no tobacco day

World No Tobacco Day: WHO commends Nigeria’s efforts to control usage

by with No Comment Africa HealthDIET & FITNESSNEWS

The World Health Organization (WHO) has commended tobacco control advocates in Niagara for the different roles they played in the global efforts to combat the adverse effects of tobacco usage

Speaking at the world  ‘No Tobacco day” in Abuja,  the W.H.O country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo  noted that “saying no to tobacco is saying yes to life”.

Read: FG set to implement new tobacco tax regime

According to WHO report, every year, tobacco production contributes 84 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the air,  and 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are discarded improperly every year, making it the single, largest type of litter in the world.

CSSUNN TRAINING

CS-SUNN Trains Over 200 Health Workers to Boost Under-5 Nutrition in Nigeria

by with No Comment DIET & FITNESSNEWSSocial / Inclusive Development

Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) says the nutritional status of the Nigerian child has received a boost with the successful training of over 200 Community Health Influencers, Promoters and Services (CHIPS), Community Volunteers (CVs), Supervisors, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Health Workers.

A statement from CSSUNN revealed that the training which was done in Gombe state was a collaborative effort with the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED) and other consortium members.

The trainees were said to have been brushed on quality delivery of the 7 Basic Package Nutrition Services (7BPNS) and the use of the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) Mobile Application for data collection.

“The 7BPNS are; Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN), Vitamin A Supplementation, De-worming exercise, Micronutrient Powders, Zinc/Low-osmolarity Oral Rehydration Salts (LO-ORS), Iron- Folate Supplementation and Intermittent Preventive Treatment with Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine (IPTPs).

“The 3-days training held recently in Gombe state is implemented under the (ANRiN) project; a 3-year project aimed at improving the nutritional status of under 5 children, adolescent girls and pregnant women through the provision of Basic Package of Nutrition Services to communities in 62 wards of 6 Local Government Areas (Gombe, Billiri, Kaltungo, Balanga, Yamatu-Deba and Shomgom) of Gombe state”, the statement read in part.

NHED-ANRiN Nutrition Specialist, Olufunmilayo Adebambo, was quoted in the statement as saying that the effective delivery of the 7BNPS requires equity with a focus on the under-served (reaching out to right beneficiaries in the community), quality delivery of services leveraging on existing structures, efficient management of supplies, rigorous data management and community engagement.

The Nigerian Orthopaedic Association (NOA) says 1.5 million Nigerians suffer from arthritis, while 350 million people are affected globally. Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that causes pain and stiffness in joints, which can worsen with age. It is an umbrella term that encompasses the common disabling disorders that primarily or secondarily affects joints. It is also common as the age advances, although certain types may affect younger people as there are more than 100 types of arthritis. The President of the association, Prof. Kunle Olawepo, listed some signs and symptoms of the illness to include swelling, pain, stiffness, decreased motion and warmth and redness in the joint, among others in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday to commemorate the 2021 World Arthritis Day. He also listed risk factors to include; family history, age, previous injury to the joint (Trauma or infection) and excess weight. Olawepo said that untreated arthritis could lead to deformity, such as Bow and K-legs, shortened limbs, due to reduced length and bending of the spine. He, therefore, advised people to engage in regular exercise to improve motion and reduce weight. He appealed to government to provide relevant and appropriate investigative modalities at an easily accessible location throughout the country, provide health insurance to ameliorate the cost of expensive investigations, and treatment. He noted that the treatment should include medication and interventions like joint repair, joint fusion and joint replacement surgeries. The World Arthritis Day, declared by the World Health Organisation is annually celebrated on October 12 since 1996 to raise awareness on the health condition and ease the struggles of people suffering from the disease. “The theme for this year’s commemoration is: “Don’t delay, Connect Today”, aimed at drawing attention to seeking early care, leading to appropriate early diagnosis and proper treatment and medical management of the condition.

1.5 Million Nigerians Suffer Arthritis, 350 Million people Affected Globally

by with No Comment DIET & FITNESSNEWS

The Nigerian Orthopaedic Association (NOA) says 1.5 million Nigerians suffer from arthritis, while 350 million people are affected globally.

Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that causes pain and stiffness in joints, which can worsen with age.

It is an umbrella term that encompasses the common disabling disorders that primarily or secondarily affects joints.

It is also common as the age advances, although certain types may affect younger people as there are more than 100 types of arthritis.

The President of the association, Prof. Kunle Olawepo, listed some signs and symptoms of the illness to include swelling, pain, stiffness, decreased motion and warmth and redness in the joint, among others in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday to commemorate the 2021 World Arthritis Day.

He also listed risk factors to include; family history, age, previous injury to the joint (Trauma or infection) and excess weight.

Olawepo said that untreated arthritis could lead to deformity, such as Bow and K-legs, shortened limbs, due to reduced length and bending of the spine.

He, therefore, advised people to engage in regular exercise to improve motion and reduce weight.

He appealed to government to provide relevant and appropriate investigative modalities at an easily accessible location throughout the country, provide health insurance to ameliorate the cost of expensive investigations, and treatment.

He noted that the treatment should include medication and interventions like joint repair, joint fusion and joint replacement surgeries.

The World Arthritis Day, declared by the World Health Organisation is annually celebrated on October 12 since 1996 to raise awareness on the health condition and ease the struggles of people suffering from the disease.

“The theme for this year’s commemoration is: “Don’t delay, Connect Today”, aimed at drawing attention to seeking early care, leading to appropriate early diagnosis and proper treatment and medical management of the condition.

Screenshot_20211011-100134_Chrome

NAFDAC Recalls Infant Formulas Manufactured by US Based Company

by with No Comment DIET & FITNESSNEWS

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians to stop the consumption and distribution of infant formulas manufactured by Able Groupe, a US based company.

The infant formulas from the company were said to have insufficient iron levels and did not meet up with other requirements of the US Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA).

A statement issued by the NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, disclosed that the agency had received information from the US-FDA on the recall of certain infant Formulas.

She said that the recalled products were sold under the brand names HIPP, Holle, Bioland and Kendamil, adding that they were recalled because the required pre-market notifications for these new infant formulas had not been submitted to the FDA.

The agency has therefore advised the public to report any issue relating to these infant formulas to NAFDAC PRASCOR.

use of dietary supplements

NAFDAC Warns Against Use of Dietary Supplements.

by with No Comment DIET & FITNESS

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against the use of dietary supplements produced by Miss Slim

The agency gave the caution in a public alert issued by its Director General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye in Abuja on Tuesday.

It noted that the agency had been informed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that “Palisades Park, NJ, HIS is voluntarily recalling all lots and all presentations of the products due to the presence of undeclared Sibutramine in the product.

It said the presence of Sibutramine in Miss Slim renders it an unapproved drug for which safety and efficacy has not been established and therefore subject to a recall.

The statement further said the products containing Sibutramine pose a threat to consumers because it is known to substantially increase blood pressure.

It said Sibutramine may also present significant risk for patients with history of Coronary Artery Disease, Congestive Heart Failure, Arrhythmia or Stroke.

NAFDAC, therefore, implored consumers to stop the purchase and use of dietary supplements produced by Miss Slim, adding that “members of the public in possession of the product are to handover to the nearest NAFDAC office.

The agency also called on patients to contact their physicians or healthcare providers if they have experienced any problems that may be related to using the product.

meat preservation

Scientist list Dangers of Eating Food, Meat Preserved with Chemicals.

by with No Comment DIET & FITNESSOPINIONS

A meat scientist at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, Dr. Isaiah Okere has warned against the use of chemicals for the preservation of meats and food items as he says they have negative effect on our health.

Dr. Okere who gave the advice in an interview on Monday in Ibadan said that chemicals such as formaldehyde or its derivative Formalin, used to preserve human corpses were sometimes used by some people to preserve meat and fish.

According to him, such chemical substances can lead to cancer affecting vital organs like the kidney, liver, and lungs.

He said that meat or fish preserved with Formaldehyde/Formalin could be easily identified as they were always stiff and odourless.

On meat preservation, Okere recommended refrigeration, stressing that typically refrigerated storage life for fresh meats is five to seven days.

He, however, said that with the erratic electricity supply situation, it was advisable to limit refrigerated storage to between two to three days.

He also said that smoking of meat as well as currying with mixture containing salt and other natural preservatives decreases the available moisture in the surface of meat products, preventing microbial growth and spoilage.

The meat scientist underscored the need to protect oneself by observing these precautions, adding that a good risk reduction measure, was to wash all food and meat thoroughly under running water to wash off the contaminant. (NAN)

CS SUNN

Nutrition: Niger Sets 2023 Target for One Nutrition Officer Per PHC – says Mohammed Asmau, State Nutrition Officer

by with No Comment DIET & FITNESSNEWS

– Kano, Kaduna, Lagos two others develop effective nutrition budget monitoring mechanisms.

Five states of Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa and Lagos now boast of properly coordinated sectorial policies, planning, programming and monitoring of nutrition budgeting and implementation.

This was revealed in Abuja by the Executive Secretary of Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria, CS-SUNN, Beatrice Eluaka while speaking to newsmen at the end of Project dissemination meeting for Partnership for Improving Nigeria Nutrition Systems, PINNS.

Eluaka noted that five of the states where the PINNS project was carried out experienced the creation of line budgets for nutrition; domestication of nutrition policies, multi-sectoral nutrition strategic plans of action; increased understanding and political commitment to improving nutrition situations by policymakers.

She explained that CS-SUNN and its partners are committed to sustaining support for PINNS states to provide mechanisms that will ensure probity and accountability for nutrition budget lines.

“I think we have made significant impact because when we came on board there were lots and lots of issues. For example, there was the National Committee on Food and Nutrition, and the idea going by the National Policy on Food and Nutrition was to replicate the national at the state levels.

“When we came on board these States’ Committees on Food and Nutrition were moribund, so to speak, because they were not clear on their roles and responsibilities. And so, when we came on board, that was one of the first things we did to get members to recognise their roles and responsibilities.”

Also speaking, the State Nutrition Officer for Niger State, Mohammed Asmau said the coming of PINNS to Niger state introduced enormous changes that have led to improvement of discussions around nutrition.

Mohammed explained that prior to the partnership with PINNS, Niger state had about 13 qualified nutrition officers to carter for nutrition related health challenges of entire state’s population, but the coming of PINNS has helped in increasing the number to over 30, with mechanisms already put in place to have a nutrition officer in every Primary Health Facility by 2023.

“Before the partnership with the PINNS project, there were many challenges with tackling malnutrition in Niger state. For instance, our budget used to be around 10 million around 2017, but we have consistently increased our state nutrition budget line to about 399 to 400 million naira.

“To tackle the lack of qualified nutrition officers in the state we have done a lot, right from mapping out the number of qualified officers available in the state to know the enormity of the challenge, to training non-nutrition officers in the state in order to imbue capacity in them. Having 25 LGAs in Niger state with the analysis we had, we are looking at having one nutrition officer in charge of an LGA, one in each secondary health facility and another one in every primary health facility by 2023.”

The Chairman Board of Trustees for CS-SUNN, Dr. Bamidele Davies spoke on the results achieved through nutrition advocacy; and the need for Nigerians to eat food like their medicines and not medicines as their foods.

“The malnutrition situation in Nigeria is responding. And the only way it can respond is if we have clear programmes, clear plans and we are able to fund our plans. If you have been following the nutrition budget in Nigeria you will find out that it has increased from what used to be 10 million to billions of naira.

“The PINNS project if you observed in the five states and counting, began with improving the policy environment, people need to be informed to be able to take informed decisions. Gone are those days when budget is just say, what we gave you last year was 10 million so this year because of inflation we will give you 12 million. We need to know what that 12 million will buy – what is it going to provide, how many children, how many women, how many men, how many lives is it going to touch.”

CS-SUNN however, observed among other issues that bureaucratic bottlenecks are a major challenge to achieving results in nutrition advocacy

Kayan-Mata-768x512

NAFDAC Arrest 24 Hawkers of Aphrodisiacs in Sokoto

by with No Comment DIET & FITNESS

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control NAFDAC has arrested 24 hawkers and retailers of unregistered aphrodisiacs sex enhancing herbal medicines in Sokoto.

NAFDAC’s Sokoto Cordinator Garba Adamu, on Wednesday said NAFDAC also impounded six vehicles and public address systems used in selling the products and some counterfeit medicines.

He said the consignment valued at about N2 million were seized in markets and on the streets of Sokoto metropolis.

He noted that the items confiscated would be subjected to tests and persons involved would be sanctioned to serve as deterrent to others peddlers.

Adamu said the exercise was in line with recent pronouncements by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, that hawking of herbal drugs under scorching sun could cause decomposition of their active ingredients risking users’ health.

He enjoined members of the public to be wary of what they consumed and monitor any unregistered item; desist from patronising the products and hawkers so as to support NAFDAC in safeguarding their health.

According to him, the agency’s officials intensified surveillance and inspection in Sokoto and Kebbi states to ensure quality of products and services.

He added that the operations would be sustained until the sector is sensitized and appealing to herbal medicine practitioners to always abide by government’s regulations in their practice and business in the interest of their patrons. NAN

NAFDAC promotes exclusive Breastfeeding among Nigerian women

NAFDAC Unveils BMS Code to Support Exclusive Breastfeeding

by with No Comment DIET & FITNESSNEWS

As a way of protecting mothers from aggressive marketing of breast-milk substitutes, the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday unveiled a document to support compliance to breastfeeding code implementation and Breast Milk Substitues (BMS) regulations in the country.

The unveiling ceremony which was done in Abuja at the 40th Anniversary of the International Code of marketing of BMS in Nigeria is with the theme “Implementing the BMS Code in Nigeria: Progress, Challenges and Opportunities”.

Speaking at the event, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said the BMS Code was an international health policy framework for breastfeeding protection and promotion adopted by the 3rd and 4th of the World Health Assembly (WHA) in 1981.

She said the code is to ensure safe feeding and better nutrition for infants and young children as the provision of the code recommended restrictions on marketing of BMS.

The NAFDAC DG who was represented by her Special Assistant, Gbenga Fajemirokun said the Code was developed as a public health strategy aimed at contributing to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants by promoting breastfeeding and to ensure proper use of breast-milk substitutes only when they were necessary.

Prof. Adeyeye added that “Nigeria, a member of the World Health Organisation (WHO) voted for code adoption in 1981 and is expected to implement all its provisions in the entirety as a minimum requirement and to translate it into national legislation, regulations and other suitable measures.

She said Nigeria as a country takes her international and national obligations very serious reason for the provisions of CAP M5 Marketing BMS Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as amended by Decree 22 of 1999.

This Act she said designated NAFDAC as the regulatory agency to implement, monitor and enforce the code in Nigeria noting that they will work collaboratively with all stakeholders and partners.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, on his part said discussions were on at the National Assembly to permit mothers to embark on six months maternity leave after delivery as he says this would also support exclusive breastfeeding.

Oloriegbe noted that Nigeria had not achieved its target as far as exclusive breastfeeding was concerned, adding that the environment had not been friendly to achieve that.

According to him, we must promote friendly environment for this initiative adding that a lot must be done to encourage this to meet our target.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said the ministry remained committed to improve survival of children, especially the ones under the age of five-year and maternal child care through various policies that would promote healthy living.

Represented by the Director of Family Health in the ministry Dr Salma Anas, the Minister said the ministry would continue to promote exclusive breastfeeding and other initiatives in the same direction.

He encouraged mothers to continue to breastfeed their babies in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that support mechanisms were on the way to encourage mothers.