Health

Lagos set to commence E-birth registration from September

The Lagos State government, in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC), is set to commence the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (ECRVS) program on September 2, 2024.

The initiative aims to modernize the process of birth registration and ensure accurate data collection for children across the state.

In preparation for this significant rollout, the NPC has begun training ad hoc registrars across various local government areas. Speaking at the opening of the training session at Kosofe Local Government, Mrs. Saidat Oladunjoye, the Federal Commissioner representing Lagos State, outlined the phased training approach. She noted that some councils have been merged for the training sessions, depending on their size and the number of volunteers available.

“This exercise is designed to train our ad hoc officials who will be responsible for the registration of births, ensuring we obtain accurate data on children born in Lagos State,” Oladunjoye stated.

“The focus will be on registering children under 1 and 5 years of age. Registrations for children under 1 year will take place at hospitals and other institutions where births occur, while those for children under 5 years will be conducted at the community and ward levels.”

One of the unique aspects of this new registration process is that each registered child will automatically be assigned a National Identity Number (NIN). Oladunjoye emphasized the importance of capturing as many children as possible through this system, noting that it will significantly enhance government planning in areas such as education, health, and political development.

“Through this registration, the government can make informed decisions and create better plans for the future. It will also simplify data retrieval, eliminating the need for paper-based records, which are prone to being lost in transit,” she added.

Health

Two Mpox cases evacuated to isolation centre in Cross River – State govt

Cross River State epidemiologist, Inyang Ekpenyong has announced that two cases of M-Pox have been confirmed, this time in the Calabar Municipality area of the state.

The official said the Case Management Team has evacuated the patients to an isolation centre.

In a statement, the epidemiologist said, “State/LGA RRT have commenced contact tracing, listing, and monitoring.”

She emphasised that ‘financial resources’ are urgently needed for response activities.

Four days ago, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, announced total figures of 56 Mpox cases in the country with Cross River having five.

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.”