Health – The Commerce Africa https://thecommerceafrica.com African Reneissance Sun, 10 Mar 2024 11:36:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.9 No more leave of absence for health workers relocating abroad – FG https://thecommerceafrica.com/no-more-leave-of-absence-for-health-workers-relocating-abroad-fg/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/no-more-leave-of-absence-for-health-workers-relocating-abroad-fg/#respond Sun, 10 Mar 2024 11:34:19 +0000 https://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=16321 The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Saturday, said that the Federal Government had directed that health workers going abroad to seek greener pastures must henceforth resign their appointments before embarking on such journeys.

Alausa said the era of health workers exiting to other countries in search of better offers after applying for a leave of absence is no longer acceptable.

The minister said that the ban on the leave of absence for health workers emanated from the executive order issued by President Bola Tinubu as part of drastic steps to combat the challenge of brain drain fondly called ‘Japa Syndrome’ confronting the nation’s health sector.

This is just as Alausa also revealed that the FG has commenced the production of manpower in the health sector such that the annual enrolment of nurses which used to be 28,000 is now 68,000 and that by the end of this year, it would have gone up to 120,000.

The minister stated this on Saturday during his visit to the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

He said that the President considered the biggest asset of the country to be the people and has not only vowed but has taken proactive actions to ensure the health sector is in good shape so that the health of the citizens won’t suffer.

Speaking on the challenge of manpower shortages across the FG-owned health institutions, Alausa said, “The government is not unmindful of the Japa effect on our manpower in the health sector and the President has ordered for massive production of manpower such that when people go, there will always be replacement.

“It is against this background that we are working intensely on the enrolment of our nurses. What used to be 28,000 is now 68,000 and our intention is to take it to 120,000 by the end of the year, so there will always be abundant skilled manpower to take over from those leaving the job.

“We have equally doubled our enrolment for doctors, dentistry, pharmacists among others

“Again, we didn’t say anyone who wants to move or japa to the UK or Australia to take up appointments there should not go, it is a free world.”

minister continued, “However, you cannot eat your cake and have it. If you are going, just resign your appointments with the Federal Government, rather than applying for leave of absence, that is the Presidential executive order that has been communicated to all the Chief Medical Directors of Federal Government-owned health facilities to implement.

“The problem with the leave of absence is that such a fellow is out there in the UK or Australia working, making money but his name still appears on the payment roll of the government and so to replace him is difficult because he is still being considered as a staff whereas he has left the country.

“So, to solve this problem, the President has directed that health workers going abroad to work should just resign their appointments and not apply for leave of absence. This way, you won’t be blocking others who want to work and of course piling burdens for your colleagues that you left behind.”

Responding to some of the demands of the hospital such as increased funding, infrastructural development, among other welfare packages, Alausa said that the ministry would leave no stone unturned to do all that is necessary to improve the fortunes of the health sector in the country.

Speaking earlier, the Provost and Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Paul Agboola, lauded the Minister for his selflessness and passion to turn things around for good in the health sector.

The CMD said that as a result of the approval given by the Minister, his administration had started projects such as the Institute of Psychiatric for the hospital which had been in the pipeline for about 40 years, amongst others.

Credit:Taiwo Bankole contributed this report and published in Punch

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UK’s Cancer-Hit King Charles ‘Doing Extremely Well’ – Camilla https://thecommerceafrica.com/uks-cancer-hit-king-charles-doing-extremely-well-camilla/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/uks-cancer-hit-king-charles-doing-extremely-well-camilla/#respond Thu, 08 Feb 2024 20:52:03 +0000 https://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=16134 Queen Camilla, wife of Britain’s King Charles III, said Thursday that her husband who has been diagnosed with cancer is “doing extremely well” under the circumstances.

King Charles has been “very touched by all the letters and the messages the public have been sending from everywhere”, she said during a trip in southern England.

“Well he’s doing extremely well under the circumstances,” Camilla said, adding that all the kind messages the king had received were “very cheering”.

The Queen left King Charles at the royal country residence of Sandringham, in the East of England, where the couple moved on Tuesday.

Less than 18 months after succeeding his mother, Queen Elizabeth II to the throne upon her death, the 75-year-old sovereign began treatment on Monday for an unspecified form of cancer.

While he will continue to perform some administrative duties, he monarch will be absent from public life for an indefinite period.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the cancer had been “caught early”.

Downing Street said on Wednesday that the king’s weekly audience with the prime minister had taken place by phone, a rare detail for this traditional and totally private meeting between the sovereign and his head of government.

The meetings should resume in person within two weeks, according to the British media.

Credit: AFP

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NAFDAC bursts large haul of fake wines, soft drinks, other consumables https://thecommerceafrica.com/nafdac-bursts-large-haul-of-fake-wines-soft-drinks-other-consumables/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/nafdac-bursts-large-haul-of-fake-wines-soft-drinks-other-consumables/#respond Tue, 19 Dec 2023 12:48:56 +0000 https://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=15925 Operatives of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, have arrested a syndicate that specialises in the production of counterfeit wines, soft drinks and other consumables, in Eziukwu Market, in Aba, Abia State.

This was revealed, yesterday, by the Director-General of the agency, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, in Abuja.

She said NAFDAC carried out several weeks of intelligence gathering and collation of data on the activities of these ‘merchants of death’, in collaboration with other security agencies.

The NAFDAC boss said that the agency carried out the sting operation in the market to burst the criminal operation taking place there.

According to her: “It is worthy of note that this dastard act has been going on for a long time and that they operate like a cartel, threatening anyone who dares to challenge them.”

She said that some of the nefarious activities of the counterfeiters included the manufacture of all kinds of adulterated products, especially different kinds of wine from a wide variety of brands, ranging from Seaman, Schnapps, Henessy, Four Cousins, and Carlo Rossi.

Others are Jenney, Chelsea London dry gin, Schnapp dry gin, McDowells, Black labels, Gordons, Martell, Campari, Smirnoff ice, Eva Non-Alcoholic drink, Evra non-alcoholic drink, Cartel and others.

The D-G said that there is also date revalidation for expired products like Peak milk, powdered milk, Ketchups, Yoghurt, Coca-Cola products, and packaging of fake and substandard products, which are later sold to unsuspecting members of the public for consumption.

Adeyeye said because of the extensive operation, the agency raided over 240 shops-turned-factories where the harmful products were being produced and marketed.

“The shops-turned factories are very filthy, using water from very unhygienic sources, harmful chemicals, saccharin, colouring, dirty recycled bottles, and cloned packaging materials of other brands.

“The adulteration of alcoholic beverages by criminal elements in the country is done by mixing of cheaper sources of sugar and starch besides grapes or fruits, among other harmful chemicals unsuitable for human consumption.

“Over 1,500 cartons of fake and substandard products were destroyed during the operation while 300 cartons were evacuated to the NAFDAC warehouse. The street value of the confiscated and destroyed fake products is estimated at over N750 million.

“Ten people were arrested on arrival at the scene of the crime and will be charged to court after a thorough investigation.

“Due to the sheer magnitude of illegality going on in that section of the market, NAFDAC had to shut the entire market for thorough regulatory activity until an agreement was reached with all stakeholders who signed that the market will never be used for nefarious activities.

“Drinking adulterated alcohol can cause nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness, dizziness, blue-tinged or pale skin, irregular or slow breathing, low body temperature, unconsciousness or even death.

“It can also lead to kidney and liver failure. Methanol, a substance which can be used in fake vodka, may cause permanent blindness,” she stressed.

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Alcohol, sugary beverages kill 10.6 million yearly — WHO https://thecommerceafrica.com/alcohol-sugary-beverages-kill-10-6-million-yearly-who/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/alcohol-sugary-beverages-kill-10-6-million-yearly-who/#respond Tue, 05 Dec 2023 22:09:23 +0000 https://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=15754 The World Health Organisation has called for increased taxes on alcohol and Sugary-Sweetened Beverages to reduce deaths from drinking alcohol and unhealthy behaviours.

The WHO who made this known in a press statement on Tuesday, noted that globally, 2.6 million people die from drinking alcohol every year and over eight million from an unhealthy diet, implementing a tax on alcohol and SSBs will reduce these deaths.

Meanwhile, new data released by the WHO on Tuesday showed a low global rate of taxes being applied to unhealthy products such as alcohol and SSBs.

Meanwhile, new data released by the WHO on Tuesday showed a low global rate of taxes being applied to unhealthy products such as alcohol and SSBs.

The findings highlighted that the majority of countries are not using taxes to incentivise healthier behaviours.

“Half of all countries taxing SSBs are also taxing water, which is not recommended by WHO. Although 108 countries are taxing some sort of sugar-sweetened beverage, globally, on the average excise tax, a tax designated for a specified consumer product, represents just 6.6 percent of the price of soda.

“At least 148 countries have applied excise taxes to alcoholic beverages at the national level. However, wine is exempted from excise taxes in at least 22 countries, most of which are in the European Region. Globally, on average, the excise tax share in the price of the most sold brand of beer is 17.2 percent. For the most sold brand of the most sold spirits type, it is 26.5 percent,” it said.

A 2017 study shows that taxes that increase alcohol prices by 50 percent would help avert over 21 million deaths over 50 years and generate nearly $17tn in additional revenues.

“Taxing unhealthy products creates healthier populations. It has a positive ripple effect across society – less disease and debilitation and revenue for governments to provide public services. In the case of alcohol, taxes also help prevent violence and road traffic injuries,” said the WHO Director for Health Promotion, Dr Rűdiger Krech.

The organisation said countries like Lithuania, which increased alcohol tax in 2017 to drive down consumption have decreased deaths from alcohol-related diseases.

“Lithuania increased alcohol tax revenue from 234 million euros in 2016 to 323 million euros in 2018 and saw alcohol-related deaths drop from 23.4 per 100,000 people in 2016 to 18.1 per 100,000 people in 2018.

“Research shows that taxing alcohol and SSBs helps cut down the use of these products and gives companies a reason to make healthier products. At the same time tax on these products helps prevent injuries and noncommunicable diseases such as cancers, diabetes and heart diseases.

“A recent Gallup Poll, conducted in collaboration with WHO and Bloomberg Philanthropies, found that the majority of people surveyed across all countries supported increasing taxes on unhealthy products such as alcohol and SBBs.

“WHO recommends that excise tax should apply to all SSBs and alcoholic beverages,” it added.

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NAFDAC alerts public on recalled energy drink https://thecommerceafrica.com/nafdac-alerts-public-on-recalled-energy-drink/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/nafdac-alerts-public-on-recalled-energy-drink/#respond Fri, 03 Nov 2023 06:34:46 +0000 https://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=15558 The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control has notified the public that the recalled G Fuel brand Energy Drinks by T&E Imports and GPAE Trading Corp contains high levels of caffeine.

The notification of this product is contained in a public alert with No. 034/2023, issued to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye.

Adeyeye said that the agency was equally notified about the recall of the product by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

The NAFDAC boss said that the consumption of products containing high levels of caffeine could cause headaches, insomnia, irritability, and nervousness.

She said that people sensitive to caffeine can experience these effects at very low consumption levels.

Adeyeye also cautioned pregnant women not to take these products, adding that the possible health effects of consuming too much caffeine include the risk of miscarriage and a chance of low birth weight.

The D-G also stated that the affected products have no cautionary statement to limit the number of servings per day, adding that these products are sold online.

“The product is not registered by NAFDAC, which implored consumers and retailers to refrain from using, selling, serving, or distributing the implicated product.

“Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicion of distribution and sale of unwholesome packaged food products to the nearest NAFDAC office.

“NAFDAC could also be reached on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

“Healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of any substandard NAFDAC-regulated product to the nearest NAFDAC office.

“NAFDAC could also be reached through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med-safety application available for download on Android and IOS stores.

“The public could also reach NAFDAC via e-mail at pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng,” she added

NAN

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NAFDAC warns against use of products with steroids, others https://thecommerceafrica.com/nafdac-warns-against-use-of-products-with-steroids-others/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/nafdac-warns-against-use-of-products-with-steroids-others/#respond Sun, 24 Sep 2023 21:32:43 +0000 https://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=15235 The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control has warned Nigerians against use of four products found to contain potent medicinal ingredients, steroids and other banned substances.

The warning is contained in a public alert, signed by the Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on Sunday, in Abuja.

Adeyeye said the agency was notified of the product in a statement by the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore.

She said that the implicated potent medicinal ingredients are not allowed in the affected products and may cause severe side effects on consumers.

She said, “the HSA confirmed that four consumers experienced adverse effects after taking three of the products.”

She added that laboratory analysis conducted by HSA on the products revealed that they contain potent medicinal ingredients, including steroids.

She said the products also contain sibutramine (a banned weight loss medicine) and tadalafil (an erectile dysfunction medicine).

According to her, further details of the products as provided by HSA are as follows; Potent medicinal ingredients

She listed the source of the products as, ‘ENRU PLUS+’Sibutramine (banned substance), Local e-commerce and social media platforms ‘HKT HERBA KURUS TRADISI’

“Possible adverse effects of potent ingredients found in the products are: Dexamethasone and Prednisolone,” She said.

She added that dexamethasone and prednisolone are potent steroids that are usually prescribed for inflammatory conditions and could only be used under strict medical supervision.

Adeyeye said that long-term unsupervised use of steroids can cause increased blood glucose levels, which she said my lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, cataracts, muscular and bone disorders.

She said that steroids could also cause an increased risk of infections and cushing’s syndrome (a round or ‘moon face’ appearance and upper body obesity with thin limbs).

She added that discontinuation of steroids without proper medical supervision can cause serious withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, confusion and low blood pressure.

She also described Diclofenac in the products as a potent painkiller that may potentially cause serious gastric bleeding, as well as cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and stroke when used for a prolonged period.

According to her, Diclofenac should be used under close medical supervision, especially in consumers with underlying heart conditions.

The D-G said that Sibutramine is a medicine prescribed for weight loss, and has been banned in Singapore since 2010 because of an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Other serious adverse effects including fast heart rate, hallucinations or hearing voices which she said it had also been reported by consumers who took slimming products adulterated with sibutramine.

She stated that Tadalafil is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction that should only be given under medical supervision.

According to her, inappropriate use of tadalafil is dangerous and can increase the risk of serious adverse effects, including heart attack, stroke, headache, migraine, irregular heart rate and priapism (painful and exceedingly long erections).

“Tadalafil can also pose serious risks to certain individuals, including those with heart-related problems. It can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure in those who are on heart medications, especially those containing nitrates,” she said.

She further warned the public to be cautious with all these substances, adding that they are all dangerous to health.

NAN

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Governor Akeredolu Returns; Acknowledges Support Of Ondo State while on Medical Vacation https://thecommerceafrica.com/governor-akeredolu-returns-acknowledges-support-of-ondo-state-while-on-medical-vacation/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/governor-akeredolu-returns-acknowledges-support-of-ondo-state-while-on-medical-vacation/#respond Sat, 09 Sep 2023 18:37:08 +0000 https://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=15014

Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has reassured the people of Ondo State of his administration’s determination and resolve to improve the lives of the citizenry.

Governor Akeredolu in a statement personally signed, expressed deep appreciation for the show of love and affections from eminent individuals, groups, Organisations, political associates, and particularly, the good people of the Sunshine State during his recovery process.

The governor also extended his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his support and love and to the vice president, kashim shettima, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and all members of the National Assembly and the State Assembly for their prayers while on medical vacation.

NTA

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US CDC says existing antibodies can work against new COVID variant https://thecommerceafrica.com/us-cdc-says-existing-antibodies-can-work-against-new-covid-variant/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/us-cdc-says-existing-antibodies-can-work-against-new-covid-variant/#respond Fri, 08 Sep 2023 22:23:39 +0000 https://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=15011 Early research data has shown that antibodies produced by prior infection or existing vaccines against the coronavirus were sufficient to protect against the new BA.2.86 variant, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Friday.

The Food and Drug Administration in the coming days is expected to authorize the updated vaccines that target the XBB.1.5 subvariant of Omicron, and early data provide encouraging signs for the new shots, CDC said. The public health agency added that the new BA.2.86 lineage of coronavirus was not driving the current increases in COVID cases and hospitalizations in the United States, but rather attributed it to other predominantly circulating viruses.

Since CDC’s initial risk assessment last month, BA.2.86 has been identified in nine U.S. states as of Friday. The Omicron offshoot has also been identified from both human and wastewater specimens in countries including Japan, UK and Canada.

This is in contrast to CDC’s comments in August that the new variant may be more capable than older variants in causing infection in people who have previously had COVID-19 or who have received vaccines.

Reporting by Vaibhav Sadhamta in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber for Reuters

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US FDA approves Pfizer’s blood cancer therapy https://thecommerceafrica.com/us-fda-approves-pfizers-blood-cancer-therapy/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/us-fda-approves-pfizers-blood-cancer-therapy/#respond Tue, 15 Aug 2023 08:26:03 +0000 https://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=14719 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday granted accelerated approval to Pfizer’s therapy for treating patients with a type of blood cancer that is difficult to treat, the company said.

The health regulator’s decision allows use of the therapy, branded as Elrexfio, in patients with multiple myeloma that is hard to treat or has come back after receiving four or more prior lines of certain classes of treatments

Elrexfio, or elranatamab, is administered under the skin and belongs to a class of therapies known as bispecific antibodies, that helps the body’s immune system to kill cancerous cells by bringing a cancer cell and an immune cell together.

Elrexfio will be sold in the United States at a list price of $7,556 and $13,051 for the 44 mg and the 76 mg vial, respectively, Pfizer said.

The list price of the therapy is expected to be $41,500 per month, the company said, adding that it expects the monthly price to be lower at about $26,000 as patients move to bi-weekly dosing.

Pfizer has said the therapy could have more than $4 billion in potential peak revenue.

Elrexfio’s average treatment duration was eight months in the mid-stage trial and the company expects the therapy will be available in the weeks following approval.

Multiple myeloma is a common type of blood cancer, which develops in the bone marrow and can spread throughout the body. Several patients see a relapse after stopping treatment, making it an area of unmet need that drugmakers can tap into.

Other similar antibody therapies in the market include Roche’s (ROG.S) Columvi, Abbvie’s (ABBV.N) Epkinly and Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ.N) Talvey, which was approved last week.

Elrexfio can be used “off-the-shelf” and can be delivered on an ongoing basis by healthcare providers in hospitals and clinics, the company said on Monday.

The FDA approval is based on data from a mid-stage study that showed that 58% of patients treated with Pfizer’s therapy had no signs of cancer or had seen a significant decrease in cancer cells in the body.

Pfizer said it will continue testing the therapy in ongoing late-stage trials to expand its use in earlier lines of treatment for patients.

The therapy’s approval comes with a boxed warning for neurologic toxicity and cytokine release syndrome, a condition where the immune system reacts more aggressively.

Reporting by Bhanvi Satija, Leroy Leo and Pratik Jain in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta for Reuters

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NAFDAC Lists Top 10 Rejected Nigerian Goods Abroad https://thecommerceafrica.com/nafdac-lists-top-10-rejected-nigerian-goods-abroad/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/nafdac-lists-top-10-rejected-nigerian-goods-abroad/#respond Sun, 13 Aug 2023 11:08:59 +0000 https://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=14703 The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has unveiled a list of 10 goods rejected abroad, blaming the rejection on non-adherence to standardised clearance procedures by stakeholders.

She said some of the commonly rejected export food commodities from Nigeria from 2018 till date and in the top 10 include sesame, beans, melon seeds, peanut and smoked fish/fish meal, ginger, spices paper, hibiscus flower, palm oil and ogbono.

The Deputy Director, Export Division, Ports Inspection Directorate, NAFDAC, Sanwo-Olu O.A. stated this in an address she delivered at the 3rd CHINET Aviacargo conference in Lagos, with the title, “Unlocking the Logistics Barrier to Improving Agro Exports Products.”

She blamed the rejection on non-adherence to set standard by freight forwarders, cargo handlers, airlines/carriers, regulatory agencies, as well as poor inter-agency collaboration, amongst others.

Sanwo-Olu called for collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that export trade meets the requirements of the country’s trading partner, in terms of quality, standards and quantity as trade increases

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