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Mrs Saraki Commends Abuja Breastfeeding Declaration

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Mrs saraki

International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Global Goodwill Ambassador and the Founder-President of The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), Her Excellency, Mrs Toyin Saraki, welcomes the Abuja Declaration of Protection, Promotion and Support for Breastfeeding (‘the Abuja Breastfeeding Declaration’), as led by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) of Nigeria, Save the Children, and other development partners at the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Promoting Breastfeeding for National Development in Nigeria.

In concerted action led by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health, initiated by Save the Children, for whom Mrs Saraki has served as Nigeria Newborn Champion since 2014, stakeholders including Alive & Thrive, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dangote Foundation, the Department for International Development (DfID), the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), and several others have energised efforts to promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a newborn’s life to radically improve national development and progress in Nigeria.

Since the National Policy on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Nigeria was introduced in 2005, there has been documented progress in individual states in Nigeria, as a affirmative policy of the Federal Government’s commitment to optimal feeding of all children from birth, as a public health measure towards the implementation of the global strategy for infant and young child feeding and nutrition for improved child survival.

Progress has been undeniably linked to states that have strong midwifery frameworks such as Ondo and Kwara States. Ondo State has developed the Ondo State Abiye Maternal and Newborn Health Program, which has received USAID mPowering Frontline Health Workers’ support in upgrading the skills of over 200 midwives in antenatal and postnatal practices.

In Kwara State, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa has also successfully developed its own local initiative, the Kwara State Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care (EMONC) programme, supported by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicineand Hygeine, as funded by Johnson & Johnson.

This on-going skills-building and training program is targeted at improving the availability and quality of Maternal and Newborn Care in the State. The first phase of this project lasted 18 months (from 2015 into 2016), covered nine healthcare facilities and a School of Nursing/Midwifery across 3 local government areas in Kwara State, and trained 96 healthcare workers (including 40 midwives and nurses), 19 Trainers, 8 course directors and 10 continuous medical education (CME) directors. These healthcare workers have since cascaded to train over 600 healthcare workers, using a training-of-trainers model that is continuing sustainably.

In 2016, The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) has also conducted Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) training for 371 midwives and student-midwives, from the 36 States of the Federation at Nigeria’s firstGlobalMidwifery Conference‎, hosted by the Wellbeing Foundation Africa in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Nurses and Nurse Midwives NANNMS and UNFPA to mark the International Day of the Midwife, on 5th May. Attending midwives and student-midwives were trained in antenatal, postnatal, BFI, health-enhanced civil data and vital registrations, and EmONC skills and drills.

During World Breastfeeding Week 2016, the Foundation’s MaternalMonday media platform has continued to promote the importance of the 10 Steps To Successful Breastfeeding Campaign across Nigeria through “MamaCare Pregnancy Schools” antenatal and postnatal classes – Nigeria’s first civil society health visitor program providing over 2500 midwives, mothers and newborns each month, with enhanced engagement and continuum of care and counsel, at participating health facilities in Lagos State, Kwara State, and Federal Capital Territory Abuja, currently.

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa hopes that this heightened advocacy and action focus will improve the treatment and quality of care that Nigerian mothers receive, and break the cycle of poverty.Also, in line with the Abuja Breastfeeding Declaration’s vision, the Foundation calls on all key policy and healthcare professionals in Nigeria to increase efforts at improving breastfeeding rates, in order to greatly reduce child mortality and to attain a healthier nation, through the improved social and economic benefits of early and exclusive breastfeeding.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Sault Tribe Enacts Smoking Ban in Kewaunee

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Ban smoking Sault Tribe

Health and comfort have become increasingly essential issues lately, and this has not gone unnoticed in entertainment venues. The Sault Tribe, which operates the Kewadin Casino, has decided to ban smoking in five gambling establishments. This innovation is aimed at creating a healthier environment for all visitors and employees.

Health and comfort come first

Tribal representatives emphasized that people’s health is their top priority. The decision to ban smoking was a logical step toward positive change. “As a tribal government, we are focused on improving health, and the move to ban smoking in casinos is the right step forward,” notes one tribal speaker. This means caring about the health of visitors and the well-being of the employees who work in these facilities daily.

The Sault Tribe has been actively gathering opinions from its customers and employees, and the results have been unequivocal: many are in favor of banning smoking. “We have heard from many customers and employees that a smoking ban is the right step forward,” states a tribal spokesperson. Such feedback confirms that concern for health and well-being is becoming increasingly important to the gambling industry.

What will change at Kewadin casinos?

In the weeks following the passage of the amendments, Kewadin casinos located in Sault Ste. Marie, St. Ignace, Manistique, Christmas, and Hessel will begin implementing the new policy. The smoking ban will be in effect in all establishments, including gaming rooms, restaurants, and recreational facilities. This approach will not only make the casino experience more enjoyable for non-smoking visitors, but it will also create a safer environment for employees who spend much time in the gaming rooms.

Positive implications for business and society

The adopted initiative will not only bring health benefits but will also affect the success of businesses in the long run:

  • The actions taken also emphasize the Sault Tribe’s social responsibility. They are not just in business but also show concern for the well-being of their customers and employees, making them an example for other gambling establishments.
  • Banning smoking in Kewadin casinos will create a more pleasant environment for both non-smokers and those looking to quit smoking. Smoking in public places often makes other visitors uncomfortable, and this move will help eliminate the unpleasant odour and smoke, thus creating a more pleasant atmosphere throughout the gaming rooms, restaurants, and other recreational areas.
  • The changes may attract a new audience interested in entertainment but previously avoided visiting casinos because of the smoking environment. This can lead not only to an increase in the number of guests but also, as a result, to increased profits for the establishment.

At the same time, avid smokers, which are still quite a lot, will be less likely to visit land-based casinos, where they are forbidden to relax in the usual way. Especially since today, they do not have to visit these establishments to satisfy their gambling needs.

Analyzing the search engine allows you to quickly find many popular operators, including 1win, with the largest number of gambling entertainment. And you can access these games without having to leave home. To register on 1win, it is enough to fill in a few fields in the appropriate window and develop a password. It takes less than a minute to do this and deposit money into your account. Moreover, most of the games can be played in a free demo.

Chippewa Tribe aims to create a “smoke-free” space that combines a healthy environment with the opportunity to relax and enjoy gambling. The new approach to business reflects and supports global trends aimed at caring for public health and reducing the negative impact of tobacco smoke on the health of others.

Recall that earlier, scientists told us about the new harm of smoking. According to new data, the negative impact of this bad habit on the immune system persists for several years after a person quits smoking.

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SpecSMART Eye Clinic Takes Affordable, Quality Care to Ikeja, Environs

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SpecSMART Eye Clinic

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The dream of residents of Ikeja and its environs enjoying affordable and quality care has now become a reality as a result of the opening of a new branch of SpecSMART Eye Clinic in the Opebi area of the capital of Lagos State.

SpecSMART Eye Clinic, a leading provider of optometry services in Lagos, commenced operations in Nigeria’s commercial capital in 2022.

Since then, it has been offering top-notch eye care to residents of the metropolis, especially those living on the Island. It has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality primary eye care and optical products.

However, to extend its services to Lagosians living on the Mainland, it has now opened a new branch in Ikeja, reinforcing its commitment to providing accessible, affordable eye care to a wider community.

Business Post gathered that the clinic’s state-of-the-art services are supported by a team of skilled optometrists and opticians, utilizing cutting-edge digital equipment.

The new Ikeja location will offer a wide range of services, including Automated Eye Examinations using advanced digital equipment for precise diagnosis and personalized care.

In addition, clients will enjoy on-the-spot lens glazing for single vision, bifocals, and varifocals, with additional lens coatings, with services to be rendered seven days a week from 9 am to 9 pm on Mondays to Saturdays, and on Sundays and public holidays from 10 am 7 pm.

Also, the clinic has over 950 frames, ranging from affordable home brands to premium designer options, priced from N18,000, and has flexible appointment scheduling with 24-hour online booking via SpecSMART’s website.

The facility has partnerships with leading HMO providers in the country and offers glaucoma management and other essential eye health services.

According to the company, its introductory packages start from N30,000 and include consultation, frame, and single-vision lenses.

“With the opening of our Ikeja branch, we are ready to serve more individuals who need accessible, cost-effective, and reliable eye care.

“Our aim is to create a positive impact in Nigeria’s optometry sector by combining advanced technology with a patient-centred approach,” the Practice Head and Medical Director of SpecSMART, Dr Adaeze Nwoko, stated.

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FG Begins Vaccination Against Mpox in FCT, Six States

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Monkeypox mpox

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has commenced the vaccination against Monkeypox, now known as Mpox.

Business Post reports that Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory, were selected as pilot states for the vaccination.

An average of 631 persons are expected to be vaccinated across the seven states with two doses of the Mpox vaccine. A buffer for 50 persons will be kept at the national in case of an upsurge in other states.

NPHCDA in a statement posted on its verified X account confirmed the exercise, stressing that the vaccination will help to protect communities and safeguarding health of the people.

In a related development, according to the latest update by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), there are 1,442 suspected cases of Mpox from 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, while the number of confirmed cases of the infection was 118 from 28 states and the FCT.

“To prevent the spread of Mpox, we strongly advise the public to avoid contact with animals that may carry the virus, including sick or dead animals in affected areas, avoid handling materials that have been in contact with infected animals, limit unnecessary physical contact with individuals who are infected, practice frequent handwashing with soap and water, and ensure that animal food products are thoroughly cooked before eating.

“It’s also important to use protective clothing and gloves when handling sick animals or their tissues. Similarly, health workers are advised to follow standard safety protocols including droplet precautions when treating patients, use protective equipment including masks, gloves, and gowns, during patient care, and be vigilant for symptoms of Mpox, especially fever and rash, among other measures.”

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