Singapore Food Vendors Launch First Hawker Center In New York

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September 30, 2022

A Singapore-style hawker center has opened in New York for the first time, bringing flavors from the Southeast Asian island’s mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and other cultures to an American food court.

Urban Hawker, in midtown Manhattan, features 17 vendors handpicked by the food hall’s curator, KF Seetoh, with 11 coming directly from hawker centers in Singapore. Each stall specializes in a well-known dish such as chilli crab, oyster omelettes, Hainanese chicken rice or nasi lemak, a fragrant rice dish.

“I came across Singaporeans who had been living in the United States in New York for like 20, 30, 35 years, and they still miss Singapore food,” said Seetoh.

“Street food in Singapore is not something you burn or deep fry. It’s fairly complex. They take six hours just to prepare a meal to get it ready at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m.”

The idea for the food hall was born when Seetoh met late U.S. celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain in 2013 in Singapore at a street food event. Bourdain was enthusiastic about the idea of a New York hawker market.

Seetoh later approached Eldon Scott, president of Urbanspace, a property manager who curates immersive public markets, who quickly agreed.

“The amazing thing about him saying yes was that he’s never been to Singapore,” Seetoh said.

Seetoh hopes that this hawker center will be the first of many in the country.

“It’s just like exporting grandmother’s deliciousness, the food that I grew up with,” he said.

“Food was good but something was missing without plastic plates, cutlery, and sweltering heat,” said Magdalene Sim, a Singaporean, on social media. “The queues were the same though.”

Customer Julie Lee, on her third visit, raved about Hainan Jones’ chicken over rice. “Everyone should give it a try. So much flavor, so tender,” she said.

Exploring Bay of Toiny, Saint-Barthélemy

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Angel Gimalo

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September 29, 2022

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The Bay of Toiny, also known as Toiny Beach, is a rocky area that is one of the most interesting beaches on the tiny island in the Caribbean Sea, the Collectivity of Saint-Barthélemy, which is an overseas collectivity of France.

Being one of the most attractive places for surfers, it is sometimes referred to as “the wild coast”, due to the very strong sea currents that can pull anyone to the open sea.

It is definitely something extraordinary as there are even more interesting places above the beach, which is something where one can charge his batteries and enjoy in the changing hues of the landscape, especially when the sun sets in the distance behind the hill of Mount Rouge.

Those adventurers that seek the dangerous and very exciting surfing waves are all the time present here, and to those who would like to swim around just a bit, should be extremely cautious since there are not only strong currents, but also underwater sea urchins and also slippery rocks.

Being as one of the most photographed coastlines on the small island, there is the possibility to hike along the coast and experience the small hills that somewhat resemble the rugged coast of Normandy.

The infamous nickname that the Bay of Toiny has is the “washing machine”, since it will wash away everything inexperienced that comes in touch with its waves and very strong undertow.

Very interesting too is the Hôtel Le Toiny, which sits above the cove and it is alluring simply because of its coconut plantation on the beach and the marked trail that is around the headland.

On the premises of the luxurious Hôtel Le Toiny, there are 14 luxury villa suites, as well as a Beach Club which is something plus to those who would like to soak the sun in their skin.

A definite escape from the fast pace of the city life is this Bay of Toiny, which will offer the relaxing and very peaceful atmosphere one could want from a vacation.

Beautiful Nigeria: Yusufari Oasis, Yobe State

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Angel Gimalo

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September 29, 2022

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Yusufari Oasis in the beautiful desert of Yobe state in Nigeria. Sand dunes, down by a river.

Yusufari is a Local Government Area in Yobe State, Nigeria.

Its headquarters are in the town of Yusufari in the south-east of the area at13°04′06″N 11°10′33″E.

It shares a border in the north with The Republic of Niger.

Some call it the Yusufari Oasis, Oasis of Yusufari or Tulo Tulo Oasis.

The oasis and the Tulo Tulowa village are in a low valley.

The name Tulo Tulo means marshy land with abundant water.

The clear water in the pond is constant throughout the year.

Surrounding the pond is luxurious green vegetation with palm trees pitched against the warm hues of the desert sand dunes.

The sand dunes form five hills around the oasis, giving it an undulating topography. Its beauty shines because of the vastness of the desert area.

The Oasis of Yusufari is not yet an official tourist hotspot.

Nigeria lost $5.6bn to Cancer in 2019 -Report

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Cleopatra Okohai

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September 29, 2022

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The Lancet Oncology Commission report says Nigeria lost about 5.9 billion dollars to cancer deaths and other cancer-related factors in 2019.

The Chairman, Lancet Oncology Commission for Sub-Saharan Africa, Prof. Wil Ngwa, said this on Wednesday in Abuja at the public presentation of the report titled: “Lancet Oncology Commission: Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa”.

While presenting the highlights of the report, he said that cancer was greatly impacting economies in the region with Algeria losing 2.6 billion dollars, Angola 1.2 billion dollars, Benin 209.2 million dollars, Botswana 500.6 million dollars, and Burkina Faso 270.6 million dollars to the disease.

Ngwa said that cancer killed more than COVID-19 in 2021 in Africa and had caused more than 28,000 children’s death in the region in 2020.

He added that as a result of COVID-19, it was estimated that there would be one million deaths per year by 2030 due to cancer in Africa.

Ngwa also said that the continent must address cancer with equal urgency, as it did with COVID-19.

He also said that the challenge of cancer now faced by Sub-Saharan Africa was enormous and likely to worsen rapidly if adequate measures were not taken including international collaboration.

Ngwa, however, said that cancer in Africa was characterised by late stage at presentation, delayed diagnosis, limited access to treatment, and poor outcomes relative to other geographic regions

Former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said that there were various interventions by the Federal Government to reduce the burden of the disease in Nigeria.

He, however, said that what was most important was a political action and not just political will.

“The National Health Insurance Authority provides health insurance to all Nigerians and cancer screening is one of the key deliverables in that document.

“So, Nigeria is likely to become one of the first countries in Africa to have cancer screening covered by health insurance.

“What we now need to do moving forward is to go on with the idea of revitalising the eight cancer centres in Nigeria.

“Things are moving up but we need to scale them up because we have more than 200 million people, so we need to improve on access, care and funding.

He added that the Cancer Health Fund was a unique innovation where people with cancer were now supported financially.

As for the region, he said that actionable plans that should be explored include precision cancer control, improvement of data acquisition and cancer registration, designing healthcare systems that promote equity of access, and increase of cure and care improvement.

Others are effective palliation as an integral and key part of cancer care, building and maintaining of the workforce, innovation and research, and identification of barriers to implement and test strategies.

This is for the adoption and scale-up of recommended approaches that can substantially increase access to cancer prevention and treatment and increase survival.

The Editor-In-Chief, Lancet Oncology Commission, Prof. David Collingridge, said that the constant long-suffering and mortality driven by infectious diseases, malnutrition and poor maternal and child health in Africa was now being affected by the growing incidence of cancer and other Non-Communicable Diseases.

Collingridge said that the double burden of disease was a consequence of lifestyle and behavioural changes and a shift in the patient population demographics to an ageing population.

“The health of the people in this part of the world where fragile health systems are under-financed, under-resourced and understaffed needs to be a global concern and need to change,” he said.

He, however, said that the report advocates skin cancer research and an increase in the use of telemedicine and other new technologies.

According to him, the report emphasises the importance of implementation research in clinical care pathways and enhanced service delivery.

Collingridge said, “In terms of financing, the commissioners suggest that financing should be initially prioritised for the most cost-effective measures.

“Cost-effective measures such as vaccines for prevention of preventable cancers, more affordable treatments that affect the greatest clinical cost-benefit ratios.

“They recommend that transparent and dedicated revenue stream should be established with the input from international collaborators as needed to finance these specific measures.”

Collingridge said that each nation across Africa would need to adapt the recommendations to suit their specific situation, adding that with political determination and a coordinated approach across the region and the world, improved cancer care was achievable.

According to report, the commission was created to inquire into, describe and analyse the state of cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa and recommend key actions to address the growing challenge.

It brought together experts on all aspects of cancer control from Africa and around the world.

Throwback Thursday: First Practical Public Electric Tramway Is Opened In Blackpool, England

By

Angel Gimalo

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September 29, 2022

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29 September 1885 – First practical public electric tramway in the world is opened in Blackpool, England

It is the second-oldest electric tramway in the United Kingdom, the first being Volk’s Electric Railway in Brighton, which opened two years earlier and similarly runs on a reserved track along the seafront.

The Blackpool Tramway runs from Blackpool to Fleetwood on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, England. The line dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world.

It is operated by Blackpool Transport (BT) and runs for 18 km (11 miles).

It carried 4.8 million passengers in 2019/20.

It is the second-oldest electric tramway in the United Kingdom, the first being Volk’s Electric Railway in Brighton, which opened two years earlier and similarly runs on a reserved track along the seafront.

These are also the two surviving first-generation town tramways in the UK, though the majority of services on the line have since 2012 been operated by a fleet of modern Bombardier Flexity 2 trams.

A ‘heritage service’ using the traditional trams operates year-round on weekends, certain weekdays and bank holidays, as well as during the Blackpool Illuminations.

Excluding museums, it is one of only a few tramways in the world to still use double-deck trams, the others including the Hong Kong Tramways and the Trams in Alexandria, Egypt.

Reps raise alarm over fresh Ebola outbreak scare

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Cleopatra Okohai

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September 29, 2022

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The House of Representatives has raised the alarm over the possibility of the ebola virus returning to Nigeria, urging the Federal Government to immediately activate preventive measures.

Members of the House, at the plenary on Thursday, unanimously adopted a motion moved by one of them, Dachung Bagos, who warned that the virus might spread to Nigeria as other African countries had been recording ebola cases.

It was titled ‘Motion of Urgent Public Importance on the Need for Federal Government to Activate Response against the Possible Detection of Ebola in Nigeria.’

Bagos noted that the Ugandan health authorities, on September 20, 2022, declared an outbreak of Ebola disease, caused by the Sudan virus, following laboratory confirmation of a patient from a village in Madudu sub-county, Mubende District, Central Uganda.

The lawmaker also noted that the World Health Organisation expressed concerns that in the absence of licensed vaccines and therapeutics for prevention and treatment of Sudan virus disease, the risk of potential serious public health impact is high.

According to him, investigations are ongoing to determine the scope of the outbreak and the possibility of spreading. “Importation of cases to neighbouring countries cannot be ruled out at this stage,” he stated.

Bagos further said, “According to the information currently available, the overall risk has been assessed as high at national level considering the confirmed Sudan virus and the lack of an authorised vaccine, the possibility that the event started three weeks before the identification of the index case and several transmission chains have not been tracked.

“The House is worried that the Ebola virus is giving a lot of people concern around the world, as it was the variant that gave a lot of infections and fatalities in some countries.

MEMBERS OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AT A SPECIAL SITTING

“The House is concerned that Nigeria has reason to be warier at the moment as the deadly Ebola virus can get into Nigeria through our borders or travellers coming into Nigeria for business or any reason and could become dominant if unchecked.”

Adopting the motion, the House mandated the Federal Ministry of Health to “immediately activate strategies to be implemented in monitoring adherence to Ebola guidelines and ensure residents continue to comply with all advisories aimed at curtailing the likely development of the virus in Nigeria.”

The lawmakers also mandated the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to ensure intensive observation and check on travel protocols for inbound passengers from red flag countries.

They further mandated the NCDC to set up a national response to control the likely emergence and spread of the Ebola virus in order to spare Nigerians the brunt of the pandemic.

Medicine dealers seek partnership with regulatory agencies

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Cleopatra Okohai

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September 29, 2022

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The National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers Association, Anambra State chapter, has called for collaboration with critical regulatory agencies to tackle quackery and enhance efficiency in the medical sector.

The group also appealed to members of the public to stop patronising unregistered drug outlets looking for cheap drugs to buy.

They added that quacks sold substandard drugs at cheaper rates to woo unsuspecting members of the public.

The President of the association, Mr. Benjamin Nnanna, made these remarks during the swearing-in of the newly-elected exco members of the association, in Ekwulobia, Anambra State.

The body had elected and sworn in the new members after about 35 years of leadership crisis of the association.

Nnanna reiterated its preparedness to strengthen the cordial relationship existing between the state government and other lifesaving professionals within the medical profession, with a view to creating enabling environment to enhance efficiency in health delivery.

Flanked by other newly sworn-in executive members of the association, Nnanna, however, pledged to erect a befitting state secretariat for the association within three years.

The association vows to unleash its task force team on medical quacks operating in the state, with a view to ridding the state of those dealing with fake, expired, adulterated and unwholesome drugs, while at the same time, sanitising the system

He said, “The association is happy to be back to true leadership positioning after about 35 years of crisis from the previous administration. We aim to strengthen the existing relationship and collaboration between regulatory agencies so as to enhance efficiency in medical practice.

PSN to stamp out illegal Drug Stores

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Cleopatra Okohai

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September 29, 2022

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The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria has raised the alarm over the growing number of illegal drug stores and the emergence of drug markets in Rivers State.

The State Chairman of the PSN, Anele Promise, said this during a press briefing in Port Harcourt as part of activities marking the 2022 World Pharmaceutics Day.

Promise, however, said Pharmacists in the state were working with relevant authorities and stakeholders to end the illegal drug stores in the State.

He advised members of the public to resist the temptation of patronising illegal drug stores but ensure to procure their medications from registered pharmacies to avoid negative consequences.

Promise said, “On the issue of fake and substandard drugs, we are currently working with the relevant government agencies and stakeholders to ensure that drugs in circulation in Rivers State are of good quality and safe.

Also Read: NDLEA Dismantles 25 Illicit Drug Outlets, Arrests 150 Suspects In Kaduna

“We are seriously concerned about the growing illegal drug stores and the emergence of drug markets in Rivers State.

“While we work with the relevant government agencies to stop this worrisome trend, we advise the general public to procure their medications from registered pharmacies to avoid procurement of fake and substandard products.”

He further said the PSN had intensified efforts in the fight against drug and substance abuse, adding that the society had instituted a program aimed at sensitising the youths on the dangers of drug abuse.

“Drugs and substance abuse is a global challenge, especially in developing like ours, Nigeria, and the consequences of drug abuse are far-reaching.

“PSN, Rivers has shown serious commitment to reducing the consequences of drug abuse and assisting in providing care for persons affected by the use of drugs,” the State PSN chairman added.

Yobe establishes 4 Specialists, eight General Hospitals – Official

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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September 29, 2022

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Yobe state government says it has established four specialists and eight general hospitals to enhance the delivery of quality healthcare services at the grassroots.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Lawan Gana stated this at a news conference on Tuesday in Damaturu.

He said four general hospitals had been upgraded to specialist facilities in Buni Yadi, Postiskum, Gashua, and Geidam while Machina, Yusufari, and Jaji Maji healthcare centres were upgraded to general hospitals.

Others were Babbangida, Bara, Buni-Gari, Yunusari and Asibitin Malam Baba, Nguru.

Gana disclosed that a Special Baby Care unit had been set up at Specialist Hospital, Gashua, while 20-bed capacity isolation centres were established at Potiskum, Gashua, and Yunusari Specialist Hospitals.

The commissioner said the state government also upgraded the Emergency Paediatric Unit and Trauma Centre at Specialist Hospital, Damaturu as well as provision of modern equipment at general hospitals Damagum, Buni Yadi, Gashua, and Potiskum, among others.

He commended Governor Mai Mala Buni for his commitment to transforming healthcare services in the state.

Anambra Begins Free Anti-Rabies Immunisation Of Domestic Animals

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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September 29, 2022

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Anambra State Government in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has flagged off free anti-rabies vaccination of dogs and cats across the state.

Performing the ceremony in Awka, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Foster Ihejiofor said the campaign is part of the global commitment to eliminate rabies deaths from dogs and cats.

He added that the state considered it necessary to join in the campaign to mitigate deaths arising from rabies, even as he urged dog owners to take advantage of the exercise to vaccinate their dogs.

While describing rabies as highly infectious, he warned that henceforth any human death from rabies infected dog bite, owners of such dog must face murder case prosecution in court.

In a welcome address, the Director, Veterinary Services of the Ministry, Dr. Basil Ideh said the essence of the event was not only to create awareness of the devastating effect of rabies virus on public health but to educate the public on their roles in the fight to eradicate it.

“This is the reason governments and veterinarians across the globe engage the public annually in campaigns like this to educate them on the importance of anti rabies vaccination of their animals in mitigating the spread of the the virus. The truth is that rabies is virtually 100 percent fatal once clinical symptoms appear”.

He advised owners of dogs and cats as well as dog breeders in the state to bring out their animals for vaccination.

“The exercise will continue statewide in the 21 Local Government Areas at designated vaccination centres in various towns and villages for five working days beginning from 27th September and ending 5th October 2022″.

While urging dog owners to contact Veterinary Officers in local government areas nearest to them, he reminded the public that vaccination remained free

He warned that all stray dogs not vaccinated would be destroyed after the exercise.