The Bill on the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC Trust Fund, if passed into law will enhance the maintenance of facilities and facilitate the extension of NYSC orientation camps across the country.
The Trust Fund bill which runs with the vision of enhancing and improving the general welfare of Corps as well as power sustainmembersability of the Scheme; will help actualize the goals and vision of NYSC.
The Former Director General of NYSC, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim said these while responding to issues on the NYSC Trust Fund bill before the National Assembly.
According to the former Director General of NYSC, reducing unemployment among graduates is one of the aims of the Trust funds.
He said, “What graduate youths in the country need now is an NYSC Trust Fund for a better funding of the Scheme and effective skill and entrepreneurship training of all Corps members and start up capitals to start their lives”,
“This will take millions of Nigerians from the labour markets thus reducing criminality in the country”
Speaking further, Major General Ibrahim said that the trust fund bill if implemented would also enhance the general welfare of Corps members and personnel of the scheme and their preparedness to effectively discharge their statutory duties of promoting national unity, integration, self-reliance and accelerated development of the national economy.
According to him, “there is no doubt that when the NYSC Trust Fund becomes operational, the number of corps entrepreneurs will increase drastically, and they will in turn help to provide jobs for millions of other youths of the country”
“This will equally help to reduce the issue of security challenges faced in the country” he added.
The Lagos State Ministry of Health has announced the donation of seven ventilators to the ministry by the Chinese community, and others.
The ministry stated that this donation was made to four hospitals, adding that this is solely to aid in the management of medical emergencies in the state.
The Chinese Consular General to Nigeria, Chu Maoming, said, “There is still a long way to go to improve the intensive care treatment for many African countries due to the very high cost of intensive care, and the staff from ICU need to be well trained.
“Medical experts from china are in some African countries providing support. This is another joint effort between the countries in the fight against COVID-19. The Chinese community/Chinese companies and organisations, 2020 also donated some medical materials and equipment.
“In the past two years, the pandemic has posed great challenges to the whole world and people suffer great losses. The assistance from Nigerian hospitals and medical professionals has helped local Chinese communities to manage and cope with the pandemic. And we are donating these seven ventilators to four of the hospitals as a way of showing our thanks to the state Ministry of Health, and the medical staff. I am sure that the equipment will contribute to the fight against COVID-19 and benefit more Nigerians and Chinese,” Maoming said.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye expressed gratitude to the donors noting that the equipment will fortify the efforts of the Lagos state government, on emergency response.
Ogboye said, “This is not the first donation that the Chinese government is making to Lagos State in response to COVID-19. At the peak of COVID-19, we did receive quite a few consumables that were extremely useful in fighting off the wave.
Ventilator
“Now, we are receiving seven ventilators as part of the response to COVID-19, but medical practitioners realise that right now, we are trying to strengthen our emergency response in Lagos. And this will be extremely useful to strengthen Intensive Care Units (across general hospitals.
“Ventilators are not cheap equipment, and so, for the Chinese government to deem it fit to provide us with seven ventilators, we really do appreciate and express our gratitude. And we hope the ties between the two countries will continue, and that we too will be able to donate to the Chinese government,” he said.
Mr. Oyebanji Dada, who represented Afrimed said the training of staff and medical equipment installation will be done by Afrimed and Aeonmed.
In addition, he said, “Africamed with its mission to improve healthcare system helps to bridge the gap between China and Africa.”
A Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr. Lateef Akinola, has urged pregnant women to avoid acute starvation, noting that it puts them at risk of severe vomiting, placenta dysfunctions, and respiratory distress.
According to him, acute starvation in pregnancy could also lead to poor pregnancy outcomes.
Dr. Akinola stated further that women experiencing acute starvation in pregnancy might also experience foetal growth restrictions, stillbirths, and increased newborn foetal morbidity/mortality, adding that they are also more prone to maternal preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.
Speaking in an interview, Dr. Akinola said the effect of acute starvation in pregnancy was worse in the third trimester.
Akinola who is the Medical Director of Medison Specialist Women’s Hospital, Lagos, said, “Acute starvation in pregnancy can cause severe metabolic dysfunction notably starvation ketoacidosis, and infrequently causes severe metabolic acidosis and placental dysfunctions, which can precipitate insulin resistance, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia.
“This in turn increases susceptibility to ketosis, particularly in the third trimester that can be complicated by foetal growth restrictions and stillbirths.
“For instance, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and abnormal reproductive functions in adulthood might be predicated on inadequate nutrition during pregnancy. Acute starvation in pregnancy is usually precipitated by severe hyperemesis gravidarum (severe vomiting during pregnancy.”
foetus
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, more than 400,000 babies are born dead in Nigeria annually. Out of more than 2.5 million babies that are born dead globally each year, more than 400,000 stillborn deaths take place in Nigeria, the agency says.
Nigeria is one of the five countries in the world with the highest number of under-five deaths, says UNICEF.
Dr. Akinola, an IVF specialist, stressed that early diagnosis and management of this condition are necessary to prevent maternal and foetal complications.
“Symptoms to watch out for include severe vomiting especially late in pregnancy. Respiratory distress and significant acid-base disturbances can occur. Other notable causes to watch out for aside from hyperemesis include diabetic ketoacidosis and alcohol-induced acidosis.
“Management should be promptly instituted, intravenous rehydration, glucose infusion, and nutrient substitution are essential to prevent circulatory hypovolemia.
“This should also be aimed to correct ketoacidosis and metabolic acidosis. Hospital admission is necessary where daily monitoring of vital signs, urinalysis, serum electrolyte, and urea and/or liver functions, adding that diligent foetal monitoring is essential to preventing maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality.
“Sometimes, early delivery in the presence of an experienced neonatologist is essential to prevent foetal complications including stillbirth,” he explained.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics in its Poverty and Inequality report 2019, one in 10 or more than 82.9 million Nigerians live in poverty.
Also, the World Bank says 96 million Nigerians will be living in poverty by 2022.
Poverty, experts say, is a key hindrance to women’s wellbeing, especially during pregnancy resulting in malnutrition, anaemia, low birth babies, or foetal loss.
The maternal expert noted that foetal nutrition in utero keeps going on until a certain stage that could now be detrimental when starvation is prolonged for too long.
“This could result in intrauterine growth restrictions and eventually if not attended to intrauterine foetal death,“ he said.
It is well established that an adequate and balanced diet during pregnancy is essential for the health of mothers and babies, both in the womb and when born,” the gynecologist said.
He noted that it is important to detect this problem during pregnancy so that appropriate care can be given.
“A growth-restricted foetus may need expert care to survive. They come out quite hungry, ” he added.
He pointed out that a pregnant woman is supposed to feed well and have an appropriate diet at all times for optimal development of the foetus.
Highlighting the dangers of poor nutrition in pregnancy, Dr. Akinola said poor nutrition will cause inadequate development of the baby because nutrients are required for cells of the foetus to develop properly.
“Nutrients such as iron are very important in the development of the cells.
“When a pregnant woman stops taking foods rich in iron, she will be deficient in iron and that deficiency will affect the foetus and the cells will not form properly and this will lead to malformation when the baby is born,” he said.
Dr. Charles Ugwanyi, a consultant in the Surgery Department at the National Hospital Abuja has expressed confidence in his ability to provide leadership for the medical community in the FCT.
Ugwanyi is an aspirant vying for the position of the Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), FCT Branch, in the association’s elections coming up on Aug. 5.
Ugwanyi spoke with reporters on the sidelines of a novelty match being organised by the management and staff of the National Hospital, Abuja on Sunday in honour of Dr Jaf Momoh, the outgoing Chief Medical Director (CMD).
He said he was using the opportunity to canvass for votes as well as convince his colleagues that he had “what it takes to provide leadership for the medical community in FCT”.
He said that sports and exercise were very critical to the well being of the doctors, adding that he would encourage continuous exercise for the wellbeing of doctors, if voted into office.
He also praised the outgoing CMD, saying that he had indeed piloted the affairs of the hospital successfully and meritoriously for the past eight years.
He expressed delight to have participated in the match organised in the CMD’s honour, adding that his participation in the game was a testament to the fact that he was very fit.
“Playing football is part of exercise and this is very good for the normal function of the human system.
“You can see how fit I am and I was able to participate in the football match today as I played for over an hour.
“So I am very fit to provide leadership by example. I am that one that will lead from the front and not from the back.
“I am encouraging my colleagues therefore to support me because I have a comprehensive idea of what the issues are and how to go about it and provide simple calculated solutions to the problems,” he said.
Colleagues and friends of Dr Jaf Momoh, the outgoing Chief Medical Director (CMD) of National Hospital, Abuja (NHA) have showered encomium on him as he prepares to bow out of service.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Momoh will be retiring from office on Tuesday after eight years of meritorious service at the helms of affairs at the hospital.
A cross section of colleagues and friends, who spoke with NAN on the sidelines of a novelty football match in his honour on Sunday in Abuja, said Momoh was an outstanding boss who left an indelible mark in the hospital.
Dr Yahaya Adamu, the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi said it was a great privilege for him to have participated in the match in honour of the outgoing CMD, adding that “Momoh is a team player”.
Dr Aisha Umar, the Director of Clinical Services at the NHA said that the event organised by the management and staff of the hospital, was to mark the exit of an icon.
Umar, who doubles as the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) said that the event was also aimed at ensuring a healthy and fit workforce.
Also, Dr. Tayo Haastrup, the Spokesman of the NHA said the CMD was a blessing and had done very well for the hospital.
Momoh in his response, appreciated friends and staff for the honour, adding that it was a testament to the fact that he performed well during his time at the hospital.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of trophies to the winners of the friendly matches at the FIFA Goal Project, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package B, Abuja.
The first novelty match saw Team Dr Jaf Momoh thrashing Super Eagles All Stars 3-0, with the outgoing CMD grabbing a brace and Umar adding a third goal late in the game.
Momoh was presented with the highest goal scorer award.
The final match of the day was a tough one between NHA and FMC Keffi, which ended in favour of NHA.
Mike Okafor scored the only goal of the match, just five minutes from stoppage time, converting from the penalty spot to hand his team a narrow 1-0 victory at the end of a pulsating encounter.
Meanwhile, Coach of National Hospital, Sam Yakubu said, “we are grateful to God, first of all, for life and for making us to see this day.
“We are also grateful to the management of NHA for giving us this platform to showcase our talents.
“The victorious team was a combination of both clinical and administrative staff of the hospital and the harmony in the team was key to our victory today,’’ Yakubu said.
The bill for an act to amend the University Teaching Hospitals in the House of Representatives has continued to pit stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector against each other.
The build-up to its public hearing postponed till July 27, is already fraught with disputes over competence and administrative titles.
The bill, sponsored by Hon. Bamidele Salam representing Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State seeks to change the nomenclature of the head of tertiary health institutions in Nigeria from Chief Medical Director, and redefine the qualification of the head of tertiary hospitals.
It also seeks to provide a definite tenure of office for the heads of tertiary hospitals; including students of Health Sciences in the training programmes of tertiary hospitals; include hospitals established post-enactment of the extant legal framework in the schedule and for other related matters; restructure the composition of the governing boards of the federal government tertiary hospitals, among others.
By implication, any health professional, including pharmacists, laboratory technicians, nurses, and others can now head teaching and tertiary hospitals—as opposed to the current hierarchy that medical doctors occupy.
“All well-meaning Nigerians who wish our health sector well should distance themselves from the proposed amendment, and the bill should be jettisoned in its entirety,” said the Secretary-General of the Association of Provosts of Colleges of Medicine, Prof Lawrence Omo-Agboja.
“Have you seen where nurses and pharmacists are consulting? Let’s even see if pharmacists will enter where another pharmacist is consulting. Will you go to a hospital where a pharmacist or a laboratory scientist is consulting? Omo-Agboja said.
According to him, such an arrangement is like people walking on their heads, and the proposed amendment is founded on the wrong premise and context.
“Pharmacists are made to develop vaccines, why can’t they develop vaccines?
“Rather than develop the pharmaceutical industry, they want to be doctors by default,” he added.
He warned that if Nigeria continues to do what they like, it can destroy the health sector.
Similarly, the president of the Nigerian Medical Association, Uche Ojinmah said the association rejects the bill in its entirety.
“But we may not go into the elaborate discussion until we finish presenting our position at the public hearing. It was meant to be July 6 but we postponed it to July 27,” he said.
On the other side are the pharmaceutical professionals and others rooting for the bill, and pushing their agenda, too.
University Teaching Hospital
In a press statement on the weekend, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria said there was no reason why the pharmacists should not be accorded their rightful treatment.
According to the association, the spirit of the amendment bill to the University Teaching Act was grounded in the belief that pharmacists, nurses, medical laboratory scientists, and other health professionals are more versatile in their areas of patient care.
“You do not bring in your wealth of experience as a Specialist Physician with a stethoscope to run the hospital system. It is the same with other Specialist Health professionals whether Pharmacists, Laboratory Scientists, or the other experts in the team,” said PSN President, Prof. Cyril Usifoh.
“The incumbent DG of the WHO is a Scientist with a bias in Microbiology. This 1986 graduate of an Ethiopian University has no background in care provisioning, but he continues to succeed in his job at WHO because of his managerial expertise.
“The gregarious socialisation of the respective components of the health sector which should be a confederacy of brotherhood has been annihilated by the likes of MDCAN and its acolytes,” he said.
The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria also said the bill is in tandem with global best practices with special references to the United Kingdom, United States of America, and other countries where medical training has been successfully implemented through collaborative efforts of all practitioners.
“It is bewildered how a supposed elite consultants group will compare a section of professionals in mainstream civil service with a whole arm of government (judiciary)? The judiciary is never in the same category as the health sector. Anyone trying to compare the two is simply daft or is just being mischievous,” the association said.
“Headship of hospitals is purely administrative the world over. Competent hands who are sometimes no-health professionals are appointed as chief executive officers,” it said.
The AMLSN said some of the trained physicians who oppose the change in Nigeria will work harmoniously under the CEO when they migrate to the UK.
Speaking with our correspondent on Sunday, the sponsor of the bill, Balam, said the public hearing of the bill scheduled for July 5 has been postponed to July 27.
“When the date was fixed, we didn’t know that we were going to be on recess. So, it has been rescheduled to July 27 when we resume,” he said.
Balam said he would not understand why the controversy is raging over the bill.
“As far as I am concerned, an institution like the health industry has to be looked at holistically. It’s not about one professional cadre. It’s about the whole system and the question is: Is the present system working? Are our tertiary institutions and other health institutions working the way they should? The answer is no.
“Anyone who wants to answer that question in a very sincere manner will know that the management model we use in our health institutions is faulty and it has not always been like that.
“Every bill is a proposal, at the public hearing, they can come up with their argument and we will hear them. There is no need for any controversy, we can’t allow our health institutions to be ruined through sentiments,” he said.
A farmer shows how drought has dried out his field in Milan, Italy
Italy has declared a state of emergency in five northern regions surrounding the Po River amid the worst drought in 70 years.
Emilia-Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont and Veneto will be given €36.5m (£31m; $38m) in emergency funds to tackle the water shortage.
Several municipalities have already announced water rationing.
“The state of emergency is aimed at managing the current situation with extraordinary means and powers,” the Italian government said. It said it could take further measures if the situation did not improve.
Unusually hot weather and low rainfall across winter and spring have compounded water shortages in northern Italy and heightened fears about the effects of climate change.
Prime Minister Mario Draghi said climate change was “without doubt” linked to Sunday’s glacier collapse in the Dolomites, where seven people died and 13 others are missing.
The Po is Italy’s longest river, flowing eastward for more than 650km (404 miles). Farmers in the Po Valley say salty seawater is now seeping into the river, destroying crops.
Plans to generate electricity through floating wind farms off the south Wales coast could create thousands of new jobs, according to the Crown Estate.
The property business owned by the monarch but run independently said the new industry could create about 29,000 jobs, including 10,000 in Wales.
It is leasing the space to generate enough power for four million homes.
But firms looking to win contracts from the plans have urged licensing authorities against delays.
“It’s a big opportunity to create a new sector in Wales and the UK,” said the Crown Estate’s Nicola Clay.
“This is absolutely going to happen, interest is growing.”
Until now most offshore wind farms in the UK have been built into the seabed on fixed foundations.
Floating wind farms can be deployed in deeper water than conventional offshore wind farms, where there is often higher wind, such as off the coast of Pembrokeshire.
The wind turbines are floated on massive steel structures and tethered or anchored to the seabed.
The Crown Estate tenders will be issued in summer 2023 and could potentially inject £43.6bn into the UK economy by 2050, according to industry body the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.
Ukrainian mathematician, Maryna Viazovska, has become only the second woman to receive the prestigious Fields Medal.
Often regarded as the Nobel Prize for mathematics, she won for her work on a 400-year-old puzzle about sphere packing.
The 37-year-old professor received the award alongside three other winners at a ceremony in Helsinki.
“I feel sad that I’m only the second woman,” she said.
“But why is that? I don’t know. I hope it will change in the future.”
The other Fields medal winners were France’s Hugo Duminil-Copin of the University of Geneva, Britain’s James Maynard of Oxford University, and June Huh of Princeton in the United States.
The medal is awarded every four years to outstanding mathematicians under the age of 40.
After winning the award, Professor Viazovsk paid tribute to those suffering in her war-torn country, saying “my life changed forever” when Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
Her parents and sisters were living in the capital, Kyiv, when Russian troops entered the country.
“When the war started I could not think about anything else, including mathematics,” she said in a video shown at the ceremony.
Her family were evacuated from Kyiv and are now staying with her in Switzerland, where she works at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne.
“Right now Ukrainians are really paying the highest price for our beliefs and our freedom,” she added.
The only previous female recipient of the Fields medal in its 86 year history was Iranian mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani, in 2014.
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