Health
Commendations As OSSAP-SDGs Delivers Healthcare Facilities In Kwara Communities
By Biztellers
As part of its bid to help advance the health goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, OSSAP-SDGs, has unveiled an 80-bed and 40-bed state-of-the-art healthcare facilities in Oro and Igbaja communities of Irepolodun and Ifelodun Local Government areas of Kwara State respectively.
The two facilities are part of the many healthcare facilities constructed and fully equipped by the OSSAP-SDGs already contributing to improvement of health outcomes and indices across the country.
The two facilities were commissioned separately at events attended by members of Kwara State Executive Council, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, traditional and religious leaders, top officials of OSSAP-SDGs and other stakeholders in the two communities.
Speaking during the inauguration of the 80-bed healthcare facility in Oro, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, SSAP-SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire noted that her Office has prioritized interventions with multi-dimensional effects, such as basic healthcare, vocational skills development, and education provision as part of bid to actualize the promise of President Buhari to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.
“Our goal is to create a ripple effect that will impact and improve the lives of many Nigerians as part of the promise. Such interventions include facilities like this one we are commissioning today,” said the SSAP-SDGs.
She noted that the 80-Bed facility was established with a clear mission to improve child health, reduce maternal mortality, and contribute to SDG 3 by accelerating progress towards ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.
“The right to healthcare is a fundamental human right, and access to healthcare is a top priority for the Nigerian government in order to leave no one behind. Ladies and gentlemen, this 80-Bed facility we are commissioning today is dedicated to providing high-quality care and advancing public health, towards a healthier and more equitable future for all,” Princess Orelope-Adefulire said.
The presidential adviser further noted that the facility is equipped with a theatre, incubators, ventilators, phototherapy machines, patient monitors, children’s beds, examination beds, a 100KVA generator, and powered with solar streetlights; this hospital in a clear demonstration of the commitment of the Buhari’s administration to provide quality healthcare services to the people of Oro and its environs.
“The establishment of this 80-Bed facility is not only contributing to the achievement of SDG 3, but also positively impacting related SDGs. This hospital will serve as a catalyst for the overall development of the community, reducing infant and maternal mortality rates, improving access to healthcare services, and enhancing the overall health of the people,” the SSAP-SDGs said while appealing for continuous investments healthcare infrastructure for the advancement of SDG 3 on the health and well-being of the citizens.
She also appealed to the management and staff of the facility to ensure that it is effectively managed and maintained, and that the people of Oro and its environs have access to quality healthcare services.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed noted that President Buhari’s administration has initiated series of actions directed at expanding access to healthcare for Nigerians.
He also noted that Kwara has previously benefitted from the Buhari’s administration investments in the health sector with a 100-bed Mother and Child Hospital equipped with state of the art facilities and delivered in Eiyen-korin in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State also by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, to reduce maternal mortality as well as infant and neo-natal deaths. The minister said the 80-bed hospital inaugurated on the sidelines of 2023 Oro Day was equally equipped to promote the heath of mothers and children.
“This development is in line with PMB’s administration commitment to providing health facilities to cater for the needs of Nigerians. I am told that the SDGs Office constructed over 35 of the 100 bed hospitals spread across the country. It also constructed over twenty 80-bed hospitals and numerous primary health centers across the country,” he said
The Minister also commended the SDGs Office for the giant strides it has recorded in the provision of social services across the country particularly in remote places.
Speaking in the same vein, the state Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq commended President Buhari for the giant stride his administration has recorded in health sector and infrastructure development across the country.
Represented by his Commissioner for Health, Dr Raji Razaq, the governor also thanked the minister for facilitating the projects and the OSSAP-SDGs for executing them.
In Igbaja, the 40-bed hospital is said to be the first major intervention in the town in any sector by the Federal Government.
The traditional ruler of the community, Oba Ahmed Babalola, the Elese of Igbaja Land who spoke through the President of Igbaja Progressive Union, Pastor Oluwatoyin Alabi described the event as historical.
“We owe a huge gratitude to the minister who incidentally is a proud son of Igbaja and on many occasions has attested to the fact that Igbaja is his second home. This project will go a long way to combat infant mortality in our community and further enhance Sustainable Development Goals. The citing of the hospital will also bring reliefs not only to Igbaja, but the entire Ireseland of Adanla, in, Offa-Iresse and other adjourning communities,” he said.
Health
Don’t Ignore These Hidden Health Clues In Your Urine
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.
Health
JUST IN: JOHESU Launches Nationwide Strike Over Unresolved Demands
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………….
Health
Medical Emergency: Journalist, Kola Kuforiji Requires Financial Support
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.