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Cola’s SBI Delivers Ultramodern Medical Equipment to UITH 

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… UITH Counts Gains of Strategic Intervention 

The Coca-Cola System in Nigeria in continuation of its efforts at strategically ameliorating maternal and neonatal mortality has donated ultramodern medical equipment to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), under its Safe Birth Initiative (SBI).

During the presentation of the equipment, valued at well over $500,000.00 on Thursday November 17th, Communications Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Ifeyinwa Ejindu, shed light on the Safe Birth Initiative as the health-centric strategy with which the Coca-Cola System seeks to reduce the high rate of deaths being recorded during childbirth in Nigeria, both for mothers and newborns.

She noted that the initiative was launched in 2018 to deliver equipment and technical capacity building in tertiary health institutions across Nigeria, which she was optimistic would contribute in bridging the shortfall in the availability of state-of-the-art medical equipment and skilled manpower to effectively maintain and utilise available equipment.

A joyful Chief Medical Director, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Prof Abdullah D. Yussuf expressed gratitude at the timely intervention of the Coca-Cola System in the healthcare sector.

According to Prof Yussuf, who was represented at the occasion by Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, (C-MAC), UITH, Dr. L.O. Odeigah, some of the prominent gains of SBI’s intervention include capacity building, helping secure accreditation for courses and improved medical care.

He cited the cost savings the Institution recorded with the intervention which has seen several moribund medical equipment resuscitated, the human capacity built which would ensure sustainable use of the equipment and the role played by the equipment in securing accreditation for certain courses by the Institution.

In his words, “On behalf of UITH and those who would be benefiting from the equipment, I want to register gratitude to the donors, Coca-Cola Nigeria. It is evident that the equipment being presented to us today comes with cutting-edge technology that will aid solution to complex medical conditions. I am certain that this will impact the entire Kwara State and beyond”.

Ejindu also noted, that the SBI was launched in 2018 in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, and US-based NGO, Medshare International, with a view to supporting and strengthening the country’s healthcare capacity in line with the SDG goals that relate to maternal and new-born mortalities.

She added that this year’s interventions have seen top-notch equipment donated to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Rivers State, the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, (AKTH), Kano, earlier this year, before the donations made to UITH in Ilorin, Kwara State. She indicated that the company will continue to deepen interventions with the possibility of impacting a fourth health institution before the year runs out.

According to her, before the kickoff of this year’s SBI, it had reached over 56,000 families with over 21,000 mothers and babies impacted through its social investment program. Similarly, under the initiative, Coca-Cola Nigeria has successfully upskilled over 300 biomedical engineers and 400 end-users with requisite knowledge and skills to ensure optimal utilisation of the medical equipment, and their effective maintenance.

The impact of the SBI could be best appreciated under the background that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), places the neonatal mortality rate in Nigeria as at 2022 at 56.220 deaths per 1000 live births, a 2.57 per cent decline from 2021.

According to UNICEF, the maternal mortality rate in Nigeria currently contributes to 10 percent of the global death rate as it stands at 576 per 100,000 live births. This means that each year, over 262,000 babies die due to issues such as diarrhea, infection, premature birth, asphyxia, or congenital anomalies.

Eben Armstrong, Director, Biomedical Engineering Training & Technical Services, Medshare International, expressed Medshare’s commitment to the triangle partnership as they recognise the damage to families that results from high neonatal and maternal mortality rates.

He said, ‘’We are a humanitarian aid organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people all over the world. We just don’t provide equipment, we provide capacity building to the biomedical engineers and technicians aiding their efficient usage of available medical equipment, and this has brought hope to countless Nigerians through the Safe Birth Initiative”.

Various dignitaries who graced the event expressed gratitude to the donors and enjoined the UITH to diligently utilise the equipment for the benefit of mankind.

Some other hospitals that have benefited from this intervention include National Hospital Abuja, Federal Medical Center, Ebute-Metta, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Wesley Guild Hospital Ilesha, and Alimosho General Hospital.

Health

Cholera Outbreak In Sokoto Claims 25 Lives, Over 1,000 Infected

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A cholera outbreak in Sokoto State has claimed the lives of at least 25 people, with 1,160 confirmed cases recorded in three local government areas.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Asabe Balarabe, disclosed this during a press briefing on Monday.

She revealed that 15 patients are currently receiving treatment for the disease, which was confirmed through laboratory tests.

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“Out of 1,160 people affected by the outbreak, 25 have succumbed to the disease,” Dr. Balarabe said.

In response, the state government has ramped up efforts to curtail the spread of the infection, which is caused by consuming contaminated water or food.

“The state rescue teams are collaborating with the government to manage and forestall further spread of the dreaded disease,” the commissioner stated.

To address the crisis, the government has ordered the immediate purchase and distribution of essential drugs free of charge to all 18 local government areas of the state.

Dr. Balarabe urged residents to maintain proper hygiene and seek medical attention immediately if they exhibit symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.

The outbreak has highlighted the need for improved sanitation and clean water access in affected communities, as health authorities work to contain the spread and prevent further fatalities.

 

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Don’t Ignore These Hidden Health Clues In Your Urine

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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.

 

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Health

JUST IN: JOHESU Launches Nationwide Strike Over Unresolved Demands

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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…………. 

 

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