Over 46,000 living with HIV/AIDS in Ogun, says commissioner

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Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, on Tuesday disclosed that 46, 143 people were estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS in the state out of which 33, 489 had been identified and placed on sustained treatment

Coker said  12, 654 are yet to be reached and they form the individuals living across the communities in the state.

The commissioner disclosed this while briefing journalists on the activities lined up to mark the year 2023 World AIDS Day in Abeokuta, the state capital.

According to Coker, out of a total of 782,005 people tested between year 2020 and 2023, 21,083 tested positive for HIV/AIDS.

She added that the state has a prevalence rate of 1.6 per cent while 12,654 HIV positive persons have no access to Anti-Retroviral Therapy.

Coker said the state has been making significant efforts to rapidly achieve HIV treatment saturation and meet the UNIADs 95-95-95 2030 goal of zero HIV infection.

Speaking on the theme of the 2023 World AIDS Day celebration: “Communities: Leadership To End AIDS by 2030”, Coker said the state has established 400 testing centres across the 20 Local government areas of the state to increase the state’s testing capacity. “Sadly, in Ogun State, 46,143 persons are estimated to be living with HIV while 33,489 of them have been identified and placed on sustained treatment.

“However, 12,654 are yet to be reached. These individuals are spread within the communities. Hence the need for our communities to now take the lead in our response to ending HIV.

“Our communities are pivotal to any successful response to HIV/AIDS because they are well-positioned to address both the social and cultural factors that contribute to HIV transmission.

“Our health facilities currently providing HIV services have been increased from 198 in 2019 to 497 as of November 2023.

“About 300 communities’ testers have been engaged and spread across the communities within the 20 LGAs for HIV case finding while our comprehensive treatment centres have been increased from 22 to 43”, Coker said.

The Executive Secretary of Ogun State Action Committee of HIV/AIDS, Dr Kehinde Fatungase said, the state had set up HIV test centres in some tertiary institutions across the state for testing and counselling of students.

Fatungase urged the people, especially the youths to get tested and know their status so as to prevent the spread of the virus.

Ogun Targets 15,000 Pregnant Women For Free Maternal Healthcare

The Ogun State government is targeting 15,000 pregnant women as beneficiaries of its free delivery programme tagged "Ibidero" as part of measures put in place to improve the state's maternal mortality index. 

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker disclosed this in Abeokuta, the state capital, while speaking to newsmen on the new scheme.

She noted that the initiative was a health insurance scheme of the state targeted at vulnerable indigent pregnant women across the 20 local government areas of the state.

Coker noted that through the programme, the enrolled pregnant women would have access to free maternal health services at their assigned health centers, which will reduce the risk of complications during or after pregnancy.

She revealed that "Ibidero" was designed to include a conditional cash transfer whereby the pregnant women captured on the programme get a stipend after delivering their babies at their assigned health facility.

Each beneficiary would be registered in hospitals within a walking distance to their homes, she added. 

"Last year, 3,000 pregnant women benefitted from the pilot phase of the programme. As a consequence, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has graciously approved the scale up of the programme to 15,000 beneficiaries," she said.    

Dr. Coker further disclosed that about 300 public and private health facilities at the primary and secondary levels have been enlisted for the programme.

She said the gesture by the government would contribute to a significant reduction in maternal mortality cases, ocassioned by extreme economic vulnerability, in the state.  

"One of the indices by which the overall status of the healthcare system of a country or state is assessed is its maternal mortality rate. According to the WHO, the maternal rate of Nigeria stands at 917 deaths per 100,000 live births, making us the fourth highest globally.

"It is worth noting that most of these deaths are preventable, but according to reports, only 40% of all births in the country take place in a health facility. The implication of this is that most of our pregnant women are at the mercy of traditional birth attendants (TPAs), faith homes, etc, during their pregnancy and delivery period. That's why, I believe, this initiative is quite timely," she said.  

The commissioner added that the cash transfer innovation of the programme was conceived as an additional incentive to ensure that the women attend antenatal care regularly and deliver at the assigned hospital, adding that this would aid government to reduce morbidity and mortality that might arise as a result of complications.   

She assured that the present administration is committed to providing affordable, qualitative, and accessible healthcare for all.

UNICEF donates oxygen plant to Ogun teaching hospital

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The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund on Tuesday handed over an oxygen plant to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu.

The gesture was part of moves to ensure that there is abundant and affordable oxygen for patients who need it due to the ailments they are suffering from such as COVID-19, bronchitis, pneumonia, and hypoxemia among others.

The oxygen plant donated by UNICEF in partnership with IHS, will be producing 300 litres of oxygen per minute.

Dignitaries at the event included the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, the Chairman, Board of Directors of the teaching hospital, Dr Kunle Hassan representatives by Rotn Abimbola Solu, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker and Chief Medical Director of the teaching hospital, Dr Olubunmi Fatungase among others.

Speaking at the event, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Lagos, Ms Celine Lafoucriere, said the plant would be of benefit to the people of the state, particularly thousands of newborns and pregnant women.

Lofoucriere expressed optimism that the lives of the newborns and pregnant women suffering from pneumonia and other hypoxemia disorders will take a positive turn with the handover of the oxygen plant.

She noted that oxygen is life and a life-saving medical gas used for treating respiratory illnesses and supporting various healthcare provisions such as emergency obstetric care, surgery, and anaesthesia.

“Our goal should be to reach a level in Nigeria, not just Ogun state, where no child dies from a preventable cause beyond pneumonia and other hypoxemia disorders. All children have the right to reach their full potential in health and well-being.
UNICEF is fully committed to working with governments at all levels to provide quality healthcare accessible and affordable to every mother and every child”, the UNICEF Chief stated.

She congratulated the Ogun State Government and commended the Commissioner for Health for her commitment and drive, which according to her contributed to the establishment of the gas plant.

In his remarks, Governor Abiodun, represented by the Secretary to State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, thanked UNICEF for donating the plant to the state, promising that the facility will be adequately utilized.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Coker said the plant will make oxygen more affordable and available to the end users.

She added that plans were underway to establish three oxygen plants in Abeokuta and one Ota by the state government.

Panic As Angry NLC Members Use Canes To Chase Away Patients, Doctors, Nurses From Hospital

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Doctors and Nurses Abandon Patients at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State on Wednesday

This comes as hospital staff adhered to the directives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), instructing workers to initiate an indefinite strike.

On Wednesday, doctors, nurses, midwives, laboratory officials, record keepers and other staff of the OOUTH were seen returning home, saying, “we have joined the strike, no work today.”

Individuals, including patients, arriving at the facility were turned away. Furthermore, those currently admitted may have to consider relocating to another hospital, as doctors and nurses were being expelled from their offices by union leaders.

The union leaders had stormed the hospital with canes, ready to flog out anyone who might want to resume work against the strike action.

As of the time of filing this report, one of the main gates at OOUTH is under lock and key.

One Mrs Abiola Ade, who was at the hospital, said, “I came from Abeokuta this morning to pick the result of a test I did last week, but they told me they have joined strike. So, I will have go to back. This is so annoying.”

Note, a nurse, who preferred not to be named, revealed that the hospital joined the strike on Wednesday and might continue without activities until further notice.

Our correspondent notes that some patients are still present on the hospital premises, holding out hope for assistance.

Mr Ibu has had 5 surgeries and is in the intensive care unit - Family

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The family of renowned Nigerian actor John Okafor, aka Mr Ibu, have provided an update regarding his ailment. In the latest post on the actor's Instagram page, Okafor's daughter stressed that he had undergone five different surgeries and is currently in recovery in the intensive care unit. Going on, she thanked Nigerians for their support, contributions and prayers on behalf of the entire family.

The post read in part, "So far Daddy has gone through 5 successful surgeries, and he is still recovering in the ICU. Daddy is immensely grateful and we are thankful to the general public during this phase of our lives. We called on Good Nigerians and we are very grateful for the response in every aspect most especially the donations, it came in very timely and very helpful. We are still counting on all your prayers and unwavering support as we pray he gets stabilized quickly to enable us to fly him abroad for further advanced treatment. The John Okafor family is grateful to all Nigerians." The actor celebrated his birthday in a hospital room on October 17 with a noticeably swollen foot. Okafor himself was evidently in pain as his family members sang the birthday song to him while he tried to cut his cake. However, at that time the public was not aware of the severity of his condition. Following that, another video was posted to his page where his family urged Nigerians to assist with the medical bills so that his leg would not get amputated.

Springing into action, fans and celebrities alike sent in donations within their capacities, to help his family. As soon as he is awake, the family noted that he will be sure to acknowledge everyone.

NAFDAC Destroys Fake and Expired Products Worth N16 billion in Sagamu Ogun

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake and expired products worth over N16 billion in Sagamu, Ogun State. The products included sub-standard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed food additives, unsafe cosmetics and counterfeits, and other NAFDAC-regulated products.

The destruction exercise took place on Thursday at the Oke-Diya dumpsite, where the agency’s director-general, Mojisola Adeyeye, said it was part of NAFDAC’s renewed efforts to rid the country of unwholesome regulated products to safeguard the populace’s health.

Ms. Adeyeye, who was represented by the agency’s director of investigation and enforcement, Francis Ononiwu, said some of the products were seized from manufacturers, importers, and distributors, while others were voluntarily handed over to the agency by compliant companies, trade unions, and non-governmental organizations.

She also said the agency had carried out about 50 raids against hawkers of drugs across the nation since the beginning of the year, resulting in 66 arrests and the confiscation of products worth N8 million. She recalled the recent arrest of one Sunday Chibuike, who was charged to court by the agency for producing unregistered alcoholic beverages laced with marijuana and other harmful ingredients.

The NAFDAC boss appealed to Nigerians to shun drug peddlers on the streets and patronize registered medicine stores. She also commended the judiciary for its continued support and advocated stiffer sanctions to check the menace of counterfeiting. She urged the National Assembly to speedily pass the Counterfeit Medical Products Bill to strengthen the agency’s fight against counterfeiting.