Commission to spend N10m to fight skin cancer

Published

2 years ago

September 9, 2022

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) says it will spend N10 million in its fight against cancer among Persons With Albinism (PWA).

The Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Mr James Lalu, made this known when the Chief Executive Officer of Albino Foundation,Jake Epelle and his management team visited the Commission in Abuja.

“The Commission is willing to commit N10 million of its funds for the year to support fight against skin cancer for persons with albinism.

“The Commission’s partnership with the Albino Foundation will guarantee sustainability because whatever the Commission does with the foundation will be included in its budget going forward.

“This is so that whenever the foundation’s funded programme ends, the Commission will continue and inject it into its system.’’

Lalu, who presented a copy of the 2022 to 2026 strategic plan document to the foundation, said the Commission would ensure that the nation tapped from the potential of persons with disabilities.

He said this would culminate in inclusion of persons with disabilities in all areas of national development.

Lalu assured the foundation of his readiness to formalise the partnership and collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

He commended the Albino Foundation on the five strands of the European Union Disability Inclusion Project was championing.

He said that the project was a way of sending a message to the political leaders that persons with disabilities could participate in the system.

“Election vote-ability is something very important and sensitive to the disability community and we must demonstrate our voter capacity and capability in the nation today.

“Our proper participation in the political process is something that is very important to showcase the strength of the disability community for these politicians,” he said

Lalu expressed his commitment to collaborate with the foundation, especially in the area of data sharing for better information and planning.

He said that the Commission was working toward harmonising its common sign language into a national sign language and the expansion of the sign language dictionary.

He solicited for an MOU with the Albino foundation to enable the Commission identify its primary role and work towards achieving success on their programmes.

Epelle said the project was geared towards a more inclusive, participatory and representative democracy in Nigeria.

He said the foundation wanted to identify with the Commission on the strands of the project and emphasize that the Albino Foundation “is the face of disability in the European Union.

“We are doing this project not only by ourselves but guided by the Commission.

“So, we would be communicating with your team, briefing you every step of the way, asking for your open collaboration and partnership.”

Epelle urged the Commission to recommend sign language experts, who would work at the National Assembly.

He said the experts would be under the foundation’s payroll, using the existing project budget for a three years engagement.

According to him, the nominees will go through standard interview process using criteria that will be developed, making sure the right persons are hired.

Outbreak: Zamfara Govt. confirms 4 deaths, 177 cases

Published

1 week ago

May 10, 2024

NewsDirect

The Zamfara Commissioner for Health, Dr Aisha Anka has confirmed the outbreak of unknown illness in the state which recorded four deaths and 177 cases so far.

Anka confirmed this in a statement issued in Gusau on Friday by the Information Officer of the ministry, Malam Bello Ibrahim.

According to the commissioner, the disease is characterized by abdominal distension, accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, enlarge liver, enlarge spleen, fever and general body weakness.

“The illness is found in Maradun, Shinkafi and Gusau local government areas in the state.

“Children are mostly affected and the cases are associated with water consumptions.

“So far, four deaths have been recorded, 177 cases were detected,” Anka said.

“The incident has been reported to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), partners and all other relevant stakeholders.

“The ministry of health is currently on the emergency response phase to identify the illnesses and causes.

“Various biological human and animal samples, soil samples, water samples, agricultural and foodstuff samples have been taken to Lagos and Abuja laboratories for analysis.

“The ministry will continue to update the general public and all relevant stakeholders and partners on any update about the outbreak,”she added. (

Health

Assembly passes Kano Pre-Marital Health Screening Bill

Published

3 weeks ago

April 29, 2024

NewsDirect

Kano State House of Assembly has passed a bill for a law to compel intending couples to undergo HIV, hepatitis and sickle cell anaemia screening before marriage.

The passage followed deliberations in the Committee of the Whole House during plenary session,
presided over by the Speaker, Ismail Falgore on Monday in Kano.

After deliberations, the lawmakers approved the 3rd reading of the bill, read by the Deputy Clerk, Alhaji Nasiru Magaji.

Shortly after passage of the bill, the Majority Leader of the house, Lawan Hussein (NNPP-Dala), stated that “any person
intending to marry shall first submit self for medical examinations.”

He said the bill was considered and passed after the 3rd reading, following various legislative processes.

The leader further said that the bill was passed because the state had been battling with different health issues, including
HIV because people go into marriages without medical screening.

He said that the bill, if signed into law, would save many lives and curb the spread of life-threatening diseases.

“The bill will safeguard the health of citizens by institutionalising pre-marital testing to check the spread of diseases
like hepatitis, HIV and sickle cell anaemia,” he added.

Health

WHO to begin vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus May 27 in Kogi

Published

3 weeks ago

April 24, 2024

NewsDirect

The World Health Organisation (WHO), says it plans to commence vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) on May 27 in Kogi.

The state’s Team Lead of WHO, Dr Muktar Toyosi, said this when he led his team on an advocacy visit to the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Wednesday in Lokoja.

Toyosi said that the vaccination was meant for girl child of between the age nine and 14.

He said the ongoing sensitisation was to keep the people informed, and educate them on the vaccination of their children to protect them against cervical cancer in future.

”Kogi falls within the second phase of the programme. We are soliciting for the cooperation of the media in educating the people of the state on the HPV vaccination.

“There need for girls child across the state to take the vaccination to safeguard their future.

“Although the vaccine was initially scarce and difficult to get, the good news now is that it has been made available by the government,” Toyosi said.

Also speaking, the State Technical Assistant for WHO, Dr Ahmed Attah, said that the HPV mostly affect women, adding that the vaccination remained a preventive measure against the disease.

Attah, a former state Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and a former Chief Medical Director (CMD), Kogi Specialist Hospital (KSSH) Lokoja, urged parents and guardians to avail their children of the vaccination to justify government’s investment.

In his response, the Kogi NUJ Chairman, Mr Seidu Ademu, described the health sector as very critical, stressing that the vaccination was a right step in the right direction.

Ademu promised a robust partnership with WHO to enable the team to achieve its set goals.
He stressed the need to inform, educate and sensitise the general public on the need to embrace the vaccine by ensuring that girls within the age range were vaccinated.