NAFDAC has shut eight bakeries and seven sachet water factories in Bauchi State for failing to meet its stipulated manufacturing and hygiene standards. Some of the factories, located in Bauchi and Katagum local government areas of the state, were not even registered with NAFDAC. NAFDAC Coordinator in Bauchi State, Mrs Josephine Dayilim, said that the facilities were shut on Friday. She explained that while some of the shut factories did not meet the minimum requirements to operate, others were not registered by NAFDAC as required. “NAFDAC has visited Azare and Bauchi communities to sensitise residents and create awareness on issues…
Author: Bolaji Ajayi
Like a wild fire, the latest outbreak of Diphtheria in Nigeria has spread to 105 Local Government Areas across the country, killing 453 children as of 24th of September, 2023. Diphtheria, caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae, is a vaccine-preventable disease covered by one of the vaccines provided routinely through Nigeria’s childhood immunization schedule. Confirming the situation in its latest update on the Federal Government’s response to the outbreak, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, and National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, explained that 5,299 [73.6 per cent]) of the confirmed cases…
Country Director of Sightsavers Nigeria, Dr Sunday Isiyaku, tells LARA ADEJORO why it is important for Nigeria to eliminate trachoma, said to be the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness What is trachoma? Trachoma is one of the oldest diseases known to humans. Bronze Age forceps for depilation, thought to have been used to remove affected people’s eyelashes, have been found in modern Iraq and the disease was common in Ancient Egypt with treatments discussed in the Ebers Papyrus written more than 3,500 years ago. Trachoma is the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness. It is the reason that about 1.9…
Mothers have been warned by paediatric experts to desist from giving water to fully breastfed babies, noting that it can cause a medical condition known as ‘newborn water intoxication’ and also overburden their developing stomachs. They said all the nutrients required to nurture an infant are contained in breast milk, adding that it is the only natural fluid appropriate for their development, especially when under six months. According to the experts, water can lead to hyponatremia (when sodium level in the blood is below normal), and that such development will disturb normal gastrointestinal maintenance in a baby’s body. Speaking with…
Thumb sucking is a natural, reflex behaviour among infants that helps to soothe and make them learn to accept nourishment, however, experts say parents should have cause to worry when their babies continue to thumb-suck after developing permanent teeth. According to them, at this point, the thumb-sucking habit, if not stopped, might affect the roof of their mouth (palate) and expose them to the risk of having poorly arranged dentition and speech disorders. They explained that because thumb-sucking affects the development of the teeth, jaw, and palate, the habit can also change how the child eats and speaks. The paediatricians…
In a recent study published in Nutrients, researchers conducted a systematic review to consolidate recent evidence on the preventive benefits of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) on disease risk factors. Mediterranean diets are plant-origin diets enriched with vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and moderate portions of fermented dairy products and fish, and are crucial for preventing chronic diseases. EVOO, a common ingredient in the Mediterranean diet, has been linked to a lowered risk of various chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cerebrovascular accidents, metabolic syndrome, cognitive function decline, and colorectal and breast tumors. EVOO intake can…
President Bola Tinubu has been urged by stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector to extend the State of Emergency declared on food security to indigenous medicine. The stakeholders spoke on Tuesday at a three-day pharmaceutical training themed: “Nigerian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Quality Improvement and Capacity Building (part 2),” which was held in Lagos. They said indigenous medicine and agriculture cannot be separated, adding that such proclamation would be beneficial to the development of the nation’s pharmaceutical industry. The guest speaker, Professor Martins Emeje, who urged pharmacists to domesticate the training that they acquire in other countries, explained that pre-qualification training and indigenous…
Know where to draw the line There is a clear line between acceptable and unacceptable behavior, and that line can be different for different parents depending on their social, cultural, or even historical context. What really matters is, knowing where YOU draw the line: What is respectful behavior? What is not? What is normal behavior for a pre-teen? What do you consider to be hurtful, dangerous, or inappropriate? Clearly differentiating between normal and genuinely problematic behavior is the first step in the battle against inappropriate behavior. The second step is having clear consequences in place when your child crosses that line: Will…
LUTH, WHO seek elevation of patients voices to improve satisfaction, health outcomesWorld Patient Safety Day 2023 was observed on September 17 under the theme “Engaging patients for patient safety”, in recognition of the crucial role patients, families and caregivers play in the safety of health care. Evidence shows that when patients are treated as partners in their care, significant gains are made in safety, patient satisfaction and health outcomes. By becoming active members of the health care team, patients can contribute to the safety of their care and that of the health care system as a whole. Through the slogan…
Whether you’re listening to your friend tell you about their day, or sharing a story with your mom, it can be hard to hold an entire conversation without getting interrupted by your child. They may feel that waiting for their turn to talk lasts an eternity (even if it’s only three minutes). And their impatience may cause them to insert themselves into the conversation. While you can’t expect your preschooler to sit quietly through an hour-long tale, teaching kids not to interrupt is an important social skill. Children who understand how to politely enter into a conversation—instead of talking over…