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“Nigeria Is In Big Problem!” – Doctor Olufunmilayo Harvey

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A UK-based Nigerian doctor, Dr Harvey Olufunmilayo, has decried the huge number of Nigerian doctors seeking greener pastures abroad.

Olufunmilayo, who practises in Leeds, said about 1,000 Nigerian doctors passed the Plab1 exam in March 2018 to enable them practice in the UK.

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) had in January 2018 said that there were 4,000 patients to one doctor in Nigeria, describing the trend as unacceptable.

Olufunmilayo, who took to his Twitter handle, explained that four million Nigerian patients would be denied access to a doctor should the 1,000 doctors leave Nigerian shores.

He said, “In March, about 1,500 doctors wrote the Plab1 exam to work in the UK and about 1,000 passed. In a country that 1 doctor cares for about 4,000 patients; losing 1,000 doctors means 4million Nigerians will find it harder to see a doctor. We are playing with fire as a nation.

“Remember this analysis is based solely on the March 2018 Plab Exams alone. The same exam is written twice a year in Nigeria. And with more hardship, more doctors will be writing by November 2018. And we are yet to talk of those going to other countries like USA or Canada.

“We have a big problem on our hands. There is a big fire burning and everyone is looking away thinking all is well. We largely have under-equipped hospitals with underpaid/overworked staff and overpopulated patients. Now with more health professionals’ exit, what will happen?

“Have we decided that we will wait till our hospitals turn to museums with antique outdated equipments that has no professional to utilise them for sick and dying patients before we realise the grave danger associated with this continuous exit of medical workers from the country?

“I was having a chat with a younger colleague friend preparing for the exam. She’s part of a WhatsApp group that is already full to the brim – with 256 doctors preparing to take the same exams to leave the country. And she said she knows at least 2 of such full groups. Oh Lord!

“My people, let’s be clear – doctors are working on their exit on a daily basis. This fire we are ignoring, when it burns, and it wil, no one will be spared. Even if you are rich, even if you are powerful, someone you know will fall victim of this same health sector you are destroying.

“And as I stated earlier, 1 Nigerian doctor should take care of 4000 Nigerians. Losing 1,000 doctors (based on the March 2018 Plab UK exams alone) is effectively making it extremely difficult for 4 million Nigerians to see a doctor. How are you in government and comfortable with this?

“And if you are a government official and you are thinking you have the money and/or the means to always take care of yourself or your family in some overseas country if you fall sick, then let me explain to you why that reasoning is slow and very daft. Because sadly, it really is.

“There are medical calamities that befall a person and requires immediate intervention. If you have a sudden heart attack or a serious stroke or severe sepsis, such an emergency can’t wait for you to get on a private jet. You will be taken to the same hospitals that you ruined.

“I don’t need to mention names but many government officials have also been rushed to the same under-equipped hospitals with underpaid unmotivated staff, and those your colleagues in government died from things that could be easily prevented IF you ever paid any attention to the health sector.”

Health

NAFDAC warns against purchase of counterfeit anti-malaria drugs

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised the alarm over the circulation of “counterfeit” Paludex tablets and suspensions in Nigeria.

The agency said the drugs, labelled as Paludex (Artemether/Lumefantrine), are manufactured by Impact Pharmaceutical Ltd, and Ecomed Pharma Ltd, Enugu and marketed by MD Life Sciences Ltd, Enugu.

The statement said laboratory tests conducted by a WHO-prequalified laboratory in Germany and NAFDAC revealed that the products contain zero percent active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), rendering them ineffective and potentially harmful.

NAFDAC warned that the products are not on its registered database and all NAFDAC registration numbers stated on the products are false.

“Genuine Artemether/Lumefantrine tablets or suspension is a combination of the two medications Artemether and Lumefantrine used to treat acute, uncomplicated malaria in adults and children,” the statement reads.

“The illegal marketing of medicines or counterfeit medicines poses a great risk to the health of people; by not complying with the regulatory provisions, the safety, quality, and efficacy of the products are not guaranteed.

“Also, poor-quality pediatric formulations or medicines in general have the potential of causing treatment failure when the API content is below the prescribed dose.

“All NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified products within their zones and states.

“NAFDAC implores distributors, healthcare providers, and patients to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid distribution, administration, and use of the products.

“All medical products must be obtained from authorized/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.”

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Health

Less sugar in a child’s first 1000 days reduces risk of chronic disease, study says

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A new study has found that reducing the amount of sugar children get in the womb and as toddlers can protect them against diabetes and high blood pressure in adulthood.

Published in the journal Science, the research reveals a critical period for healthy nutrition in the first 1,000 days of a baby’s life — from conception to age two.

The study found that cutting sugar intake in this window decreased the type 2 diabetes risk by about 35% and the risk of high blood pressure by roughly 20%. The researchers also discovered a delay in disease onset of four and two years, respectively.

The research team anaylsed data from before and after the end of the United Kingdom’s world war II-era sugar rationing in September 1953.

In January 1940, the UK government began food rationing to ensure fair shares for all during the wartime shortage.

Access to sugar, fats, bacon, meat and cheese was limited. When the rationing of sugar and sweets ended in September 1953, the average adult’s daily sugar consumption nearly doubled almost immediately, from about 40 grams to 80 grams.

Analysing the UK BioBank database of 60,000 people, the scientists compared health in middle age for 38,000 people conceived and born during rationing and 22,000 people conceived soon afterward.

The analysis showed a 30% reduction in the risk of obesity among sugar-rationed babies.

The study by the team at the University of Southern California also found that the risk of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure increased with age. However, it increased faster in those conceived after sugar-rationing ended.

The results showed type 2 diabetes started on average four years later in adult life where there had been sugar-rationing during early childhood, and blood pressure two years later.

There was a 35% reduction in type 2 diabetes for those babies conceived during sugar rationing and a 20% reduction in high blood pressure.

“Sugar rationing created an interesting natural experiment,” said Tadeja Gracner, the study lead author and a senior economist at the Center for Economics and Social Research at the University of Southern California.

“We all want to improve our health and give our children the best start in life, and reducing added sugar early is a powerful step in that direction.

“With better information, environment and the right incentives, parents can more easily reduce sugar exposure, for kids and themselves.”

Also speaking, Keith Godfrey, a professor from the University of Southampton, said: “This is convincing new evidence, providing further support that reducing exposure of the unborn baby and newborn infant to sugar has lasting benefits that include lowering the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure in later adulthood.

“The findings are in keeping with our research showing lower rates of obesity in the children of mothers who eat low glycaemic index foods during pregnancy that are digested and absorbed more slowly, causing a slower rise in blood sugar levels.”

A previous study also suggested that high sugar intake during pregnancy may affect a child’s intelligence.

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Health

Five health benefits of aloe vera

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Aloe Vera is a spiky succulent plant that grows naturally in dry, tropical climates like Africa, Asia, Europe, and southern and western parts of the United States. Over the years, this scrubby and pointy plant has been cultivated for its medicinal purposes.

Here are the health benefits you get from aloe vera as gel and juice.

  • Aids digestion

Aloe vera, particularly aloe vera juice, has been proven to be a natural laxative.

The outer part of this plant contains a compound called anthraquinone glycosides which has laxative effects.

study discovered that this compound can help relieve constipation while another research found that aloe vera could help reduce the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — a digestive disorder that often results in heartburn — and irritable bowel syndrome.

However, when trying aloe juice for constipation for the first time, consume little amount of it.

  • Reduces blood sugar levels

Both the gel and juice of aloe vera can help lower and control one’s blood sugar levels.

Several studies have indicated that taking aloe vera juice has some potential benefits for people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes due to its effect on glycemic control.

  • Rich in antioxidants

Aloe vera gel contains powerful antioxidants called polyphenols, which also have anti-inflammatory effects.

Antioxidants are important to health as they protect your body from damage caused by free radicals. These antioxidants have benefits ranging from reducing one’s risk of cardiovascular diseases to improving the immune system.

Aloe vera also has antibacterial and antiviral properties which is why it is used to treat and relieve burns and wounds.

  • Promotes dental health

Due to its antibacterial properties, aloe vera juice and mouthwash improve various dental and oral conditions.

Aloe vera mouthwash is effective in reducing dental plaque. A study also showed that aloe vera mouthwash help reduces gum inflammation in people who had recently undergone tooth surgery to remove plaque.

  • Skincare

Aloe vera is perhaps one of the most widely used herbal remedies for topical skin conditions. This is because the gel-like components of the plant are known to heal the skin from a variety of minor ailments.

This plant is also a natural moisturizer that helps soothes dry skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties also make it a potential treatment for skin conditions like burns, acne, and eczema.

Aloe vera also helps reduce the appearance of blemishes and wrinkles.

A 2009 study of 30 females over the age of 45 also prove that taking oral aloe vera gel increased collagen production and improved skin elasticity over 90 days.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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