Health

ESUT Doctors Declare Indefinite Strike Over Insecurity, Others

The Association of Resident Doctors of Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital has declared an indefinite strike over the abysmal shortage of doctors, insecurity, and poor sponsorship of the residency programme

The doctors announced this in a communique issued at end of their Emergency General Meeting, released to journalists on Tuesday.

The strike, according to the communique, would commence on January 31, 2024, after seven weeks grace, in which its earlier third series of notification of ultimatum to the Enugu State government to do the needful and meet its demands were ignored.

The communique, jointly signed by the ARD-RSUT President and Secretary General, Dr Chukwunonso Ofonere, and Dr Ikemefuna Nnamani respectively, said that the EGM observed with regret, the silence from the management of the hospital on the 14-day ultimatum issued, and another 49 days of grace, following the ultimatum expiration for it to meet the demands of the association.

The doctors regretted that the management of ESUT Parklane, and the Enugu State government had failed to declare a state of emergency on the employment of doctors and safety and security within the hospital.

The EGM observed that it is over 180 days since the government, through the Secretary to the State Government, promised the ARD of employment of Medical Officers, Resident Doctors, and payment of medical Residency Training Funds, “and we are yet to see the employment of new doctors.”

It said that the EGM noted that the security men placed at the gate are no longer there and direct daily assault on doctors had increased again; while the safety of doctors and other health workers in the hospital cannot be guaranteed.

The doctors said, “The management should declare a state of emergency on the employment of doctors in the hospital. There should be an urgent approval for the recruitment of Medical Officers, Resident Doctors, and House Officers in the hospital. “This recruitment should be focused especially at the Accident and Emergency Department, Surgery Department, Internal Medicine Department, Pediatrics Department, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Departments, etc. Resident doctors who had left our institution in the past four years and were never replaced.

“Management should ensure implementation of safety policies to protect her workers against physical attacks and kidnap by restoring the daily police and other covert security personnel deployed to the hospital.

“The 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund has not been paid and exam bodies are closing their adverts.”

The communique said that salary increments had not been looked into at all; even as house officers were excluded from the hardship/palliative of N25,000 given by the state governor.

It added, “We are still back to where we were in 2023 or even worse, as plans are on the way to increase the rents of those living in the hospital quarters – one-bedroom apartment – by about 375 percent from N8,000 to N30,000 monthly.

“This will escalate the already palpable crises and we will be left with no other alternatives, but to protect the interest and welfare of our members.

“January 31, 2024, is here already and the doctors are mobilising for an indefinite, total, and maybe protracted industrial action, if nothing is done.”

The doctors also pleaded with Governor Peter Mbah, to intervene in the matter to avoid untold hardship and loss of lives that might occur if there is a disruption in the health care delivery in the state

Health

Akwa Ibom records five monkeypox cases

The Akwa Ibom State Government has raised the alarm over the increasing cases of monkeypox in the state, with five confirmed cases recorded so far.

The government has urged residents to be vigilant as the disease spreads across local government areas.

During an update on Friday, September 6, the state government revealed that out of 30 samples collected for diagnosis, five tested positive. The initial four confirmed cases included three males and one female, aged 2, 4, 12, and 41.

Samuel Etuk, the official in charge of disease surveillance and notification at the state Ministry of Health, confirmed the fifth case and noted that contact tracing efforts are underway while the affected individuals are in isolation.

Etuk provided details at a Media Review Meeting organized by Breakthrough Action Nigeria (BA-N) in collaboration with the State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (STBLCP).

He emphasized the importance of community involvement in monitoring the disease, with 10 informants engaged in each of the state’s 368 political wards to report cases to health authorities.

Etuk explained that Mpox can be transmitted from animals to humans (a zoonotic process), as well as through direct or indirect human contact. Transmission can occur through contact with urine, blood, faeces, skin lesions, and oral secretions.

Symptoms of Mpox typically appear after an incubation period of 5 to 21 days and include fever, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, rashes, and muscle pain. The rashes often start on the face and spread to other parts of the body.

To prevent further spread, residents are advised to avoid contact with sick animals or humans, maintain proper hygiene, and report any suspected cases to health authorities or the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Etuk reminded the public that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared Mpox a global public health emergency of international concern in August 2024, signaling the need for heightened awareness and preventive measures.

Health

FG to establish blood collection centres in 774 LGAs

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish Blood Collection Centres in all 774 local government areas, including the FCT, to ensure availability of blood during medical emergencies and transfusions.

Abdullahi Haruna, Head, Media and Publicity, National Blood Service Agency (NBSA), made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

The statement quoted Prof. Saleh Yuguda, the Director-General, NBSA, as reiterating government’s commitment towards addressing blood shortages in the country as the initiative would save lives.

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“We are working tirelessly to ensure that blood needs are adequately addressed, and this initiative is a significant step towards achieving that goal.

“NBSA has partnered with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to establish a formidable blood bank at the Corp’s medical facility.

“This collaboration aims to mitigate blood shortages during medical emergencies and provide critical support to sister security agencies,” he said.

He explained that to kickstart the blood collection project, the FCT will host strategic blood collection facilities in easily accessible locations.

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“This move is expected to increase blood donation rates and ensure a steady supply of blood for medical purposes.

“The establishment of blood collection centers across Nigeria is a testament to the government’s commitment to improving the country’s healthcare system.

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“As the project rolls out, Nigerians should expect improved access to blood transfusions and better health outcomes,” he said.

The statement also disclosed that the Deputy Commandant Emeka Okeke of the NSCDC said: “this initiative will play a vital role in addressing blood shortages and saving lives.”

Health

WHO sets targets to end Mpox outbreaks in Africa

The World Health Organisation, WHO, has set a target of halting mpox outbreaks in Africa within the next six months.

This announcement came as the first vaccine shipments are expected to arrive in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, in the coming days.

Africa, particularly the DRC, with over 18,000 suspected cases and 629 deaths, has received only a fraction of the vaccines to combat the virus.

At a press briefing on Monday, September 2, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed confidence in ending the outbreaks, citing strong government leadership and collaborative partnerships.

In August, WHO declared mpox outbreaks a global emergency to spur a more robust international response even though a new strain of mpox known as clade1b, has been identified in many countries, including Burundi, Cameroon, Rwanda, and Kenya.

The potentially more contagious variant of the virus was detected in Congo in May, prompting heightened concerns among health officials.

WHO estimates that approximately 230,000 vaccines could soon be sent to Congo and other affected countries. The WHO is also implementing educational campaigns to inform people in outbreak areas about preventing the spread of the disease.

Africa’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said it aims to receive 380,000 vaccine doses from donors, including the US and the EU, which falls short of the quantity required to eradicate the outbreaks.