Health
PHC: Global Health Alliance supports Nigeria with $50m
The The Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI), a public-private health partnership with the goal of increasing access to immunisation in poor countries, says it will support eight states in Nigeria with $50 million dollars.
The Chief of Health, United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Mr Eduardo Celades, an organisation partnering with GAVI, said this in Abuja on Monday at the second bi-annual review health system in the country.
He said that the funds would be provided to states to improve their primary healthcare system.
The benefitting states are Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa, Gombe, Taraba, Niger and Bayelsa.
“We are working to support eight states by strengthening them for the next three years. The support is about 50 million dollars to lift up the states in their health system.
“We will also support these states with human resources, data, governance and supply chain, we expected that in the next three years, the states will have a robust sound health system to care for children and women.
“We are impressed about the health implementation support we have been giving to these states so far, we believe that their performance is good, and we are going to see the difference in the next couple of days,” he said.
Celades said about 1000 human resources had been hired over the last six months and a lot of procurement had been done to assist these states in strengthening their health system.
He disclosed that more than 14 vehicles and 70 motorbikes would be delivered to these selected states, adding that just only six months after the support kick-started in 2019, the states were already having impact.
According to him, the main challenge remained the capacity of the states to absorb and utilise the strength to get results, and that there were a lot of investments that needed to be used wisely.
He encouraged the states to focus on what was important to deliver services for women and children, especially in Bayelsa and Niger where floods mostly affected.
He said that health workers in the two states needed to work together to overcome the challenges and deliver services to women and children, adding that what was expected from the states was their commitment.
Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, Senior Manager, GAVI Health System Strengthening, said there had been a healthy utilisation of the funds that were made available to the states earlier.
He said that GAVI had been so much encouraged with the partnership from the states in spite of the pandemic that befell the country when the support was still at its earlier stage.
“We have been so much encouraged with the partnership from the states, even in spite of the pandemic that befell the country, the states were able to leverage on the opportunity they have.
“This commitment from the states also broadened the the scope of the engagement on what we design for the primary healthcare system.
“The whole programme started in 2019, the idea was to strengthen the health system particularly at the sub national level .
“GAVI is mandated with the task of immunisation globally; Nigeria is one of the countries with under immunised children and non immunised children.
“We decided to pilot this programme with eight states where we thought performance of immunisation was low; there are other states where there are no much presence of immunisation.
Dr Abu Dahiru, Commissioner for Health, Gombe, said the sate was fully participating in the GAVI programme, saying that it was an intervention that came timely to the state, considering the huge number of un-immunised children.
“For us, it is a very good partnership, the whole essence is to make a change in the health system, we will bring out children who are yet to be immunised and improve maternal health.
“We will do this with passion to see results; we have done the first line, we will see how we can change the narrative and improve performance in terms of immunisation and maternal care.
“440 health workers have been co-opted into the system at the primary level, we took in midwives and community health extension workers, junior community health extension workers.
“We will deploy them to facilities that have no Routine Immunisation Coverage (RI) and with this we hope to get a difference,” Dahiru stressed.
He said that the state government had a sustainable plan for Primary Health Care (PHC), adding that with the support of the governor, the health sector in the state was beginning to have a new look.
In commemoration of the 2023 Breast World Cancer Awareness Month, the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA) under the leadership of its National President, Architect (Mrs) Rakiya Abubakar has joined other well-meaning individuals, corporate and government entities worldwide to beam attention and raise awareness about the ravaging disease.
To commemorate this year’s awareness month, the Association organised a one-day health walk, lecture and free cancer screening exercise in Abuja earlier today, 7 October 2023.
Speaking at the lecture with the theme, “Routine Checkup, a Panacea for Early Detection,” Architect (Mrs) Rakiya Abubakar disclosed that in 2020 alone, available statistics by the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed that about 78,899 cancer-related deaths were recorded in Nigeria while women often bear the brunt as breast and cervical cancers account for over 40 per cent of all cancer-related deaths.
These statistics were, according to her, disturbing hence the need to pay greater attention and create awareness on the benefits of early detection, which is critical to the survivability of cancer patients.
According to her, “Health experts have also noted that if cancer is detected early and in the localized stage, a patient has a high chance of survival. This is why NAFOWA has taken it upon itself to lend its voices towards creating awareness across our various barracks and communities.”
Architect (Mrs) Abubakar also announced the approval of free cancer screening for wives of Air Force personnel and other Services on 9 October 2023 as well as 50 per cent discount for others from 10 -17 October 2023 at the NAFOWA Cancer Screening Centre situated at NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and the former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Paulen Tallen commended the National President of NAFOWA for organizing the Breast Cancer Awareness Lecture and Walk which, she said, will no doubt draw attention to the dangers breast cancer poses to women in general.
She also expressed her satisfaction with the theme selected for the 2023 NAFOWA cancer awareness campaign, just as she emphasized the importance of routine medical checkups which allow for early detection of not only cancer but other ailments that can be detrimental to women in particular.
NAFOWA remains at the forefront of advocating for the well-being of women, youths and children. Aside its numerous poverty alleviation and empowerment schemes, it has, since 2008, established the NAFOWA Cancer Screening Centre which has continued to play a major role in the early detection of breast cancer among women.
Health
Speaker Abbas Appoints Dr. Jake Dan-Azumi as Chief of Staff , Mourns Professor of Medicine, Umaru Shehu,
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D has approved the appointment of Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi as his Chief of Staff.
The appointment, according to a press statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, takes effect from October 17, 2023.
Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi is to take over from Mr. Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart, the Acting Chief of Staff to the Speaker, who is taking another appointment.
Mr. Smart became the Acting Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives following the expiration of his tenure as the Chief of Staff to the Speaker in the 9th Assembly.
Until his appointment, Prof. Dan-Azumi was the Technical Assistant to the Director General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), National Assembly.
Jake Dan-Azumi is a professor of Political Science and Development Studies. He has extensive experience in development work focusing on democratic governance and public policy, parliamentary institutional strengthening, research, peace and security, human rights, conflict and peacebuilding and gender.
He previously worked as a Special Assistant to the President of the Senate, Sen. (Dr.) David Mark, GCON, between 2011 and 2014.
Prof. Dan-Azumi, who has over 14 years cumulative experience in the National Assembly system, is an expert in the design and delivery of parliamentary and democratic support programmes.
He holds a Doctorate Degree in International Development from University College London (UCL); MSc International Human Rights Law from Oxford University; a BA (First Class) from the University of South Africa, and a BA (First Class, Honours) from the University of Zimbabwe, where he was awarded the Book Prize for the Best Student.
His other qualifications include a Postgraduate Diploma in Research Methods from the University of Bradford, UK, among others. Prof. Dan-Azumi hails from Zing Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Meanwhile the Speaker has expressed sadness over the demise of a foremost academic and Professor of Medicine, Umaru Shehu, CFR.
The Borno Elders’ Forum had via a statement announced Prof Shehu’s demise on Monday morning at the age of 97.
Speaker Abbas lamented the scholar’s death at a time when Nigeria most needed his wealth of knowledge and experience to develop the health and education sectors.
The Speaker noted the sterling records of the late elder statesman while in service, urging the younger generations to emulate his virtues of discipline, dedication and hard work.
Speaker Abbas recalled with delight how the late Professor of medicine made Nigeria proud both at home and abroad.
He said Nigeria lost one of its finest academics and doyens of medicines, noting that the legacies of the late Prof. Shehu would live on.
Speaker Abbas commiserated with the government and the people of Borno State, while praying Almighty Allah (SWT) to grant the late Prof. Umar Shehu Jannatul Firdaus.
.. As Nurses, Midwives Lament Exclusion From 40 Per cent Pay Rise For FG Workers
“Nurses have suffered enough neglect and deprivation as front line workers in health sector,”
” NANNM is happy that civil servant salaries are increased, but would resist such exclusion for its members if steps are not taken regarding nurses pay rise”.
There are clear indications of possible unrest in the health sector nationwide if the parting 40% pay rise promised federal workers by President Muhhamadu Buhari does not benefit nurses and midwives in federal government hospitals, agencies. They are ready for a show down in a statement weekend lamenting their exclusion
According to the National Association Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Federal Health Institution (NANNM-FHI) sector, they decried the exclusion of its members in the recent 40 per cent pay rise for federal workers.
The association expressed its displeasure in a statement issued by Mr Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, National Chairman, NANNM-FHI sector, to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.
Rilwan said the attention of nurses and midwives in FHI of Nigeria has been drawn to the commencement of 40 per cent peculiar allowance pay rise for workers in the Federal Government establishment with outright exclusions of its members.
He described the exclusion as an aberration and attempt to cause problems in the system.
He said that nurses and other health workers have been calling for salary adjustment since 2016, with several committees set up to this effect.
Rilwan said the committees are yet to see the light of the day with their report.
The national chairman recalled that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, had earlier said before the payment that the pay rise was to justify the current economic reality of the country.
Rilwan quoted Ngige as saying that, “the pay rise for Federal Government workers was to cushion the effects of inflation, rising cost of living, hike in transportation fare, housing and electricity tariff.”
He said that the federal government had no justification to exclude some sections of civil servants, especially in the health sector from the pay rise since everyone, including the workers patronise the same market and pay same bills.
He said the action was also coming when there is mass exodus of nurses and midwives out of the country for greener pastures with aftermath effect of increase workload on the few nurses on ground.
Rilwan said, “Instead of motivating those health workers, who have agreed to stay in the country to salvage the health system by this pay rise, the best thing government could do was to exclude nurses.
“The last time Consolidated Health Salary Scale (CONHESS) was adjusted was in 2010 and most of the allowances due to nurses were being short paid, for instance 30 per cent shift allowance with less than 10 per cent being paid to nurses.
“Many things are causing agitation, including Nurses Special Salary Structure.
“However, we are just getting the news this weekend and we are studying the situation while consultation with relevant stakeholders is ongoing, especially our parent body.
“But the fact is that our members are not happy with the exclusion and we cannot continue keeping quiet.
“Nurses have suffered enough neglect and deprivation as front line workers in health sector,” he said.
Rilwan said that NANNM is happy that civil servant salaries ere increased, but would resist such exclusion for its members if steps are not taken regarding nurses pay rise.
He said that the nurses association had remained calm over time despite the series of neglect and government had been taken that for granted, but this time around, it was not easy calming members down as they are ready to take action.
The national chairman, FHI sector, said that NANNM would resist any form of deprivation in the health sector, especially in the area of remuneration, training and policy making.
Courtesy NAN.. Headline, First paragraph changed
