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Expert Says Poorly Managed Resuscitation, Jaundice In Babies Can Cause Cerebral Palsy

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A Consultant Paediatric Haematologist and Oncologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Prof. Edamisan Temiye said poor resuscitation of babies at birth and mismanaged neonatal jaundice could lead to brain damage and cerebral palsy.

According to the consultant, birth asphyxia – failure of a baby to cry immediately after birth and jaundice in the first week of life, are the two commonest causes of cerebral palsy in Nigeria.

The paediatrician noted that birth asphyxia is usually poorly managed in poor health facilities, especially when women deliver their babies in hospitals lacking maternal and child health experts and facilities.

He warned mothers to desist from giving their babies antibiotics and local concoctions when they have jaundice, stressing that mismanaged jaundice causes assault on the brain of the child.

He said, “Some of the causes of cerebral palsy may be genetic but most of them are caused by what happened in our environment.”

“Cerebral palsy is an assault on the brain. It could be caused by infection during birth or after birth. The commonest cause of cerebral palsy in our environment is jaundice in babies which is completely preventable. Jaundice in the first week of life can lead to brain damage.”

“Another commonest cause of cerebral palsy is birth asphyxia -babies who did not cry at birth. These two are major causes of cerebral palsy in our environment.

“Jaundice is so prevalent in our environment in the first week of life and it is often mismanaged.

“Mothers will purchase antibiotics and prepare agbo (local concoctions)and give them to their babies with jaundice instead of taking them to the hospital for appropriate treatment.”

The child care specialist noted that neonatal jaundice cannot be treated with antibiotics or local concoctions.

Giving insight into the dangers of mismanaging birth asphyxia, Prof. Temiye said, “Birth asphyxia happens when the oxygen supply to the baby is cut off either before birth or immediately after birth and if the baby was not properly resuscitated, it can lead to brain damage.

“Brain infection soon after birth can also cause cerebral palsy. Sometimes, you will see some babies growing very normally from six months to nine months, and then suddenly they no longer smile, crawl or walk.”

“This often means that the development has been arrested. It is because there is something wrong with the brain.  

“If it is not diagnosed and treated well, it can lead to cerebral palsy. Any assault to a developing brain leading to damage and causing the brain not to develop normally is cerebral palsy.”

Birth asphyxia is defined by the World Health Organisation as ‘the failure to initiate and sustain breathing at birth’.

According to the WHO, it is a major contributor to neonatal mortality worldwide causing 24 per cent of all neonatal deaths and 11 per cent of deaths of children under five years of age.

“Almost all asphyxia-related deaths (98 per cent) occur during the first week of life.

“About 75 per cent of such deaths occur on the first day, and less than two per cent after 72 hours of birth,” W.H.O states.

Prof. Temiye further stressed that mothers should be concerned about the development of their babies when they are not showing expression such as smiling during breastfeeding at the age of two months.

“By one and half months, that is when we start noticing there is a problem with a baby. The baby is supposed to smile and have a social smile.

“By six weeks of life, a baby is expected to smile when the mother is breastfeeding him or her. If the baby is not having a social smile and outward affection at this age, it means there is a problem with the brain.

“If by nine months, the baby is not crawling, there is a big problem and the parents should see a doctor,” he said.

He urged mothers to desist from acts and practices that are inimical to the normal growth and development of their child.

Ondo Govt Recruits Over 800 Health Workers In 1 Year

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The Ondo State government, says over 800 health workers have been employed to fill the gap in the health sector in the state in the last one year.

Dr Francis Akanbiemu, Permanent Secretary, State Primary Health Care Development Agency(OSPHCDA), revealed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Akure on Sunday.

Akanbiemu explained that the health workers were recruited in 2021 to ensure effective and quality service delivery at the primary healthcare level.

The permanent secretary, who said that the recruitment cut across all strata of the medical profession, stated that the recruited staff had been deployed to all the health centres across the state.

According to him, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu has demonstrated in words and actions that the health of the people of the state is of top priority.

Akanbiemu explained that after conducting baseline assessment of PHCs across the state, the governor made provisions for well equipped and standard laboratories in health centres in each of the 18 local government areas of the state.

According to him, the state government has also equipped majority of the basic health centres with life-saving equipment.

He explained that the focus of the government was to ensure that the primary health centres were attractive so that people would patronise them.

According to him, no fewer than 19 health centres have been fully be renovated with one in each local government, while two in Akure South Local Government due to population.

The permanent secretary said the government had equally provided 212 incinerators to ensure proper waste management in the health centres.

Cooperate Body Pledges Continued Commitment To Fight Against Malaria

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Chevron Nigeria Ltd. (CNL) says it remains committed in the fight against malaria scourge and other communicable diseases in Nigeria.

CNL’s Chairman and Managing Director, Mr  Rick Kennedy made the disclosure in a statement on Monday in commemoration of the World Malaria Day.

Kennedy said that Chevron had partnered with the Global Fund, non-governmental organisation to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in building resilient health systems in the country.

According to him, the partnership between Chevron and Global Fund is an example of how Chevron is contributing strategically to the development of Nigeria by helping to improve the health of its people.

Kennedy said that CNL also partnered with other NGOs such as the Corporate Alliance for Malaria in Africa and PATH through the National Malaria Elimination Programme.

He said that the partnership had helped in enhancing the support of the government’s vision to end malaria in Nigeria.

Also, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, CNL, Mr Esimaje Brikinn said the company was committed to adding value to communities where it did business.

Brikinn said:  ‘’In this regard, we focus our social investments on health, education, and economic development.

‘’Also, we are always open to partnerships that will add value to the living conditions of Nigerians.”

How Healthy Is Swiss Cheese

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slices of swiss cheese

Cheese is a big part of many people’s diets around the world.

Numerous varieties of cheese that have originated in Switzerland may be identified as Swiss cheese.

However, in the United States, Swiss cheese is a pale yellow, slightly firm cheese made from cow’s milk. It is inspired by Emmental cheese from Switzerland.

This cheese is known for its distinctive holes, which are formed by bacteria, and sharp flavor. It offers numerous nutrients, though you may still wonder whether it’s healthy.

The American kind of Swiss Cheese is inspired by Switzerland’s pale yellow cheese called Emmental, which has noticeable holes that are also called “eyes.”

It differs from traditional Emmental in that it’s made without the rind and is milder in flavor.

It’s made by fermenting cow’s milk with a type of bacterium to produce cheese curds. The curds are separated from water, pressed together, and supplemented with salt and another bacteria strain. This mixture is then left to ripen until it’s ready to eat.

The bacteria break down lactose, or milk protein, into lactic acid. This process contributes to the cheese’s composition and flavor profile.

Swiss cheese is considered a slightly hard cheese that holds its shape relatively well at high temperatures. It can be added it to sandwiches, burgers, pastries, omelets, pasta, and fondue.

Swiss Cheese Nutrition

Swiss cheese is a great source of protein and calcium. Although it’s high in saturated fat, it’s lower in sodium than many other popular cheeses.

Just 1 slice — or about 1 ounce (28 grams) — of Swiss cheese provides:

Calories: 110, Protein: 7.5 grams, Carbs: 0.5 grams, Fat: 9 grams, Saturated fat: 5 grams, Calcium: 25% of the Daily Value (DV), Magnesium: 2.5% of the DV, Phosphorus: 16% of the DV, Sodium: 2% of the DV, Zinc: 8% of the DV, Vitamin A: 10% of the DV, Vitamin B12: 16% of the DV.

As you can see, Swiss cheese is also a good source of phosphorus and vitamins A and B12.

Swiss Cheese Health Benefits

Swiss cheese contains a variety of nutrients that are important for a healthy diet.

A Great Source Of Protein

Protein is the building blocks for your muscles, tissues, skin, and hair. You need it for the growth, repair, and proper functioning of your cells.

Proteins from animal sources, such as Swiss cheese, are higher quality than plant protein because they’re nutritionally complete, meaning that they contain all nine essential amino acids. Your body can’t make these on its own, so you need to get them through food

Eating enough protein may aid weight management by keeping one feeling full for long periods

Though specific recommendations depend on health, age, and activity levels, adults are generally encouraged to get at least 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight (0.36 grams per kg) per day. This is about 55 grams for someone who weighs 150 pounds (68 kg).

Eating a slice or two of Swiss cheese can be a great way to up your protein intake and keep one feeling satisfied between meals.

High Calcium Content

Just one slice of Swiss cheese packs a quarter of your daily calcium intake. The body absorbs calcium from dairy much more readily than calcium from most plant foods, such as broccoli or spinach.

Low bone mineral density may increase the risk of fractures. While calcium alone may not lead to significant improvements in bone mineral density, eating calcium-rich foods can protect bone health no matter the age of the person. Additionally, calcium intake in excess of 1,000 mg per day has been linked to improvements in insulin sensitivity, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure.

Low In Lactose

Lactose is a sugar found in dairy products. In your body, an enzyme called lactase breaks it down into smaller sugar molecules. People with lactose intolerance don’t produce enough of this enzyme. If you have this condition and eat too much lactose, you can experience symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain.

However, most people with this condition don’t have to avoid dairy completely. In fact, they can often tolerate about 12–15 grams of lactose per day.

Swiss cheese is low in lactose, containing 0.4 grams per slice. This makes it a great cheese option for people with lactose intolerance, though you should keep in mind the total amount you eat.

Potential Downsides Of Swiss Cheese

Like many foods, Swiss cheese may also have some downsides if eaten in excess.

High Saturated Fat Content

Swiss cheese contains approximately 23% of the DV for saturated fat.

Some research suggests that a diet high in saturated fats may lead to an increase in LDL (bad) cholesterol, which raises the risk of plaque buildup in your arteries. In turn, this may contribute to blood clots and high blood pressure.

Despite potential health risks involving saturated fat, a growing body of research indicates that there may be no major link between saturated fat and heart disease. Nonetheless, current dietary guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) advise limiting your saturated fat intake by choosing low fat dairy and lean proteins while reducing your intake of cakes, biscuits, pastries, and ice cream.

May Increase Your Sodium Intake

A high sodium diet can increase your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.

At just 2% of the DV of sodium per slice (28 ounces), Swiss cheese is lower in sodium than several other cheeses, such as cheddar (8% of the DV) and feta (14% of the DV), though total amounts vary from brand to brand. All the same, eating too much Swiss cheese may result in high sodium intake.

People who need to monitor sodium intake may need to be conscious of serving sizes. Aim for no more than 1–2 slices (28–56 grams) of Swiss cheese per sitting to keep your sodium intake in check.

Worthy of note is that whether you choose to add it to a sandwich or an omelet, Swiss cheese makes a great component of a healthy diet if you eat it in moderation.

Little Exercise can improve Memory – study

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A new study has revealed that 10 minutes of light exercise has significant cognitive benefits and can help improve memory function.

The study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Irvine and the Japan’s University of Tsukuba recruited 36 healthy young adults for the study. 

The researchers studied the brains of participants shortly after workout sessions and found better connectivity between the hippocampal dentate gyrus and cortical areas linked to detailed memory processing.

The results of the study were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Read Also: Pharmaceutical company fined £1.2m over Contaminated Baby Feed supplied to Hospitals

Michael Yassa, project co-leader and UCI professor and Chancellor’s Fellow of neurobiology & behaviour said, “The hippocampus is critical for the creation of new memories; it’s one of the first regions of the brain to deteriorate as we get older – and much more severely in Alzheimer’s disease.

“Improving the function of the hippocampus holds much promise for improving memory in everyday settings.”

Yassa, the director of UCI’s Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory said that although previous studies focused on the way exercise promotes the generation of new brain cells in memory regions, the new research demonstrates a more immediate impact: strengthened communication between memory-focused parts of the brain.

He said, “We don’t discount the possibility that new cells are being born, but that’s a process that takes a bit longer to unfold.

“What we observed is that these 10-minute periods of exercise showed results immediately afterward.”

Yassa stressed that a tiny bit of physical activity can go a long way. “It’s encouraging to see more people keeping track of their exercise habits by monitoring the number of steps they’re taking, for example,” he said, “Even short walking breaks throughout the day may have considerable effects on improving memory and cognition.”

Smoothie Recipes For Sunny Days

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Woman and Home

Smoothies are a fabulous way to pack in a bunch of nutrients, but once you have your favorite formula down to a science, it’s easy to fall into a rut. Here are  five completely different (but equally tasty!) smoothie recipes, so you can switch it up on some sunny days.

When it comes to recipes like these, it’s all up to personal preference. Feel free to tweak the ingredient list as you see fit! These measurements are pretty general, so play around with them to find the perfect size and flavor for your concoction.

So let’s get right into the recipes:

A classic berry smoothie

Ingredients:

½ cup frozen blueberries

½ cup frozen strawberries

¼ cup frozen banana

1 cup apple juice

½ cup almond milk

Chocolate nutty smoothie

Ingredients:

2 frozen bananas

3 dates

2 tablespoons nut butter of choice

1 scoop cacao powder

1 tbsp coconut butter

A dash of cinnamon

1½ cups almond milk

Tip: Place your dates in room-temperature water to soak overnight to make blending easier.

Ginger & citrus smoothie

Ingredients:

2 cups frozen strawberries

½ a peeled lemon

1 thumb of ginger

1 tbsp maple syrup

A dash of cayenne

2 cups apple juice

Green smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen pineapple chunks

1 cup frozen banana

1 tbsp spirulina

2 cups spinach or kale

1 cup apple juice

1 cup almond milk

Tip: Blend your greens with your liquid before adding frozen fruit to avoid leafy chunks.

Tropical smoothie

Ingredients:

½ cup frozen mango

½ cup frozen pineapple chunks

½ frozen banana

1 tbsp coconut butter OR coconut flakes

2 cups orange juice

Takehome

There’s nothing worse than facing a cooking rut, smoothies very much included. Now, you have five unique smoothie recipes that are packed with antioxidants and plant-based goodness. As always, feel free to alter these recipes to fit your needs and preferences.

 Dietitian Gives Tips On Foods & Drinks To Avoid Before Bed

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Young Caucasian architect eating pizza at office. On desk laptop. Late night work concept.

The question that arise whether to eat a bedtime snack or not to eat a bedtime snack is what many of us struggle with sometimes , while on the one hand, going to bed on an empty stomach can activate cortisol, the stress hormone. Another point of concern is eating certain foods too close to bedtime which can disrupt your sleep at night. Dietitian Julie Stefanski, M.Ed., RDN give some insight on which snacks to go for and which ones to avoid.

Spicy foods

If you’re a big fan of spicy foods, you might be better off saving them for lunch or an early dinner, Stefanski states. “That’s because your favorite curry can mess with digestion, even in the middle of the night after you’ve already fallen asleep. Spicy foods also have high levels of capsaicin, a phytochemical that increases metabolism and thermogenic (calorie burn for heat), which can also interfere with some people’s sleep.”

Alcohol

Stefanski notes that alcohol is well known for disrupting sleep, and plenty of research confirms this. Not only does it interfere with REM sleep, but it can also make waking up the following morning that much more difficult.

Fried and fatty foods

Fried and fatty foods are also known to disrupt digestion during the night, Stefanski explains. Healthy fats like nuts and seeds or avocado, for example, are fine, but saturated fats and fried foods are best avoided.

Acidic foods

Stefanski notes that one of the best approaches to evening eating is to try to decrease stomach acid production. Not eating too close to bedtime will help this, and of course, simply avoiding acidic foods is also a good bet. This includes everything from sugar to grains, certain dairy and meat products, and baked goods.

Carbonated and caffeinated beverages

Remember that caffeine isn’t the only caffeinated beverage to avoid before bed: Soda and caffeinated tea can keep you awake, too. Even if you think you’re unaffected by caffeine, it’s still a good idea to have a cutoff time during the day, she adds. Carbonated beverages, Stefanski explains, can also disrupt digestion.

Big meals

Lastly, as a general rule of thumb, you should avoid eating large amounts of any food before bed, Stefanski said. Trying to fall asleep with a full belly is far from comfortable, and continuing with digestion through the night requires energy. Eating larger lunches and lighter dinners tends to help promote sleep.

What to eat instead.

If you’re in need of a bedtime snack, don’t worry; there are options that can actually be sleep-supporting rather than sleep-inhibiting.

Magnesium-rich foods like bananas, chickpeas, nuts and seeds, and dark chocolate can all satisfy your nighttime hunger while also giving you a healthy dose of magnesium, which is known for supporting sleep.  Just be sure to keep it light, as you don’t want to overdo it and end up too stuffed.

Takehome

Every person is different, but there are certain types of foods that tend to disrupt sleep. If you’re experiencing sleep issues, try cutting the aforementioned food and beverage groups from your nightly diet. When you do reach for a bedtime snack, instead go for magnesium-rich, sleep-supporting snacks.

How to get funding for fintech companies and crypto startups

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In the last few years, funding for fintech companies and crypto startups is on the high-rise.

Many crypto projects and startups have gotten funds that seem too much for the market. 

Rather than the funding being reduced, it keeps increasing with many startups, mostly tech startups taking the lead. 

In 2021, according to a report from Nairalytics, Nigerian startups received $1.6billion in funding at different funding stages. 

Out of the total amount of funding raised in the US, more than 60% came to Africa with Nigeria taking the lead while most of the businesses are fintech companies. 

This research shows that there are investors at different funding stages that are ready to invest in startups that prove to be worth it. 

What do I need to get funding for my startup? 

Irrespective of the line of business, a pitch deck is needed to get funding for a business. 

A Pitch deck according to CooleyGo is a presentation deck that is used to communicate your idea or company to any number of audiences, generally investors. 

One of the single most important aspects of an effective pitch deck is to organize it based on the audience and the forum to which it is being presented. 

Key components of a pitch deck

Several important components must be available as a pitch deck though it can vary from business to business, industry to industry generally it must include high-level summary slides, the problem statement, the product, the market strategy, the team, financial projection/modeling, whitepaper or lite paper among others. 

Executive summary

This is a two-page summary of what the company is all about. It is part of the business plan. 

It must be concise and detailed enough to give investors a rundown of what the company is all about. 

The problem statement 

No business can survive without saving a particular problem. 

So while preparing your pitch deck, make sure your company is solving a particular problem. 

The product 

The product is not the end but a means of solving the problem such as the Bitsave protocol.

  • How can your product solve the problem? 
  • Is your product the best solution to the stated problem? 

The market strategy 

The best is not always known, what we know is the best known. 

Your products might satisfy all the requirements but if there is no workable strategy to present it to the end-user, then it is as good as if it never existed. 

The team

Who is the team behind the project? 

No one will invest in a project with a hidden team or with a team of people with a bad track record. 

Financial projection/modeling

Do you know anyone who invests just because he or she wanted to invest? 

No, all investors are after the gain whether now or later. 

To get an investor for your project or startup, you must have financial projections that indicate that you can generate funds with your normal activities. 

Investors are more concerned about your cash flow, most especially your operating cash flow. 

With all these being known, it is important to know the types of funding that are available for every business. 

Types of funding

Pre-seed funding

This kind of funding is mainly provided by the founders and family and friends. 

It can also extend to the funds that are being provided by partners if there are any. 

This type of fund is basically before the business idea is being acted upon. 

It is the type of funding that allows you to execute your ideas. In short, it is the money available for operational setup. 

External investors are not likely to invest in Pre-seed funding. 

Seed funding

For better understating, think of the whole investing and funding as a tree. 

At this stage, the operational setup has been completed and probably the business has begun activities. 

With the tree scenario, the land has been prepared (Pre-seed funding) and seeds can be planted. 

The seed funding stage is the stage when the fintech companies need funds to launch its product fully.

Based on the risk attached, investors at this stage are mainly angel investors and venture capitalists. Nevertheless, they don’t invest in businesses without tangible structure and business model like ponzi schemes.

These are the people who invest in high-risk business startups but the fund is usually between $10,000 to $2m

Series A funding

The series funding comprises 3 different series which are A, B, and C. 

Series A funding is also called the development stage funding. This is the funding provided for a business to fully develop its products. 

It is only available to startups with a track record in terms of an established user base, consistent revenue figures, or other key performance indicators. 

At this stage, investors are willing to invest in money-making businesses and not just businesses with expected future gains. 

Investment at this stage is usually between $2m to $15m

Series B funding 

This is also referred to as later-stage investing which is mainly for expansion. 

Series B funding is available to businesses that have successfully developed their products fully but want to expand to a new environment or another market. 

For instance, after developing your business in Nigeria, you might want to expand to Africa at large. 

The funding at that stage is Series B funding and is usually between $15m to $60m.

Series C Funding

This type of funding is usually in preparation for Initial Public Offering and it is meant for acquisition. 

At this stage, the business has become successful and is now ready to dominate the market by buying all possible competitors. 

The investment is based on hard data and not based on expectations for future success. 

Specifically, Series funding is for businesses with proven business models and money-making businesses. 

The possible solution

Now that you are aware of the different funding that is available at different stages, do you know you can easily get funding through upscaling?

Upscaling to the blockchain is a way of getting investors to invest in your business. Specifically, it is a proven way of funding fintech companies.

The type of investment gathered through upscaling is always based on an expectation of future gain. 

So it can be regarded as seed funding. 

One of the upscale launchpads available is CSPad, an all-in-one business solution for growth, expansion, and funding. Read more about the benefits of CSPad here.

Do you still have a question yet unanswered or will you like one-on-one consultancy services?

You can contact CS consult, the consultancy arm of Crypto Smart, Africa’s No. 1 B2B Asset management company. 

Spanish PM’s Mobile Phone Infected By Pegasus Malware

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The cellphones of Spain’s prime minister and defense minister were reportedly infected last year with Pegasus spyware, which is available only to countries’ government agencies.

Cabinet Minister Félix Bolaños said Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s mobile phone was breached twice in May 2021, and Defense Minister Margarita Robles’ device was targeted once the following month,.

The breaches, which resulted in a significant amount of data being obtained, were not authorized by a Spanish judge, which is a legal requirement for national covert operations, Bolaños said at a hastily convened news conference in Madrid.

The Socialist-led government was during those months under intense scrutiny over its handling of a major foreign policy spat with Morocco and gripped by a tense domestic dispute over the release of jailed separatists from Spain’s restive Catalonia region.

Bolaños refused to speculate who might have been behind the Pegasus breach, nor what might have prompted it.

The National Court opened an investigation into the breach, and a parliamentary committee on intelligence affairs was set to look into it.

In May 2021, more than 8,000 migrants forced their way into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco by scaling a border fence or swimming around it. Spain deployed troops and armored vehicles there to stop more migrants getting into its territory.

That crisis came as Rabat and Madrid were at odds over Spain agreeing to provide COVID-19 care to a prominent Sahrawi leader fighting for the independence of Western Sahara, a territory once under Spanish control that Morocco annexed in the 1970s.

Moroccan authorities denied they encouraged mass migration into Ceuta, which came as Spain struggled to cope with tens of thousands of migrants arriving from Africa.

Before Monday’s announcement, the government was already under pressure to explain why the cellphones of dozens of people connected to the separatist movement in the northeastern Catalonia region were infected with Pegasus between 2017 and 2020.

Burkina Faso Investigates Mine Flood As Search Efforts Continue

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Burkina Faso’s government has launched a judicial investigation into a flood at a zinc mine that left eight workers trapped, with rescue efforts entering a third week.

Canada-based Trevali Mining Corp suspended operations at its Perkoa mine on April 16, when heavy rainfall caused flash floods and left eight workers missing underground.

Following a visit to the site on Sunday, Burkina Faso Prime Minister Albert Ouedraogo said that managers of the mine had been banned from leaving the country while investigations were underway into the cause of the accident.

A statement from the PM’s office said Precautionary measures have been taken to prevent the persons in charge of the mine from leaving the country and instructions have been given firmly to the Minister of Security for this

Trevali said it had received no official communication but was aware of the prime minister’s comments adding that the company is also investigating the cause of the accident.

In a previous statement, the company said that while most workers underground were able to safely evacuate, the eight missing workers were working below Level 520, which is 520 metres from the surface, at the time of the flooding.

There are two refuge chambers located below Level 520 designed in case miners become trapped, but the company said it did not know if any of the missing workers had been able to reach them.