sunshineandhealthcare: July 2012

Friday 27 July 2012

Ondo to inaugurate N6bn medical village, meets MDGs’ targets on maternal, child health

As part of efforts to make qualitative healthcare affordable and accessible to inhabitants of Ondo State, the state government under the leadership of Governor Olusegun Mimiko plans to inaugurate a N6 billion modern Medical Village along Laje Road, Ondo West Local Council.

The Medical Village, which comprises of a 100-bed Mother and Child Hospital, Gani Fawehinmi Diagnostic Centre, Trauma Centre; General Hospital, Call Centre, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Hospital, Heliport, staff quarters, staff school, shopping mall, and sports centre, is set to be opened to the public before month end.

The use of currency notes could be one of the major sources of transmittance of diseases. Experts warn of the possibility that currency notes might act as vehicles for the transmission of germs, urging that hand washing and proper handling of notes is imperative for health.
The environment plays a critical role in transmission of germs to humans, serving as vehicles. Disease-causing germs may be transmitted, either directly, through hand-to-hand contact, or indirectly via food or other inanimate objects.

Despite recent medical and pharmaceutical advances, over 1500 women still die daily from pregnancy or complications related to childbirth. The statistics are even worse for children, 22,000 of whom die daily before their fifth birthday, 41 per cent occurring during the neonatal period, that is, the first 28 days of life. The bad news for developing countries is that at least 98 per cent of these deaths occur in them. Africa is the worst culprit, with Nigeria leading the way. For years, Nigeria's global ranking in maternal and infantile mortalities has hovered between second and fifth positions.

The reasons are not far-fetched: Far too many pregnant mothers reel in poverty, illiteracy, poor nutrition, and poor sanitation, while governments provide inadequate health care and health education owing to ineffectual leadership, poor governance, and corruption. These factors increase delays in seeking, accessing, reaching, and referring care, which eventually lead to deaths from preventable and treatable conditions.

New vaginal ring to keep women safe

At the International AIDS Conference, researchers have been keeping their focus on a new vaginal ring aimed at keeping women safe.

“Because this product is designed to be replaced once a month, it offers potential to increase the chances that women will continually use the product as opposed to a product that has to be applied in a behaviorally dependent prior to sex way or on a daily basis,” explained Dr. Carl Dieffenbach, with the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Ondo’s new emergency medical service to tackle deaths on roads

Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has announced the commencement of emergency medical services to bring succor to victims of road traffic accidents, which is currently the greatest killer of people within the productive age group.

In recognition of the immense contributions of the Dr Olusegun Mimiko-led administration in Ondo State to the reduction of maternal and child mortality in the state, the Forum of Federal Health Institutions Nurses and Midwives (FFHINAM), Federal Medical Centre, Owo on Monday conferred an Award of Excellence in Mortality Reduction on the Governor.

The Ondo State Commissioner for Heath, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, recently called on `Abiye' Ward
Health Committees to assist in mobilising expectant mothers for ante-natal registration.
Adeyanju made the call in Akure during a meeting with members of the committees and other

stakeholders in the maternal health programme.

Ondo State Government to Train Health Workers on HIV Counseling and Testing

The Chairman, Ondo State agency for the control of HIV and AIDS, Dr Aderotimi Adelola, says the Government will train more health workers on HIV counseling and testing, HCT.

Dr. Adelola, who is also the Secretary to the State Government, stated this in Akure, the Ondo State capital, at a workshop to train service providers to cover 23 wards in the State.

He said the Government would not relent in the training until all the wards were covered.

Dr. Adelola reiterated the commitment of the Government to curtail the spread of HIV/AIDS

Source:radionigeria

Mimiko Lauds Health Workers on Service Delivery

HEALTH workers in Ondo State have been commended for their strict adherence and dedication to the health care policy of the State government. The state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, gave the commendation, on Wednesday, during an unscheduled visit to the state Specialist Hospital in Akure, where medical teams from India and Bangladesh were administering free treatment on the people courtesy of Rotary International and the State government.

Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko expressed satisfaction with the level of collaboration between his government and foreign medical experts.

Mimiko, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr, Eni Akinsola, stated this during a visit to the Specialist Hospital in Akure, where a medical team from India and Bangladesh are offering free health care services to the public.

Coffee, a long time early morning drink, is not just a drink to keep the body warm, it is a life-saving beverage that can protect people from simple ailments and deadly diseases.

A simple blood test is enough to diagnose breast cancer at the early stage. That is the submission of a study conducted recently to foster better diagnosis and early treatment for breast cancer patients.

The wife of Ondo State governor, Mrs Olukemi Mimiko, has identified entrepreneurship, anchored on sound education, as a major avenue to minimise poverty in the country. Mrs Mimiko, who made this known at the valedictory service and award ceremony of Demonstration Secondary School of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo , noted that entrepreneurship was the way out of poverty.

The World Bank has applauded and recommended Ondo State Abiye (Safe Motherhood) programme as a solution to Africa health challenge. World Bank African Region Vice President, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili said in Washington that Ondo State has provided a role model and a benchmark for the African continent in tackling infant and maternal mortality rate The World Bank says the federal government and other states of the federation should adopt Ondo State’s strategy and replicate same through out Nigeria as a sure and fast means of combating infant and maternal mortality challenge. The World Bank says other African countries must learn from the Ondo State experience where the Governor has shown excellent leadership and commitment. The Bank promised assistance to help expand the Ondo State initiatives as Governor Olusegun Mimiko made a presentation to the World Bank on the State health initiative in tackling infant and maternal mortality.

Ondo plans residency card project

GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has said that his administration would start the implementation of its residency card project, also known as kaadi igbe ayo, very soon.

Mimiko, who stated this when he visited the Mother and Child Hospital in Akure yesterday, said the card would afford all legal residents of the state to enjoy all government social services and facilities without stress.

Project Manager of the Ondo State Action Committee on Aids, Dr. Dayo Adegbulu, said on Saturday in Akure the HIV/AIDS cases in the state had dropped to 1.7 per cent.

Ondo govt poised to achieve zero tolerance level of HIV infection’

The Ondo State government, on Monday, said it was poised to achieve zero level of HIV infection in the state, just as it had trained more HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) service providers in a bid to increasing access to the service, particularly in the rural areas of the state.

The Ondo State Government is set to produce a workable policy on Healthcare Waste Management aimed at protecting the healthcare workers and various communities from the risk of medical waste.

Ondo govt Strengthens Maternal/child Health Care Programme

The rainy season is here again. But that should not stop you from diving into a safe pond. Swimming is an aerobic exercise and even an art that is well known for toning the body and pampering the skin. You stand to gain certain health benefits with each stroke you take.

Tears of joy accompanying safe delivery is fast becoming common place in communities across Ondo state. Pregnancy is no longer the death sentence it used to be some years back. Interestingly, it is almost like a competition among women in the state to get pregnant and even among those who had earlier stopped child bearing.

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The first-ever daily pill to help prevent against HIV was approved Monday by US regulators for use in uninfected adults who are at risk for getting the virus that causes AIDS.
Truvada, made by Gilead Sciences in California, has been on the market since 2004 and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for a new use as a tool to help ward off HIV in otherwise healthy people, in combination with safe sex and regular testing.

What your tongue says about your health

The tongue is generally known to serve the purpose of helping us eat and speak but it can perform more than these basic functions.
Among all other organs, the tongue is acclaimed to be one of the most correct gauges of the state of the digestive tract and the most precise indicator of some internal diseases. Yet, it is common to find that most people ignore their hardest-working muscle.
The colour, texture and moisture of your tongue can provide revealing signs of what's going on inside your body which is why it is one part of your body that you must study every morning before you brush your teeth or eat anything. According to medical practitioners, it can tell you if you've properly digested your food from the night before, if your colon is clear, if your organs are happy, if you could use a cleanse, if you're holding onto too much anxiety or fear and it can even aid in diagnosing disease.

Bleeding in early pregnancy is a common occurrence, but this does not signal a true menstrual cycle. Experts say that women who say they had a period while pregnant either have a different definition of “period”, or honestly think any vaginal bleeding can be termed as “menstruation”,
Everyone seems to know someone who has a friend who had their period during their pregnancy! This seems to happen throughout the generations and is almost an urban legend now.

Onions intake boost memory and fight stroke

Researchers have said that increased intakes of onions may boost the brain’s ability to store memories and fight degenerative brain diseases such as stroke.

Wine isn’t always the way to ensure a healthy heart, at least for everybody. Experts say that some individuals who take wine, because of their intolerance experience symptoms such as runny nose, headache, cold symptoms, itchy rashes, all akin to allergy.
Many times people have heard about the heart-healthy and cancer-fighting antioxidants benefits of a glass of red wine. But wine is not for everyone. There are a good, but unrecognised number of people that will develop cold symptoms, headache, stuffy or, runny nose or even rashes after taking a glass of wine. They have an allergy or intolerance (similar to a food allergy, but not life-threatening) to wine.

Constant stress makes you sick

Stress is responsible for most health problems. Experts say that stress breaks down the immune system, leaving individuals more susceptible to catching communicable diseases, such as cold and flu more often.

Bushmeats illegally imported from Africa to the US contain potentially dangerous bacteria, according to a new study made public in the US.

The study, led by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was published by PLoS ONE magazine.

Poor reproductive health services have been identified as the root cause of infant and maternal mortality especially in the developing world.

Can spending less time sitting down add years to life

Limiting the time we spend sitting to just three hours a day could add an extra two years to our life expectancy.
It seems plausible that if future generations moved around a bit more, then they might live longer on average.
But very few of us currently spend less than three hours sitting each day, and so this seems a very optimistic target."

Vitamin D is More Than a Vitamin

A new study shows that vitamin D binds directly to your DNA.

The newest Journal of Immunology shows that Vitamin D activates a gene that stops inflammation. Exposure to the sun is the main source for your body's vitamin D but sun screens, aging and clothes interfere with this source of vitamin D.

Do you ever think about why we eat? The easy answers are because we are hungry, tired and our stomach is rumbling. Sometimes you might also eat because you are bored, sad or happy, just because it's lunchtime, or because that chocolate-covered donut looks so good.

Those are some of the emotional and physical reasons why we eat, but do we ever put much thought into why our body needs food? Not just any food, by the way, but healthy, good-for-you food? Why is good nutrition important?

EXPERTS at this year’s World Population Day (WPD) have described as unacceptable the fertility rate of 5.7 per cent in the country, stressing that Nigeria is lagging behind many countries in controlling its population growth.

Earlier, President Goodluck Jonathan has disclosed that a bill may soon be sponsored at the National Assembly seeking to ensure birth control in the country.

He spoke during the inauguration of Chairman and National Commissioners for National Population Commission (NPC).

This was the conclusion drawn yesterday in Abuja at the 2012 WPD where dignitaries from the NPC, health sector and international organisation gathered to mark the yearly event with the theme: “Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services”

How to treat jaundice

Despite medical information on jaundice, many mothers do not know how to treat the disease in their children.

Walking fast has been described as one of the easiest and most comfortable form of exercise. But getting the top mark in walking is about how fast your feet can fly.

Doctors at the University of Gottingen, Germany are set to start a research on patients, where they will receive injections of Ancrod, a drug made from the the venom of the Malayan Pit Viper (snake).

According to Daily Mail, the drug is prescribed to people who suffer from sudden loss of hearing.

In some cases it (loss of hearing) may occur over night while others may hear a loud pop before their hearing disappears.

Such conditions occur when a part of the inner ear doesn’t get enough oxygen, or when it’s been infected by virus or a blood vessel defect.

The drug is supposed to work by thinning the blood and boosting circulation.
It can also be used in the case of stroke.

Source:channelstv

Friday 6 July 2012

Woman gives birth to a healthy baby with two heads and two necks

A woman in India gave birth to a healthy child with two heads and necks in a private hospital in Muktsar, Punjab, after a major operation on Tuesday.

10 shocking medical mistakes

When you're a patient, you trust you're in good hands, but even the best doctor or nurse can make a mistake on you or someone you love.

Mistakes are happening every day in every hospital in the country that we're just not catching.

In the latest study to look at the effect of vitamin D on fracture risk, Swiss researchers found that taking more than 800 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily could reduce the risk of hip fractures in older women by 30 percent.

At least 33.6 million people globally have been diagnosed with HIV while an estimated 2.7 million others were newly infected with the virus out of which two million died in 2008, a World Health Organisation, WHO, record for 2008 has revealed.

Keeping the brain sharp by interacting with others and engaging in intellectually stimulating activities has been found to prevent and slow the progression of all diseases.If any of the following happen to you, see a doctor.

On stroke It’s a condition where blood clots or a ruptured artery or blood vessel interrupts blood flow to an area of the brain. A lack of oxygen and glucose (sugar) flow to the brain leads to the death of brain cells and brain damage, often resulting in impairment in speech, movement and memory.

The two main types of stroke include Ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic strokes account for about 75 percent of all strokes and occurs when a blood clot or Thrombus, forms that blocks blood flow to part of the brain. If a blood clot forms somewhere in the body and wanders off to become free floating, it is called an embolus. This wandering clot may be carried through the blood stream to the brain where it causes stroke.

Since ancient times, home remedies have been used to treat a wide variety of illnesses. Now, with the high cost of hospital bills and prescription medications, more people are turning to alternative ways to treat many ailments, including cold, cough and sore throat.

Beer and soda are two of the most popular and unhealthy beverages available today. They’re both associated with a long list of health risks. In fact, experts warn that in choosing which one is worse is a matter of determining the lesser of two evils.

Negative thinking can quickly turn into depression

Negative thoughts make you feel bad, anxious, sad, hopeless, guilty and angry. Instead of being overwhelmed by these feelings, stopping such thoughts early can save millions of people from depression.
We all think negatively from time to time: “It will never work out, “I am not liked”,”I’m no good”, “Life has no meaning” “Nothing goes the way I want it.” An occasional negative thought doesn’t bare much impact on one’s overall well-being but consistently thinking in a bad or negative way does.

Deciding to take the plunge into parenthood is perhaps one of the most critical decisions. For a woman, motherhood happens to be an important phase of life and thus make sure that you are ready for the same. There are certain things that you need to do to conceive.

What to do about Oily Skin

Oils produced by the body help keep skin healthy. But too much of a good thing can leave your face looking oily, which no one wants. Excess oil can also lead to blemishes and acne flare-ups. I have an oily skin too but seeing a cosmetologist saved me from the mess.
If you have an oily skin and you’d like to do something about this condition, here are some good tips for you from her:

Drink plenty of water or other calorie-free beverages.
Before you tear into that bag of potato chips, drink a glass of water first. People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger, so you can end up eating extra calories when an ice-cold glass of water is really all you needed. If plain water doesn't cut it, try drinking flavored sparkling water or brewing a cup of fruit-infused herbal tea.

PORT HARCOURT – POLICE in Rivers State have smashed a syndicate, that specialised in selling new babies. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Ben Ugwuegbulam, who confirmed the development to Vanguard, said the Police arrested a husband and his wife involved in the illicit trade.

Cold sores are proof that life can be unfair -- some people get them, others don't. Besides being itchy and painful, cold sores (fever blisters) make you feel self-conscious. Certain treatments can help shorten the duration of symptoms of cold sores, when used at the first sign of an outbreak. Other treatments can relieve symptoms. Use this pictorial guide to learn how to recognize cold sores and how to prevent and treat them.