Health
WHO Seeks Aid as Cholera Outbreak Spreads Worldwide
By Adedapo Adesanya
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised fresh worries about the cholera outbreak and, for the first time, is asking donors for help to fight the outbreaks.
According to WHO cholera team leader, Dr Philippe Barboza, three countries, in the past week alone, reported outbreaks.
He said that 22 countries across the world were fighting outbreaks of acute diarrhoeal infection caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
Cholera cases climbed in 2022, following years of falling numbers of cases, and the trend is expected to continue into this year, he said.
He said cases had been reported in five of the six regions where WHO operates. The latest WHO global overview published in early February showed the situation has further deteriorated since 2022.
Poverty, disasters, conflict and climate change consequences continue to be driving factors alongside a lack of access to safe water and sanitation, Dr Barboza said.
He also said that the world was also facing limited vaccine supplies, with only 37 million doses available in 2023, adding that more doses are expected to be available by next year.
“An unprecedented situation requires an unprecedented response,” he said, drawing attention to the limited availability of vaccines, medicines, and testing kits.
As a result of the current global surge, WHO is, for the first time ever, appealing to donors to support a $25 million fund to help to address cholera outbreaks and save lives, he said.
Prevention is key, he said, noting that nearly half of the world lacks access to safely managed sanitation.
“Access to safe drinking water and sanitation are internationally recognized human rights,” he said. “Making these rights a reality will also end cholera.”
The WHO warned that there is an exponential rise in the number of cholera cases in Africa, including an outbreak in Mozambique, which is also grappling with severe storms brought on by cyclone Freddy. The first case of cholera in the current outbreak was reported to the Ministry of Health and WHO from the Lago district in Niassa province in September.
As of February 19, Mozambique reported a cumulative total of 5,237 suspected cases and 37 deaths. All six cholera-affected provinces are flood-prone areas, and WHO anticipates that more will be affected as the rainy season continues.
Considering the frequency of cross-border movement and the history of the cross-border spread of cholera during this outbreak, WHO considers the risk of further disease spread as very high at national and regional levels.
An estimated 26,000 cases and 660 deaths have been reported as of January 29, 2023, in 10 African countries facing outbreaks since the beginning of the year, WHO said. In 2022, nearly 80,000 cases and 1,863 deaths were recorded in 15 affected countries.
Neighbouring Malawi is facing the deadliest cholera outbreak in two decades, and cases are being reported in other countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, WHO reported.
The UN health agency said challenges include climate change, which has led to drought or flooding in parts of Africa, resulting in increased population displacement and reduced access to clean water.
Worldwide, people in Haiti, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Syria, among others, are also affected by outbreaks.
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.
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.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Over 250 pints of blood have been donated by AXA Mansard Health to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba.
The blood was donated by more than 100 employees of the leading health insurance company in Nigeria through its volunteering programme tagged AXA Hearts in Action.
The initiative is part of the company’s blood donation drive aimed at contributing to positive societal and environmental impacts through employee volunteering, and expertise related financial support and in-kind donations.
According to the Chief Client Officer of AXA Mansard, Ms Rashidat Adebisi, “Through the AHIA, our employees do not just give time to great causes; we work together for a better future.”
“We share our time, knowledge and expertise as a people with a shared purpose of acting for human progress by protecting what matters through initiatives like this,” she added.
Ms Adebisi said the blood drive is a shining example of the philosophy in action, where collective contributions serve as a reminder that true impact often involves giving more than just money. It’s about putting one’s heart in action – an idea embedded in AXA’s corporate culture.
On his part, the chief executive of AXA Mansard Health Limited, Mr Tope Adeniyi, said with hospitals frequently experiencing blood shortages, events like these serve as a lifeline for patients in need.
“We are proud to contribute to the local healthcare sector and provide much-needed support to hospitals such as LUTH, ensuring that they have resources essential to saving lives,” he added.
Also commenting, the Head of Corporate Services and Public Relations at LUTH, Omolola Olubukunola Fakeye, thanked the firm for the “generous support,” which has made a “meaningful difference to our blood bank and ultimately to the lives of patients.”
“Blood donations are invaluable in many critical treatments, and initiatives like AXA Mansard’s blood drive bring immense relief to healthcare system.
“We are sincerely grateful for this partnership and the dedication of AXA Mansard’s employees,” Fakeye stated.
AXA Hearts in Action operates globally, she urging AXA employees everywhere to engage with and give back to their communities.
Through diverse projects – from health initiatives like this blood drive and medical outreaches to environmental efforts like the AXA Week for Good “Trash-to-Treasure” waste management project – AXA staff have opportunities to make a lasting difference on issues that matter.
For AXA Mansard, every act of social service brings them closer to the communities they serve, helping build a world where giving back is not only about charity but about lasting, positive change.
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