GOOD HEALTH DETERMINED BY GENETICS, LIFESTYLE - DOCTOR

Dr Casey Nwachukwu of Wuse General Hospital, said the health of every individual depended highly on genetics and supported by his lifestyle.

Nwachukwu explained in Abuja on Sunday that a lifestyle of clean eating and physical fitness was required to support the genetics in ensuring good health.

Mr Akinwunmi Ambode dedicates birthday celebration to fight against cancer through #GivingTuesday

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has concluded plans to dedicate his Birthday on June 14, 2016, towards advancing the fight against cancer, just as he appealed to his family members, friends, political associates and well wishers wishing to place congratulatory messages on his birthday via newspaper adverts or other platforms to instead channel same to the cause.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the Governor would on Tuesday, June 14, participate in a ‪#‎GivingTuesday‬ event being pioneered by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria), a group in the forefront of the war against cancer.

To Reduce the risk of Food Poisoning, There's a Mobile App for That

USDA product helps consumers track expiration dates

There are apps for maps, restaurants and calorie-counting. Now, there's even one from the U.S. government for reducing your risk of food-borne illness.

The FoodKeeper -- free from the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- is available for Apple and Android devices. It enables users to set up automatic notifications when foods and beverages are nearing the end of their recommended storage dates.

Showing how foods and beverages should be stored in the refrigerator, freezer and pantry, the app helps people select storage methods that extend the life of more than 400 items. These include baby food, dairy products, eggs, meat, poultry, seafood and produce, according to the USDA.

10 FACTS ABOUT SCHISTOSOMIASIS DISEASE

Schistosomiasis disease, also known as bilharzia, snail fever, and Katayama fever, is a disease caused by parasitic flatworms of the Schistosoma type. It is transmitted by contact with contaminated fresh water (lakes and ponds, rivers, dams) inhabited by snails carrying the parasite. Swimming, bathing, fishing and even domestic chores such as laundry and herding livestock can put people at risk of contracting the disease.

The disease is especially common among children in developing countries as they are more likely to play in contaminated water. Other high risk groups include farmers, fishermen, and people using unclean water during daily living.

Female Doctor Assaulted By Male Military Officer #JusticeforDrTheresa

#JusticeforDrTheresa

We feel obliged to inform you of a disastrous and mind troubling incident. Dr Theresa is a Senior Registrar 1 in the department of Psychiatry of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (Ile-Ife). She is a very gentle, easy going, ever smiling and hardworking resident doctor.

This incident occurred at her residence in the early hours of Thursday 25th February 2016 in her service apartment building situated outside the hospital where she resides. Dr. Okpara, [A Wing Commander in the Nigerian Air Force] who is a resident Doctor in the Dept of Community Medicine in the same hospital where Theresa works also resides in that compound.

6 Early Warning Signs Of Ovarian Cancer Diseases

Often referred to as the “silent killer,” Ovarian cancer is universally feared as it presents very few symptoms.  By the time it’s noticeable, it’s usually too late, with only 20% of cases being detected early enough to treat.

Thankfully, the disease isn’t invisible.  Here are six early warning signs to watch out for.

1. A Swollen Stomach
Ovarian cancer causes internal inflammation, which can become visible.  Of course, there are many reasons for a swollen stomach, such as Burger King, being a couch potato, or receiving a visit from the stork.  Only be concerned if you’re ballooning for no reason.

No Antibiotics for Colds, Sore Throats

Two doctor groups are reminding physicians to use antibiotics sparingly this cold and flu season.

The American College of Physicians and the CDC urged doctors not to dole out antibiotics for colds, sore throats, bronchitis, and sinus infections that aren't complicated, according to guidance published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

"Reducing overuse of antibiotics for acute respiratory tract infections in adults is a clinical priority and a high-value-care way to improve quality of care, lower healthcare costs, and slow or prevent the continued rise in antibiotic resistance," Wayne Riley, MD, MPH, president of ACP, said in a statement.

FG Blames Govs as Lassa Fever Hits 17 States

The Federal Government has blamed poor response from state governments for the spread of Lassa fever from 10 to 17 states in the country.

The Federal Government accused some states of hiding some suspected cases in their states while some others failed to take proactive measures to follow up patients.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said this in Abuja during the emergency National Council on Health meeting on Lassa fever outbreak on Tuesday.

Adewole, identified Ebonyi State as one of those that did not inform the Federal Government about some cases.

Lassa Fever Killed a 65 year Old Woman in Delta State

Asaba -The outbreak of Lassa fever which has been ravaging some parts of the country, has claimed the life of a 65-year-old woman who was diagnosed with the illness in Delta State.

The victim, who was first admitted at St Joseph Hospital, Asaba and later referred to the Federal Medical Centre, in the city, gave up the ghost after doctors battled in vain to save her.

The woman whose identity was unknown at press time, reportedly hailed from Ifiogwari village, Ayamelunu, in Anambra State.

Lassa fever: Resident Doctors Demands Improved Rapid Response

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called on government to improve existing response mechanism to ensure rapid response in cases of disease outbreaks in the country.

Dr Muhammad Askira, President of the association, made the call at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja on the recent outbreak of Lassa fever.

Askira said the disease had so far claimed 43 lives in 10 states and the FCT Abuja.

He decried the emergency response arrangement set up by the government to tackle outbreak of any epidemic of this nature.

Askira said that such outbreaks do not require ad hoc arrangements or committees; rather, there should be an existing strategy to cushion.

60 Million Poor Nigerians To Enjoy Free Medical Care

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has given the assurance that 60 million poor Nigerians will enjoy unfettered medical care under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration within the next two years.

The Minister who said this during his visit to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, added that 10,000 health facilities would be built in 774 Local Government across the country for effective service delivery to the people.

While promising that the government would pay them their dues, Prof. Adewole also advised all health workers not to see strike as the only option for negotiation.

Heartbreaking video shows what happens to babies born addicted to drugs

AdClorissa sorted her life out while she was pregnant with Braxton — but her first child was taken away. Picture: Reuters

Six-month-old Braxton Jones shakes uncontrollably after being born dependant on methadone — the drug mum Clorissa was using to ween herself off heroin.

The tot has been forced to overcome withdrawal symptoms such as tremors and oversensitivity, and still has trouble feeding.

He is one of more than 130,000 children born hooked on drugs in the US in the past decade.

Clorissa has now been enrolled in a hospital program for mums battling addiction in Baltimore, Maryland.

She said: “I know Braxton saved my life in the fact that I was able to stay clean through my whole pregnancy and I’m still clean right now.

#LASSA UPDATE: Stop Consuming Soaked Garri; Medical Workers Union Warns Nigerians. . .

The Medical and Health Workers Union, Lagos State council, on Saturday, said that it would embark on public enlightenment to discourage drinking of garri for now to prevent Lassa fever.

According to Mr Razak Adeofalade, Chairman of the union, the house rats that caused Lassa fever are mostly in contact with Nigerian most staple food, garri, a cassava product.

“We are going to encourage members of the public to stop drinking garri at this moment, it is better that the cassava flour is utilised for ‘eba’ because of the use of hot water.

We are waging total war and that is: ‘War against Rats,’ and that is what we are going to do to ensure we do not have another victim of Lassa fever in the state.

We will also be telling them to ensure that their fruits and raw vegetables are properly washed if they must be consumed raw and cook to the appropriate temperature.

Lagos State Experiences first case of Lassa fever in LUTH

There's report reaching us that the 1st case #LassaFever in Lagos has been confirmed in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital #LUTH today

It is reported that the case, which was diagnosed at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, involves a 25-year-old student from the Ahmadu Bello University.

This was disseminated by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of the teaching hospital; "The first confirmed case of Lassa fever now in the Accident & Emergency unit. Patient isolated, containment area being devised, ribavirin available. No need to panic. But limit movement to A&E if not necessary. Our trained staff on ground. More info soon."

The patient is said to have been admitted first at a private hospital in Ojokoro area of Lagos State.

According to the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, the patient is responding to treatment.

Please #ProtectYourself

UK Doctors go on Strike Over Changes to Contracts

Tens of thousands walk out over government proposals to amend contracts that doctors say will remove safeguards.

Tens of thousands of junior doctors have gone on strike in England over government plans to amend their contracts, the first walkout of its kind in 40 years.

The move on Tuesday follows months of negotiations to avert industrial action between the British Medical Association (BMA), which represents the doctors, and the Department of Health.

The Lagos State to Probe Maternal Deaths in Public Hospitals

The Lagos State House of Assembly says it is worried about alleged high maternal mortality rate in government hospitals supposedly caused by personnel negligence, among other factors.

The Assembly added that it had put machinery in motion towards investigating the trend, with a view to finding a lasting solution to it.

The Chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Health Services, Olusegun Olulade, who said this on Friday, explained that his committee would pay scheduled and unscheduled visits to general hospitals in Lagos State in order to establish the truth of the allegation.

Olulade spoke while addressing a petition brought before the committee by Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, a non-governmental organisation with focus on supporting women’s sexual and reproductive rights.

Minister tasks Resident Doctors on Industrial Hamony

The Minister of State Labour and Employment, James Ocholi has called on Resident Doctors to support the Federal Government’s efforts at ensuring industrial peace and harmony in the health sector.

The minister stated this when he received an award of Ambassador of Conscience and Notary Personality from the Association of Resident Doctors FCT chapter in his office.

Speaking further, Ocholi reiterated the commitment of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to the promotion of decent employment and enhancement of welfare of the Nigerian workers.

Earlier in his remarks, the President of the Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria FCT chapter, Dr. Isaac Olubanjo Akere urged him to use his legal background to bear in the discharge of his responsibility as a minister in the labour sector.

Press Briefing on the Outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria by the Honourable Minister of Health.

Press Briefing on the Outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria by the Honourable Minister of Health - Prof. Isaac F. Adewole

I wish to begin this press briefing by wishing the citizens of Nigeria a Happy and Prosperous New Year, and to allay their fears on the current epidemic outbreaks of a Haemorrhagic Fever now confirmed by our laboratories to be Lassa Fever Viral Disease.

The public is hereby assured that the government and its partners, and other stakeholders are working tirelessly to address the outbreak and bring it to timely end.

It is important that I notify the nation through you, that in the last 6 weeks Nigeria has been experiencing Lassa fever (LF) outbreak which has so far affected 10 states. The States affected include Bauchi, Nassarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Gombe and Oyo States. 

The total number so far reported is 81 and 35 deaths, with a mortality rate of 43.2%. Our laboratories have confirmed 17 cases, indicative of a new roundtrip of Lassa fever outbreak.

The first case of the current outbreak was reported from Bauchi in November, 2015. This was followed by cases reported by Kano State, and subsequently the other states mentioned above.

THE BEATITUDES OF HEALTHY LIVING

The beatitudes of old were blessed up on a mountainside, but now you need not go up on a mountain to know this. All you need do is read and act, at the comfort of your home, office, wherever and whenever.

And these I speak unto you. . .

• Blessed are those who wash their hands regularly, for they shall be free from infections.

• Blessed are those who eat greens, for they shall keep their teeth.

• Blessed are those who exercise, for they shall lose weight and keep fit.

• Blessed are those who get adequate sleep, for they shall renew their minds and bodies.

Meet the World Oldest Sickle Cell Patient.

The oldest sickle cell patient in the world is a Nigerian, by name ASIATA ONIKOYI-LAGUDA, who celebrated her 90th birthday first of November last year.

She is a mother with 5 children and has gone to mecca 13 times.

Onikoyi was born in November 1925, at a time when the average life expectancy of people living with sickle cell disorder was just five years, but she has defied the odds to live up to 90.

She was born in the same year as Margaret Thatcher, first female British prime minister, Malcolm X, the African-American civil rights activist and Idi Amin Dada, Ugandan dictator, older than ‘all’ known (documented) sickle cell patients in the world.

As recently as 1973, the average lifespan for people with sickle cell disease was only 14 years.