The experts revealed this at the 2024 Fertility Conference, held in Lagos on Saturday .

The annual event, themed “Infertility – Need for Knowledge and Early Intervention,” was organized by the Parah Family Foundation (PFF).

The lead speaker, Prof. Preye Fiebai, a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the University of Port Harcourt, highlighted ignorance and lack of awareness as major factors contributing to the rise in infertility cases. He noted that many Nigerian men were unaware that the ability to ejaculate did not equate to being fertile.

According to Prof. Fiebai, research indicates that 20-45% of women in Nigeria are infertile, but often, the cause of infertility in marriages is not the women. The research breakdown shows that 40% of infertility cases are due to male factors, 40% to female factors, 15% to combined male and female factors, and 5% are unexplained.

Prof. Fiebai listed causes of infertility in men, including erectile dysfunction, impotence, decreased libido, psychogenic issues, endocrinopathies, age, and overweight, among others. For women, he pointed to cervical factors, uterine factors, diseases of the fallopian tubes, and problems with ovulation.

Prof. Kehinde Habeeb Tijani, a Professor of Surgery from the University of Lagos, added factors such as age, weight, stress, excessive alcohol consumption, exposure to radiation, and constant exposure of the testicles to high temperatures as contributors to infertility.

Dr. Kemi Ailoje, MD of Lifeline Fertility Clinic, and Rev. Tony Akinyemi concurred with the other speakers and offered various remedies to overcome infertility. They also advised women over the age of 54 to avoid aspiring for pregnancy due to the associated risks.

In her welcome address, conference convener, Princess Dayo Odukoya described the infertility rates and causes as “alarming.” She emphasized the need for ongoing awareness to encourage couples experiencing infertility to seek solutions early in their marriages rather than delaying.

“The foundation’s primary objective is to share vital information, enlighten and provide the relevant support system for families undergoing fertility challenges in order to eradicate ignorance, the misguided myths and social stigma associated with delayed fertility in our society.

“The choice of the theme for this year conference; Infertility- Needs for Knowledge and early intervention; is to further reiterate the importance of continued awareness, and knowledge about the challenges of infertility and more importantly, action to be taken as early as possible if not, it may cause further delays especially in late marriage and aged women.
“The journey to Parenthood is lonely and must not be threaded alone. There is need for a support system on this journey and that is where Parah Family comes in.
” The rate of infertility and the causes are alarming such that it requires a continued education that would enable couples undergoing the challenges to speak out on time and seek solution early in marriage rather than wait until later.”, she said

At the conclusion of the conference, the PFF offered two free IVF treatments and one free fertility investigation to three participating couples.

The post Why many Nigerians were experiencing Infertility–Experts appeared first on Sunrise News.

The President Rotary Club of Iju Spring Rotarian Abiodun Ogundare flanked by other members made the presentation of the gift packs to the mothers of the newborn children, in the maternal ward of the hospital, while affirming the preparedness of the club to do more as the year rolls by.

“In line with the July mother and child project we have donated five packs of baby gifts items to the General hospital Ifako Ijaiye.

“We thought it fit to help mother and child health needs, owing to the prevailing economic realities, we target the first five newborn babies born on the first day of July from 12:01am.

“We have baby packs for them containing baby flask, baby soap, baby napkins, baby creams and other gifts that they would need at least for the first six months of their life.

“I am here with my other rotary members, this could not have been possible without their contributions, donations and help, we are ready to start churning out projects being first rotary club to commence projects in D911 District of Rotary Club.

Speaking to why the Ifako Ijaiye General Hospital was chosen as the first port of call, Ogundare stressed that it falls within their jurisdiction of coverage.

“We thought it fit that Ifako ijaiye General hospital is within our jurisdiction and charity begin from home, so we decided to consolidate on what other rotary clubs have done here”.

The delegation of rotarians who made the presentation all echoed the club’s motto: Rotary Club of Iju Spring, we are springing life for the benefit of humankind.

Rotarian Abayomi Biskesteg the Disaster Relief Chairman for District 9110 and a member of Rotary Club Iju spring corroborated the president adding that the club is known for service to humanity.

“We are here to support the hospital and being the first day of rotary my president has deemed it fit that he is going to start his work running and that is service to humanity, we are here to donate to the children.

“We have already started planning for the unborn children, ours is service above self”.

In his response to the rotary club’s kind gesture Dr. Bamidele Mustapha the Medical Director CEO Ifako Ijaiye General Hospital in consonance with Matron express their appreciation for the support received without any prior prompt, adding that it is a sensitive one.

“I want to say a very big thank you to Rotary Club of Iju Spring for this wonderful gesture, this was not actually prompted but in line with rotary stuff they are always looking left, right, center to see where they can block loopholes.

“I want to say a very big thank you to you for coming to assist a sensitive unit, you can see that even the state government is actually looking to see what and what we can do to improve the index along that axis-maternal and child.

“Thank you so much. Kudos to rotary club of Iju spring.”

The post Rotary Club of Iju Spring gives gift packs to newborn babies at Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital appeared first on Sunrise News.

Obi said this on Saturday when he paid a solidarity visit to Holy Rosary College of Nursing, Emekuku, near Owerri.

He said that with an average life expectancy of 55 years, Nigerians need holistic investment in the health sector, especially through the training and education of younger persons to manage the system in the future.

He described such an investment as a favor to the country and not the health workers.

The former Anambra governor, therefore, pledged his total support for the conversion of the school to a university as proposed by its management.

“With a life expectancy of 55 years, we have certainly deteriorated and must therefore invest in health, with our youths as the most important targets for this investment.

The most important person, the closest to a patient in the hospital, is the nurse. Hence, investment in nurses and nursing students alike is critical to us,“ he said.

The post Investment in Nigerian health sector critical – Peter Obi appeared first on Sunrise News.

This was as the House also called for the activation of some sections of the State health law to combat the health emergency which is said to have spread across some local governments leading to the death of 29 people as at Monday.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who presided over the sitting, further called for investigation into the source of the bacteria disease outbreak to enable the government strategise better in its bid for a solution.

“We must encourage the government to continue to sensitise the people in every language that is spoken in Lagos,” Dr. Obasa said while supporting the calls by his colleagues for the authorities to maintain drainages and canals and ensure proper sewage systems.

Raising a motion on the matter earlier, the chairman of the health committee of the House, Hon. Lawal Aina Musbau, moved that the government should urgently mobilise resources and personnel to combat the disease.

Among other demands, he said there was a need for the education of residents with emphasis on basic cleanliness while calling on sanitation officers to ensure they carry out their jobs effectively.

On their parts, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh and Gbolahan Yishawu, urged that more attention should be on the provision of drinkable water to the residents of the state as this is one way to check the spread or reoccurrence of the disease.

The post Cholera Outbreak: Lagos Assembly advocates intensified enlightenment campaign appeared first on Sunrise News.

In a statement jointly signed by the President, Chioma Obinna and the Secretary, Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu, it explained that patients with chronic illnesses and many vulnerable Nigerians were finding it difficult to buy their medications and access quality healthcare services.

The statement stated that the development necessitated the HEWAN annual symposium coming up on June 27 at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja.

It said that the theme of the symposium is – “Dwindling Local Drug Production and High Cost of Essential Medicines: Rethinking Strategies for Growth”.

“Today, many Nigerians can no longer afford medicines for their ailments, coupled with the high level of fake drugs in circulation.

“HEWAN, in line with its visions and missions, believes that the array of experts from the pharmaceutical industry would deliberate on the issue as part of finding a lasting solution to the problem.”

“The keynote speaker, Mr Oluwatosin Jolayemi, President, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN), and other stakeholders would discuss some of the challenges and hindrances to local drug manufacturing in the country and ways to address them.

“The Sub-Themes for the event which are: ‘Funding as a Catalyst for a Resilient Pharmaceutical Sector’ and ‘HPV Vaccination in Nigeria: Challenges, prospects, and Way Forward’, would be delivered by Pharm. Adewale Oladigbolu,
National Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), and Dr. Abimbola Bowale,
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, respectively.

“Pharm. Akinjide Adeosun, Chief Executive Officer of St Racheal’s Pharmaceuticals, would chair the symposium, which would take place at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja.

“HEWAN will also be awarding Pharm. Fidelis Ayebae of Fidson Healthcare PLC, the Director-General, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Prof. Babatunde Salako and Dr. Ignorgbor Jude Chukwumeke, an academic and researcher in public health and environmental microbiology for outstanding performance in their areas of speciality.

The post Health Writer worry over rising cost of essential drugs, holds symposium appeared first on Sunrise News.

He gave the advice in his office, Ijora Olopa, against the recent outbreak of the disease, which has claimed some lives, leaving many hospitalised.

Cholera, a severe diarrheal illness caused by infection with the bacterium vibrio cholerae, spreads primarily through contaminated water and food, thriving rapidly in unsanitary conditions. 

He said, “The outbreak of cholera in the state is a serious public health concern. It is imperative that every resident takes proactive measures to prevent further spread of the disease. Ensuring proper personal and domestic hygiene, including efficient waste management, will go a long way in curbing the spread of the fatal disease”.

The LAWMA boss suggested several precautionary measures including: proper waste disposal; ensuring safe drinking water; frequent hand-washing with soap; food safety practices and use of proper sanitation facilities among others.

He admonished residents to shun indiscriminate refuse dumping and to imbibe the practice of bagging and disposing of their waste using covered bins, to prevent the spread of diseases by vectors, and to ensure seamless evacuation by assigned PSP operators.

Gbadegesin said the Authority would continue to intensify efforts at making sure that waste generated across the state was promptly and efficiently managed, with service providers working around the clock to clean up black spots. 

He further appealed to residents to always wash their hands when they come in contact with waste, either while bagging or putting in covered bins, urging them to align with the state government’s environmental and health safety policies, by avoiding reckless waste dumping in drains, road medians, among other negative environmental practices. 

“We are fully committed to the health and safety of every Lagosian. Our teams are on the ground, ensuring that waste is properly collected and disposed of to minimise health risks. However, we need the cooperation of all residents to maintain a clean and safe environment,” he stressed.

It would be recalled that the agency had over the years championed the campaign on the importance of waste bagging and proper containerisation, through various programmes and initiatives.

The post Cholera Outbreak: LAWMA Boss Tasks Residents on Personal, Domestic Hygiene appeared first on Sunrise News.

Abayomi, who made this announcement on Saturday, revealed that 350 suspected cases had been reported, with 17 confirmed to be cholera and 15 deaths so far.

He said following the initial alert and advisory the state Ministry of Health issued on the cholera outbreak, the government has activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, PHEOC, at Mainland Hospital, Yaba, Lagos.

According to him, the PHEOC was convened to tackle the increasing number of severe gastroenteritis cases across multiple local government areas in the state.

“The laboratory investigation and test results have so far confirmed cholera sub-type O-1. This subtype is associated with a more severe disease. The pattern of new cases per day varies across LGAs, according to our ongoing surveillance and monitoring updates.

“Although this is an increase from the numbers published 3 days ago, cases are now dramatically subsiding in previously affected LGAs due to our interventions and surveillance efforts, however, we are recording some new cases in previously unaffected LGAs, signalling the need for residents to adhere strictly to precautionary, personal, and environmental hygiene measures,” the commissioner said.

Abayomi noted that the state Ministry of Health’s high-level team had concluded a meeting with the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Jide Idris, and his team, as well as key partners from the World Health Organisation, WHO, to ensure all interventions were optimised.

He, therefore, called on the residents to support the state government’s efforts by adhering strictly to precautionary measures, cooperating with health authorities, and participating in community-wide sanitation activities to mitigate the spread of cholera, particularly as the Eid al-Adha celebration approaches.

The post Cholera: Lagos government confirms 15 deaths appeared first on Sunrise News.

Soludo also the founder of Healthy Living Initiative, made the ascertion during the flag-off of the HPV vaccine introduction into Routine Immunisation at Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area.

The event was organised by the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and partners.

She described Cervical Cancer as a scourge in the society which is becoming one of the leading causes of deaths among women.

According to her, Every year in Nigeria, cervical cancer silently manifests in about 12,000 women and takes the lives of 8000 promising women.

“This disease destroys the lives of these women taking them away from their families just as they reach the prime of their lives, leaving husbands without wives, children without mothers and families in financial ruins.

“The introduction of the HPV vaccine promises to safeguard the future of our children and tackle a significant health challenge head-on.

“The women of our future generation no longer have to wait and hope that ‘cervical cancer will not be their portion’. Solution is here with HPV vaccine.

“HPV vaccine will provide lasting protection for our girl child aged 9-14 years before they get exposed to the virus that is the primary cause of Cervical Cancer.

“I urge our children and our future to come out and get vaccinated to protect your future from Cervical Cancer,’ she said.

Also speaking, Dr Chukwumuanya Igboekwu, World Health Organisation Southeast Zonal Coordinator, said Africa had the highest burden of cervical cancer in the world.

According to him, the government is introducing HPV vaccine into routine immunisation as one the strategies to reduce the burden.

Mr Anthony Muobike, Chairman House Committee on Health at the State Assembly, urged parents to encourage their girl-child to get vaccinated.

Dr Afam Obidike, state’s Commissioner for Health urged residents to support Gov. Chukwuma Soludo-led administration as he strives to safeguard the health and well-being of residents.

In her remarks, Mrs Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, said HPV is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract which causes more than 95 per cent of cases of cervical cancer.

“HPV vaccine which will be provided in schools, within community and in health facilities over the next few days. Together, we can eliminate cervical cancer in Anambra state and Nigeria,” Uchem said.

The post Mrs Soludo says HPV vaccination will safeguard health, future of girls appeared first on Sunrise News.

Sunrise gathered that the disease affects mostly children and women.

A source told our reporter that findings from hospitals and government indicated that a total of 505 cases were recorded across Maradun, Shinkafi and Gusau local government areas in the state.

The source also explained that the disease had spread to Isa and Zurmi LGAs of Sokoto and Zamfara states, saying that the outbreak was first detected in Tsibiri village in Maradun LGA in February, this year.

He said, “Tsibiri had been contending with the ailment since. As of Sunday, May 12, 2024, there were four reported deaths, with 228 cases, and 10 patients referred to the Shehu Shagari Disease Control Centre in Gusau due to complications.”

He added that most patients with minor complications have received treatment and have been discharged from the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Tsibiri.

In Shinkafi LGA, he stated that it was gathered that the disease was detected in Galadi village in April, following complaints of severe fever and abdominal disorders, pointing out that a medical staff member at the PHC in Shinkafi confirmed six deaths out of over 100 cases recorded, with over 60 patients with serious complications referred to the Shehu Shagari Disease Control Centre.

He said that the disease appears to be spreading, with cases emerging in neighbouring areas, raising concerns about its containment, appealing to the governments of Sokoto and Zamfara states to deploy more medical experts to the affected areas to address the situation before the disease escalated to other communities.

He expressed concern that while the disease had not yet reached Maradun town, proactive measures must be taken by the government to prevent its escalation, stressing that the ongoing prevalence of banditry added another layer of risk, noting that the Maradun General Hospital was vulnerable due to its proximity to the bandits’ enclave.

Salisu said such circumstances could deter residents from seeking medical attention out of fear of attacks by the bandits.

The Zamfara State Government earlier confirmed the outbreak of the strange disease in Maradun, Shinkafi and Gusau LGAs.

Aisha Anka, the state’s Commissioner for Health, said the illness was characterised by abdominal distension, fluid accumulation, enlarged liver and spleen, fever and weakness due to contaminated water consumption.

The state government, according to her, reported the incident to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and was actively engaged in emergency response measures to identify the cause and contain the outbreak.

She added that samples had been sent to laboratories in Lagos and Abuja.

The post 13 dead as strange disease breaks out in Zamfara appeared first on Sunrise News.

The United Nations agency said protracted conflict has continued to impact on the ability of households to produce food on their farmlands and this has resulted in increased food insecurity.

UNICEF Emergency Manager, Andrea Malatesta stated this shortly after field mission to Marte LGA Borno State at weekend.

He said, “Children in northeast Nigeria are battling escalating levels of malnutrition and they need immediate, and holistic response to address this.

“Insecurity remains the number one challenge. Access to New Marte is only possible by road and humanitarian operations rely heavily on military escort to transport personnel, supplies and other critical resources to support the local population affected by conflict.

“Being an area with security concerns, military escorts or safety sweep are required for the safe movement of individuals and goods.

“However, the availability of such escorts is often inconsistent or unreliable, leading to potential risks and vulnerabilities.”

Andrea maintained that many households do not always get nutritious food that they need, and many adopt coping strategies like skipping meals.

“With the support of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), we are making sure that the therapeutic food, supplements and medications that children with SAM need are available.

“As a result, children and pregnant and lactating mothers do not have nutritious food crucial to their survival and development, hence the high cases of MAM and SAM.

“Over 460,000 children were treated for acute malnutrition across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in 2023.

“So far this year, 8,605 children between the ages of 6-59 months have been screened for malnutrition. During these screening exercises, 2,156 malnourished children were identified, admitted into the nutrition programme and they fully recovered. (1,358 severe acute malnutrition, 798 moderate acute malnutrition).” Andrea explained.

He noted that UNICEF and partner, Monclub International, are using the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) programme to ensure that no child dies of malnutrition, cholera or water borne diseases in New Marte.

The post Children battling escalating malnutrition in North-East – UNICEF appeared first on Sunrise News.