 10,000 mothers have been touched and still counting, as we hope to continue with this exercise” The Public Relations Manager of Tolaram Group, Mrs. Omotayo Azeez- Abiodun stated that the initiative was thought of to remind Nigerians to lead a healthy life. She said: “The wellbeing of our consumers is a priority to us and considering the alarming rate of health complications this period; we are taking this as a part of our responsibilities to sensitise Nigerians on the need to lead and maintain a healthy lifestyle through regular checkups and healthy choice of food consumption to achieve a sound health.”
COVID-19: Gender Justice Advocates Call for Protection of Caregivers Oluwabunmi Fache Gender Justice Advocates has charged stakeholders in the justice sector to ensure the enforcement of relevant laws, social protections, cooperation and self-care for caregivers who are on the frontline against COVID-19 and post COVID-19 recovery in Nigeria. The call was made at a virtual care dialogue recently, organised by Red Eyes Development Initiative (REDi), a gender rights, environmental justice and sustainable development advocacy organisation, in partnership with the Center for Conflict and Gender Studies (CCGS), University of Port Harcourt. The Director of REDi, Ekaete George said the organisation was committed to important dialogues to promote gender justice and sustainable development. Acting Director, CCGS University, Port Harcourt, Dr Heoma Worlu advocated for women leaders to synergise and for families to operate on equilibrium where care was no longer a gender specific activity.
We should socialise our children to understand that everyone’s home is important. If boys and girls are taught to contribute equally from the home, these abuses of caregiving responsibilities will reduce,” she said. The President, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Rivers State branch, Dr. Vetty Agala noted that: “women and girls should break the culture of silence. We need to speak up and make our voices heard, and we need to rally round each other. “It might take time for government and policy makers to intervene, but individuals, civil society organisations and institutions must form alliances and rally to help and provide care for vulnerable women.” Executive Director, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Mrs. Loretta Ahuokpeme noted the spike in sexual and gender based violence during the pandemic, adding that law enforcement agencies should give prompt interventions and a human face to complaints.
L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Abdullahi Mashi; Governor, Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed; and Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire during the governor’s courtesy visit to the minister in Abuja recently
New Automated System Launched to Save More Sickle Cell Patients Rebecca Ejifoma The Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN) has formally launched the newly refurbished Muyiwa Talabi Exchange Blood Transfusion (EBT) Unit with an automated system to save more patients from painful experiences of transfusing red blood cell. The EBT, which was launched recently at the National Sickle Cell Centre, Lagos, donated by the Muyiwa Tablabi’s family, aims
to give sickle cell patients normal and quality lives. The Consultant Hematologist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Supervising Consultant to SCFN, Dr. Titi Adeyemo, explained how they manage complications and prevent pain in SCD patients through blood transfusion, EBT. “When they are short of red cells, which normally carry oxygen, we have to transfuse red cell so they will be able to deliver oxygen to various
parts of their body.” the doctor noted. While describing the automated system as a lifesaver, Adeyemo decried that people with sickle cell disease suffer, adding that most of the time “we know what we have to do but what we have to use is just not readily available”. She therefore expressed gratitude to the Alabi families for setting up the facility. “I am happy today. It is as if for me and my patients this centre was set up for
me to be able to intervene. I know the relief and the lives it is going to save”. The Chairman, SCFN, Prof. Olu Akinyanju lauded Mrs. Busola Talabi and the entire Talabi family for the donation of the state of the art facility. He recalled that the man whose life was being celebrated, the late Mr. Muyiwa Talabi had impacted the work of the SCFN in different ways after he observed the challenges of the centre last year at his 60th birthday.
Century Group Health Safety Summit Holds September 4 Mary Nnah Century Group, the headliners of the Health, Safety and Environment Summit in collaboration with Global Performance Index (GPI) partners with the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Lagos State Ministry of Health and Combined Training Solutions (CTS) is poised to host the second edition virtually on Friday, September 4, 2020. In line with the United
Nations SDG 13 goal on climate change and ending plastic and other forms of waste, the organiser aims to enlighten people on revenue generating and employment opportunities in HSE practice. The Health, Safety and Environment Summit will bring together professionals in various fields across the continent and beyond to explore innovative ways to combat climate change and highlight the benefits that can accrue from recycling waste in Africa.
This year’s summit will have panelists and delegates from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Federal Ministry of Health, Recyclers Association of Nigeria to emphasise the need to curb harmful disposal of waste as well as create wealth through recycling. The summit will equally sponsor selected entrepreneurs with innovative ideas in waste management, recycling, basic HSE train-
ing and discounted IOSH membership. Notable Speakers like Richard Orton, Director of Strategy and Business Development (IOSH), Ejiro Daisy Ufondu Assistant Director (Environment) DPR, Tosin Faniro Dada Head of Strategy & Partnerships (LSETF), Essein Nsuabia (LAWMA), Jackie Lwanga, Vice President East African Region (SOWSHE A) and several others will lead the discussion and give insights on the wealth opportunities in standard HSE practice.