Health
COVID19: VVF Patients In Tears Over Delay In Treatment
Published
4 years agoon
By
Editor
By Aminat Ahmed, Bauchi
Some patients of Visco Viginal Fistula (VVF), in Bauchi State, were left in tears, trauma and felt rejected as urine flow persistently.
To them, accessing Medical attention became a nightmare and life threatening by the day as a novel coronavirus pandemic distanced them from their chances of treatment.
The delay in accessing healthcare was attributed to the partial lockdown, hike in transport fare among others.
Speaking to some VVF patients from Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state, Mrs Aisha Mohammed, said that the delay has caused more trauma than ever before.
“Before the pandemic, I was not aware of the Ningi center.
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“It was around February that someone told me about the center and before I got financial support for the treatment, COVID-19 set in and the drivers refused to travel for fear of lockdown.
“I felt bad and traumatised because I had a place to go for treatment yet, there was no way to move.”
Mrs Fatima Inuwa from Burra, Ningi local government, said that the pandemic has made her unable to access services due to fear of pandemic.
“Even with the face mask, physical distancing in commercial vehicles and the hike in price, coming for the first time, my family developed fear over the cost of transportation and treatment, not knowing that the treatment and feeding was free.”
The National Obstetric and Fistula Center(NOFC), Ningi said that Novel coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic delayed routine treatments for women suffering from viscoviginal fistula(VVF) in Bauchi state.
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VVF is an abnormal fistulous tract extending between the bladder and the vagina that allows the continuous involuntary discharge of urine into the vaginal vault, mostly caused by prolonged labour.
Speaking to our correspondent, the Director Clinical Services of the center, Dr Lamara Dattijo, said that the weekly exercise recorded zero number of treatments due to lockdown, hike in the prices on consumables and inadequate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).

One of the VVF patients
He said from the month of March to July, the center had either 1 or zero repairs.
Dattijo said that in the month of October, 2020, the center had to conduct repairs for the health wellbeing of the patients.
He emphasized that in the first quarter of 2021, there was zero surgery due to the pandemic, adding that in October, the hospital conducted surgery to not fewer than 38 women.
“From February to March, there were no clinical services because patients can no longer move. Also, the sudden demand for PPE made prices shot high.
“That also affected the facility because we have zero IGR and treatment and feeding is free.
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“We later had to organise training for health personnel on guidelines for COVID-19,” he said.
Also, speaking with our correspondent, the Gender analyst, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Bauchi State, Ms. Deborah Tabara, said UNFPA has supported Vesico Virginal Fistular (VVF)
Center, Ningi and General Hospital Gamawa with Personal Protection Equipment during COVID-19 for service delivery to patients alongside training of Health workers on adherence to Covid-19 prevention guidelines.
This article is part of Covid-19 Response: Together For Reliable Information Project Implemented by PAGED Initiative supported by the EU & FreePress Unlimited.
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Health
LASG FLags Off Polio Outbreak Response Campaign
Published
7 months agoon
January 20, 2025By
Editor
The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, has launched the 2025 Polio Outbreak Response Campaign, reaffirming its commitment to eradicating polio and safeguarding the health of its children.
The ceremony, held at the Simpson Primary Healthcare Centre, was led by the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, represented by Mrs. Widad Jumoke Mustafa, a member of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO).
In her address, the First Lady emphasised the state government’s proactive measures to keep Lagos polio-free, highlighting the critical importance of the campaign in preventing the debilitating effects of poliomyelitis, which can result in paralysis or death.
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The First Lady also called on parents, community leaders, and stakeholders to support the campaign by ensuring eligible children are vaccinated.
Targeting children aged 0-59 months, vaccination teams will administer the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) to prevent virus transmission.
Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, the Special Adviser on Health, expressed gratitude to Lagosians for their continued cooperation in the fight against polio. While appreciating all healthcare workers and partners for their services, Mrs. Ogunyemi encouraged parents to present their children and wards for the exercise.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Lagos Mainland Local Government, Mrs. Omolola Rashidat Essien opined that Immunization is key in ensuring that children are kept safe from polio and other vaccine preventable diseases.
Dr. Abimbola Bowale, the Supervising Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, who also spoke at the event, underscored the life-saving importance of immunization.
“All children aged 0-59 months need multiple doses of the polio vaccine to ensure full protection. Any child missed represents a potential risk for the poliovirus to spread. The vaccine is safe, effective, and crucial in keeping our communities polio-free,” he stated.
Dr. Bowale also outlined several strategies to ensure the success of the campaign, including fixed post teams stationed at primary healthcare centres and public health facilities, house-to-house visits, and a transit strategy to reach special locations such as places of worship, schools, motor parks, and other public venues.
The event concluded with Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu officially launched the campaign, marking a renewed effort to maintain Lagos State’s polio-free status.

The Lagos state suspected cholera cases have risen to 421.
The Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi disclosed this on his Instagram handle @profakinabayomi on Saturday.
“As of June 20, 2024, an additional four suspected cholera cases have been reported, as illustrated in the accompanying graph,” he wrote.
He noted that the Emergency Operations Centre in collaboration with all relevant partners is actively engaged in contact tracing, community-based surveillance, awareness campaigns, sample testing, and ensuring that confirmed cholera cases receive appropriate medical treatment.
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On Friday, the commissioner confirmed 35 cases out of the 417 suspected cases and 24 deaths across 20 Local Government Areas in the state.
The cases were reported from Agege, Badagry, Ikeja, Mushin, Ajeromi-Ifelofun, Epe, Ikorodu, Ojo, Alimosho, and Eti-Osa.
Others were Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Amuwo-Odofin, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos Island, Shomolu, Apapa, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos mainland, and Surulere.
Cholera is a food and water-borne disease caused by ingesting the bacteria— Vibrio cholerae — in contaminated water and food. Cholera can cause severe acute watery diarrhoea, and the severe forms of the disease can kill within hours if left untreated.
In Nigeria, cholera is an endemic and seasonal disease, occurring annually mostly during the rainy season and more frequently in areas with poor sanitation.
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The World Health Organisation on Thursday announced a spike in cholera in several regions of the world, with almost 195,000 cases and over 1,900 deaths reported in 24 countries since the start of 2024.
WHO said the Eastern Mediterranean Region reported the highest number of cases, followed by the African Region, the Region of the Americas, the Southeast Asia Region, and the European Region.
The global health body, however, noted that there are no reported cases in the Western Region, according to its bulletin released on Wednesday.
It said it exhausted its global stockpile of Oral Cholera Vaccines by March but was able to exceed “the emergency target of five million doses in early June for the first time in 2024.”

By Silver Yeibake
Autism, commonly known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. Autism is referred to as a spectrum condition since it can manifest in a variety of symptoms and abilities. While the actual cause of autism is unknown, evidence suggests that genetic and environmental factors interact to influence its development.
The risk factors include a sibling with autism, advanced age of parents, exposure to certain air pollutants and pesticides before birth, extreme prematurity, mothers with diabetes, immune system disorders or obesity, any difficulty with delivery leading to deprivation of oxygen to the baby’s brain, fever during pregnancy, lack of certain vitamins minerals during pregnancy, and certain genetic conditions, such as Down, fragile X, and Rett syndromes.
“Risk factors can not on their own cause a disease. However, they can increase the likelihood of that disease in a person.”
It is important to know that contrary to trending claims online, there is no scientific or medical evidence that vaccines or consumption of sugar are risk factors for autism.
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Autism is defined by difficulties in social interaction and communication. Individuals with autism may struggle to grasp social cues, maintain eye contact, and engage in typical back-and-forth conversations. Some people may also engage in meaningless, repetitive actions, such as hand-flapping or rocking, and have strong interests in specific areas.
It is essential to remember that autism is a lifelong diagnosis, but with early intervention and adequate care, people with autism can live fulfilling lives.
Autism treatment frequently includes behavioral therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and social skills training. Each individual with autism is unique, thus interventions should be tailored to meet their personal needs and strengths.
In spite of the difficulties that autism can cause, many people with autism possess unique talents and abilities. Some people may succeed in fields such as music, art, mathematics, or programming, thus it is important for society to acknowledge and honor the qualities and achievements of people with autism.
In summary, autism is a complicated and diverse disorder that affects individuals in various ways. By raising autism knowledge, understanding, and acceptance, we can build a more inclusive society in which people with autism can thrive and attain their full potential.
Dr. Yeibake, Weriwoyingipre Silver.
Senior Registrar,
Faculty Of Pediatrics,
WACP
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