NAFDAC APPROVES JANSSEN (JOHNSON & JOHNSON) COVID-19 VACCINE FOR EMERGENCY USE AUTHORISATION

DANIELS G O

PRESS RELEASE

MAY 18, 2021

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is hereby granting conditional Emergency Use Authorization for Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine to prevent COVID-19 in people from eighteen (18) years of age.
After a thorough evaluation, the NAFDAC Vaccine Committee concluded that the data on the vaccine were robust and met criteria for efficacy, safety and quality. The data also show that the vaccine’s known and potential benefits outweigh its known and potential risks thereby supporting the manufacturer’s recommended use. Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine is the third vaccine recommended in Nigeria for preventing COVID-19.
VACCINE EFFICACY
The Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine is administered as a single dose. Results from a clinical trial involving people in the United States, South Africa and Latin American countries found that Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine was effective at preventing COVID-19 in people from 18 years of age.

The Phase III clinical trial involved over 44,000 people. Half received a single dose of the vaccine and half were given placebo (a dummy injection). People did not know if they had been given Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine or placebo.
The trial found a 67% reduction in the number of symptomatic COVID-19 cases after 2 weeks in people who received Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine. The most commonly reported side effects were pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, muscle aches and nausea. Most of these side effects were mild to moderate in severity and lasted 1-2 days.
VACCINE SAFETY
In line with the NAFDAC’s Pharmacovigilance and safety monitoring plan for COVID-19 vaccines, Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine will be closely monitored and subject to several activities that apply specifically to COVID-19 vaccines.
Manufacturers are required to provide monthly safety reports in addition to the regular updates generated by NAFDAC activities.
Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine works by preparing the body to defend itself against COVID-19.
Unopened vaccine vials can be stored and/or transported frozen at -25°C to – 15°C for up to 24 months and 3 months when stored at 2 to 8°C.
The Ministry of Health and National Primary Health Care Development Agency will announce when the vaccine becomes available for use in Nigeria.

Prof Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, PhD, FAS
Director General

RHYTHMS OF VICTORY FOR SOLUDO IN EZIRA, ORUMBA SOUTH

16/05/21

Joe C. Anatune*

DANIELS G. O

*RHYTHMS OF VICTORY FOR SOLUDO IN EZIRA, ORUMBA SOUTH*

While other aspirants are in the media circuits dishing out propaganda and employing the services of dishonourable interlopers to disparage and throw mud, Cee Cee Soludo has chosen to remain with his party faithfuls and the good people of Anambra.

Nothing less is expected of a man of international stature, and one who holds a prestigious national honour from his country. He lives with the tenet that democracy is government of the people for the people and by the people. So Soludo would rather interface with the people. This is handsomely paying off with a deluge of endorsements for his candidature.

In Ezira, the who is who in Orumba South gathered in large numbers and endorsed him for Governorship in an atmosphere that can only be described as joyful.

The May 15, 2021 Ezira event was one in a series of interactive sessions Soludo has been having with APGA members and different segments of Ndi Anambra. In the colourful ambience of the country home of the amiable and confidence-inspiring House Member, Hon. Emmanuel Nwafor (Ntu Japan), with the ubiquitous display of Udo na Oganiru flag, speaker after speaker underscored why Soludo is the choice of the party and Ndi Anambra for the next Governor of the State.

One salient point was particularly emphasised by the party’s Vice Chairman South, Benneth Ibe; that the party has ways it has been conducting its affairs like any other organisation. Whether codified or not, this organisational culture, norms and values have determined the political success of its members. Former Deputy Governor, Mr. Emeka Sibeudu and the host, attested to this, with fiery speeches in support of Soludo. The underlying signal is that the party in its wisdom, has zoned its governorship ticket for the fast approaching election to Old Aguata and their choice is Cee Cee Soludo, who they believe has the stature and state-wide appeal to win the November 6, 2021 Governorship Election for them.

Youthful, energetic, sagacious and highly engaging, Hon Chinedu Obidigwe, who stormed the venue with his colourful band, emphasised the same point. He further made a point earlier postulated by the ever fresh fine boy, Hon. Ben Nwankwo, that Old Aguata should unite to see the project through. Obidigwe challenged Old Aguata to take up the gauntlet and deliver their outstanding son as Governor.

Soludo, who received Ntu Japan’s flag of Udo na Oganiru, poured encomiums to the host and guests for considering him worthy for the office. He assured and demonstrated that he appreciates their development challenges and opportunities, promising that he will wipe away their tears when he becomes Governor.

With the endorsement by Orumba South on the heels of an earlier one by Orumba North, the sounds of victory for Soludo in the June 2021 APGA primaries are resonating across the State.

*Joe C. Anatune*
*Anatune writes from Awa*

FINALLY, SOLUTION IS HERE. BE OF GOOD CHEER

13/05/21

Written By Joe C. Anatune

*FINALLY, SOLUTION IS HERE. BE OF GOOD CHEER*

Cee Cee Soludo is the solution; the triumph over adversity, happiness over sadness and plenty over want. He is the people’s choice for the November 6, 2021 Anambra Governorship Election. His, has been a life of total devotion to improving the lives of the masses, especially through well thought out public policies and hugely unadvertised personal social investments in education, health and empowerment.

It is not for nothing they call him Charlie Nwamgbafor. He wore the shoes of poverty and he knows where it pinches. Through education and other personal exertions, he smashed the glass ceiling and broke away from the vicious grip of poverty.

Unlike many, he does not undertake opportunistic philanthropy as a way of giving back to society. He uses mass oriented public policies to improve the lot of the masses. How?

He simply seeks Solutions and creates opportunities, something akin to teaching people how to fish, so that on their own, they can consistently put food on the table. Now, come with us for two illustrations.

Microfinance banks are conceived and designed to help small scale businesses have access to funds, so they can grow and employ more people. Soludo licenced over 1,000 of such banks during his tenure at the apex bank to spurn economic development at that level. Many of these microfinance banks are in the South East, particularly in Anambra State, where they have been supporting small scale ventures to expand their operations in addition to creating direct and indirect jobs.

Related to the foregoing is the reformation of the banking system that made the banks stronger, more reliable, bigger and safer such that the deposits of long suffering Nigerian masses have since remained safe. He didn’t leave behind, the rich and powerful group who he empowered through greater access to credits to become billionaires. Many of them are within us here in Anambra, but this is a topic for another day.

In the same vein, he also licenced over 1,000 Bureau de Change (BDC) operators, and each got allocation of thousands of US dollars per week. He opened opportunities for our people in that segment. Thousands of traders and travellers now have easy access to foreign exchange.

So, when you hear him assure that he will create 1,000 youth millionaires yearly and that he will make Anambra State an oasis of prosperity, you better believe him. Yes, this is his natural turf and he has done it over and over again. He will do more for Ndi Anambra.

Now, be of good cheer and do the needful on June 23 and November 6, 2021.

*Joe C. Anatune*
*Anatune writes from Awa*

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT ! EXTENSION OF PHASE 1 COVID-19 VACCINATION

14/05/21

DANIELS G.O

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT.

This is to inform the public that Phase 1 of the COVID vaccination has been extended for 2weeks by the Lagos State Government in line with the directives of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

Extension Date: Monday 10/5/21 to Friday 21/5/21(Sat 15th & Sunday 16th May inclusive)
Eligible Age: Everyone from 18years and above.
(below 18years are not eligible pls)

Venue: Vaccination is taking place in 13LGAs only as listed below.

I have been vaccinated, what about you? Get vaccinated, get protected against COVID 19.
COVID vaccine is Safe, Effective and Free.

Avail yourself this opportunity & inform others
Announcer:

Lagos State Primary Health Care Board.

Modupe Owojuegbe L/island changed from sura to onikan

NMA,MEDICAL GUILD REACT OVER VICE CHANCELLOR SELECTION CRISIS IN LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY, OJO

13/05/21

DANIELS G. O

PRESS RELEASE

PREAMBLE

We bring warm greetings from the Medical Academic Community. We wish to bring to the attention of the good people of Lagos State, Mr. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and all stakeholders our observation on the events surrounding the appointment of a 9th Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University, LASU viz a viz our role, expectations and fears.
Following the expiration of the tenure of the former Vice-Chancellor, the Governing Council of the University advertised vacancy of the office of the Vice-Chancellor of LASU. Eligible academics from within and outside of LASU applied for the position, including some bona fide professors in the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM). The process of appointment of the university Vice Chancellor, which often terminates at the university level with the selection of three adjudged best candidates by the University Joint Senate and Council Selection Committee for consideration of the University Visitor (the State Governor), was completed twice. In each occasion, the University Council had presented three names to the Governor for final selection of the Vice Chancellor, but the Governor had ordered fresh selection process each time. The excuse that was given each time the process was scuttled at the last lap on the Governor’s table has always been some petitions from certain quarters within the University.
What has drawn the interest of the medical community, including the Nigerian Medical Association and her affiliate bodies, initially is the fact that, to our excitement, each time the selection process was completed, at least one clinical professor had made the first three submitted to His Excellency for consideration. In fact, in the first selection process, now botched, the professor that ranked highest among the three selected professors, based on information in the public domain, was a medical doctor and professor of a field of clinical medicine. It even got more interesting in the second attempt at selection as all the three professors selected by the selection Committee were medical doctors and professors of different areas of clinical medicine. Our expectation was that one of these professors would have been selected for the position by now. The interest of the medical community was further drawn to the selection process of the 9th Vice Chancellor of LASU when it became apparent, based on earlier sundry media releases by some members of the university, that a key reason for the protraction in the appointment of the new Vice Chancellor was certain petitions from some members of the University community which queried the propriety of the Selection Committee to have countenanced clinical professors in LASU whose terminal qualification was the Medical Fellowship and not the PhD. These petitions, which were, apparently, efforts by certain individuals in the university and, perhaps, other political interests outside of the university to subvert merit, were despite the fact that section 2.7.5 of the Condition of Service of Lagos State University stated clearly that ..”A recognized doctorate degree (PhD) OR a recognized Professional Qualification in Medicine (Fellowship)” is the basic requirement for teaching and career progression in the university, as in the case in every university in Nigeria.

That such frivolous petition will continue to be a basis for delay in appointment of the 9th Vice Chancellor is a source of disappointment to all members of the Medical Academia. Our primary concern is the fact that despite the fact that in the very last (second) attempt at the selection, the Joint Selection Committee of LASU Senate and Council not only stated in the advertorial that the Medical Fellowship or a PhD were the terminal qualifications they sought in any professor that will aspire to lead LASU in line with the LASU condition of service, age-long tradition, and best-practice in all Nigerian universities; such baseless petitions were still being considered worthy of engagement by the Governor. It is also secondarily unsettling for us as stake-holders in the academia, including the medical academia, that despite the fact that the LASU Vice Chancellor selection process, now conducted twice, was widely adjudged thorough, with computer-based examination and oral interview with full video coverage, was still being subjected to endless scrutiny. This is without recourse to the fact that in attendance in the interview was at least one of the juggernauts of corporate Nigeria, that is, the CEO of MTN Nigeria, someone who understands the place of merit in organizational growth and development and who was able to bring to bear best-practices in corporate head-hunting into the selection process. The Governor still went ahead to subject the process to endless scrutiny again due to what was said to be “petitions” he supposedly received about the VC selection process. This news came to us as a rude shock and we are unable to dismiss well-known public insinuations that the process is being hijacked by external political forces and that the interest of these political forces, is to impose a Vice Chancellor on LASU and to prevent medical doctors who are professors of clinical medicine from emerging as Vice Chancellor in LASU as part of a larger conspiracy.
Despite the fact that we were not convinced that there was any genuine “crisis” or “impasse” in the LASU Vice Chancellor selection process, as alluded, to further warrant the convocation of a Visitation Panel; we, the members of the Medical Community, still went ahead to submit memoranda to the Panel. On Thursday, 22nd April, 2021, The Medical Associations (NMA Lagos, Medical Guild and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of LASU’s affiliated Teaching Hospital) had an impromptu call from the visitation panel to an interactive session. At the meeting, we were given opportunity to speak to the issues in our memoranda and members of the panel asked wide range of questions. The bias, in terms of composition and knowledge, of the panel towards the medical academia was not lost on us as we sat before them. We were amazed that despite the fact that the main argument of the petitioners was on the PhD versus Medical Fellowship debacle, members of the visitation panel were all PhD holders and none is a Medical doctor. We were concerned by the level of ignorance feigned by the panelists about the Medical fellowship, as they ALL erroneously assert that the Medical Fellowship was not an acceptable qualification to teach in the University despite glaring evidence that this is the practice in Nigerian Universities and stipulated by the relevant laws and conditions of Service of LASU. In addition, despite the fact that three past Vice-Chancellors of LASU (the pioneer VC, Prof Folabi Olumide, the 4th VC, Prof Fatiu Akesode and the 7th VC, Prof John Obafunwa) who distinguished themselves were Medical Doctors with Fellowship and the Condition of service of LASU recognized such, just as every other University in Nigeria; the Chairman of the panel continued to insinuate that Professors of clinical medicine should not become university Vice Chancellors because they hold the Medical Fellowship in lieu of PhD! This view expressed by the Panel Chairman confirmed our fears that the whole “crisis” in the LASU Vice Chancellor selection process was orchestrated and for the sole agenda of using the needless PhD versus Medical Fellowship brouhaha as excuse to reject the outcome of the selection process until the desired outcome of imposing a certain candidate is achieved.

Our thoughts, our fears and appeal
a) We strongly believe that the intervention of the Special Visitation Panel was in furtherance of a sinister agenda that will not serve good purpose for the progress of the University and which may engender further crisis
b) That the Special Visitation Panel, based on our interaction with them, exposed not only feign ignorance but their prejudice and bias against the Medical Academia and we fear that their recommendations will reflect such and will only engender crisis.
c) We do not have any reason to believe that the previous processes of selection of 9th Vice Chancellor for LASU were not rigorous or not in compliance with laid down procedures and the extant laws of the University. And we appeal that any one of the three finalists in the second selection process be announced by Mr Governor without further delay, since they all have what it takes to put the University in the path of unrivaled progress and excellence in its three core mandates of teaching, research and community service.
d) We are afraid that political interference and the seemingly apparent discrimination against the Medical Profession and established Medical education in Nigeria may derail the University system as this will send a message to all clinical lecturers in the College of Medicine in general as unwanted members of the university community and to the selected Professors of Clinical Medicine in the University specifically, as being perceived as second-rate academics in the LASU despite proving their mettle by coming top in the interviews conducted.
e) We use this opportunity to draw attention to the danger this act will portend to medical education in LASU and other Colleges of Medicine in Nigeria where clinical lecturers has diligently held and still hold the forte, if their morale is killed by this needless, almost reckless, act of discrimination.

f) We appeal that merit and extant laws be applied in this matter and reiterate we will use any lawful and legal means to prevent the disenfranchisement of any qualified person including Medical Doctors with Fellowship.
g) We appreciate the effort of all the stakeholders who have warned against discrimination against Medical doctors in the process for the good of LASU retaining its role as a world class institution.

Signed

Dr Adetunji Adenekan
Chairman NMA Lagos

Dr Oluwajimi Sodipo
Chairman Medical Guild

Dr Mumuni Amisu
Chairman MDCAN LASUTH

FINALLY, SOLUTION IS HERE. BE OF GOOD CHEER

13/05/21

Joe C. Anatune*

DANIELS G.O

*FINALLY, SOLUTION IS HERE. BE OF GOOD CHEER*

Cee Cee Soludo is the solution; the triumph over adversity, happiness over sadness and plenty over want. He is the people’s choice for the November 6, 2021 Anambra Governorship Election. His, has been a life of total devotion to improving the lives of the masses, especially through well thought out public policies and hugely unadvertised personal social investments in education, health and empowerment.

It is not for nothing they call him Charlie Nwamgbafor. He wore the shoes of poverty and he knows where it pinches. Through education and other personal exertions, he smashed the glass ceiling and broke away from the vicious grip of poverty.

Unlike many, he does not undertake opportunistic philanthropy as a way of giving back to society. He uses mass oriented public policies to improve the lot of the masses. How?

He simply seeks Solutions and creates opportunities, something akin to teaching people how to fish, so that on their own, they can consistently put food on the table. Now, come with us for two illustrations.

Microfinance banks are conceived and designed to help small scale businesses have access to funds, so they can grow and employ more people. Soludo licenced over 1,000 of such banks during his tenure at the apex bank to spurn economic development at that level. Many of these microfinance banks are in the South East, particularly in Anambra State, where they have been supporting small scale ventures to expand their operations in addition to creating direct and indirect jobs.

Related to the foregoing is the reformation of the banking system that made the banks stronger, more reliable, bigger and safer such that the deposits of long suffering Nigerian masses have since remained safe. He didn’t leave behind, the rich and powerful group who he empowered through greater access to credits to become billionaires. Many of them are within us here in Anambra, but this is a topic for another day.

In the same vein, he also licenced over 1,000 Bureau de Change (BDC) operators, and each got allocation of thousands of US dollars per week. He opened opportunities for our people in that segment. Thousands of traders and travellers now have easy access to foreign exchange.

So, when you hear him assure that he will create 1,000 youth millionaires yearly and that he will make Anambra State an oasis of prosperity, you better believe him. Yes, this is his natural turf and he has done it over and over again. He will do more for Ndi Anambra.

Now, be of good cheer and do the needful on June 23 and November 6, 2021.

*Joe C. Anatune*
*Anatune writes from Awa*

COVID-19 3RD WAVE: LAGOS VOWS TO STRICTLY ENFORCE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL PROTOCOLS ,PUTS 14 COUNTRIES ON WATCH LIST

13/05/20

DANIELS G.O

PRESS RELEASE

COVID19: LAGOS VOWS TO STRICTLY ENFORCE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL PROTOCOLS

· To Sanction Erring Inbound Passengers

· Puts 14 Countries on Watch List

As part of the strategic efforts to mitigate the third wave of COVID-19 in Lagos, the State Government has once again restated its commitment to strictly enforce COVID travel protocols especially for in-bound travelers coming into the State.

State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi who made this known today at a Press Briefing organized by the Ministry of Health to highlight the State Government’s COVID-19 third wave prevention strategy, noted that Lagos State Government is proactively setting parameters that will guide the management of Inbound Passengers of Interests (POIs) from other countries, especially, countries with rapidly spreading new strains of the COVID-19 virus.

He explained that inbound international travellers and POIs coming from other countries into Lagos are being classified on the basis of their originating countries into three; the Red countries, the Amber countries and the Green countries.

According to him, India, Brazil and Turkey where new variants of COVID originated from and is rapidly increasing especially in the past seven days are classified as the Red countries, while the Amber countries which consists of 14 nations are countries that are currently experiencing active community transmission of the new variants which originated from the Red countries.

The Commissioner added that the Green Countries are countries with no known variants of COVID or records of variants from Red Countries and no clear increase in the number of daily confirmed cases.

While listing the fourteen countries that from the Amber countries to include; Canada, U.S.A, France, Germany, Netherlands, Togo, Ghana, Cameroun, Angola, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, Abayomi disclosed that the State government would closely monitor inbound flights from the Red and Amber Countries and set parameters for management of POIs from the countries.

“Our protocol for management of inbound passengers from the Red Countries will include; a mandatory PCR test 72 hours before departure, PCR test post arrival and a 14 day isolation in a government approved facility paid for by the passenger.

“Passengers of interests from the Amber Countries are also required to do PCR test 72 hours before departure, PCR test post arrival and a mandatory seven days isolation at home which will be monitored by our logistics, surveillance and EkoTELEMED teams”, He said

Highlighting the framework for isolation of Passengers of interests from Red listed countries of India, Turkey and Brazil, the Commissioner explained POIs from these countries are required to pre-register and fill a travel registration form on the Federal Government’s COVID travel portal and pre-book for a PCR test and Isolation accommodation.

He added Port Health officials will verify details of POIs from the Red countries on arrival and ensure their transportation from the airport to isolation centres where a PCR test would be conducted to determine their COVID status. He noted that POIs who tested positive for COVID would be moved to government isolation centres while those who tested negative after a repeat test would be discharged after seven days isolation.

Said he, “The Federal Government has put very strict guidelines in place for people coming from India, Brazil and Turkey. These passengers coming in are to be mandatorily isolated at any of the accredited State isolation facilities at their own expense. They are to perform a COVID PCR test within 24 hours and continue isolation for seven days after which a second PCR test will be performed. If you are negative on that seventh day then you will be permitted to leave the State accredited isolation facility.

“For passengers returning from other counties, we are more relaxed however, there are still restrictions, all of them still have to comply with the seven day isolation but they can isolate at home where we will be monitoring them and ensure that they observe the mandatory seven day isolation before they leave their home environment”.

The Commissioner noted that the Governor has recently passed into law the Lagos State Coronavirus Pandemic law, 2021 which gives the Governor the right to order a quarantine and allow for sanction for anyone who flouts the law.

Abayomi pointed out that there will be severe sanctions for inbound travellers and POIs who flout the protocol or the State COVID pandemic law stressing that providing false or deliberately misleading information when filling out the online form is an offence punishable by imprisonment or heavy fines or both.

He said, “According to section 11 of the new gazette of the Lagos State Coronavirus Pandemic law, 2021, the Governor has the right to order for a quarantine of a person or group of persons to be quarantined until it is safe for such quarantine order to be lifted in Lagos State. According to section 17 of same law, if passengers break the quarantine rules, they may face a penalty of up to 300,000 naira and/or one year imprisonment”

While noting that general laxity, false sense of security and non-adherence to COVID guidelines, COVID fatigue and entry of mutations and guidelines are the possible triggers of the third wave infection, Abayomi averred that enforcement of non-pharmaceutical interventions of facemask use, social distancing, hand hygiene, avoiding mass gatherings, PCR testing and isolation if positive, is key to mitigating COVID third wave.

“We will deploy effective messaging and education via our various platforms, while we enforce all guidelines through the respective state agencies”, the Commissioner stated.

Signed.

Tunbosun Ogunbanwo

Director, Public Affairs

12th May, 2021

LAGOS STATE MINISTRY OF HEALTH REELS OUT STRATEGIES TO MITIGATE COVID-19 3RD WAVE

12/05/21

BRIEFING ON 3RD WAVE PREVENTION STRATEGIES

TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE TO COVID-19 PREVENTIVE GUIDELINES, THE LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT HAS ENACTED A LAW WHOSE SANCTIONS RANGES FROM A JAIL TEAM TO FINE.

SPEAKING AT A BRIEFING WEDNESDAY ON THE NEED FOR PEOPLE TO STAY SAFE AND PROTECTED AGAINST THE CORONA VIRUS, THE COMMISSIONER OUTLINED OTHER STRATEGIES PUT IN PLACE BY THE STATE ON HOW TO PREVENT A 3RD WAVE AND HOW TO MANAGE THE SITUATION IF IT DOES HAPPEN.

HE NOTED THAT
WITH LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF IT’S POPULATION VACCINATED So FAR NIGERIA IS AT A HUGE RISK OF THE 3RD WAVE OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ESPECIALLY WITH THE LARGE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC FROM ABROAD THROUGH THE VARIOUS AIRPORTS

SOME OF THE STRATEGIES AS ITEMISED BY THE COMMISSIONER INCLUDE A RAMP UP OF TESTING FROM TWO THOUSAND TO THREE THOUSAND SAMPLES DAILY, UTILIZATION OF TECHNOLOGY LIKE THE EKO TELEMEDICINE TO MONITOR INBOUND PASSESSENGERS FROM THE AIRPORT WHO CAN LIKELY COME IN WITH THE NEW STRAIN OF THE VIRUS,ENFORCEMENT OF NON- PHARMACEUTICAL MEASURES AND INCREASED VACCINATION.

IN ADDITION TO THE INITIAL FIVE HUNDRED AND SEVEN THOUSAND DOSAGE OF THE VACCINE GIVEN TO LAGOS STATE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, ANOTHER FIFTY SEVEN THOUSAND DOSAGE HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE STATE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THIS THE COMMISSIONER FOR HEALTH SAID WILL BE DEPLOYED FOR RING VACCINATION STRATEGY FOR PEOPLE RESIDENTS WHOSE RELATIVES HAVE JUST ARRIVED FROM ABROAD FROM PLACES WHERE THE NEW STRAINS ARE ENDEMIC.

BEYOND INDIA AND TURKEY WHERE LARGE CASES HAVE BEEN RECORDED IN RECENT TIME, THE LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO NOTED SOME AMBER COUNTRIES FOR CLOSE MONITORING.

*APGA AND SOLUDO WILL CONTINUE TO CRYSTALLISE THE BEAUTY OF ANAMBRA STATE*

12/05/21

Writer Joe C. Anatune

Publisher DANIELS. G.O

*APGA AND SOLUDO WILL CONTINUE TO CRYSTALLISE THE BEAUTY OF ANAMBRA STATE*

To realise and enjoy the full benefits of Governor Willie Obiano’s legacy projects that seek to make Anambra a proud member of the global economy, Anambra needs a thinker and doer who thinks global and acts local. Anambra needs Cee Cee Soludo, a man who has a knack for spurning development. We shall return to this shortly.

I have always observed with sublime satisfaction, the exhilarating mien of APGA members whenever they sing the party’s anthem. The feelings are intoxicatingly deep and the atmosphere, so to say, thrilling. True, APGA represents more than a vehicle to wrestle the machinery of government. It is, in my well considered opinion, a mass movement of a people totally committed to improving the quality of their lives. It is made in Anambra for Nigeria and it is living up to its billings.

The stellar performance of the party in food security and upscaling healthcare delivery services, education, among others, has endeared it to the good people of Anambra State.

APGA, through the current government, is raising the bar. Imagine that sooner than later, Anambra will be in pole position to host international sports tournaments. Close your eyes and visualize the prospect of hosting an event in Anambra International Conference Centre, such as musical concerts or other such high octane events. Begin to see brands made in Anambra in line with global standards, leaving the state through the International Cargo and Passenger Airport to compete for market share in different segments and categories of the highly lucrative global market. This is the foundation Obiano is laying, which many cannot put a finger on. These are, seriously speaking, the precursors to Anambra without petrodollars.

Lest we forget, PDP was in the same saddle for four woeful, uneventful years. Now that Anambra has become the reference point for good governance, all manner of political parties are angling to takeover, with their eyes fixated only on the pie. They are throwing mud and regaling in mischievous propaganda. Unfortunately for them, Anambra has gone beyond such puerile antics. They appreciate that APGA and Obiano know how to bake the cake, something the others don’t seem to have a grasp of, and they are poised to ensure that they are not taken back.

Now, APGA and indeed Ndi Anambra are in the process of making an important Choice for continuity and consolidation, as Obiano’s watch grinds to a glorious finish, in order to birth the next administration.

In this regard, it is clear that the good people of Anambra have since made their choice. Soludo is the man, the choice and the Solution. APGA has felt the pulse of the people and are asking Soludo to go win for them. He is ready and on the prowl, winning hearts and blowing across like a hurricane.

Apart from the fact that Soludo is the most popular and competent politician today in Anambra, he has the knack to continue crystallising the beauty of Anambra State. He is not coming to experiment. He will go full blast from day one. His track records eloquently speak for him.

So, how do we ensure that this beautiful story flips to the next page? Go out there on June 23 and November 6, 2021 and do the needful.

*Joe C. Anatuneb*
*Anatune writes from Awa*

TAKING LAGOS STATE HEALTH SECTOR TO GREATER HEIGHTS…Commissioner Akin Abayomi Presents Governor Sanwo-Olu Score Card

04/05/21

DANIELS G. O

MINISTERIAL PRESS BRIEFING

Sanwo-Olu’s health sector scorecard, by Abayomi
· Governor rolls out medical infrastructure upgrade
Lagos State Government has embarked on a total overhaul of infrastructure across all levels of its healthcare delivery system. Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi broke the news at the ongoing inter-ministerial press briefing organised to mark the second year anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in office.
The Commissioner said the roadmap for the upgrade of infrastructure in the State-owned health facilities began last year, following the approval of the plan by the executive council.
At the event held at the Press Centre in Alausa, Abayomi also gave account of stewardship of the Ministry’s activities in the last two year.
The Commissioner explained that the infrastructure roadmap was being executed by the ministry’s Medical Project Implementation Unit (MPIU) in phases, revamping facilities across primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare. He said the overhaul was part of a strategy to build a resilient healthcare in Lagos and increase residents’ access to quality universal health coverage.
Abayomi said the effort would bring about fit-for-purpose healthcare facilities that would raise the capacity of the State Government to respond to contemporary and future health challenges, while observing that the renewal effort was being carried out in short, medium- and long-term bases.
Part of the new features to be seen, the Commissioner said, will include improved efficiency for physical maintenance, ease of movement, low carbon footprint,
low energy consumption, infection prevention and control as well as staff and patient comfort.
He said: “In last one year, we have embarked on a phased but comprehensive revamp of our secondary health facilities as part of our medical infrastructure upgrade roadmap which is aimed at raising access to quality and bringing about efficiently run health facilities.
This effort commenced in the previous year and it is expected to address issues of design errors, drainage, patient flow, staff flow, water collection, infection prevention, energy and ventilations.
“We have renovated and remodeled the Mainland Hospital in Yaba with future plans of making it an Institute of Research for Infectious Disease. We have also completed the remodeling and upgrade of Apapa General Hospital, just as we currently renovate Harvey Road Health Centre, Ebute Metta Health Centre, Isolo General Hospital and the General Hospital, Odan Lagos. All of these are in the effort to make health accessible.”
According to the Commissioner, the Sanwo-Olu administration has completed, equipped and handed over two multi-level Maternal and Childcare Centre (MCC) in Eti-Osa and Badagry. The construction of another 110-bed MCC, he said, has been completed in Epe and is due for commissioning in the coming weeks.
Abayomi noted that the upgrade was being done in a sustainable way, which would take another decade for major repairs to be done, except statutory maintenance by the hospital management and the Lagos State Asset Maintenance Agency (LASIAMA).
He disclosed executive council had also approved the construction of new hospitals to bridge gaps in access and services in the health sector. This, he said, is in tandem with the determination of current administration to achieve the goals set in the Health and Environment pillar of its T.H.E.M.E.S agenda.
He said: “In fulfilment of our medical infrastructure blueprint agenda, we have commenced the construction of a 280-bed General Hospital in Ojo, 150-bed New Massey Street Children’s Hospital, while the Governor has also approved the construction and equipping of 1,500-bed Psychiatric Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre at Majidun in Ketu Ejinrin.
“In the course of the year, we have completed the construction of a four-storey Faculty of Basic Medical and Clinical Sciences Office Block at Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) and plans have been concluded for renovation and upgrade of some facilities at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in tandem with our medical infrastructure blueprint strategy for the tertiary health facilities.
“In partnership with the private sector, we have completed and handed over an oxygen plant at Mainland and Gbagada General Hospitals. We have delivered Traige and Oxygen Centres in 10 locations across Lagos. In raising staff welfare, we have started the construction of a 24-unit Doctors’ and Staff Quarters in at Gbagada General Hospital.”
Abayomi also disclosed that work had begun on the blueprint designs for Comprehensive Health Center, Primary Health Center and Health Posts as part of the move to rejig their operations and service delivery. This, he said, will help in adding significant bed capacity to Lagos State’s healthcare infrastructure.
While noting that the promotion and protection of the health of residents of Lagos State has a positive impact on social development and quality of life of citizens, Abayomi disclosed that the State government embarked on the greenfield medical infrastructure projects to prevent issues noticed in health infrastructure across all levels of care in the State. He added that all issues bedeviling medical health infrastructure will disappear when the medical infrastructure blueprint strategy is fully implemented.
“The continuous improvement in quality of health service in the State is a core mandate of our administration and we are uniquely positioned to utilize available resources to actualize this goal. With the ongoing refurbishment and roll out of new infrastructure blueprint, the medical infrastructure landscape of the State would look completely different, giving us a step closer to achieving universal health coverage”, he stated.
He averred that the medical infrastructure blueprint agenda will help address the issue of brain drain, medical travels and patient welfare stressing that the State government through the strategy hoped to endear medical tourism to the State.
“The prototype of the new, remodeled and upgraded healthcare infrastructure in the state will conform with key elements of global standards health facility designs which includes Natural Light/Ventilation, Sustainable Energy, Patient Flow, Infection Prevention, Noise Prevention, Flood Prevention, Identifiable standout visual features as well as scalability and modular design for expansion”, Abayomi stated.
The second wave of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), which spread more rapidly across Lagos State than the first wave, would have wreaked havoc on the country, the Commissioner said. He said the response strategy put in place by the Governor efficiently curtailed the pandemic and limited fatalities.
The Commissioner said the effectiveness of the State’s response strategy saved the country from negative impacts associated with the pandemic’s second wave as seen in other countries. He added that EKO TELEMED – a tech-driven platform through which the State Government managed the spread of the virus – yielded efficient results in breaking the cycle of community infection.
The Commissioner said there was an ongoing effort by the State Government to prevent a third wave of the pandemic, noting that Lagos had started the deployment of EKO TELEMED in the management of in-bound international travellers from high burden countries. The tech-driven platform, he said, would be used to monitor movement and treat infected travelers.