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…………. 

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.

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have revolutionized the healthcare industry, streamlining processes, improving patient care, and enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of medical diagnostics. This article explores the critical role EHRs play in diagnostics, with a specific focus on examples from SYNLAB Nigeria, a leading medical diagnostics company.

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are digital versions of patients’ paper charts. They contain comprehensive and real-time records of patients’ medical histories, including diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory test results. EHRs facilitate the sharing of patient information across various healthcare settings, ensuring that doctors, specialists, and other healthcare providers have access to the most accurate and up-to-date information.

The implementation of EHRs at SYNLAB Nigeria has provided significant benefits to their customers, enhancing their overall healthcare experience. As part of efforts in promoting excellent patient care and in line with SYNLAB’s mission of providing actionable diagnostic information for a healthier life, let’s explore some applications of EHRs in the field of medical diagnostics.

1. EHRs ensure that patient data is accurately recorded and easily accessible. This reduces the risk of errors associated with manual data entry and ensures that patient information is readily available to healthcare providers at any time, facilitating faster and more accurate diagnoses. This means that customers receive their test results quickly and accurately. With all patient data digitally recorded and integrated, the risk of errors is minimized, and results are processed and delivered faster at SYNLAB Nigeria. This timely access to information allows for prompt medical decisions and interventions.

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2. EHRs enable seamless sharing of patient information among different healthcare providers. This ensures that all relevant medical history and test results are available to doctors and specialists, leading to more informed decision-making and better patient outcomes. Improved coordination of care also means that EHRs facilitate better communication among healthcare providers. When patients visit SYNLAB for diagnostic tests, their healthcare providers can access the results directly through the patients’ portal, made possible because of EHR. This ensures that doctors have all necessary information to provide accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatments.

3. Because of EHRs patients have better access to their health information. Patients can view their test results online, schedule appointments, and communicate with their healthcare providers. This increased engagement empowers patients to take a more active role in their health management. SYNLAB Nigeria’s EHR system allows customers to access their personal health records online. Patients can log in to a secure portal to view their test results, track their medical history, and download reports. This convenience empowers patients to stay informed about their health and make more educated decisions.

4. EHRs at SYNLAB Nigeria ensure that patient information is securely stored and protected. Robust encryption and security protocols are in place to safeguard sensitive health data, giving customers peace of mind regarding the privacy and security of their medical information.

5. Aggregated data from EHRs can be used for research and analysis, identifying trends and patterns in patient health. This data-driven approach supports ongoing improvements in diagnostic accuracy and the development of new diagnostic tools and procedures.

The integration of Electronic Health Records at SYNLAB Nigeria exemplifies the transformative impact of EHRs on medical diagnostics. By improving data accuracy, streamlining workflows, enhancing patient engagement, and facilitating better coordination of care, EHRs would continue to play a vital role in advancing the quality and efficiency of healthcare services. As technology continues to evolve, the importance of EHRs in medical diagnostics will only grow, paving the way for more innovative and effective healthcare solutions.

About SYNLAB
• SYNLAB Nigeria is a member of the SYNLAB group, with presence in over 30 countries in four continents. The organization has over 30 active locations across Nigeria and has been ISO 15189 certified since 2006.
• SYNLAB Group is the leader in medical diagnostic services and specialty testing in Europe. The Group offers a full range of innovative and reliable medical diagnostics to patients, practicing doctors, hospitals and clinics, governments and corporates.
• Providing the leading level of service within the industry, SYNLAB is the partner of choice for routine and specialty diagnostics in human and veterinary medicine. The Group continuously innovates medical diagnostic services for the benefit of patients and customers.
• SYNLAB holds leading positions in most markets, regularly reinforcing the strength of its network through a proven acquisition strategy.
• More information can be found on www.synlab.com,

www.synlab.com.ng