Health
WHO Debuts First-Ever Traditional Medicine Summit
The World Health Organization initiated its inaugural traditional medicine summit on Thursday, focusing on gathering evidence and information to ensure the secure utilization of these treatments.
According to the UN health agency, traditional medicines serve as the primary choice for millions globally.
The discussions in India have convened policymakers and scholars with the goal of fostering political dedication and actions rooted in evidence.
Opening the summit, WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus emphasized the organization’s efforts in accumulating evidence and data to shape guidelines, standards, and regulations for the secure, cost-efficient, and fair application of traditional medicine.
While traditional medicine has the potential to bridge healthcare accessibility gaps, Tedros cautioned that its value hinges on proper, effective, and most importantly, safe application grounded in the latest scientific insights.
Concurrently, the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit is occurring alongside a meeting of G20 health ministers in the city of Gandhinagar, India.
“We need to face a very important real-life fact that traditional medicines are very widely used,” Nobel laureate and Chair of WHO Science Council Harold Varmus told the summit via video link.
“It is important to understand what ingredients are actually in traditional medicines, why they work in some cases… and importantly, we need to understand and identify which traditional medicines don’t work.”
Scheduled to become a recurring event, the summit’s inception follows the establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India’s Gujarat state last year.
Despite being prevalent in certain regions, traditional medicines often encounter substantial criticism.
The UN health agency defines traditional medicine as accumulated knowledge, techniques, and practices employed over time for maintaining health and addressing physical and mental ailments.
However, numerous traditional remedies lack scientific validation, and environmentalists assert that the industry contributes to the illicit trade of endangered animals like tigers, rhinos, and pangolins, imperiling entire species.
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the utilization of homemade remedies surged, including a green herbal concoction rooted in Artemisia, endorsed by Madagascar’s president as a remedy.
Although Artemisia has demonstrated effectiveness against malaria, its application against Covid-19 was met with skepticism from many medical professionals.
China boasts a rich legacy of traditional medicine, yet prominent European medical organizations have previously insisted that it adhere to the same regulatory scrutiny as conventional medical approaches.
John Reeder, WHO’s research head, emphasized that the progression of traditional medicine’s scientific understanding must adhere to the same rigorous benchmarks as other health disciplines, stating this in a release.
Out of WHO’s 194 member states, 170 have acknowledged their engagement with traditional and complementary medicine since 2018.
However, merely 124 of them have indicated the existence of laws or regulations governing the use of herbal medicines. Furthermore, only half of these states have established a national policy concerning such methods and medicines.
The WHO emphasized that while something being “natural” doesn’t inherently denote safety, and historical usage doesn’t guarantee effectiveness, rigorous scientific processes must be employed to provide substantial evidence.
Around 40 percent of currently approved pharmaceutical products are derived from natural sources, as per the WHO.
The organization cited notable medications, like aspirin, which originated from traditional medicine practices involving willow tree bark formulations.
Your body has subtle ways of communicating essential information about your health—and sometimes, one of the simplest clues is the color of your urine.
Urine, which is about 95% water, forms when your kidneys filter out waste and excess water from your blood. Normally ranging from light yellow to amber, it provides insights into your hydration and more.
Changes in urine color, smell, or frequency can serve as early indicators of potential health conditions.
While most color shifts are harmless and temporary, persistent changes could suggest a more significant issue.
“Tracking these signs can be a simple way to monitor hydration and potentially catch health issues early,” says Dr. Jenna Lewis, a nephrologist at Healthline Clinic.
Here’s a guide to what different urine colors might mean for your health:
Clear or Very Light Yellow
This typically shows you’re well-hydrated. While generally a positive sign, consistently clear urine could indicate overhydration, which may lower salt levels in your body.
Light to Medium Yellow
Often considered the “healthy” zone, this shade reflects good hydration without excess water intake.
Dark Yellow to Amber
A darker shade often indicates a need for more water. This is common in the morning or after exercise and can usually be resolved by drinking more fluids.
Orange
Dehydration may lead to orange urine, but other factors can also contribute. High levels of beta-carotene (found in foods like carrots) or certain medications can turn urine orange.
Persistent orange urine might signal liver or bile duct issues, so consult a doctor if it persists.
Pink or Red
While foods like beets or berries can cause pinkish urine, this color can also indicate the presence of blood, possibly signaling kidney problems, infections, or kidney stones. If diet isn’t the cause, seek medical advice.
Brown or Cola-Colored
This shade may suggest dehydration or, in some cases, a more severe issue. Brown urine can indicate liver or kidney problems, or a condition called rhabdomyolysis, where muscle tissue breaks down. Persistent brown urine warrants a visit to the doctor.
Blue or Green
Rarely, certain medications, dyes, or health conditions can produce blue or green urine. While often harmless, persistent blue or green urine should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
Cloudy or Milky
Cloudy urine may indicate an infection or excess minerals. It could be a sign of a urinary tract infection, kidney stones, or mild dehydration. Sometimes, excess proteins or fats may also cause this cloudiness.
Most changes in urine color are temporary, especially when related to hydration, diet, or harmless compounds. However, experts agree that if unusual colors or symptoms persist, a consultation with a healthcare provider is wise.
“Listening to your body’s signals, even through something as simple as urine color, can offer valuable insights into your overall health,” adds Dr. Lewis.
By keeping an eye on these colors, you can stay on top of hydration and potentially catch health issues early.
Members of the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU) have announced a seven-day warning strike set to begin at midnight on Friday.
This action follows a 15-day notice of industrial action issued to the Federal Government.
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Addressing journalists in Abuja, JOHESU’s national chairman, Kabiru Minjibir, outlined the union’s primary demands, emphasizing a need for immediate action to address ongoing concerns affecting healthcare workers across the nation.
Key demands include the urgent implementation of the consolidated health salary structure and the payment of a 25 percent review of arrears from June to December 2023.
The union is also calling for an upward review of the retirement age for healthcare workers, a tax waiver on healthcare workers’ allowances, and the immediate disbursement of COVID-19 inducement hazard allowances.
Minjibir urged all union members nationwide to adhere to the strike directive, underscoring that compliance would be essential in pushing for their demands.
Details shortly………….
In a world where health is wealth, Kola Kuforiji, a Nigerian journalist who had worked for about two decades with Rhythm FM (Sliverbird Group) reporting business is facing an unthinkable challenge, and needs urgent help.
Kola, a 54-year-old husband and father of two, whose life was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with a drug-resistant, Parkinson’s disease with pronounced difficulty in walking and tremor has been very ill for more than two years and the severity and debilitating nature of his illness has depleted the finances of his family.
He was initially treated at Ikorodu General Hospital, Lagos, where a presumptive diagnosis of his medical condition was made.
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He was over a year ago referred to LASUTH, but there has been little improvement in his health.
Medical treatment abroad now offers the best option for his recovery with a recommendation from Atasehir Medicana International Hospital – Atasehir / Istanbul, Turkey confirming that he will need a Deep Brain Stimulation surgery.
The expected total cost of the Deep Brain Stimulation surgery with traveling expenses is put at $35,000 (USD) about N57 million at recent exchange rate.
Meanwhile friends of Kola have initiated moves to seek financial support from concerned citizens to help bridge the gap and ensure that he receives the care he needs to overcome this challenge.
A bank account to receive fund for the urgent medical intervention has been opened for donation that will bring hope and healing to Kola and his family.
Name of Account: SOS FOR JOURNALIST KOLA KUFORIJI
Account Number: 1790322317
Bank: Polaris Bank
Kola’s story is one of courage, resilience, and determination, but it’s also a story of urgent need.
He had worked for about two decades with Rhythm FM (Sliverbird Group) covering business at large and had contributed immensely to deepening understanding of the economy.
Over the years he has explored his media platform as a strong tool to drive financial inclusion and expanding frontier of knowledge of Nigerians on the activities and stride of the energy, banking and finance sectors at large to national development.
Despite his illness, Kola remains hopeful and determined to overcome.
Use this link to join SOS FOR JOURNALIST KOLA KUFORIJI WhatsApp group https://chat.whatsapp.
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