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Malnutrition: Kaduna State to promote early initiation, exclusive breastfeeding — Dep. Gov.

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By Gistflash News

Aug 6, 2021

The Kaduna State Government said on Friday that it would scale up efforts to promote early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding of infants below six months.

The Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, stated this in Kaduna at a news conference organised by nutrition stakeholders in the state to commemorate the 2021 World Breastfeeding Week.

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Some of the stakeholders are UNICEF, Alive and Thrive, Accelerating Nutrition Result in Nigeria, Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, National Orientation Agency and other government agencies.

Balarabe said that optimal breastfeeding provided stronger immunity to babies; reduce the risk of diseases and infections by providing nourishment, including vitamins, minerals and other protective shields to the child.

She equally said that early initiation of exclusive breastfeeding also aided general growth, development and improved cognitive function of the child.

She, however, said that early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth in the state was 35.9 per cent, while that of exclusive breastfeeding stood at 27.2 per cent.

She said that social and behavioural change communication strategies have become very paramount considering the strategic importance of breastfeeding to the growth and development of a child.

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According to her, the efforts will enable the state to protect, promote and support this high impact, low-cost and highly effective breastfeeding practice, among mothers.

“This is due to the significance attached to optimal breastfeeding to the growth and overall wellbeing of children and their future.”

She pointed out that so far, the government was implementing six months paid maternity leave for mothers working in the state civil service to enable them to exclusively breastfeed their children.

Balarabe further stressed that the state was providing conducive environment for mothers to adequately breastfeed their babies.

“This is being done through the implementation of the state policy on Food and Nutrition and Kaduna State Multi-Sectoral Strategic Plan of Action on Nutrition.

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“We have also established creches at the Ministry of Human Services and Social Development and Planning and Budget Commission among others to support lactating mothers to continue to breastfeed their infants.

“The state is also planning to expand the creation of the creches across other MDAs.

“Also, with the support of UNICEF and other partners, the state government has established nutrition corners across 23 Local Government Areas for counseling and demonstration on how to prepare nutritious meal for children,” she said.

The deputy governor added that healthcare workers have also been trained with Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) interventions set-up across in almost all the LGAs.

She thanked development partners for supporting the state technically and financially in scaling up optimal nutrition interventions to mothers, children, households and communities.

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Health

FG converts National Blood Service to commission

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By Gistflash News

Sept 25, 2021

The Federal Government has established the National Blood Service Commission (NBSC) to replace the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) to coordinate, regulate and ensure the provision of safe, quality blood transfusion services.

This is contained in a statement by Abdullahi Haruna, the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity on Saturday, in Abuja.

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It explained that the NBTS was formerly a unit under the Department of Hospital Services in the Federal Ministry of Health, which was passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.

It also disclosed that Dr Omale Joseph-Amedu, the National Coordinator, would serve as the Acting Director-General of the commission in line with the provisions of the Act establishing the commission.

“Commission which has the statutory mandate to coordinate, regulate and ensure the provision of safe, quality blood transfusion services on a country- wide basis within the national health plan.

“Therefore, the commission is legally mandated to ensure proper compliance with the National Blood Service Guidelines and standards.

“It will also maintain a system of quality assurance at all levels of service, encourage research in all aspects of blood transfusion services and promote the rational use of blood, blood products and alternatives to blood where appropriate.

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“The commission which takes effect immediately as National Blood Service Commission (NBSC) has communicated that its new name and status more aptly reflects the mandate of ensuring the availability of safe, quality and adequate blood services to all Nigerians,” it stated

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UK donates 1.2m COVID-19 vaccines to Nigeria – Envoy

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By Gistflash News

Sept 25, 2021

Ms. Catriona Laing, United Kingdom High Commissioner to Nigeria, says the UK Government has donated 1.2 million COVID-19 vaccines, through COVAX to Nigeria.
The Envoy said in a statement in Lagos on Saturday that the vaccines administered in the country were recognised by the UK Government.
“The UK Government is committed to global access to vaccines and is among the largest funders to COVAX.
” UK has donated 1.2 million vaccines specially to Nigeria through COVAX and will continue to provide support.
“UK strongly supports the work of the Nigerian health authorities and Nigeria’s vaccination campaign and strongly encourages all eligible residents in Nigeria to get vaccinated.
“I would like to emphasise that any statements that COVID-19 vaccines administered in Nigeria are not approved by the UK are completely untrue.
“The UK recognises the Oxford-Astra Zeneca, Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson COVID 19 vaccines used in Nigeria, irrespective of where they are manufactured.” she said.
She allayed fears that Nigerians would be restricted from entering the UK from Oct. 4.
“The UK is committed to opening up international travel and we are using our COVID -19 vaccination certificate process.
” This is to enable those wishing to enter the UK to do so safety and we know this matters hugely to many people in the UK and Nigeria.
“From Oct. 4, the current system will be simplified and there will be a single red list of countries.
” Territories where stricter rules apply and there would be a rest of the world list with simplified travel measures.
“The rest of the world list will include countries currently on the UK’s amber list such as Nigeria.” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access which is abbreviated as COVAX, is a worldwide initiative.
It aims at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines directed by Gavi, the Vaccine alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the World Health Organisation (WHO)
It is one of the three pillars of the access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator, an initiative begun in April 2020 by WHO, the European Commission and the government of France as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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COVID-19: 4, 680,000 Nigerians vaccinated – NPHCDA

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By Gistflash News

Sept 25, 2021

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) says 4,680,000 Nigerians have so far been vaccinated against COVID-19 .

The Executive Director /Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Dr Faisal Shuaib, disclosed this during the South South zonal town hall meeting on COVID-19 vaccination on Saturday in Benin.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the town hall meeting was organised by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19,  in collaboration with NPHCDA and the Edo government.

Shuaib noted that out of the 4,680,000 million vaccinated Nigerians, about 1,865,127 were fully vaccinated with the two doses.

He stated that the figure was below the nation’s target ,adding that the threats posed by the virus  could prevent the country from returning to normal living.

“I will  like to encourage us to use our good offices to encourage eligible members of our community to visit the nearest designated health facility to receive the vaccine.

“All the vaccines are currently available in designated vaccination sites across the country and are safe and effective,” he said.

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According to him, in the course of the next few weeks, NPHCDA plans to gradually involve the private sector as sites for COVID-19 vaccination.

Shuaib, however, disclosed that the Federal Government had set up a Joint Task Force on COVID-19 vaccine for monitoring and accountability in collaboration with the security agencies.

Earlier, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire said  the town hall was organised to discuss COVID-19 vaccination, address mutual concerns and reach a consensus to ensure citizens were safe and protected against the deadly coronavirus.

Ehanire, said Nigeria had so far lost 2000 of her citizens to COVID-19, adding that the virus had also affected  the nation’s GDP.

According to him ,the  government needs to vaccinate 70 per cent of the population to effectively curb the spread of the virus.

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“The way out off this is to get vaccinated because those who have taken the vaccine have full protection while the unvaccinated are exposed to danger,” he said

He disclosed that the Federal Government was working with the private sector for the production of vaccine in the country.

According to the minister, records  have shown that over 90 per cent of deaths recorded from COVID-19 are  from unvaccinated persons.

Also speaking, Gov. Godwin Obaseki said the state had so far vaccinated over 130,000 residents against the virus.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Osaigbovo Iyokha, Obaseki said the state target was to vaccinate 60 per cent of the population.

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