LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT SUSPENDS GUIDELINES RELATING TO SAFE ABORTION LAUNCHED FEW DAYS AGO

07/07/22

Publisher: G. O Daniels

PRESS RELEASE

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the suspension of the “State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications” issued by the Directorate of Family Health and Nutrition in the Ministry of Health.
Among the several factors that contribute to maternal mortality, illegal abortions and high risk pregnancies leading to unresolvable complications rank high.
The Lagos State Ministry of Health is seeking different methods to eliminate illegal abortions and ensure that a mother does not die at childbirth, thereby disrupting an entire family unit.
In this regard, it became imperative to examine, in keeping with existing National and State laws and policies, if there are indeed justifications and medical reasons to offer abortion to a woman whose life is threatened by a pregnancy.
Following this, the guideline was developed over four years through painstaking work by experts in Law and in Obstetrics and Gynaecology with a focus on creating the opportunity to reduce maternal mortality and in line with existing laws.
These guidelines have generated immense public interest which has necessitated escalating it to Mr Governor, who has advised further sensitization of the public and key stakeholders to ensure a clearer understanding of the objectives of the guidelines.
To this end, we are suspending the implementation of these guidelines in the meantime for the Executive Council to deliberate on this matter and ensure adequate public sensitization and stakeholder engagement to reach a consensus required for a successful guideline development.
The Lagos State Ministry of Health remains committed to planning , devising and implementing policies that promote qualitative, affordable, and equitable healthcare services to the citizenry.
Signed
Prof. Akin Abayomi
Honourable Commissioner for Health
7th July, 2022

LAGOS STATE DEVELOPS, DISSEMINATES GUIDELINES ON SAFE, LAWFUL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY

29/06/22

PRESS RELEASE

Photo Speak,Report Below

PRESS RELEASE

LAGOS DEVELOPS, DISSEMINATES GUIDELINES ON SAFE, LAWFUL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY

In a bid to guide healthcare providers in Lagos State to provide SAFE and LAWFUL abortion services within the ambit of the law, the State Government through the Ministry of Health has developed a policy document on safe termination of pregnancy.

The 40 page policy document, tagged “Lagos State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications” sets out guidelines for safe termination of pregnancy within the ambit of the criminal law of Lagos State.

Presenting and launching the document at a stakeholders’ engagement, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye noted that the production of the policy document was borne out of the need to provide evidence-based data and information for health workers in public and private sectors who have the requisite skills and training necessary to provide safe terminations to reduce preventable deaths.

Ogboye explained that while therapeutic termination of pregnancy is permissible under the law in Lagos State, absence of clear guidelines has stalled the effective implementation at appropriate levels of care resulting in preventable deaths.

In his words: “In 2011, the Lagos State House of Assembly updated the criminal code, providing for abortion to save the life and protect the physical health of the woman. While physical health is covered under the Lagos legal framework, services conforming to the law have not been available in Lagos State health sector.

“This document provides information on relevant laws applicable in Lagos State while providing standards and best practices with regards to legal indications, pre and post procedure care, methods and monitoring. I must state here that this document has undergone wide consultation with relevant technical stakeholders within the legal and health service context in the State”.

Ogboye explained that the process to develop the guidelines commenced in 2018 with the Safe Engage project led by the Lagos Ministry of Health and hosted by the Society for Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Nigeria (SOGON), with support from Population Reference Bureau (PRB). He added that stakeholders in the Stater health sector worked with key opinion leaders in Lagos and the southwest region to develop a tailored advocacy tool for terminations within the legal context.

He pointed out that the advocacy messages on the Safe Engage project focused on two immediate outcome including ensuring that safe abortion services were available within legal indications in Lagos and domesticating the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, supporting women to terminate a pregnancy caused by rape or incest.

He said: “To guide the implementation, one of the follow up recommendations of the project was the adaptation of the National Standards and Guidelines for Safe Termination of Pregnancy within Legal Indications within the Lagos State context. The Federal Ministry of Health had developed and disseminated the national guidelines on safe termination of pregnancy which highlights the compendium of conditions and circumstances under which termination of pregnancy could be instituted.

“The guideline was intended to build the capacity of health professionals to identify pregnancies for which legal termination could be instituted. Marie Stopes International in Nigeria in collaboration with the Population Reference Bureau proposed to support the State government to adapt the document”.

The Permanent Secretary explained that the process for National guidelines adaptation included technical meetings to discuss sections of the law supporting safe abortion and conditions permitted within the legal framework to save the lives and the physical health of mothers; and validation meeting with the broader stakeholders to review the document.

“All that hand work has culminated in today’s dissemination of the guidelines. We hope this dissemination today will help guide health providers to provide this service within the ambit of the law”, Ogboye stated.

Earlier in his remarks, the Country Director of a leading reproductive health organization, Marie Stopes International Organization Nigeria (MSION), Mr. Emmanuel Ajah stated that the development and dissemination of the policy document has once again proven that Lagos is leading the way for State-level intervention to stem the tide of unsafe abortion and give women and girls improved health outcomes.

While noting that abortion in Nigeria is not illegal but restrictive, Ajah said significant numbers of health providers are unaware of the legal indications for safe termination of pregnancy. He posited that it is important that the healthcare providers who have the responsibility to determine when the life of the woman is in danger as prescribed in Nigeria’s laws need to have the right understanding and make those critical decisions based on sound medical judgment and not on religion, culture, or other biases.

“The domestication of this policy provides that needed guidance to healthcare providers on medical conditions in pregnancy that pose a high risk to the woman’s life and health if the pregnancy progresses to term, and on the standard management of abortion within the extent of the law in Lagos state. This policy is a demonstration of the commitment of the Lagos state government to improving maternal health, especially mitigating the impact of unsafe abortion practices in the State”, he stated.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences, Otukpo, Prof. Innocent Ujah who was one of the Consultants who developed the document averred that the enunciation, deployment and use of this guidelines will preserve the lives of pregnant women and women whose physical or mental health would be compromised with the continuation of their pregnancies.

He explained that the guidelines provides information on subsisting Nigeria law on termination of pregnancy, Lagos State revised law 2011, a compendium of medical conditions and circumstances where the continuation of pregnancy endangers the women’s life and describes the step-by-step options for ethical and safe medical management.

Speaking in the same vein, Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa who is a Professor of Law at the University of Lagos and also a consultant on the document development explained that the Lagos State Criminal law of 2011 only prohibits unlawful abortion.

She noted that the document clarifies and explains what lawful termination of pregnancy means in the context of the law adding that education of law enforcement officers is important with regards to the interpretation of this law.

  Lagos State  Holds Awareness Walk to Commemorate World Drug Day

28/06/22

PRESS RELEASE

DANIELS G.O : Publisher

WORLD DRUG DAY: LAGOS CALLS FOR FACT SHARING ON DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE

· Holds Awareness Walk to Commemorate World Drug Day

· Says Fight Against Drug Abuse is a Collective Responsibility

Lagos State Government has joined other state and non-state actors around the world to advocate for real fact sharing on the dangers of drug abuse and illicit trafficking as well as evidence based prevention, treatment and care resources available to citizens, as part of efforts to address drug challenges confronting the world.

This is just as the Lagos State Inter-ministerial Drug Abuse Control Committee held an Awareness Walk today around Alausa-Ikeja to Commemorate Year 2022 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Speaking during the walk, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye noted thatfact sharing about drug situations amongst citizens especially youths and young adults help address drug abuse and illicit trafficking challenges and create a society that is free of drug abuse.

Ogboye who was represented by Director Pharmaceutical Services who also doubles as the Chairman, Lagos State Inter-ministerial Drug Abuse Control Committee, Pharm. Oyebisi Omolanbe said that fact sharing on the drug situation is the responsibility of all stakeholders and citizens adding that it is only when everyone plays their part that the goal of a world free of drug abuse can be achieved.

The Permanent explained that the theme for this year’s World Drug Day: “Addressing Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crises” is well thought out to address the drug abuse challenges around the world particularly with regards to the recent health and humanitarian crises plaguing the world.

He noted that persons affected by health or humanitarian crises are vulnerable to drug abuse or substance use disorders adding that recent reports have revealed that drug abuse rate soared during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“World Drug report 2021 revealed that about 275 million people used illicit drugs in 2020 which is projected to raise by 11% by 2030 globally and as much as 40% in Africa. This calls for urgent attention” he said.

Ogboye stressed the need to guide people against the use of drugs as a coping mechanism during health and humanitarian crises adding that the use of drugs is a negative coping mechanism that will worsen the situation.

“We need to let the people know that taking drugs during challenging times will not solve any problem as it would only worsen the situation. The key point here is that we should learn to say no to drugs and say yes to life.

“I urge everyone to get information on drug abuse and illicit use from verifiable sources, cascade the knowledge to our immediate family and communities and share only real facts. It is by doing so that we can save lives and attain a society that is drug abuse free”, the Permanent Secretary said.

While reiterating the State Government’s commitment to fight against drug and substance abuse and illicit trafficking, Ogboye noted that the Lagos State Inter-Ministerial Drug Abuse Control Committee and the Pharmaceutical Inspectorate Unit of the Ministry of Health will not relent in carrying out the mandate of a drug abuse free Lagos. He added that the State Government prioritizes prevention through education and enlightenment as a strategy in the fight against drug abuse.

He applauded members of the Lagos state Inter-Ministerial Drug Abuse Committee which includes Lagos state Ministries of Health, Information, Education, Transportation, Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Youth & Social Development and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for the successful World Drug Day commemoration.

Signed

Tunbosun Ogunbanwo

Director, Public Affairs

27th June, 2022

WORLD SICKLE CELL DAY: LAGOS ORGANIZES DEBATE AND QUIZ COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS …Screens over 5000 babies for Sickle Cell Disorder

22/06/22

DANIELS G.O

PRESS RELEASE

Photo Speak

PRESS RELEASE

WORLD SICKLE CELL DAY: LAGOS ORGANIZES DEBATE AND QUIZ COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS

…Screens over 5000 babies for Sickle Cell Disorder

As part of efforts to increase public knowledge and understanding of sickle cell disease, particularly amongst teenagers and youths, the Lagos State Government today organised a quiz and debate competition for students of 12 public junior and senior secondary schools in Ikeja local government area.

The debate and quiz competition which is part of activities to commemorate World Sickle Cell Day in Lagos focuses on history causes, presentation, symptoms, diagnosis, management and treatment of Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD) seeks to increase the understanding of disease amongst youth and highlight challenges experienced by patients, their families and caregivers.

The participating schools include; Agidingbi Senior Grammar School, Opebi Senior Grammar School, State Senior High School, Omole Senior Grammar School, Ikeja Senior High School, Oke-Ira Senior Grammar School, Ojodu Junior Grammar School, Onilekere Junior High School, Ikeja Junior High School, Army Cantonment Junior Secondary and Opebi Junior Grammar School.;

Speaking at the event held at the Conference Hall of the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic, Secretariat Alausa-Ikeja, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye explained that the Lagos State Ministry of Health is joining forces with the whole world to commemorate the World Sickle Cell Day with the debate and quiz competition for students as part of plans to give special recognition to youths who are the change agents of the future and coopt them into the fight against SCD.

He said: “It is a known fact that the youth of today are the future of a nation. They make up about half of the population in developing countries and are the strength of a people. They are dynamic change agents and efficient tools in achieving the desired future of a nation.

“You are truly instrumental in this fight against SCD. I therefore urge you all to fully utilize this opportunity to educate and inform yourselves on SCD and ensure we are adequately equipped to play our individual roles in this fight”.

The Permanent Secretary disclosed that that half of the global burden for Sickle Cell D is shouldered by three countries – Nigeria, India and the Democratic Republic of Congo adding that globally, over 300,000 children are born annually with Sickle Cell disorder and over 70% of these births occur in sub-Saharan Africa where majority of the children die before the age of 5 years.

“Nigeria, being the most populous black nation in the world, bears the greatest burden in sub-Saharan Africa. About 40 million Nigerians are healthy carriers of the sickle cell gene and over 150,000 babies are born each year with SCD”, he said.

Ogboye opined that concerted effort is needed to tackle the menace of the disease noting that the effective strategies employed by the State Ministry of Health have been yielding the desired result.

He explained that the strategies adopted by the Ministry of Health include the commencement routine newborn screening for SCD, making Lagos the pioneer State to conduct the screening in Nigeria.

“This genotype screening service which commenced in the year 2021 is available in 25 General hospitals and 40 Primary Health Care Centres in the State and at present over 5000 babies have been screened with about 200 babies screened positive for SCD and have been referred to specialist sickle cell clinics in the State”, Ogboye stated.

He added that the State government has strengthened efforts aimed at Health education and counselling services with the provision of Behavioral Change Communication (BCC), Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials and jingles on SCDs, in the major Nigerian languages.

“Other efforts include provision of routine school genotype screening and outreaches; promotion of access to quality medical services and care to affected persons; facilitation of the establishment of Sickle Cell Clubs in schools and health facilities; continued and sustained collaboration with NGOs, stakeholders and partners working on SCDs; strengthening the general capacity of health facilities to manage SCDs and provision of appropriate healthcare financing through the Lagos State health insurance package (Ilera Eko)”, the Permanent Secretary said.

He urged citizens to utilize the opportunity provided by the 2022 SCD commemoration to get themselves equipped with vital information about the disease in order to join forces with government and other stakeholders play individual and collective roles in the fight against the diseases.

Speaking in the same vein, the Director, Disease Control in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Rotimi Agbolagorite explained that the theme of Y2022 world Sickle Cell Day; “Shine the light on sickle cell” is well thought out as it reaffirms the need for increased awareness, screenings and the need for concerted efforts to tackle the burden imposed by the sickle cell in Nigeria.

He noted that the current statistics of SCD in Sub Saharan Africa and Nigeria shows that a lot still needs to be done, thus bringing to fore the need to spread the messages about the disease.

“We have come a long way in better understanding the disease; however, there is much more to learn and much more work to be done. Let today be a day where we celebrate the strides made while we push forward towards eradicating sickle cell disorder”, Agbolagorite said.

The high point of the event was the presentation of prices to the winners of the competitions. Agidingbi Senior High School won the debate competition in the senior category while Oregun Junior High School won in the junior category. The quiz competition was won by Army Cantonment Junior Secondary School.

Signed

Tubosun Ogunbanwo

Director Public Affairs

21st June, 2022

LAGOS LAUNCHES FLOATING CLINIC BOAT FOR EMERGENCY, MEDICAL OUTREACH SERVICES

22/06/22

DANIELS G.O

PRESS RELEASE

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

PRESS RELEASE

LAGOS LAUNCHES FLOATING CLINIC BOAT FOR EMERGENCY, MEDICAL OUTREACH SERVICES

Lagos State Government has launched a ‘Floating Clinic Boat’; a Fiber Glass, Mono Hull Boat 200HP x 2 capacity, for inland waterways medical emergency and riverine communities medical outreach services as part of efforts to increase access to prompt, qualitative and efficient health care services on the waterways and riverine communities across Lagos.

The Floating Clinic Boat; a brain child of the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) is equipped with four medical observation beds, medium sterilization unit, o2 bottle, gauge, infusion stand, foldable stretcher and fully kitted first aid box.

The clinic boat which is compartmentalized into four sections including; the Wheel house (for captain and crew), observation room (for patients), Doctor’s office and Nurses station and reception has marine safety equipment including life jackets, fire bucket, life buoy, life rat fire extinguisher and navigational lights, as well as navigational equipment like garmin ecomap, compass, VHF radio accessories and siren.

Speaking at the unveiling and inspection of the boat clinic, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye explained that the idea behind the Floating Clinic was to help provide first aid, medical emergency care and basic healthcare services at accident scenes on the inland waterways and riverine communities in Lagos State.

He said: “The Floating Clinic is mainly to deal with emergencies on the waterways and provide outreach services to riverine communities. This is part of the initiative by the Ministry of Health to ensure that we extend our medical and ambulance service to the waterways, remote riverine communities and areas that can only be accessed by water. This is also an example of partnership between different agencies of government; the boat actually belongs to LASWA but will be operated by the Ministry of Health”

Ogboye disclosed that the Floating Clinic will be deployed for the ongoing integrated measles and COVID vaccination campaign in riverine communities and water ways across Lagos State adding that it is part of a plan initiated by the present administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure that emergency services in Lagos are ramped up to the point where response time are reduced.

In his words: “This is a strong partnership between LASWA and the Ministry of Health. LASWA has provided the boat, the crew and gas to run the boat, and the Ministry of Health will provide the human resources and medical consumables for health care provision. It is part of a plan that has is initiated by Mr. Governor to ensure that emergency services in Lagos are ramped up and we can respond very quickly to emergencies.

“This is the beginning of the initiative. There is definitely an intention to expand, scale up and integrate our ambulance services; our ambulance boats, mobile intensive care units and transport ambulances. It is something that we have planned that is certainly why we are starting with one boat and we are going to expand. It is a sustainable idea, we already run ambulance services, we are only expanding to include the waterways and we have the human resources to run it”.

The Permanent Secretary noted that there will be a minimum of two medical personnel on board the Floating Clinic at any one time who will run shifts adding that citizens in riverine communities can have access to the Floating clinic by dialing the Lagos State Emergency numbers.

“Once you contact the emergency numbers the clinic will be deployed. LASWA can also deploy the clinic during emergency response on the water ways. If there is a call about an emergency on the waterways, remote and riverine areas, the emergency process will be activated”, he said.

Speaking in the same vein, the General Manager, LASWA, Mr. Damilola Emmanuel noted that the initiative will further add to the integrated emergency and rescue system being put in place by LASWA to ensure safety of commuters and wellbeing of citizens of riverine communities.

“As you know, for us at LASWA, we have been gradually building emergency and rescue efforts and gradually seeing how the safety on the water ways keeps improving year after year. This is just another initiative to further add to the integrated emergency and rescue system because what we are going to do is to have our own core emergency and response boat in our jetties along with the soon to be launched control room.

“If you noticed, I used the word integrated because apart from the floating clinic which will be attending to emergencies, we are going to have the core emergency team which will be made up of divers, boat captain and medics on the core rescue boat which LASWA will provide”, he said.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih stated that one of the core tasks of the Floating Clinic boat is medical outreach services to riverine communities to provide primary health care services including immunization, disease prevention and health promotion services to citizens.

“Most people have the impression that Lagos is a completely urban city, but for us we realize that Lagos has a lot of communities along the waterways which are not necessarily connected to the city. Mr. Governor recognizing this, directed that medical services be taken to these areas as part of the mandate to achieve universal health coverage. When this initiative was brought to his attention, this was one of the factors that led to the quick acquisition of the boat to bridge the identified gap in health access”, she explained

SANWO-OLU FLAG-OFF INTEGRATED MEASLES VACCINATION CAMPAIGN IN LAGOS

17/06/22

Daniels. G.O

PRESS RELEASE

SANWO-OLU FLAG-OFF INTEGRATED MEASLES VACCINATION CAMPAIGN IN LAGOS
Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu on Thursday flagged off the 2022 Integrated Measles Vaccination Campaign in Lagos State.
The vaccination campaign will run from Friday, June 17 and end Monday, July 4, 2022 across the state.
Flagging off the campaign at the Kosofe Local Government Secretariat, Ogudu, she said measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease caused by the measles virus and that it is a disease of public health importance that usually affects children younger than the age of 5 years.
Sanwo-Olu said affected children developed a high fever, cough, runny nose, redness of the eyes, and a rash that appeared all over the body. and that if not prevented or promptly treated, measles could lead to blindness or death.
“Nigeria currently has the highest global burden of measles outbreaks and there have been several outbreaks in some of our LGAs in Lagos State.
“The measles virus is spread through coughing and sneezing from close personal contact or direct contact with infected persons. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children can become infected in creches and schools which is why it is important to protect our children from the virus.
“The measles vaccine reduces mortality in children by over 80% which makes it a very crucial public health intervention, however, only 85% of children who receive the first dose of the measles vaccine may be protected, thereby bringing about the clear need to revaccinate and protect the remaining unprotected 15% of children,” she stated.
Sanwo-Olu added that the 2022 measles campaign would be integrated with other services to improve efficiency and effectiveness, especially at the primary health care level so that parents and caregivers could access multiple services at the same time.
The First Lady said the campaign would be conducted for eight days each in two streams to maximize resources and ensure that government reached all the eligible populations during these periods and that there would be 10 participating LGAs per stream.
“The first stream will commence on the 17th to 24th of June 2022 and the participating LGAs are Agege, Ajeromi, Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Badagry, Ibeju, Kosofe, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island, and Surulere.
“The second stream will start on the 27th of June and run till the 4th of July in the following remaining 10 LGAs – Apapa, Epe, Eti-Osa, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Mushin, Oshodi-Isolo, Ojo and Somolu.
“A total of 1,800 vaccination teams will be available per stream across the LGAs and LCDAs and the teams will be providing the services mentioned above (i.e measles vaccination with vitamin A supplements, routine immunization, and covid vaccination) from fixed and temporary fixed posts that includes public and selected private hospitals, schools, clinics in religious houses and houses of influential community leaders all in a bid to reach the eligible population and achieve a 100% coverage,” he explained.
Sanwo-Olu encouraged all local government stakeholders, especially the chairmen that all hands must be on deck to ensure a successful outcome in the State across the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas.
She sought the support of community leaders in facilitating community participation and mobilization of children and eligible adults for the vaccination campaign.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said this campaign would be integrated with other services to improve efficiency and effectiveness especially at the primary healthcare level.
Abayomi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, said that parents and caregivers could access multiple services at the same time.
The Commissioner noted that measles vaccine, vitamin A and polio vaccine would be given to the children free of charge.
“The measles vaccine is for nine months to 59 months; the vitamin A is for six months to five years; while the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) is for zero to five years.
“The teams will be providing the services mentioned above: measles vaccination, vitamins A supplement, routine immunisation and COVID-19 vaccination.
“They will be available at both public and private hospitals, schools, clinics, religious houses, houses of influential community leaders, all in a bid to reach the eligible population and achieve a 100 per cent coverage,’’ Abayomi said.
In his remarks, the World Health Organisation Team Lead, Lagos Office, Dr Ahmed Khedr, said the United Nations promoted the well-being of individuals and this campaign was to support Nigeria in her universal health coverage.
Khedr said he was optimistic that the campaign team would deliver a good job in vaccinating the targeted children.
Also speaking, the Chief of Health, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Dr Eduardo Celades, noted that the campaign was the first of its kind because measles, polio and COVID-19 vaccination including, vitamins A supplementation were integrated together.
Celades explained that the campaign was bringing efficiency and a new way of eliminating the virus in the country.
According to him, the campaign will bring impact, which will target four million children from zero to five years old.
He said 4.7 million children were expected to get vaccinated against polio and more than 1.7 million children were expected to get the COVID-19 vaccination.
The Chairman, Kosofe Local Government, Mr Moyosore Ogunlewe, implored all community leaders to take advantage of the campaign and inform their communities.

LAGOS STATE TO VACCINATE 5 MILLION CHILDREN AGAINST MEASLES…Urge Parents To Make Their Children Available

15/06/22

PUBLISHER: DANIELS G.O

PRESS RELEASE

LAGOS TO VACCINATE 5 MILLION CHILDREN AGAINST MEASLES

Lagos State Government has announced commencement of 2022 Integrated Measles vaccination campaign for children aged 9 to 59 months between Friday 17th and Friday 24th June, and from Monday 27th June to Monday 4th July, 2022 in all 57 local government and local council development areas of the State.

State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi who made the announcement today at a Press Briefing heralding the commencement of the measles vaccination exercise in Lagos State disclosed that no fewer than 5 million children are expected to be immunized during the 16 days campaign.

He said: “The Lagos State Government in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and other development partners will be conducting an Integrated Measles Campaign across all 57 LGAs and LCDAs in the State in line with the National Measles Elimination Strategic Plan 2018-2028”.

Abayomi noted that the forthcoming measles vaccination campaign will be integrated with other primary healthcare services and routine immunization to improve efficiency and effectiveness, especially at the primary health care level whilst also providing opportunity for parents and caregivers to access multiple services at the same time.

“The measles vaccine will be provided to children aged 9 to 59 months with Vitamin A supplements for children aged 6-59 months. Routine immunization services will be available from birth up to 23 months, while COVID vaccination will also be available for adults who are 18 years and above as part of our integrated vaccination campaign approach”, he said.

Abayomi explained that the campaign will be conducted for eight days each in two streams, consisting of 10 LGAs and appurtenances LCDA per streams in order to maximize resources and ensure that all the eligible population are reached during the campaign.

“The first stream will commence on the Friday 17thto Friday 24th of June, 2022, and the participating LGAs are Agege, Ajeromi, Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Badagry, Ibeju, Kosofe, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island and Surulere.

“The second stream will start on Monday 27th of June to Monday 4th of July, 2022 and the remaining ten LGAs and its appurtenances LCDAs- Apapa, Epe, Eti-Osa, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikeja, Mushin, Oshodi-Isolo, Ojo and Somolu will be covered”, he stated.

While appealing to parents and givers to ensure that all the target population of children in Lagos receive the measles vaccine and other routine immunization services during the campaign, the Commissioner noted that the responsibility to vaccinate all eligible children against measles is not that that of the parents and caregivers alone but on everybody including religious, community and political leaders in order to ensure that children are protected against childhood preventable diseases.

“I want to assure the good people of Lagos State that Immunization is SAFE and EFFECTIVE, and I, therefore, call on all Lagosians to take advantage of this mass campaign that will be commencing on the 17th of June 2022”, he said.

Speaking in the same vein, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Ibrahim Mustafa explained that a total of 1,800 vaccination teams will be available per stream across the LGAs and LCDAs to implement the measles vaccination campaign and other routine immunization services.

He added that the teams would man fixed and temporary fixed posts which includes public and selected private hospitals, schools, clinics in religious houses and houses of influential community leaders, stressing that this is in a bid to reach the eligible population and achieve a 100% vaccination coverage.

“To ensure the success of this year’s integrated measles campaign, the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board in collaboration with our development partners have conducted training sessions for health workers and implementers who will drive the exercise in order to strengthen their capacity.

“We are currently embarking on massive media and social mobilization campaigns especially at local government, community and grassroots level to sensitize, enlighten and mobilize citizens effectively for a successful campaign”

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FG DECLARES MONDAY 13TH JUNE, 2022, TO MARK THIS YEAR’S DEMOCRACY DAY CELEBRATION

PRESS RELEASE

DANIELS G.O

The Federal Government has declared Monday, 13th June, 2022, as public holiday, to mark this year’s Democracy Day celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Nigerians on this occasion and urged all citizens to support the present administration in its efforts at ensuring a secured, united and prosperous nation.

Aregbesola admonished Nigerians to use the occasion to reflect on the long journey the country has made towards the enthronement of a civil democratic order, before national Independence in 1960 till date and the sacrifices of our patriots.

He reminded Nigerians of the challenges we have faced and overcome, including a civil war, and said any form of agitation that threatens the unity of the country should be shunned for the good of all, saying the space known as Nigeria would be a haven of peace, unity and progress if all citizens love their neighbours and embrace the spirit of brotherliness.

“As we mark another Democracy Day in the history of our dear country, let us reflect on the efforts of our founding fathers and ensure that Nigeria remains one united, secured, peaceful and an indivisible entity, noting that no development can take place in an acrimonious environment,” he stressed.

“With the challenges we face in Nigeria today, I see an opportunity for us not to break up or break down, but to break open; open up to ourselves in truth so that we may appreciate each other, understand each other, honour each other and live together in peace and prosperity,” Aregbesola reiterated.

The Minister advised Nigerians to judiciously put into use the recently unveiled Nigeria Internal Security and Public Safety Alert System (N-Alert),A Mobile App designed to mitigate security challenges and other disasters with the slogan “See Something Do N-Alert”, in the usage of the Mobile App, which has been upgraded to meet with current challenges in the country.

He assured that with the concerted efforts being put in place by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration to secure the lives and property of Nigerians and stabilise the economy, the nation will continue to get better.

Ogbeni Aregbesola enjoined Nigerians to keep faith with democracy, that though it might not have brought our best expectations, we should keep at it, knowing that practice makes perfect, and the alternatives are far worse and have proved ruinous and disastrous to the nation, if our recent history is anything to go by.

“There will surely be light at the end of the tunnel,” he stated.
The Minister wishes all Nigerians a happy Democracy Day Celebration.

Signed:
Dr. M L. Shuaib

WORLD FOOD SAFETY DAY…NIGERIANS DO NOT NEED MEDICINES IF THEY EAT RIGHT – NAFDAC

07/06/22

PUBLISHER.DANIELS G.O

PRESS RELEASE

WORLD FOOD SAFETY DAY

The Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye has urged Nigerians to always ensure that only safe, and wholesome food are consumed to enhance boosting the immunity and improving the bodys natural defenses in fighting diseases.

She further stated that Nigerians do not need medicines if they eat right, stressing that eating right means making healthy food choices from safe, wholesome, and nutritious foods.

Prof Mojisola Adeyeye made the admonition in Abuja on Tuesday at the NAFDAC celebration of the 4th World Food Safety Day 2022 with the theme “Safer Food, Better Health’” where she opined that where food is unsafe, our nutritional goals cannot be achieved.

In a statement signed by Sayo Akintola, Resident Media Consultant to NAFDAC, Prof. Adeyeye was quoted as saying that safe food is an essential component of sustainable development and contributes towards improvement of public health, poverty reduction, and increased food security.

Professor Adeyeye noted that the theme for this year is very apt, as the world gradually returns to normal with the COVID-19 pandemic having lost its firm grip on the world.

She pointed out that the theme also aligns with the World Health Assembly 75 theme, which is Health for Peace and Peace for Health, adding that safer food indeed takes the front and centre position for better health and relative personal and world peace.

‘’You all know my popular saying about not needing medicine if one eats right. Eating right means making healthy food choices from safe, wholesome, and nutritious foods’, she said.

She stressed that the occasion of World Food Safety Day is an added opportunity for us to create and generate awareness around food safety and situate it as a very significant issue of public health concern, especially in the light of safe, wholesome food being important for boosting immunity and improving the bodys natural defenses in fighting diseases.

‘’The theme Safer Food, Better Health is very relevant to us here in Nigeria as a large proportion of the foods we consume are produced by micro- and small-scale producers; these include our smallholder farmers, street food vendors, the traditional, open food markets’’
She noted that these are important players whose activities fall within the informal sector, and they constitute a significant part of our national food supply.

Prof Mojisola Adeyeye however, noted with dismay that their activities are of concern regarding safe food practices or lack of it.

She added that these foods are frequently exposed to less than hygienic and sanitary conditions, resulting in contamination and leading to incidences and outbreaks of foodborne diseases, situations that are steadily becoming significant food safety concerns.

The NAFDAC boss disclosed that unsafe foods are the cause of many diseases and contribute to other poor health conditions, such as impaired growth and development.

‘’We know that food safety is a shared responsibility, and everyone has a role to play in ensuring we have safer food for better health: from growers to processors, to transporters, sellers, buyers, and those who prepare or serve food. Policy makers, educational institutions and workplaces, as well as consumers are not left out; food safety is the responsibility of all. We must all work together to help achieve safer food for better health”.

She said her ‘Call to Action’ on this occasion of World Food Safety Day goes out to four groups of stakeholders, namely policy makers and food regulators, food businesses, educational institutions and workplaces as well as the consumers.

She urged policy makers and food regulators to design all public procurement of food, such as food aid, school feeding and other publicly owned food outlets, so that consumers can access safe and healthy foods. She added that they should support policy measures and legal frameworks to strengthen the national food safety system and ensure it complies with food safety standards and regulations.

She however, urged them to encourage and engage in multisectoral collaboration at the local, national, regional, and global levels.

Prof Adeyeye said food businesses should also engage employees, suppliers, and other stakeholders to grow and develop a food safety culture; and comply with international and national food standards.

Furthermore, Prof Adeyeye said educational institutions and workplaces should promote safe food handling as well as engage with families and involve them in food safety activities.

Above all, Prof Adeyeye admonished consumers to practice safe food handling at home and follow the WHO’s Five Keys to Safer Food: keep clean, separate raw and cooked, cook thoroughly, keep food at safe temperatures and use safe water and raw materials.

ASABA 2022 : WORKING TOGETHER TO STOP IRREGULAR MIGRATION…KNOW THE FOLLOWING FACTS ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING…

07/06/22

DANIELS G.O

THE OPENING OF A THREE DAY TRAINING AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT ORIENTATION STANDARD REPORTING TEMPLATE FOR MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS MEDIA CORPS AND OFFICERS OF PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATION UNITS HOLDING IN ASABA, THE DELTA STATE CAPITAL.

GLOBALLY, IRREGULAR MIGRATION AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING HAVE ASSUMED A WORRISOME DIMENSION .

NIGERIA, CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE HIGH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL MIGRATION DUE TO THE HUGE POPULATION, ECONOMIC CLIMATE ,POVERTY,CONFLICT & WAR,PEER PRESSURE,IGNORANCE,DEMAND FOR CHEAP LABOUR ABROAD, PARENTAL GREED FOR MONETARY GAIN AND POROUS BORDERS.

TRAFFICKING HAS BECOME A THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY, AND DESPITE THE EFFORTS OF RELEVANT AGENCIES LIKE THE NATIONAL AGENCY FOR THE PROHIBITION OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS NAPTIP, THE MERCHANTS OF THE TRADE HAVE CONTINUED TO EVOLVE WITH NEW TATICS.

TO FIND A LASTING SOLUTION, EXPERTS AT THE ONGOING MEDIA ORIENTATION IN ASABA ARE CALLING FOR A COLLECTIVE APPROACH.

RED ALERTS

DO YOU KNOW THAT…

* IT’S A CRIME TO EMPLOY A CHILD UNDER 12 YEARS AS A DOMESTIC WORKER?

*IT’S A CRIME TO EMPLOY A CHILD UNDER 18 YEARS TO DO ANY WORK THAT IS EXPLOITATIVE,INJURIOUS OR HAZARDOUS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD?

*IT’S A CRIME TO DEAL WITH ANYBODY AS A SLAVE?

*IT IS A CRIME TO REMOVE, BUY OR SELL HUMAN ORGANS?

IT IS A CRIME TO ORGANIZE FOREIGN TRAVELS WHICH PROMOTES SEXUAL EXPLOITATIONS OF ANY PERSON?

*IT’S A CRIME TO ENGAGE IN THE BUYING AND SELLING OF ANY HUMAN BEING?

BEWARE! NAPTIP IS EMPOWERED TO ARREST, DETAIN AND PROSECUTE OFFENDERS

NAPTIP IS A GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA AGENCY ESTABLISHED IN PURSUANT TO THE TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ( PROHIBITION) LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE ACT 2003 AS RED ENACTED IN 2015.

THE AGENCY IS FULLY COMMITTED TO THE PREVENTION OF ALL FORMS OF HUMAN DEGRADATION AND EXPLOITATION THROUGH COORDINATED USE OF THE NATION’S CRIME PREVENTION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES