Theinvestigator news

Category: Health And Lifestyle

  • NCDC Warns Against Fifth COVID-19 Wave As Nigerians Prepare For Eid Celebrations

    NCDC Warns Against Fifth COVID-19 Wave As Nigerians Prepare For Eid Celebrations

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) issued a public health advisory on Friday in response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the country and globally.

    “This is based on the virus’s current risk and the need for religious organisations, community leaders, and Nigerians in general to take necessary precautions ahead of the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations,” it said, adding that the number of weekly COVID-19 cases has increased globally for the third consecutive week – according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

    “Similarly, our national surveillance system has detected a gradual increase in the number of daily COVID-19 cases recorded in the country.” Although confirmed cases increased from 267 to 445 between weeks 21 and 24, hospitalisation and fatalities remained low, indicating that these are mostly mild to moderate cases or that we are in the lag phase before we see an increase in severe disease and hospitalisation.”

    Since the first case was discovered in Nigeria on February 27, 2020, authorities have confirmed 256,695 cases with 3,144 deaths across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    According to the NCDC, genomic surveillance confirms that omicron and its various offspring (sub lineages) remain the dominant circulating variant of concern associated with disease spread in the country.

    It explained that the recent increase in cases may be due to increased testing in recent weeks, increased circulation of omicron sub-lineages (BA.4 and BA.5, as seen elsewhere), an increase in seasonal illness with cold and cough symptoms, and poor adherence to preventive measures such as mask use.

    Authorities stated that they have continued to maintain active surveillance and support states in ensuring that access to testing is provided for prompt management of confirmed cases, as well as coordinate genomic surveillance to detect emerging variants.

    “Our focus is to ensure response continuity for COVID-19 and improve our health system while giving needed attention to other priorities within our mandate, including the ongoing monkeypox response,” the agency stated.

    “In addition to the COVID-19 situation in Nigeria and globally, the upcoming Eid-El-Kabir celebrations against the backdrop of suboptimal COVID-19 vaccination uptake and increasing COVID-19 case numbers calls for increased individual and collective responsibility.”

    “The virus that causes COVID-19 is more likely to spread in large groups and when people do not follow preventive measures such as physical separation, mask use, and hand hygiene.” As we celebrate, we urge Nigerians to avoid the onset of a full-fledged fifth COVID-19 wave by remaining aware of the high risk of COVID-19 spread and acting in tandem by adhering to recommended public health safety measures.”

  • NCDC confirms 347 new COVID-19 cases

    NCDC confirms 347 new COVID-19 cases

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 347 new cases of COVID-19, with Lagos topping the list of states.

    The NCDC reported new infections in seven states and the Federal Capital Territory late Friday.

    Lagos had 265 cases, far outnumbering Imo, which had 47 infections.

    Rivers has 15, Edo has 11, FCT has 4, Akwa Ibom has 2, Plateau has 2, and Bayelsa has 1.
    The new cases bring the total number of infections in the country to 257,637, and the death toll to 3,144.

    Lagos State accounts for 100,641 of the 257,637 cases recorded in Nigeria since the outbreak of the pandemic in February 2020, followed by the FCT and Rivers with 28,763 and 16,826 cases, respectively.

    States Affected No. of Cases (Lab Confirmed) No. of Cases (on admission) No. Discharged No. of Deaths
    Lagos 100,641 1,810 98,062 769
    FCT 28,763 63 28,451 249
    Rivers 16,826 127 16,545 154
    Kaduna 11,314 7 11,218 89
    Plateau 10,258 2 10,181 75
    Oyo 10,232 1 10,029 202
    Edo 7,707 11 7,375 321
    Ogun 5,810 11 5,717 82
    Delta 5,413 132 5,170 111
    Ondo 5,173 315 4,749 109
    Kano 5,087 49 4,911 127
    Akwa Ibom 4,659 29 4,586 44
    Kwara 4,640 401 4,175 64
    Osun 3,311 36 3,183 92
    Gombe 3,307 83 3,158 66
    Enugu 2,952 13 2,910 29
    Anambra 2,825 46 2,760 19
    Nasarawa 2,738 354 2,345 39
    Imo 2,648 8 2,582 58
    Katsina 2,418 0 2,381 37
    Abia 2,177 1 2,142 34
    Benue 2,129 340 1,764 25
    Ebonyi 2,064 28 2,004 32
    Ekiti 2,006 52 1,926 28
    Bauchi 1,967 1 1,942 24
    Borno 1,629 5 1,580 44
    Taraba 1,473 62 1,377 34
    Bayelsa 1,321 1 1,292 28
    Adamawa 1,203 68 1,103 32
    Niger 1,148 130 998 20
    Cross River 842 8 809 25
    Sokoto 818 0 790 28
    Jigawa 669 2 649 18
    Yobe 609 0 600 9
    Kebbi 480 10 454 16
    Zamfara 375 0 366 9
    Kogi 5 0 3 2

     

  • 2023: Aisha Yesufu applauds Peter Obi for meeting Wike

    2023: Aisha Yesufu applauds Peter Obi for meeting Wike

    Aisha Yesufu, a co-convener of the BringBackOurGirls movement, has praised Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, for meeting with Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, on Wednesday. Obi and Wike discussed the issue of abducted schoolgirls in Rivers State.
    Remember that the former governor of Anambra State met with Wike yesterday in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State. The meeting was held behind closed doors.

    In a post on his Twitter account, Obi explained the purpose of his visit to the governor who is a member of the People’s Democratic Party. He said that he discussed important matters of national interest with Wike during their meeting.

    The presidential candidate who used his Twitter account to share photos wrote, ”Earlier today, I visited Port-Harcourt, to confer with H.E. @GovWike on vital issues of national interest.-PO”

    Obi’s meeting is more strategically important than his trip to Egypt, Yesufu observed in her response.

    She posted the following on Twitter: “This is more strategic than that Egypt trip!

    #WeMoveeeee.”

    As part of his thorough research into nations that are similar to Nigeria, Obi visited Egypt last week.

    Obi analyzed the nation’s power, education, planning, and finance sectors while he was in the country in North-Eastern Africa.

    Obi penned, “I just departed for Egypt on a 3-day visit as part of my detailed study of comparable countries to Nigeria.

    “In Egypt, I am expected to understudy, among others, the Egyptian Power Sector, Education, Planning and Finance Sectors.”

    The presidential candidate faced criticism for not going to Ekiti State to back the party’s candidate for governor there.

  • COVID-19 Still a myth to many Nigerians, according to poll

    COVID-19 Still a myth to many Nigerians, according to poll

    Despite the global devastation caused by COVID-19, one-third of Nigerian adults say they are unlikely to get vaccinated against the pandemic, with many believing the virus does not exist.

    This is the result of a new poll conducted by Afrobarometer in collaboration with NOI Polls.

    Dr Chike Nwangwu, the chief executive officer of NOI Polls, presented this report to the public on Monday in Abuja, saying the result of this recent poll is the result of random sampling conducted across the country.

    “In March 2022, the NOIpolls-led Afrobarometer team in Nigeria interviewed a nationally representative sample of 1,600 adult Nigerians.” At a 95 percent confidence level, a sample of this size produces country-level results with a margin of error of +/-2.5 percentage points.”

    “Fewer than four in ten citizens report having received a vaccination against the virus,” according to the report.

    The report also touched on the general perception of palliative measures against the effects of the pandemic, revealing that the majority of households in the country did not have access to them.

    Read Also:  Missing singer found dead, Benue police arrest cultists

    “As the government attempts to respond to the economic and social impact of the pandemic, three out of every ten citizens say someone in their household lost a job, a business, or a primary source of income as a result of the pandemic, but far fewer report receiving government assistance to weather the fallout.”

    “Most citizens also believe that government corruption cost resources intended for pandemic response.”

    According to the report, 28 percent of Nigerians have lost a job, business, or primary source of income as a result of the pandemic, while only 37 percent have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

    Twenty-nine percent of citizens who say they are unlikely to get vaccinated do so for a variety of reasons, including the fact that COVID-19 does not exist and is thus not life-threatening. 18% are sceptical of the vaccine.

    In her presentation, Dr Ruqqaya Wamako, director of PHC FCT PHCB, urged Nigerians to abandon their scepticism about vaccines, claiming that they are clinically tested and reliable.

    Other stakeholders made presentations, including Lionel Essima, CDD Ghana’s assistant survey manager for North and West Africa, and Professor Meg Igholo, head of the Department of Sociology at the University of Abuja.

  • COVID-19 vaccination suffers a setback in Borno due to non-payment of allowances

    COVID-19 vaccination suffers a setback in Borno due to non-payment of allowances

    According to the findings, the COVID-19 vaccination in Borno is currently experiencing a significant setback due to a lack of timely payment of allowances to health workers/vaccinators.

    Borno is one of the states in the country with the fewest people who have received the COVID-19 vaccine.

    Only 6-7 percent of the state’s eligible population has been vaccinated with the vaccine thus far.

    Some of the vaccinators interviewed by our state correspondent expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of timely payment of their allowances, particularly those paid by the federal government.

    COVID-19 vacciners in the state are divided into two groups, according to the findings. Development partners pay one category, while the federal government pays the other.

    However, further investigation revealed that those who are paid by the federal government do not receive their allowances on time. They don’t get their allowance for another three to four months.

    Read Also:  NCDC confirms 66 suspected cases of monkeypox, one death

    A visit to some vaccination centres in the Jere local government area and the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) of Borno state revealed that most vaccinators do not go to the vaccination sites on a daily basis due to a lack of transportation funds.

    “We are having problems with our vaccinators because they don’t come everyday for the vaccination exercise,” a senior health official in the state said, requesting anonymity because she lacks the authority to speak on the subject. You can’t blame them, though, because how can someone work for three months or more without being paid? The majority of them are job applicants or university students who are currently on strike and are doing this impromptu work in order to get paid. How can you expect them to get to the clinic to get vaccines and then to the vaccination sites if you don’t pay them on a regular basis?

    “Those who are paid by partners do not have any problems because they receive their allowances on time. Those who are paid by the government, on the other hand, are having difficulty returning to work on a daily basis. The state’s COVID-19 vaccination programme has been severely hampered as a result of this.

    As a result, she requested that the federal government consider paying the allowances as soon as possible so that the vaccinators can focus on improving vaccine uptake in the state.

    “I only got my allowance once this year,” one of the vaccinators at one of the Clinics in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council said when responding to questions from our correspondent. Because we don’t always have transportation to work, this has a significant impact on us.

    “Yes, this is affecting vaccination coverage because how can you expect someone to come every day after working for months without pay?” The government should help us by regularly paying our allowances.”

    Dr. Clement Adams, the Health Manager at the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Borno office, responded to the alleged delay in the payment of allowances for COVID-19 vaccinators by urging vaccinators across the state to be patient because the delay is due to bureaucratic bottlenecks.

    “I’m not on the government’s payroll, and I’m not on anybody’s payroll.” However, money isn’t always enough to solve our problems.

    “Yes, money is a problem. It’s not just about availability, but also about release and timeliness.

    “The funds may be available, but the procedure and bureaucracy involved in releasing them will cause delays.” People often misinterpret these delays as a result of administrative red tape that must be cleared before funds are released to pay employees.

    “As a result, bureaucracies can sometimes stall the release of funds.” It’s all about how bureaucracies have been interpreted. However, the punctuality with which you pay is crucial.”

    The UNICEF Health Manager, while urging all relevant bodies and government officials involved in the payment of vaccinators to ensure timely release and prompt payment, also urged Nigerians to see the work as a sacrifice they are making for humanity.

    “We want to reassure everyone involved in all of this that punctuality in the distribution of funds is critical.” If that isn’t done, the timeliness with which you explain is also crucial.

    So, we may believe that the money is available but that it is being held by the government, but it is very likely that it is not.

    “Sacrifices are sometimes necessary.” Let us all agree that this is a matter of humanity, and that we want to save lives. Allow us to be patient at times when we are attempting to push ourselves too far.

    Read Also:  Breaking: Methodist Church Prelate, Uche, 2 others abducted in Abia

    “I’m not saying people shouldn’t be paid; I’m just saying that patience is essential when it comes to following these things.” We are saving lives. Everything else is secondary to life. We must exercise patience because certain administrative processes and procedures are inefficient.

    “As a result, patience is required.” When you consider the magnitude of the task at hand, it’s impossible to say that money is simply being laid down. Some of these funds are in transit, causing problems with bank transfers, and other times they are causing problems with the bureaucracy.

    “However, we want to encourage people to address any shortcomings that they may have so that we can collaborate and see how we can assist.”

  • NCDC confirms 66 suspected cases of monkeypox, one death

    NCDC confirms 66 suspected cases of monkeypox, one death

    According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the country reported 66 suspected cases of monkeypox between January 1st and May 29th, 2022.

    According to the centre, 21 suspected cases have been confirmed in nine states, with Adamawa State leading the way with five, Lagos with four, Cross River with two, the Federal Capital Territory with two, Kano with two, Delta with two, Bayelsa with two, Rivers with two, and Imo with one.

    According to the NCDC, a 40-year-old man died of renal co-morbidity while taking immunosuppressive drugs.

    Read Also:  Nasarawa: Gunmen kill ex-gov aspirant’s agent, abduct two daughters

    “The twenty (20) new suspected cases reported in May 2022 came from 11 states: Lagos (5), Bayelsa (2), Adamawa (2), Rivers (2), Niger (2), FCT (2), Delta (1), Oyo (1), Kaduna (1), Edo (1), and Gombe (1),” according to the NCDC.

    When compared to April 2022, the number of cases reported has increased by 100 percent.

    The six (6) new confirmed positive cases (out of the 20 suspected cases) in May 2022 were confirmed in four (4) states: Bayelsa (2), Adamawa (2), Lagos (1), and Rivers (1), according to the Centre (1).

    Read Also:  Abuja Okada riders set fire to houses in protest of the death of a colleague

    The National Multisectoral Emergency Operations Centre had been activated at level 2 by the NCDC to continue to coordinate ongoing response activities, according to the NCDC.

  • The Coronavirus Exposes Education’s Digital Generation Gap

    The Coronavirus Exposes Education’s Digital Generation Gap

    Sugar seems to have developed a reputation as the big bad wolf in relation to health. We have reported on numerous studies associating sugar intake with increased aging, cardiovascular disease, obesity and even cancer. Such research has led to many health experts around the globe calling for reductions in recommended sugar intake, with some saying we should cut out sugar completely. But is it really that bad for our health?

    There are many different types, including glucose, fructose, lactose, maltose and sucrose. Some of these sugars, such as glucose, fructose and lactose, occur naturally in fruits, vegetables and other foods. But many of the foods we consume contain “added” sugars – sugar that we add to a product ourselves to enhance the flavor or sugar that has been added to a product by a manufacturer.

    The most common sources of added sugars include soft drinks, cakes, pies, chocolate, fruit drinks and desserts. Just a single can of cola can contain up to 7 tsps of added sugar, while an average-sized chocolate bar can contain up to 6 tsps.

    It is added sugars that have been cited as a contributor to many health problems. In December 2014, MNT reported on a study in the journal Open Heart claiming added sugars may increase the risk of high blood pressure, even more so than sodium. And in February 2014, a study led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) associated high added sugar intake with increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD).

    A 2020 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggested that consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages increases weight gain in both children and adults, while a review paper from the World Health Organization (WHO) notes an increase in the consumption of such beverages correlates with the increase in obesity.

  • Quarantines Spark Confusion and Worries About Precedent

    Quarantines Spark Confusion and Worries About Precedent

    Sugar seems to have developed a reputation as the big bad wolf in relation to health. We have reported on numerous studies associating sugar intake with increased aging, cardiovascular disease, obesity and even cancer. Such research has led to many health experts around the globe calling for reductions in recommended sugar intake, with some saying we should cut out sugar completely. But is it really that bad for our health?

    There are many different types, including glucose, fructose, lactose, maltose and sucrose. Some of these sugars, such as glucose, fructose and lactose, occur naturally in fruits, vegetables and other foods. But many of the foods we consume contain “added” sugars – sugar that we add to a product ourselves to enhance the flavor or sugar that has been added to a product by a manufacturer.

    The most common sources of added sugars include soft drinks, cakes, pies, chocolate, fruit drinks and desserts. Just a single can of cola can contain up to 7 tsps of added sugar, while an average-sized chocolate bar can contain up to 6 tsps.

    It is added sugars that have been cited as a contributor to many health problems. In December 2014, MNT reported on a study in the journal Open Heart claiming added sugars may increase the risk of high blood pressure, even more so than sodium. And in February 2014, a study led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) associated high added sugar intake with increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD).

    A 2020 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggested that consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages increases weight gain in both children and adults, while a review paper from the World Health Organization (WHO) notes an increase in the consumption of such beverages correlates with the increase in obesity.

  • Know the Simptoms: What Will You Do If You Start Coughing?

    Know the Simptoms: What Will You Do If You Start Coughing?

    Sugar seems to have developed a reputation as the big bad wolf in relation to health. We have reported on numerous studies associating sugar intake with increased aging, cardiovascular disease, obesity and even cancer. Such research has led to many health experts around the globe calling for reductions in recommended sugar intake, with some saying we should cut out sugar completely. But is it really that bad for our health?

    There are many different types, including glucose, fructose, lactose, maltose and sucrose. Some of these sugars, such as glucose, fructose and lactose, occur naturally in fruits, vegetables and other foods. But many of the foods we consume contain “added” sugars – sugar that we add to a product ourselves to enhance the flavor or sugar that has been added to a product by a manufacturer.

    The most common sources of added sugars include soft drinks, cakes, pies, chocolate, fruit drinks and desserts. Just a single can of cola can contain up to 7 tsps of added sugar, while an average-sized chocolate bar can contain up to 6 tsps.

    It is added sugars that have been cited as a contributor to many health problems. In December 2014, MNT reported on a study in the journal Open Heart claiming added sugars may increase the risk of high blood pressure, even more so than sodium. And in February 2014, a study led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) associated high added sugar intake with increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD).

    A 2020 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggested that consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages increases weight gain in both children and adults, while a review paper from the World Health Organization (WHO) notes an increase in the consumption of such beverages correlates with the increase in obesity.

  • The Dos and Donts of the ‘Social Distancing’ Behavior

    The Dos and Donts of the ‘Social Distancing’ Behavior

    Sugar seems to have developed a reputation as the big bad wolf in relation to health. We have reported on numerous studies associating sugar intake with increased aging, cardiovascular disease, obesity and even cancer. Such research has led to many health experts around the globe calling for reductions in recommended sugar intake, with some saying we should cut out sugar completely. But is it really that bad for our health?

    There are many different types, including glucose, fructose, lactose, maltose and sucrose. Some of these sugars, such as glucose, fructose and lactose, occur naturally in fruits, vegetables and other foods. But many of the foods we consume contain “added” sugars – sugar that we add to a product ourselves to enhance the flavor or sugar that has been added to a product by a manufacturer.

    The most common sources of added sugars include soft drinks, cakes, pies, chocolate, fruit drinks and desserts. Just a single can of cola can contain up to 7 tsps of added sugar, while an average-sized chocolate bar can contain up to 6 tsps.

    It is added sugars that have been cited as a contributor to many health problems. In December 2014, MNT reported on a study in the journal Open Heart claiming added sugars may increase the risk of high blood pressure, even more so than sodium. And in February 2014, a study led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) associated high added sugar intake with increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD).

    A 2020 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggested that consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages increases weight gain in both children and adults, while a review paper from the World Health Organization (WHO) notes an increase in the consumption of such beverages correlates with the increase in obesity.