Experts differ on proposed Lagos General Hospitals upgrade

By

-

January 27, 2023

Experts in health have expressed mixed reactions over the proposed plan by the Lagos State Assembly to upgrade five general hospitals to the tertiary level, saying the plan is a misplaced priority.

The experts expressed their views in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Lagos.

The National President, Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners, Dr. Kayode Adesola, said the plan was a waste of scarce resources considering prevailing challenges in the health sector.

Adesola stated that upgrading general hospitals to tertiary hospitals was futile without the necessary medical personnel.

According to him, many hospitals are struggling to recruit and retain healthcare workers.

“The building and equipment will not do the work.

“The lawmakers should legislate on policies that will attract and retain health care workers, to stem the tide of brain drain in the state,” he said.

Adesola called for the strengthening of the Primary Health Care Centres across the state, to decongest and reduce pressure on the secondary and tertiary hospitals.

“The PHCs should be the goal, once you strengthen it, you’ve taken care of 80 per cent of health cases.

“Let’s concentrate on what will help everybody, not just giving out contracts and building structures,” he said.

Similarly, Mr. Babajide Aderibigbe, a health economist, said that the utmost priority of tertiary hospitals should be in the areas of advanced medical care.

Aderibigbe, however, observed that despite the laudable strides of LASUTH, the hospital was not judiciously utilised for its core health service delivery.

He said that reports from the hospital showed that 80 per cent of cases brought to the teaching hospital could be handled by the PHCs and general hospitals.

“LASUTH keeps expending human and material resources on primary health care cases rather than treating specialised cases, which are its competence.

“This is a major issue that the lawmakers should legislate on resolving because the challenge would be replicated in the upgraded general hospitals.

“Even if there would be an upgrade of general hospitals to tertiary level, five is much for now, and the aim shouldn’t be based on sentiments,” he said.

However, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, the Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos Zone, said the proposed upgrade was necessary, to meet the increasing population of the state and reduce the strain on health care resources.

Olowojebutu said that the new addition would increase residency training for doctors and specialised care for the citizens.

He stated that PHCs are the bedrock of health care globally.

Olowojebutu stressed the need for increased sensitisation on the use of PHCs for primary health care cases and a robust referral system for specialised cases.

According to report, the Lagos State House of Assembly on January 23 adopted recommendations of its Committee on Health Services for the proposed upgrade of five general hospitals to tertiary health institutions.

The general hospitals situated in the state’s five divisions are in Badagry, Alimosho, Ikorodu, Epe and Lagos Island.

Nigerian Artist’s Exhibition Showcases Food Preservation Methods

By

Koko Lawrence

-

January 27, 2023

0

In his latest exhibition, Nigerian artist Olufela Omokeko is exploring the importance of food preservation when food is spoiled due to lack of quick access to markets and cold storage.

During a recent art exhibition in Iwaya, a slum in the commercial capital Lagos, guests also had the chance to taste Omokeko’s puree from dried tomatoes, peppers and local spices as he showcased age-old traditions on how to extend the shelf life of perishable food.

Nicknamed “son of a pepper seller,” Omokeko grew up seeing women who sell perishables at their homes or at the market throw away food because it was rotted.

That problem remains, and Omokeko hopes to show Nigerians who come to his exhibitions how to dry and blend food to preserve its lifespan while maintaining the taste.

Just In: Tribunal Annuls Adeleke’s Victory, Declares Oyetola Osun Gov

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

January 27, 2023

0

The Election Petition Tribunal hearing the APC and Adegboyega Oyetola’s petition against the victory of the PDP’s Ademola Adeleke on Friday annulled the result of the July 16 Osun governorship poll.

Justice Tetsea Kume, while delivering a majority decision declared that INEC did not comply substantially with the Constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act.

He subsequently deducted the over-voting observed from the votes scored by the candidates and declared that Oyetola won the election, having polled 314, 921, while Adeleke’s score came down to 290, 266.

He directed INEC to withdraw Adeleke’s certificate of return and issued another one to Oyetola who won a majority of the lawful votes.

Meanwhile, a minority decision by one of the judges is being read as at the time of filing this report.

Details later…

NPFL: Supporters Club Protest Over Rangers Poor Performance

By

Emenike Agu

-

January 26, 2023

0

Members of the Rangers International supporters club staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday to show their displeasure at the team’s woeful performance in the Nigeria Premier Football League this season.

The Flying Antelopes, seven-time champions of the NPFL are yet to record a win from three games this season.

Rangers have drawn one and lost two of their opening three games.

The supporters called for the appointment of a new General Manager as well as a Team Manager.

The two positions remain vacant after Davidson Owumi and Amobi Ezeaku left the post at the end of the last campaign.

The Coal City club will be away to Niger Tornadoes in their next league game on Sunday.

Super Falcons To Hit Mexico For 4-Nations Tournament In February

By

Emenike Agu

-

January 26, 2023

0

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will intensify their preparations for the forthcoming 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in February as they will be among the teams invited to take part in a 4-Nations tournament in Mexico.

According to the report from Mexico, the competition is tagged Revelation Cup and Super Falcons of Nigeria, Costa Rica, Colombia and host Mexico are the countries invited to participate.

The organiser confirmed this through the Mexico Football Federation’s social media handle.

“The tournament will be a home run with Mexico, Nigeria, Costa Rica and Colombia to be played between February 13 to 22, 2023.

The country with the most points wins the tournament”, Director Arturo Fizsman stated.

Dayton, Ohio, Breaks 108-Year-Old Record For Snowfall

By

Angel Gimalo

-

January 26, 2023

0

Millions of Americans remain under a winter storm watch as a powerful winter storm pushes north east, leaving heavy snow, flash floods and severe thunderstorms in its wake.

The National Weather Service issued multiple tornado warnings on Wednesday, as the storm moved across north-west Florida and southern Georgia.

It comes a day after a tornado ripped through Texas, causing severe destruction along its route.

There have been no reported deaths.

Dayton, Ohio, broke a 108-year-old record for snowfall after recording 5in (12cm) of snow Wednesday, according to the NWS. The previous record of 4.9in was set in 1915.

Snowfall from Texas to Maine is expected to reach between 4 and 8in, according to NWS, while northern New England and surrounding areas may see eight to 12in, possibly resulting in dangerous travelling conditions in the area.

More than 120,000 homes and businesses in Arkansas, Missouri and Texas were without power as of Wednesday evening, according to PowerOutage.us. Chicago’s Midway International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport accounted for most of the nation’s flight cancellations.

Wednesday’s storms are a continuation of low-pressure systems that developed off the coasts of Texas and Florida that have started to move north, said Rachel Cobb, a meteorologist with the NWS.

“It’s pulling a lot of energy and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and that’s what started the storms yesterday,” Ms Cobb told the BBC.

“And now as it tracks north and north east, it’s meeting the cold air and we’re seeing the heavy snow, one to two inches an hour.”

U.K. Oldham Council To Spend £1.35m On Failsworth Solar Farm

By

Angel Gimalo

-

January 26, 2023

0

A council is set to spend £1.35m on a solar farm that is hoped will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 50 tonnes a year and cut energy bills.

Oldham Council signed off the 2018 plan to install 2,700 solar panels in Failsworth.

The plan was paused in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic after it was argued forecasted low energy prices meant the farm had “no viable business case”.

The recent energy crisis prompted the council to return to the proposals.

Market testing carried out in 2022 found that one energy supplier’s informal export price was triple the amount of what it was when the solar farm was proposed.

The initiative could see council bills reduced as well as generating a significant amount of renewable energy, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Abdul Jabbar, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and low carbon, said he was “excited” by the project, which would see panels installed on a currently disused site.

Mr Jabbar added: “This will now help us reduce energy bills and carbon emissions alongside contribution to our carbon neutrality targets we have for council buildings and street lights.

“At the same time, we will improve the previous landfill site and their will be wildflower planting, invasive species of weed will be removed and we will maintain access through the site for wild animals.”

A report made to the council cabinet said the project could in the future “provide electricity for an Oldham Local Energy Market to assist residents and businesses with their energy bills”.

Council leader Amanda Chadderton described Mr Jabbar as Oldham’s “very own Greta Thunberg”.

She added: “The potential for the site is quite significant, we have really ambitious targets in Oldham around carbon neutrality and this will go a long way to ensuring we achieve these.”

The project could be completed by October.

Super Eagles Coach Peseiro Sets Target For 2023 AFCON Tournament

By

Emenike Agu

-

January 26, 2023

0

Nigeria Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, has declared his goals for the AFCON competition in 2023.

After a string of disappointing performances, including an early departure from the Africa Cup of Nations and the loss of their World Cup ticket to Ghana, the Portuguese succeeded Austin Eguavoen in May of last year.

Since taking charge in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign, the 62-year-old has guided Nigeria’s men’s national team to two wins against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe.

However, the 2013 AFCON champions have lost five more games against Mexico, Ecuador, Algeria, Costa Rica, and Portugal, raising doubts about his ability to lead the Super Eagles to victory.

However, the 2023 AFCON event is scheduled to take place in the Ivory Coast, and the former Venezuelan coach has revealed that his ambition as the coach of the Super Eagles

The ex-Sporting CP coach tells the Mirror that “Our ambitions when I signed the contract with Nigeria, the big goal and main goal is we want to win the next AFCON,”

Peseiro, who has started burning his midnight oil to understand his players, revealed how convinced he is with the quality of players he has to win the AFCON tournament.

“Of course, we know the power of the national teams who played in the World Cup, like Senegal, Cameroon, Morocco, who had a fantastic tournament. But we know that the quality and capacity of the national teams that didn’t play in the World Cup, like Egypt, Algeria, and others.

Transfer: Messi Rejects New Psg Contract, Options For Next Club Revealed

By

Emenike Agu

-

January 26, 2023

0

Lionel Messi is unwilling to put pen to paper on a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain and could leave the Ligue 1 champions in the summer.

The 35-year-old is out of contract in June, but he was expected to sign a one-year extension with PSG.

Marca reports Messi is not motivated to win more titles in France or the Champions League again, after winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina.

He may return to Argentina or move to the MLS, with David Beckham’s Inter Miami interested.

Barcelona aren’t expected to try and re-sign their greatest ever player due to their financial woes.

Messi would need to agree to a significantly lower salary if he returns to Barca, but that is also the case if he moves to Argentina.

An emotional return to his boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys has been rumoured.

Miami would also not be able to match Messi’s salary at PSG, but in the past, he has previously spoken about playing in the MLS and owns a property in Miami.

Health Insurance compulsory for everyone, LASG tells Residents

By

Cleopatra Okohai

-

January 26, 2023

0

The Lagos State government has said that health insurance is compulsory for all residents of the state regardless of their socio-economic status.

The Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, disclosed this during the 2022 Ilera Eko Day organised by the Lagos State Health Management Agency.

In his keynote address at the event which witnessed the unveiling of the Ilera Eko Service Charter, Ilera Eko Enrollee Handbook, and Bill of rights, Muri-Okunola said the state government was determined to make healthcare accessible to all residents.

“Lagos State health insurance plan is not meant for only civil servants but for every resident of the state. The administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the health sector a focal point of his administration and this is one of the initiatives in the health sector which is to ensure accessibility of healthcare to all the residents.

“It is meant for every resident irrespective of socio-economic status and circumstances. The bill of rights and enrollee handbook will let the beneficiaries know their rights and responsibilities when they are accessing healthcare.

“Ilera Eko is the Social Health Insurance of Lagos State backed by the Lagos State Health Scheme Law of 2015 which makes it compulsory for all residents of Lagos state to have health insurance, regardless of their socio-economic status, regardless of your ethnicity whether they are poor or part of the corporate Lagos, the informal sector, whether you are an adult or a child, everyone is supposed to have health insurance cover,” he said.

Speaking earlier at the event, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi said the government was working to improve the quality of services in the state health facilities.

Abayomi who was represented at the event by the General Manager of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba said, “Since the commencement of the Ilera Eko Social Health Plan, we have taken actionable steps towards improving healthcare service delivery on the Scheme.

“The Agency has increased health benefits on the Ilera Eko plan, and various provider improvement initiatives are also being implemented just to ensure all our customers enjoy quality health services.

“Recently the Agency Launched a diaspora plan, a novel initiative in the Nigerian Social Health Insurance space.”

Commenting on the service charter and enrolees handbook, the commissioner said the documents remain a valuable tool for facilitating a sure progression towards improving the quality of services in the state facilities.

“The Agency has very high expectations as to the positive impact the implementation will have on the quality of service that will be delivered at our health facilities. Great effort must be made to sustain and even improve your level of service charter compliance,” Abayomi said.