HEALTH NEWS

HEALTH NEWS

US varsity partners Unilorin on prostate cancer research

From Sikirat Shehu, Ilorin

The University of Florida Cancer Centre, United States of America has expressed interest in collaborating with the University of Ilorin on prostate cancer research.

Prostate cancer, is the development of cancer in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system.

The Director, University of Florida Health Cancer Center, Prof. Mrs. Folakemi Odedina during a recent visit to the vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Abdul Ganiyu Ambali presented a letter inviting him , and his management team, to the American university for collaboration and signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions.

Odedina said an international conference on prostate cancer is being planned and will be hosted by the University of Ilorin.

Unilorin vice chancellor, Prof. Ambali said the university recently completed a central research laboratory, and boasts of talented individuals and resources that would be made available for the research collaboration with Florida University.

Agbami partners launch TB campaign in Kano, others

By Daniel Adugbo

Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited (A Chevron Company) and its Co-Venturers in the Agbami oil field project will in a couple of weeks launch a Tuberculosis (TB) awareness campaign aimed at sensitizing people in Kano, Lagos, Kaduna and River States on the dangers, prevention, management and treatment of TB.

Director, Star Deepwater, Mr. Jeffery Ewing made this known during the World Tuberculosis Day celebration in Abuja.

Ewing said Chevron companies in Nigeria as well as the Agbami partners have been building ultra-modern chest clinics fitted with x-ray machines, to eradicate the spread of tuberculosis and other related diseases in Nigeria.

According to Ewing, who was represented by Mr. Umaru Ribadu, Manager, Government Affairs, Chevron, 25 GeneXpert machines have been deployed nationwide to fast-track testing rates across the country.

Tuberculosis: Why you should seek help after two weeks cough

By Ojoma Akor

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has advised the public to see a healthcare provider if they have persistent cough for two or more weeks as it could be tuberculosis.

The minister in a statement to mark the World TB Day recently said there is need for sensitization to spread the message that TB is curable, and that its diagnosis and drugs are available in all DOTS centers nation- wide.

He also said Nigerians will soon start accessing care for tuberculosis at primary healthcare facilities because the federal government has included the management and control of tuberculosis among the services to be delivered in the planned 10,000 primary healthcare facilities across the country.

In an interview with the Daily Trust Health Desk, Dr Biodun Ogungbo, a brain and spine surgeon said many people think that TB only affects the lungs and causes the sufferer to cough while losing a lot of weight. “This is perhaps the commonest way TB presents. But, many other sufferers do not have cough as it affects their bones leading to destruction of the spine and deformity. Many of the patients with hunchbacks may have suffered from TB of the bone,” he said.

He said the TB bacteria is spread from person to person through the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs coughs, sneezes, speaks, sings or spits indiscriminately.

He said, if there is a reduction in the resistance to infection in one’s body (reduced immunity), which usually occurs when someone has HIV, is on certain medications like steroids for prolonged period of time or cancer therapy that reduces immunity or chronic malnutrition, the inactive infection can become a disease and the TB bacteria will multiply in the body.

While stating that the Federal Government’s National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTLCP) needs support from all stakeholders, he said there is also a toll free number people can call for more information on tuberculosis- 08002255282. TB diagnosis and treatment are free in government designated Health Facilities.

FG partners medical social workers on healthcare

By Dele Ogunyemi, Ibadan

The Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire has said the present administration is committed towards forging a closer relationship with medical social workers in the country.

He stated this when the national president of the Association of Medical Social Workers of Nigeria (AMSWON), Abubakar Alhassan Bichi led a delegation to his office in Abuja.

Ehanire said government’s major focus is to ensure that , the ordinary Nigerian is at the heart of its policies, adding that, medical social workers will be playing vital roles in that direction.

Earlier, Abubakar Bichi said even though medical services at the federal government owned hospitals are commendable, there is room for improvement.

Oral-B flags off mobile dental clinic

By Abbas Jimoh

The Oral-Care brand of Procter and Gamble, of the Oral-B toothpaste has launched a mobile dental clinic in Abuja.

Speaking during the launch, Oral Care Brand Manager for Sub Sahara Africa, Aliza Leferink, said her organisation was using the event as part of activities marking the 2016 World Oral Health Day to help Nigerians achieve healthier lives starting from oral care.

The Mobile Dental Clinic Program provides free oral care education and dental health checks to patients who lack the means or dental insurance for dental treatment.

Centre seeks private facilities to tackle mental illness

From Nahimah Ajikanle Nurudeen, Lagos

The Synapse Services Resource Centre has advised the federal government to encourage private investment in healthcare facilities that will cater for the need of people suffering from mental disorder in the country.

The Medical Director/ CEO of the centre , Doctor Vincent Udenze made the call at the commissioning of the Synapse Services Resource Centre in Lagos.

A conservative estimate of mental disorder cases in Nigeria shows that one out of seven persons will have serious mental illnesses, while one in four persons will have some form of mental disorder.

Udenze said stigmatisation against people suffering from mental illness and inadequate private facilities hinder peoples’ access to treatment.

NATURAL HEALTHCARE

With

Professor Dayo Oyekole, Ph.D. (Ibadan), NMD, FNCP.

Tel: 0803-330-3897 E-mail: [email protected]

Series 2: Prostate enlargement

Prostate enlargement is generally a disease of elderly men, and it is characterized by urine retention, leading to severe pains, anxiety, discomfort, and sometimes, loss of consciousness.

The full function of the prostate is not yet fully understood by scientists all over the world. However, it is known that as a gland, it produces fluid called ‘semen’ which is released by men, at the climax of sexual activity. The prostate gland will only grow and function under the influence of male hormones, the most important of which is called testosterone, produced from the testicles.

The causes of prostate enlargement are not very precise, but they are associated with hormonal imbalance; and available information indicates that most men who use drugs to improve their sexual performance tend to activate the level of their testosterone hormone beyond the threshold, and consequently, they often end up developing prostate enlargement and related complications.

A man suffering from enlarged prostate will first notice that he has to get up oftener than usual, to pass urine at night. The stream will be small and slow to start. A long time may be required to empty the bladder.

Many men with enlarged prostate may have no further disturbance than the “nuisance” symptoms stated earlier. Other cases will get worse until the patient cannot empty the bladder, and must resort to a catheter for relief.

Unfortunately, after the urine has once begun to be drawn by catheter, the danger of bladder infection is great. Also, the symptoms and problems of cystitis are likely to occur.

Treatment and control

In Holistic Lifecare, it is strongly advocated that the best prospects of controlling Prostate Enlargement, is by going back to Nature. When symptoms of an enlarged prostate are noticed, it is advisable to avoid spices, condiments and alcoholic beverages; to lessen bladder irritation, which may promote infection. It is also important to avoid cold conditions or getting the feet wet, or holding the urine for too long.

The holistic natural remedy being suggested for prostate enlargement is a combination of natural extracts of herbs such as saw palmetto, cocos nucifera, khaya ivorensis and lycopersicum esculentum.

Professor Dayo Oyekole is the chief consultant of Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centres in Ibadan, Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. For further information visit the website: www.holisticlifecare.com