The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has decided to extend the Federal Government's deadline by two weeks.
The association said that it changed its mind to allow for Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labor and Employment intervention.
This was the conclusion reached during the lengthy Saturday night meeting of the National Executive Council, which was held at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The resident doctors had, on July 30, 2022, issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement all the agreements it had with the association or it would embark on an indefinite strike.
NARD’s demands include the payment of the newly-reviewed Medical Residency Training Fund; the immediate implementation and payment of the new hazard allowance and arrears among several others.
The President of NARD, DR. Dare Ishaya said NARD, had at the expiration of the ultimatum on August 14, shifted its decision till after its extraordinary NEC meeting.
Today is World Hepatitis Day and the need to propagate this topic is pertinent.
According to research, a person dies every 30 seconds as a result of Hepatitis related illness and that is why we must encourage and hasten a variety of healthy actions against the virus.
This article aims to enlighten readers on the awareness of Hepatitis, the various types, how to treat it, and the reality of the disease.
Hepatitis according to Healthline is an inflammation of the liver caused by a variety of viral infections and other causes which include autoimmune hepatitis and this is brought on by drugs, alcohol, poisons, and other medications.
There are various types of Hepatitis and can be classified into five main viral categories. A different virus is responsible for each type of viral disease and they include Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.
Understanding each category of the disease can only aid one’s way out of avoiding it. Here is what you need to know about each category:
Hepatitis A
This is an infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). This kind is an acute, transient illness. It can be caused as a result of exposure to HAV in food or water.
Since the illness is a short-term illness, it may not require treatment but if symptoms cause discomfort, bed rest may be recommended.
Is A Hepatitis-Free World Possible?
Hepatitis B
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is usually a chronic, persistent problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 257 million people are living with chronic HBV worldwide.
Contact with HBV in body fluids, such as blood, vaginal secretions, or semen can cause the ailment.
Just like the A category, there is no specific treatment program for acute hepatitis B. However, you will need to take Trusted Source antiviral drugs if you have chronic HBV. It can be costly and may require several months of treatment.
Did you know hepatitis can lead to cancer? Keep Reading!
Hepatitis C
HCV is one of the most prevalent bloodborne viral diseases and often manifests as a chronic illness. The CDC estimates that 2.4 million Americans Source is coping with a chronic version of this infection right now. The cause is the same as category B.
HCV can be treated with antiviral drugs in both acute and chronic forms. A liver transplant may be an option for those who develop cirrhosis or other forms of liver disease as a result of chronic hepatitis C.
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Hepatitis D
This is a rare form of category that only occurs in conjunction with hepatitis B infection, but a person cannot contract HDV without an existing B infection.
A major cause of HDV is contact with blood containing HDV. Pegylated interferon alpha is listed as an HDV treatment in the WHO Source. The adverse effects of this medicine, however, can be very bad. As a result, it is not advised for those who have autoimmune disorders, mental conditions, or liver damage from cirrhosis.
The last category is the E category, which is a waterborne illness brought on by hepatitis E virus exposure (HEV). HEV is often brought on by swallowing feces that contaminate the water supply and is primarily seen in unhygienic places.
Exposure to HEV in food or water is the major cause of this class of diseases. HEV is not currently being treated with any particular medical treatments. The infection frequently disappears on its own since it is so acute.
Doctors will typically advise people with this infection to get adequate rest, drink plenty of fluids, get enough nutrients, and avoid alcohol. However, pregnant women who develop this infection require close monitoring and care.
Having explained these categories, their causes, and treatment, it is important to know the common symptoms of inflammation of the liver.
Common symptoms of infectious hepatitis include:
Fatigue
Dark urine
Pale stool
Loss of appetite
abdominal pain
Flu-like symptoms
yellow skin and eyes, which may be signs of Jaundice
unexplained weight loss
Is A Hepatitis-Free World Possible?
Take Away
WHO aims to achieve the elimination of the ailment by 2030. To get there, WHO calls on countries to achieve specific targets:
Reduce new infections of categories B and C by 90%;
Reduce hepatitis-related deaths from liver cirrhosis and cancer by 65%;
Ensure that at least 90% of people with category B and C viruses are diagnosed; and
At least 80% of those eligible receive appropriate treatment.
At the 2022 World Health Assembly, countries recommitted to eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030. With these measures in place, if successful, the answer to the big question Is A Hepatitis-Free World Possible? will be YES.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control's analysis of COVID-19 cases found a 324 percent increase in the number of COVID-19 cases recorded in the country within one month.
Between May 12, 2022 and June 12, 2022, 568 instances were reported in the country.
However, between June 13, 2022 and July 12, 2022, 2,407 instances were reported, resulting in a 323.76 percent increase in the number of positive cases.
According to one online source, the rise coincides with warnings of a possible fifth wave of the epidemic.
In a public health advice issued before of the Salah break, the NCDC warned Nigerians of the likelihood of a fifth wave of the pandemic.
“As we celebrate, we urge Nigerians to prevent the outset of a full-fledged fifth COVID-19 wave by remaining mindful of the high risk of spread of COVID-19 and acting in tandem by adhering to recommended public health safety measures.”, the NCDC had said in its advisory.
Since the start of the epidemic in 2020, a total of 258,874 positive cases have been confirmed in Nigeria. While 250,456 people have been released, 3,144 people have died.
Cases of COVID-19 have continued to rise in several parts of the world.
COVID limits may be reinstated in the United Kingdom, for example, if an increase in cases has an impact on the National Health Scheme.
This comes as official UK data revealed that 2.7 million persons in private households had COVID-19 in the previous week, up 18% from 2.3 million the previous week.
However, specialists in Nigeria believe that the country's electoral and rainy seasons will enable the coronavirus grow.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the suspension of the “State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications” issued by the Directorate of Family Health and Nutrition in the Ministry of Health.
This was contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, titled, “Retraction on guidelines relating to safe termination of pregnancy for medical reasons in Lagos State’.Sanwo-Olu said that the new guidelines would not be implemented until adequate deliberation.
The governor added that the suspension would also allow for adequate public sensitization and stakeholder engagement to reach a consensus required for successful guideline development.
The statement read, “Among the several factors that contribute to maternal mortality, illegal abortions and high-risk pregnancies leading to unresolvable complications rank high.
“The Lagos State Ministry of Health is seeking different methods to eliminate illegal abortions and ensure that a mother does not die at childbirth, thereby disrupting an entire family unit.
“In this regard, it became imperative to examine, in keeping with existing National and State laws and policies, if there are indeed justifications and medical reasons to offer abortion to a woman whose life is threatened by a pregnancy.
“Following this, the guideline was developed over four years through painstaking work by experts in Law and in Obstetrics and Gynaecology with a focus on creating the opportunity to reduce maternal mortality and in line with existing laws.
“These guidelines have generated immense public interest which has necessitated escalating it to Mr Governor, who has advised further sensitization of the public and key stakeholders to ensure a clearer understanding of the objectives of the guidelines.
