The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives NANNM, Cross River State, has urged Governor Ben Ayade, to recruit 2,000 nurses to fill the manpower gap in the health sector.

This appeal was made in Calabar on Tuesday, by the chairperson of the association, Mrs. Josephine Bassey.

She said the dearth of manpower was one of the greatest challenges facing NANNM in the state.

She explained that the call became necessary because most of the health facilities within the state were understaffed.

The NANNM boss noted that the last time the state recruited nurses was in 2018, adding that since then, no other recruitment exercise had taken place in spite of the retirement of nurses from service yearly.

While listing her achievements within one year in office, she said that she assisted in the implementation of nurses’ promotion in the state.

Bassey stressed that she facilitated the payment of all outstanding premiums and other welfare benefits to retired nurses across the state.

She further revealed that she acquired a vast land in the Ogoja Local Government Area for nurses in Cross River North and ensured that those from the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital joined the state welfare scheme of the association.

Bassey called on the state government to always remit check-off dues and other welfare deductions to the association promptly.

She also urged the management of the Cross River State University to create a “Department of Nursing Science in the university in order to promote the study of nursing in the state.”

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority NEPZA says two health management companies are set to invest in world class hospitals for cancer and kidney respectively.

Managing Director of NEPZA, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba disclosed this while receiving officials of Citizens Health Limited and Brown Brommel Medicals in Abuja.

Adesugba said scores of prospective anchor tenants seeking to establish world class hospitals and pharmaceutical industries in the new Special Medical Free Zone in Lekki area of Lagos signal gradual end to unnecessary medical tourism abroad.

The NEPZA boss described the development as a realisation of a joint dream, adding that the Authority was working toward using the special medical zones to end decades of medical tourism by Nigerians abroad.

According to him, the frequent and sustained medical trips abroad by citizens continue to hurt the economy badly.

Adesugba explained that the newly approved special medical zone located in Lekki was attracting expected attention.

He further said that the huge area overlooking large body of water and isolated swamps clustered by the Lekki Quadrant of Lagos Free Zone, Lekki Free Zone, Dangote Free Zone Enterprises as well as Alaro City Free Zone made it a hot-spot for investment chains.

Adesugba promised that the Authority was prepared to relax perceived stringent rules to ensure the comfort of anchor tenants.

Vice President of Brown Brommel Medicals, Brain Barnes, said the company had come to explore the possibility of setting up of an advanced Modern Integrated Diagnostic and Dialysis Center at the zone, adding that the center proposed to sit on 10 hectares of land would also provide sundry medical services.

Barnes, who was represented by Mr Chris Obuekwe, Group Managing Director, said the company was delighted to take advantage of the country’s free trade zone scheme, adding that citizens deserved to enjoy the best of medical services the world could provide.

A Director with the Citizen Health Limited, Cynthia Okirie, said the company aimed at tapping into the free zone incentives to transfer the required health technology and services into the country.

She explained that Citizen Health Limited UK was known for its proficiency in the treatment and management of cancer, adding that the Lekki special medical free zone would serve as the ideal launch pad for the improvement of the health sector in Nigeria.

The Kwara Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), on Monday in Ilorin conducted medical health checkup for members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).

The event was in collaboration with the Zonal Clinic of the FRSC RS8HQ as part of activities marking the zone’s Clinic Health Week tagged ‘Know Your Numbers’.

The Sector Commander, Jonathan Owoade appreciated the association for the opportunity to conduct the health checkup for it’s members.

Owoade said that it was important to conduct eye test for commercial drivers because most drivers do not see properly.

The Chairman of RTEAN in the state, Alhaji Olayinka Onikijipa, advised all members of the association and motorists to ensure they go for routine medical checks.

Onikijipa said most people who collapse or slump have unknown illnesses that they are not aware of and the resultant effect is when they collapse or slump.

One of the participants, Mr Ajamu Williams appreciated the association for organizing the medical outreach while praying for the progress of the association and the FRSC.

“We are very grateful to God for this privilege and we also thank our chairman because he is always looking out for our progress.”

“We have never experienced this kind of initiative and we are very grateful indeed.”

“We are also grateful for the tests, especially, BP, eye test and urine test. I thank God because I was told I am very fine, there is no negative health challenge that I have.”

“We pray that the association will move forward, the state will move forward and the nation at large.”, Mr. Williams said.

Stakeholders in Nigeria have agreed that adolescent health is key to Nigeria’s development. This was disclosed at the 2022 National and International Adolescent Health Week (IAHW),in Abuja.

The World Health Organization Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, said that there’s the need to renew commitment to the wellbeing of adolescents for a better future.

He said that the commemoration of the week gives the government, partners and other stakeholders the opportunity to improve the health of adolescents in Nigeria.

Similarly, the Chief of Health UNICEF, Dr. Eduardo Celades, said that adolescents need to have a voice in policies and be given the opportunity to be young.

The Nigerian minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, says westernization has greatly affected the youths. He said that there is the need for parents and adolescents to have conversation on how to develop the new generation for the survival of the country.

He said that the ministry was therefore advocating and making all efforts to strengthen effective coordination of adolescent health programs nationwide.

The Minister of State Health, Dr Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora, in his remarks said that to grow and develop in good health, adolescents need information, including age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education; opportunities to develop life skills; health services that are acceptable, equitable, appropriate and effective; and safe and supportive environments.

The Director Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Salma Kolo, said that the celebration was important because it affords Nigeria the opportunity to again inform Nigerians on what the Ministry has done and is doing to achieve the desirable health needs of special people in society.

She said that the week-long commemoration would be filled with activities emphasizing the call to action which highlights adolescent health needs.

The week-long participatory event is for stakeholders working in the adolescent health space to redouble efforts towards adolescent health and inclusion.

To end post-traumatic stress disorder usually experienced by rape victims, a Presiding Judge of Gombe Court of Appeal, Justice Hannatu Sankey, has called for more support and care for rape and other violence victims, especially children.

According to Sankey, there has been an upsurge in cases of rape, sexual assault and other violence against girls and women in recent times, adding that many of such cases caused heartbreaking fatalities.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event, either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Scenes from rape, sexual assault, according to experts, may last for months or years in the minds of victims and could trigger trauma, stress, and other intense emotional and physical reactions.

Sankey said, “As a practitioner and a stakeholder in the justice sector, I’m aware that cases of rape, sexual assault, and violence against the girl-child are widespread and on the increase.

“Incidents of attacks on young persons and children, many of which have tragically resulted in heartbreaking fatalities, have quite frequently been reported. The victims who have survived such vicious attacks and violations, are left scarred for life.”

“The tragedy of it is that an increasing number of these abuses are happening in schools where children have gone to get an education.

“This certainly does not augur well for the society as these girls are the future mothers of Nigeria of tomorrow. When they are violated and subjected to abuse, the post-traumatic stress disorder they inevitably suffer or experience may negatively affect the upbringing of the children and future leaders of Nigeria, thereby joepardising the nation in general.”

Sankey urged states of the federation including Gombe to domesticate the child rights act, noting that it would provide the girl child the conducive environment to thrive.

“If, however, laws are put in place to protect children and enforce their rights, I believe that courts will proactively and stringently enforce these laws.

“This will also ensure that our children, who are the future of this nation, are protected from predators, as well as shielded from any failure on the part of parents, guardians, teachers and the system in general,” Sankey added.

To end post-traumatic stress disorder usually experienced by rape victims, a Presiding Judge of Gombe Court of Appeal, Justice Hannatu Sankey, has called for more support and care for rape and other violence victims, especially children.

According to Sankey, there has been an upsurge in cases of rape, sexual assault and other violence against girls and women in recent times, adding that many of such cases caused heartbreaking fatalities.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event, either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Scenes from rape, sexual assault, according to experts, may last for months or years in the minds of victims and could trigger trauma, stress, and other intense emotional and physical reactions.

Sankey said, “As a practitioner and a stakeholder in the justice sector, I’m aware that cases of rape, sexual assault, and violence against the girl-child are widespread and on the increase.

“Incidents of attacks on young persons and children, many of which have tragically resulted in heartbreaking fatalities, have quite frequently been reported. The victims who have survived such vicious attacks and violations, are left scarred for life.”

“The tragedy of it is that an increasing number of these abuses are happening in schools where children have gone to get an education.

“This certainly does not augur well for the society as these girls are the future mothers of Nigeria of tomorrow. When they are violated and subjected to abuse, the post-traumatic stress disorder they inevitably suffer or experience may negatively affect the upbringing of the children and future leaders of Nigeria, thereby joepardising the nation in general.”

Sankey urged states of the federation including Gombe to domesticate the child rights act, noting that it would provide the girl child the conducive environment to thrive.

“If, however, laws are put in place to protect children and enforce their rights, I believe that courts will proactively and stringently enforce these laws.

“This will also ensure that our children, who are the future of this nation, are protected from predators, as well as shielded from any failure on the part of parents, guardians, teachers and the system in general,” Sankey added.