Health

Today on World No Tobacco Day, we are reminded of the devastating impact of tobacco use on public health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco is responsible for the deaths of over 8 million people worldwide each year. This staggering number includes not only smokers but also non-smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke.

The history of tobacco use dates back centuries, with its harmful effects becoming increasingly evident over time. From the introduction of cigarettes in the late 19th century to the rise of mass marketing by the tobacco industry in the 20th century, tobacco use has become a global epidemic. Despite efforts to curb tobacco consumption through public health campaigns and regulations, the industry continues to target vulnerable populations, including children and adolescents.

Tobacco use has devastating health consequences, affecting nearly every bodily system. It increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and narrowed blood vessels, as well as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other respiratory illnesses. Smoking also impairs the immune system, damages the airways, and reduces fertility, leading to complications in pregnancy. Additionally, it causes gum disease and tooth loss, and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, mental health disorders, and cognitive decline.

The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) in 2018 revealed that at least 3.2 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 49 used tobacco, representing 3.4% of the population in that age group. While cigarette smoking remains the most common form of tobacco use in Nigeria, there are also emerging tobacco products that are not adequately reported.

The theme of this year’s World No Tobacco Day, “Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference,” underscores the urgent need to address the tactics used by the tobacco industry to lure young people into a lifetime of addiction. From flavored products to sleek packaging and aggressive marketing campaigns, the industry spares no effort in targeting the next generation of smokers.

To combat tobacco use, it is essential to educate and empower future generations to lead tobacco-free lives. The WHO emphasizes the need for robust policies to shield children from tobacco industry marketing and to prevent addiction. Governments and tobacco control advocates are urged to adopt policies that protect young people from the manipulative practices of the tobacco industry.

Quitting tobacco is challenging, but it is crucial for a healthier future. The WHO encourages young people to seek support and resources to overcome addiction. On average, it takes someone 30 attempts to stop smoking, but with the right help and motivation, it is possible to quit.

World No Tobacco Day 2024 serves as a reminder of the significant health risks associated with tobacco use and the need for effective policies to reduce consumption. By learning about the risks and supporting strong policies to protect children and decrease tobacco use, we can strive for a healthier future for everyone.

The federal government has issued a directive mandating that all federal tertiary hospital chief medical directors (CMDs) and medical directors (MDs) procure needles and syringes exclusively from NAFDAC-approved local manufacturers.

The directive, aimed at bolstering domestic production, was conveyed in a circular signed by the Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa, on Friday.

Dr. Alausa said the directive was necessary for the survivial of local pharmaceutical industries that produce needles and syringes.

According to him, many of the domestic companies have faced severe challenges, with several having ceased operations due to the influx of substandard foreign goods into the market.

Consequently, the directive seeks to curtail the importation of foreign-manufactured needles and syringes and promote patronage of locally manufactured products.

In line with the directive, NAFDAC has been tasked with ceasing the issuance of licenses for importing foreign needles and syringes.

Furthermore, companies involved in such importation activities will be delisted moving forward.

“All our tertiary hospitals are hereby directed to procure needles and syringes for your hospital needs from only the NAFDAC-approved local manufacturers,” Dr. Alausa said in the circular.

The approved local manufacturers include EL-Salmat Pharmaceuticals Company Ltd (Salmaject), HMA Medical Ltd (Deleject), and Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Ltd.

Additionally, Dr Alausa provided a list of distributors for the approved manufacturers across various states in the Federation to facilitate easy procurement processes for the respective institutions.

Some hoodlums, suspected to be repentant Boko Haram insurgents, have invaded a police station in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Tuesday, April 30.

The attack, leading reporters understands, was an attempt to set free their colleagues that were arrested earlier over alleged drug offences.

But Kenneth Daso, the Police Public Relations Officer in Borno State, who confirmed that there was an incident at the police station, said the assailants were repelled by officers on duty.

Daso said the security breach was heralded by an operation carried out by the police.

“On the 30/04/24 at about 1745hrs in a joint operation raid at the Kasuwar Fara, following an intelligence report that some drug peddlers, smokers, repentant and Boko Haram insurgents are indulging in nefarious activities, eight persons were arrested including seven male and a female in that operation with 476grams of illicit substances,” Daso said.

“As you know, such activities have been banned in the area by the state government since last year.

“Few hours after the arrest, some unscrupulous persons, so-called repentant Boko Haram, dressed up in military attire tried to invade our police station at Ibrahim Taiwo but were repelled immediately.

“Thereafter, they went and attacked Nigeria Immigration Service and NDLEA check points after the welcome to the township gate and they burnt it down,” he added.

Daso said a serious investigation is currently ongoing to unravel those who were behind the acts.

However, some eyewitnesses said the attackers, dressed in military camouflage and wielding cutlasses, forcefully gained access into the police station and whisked away some suspects.

“About 20 of the attackers forced their way into the police station and escaped with some of the detained members.

“They left some policemen on duty wounded; they also went on rampage attacking passers-by with cutlasses, before reinforcements by the CRACKS team arrived,” a source told DailyTrust.

Another witness said the police operatives in the station did their best to repel the attackers but were subdued.

“Some of the police operatives took to their heels but returned when reinforcements came. We were told that the actual suspects could not be freed, only some people at the counter escaped. It was a sad incident,” he said.

Residents in the area said they were scared by the development, saying the incident was a clear indication that Maiduguri is no longer safe.

Fanta Modu, who owns a restaurant around the area, urged the government to reconsider its approach to issues around the de-radicalisation exercise of the federal government.

At least 40 children have been reportedly killed in an outbreak of measles in Adamawa State, Northeast Nigeria.

Leading reporters learnt that the outbreak of the disease was recorded in the Mubi North and Gombi local government areas.

Sources at the state’s Primary Healthcare Development Agency told SaharaReporters that 23 deaths were recorded in Mubi, while 19 deaths were recorded in Gombi.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “So far, there are over 200 infected children; out of which 23 victims have been recorded in Mubi and 19 in Gombi.”

“There’s also a suspected polio case in Gombi. Right now, a team of medical workers has been discharged to the affected communities to tackle the two outbreaks,” another source said.

When contacted, the state health commissioner, Felix Tangwami confirmed the outbreak but said that “details, including mortalities will be given tomorrow at a press briefing to be addressed by the deputy governor”

The NAFDAC Investigation & Enforcement Directorate recently raided a facility at the Balogun Trade Fair Gate, Trade Fair Complex, where they apprehended Mr. Pius Effiong Eyoh, the owner of Pasco Global Limited.

Eyoh was found to be manufacturing, packaging, distributing, and selling a range of substandard and counterfeit cosmetic products, including items like “Skin Balance Perfect Knuckle Organic Peel Therapy” and “Golden Face Triple Action Concentrated Perfect Skin.”

The products were discovered to have false labels bearing French inscriptions and a Cameroonian address, an attempt to deceive unsuspecting consumers.

As a result of NAFDAC’s intervention, the illegal manufacturing premises have been sealed, and Eyoh has been arrested. The substandard products are now scheduled for destruction.

“This crackdown is part of our ongoing efforts to protect the health and safety of Nigerian consumers,” said Dr. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC. “We will not tolerate the production and distribution of fake and potentially harmful cosmetic products in our country.”

The agency has urged the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to the manufacture or sale of counterfeit cosmetics to the relevant authorities.

Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has met the bail conditions imposed on him by Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja and subsequently released.

Emefiele met the bail terms before the court closed on Friday, and he was released after the court proceedings.

Justice Oshodi had granted Emefiele, who is standing trial before him over allegations of abuse of office and fraud, $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion bail with two sureties in like sum.

The judge also directed that the sureties must be gainfully employed and have paid tax to the Lagos State Government in the last three years.

The court further directed that the sureties must show proper identification, and they must be registered in the Lagos State Bail Management System.

Emefiele’s co-defendant, Henry Isioma-Omoil, was also granted bail by the court.

Isioma-Omoile is to continue to enjoy the conditions of the N1 million bail, earlier granted to him by Justice Olufunke Sule-Hamzat of the Lagos State High Court sitting in the Yaba area of the state

Justice Oshodi, however, ordered that the bail documents must be transferred to the Special Offences Court and that they must also be registered in the Lagos State Bail Management System.

The defendants were accused of accepting gratification, accepting gifts through agents, corruption, and fraudulent property receipts.

He was also accused of conferring corrupt advantage on his associates contrary to the Corrupt Practices Act of 2000 in the charge filed on April 3rd by the EFCC Prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).

At the hearing on Friday, a prosecution witness, Monday Osazuwa, had narrated to Justice Oshodi how the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on different occasions directed him to collect the sum of $3 million cash in tranches.
Osazuwa, an employee of the CBN, also told the court that he collected the money from a businessman on behalf of Emefiele, who is accused of abuse of office and fraud of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.

While being led in evidence by the prosecutor, Osazuwa narrated to the court how he served as a dispatch rider in Zenith Bank and later joined the CBN running errands for the former CBN governor.

The witness told the court that he worked with Zenith Bank Plc as a dispatch rider till 2014 before he started working with the CBN.

Osazuwa said, “I joined the CBN in 2014 as a contract staff and became staff in 2015. I have known the first defendant since he was a Deputy Director of Zenith Bank, and he became Director. I have worked with him since then.”

Osasuwa said that he was later appointed a senior supervisor (full-time) to record and handle documents while working in the CBN Governor’s office in Lagos.

“I was still working in the governor’s office while I was appointed as a full staff, and we usually communicate through WhatsApp or email. I perform as a senior supervisor, recording and filing, with other official roles.

“When he called me, he directed that I call a businessman who gave me 11 million dollars on his behalf. Some weeks later, the first defendant also called me to go and see the man, and he gave me $850,000, $750,000 and $400,000 in cash,” he said.

Osazuwa further testified that he knew Dumies Oil and Gas Limited while in Zenith Bank and that the former governor, who was also the MD of the company, always sent him to collect cheques from one Monday.

The witness told the court that he always logged the money into the account of Dumies on the order of Emefiele.

Osazuwa also stated, “Whenever I receive the money and take it to the residence of Mr Emefiele, he always tells me to give it to the second defendant whenever he is not at home.

“I did not record transactions because the instruction was to collect and bring the money to his house. The highest amount I collected is $1 million in cash,” Osazuwa said.

The witness also told the court that the embattled former CBN governor had never rewarded him by giving him a part of the collected sum, saying, “He has never for one day said to take this. I have never been rewarded, paid or given anything.”

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) has announced a ban on the sale of Dex Luxury bar soap due to Butyphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA) content.

This was contained in a post on the Agency’s X handle on Thursday, April 11.

The post reads: “Public Alert No. 012/2024.Ban on the sale of Dex Luxury Bar Soap due to Butyphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA) content.”

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said that a total of 164 suspected cases of unknown illness and four deaths have been reported in six wards of Isa local government area of Sokoto State.

The director-general of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed this at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, said the affected wards include Bargaja (22), Isa North (17), Isa South (98), Tozai (12), Tsabre (4), and Turba (11). Unfortunately, four deaths have been recorded amongst the suspected cases.

He said, „The NCDC was notified by the Sokoto State Ministry of Health on March 21, 2024, of reported cases of children presenting with symptoms which include abdominal distension due to rapid onset of fluids in the abdomen (ascites), fever, vomiting and weight loss from Isa Local Government Area (LGA) of Sokoto State.

„Most of these cases are children aged 4 – 13 years, including some adults. The patients came from different wards and settlements across the LGA.“

Idris informed that two suspected cases are currently receiving care in Uthman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) in Sokoto and one case discharged on account of improved symptoms, adding that four other suspected cases are also on admission at the Isa General Hospital.

He said about 130 cases are also receiving care either within the Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) or home care in the affected LGA.

On the causes of the illness, the DG said initial clinical assessment and investigations of the cases admitted at the Teaching Hospital ruled out an infectious origin of this event, necessitating the need to search for other causes, including heavy metal testing.

Results of the initial test for heavy metals for the index and first few suspected cases, revealed different blood levels of lead (Pb) and Chromium (Cr).

Observed activities in the affected communities include mining, agricultural practices which involve the use of various types of chemicals and pesticides, the health-seeking behavior and practices of the communities which may be detrimental to people’s health.

„In this regard, various samples of materials have also been taken and dispatched for analyses, including blood, abdominal fluids, environmental samples like soil and water, locally grown food produce including vegetables and grains, substances and ingredients used for food and drinks, pesticides and chemicals used in local guns,“ he said.

The NCDC boss recalled that a similar incident was previously documented in 2023, also without a definitive diagnosis.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent hormonal disorder striking women during reproductive years, often commencing in adolescence. Characterized by hormonal imbalances, irregular periods, and ovarian cysts, PCOS poses challenges to fertility and overall well-being. While incurable, its symptoms can be managed through lifestyle adjustments, medications, and fertility treatments.

PCOS a significant public health problem and is one of the commonest hormonal disturbances affecting women of reproductive age. The condition affects an estimated 8–13% of women of reproductive age, and up to 70% of cases are undiagnosed.

Also it represents a significant public health concern, impacting millions of women globally, yet a substantial portion remains undiagnosed. Certain ethnic groups face heightened risks and complications, especially concerning metabolic health. The syndrome’s multifaceted effects, intertwined with obesity and infertility, can precipitate mental health struggles and societal stigma.

Symptoms

1. Irregular Menstrual Cycles: Women with PCOS often experience irregular periods, which may be heavy, long, intermittent, unpredictable, or absent altogether. This irregularity is typically due to a lack of ovulation.
2. Infertility: Anovulation, or the absence of ovulation, is a hallmark feature of PCOS, making it challenging for women to conceive.
3. Acne or Oily Skin: Hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS can lead to acne outbreaks and excessively oily skin.
4. Hirsutism: Excessive hair growth, particularly on the face or body, often occurs due to elevated androgen levels in women with PCOS.

Causes

1. Hormonal Imbalances: PCOS is characterized by disruptions in hormone levels, particularly androgens (such as testosterone), estrogen, and luteinizing hormone (LH), which influence various aspects of reproductive function.
2. Insulin Resistance: Insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to respond effectively to insulin, is common in women with PCOS. Elevated insulin levels can stimulate androgen production and disrupt ovarian function.
3. Genetic Factors:While the precise genetic mechanisms underlying PCOS remain unclear, there is evidence to suggest that the condition has a hereditary component. Women with a family history of PCOS or type 2 diabetes are at increased risk.
4. Puberty and Menopause:Hormonal fluctuations during puberty and menopause can exacerbate or unmask symptoms of PCOS, although the condition typically persists throughout reproductive age.

The World Health Organization (WHO) collaborates with member states and partners to tackle PCOS, emphasizing awareness, diagnosis, and treatment. Research initiatives seek to enhance infertility prevention and care, ensuring equitable access to healthcare services worldwide.

Polycystic ovary syndrome, a complex interplay of hormonal dysregulation and metabolic disturbances, poses significant challenges to women’s health and reproductive rights. Heightened awareness, coupled with comprehensive healthcare strategies, is essential in mitigating its far-reaching impacts and empowering affected individuals worldwide.