Health
HIV Prevalence Soars In Akwa Ibom, Raising Concerns
Despite persistent efforts by the government and various donor agencies to raise awareness, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, continues to remain alarmingly high.
Akwa Ibom State has held the unfortunate distinction of being the state with the highest burden of HIV in Nigeria for several years, with a staggering prevalence rate of 5.5%, as reported by the Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS).
This continued reign at the top of the list is a cause for deep concern among health officials and the public alike.
In 2022, Akwa Ibom State reported around 240,000 people receiving HIV/AIDS treatment, with a troubling gender gap. Young adult women aged 20-24 are four times more likely to have HIV than men of the same age, with rates of 1.3% for females and 0.4% for males.
As of June 2023, 10,833 young individuals are on HIV medication, highlighting the importance of effective management and education to ensure treatment adherence and control the epidemic.
Dr. Edith Mathias Igbemi, speaking during a sensitization program on HIV/AIDS in the state, emphasized the need for increased awareness and control measures, especially among women who are at higher risk.
She also pointed out that several local government areas (LGAs) in Akwa Ibom have significantly high HIV prevalence rates, including Ikono, Obot Akara, Ikot Ekpene, Uyo, Uruan, Ibesikpo, Nsit Ubium, Eket, Ibeno, and Oron.
While there has been some progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the state, with improved case finding through methods like Index Case Testing, Camping, and Creek Testing, Dr. Igbemi noted that the estimated prevalence rate had decreased to 4.4%, as reported in the 2021 publication of Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health. However, this figure is pending approval by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) following another survey.
To combat the spread of HIV, there is a call for increased collaboration with stakeholders and development partners, with a particular focus on prevention activities for adolescents and young girls in the state.
One of the health workers, Mrs. Cecilia Ekanem, pointed out that low access to antenatal care by pregnant women contributes to the transmission of HIV from mother to child in the state.
According to her, “we are working to reduce the level of HIV in the State.
“All the pregnant women who come here must be tested. Those who test positive are placed on medication and all of them who follow instructions have babies that are healthy and free of HIV because they are taking their medication.”
On whether HIV positive mothers can breastfeed their babies without transmitting the virus to them, Mrs Ekanem said: “yes, she can breastfeed her child but it must be done exclusively. The child can get infected if the mother introduces mixed feeding.
“So, it is advisable for the mother to stop breastfeeding entirely after six months of exclusive breastfeeding and continue with other family diets so that the child will not be malnourished and will not contract the virus.”
Despite the challenges, individuals living with HIV, like Edikan, an undergraduate of Akwa Ibom State University, are sharing their stories of resilience. Edikan contracted the virus from his mother at birth but has lived with it for 24 years without any major health issues, highlighting that HIV is not a death sentence. He encourages people to get tested and take positive action once they know their status.
However, the issue of stigma remains prevalent among people living with HIV in the state. To address this, Dr. Enobong Akpan, the Manager of the Akwa Ibom State Agency for the Control of AIDS (AKSACA), called for the implementation of anti-stigma and discrimination laws within the state. He emphasized that any organization or institution found to stigmatize HIV-positive individuals would face sanctions.
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.
Health
Banning Tobacco Sales Could Save 1.2m Lives By 2095 – WHO
A new study from the World Health Organization (WHO) underscores the alarming connection between smoking and lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally.
The research reveals that smoking accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases and warns that nearly three million lung cancer deaths could occur among those born between 2006 and 2010 if current trends persist.
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The findings, published in The Lancet Public Health, indicate that implementing a ban on tobacco sales for this generation—approximately 650 million individuals—could prevent about 1.2 million deaths by 2095.
This study is among the first to evaluate the potential impact of creating a tobacco-free generation and draws on data from 185 countries.
The research highlights significant disparities in preventable lung cancer deaths based on gender.
It found that over 45% of lung cancer deaths among men could be avoided, while nearly 31% could be prevented among women.
IARC researcher and co-author Isabelle Soerjomataram noted that the disparity is largely due to targeted marketing by the tobacco industry over the past decades.
Interestingly, the study also suggests that in regions like North America and parts of Europe, ending tobacco sales could lead to more preventable deaths among women than men.
In Western Europe, 78% of potential deaths among women could be averted, compared to nearly 75% among men in Central and Eastern Europe.
While the study offers a glimmer of hope, it cautions that not all lung cancer deaths can be prevented through tobacco sales bans alone.
Other risk factors, such as air pollution and second-hand smoke exposure, also significantly contribute to lung cancer rates.
Several countries have already implemented tobacco-free generation initiatives, including New Zealand, which became the first nation to ban cigarette sales to individuals born after 2008.
However, the new conservative government in New Zealand has announced plans to repeal this measure.
Conversely, the UK’s new Labour government is supportive of a similar initiative that restricts cigarette sales to anyone born after January 2009.
Despite the promising implications of tobacco-free generation policies, the authors of the IARC study stress that these measures must be part of a broader strategy to combat the health crisis posed by tobacco.
They advocate for additional approaches, such as increasing cigarette taxes, creating more smoke-free environments, and providing enhanced support for individuals looking to quit smoking.
As lung cancer remains a leading health challenge, this study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive tobacco control policies to protect future generations and reduce the burden of this deadly disease.