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Over 82 Million Africans Untreated For Hepatitis, Says WHO

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has disclosed that more than 82 million people living with hepatitis in Africa do not receive the care they need in terms of testing and treatment.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, in a message to commemorate this year’s World Hepatitis Day 2023, says infection with the hepatitis B virus is preventable by vaccination, while doctors can now successfully treat hepatitis C, caused by the hepatitis C virus with antiviral drugs.

She further disclosed that hepatitis causes the breakdown of the liver’s normal structure, which prevents the liver from working correctly.

Dr. Moeti, therefore, called on countries and critical stakeholders to work towards scaling up hepatitis B immunization coverage to reach the globally agreed target of 90 per cent, particularly by introducing the hepatitis birth dose.

She said, “The theme for this year’s World Hepatitis Day, “One Life, One Liver” seeks to emphasize the link between viral hepatitis infection and liver inflammation—that is, liver injury and damage—and the broader issues of liver health and primary health care.

“Hepatitis B is commonly transmitted from mother to child during birth and delivery. Hepatitis B is also spread through contact with blood or other body fluids during sex with an infected partner, unsafe injections, or exposures to sharp instruments.

“Hepatitis C is spread through contact with the blood of an infected person by unscreened blood transfusions, sharing needles, and unsafe sexual practices that lead to direct exposure to blood.

“More than 91 million Africans are living with hepatitis. In 2019, an estimated 1.2 million new hepatitis infections and 125,000 hepatitis-related deaths occurred in the African Region. Deaths occur mostly among the young and productive segments of the population.

“WHO’s global hepatitis strategy, endorsed by all WHO Member States, and the Framework for an Integrated Multisectoral Response to TB, HIV, STIs, and Hepatitis in the WHO African Region aims to reduce new hepatitis infections by 90 per cent and deaths by 65 per cent by 2030.

“WHO supports regional and national efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030 by providing clear guidance for decentralized and simplified person-centered prevention, testing and treatment of viral hepatitis, including eliminating hepatitis B through birth dose vaccination (the day of birth or the day after).”

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Pistis Foundation Kicks-Off Ubomi 2024 Medical Outreach, Set to Reach 5,000 Beneficiaries

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The highly anticipated Ubomi 2024 Medical Outreach is in full swing, as thousands of Nigerians benefit from the comprehensive healthcare services being provided.

Running from September 30th to October 4th, 2024, the outreach has already made a significant impact, providing essential medical interventions to communities that lack access to quality healthcare.

Now on its second day, the outreach has seen a remarkable turnout, with residents from underserved communities receiving free consultations, medications, surgeries, and other specialised treatments. Beneficiaries have expressed gratitude for the support and life-changing medical services they are receiving.

“We are encouraged by the overwhelming response and the number of people who have come out to access the services we are offering,” said Godman Akinlabi, Founder and Board Chair of the Pistis Foundation. “We are committed to making every day count as we push forward to reach our goal of 5,000 beneficiaries. It’s a privilege to witness the positive transformation in the lives of those who would otherwise not have access to critical healthcare.”

L-R: Paul Umogbai, Partnerships Coordinator, Pistis Foundation; Mary Omange, Program Manager, Partnerships Engagement, Pistis Foundation; Godman Akinlabi, Founder and Board Chair, Pistis Foundation; and Leonard F. Thomas, Executive Director, Pistis Foundation; Sowari Akosionu, Partnerships & Communications Lead, Pistis Foundation; and Dr. Femi Owagbemi, Representative, Pro-Health International, at the Ubomi 2024 Press Conference, held in Lagos

The Ubomi Medical Outreach, now in its fifth year, has provided over 21,000 medical interventions and performed more than 700 surgeries since its inception. Each year, the outreach continues to expand its reach, thanks to the strategic support of partners and sponsors who share in the vision of equitable healthcare access for all.

The 2024 outreach is being conducted in partnership with Pro-Health International, a leading non-profit health organisation serving as the technical partner. A team of over 100 medical professionals is on the ground, delivering primary and tertiary healthcare services, including general consultations, eye care, dental services, laboratory tests, and complex surgical procedures—all at no cost to beneficiaries.

READ ALSO: EXPONENTIAL CONFERENCE 2024: The Elevation Church Empowers Over 1600 Ministers

“Every person we treat here today represents more than a statistic; they represent a story of hope and transformation. This year, we are performing surgeries for fibroids, hernias, cataracts, and other conditions that would have been otherwise unaffordable for these communities,” said Dr. Iko Ibanga of Pro-Health International. “It’s an honour to be part of an initiative that is restoring health and hope to so many.”

In addition to Pro-Health International, the Ubomi 2024 outreach is supported by a diverse group of partners, including The Elevation Church, Gateway Church, HTS Clinics, Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, MedPlus Pharmacy, Choice Dental, The Dover Hotel, Le Moriah Residences, MykeOseh Foundation, UNIPGC, Cash Drive, and Zenera Consulting, among many others. These partnerships enable the outreach to deliver holistic healthcare services, ensuring that the lives of the beneficiaries are touched in a profound way.

The Pistis Foundation remains committed to breaking barriers to healthcare access in Nigeria. The organization encourages those in need to take advantage of the services available and invites more partners to join in supporting the initiative.

For more information and daily updates on the outreach, visit www.pistisfoundation.org or follow Pistis Foundation on social media.

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Oyo Government Issues Health Alert Over Suspected Cholera Cases

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The Oyo State Government has urged increased vigilance and the adoption of precautionary measures to prevent a potential cholera outbreak. The call was made by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, during a visit to a private hospital in Ibadan where two suspected cholera cases are being treated. Dr. Ajetunmobi emphasized that cholera is a bacterial infection transmitted through the consumption of food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person.

She explained that cholera is highly infectious and can cause severe acute watery diarrhea with severe dehydration, adding that It may be associated with nausea, profuse vomiting, and fever.

The Commissioner described the two suspected cases in Ibadan, which had been tracked down to a private facility in the state as male workers at a construction site in Lekki Peninsula from Lagos State

She noted that there is no cause for alarm as the Ministry and other partners are on top of the situation.

Dr. Oluwaserimi therefore reiterated the response efforts of the State Government through the Ministry at ensuring that the State does not record casualties from the cholera outbreak from Lagos State.

According to her, the response efforts include; the deployment of LGA DSNO, promotional jingles in English and Yoruba running in different media houses, Immediate inauguration of the Cholera Technical Working Group, putting IDC Olodo into active mode for isolation and management, reaching out to all our surveillance rangers at the LGA level to intensify surveillance activities, re-posting of cholera case definition on the platform of community informants for updates, awareness, and sensitization of the gatekeepers and other well-established community structures.

The Commissioner therefore appealed to all to be safety conscious and always drink water only from clean sources, practice good personal hand hygiene by frequently washing hands with soap and water.

She maintained that anyone with the symptoms mentioned above should not partake in self-medication but present themselves at the nearest healthcare facility immediately.

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Lagos Warns Traders Against Using Harmful Substance To Preserve Food.

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By Adeola Ogunlade

The Lagos State Commissioner of Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, has warned food traders in the state to stop using harmful preservatives to preserve food.

Abayomi said this at a one-day market sensitization program to commemorate World Food Safety Day 2024, which was organized by the Lagos State Ministry of Health’s Directorate of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety in Ayobo Market Garage, Agege Lagos.

Tagged: Food Safety; Prepared for the Unexpected.

Abayomi, who was represented by the Director Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Dr. Ajayi Theophilus Folarin said, “Using dangerous chemicals like sniper to preserve food can lead to food poisoning, cerebral damage, destruction of vital organs in the body, and a food crisis.”

Stressing the importance of the event, Professor Abayomi said: “We are doing a lot of advocacies in Lagos state, a lot of sensitisation on food safety and that is why the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu asked us to educate the market men and women on food safety.”

“We need to educate and sensitize our market men and women about food poisoning because most traders use dangerous chemicals to preserve food, such as sniper.” About two weeks ago, a young man fell into a coma after eating food preserved by sniper.”

Speaking on the event’s impact, Executive Chairman of Orile Agege Local Council Development Area, Babatunde Johnson, stated that the programme is very impactful on the traders. It is an enlightenment campaign to educate food traders about the DOs and DON’Ts of their business. It will help them make informed health related decisions.”

Honourable Babatunde, who was represented by Sanitarian Along Adijat, said: “The purpose of the event is to educate them about the dangers of using chemicals to preserve food. We must exercise extreme caution when processing our farm produce.”

On what Orile Agege Local Council Development Area is doing to ensure food safety, he stated, “We use preventative measures. We have a section in the LCDA that is in charge of food control in the LG. Their function is to educate food handlers about personal and environmental hygiene.”

Speaking on the theme, ‘Prepared for the Unexpected,’ Chairman Street Food Safety, Nigeria Institute of Food Science and Technology, Yetunde Poopula, stated, “The significance of today is to sensitize food traders in the market, those who are selling in the market, on the importance of keeping the food they are selling safe.” The food they sell can be eaten by anyone, so they must sell in a clean environment, ensure they maintain person hygiene and have taken a food handlers test.

“Part of the awareness campaign is to raise consumer safety awareness in order to prevent food-borne diseases such as Lassa fever. Any disease that is associated with food consumption.”

“My advice to traders and consumers is to report sharp practices to government agencies such as the Ministry of Health or the Environment,” she added.

A foodstuff trader, Friday Eze, expressed gratitude to the program’s organizers, saying, “I learned a lot from the event.” We learned how to use neem oil to preserve food without using harmful chemicals. How to handle food so that it is not contaminated with germs that can cause illnesses such as Lassa Fever.”

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