Health

Medical Experts Warn Of Rising Costs, Scarcity Of Diabetes Medications In Nigeria

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  Medical experts have raised concerns over the soaring costs and scarcity of diabetes medications in Nigeria. They also revealed that the number of individuals living with diabetes in the country has risen to approximately 14 million. Marking World Diabetes Day, themed “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps”, the experts stressed the urgent need for action. Speaking to our correspondent, Consultant Physician and Diabetologist, and First Vice President of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria, Dr Mansur Ramalan, lamented the escalating drug costs and their unavailability. “Diabetic patients are suffering from both the high cost and unavailability of drugs because three major companies marketing these drugs, including Sanofi Aventis, a major insulin producer, have exited the country. “These drugs are now sold through third parties, which has naturally led to price increases. Furthermore, due to the exchange rate challenges, prices have skyrocketed. This has created problems of affordability, availability, and accessibility for patients,” he stated. Dr Ramalan urged the government to intervene, highlighting the plight of diabetes patients. “This year, the association wrote to the government about the cost of drugs, but no action was taken. Last week, we heard about free caesarean sections for women; if that can be done, similar measures can address our concerns. “Currently, Nigeria has a diabetes prevalence rate of 4 to 6 per cent, equating to an estimated 12 to 14 million people living with diabetes. This figure is rising yearly. In 1991, the prevalence rate was 2.4 per cent, but it has since surged to approximately 5.7 to 6 per cent,” he added. Professor Tanimola Akande, a Public Health expert at the University of Ilorin and former National Chairman of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, corroborated these concerns. “Diabetes is a chronic non-communicable disease with a high prevalence and burden in Nigeria. World Diabetes Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness and offer screening for the population. It also allows governments and stakeholders to prioritise activities and programmes that address diabetes prevention and control,” he said. The World Health Organisation’s Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, warned last Thursday that the number of people living with diabetes in Africa is projected to rise to 54 million by 2045, marking the highest predicted increase globally if urgent action is not taken. Dr Moeti noted, “In the WHO African Region alone, more than 24 million adults currently live with diabetes, half of whom remain undiagnosed. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, kidney failure, lower-limb amputation, and blindness. “Without urgent interventions, the number of people living with diabetes in the region will rise to 54 million by 2045, posing a dual health and economic burden, including catastrophic individual spending to manage the disease. “Africa also has the lowest investment rate in diabetes care globally, with only 1 per cent of health expenditure dedicated to it. Health systems traditionally designed to address acute infectious diseases lack sufficient focus on chronic conditions like diabetes.” Dr Moeti urged governments and stakeholders to act promptly, emphasising the need for proper nutrition, access to essential medicines, physical activity, mental health support, and community engagement to combat diabetes effectively. She concluded, “Strengthening diabetes control in Africa requires addressing key gaps, including myths and misconceptions, fragile primary health care systems, and insufficient capacity and training of health care workers.”   Punch

Caution: Medications meant For Swallowing Should Not Be Chewed

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  Many people do the unimaginable when it comes to taking their medications. For instance, some people chew their drugs that are meant to be swallowed with water; while some individuals use soft drinks for their drugs! According to pharmacists, when people chew drugs that are designed to be swallowed, it not only affects the efficacy of the drugs but also worsens the degree of their side effects. Experts say for several reasons some tablets shouldn’t be crushed or chewed. “Most importantly, doing so may result in dose dumping; this is when the body very quickly absorbs a large amount of a drug. One consequence of dose dumping is an overdose of the drug, which can lead to death”, according to pharmacists. A former National President, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Adekola, said people should take drugs based on instruction by a pharmacist and not by their own choice. According to him, chewing or swallowing drugs without water affects their dissolution in the stomach as well as their absorption in the small intestine, thereby making them less effective. Adekola, who spoke in an exclusive interview with PUNCH HealthWise said chewing enteric-coated drugs could aggravate their side effects such as ulcers because they were not meant to be chewed. The pharmacists explained, “The essence of using water to swallow drugs is to ease transportation to the stomach where they will dissolve and then to the small intestine where the absorption occurs. “The pH of the stomach is acidic, so there are certain types of drugs like septrin that require plenty of water when taking them. If you are going to swallow drugs, particularly capsules without water, you run the risk of the drug sticking on the throat and it can cause choking. “Apart from water-aiding transportation of drugs to the stomach, failure to use water to swallow drugs affects their dissolution in the stomach and this can create another problem.” The United Kingdom’s Royal Pharmaceutical Society says it is important to recognise the potential consequences of manipulating a medicinal product. According to the body, changing how a dosage form is presented can alter its absorption characteristics, result in medicine instability, produce local irritant effects, and cause failure to reach the site of action. “It may produce occupational health and safety issues and could result in a preparation with an unacceptable taste”, the body added. Adekola further noted that chewing tablets without water also had its implications though they were meant to be chewed. “Now, when you chew, it just disintegrates, the drug has not dissolved. So, it still has to be transported to the stomach with water where the proper dissolution will take place. “ This dissolution of the drug will be hampered if not taken with water”, he said. Giving further insight, the pharmacist noted, “If the drug is not dissolved, it can not be absorbed. Drugs depend on water for dissolution. It is going to hamper the dissolution. Note that after chewing the drugs, some are left in the mouth, and at the end of the day, you are not going to have a total component of the drug delivered to the stomach. “It’s only those that the saliva can push to the stomach that will be available for absorption. This can affect the efficacy of drugs and the patient may not get the full concentration. “Every drug has a percentage that should get into the system for it to be effective. If drugs are stocked in the mouth after chewing, some percentage of the drugs will not get to the stomach where they are supposed to be absorbed.” Adekola said the risks of chewing drugs are more with certain enteric-coated drugs that usually cause problems when they get to the stomach. “ If they get to the stomach, they tend to create problems like ulcers, for example, aspirin. We still try to use these drugs because of their usefulness. “Sometimes, one of the ways that they are being formulated is to make them enterically coated. What that means is that they are protected and shielded from the stomach acid. So, they are allowed to only disintegrate after they leave the stomach. “When you swallow them, they will not dissolve in the stomach compartments rather they will still be transported down to the small intestine before the dissolution will take place. That way, you will overcome the side effects of induction of ulcers. “Now, if you chew them despite the fact that they are bitter, you are aiding their disintegration and dissolution, thereby increasing the chances and degree of their side effects”, he said. The pharmacist reiterated that enterically coated drugs are not expected to dissolve even in the stomach and therefore, cannot be chewed. He advised patients to be rational about drug use and to always take drugs based on prescriptions and instructions from healthcare professionals. Also speaking, another community pharmacist, Biola Paul-Ozieh, blamed the irrational use of drugs on unrestricted access to medicines which she added contributed to the increase in drug abuse among teenagers in the country. She said, “Parents and guardians have a role to play in ensuring that young Nigerians do not abuse drugs because it predisposes them to chronic diseases. They should ensure that all medicines are bought from pharmacies with the ‘Green Cross’ pharmacy emblem where they will be guided on the usage.” Meanwhile, Sheila Rivera, a pharmacist with Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Centres, United States, Trexie Olivar, warns that ‘dry swallowing’ medication can pose a potential choking hazard, and that there are other dangers to this practice that people might not even realize. “A pill making contact with the lining of the esophagus — the muscular tube that connects your mouth to your stomach — may cause tissue damage and inflammation,” Olivar stated in an online platform, Sharp Healthcare. This may cause difficulty swallowing, bleeding, heartburn, or chest pain, which may lead to more complications if left untreated. Almost any kind of drug can be harmful if not … Read more

NAFDAC Issues Warning To Nigerians About Recalled Nivea Roll-On Deodorant

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  The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has alerted Nigerians to the recall of Nivea Black & White Invisible Roll-on deodorant, 50ml labelled as providing 48-hour protection in African climates, following a warning from the European Union Rapid Alert System for Dangerous non-food products in Brussels. In a notice released on Thursday, NAFDAC stated that the product’s batch number is 93529610. “The recalled Nivea product is reported to contain 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde, a chemical prohibited in cosmetic products due to its potential to cause harm to the reproductive system, impair the health of an unborn child, and cause skin irritation and burns to users,” the agency explained. NAFDAC added that the product is manufactured in Germany with Bar Code Number 42299882. It advised importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to prevent the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the affected Nivea Roll-on with the specified batch. “Members of the public in possession of the affected batch should cease sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office. “Healthcare professionals and consumers are encouraged to report any adverse events experienced with the use of regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office, via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng, E-reporting platforms available at www.nafdac.gov.ng, or through the Med-safety application available for download on Android and iOS,” it added. Punch  

Makinde Set To Enforce Traffic, Waste Management, Street Trading Laws After 18 Months Of Sensitization

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  Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has stated that the state government is ready to enforce existing laws around traffic, waste management and street trading as contained in the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2023-2027, Section 6 tagged Rule of Law. The governor, who stated this in his newsletter released on Thursday, noted that after about 18 months of sensitisation, his administration will be taking action against anyone who is found to be running foul to these laws. He explained further that the Rule of Law Authority will be working with existing agencies to enforce the laws, urging the residents of the state for support and cooperation. “It is imperative to let our people know that we will be taking action against anyone who is found to be running foul to these laws, so that our actions are not viewed as something that is sudden. “The Rule of Law Authority will be working with existing agencies to enforce these laws. We ask for your usual support and cooperation as we take these steps that will further support sustainable development in our dear State,” Makinde stated. While saying that his government would be providing a sum of N500m as ‘enterprise support’ for youths trained in Nasarawa under the Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project (YEAP), he added that the First City Monument Bank (FCMB), which is partnering with his administration, would provide an additional N1 billion. “And now to the questions. I will answer questions from Temiloluwa, who asked for an update on youths trained in Nasarawa under the Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project (YEAP), and Samuel, who asked about our promise on intra-city rail as contained in our roadmap. “Regarding enterprise support for YEAP beneficiaries, I can confirm that we will be providing this next month. Our administration is providing N500 million for this purpose while First City Monument Bank (FCMB) which is partnering with our administration will provide an additional N1 billion,” he stated.  

Patients Struggle At UCH, Gates Close As Strike Disrupts Services

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  Following the seven day warning strike embarked on by Joint Health Workers Unions, JOHESU, patients at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan have appealed to government to negotiate with the Health Workers to end the Strike. The patients made the appeal while speaking with newsmen at the Hospital. Mr Matthew Ademola and Madam Aina Balogun said they couldn’t get medical attention at the Diagnosis centers as medical laboratory workers were not on ground to attend to them. It was observed that the entrance gate to some areas in the hospital were shut. In an interview, Chairman Joint Health Sector Unions, UCH, Mr Oladayo Olabampe said that the strike was only observed in Federal Health Institutions Mr Olabampe pointed out that their demands included the immediate upward review of CONHESS Salary as it was done to CONMESS in 2014, Tax Waiver on allowance, upward review of retirement age of health workers to 65 years and 70 years for consultant among others . Mr Olabampe who is also the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals in Oyo State noted that their demands is over due and if government failed to respond to their demands, the union would embark on indefinite strike. The Seven day warning strike commenced on Saturday last week .  

Oyo Government Kicks Off Measles Vaccination Campaign To Immunize Over 2 Million Children

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  The Oyo State Government, alongside UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), has kicked off an ambitious campaign to vaccinate over 2 million children against measles. The drive, aimed at protecting children aged 9 months to 5 years, will run from October 19 to 25, 2024, across the state. Dr. Muideen Babatunde Olatunji, Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, through his representative, Dr. Johnson Osoko, highlighted the urgency of the initiative. “Measles is an extremely contagious virus that can cause blindness, severe complications, and even death,” he warned. However, the measles vaccine has saved millions of lives worldwide, and this campaign will shield the state’s youngest from the disease. The vaccination effort will involve over 5,000 health workers, ensuring that even children in the most remote areas are reached. With more than a million doses of vaccine ready, Oyo State is well-prepared to curb the spread of this preventable disease before the dry season hits. In addition to medical logistics, the state government and its partners are rolling out a comprehensive Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) strategy. This initiative aims to educate parents and caregivers on the critical importance of the vaccine, dispelling myths and ensuring widespread participation. Community leaders, traditional rulers, and religious figures have also been enlisted to amplify this message. Dr. Paul Ajayi of WHO praised Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration for prioritizing immunization services, underscoring the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. He urged parents to seize this opportunity to protect their children. In their goodwill messages, the Chairman, Ibadan North, Hon. Oluwaseun Olufade and the concerned parent, Mrs. Akinleye Bolanle are joining the call and encouraging widespread participation in this life-saving campaign. They said, with a combination of health worker dedication, government support, and community involvement, Oyo State is set to make a significant impact in the fight against measles.

Oyo Gov’t,UNICEF Promote Handwashing Practices To Fight Diseases(Photos)

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  The Oyo State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Lagos Field Office have urged residents of the State to recommit to the practice of proper handwashing method. The Chairman, Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (OYORUWASSA),Mr. Babalola Afobaje stated this at an event in Okolo, Ibarapa-East Local Government to commemorate the Year 2024 Global Handwashing Day, with the theme “Why are Clean Hands still Important?”. He emphasised the life-saving importance of handwashing with soap, calling it a health necessity, that prevents the spread of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea and pneumonia. Afobaje noted that significant progress has been made by the government in promoting hygiene in Oyo State, through different efforts, with the support of UNICEF and other developmental partners. Afobaje therefore added that it is essential to maintain and improve handwashing practices beyond public health emergencies. He acknowledged the support of partners such as UNICEF and Sato Lixil in promoting health hygiene in Oyo State. The Chairman also called on the media to play a critical role in spreading the message of handwashing to nooks and crannies of Nigeria. “Each of us has a role to play in making handwashing a universal practice,” he said. “Handwashing with soap is an important prevention for sanitation-related diseases. It will prevent us in Oyo State, particularly Ibarapa-East local government from getting sick,” the Chairman noted. In his own words, UNICEF Water and Sanitation (WASH) Specialist, Mr. Monday Johnson stressed that Ibarapa-East local government is very key in handwashing campaign, adding that this is why the 2024 global event is celebrated in Okolo. Johnson said handwashing practice prevents disease outbreaks and reduces the impact of future pandemics. He also highlighted its role in combating pandemics and supporting efforts to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). The UNICEF Specialist acknowledged that some parts of Ibarapa-East still lack access to toilet facilities, adding that UNICEF hopes to end open defecation in Ibarapa-East local government very soon through the support of RUWASSA and Sato Lixil. He appealed to market men and women, teachers, parents and guardians to push for handwashing practices in their homes. The Director, Community Mobilisation and Hygiene Education, OYORUWASSA, Mr. Adegoke Ayodele called on parents and all stakeholders to key into the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target, which focuses on access to water and sanitation. He said parents and teachers must accelerate efforts to improve hygiene services in the State. “Help the Oyo State government amplify hygiene messages and inspire your children to take responsibility for their health and the health of others,” he said. Adegoke urged all stakeholders to take concrete actions to ensure universal hand hygiene. To commemorate the 2024 Global Handwashing Day on October 15, the Director, Environmental Health Services, Ibarapa East LGA, Mrs. Elizabeth Akintola demonstrated hand washing techniques in the presence of school pupils and parents present. The event was attended by the Vice-chairman, Ibarapa-East Local government, Hon. Olakunle Jacob, who led other members of the local government to the event. Also in attendance were the General Manager, OYORUWASSA, Mr. Mumeeni Adeduntan; Director Environmental Services, Ministry of Environment and Natural resources, Mrs. Bukola Areo; representative of Sato Lixil, Michael Adegbe; traditional rulers and residents of the town.

We Recorded 126 Emergency Incidents In September- LASEMA

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  The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, on Sunday, said it responded to 126 emergency incidents across the state in September. State, Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA) ranked highest with 18 out of the 126 incidents recorded in the state during this period. “This was followed by Ikeja LGA which recorded 16 incidents, Kosofe LGA recorded 14 incidents in third place, Eti-Osa LGA recorded 13 incidents in fourth place. “Ojo, Oshodi-Isolo, Mushin, and Shomolu recorded seven incidents each at the fifth place, just as Surulere LGA recorded six incidents in the sixth place. “Lagos Island and Apapa LGAs recorded five incidents each in seventh place, while Lagos Mainland and Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGAs both recorded four incidents each to occupy the eight position,” he said. He added that Ikorodu, Epe and Ibeju-Lekki LGAs recorded three incidents each at the ninth position, with outside Lagos boundary interventions recording two incidents. “Ifako-Ijaiye and Badagry LGAs both recorded one incident each at 10th position, however, Amuwo Odofin and Agege LGAs recorded no incidents during the period under review,” he said. Mr Oke-Osanyintolu said that yearly emergency trends in the last six years of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration showed that LASEMA attended to a total of 7,662 incidents. NAN

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  Oyo State Government is set to screen Three Hundred and Forty seven thousand, three hundred and four (347, 304) individuals as ‘Project 10 Million Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers’ commences in Ibadan. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi stated this at the unveiling of the Project 10 Million with the members of the State Executive Cabinet at the office of the Governor. According to the Commissioner, the Project 10 Million is a nationwide screening initiative, aimed at screening 10 million Nigerians for hypertension and diabetes across the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT within a 7 days period in October, 2024. Dr. Ajetumobi explained that the objective of the project is to screen 10 million Nigerians for hypertension and diabetes, promoting early detection, prevention, and control of cardiometabolic diseases, using the slogan – “Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers” She added that “knowing your vital health metrics empowers you to take timely actions and make the right decision concerning your health, while controlling them prevents complications that may arise from ignorance or neglect”. The Commissioner added that the screening will include blood pressure and blood sugar tests to detect hypertension and diabetes, alongside other anthropometric measurements that pertain to the health of the heart, blood vessels and general body metabolim processes. She stressed that the screening process is safe and uses standard, point-of-care testing. “The Nigerian Health Commissioner’s Forum is initiating the project and executing in partnership with professional bodies, developmental agencies, and Donors. Project 10 Million will utilize a team of trained healthcare workers who will visit various communities within each state. They will set up temporary screening stations at designated locations, making the screening accessible to the community”, she said. The Commissioner concluded that everyone aged 18 years and above are eligible for the screening and the screening is absolutely free. “This means that you do not have to make any payment for the registration as well as other services accessed during the screening exercise”. Dr. Ajetumobi said participants will receive their test results and counseling on the spot. People who have abnormal results will receive some first contact care or be referred to nearby government-owned health facilities for further evaluation, treatment and follow-up care, she said.  

Lagos Govt Sets To Ban Pure Water, Single-Use Plastics, Others

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  The Lagos State Government has announced plan to ban the circulation of single-use plastics and sachet water starting January 2025. The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed the upcoming ban during a stakeholders’ workshop on implementing the ban on Styrofoam and single-use plastics (SUPs) for packaging. The move is part of the government’s strategy to introduce policy guidelines for managing plastic waste, whose goal is to create a healthier and more sustainable environment. However, stakeholders have urged the government to consider a phased implementation rather than an outright ban. They believe this will ensure better compliance and ease the burden during current economic challenges. Mosaku Ololade, Chairperson of the Lagos chapter of the Association for Table Water Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP), emphasised the association’s willingness to cooperate with the government. “We’ve been engaging with the state government and educating our members on the planned ban,” Ololade said. She added that ATWAP has over 2,000 members in Lagos employing more than 10,000 workers and called on the government to phase in the ban to give businesses enough time to adapt. “There are many measures that need to be in place before full enforcement,” she noted. Recall that Lagos State had earlier banned the use of Styrofoam in government establishments and across the metropolis in January 2024. This decision followed the rising issue of plastic waste and its harmful effects on the environment.

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