Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2012—47
Maternal, child care is priority says Philips By SOLA OGUNDIPE
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• Breastmilk is best.
Why breastmilk is best — STUDY S breast milk so different from infant for mula? The ability to track which genes are operating in an infant's intestine has allowed scientists to compare the early development of breast-fed and formula-fed babies. They say the difference is very real. For the first time, researchers can see that breast milk induces genetic pathways that are quite different from those in formula-fed infants. Although formula makers have tried to develop a product that's as much like breast milk as possible, hundreds of genes were expressed differently in the breast-fed and formula-fed groups. Although both breast-fed and formulafed babies gain weight and seem to develop similarly, scientists have known for a long time that breast milk contains immune-protective components that make a breast-fed infant's risk lower for all kinds of illnesses. The intestinal tract of the newborn undergoes marked changes in response to feeding. And the response to human milk exceeds that of formula, suggesting that the bioactive components in breast milk are important in this response. What is not known is how breast milk
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protects the infant and particularly how it regulates the development of the intestine. Understanding those differences should help formula makers develop a product that is more like the real thing, she said. The scientists hope to develop a signature gene or group of genes to use as a biomarker for breast-fed infants. Many of the differences found b were in fundamental genes that regulate the development of the intestine and provide immune defense for the infant. In the study, a new technique was used to examine intestinal gene expression in 22 healthy infants -- 12 breast-fed, 10 formula-fed.
S a demonstration of its commitment and strong focus on improving maternal and child care in Nigeria, and providing meaningful solutions based on local needs that will significantly expand access to care, Philips Healthcare Africa has launched a portfolio of affordable clinical solutions for safer births and mother/ child care in the Nigerian market including the ClearVue ultrasound range and the Intellivue patient monitors. The company also announced appointment of a dedicated business development manager to be based in Nigeria to handle, support and drive ongoing collaborations with the local healthcare authorities. Making the announcement at a strategic roundtable on mother and child care, in Lagos, during the stopover of its third consecutive Cairo to Cape Town road show 2012, Director and District Manager, Philips Healthcare Africa, Mr. Roelof Assies, said Philips is engaging with the Nigerian Government and local stakeholders to understand and support their needs around maternal and infant care. “Philips has been dedicated to mother and child care for over 40 years. Sustainable and meaningful solutions are needed to tackle the alarming maternal mortality ratio of 630 per 100,000 live births, therefore Philips not only provides equipment but also provides training workshops for local care providers to create welltrained and skilled healthcare professionals. In Lagos, Philips is hosting a tailor-made clinical training workshop on maternal and prenatal care for healthcare professionals, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH.
P&G partners NDA for improved oral health care it was a reflection of P&G’s commitment By EBELE ONUORAH
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N a bid to reduce the rate of dentine sensitivity in people, Procter & Gamble, recently partnered with the Nigerian Dental Association, NDA to promote the essence of routine dental check up within the Nigerian populace. In a statement, Brand Manager, Oral-B & Pampers for Procter & Gamble Nigeria, Mr. Cletus Onyebuoha said the company has a vision that is in line with P&G’s purpose of improving lives which has inspired P&G in providing dental professionals with helpful educational tools as well as provide Nigerians with different social classes, free access to routine dental check up and consultancy through the Oral B Mobile Dental Clinic. Commenting on the partnership with the NDA, Head of External Relations, P&G Nigeria, Mrs. Temitope Iluyemi said
to the Oral Health of Nigerians as a means of helping to touch and improve their lives. According to her, P&G invests billions of dollars in research and development annually in order to innovate to produce world class products that meet the needs and budgets of her consumers worldwide.
Over two days, Nigerian healthcare workers will be trained on how to accomplish safe childbirths and improve maternal and infant care. The clinical trainings are an essential part of reducing pregnancy-related mortality rates. Dr Olumuyiwa Are, Chief Medical Director, Citizens Hospital states "Maternal health has become an important public priority in Nigeria, which makes the training of future healthcare professionals an essential part of reducing pregnancy-related mortality rates. We appreciate the investment in people, technology and resources that Philips is bringing to Nigeria and its healthcare industry.
WHARC presents special reproductive Journal HE African Journal of Reproduc tive Health, AJRH, Africa’s leading journal published by Women’s Health and Action Research Centre, WHARC, is presenting a special edition on adolescent reproductive health to the scientific and general public. The presentation holds in Lagos tomorrow, June 28, 2012 at the Old Great Hall, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos, and on Thursday, July 5, 2012 at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Abuja. The Lagos event will be chaired by Professor Isaac Adewole, Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, while the Abuja event will be chaired by Dr. Muhammad Pate, Minister of State for Health. At the presentation, Professor John Idoko, Director General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS,NACA, will deliver the Keynote Address titled “Addressing Youth Vulnerability to HIV & AIDS in Nigeria”, while Professor Innocent Ujah, Director General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR and Professor Lai Erinosho of Health Reform Foundation, HERFON, will review the journal. Special Guests of Honour at the events include Her Excellency, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, First Lady of Ekiti State, Dr. Adhiambo Odaga, West Africa Representative, The Ford Foundation and Dr. Kole Shettima, Representative, Macarthur Foundation.
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• From left: Mr Cletus Onyebuoha, Brand Manager, Baby & Oral Care, P&G Nigeria, Dr. Olufemi Orebanjo, President, Nigeria Dental Association; Busola Opanubi, Technical External Relations Manager and Ngozi Coker, Brand PR Manager, all of P&G Nigeria, at the Oral-B sponsored Nigeria Dental Association, (NDA), 2012 conference held at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Lagos, last week.