Paradise News

Category: Health

  • Oden Ewa Foundation: Ugep General Hospital Records More Life-Saving Surgeries

    Oden Ewa Foundation: Ugep General Hospital Records More Life-Saving Surgeries

    A wave of successful surgeries is currently underway at the General Hospital in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State. Since Wednesday and continuing through Friday, the hospital has become a hub of medical relief for patients in dire need — all thanks to the Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme and the philanthropic support of the Oden Ewa Foundation.

    The surgeries, fully covered under the state’s health insurance program, are offering a lifeline to individuals who have long endured painful and life-altering conditions.

    On Wednesday, two men, Okoi James Onen and Okoi Okoi Usang, both in their early fifties and suffering from long-standing left inguinoscrotal hernias, underwent herniorrhaphy procedures. The following day, Thomas Celestina, a woman battling uterine fibroids, was successfully treated through a myomectomy.

    Dr. Ideba Enya, the Medical Superintendent of General Hospital Ugep, confirmed that all patients are in good condition and recovering well, thanks to the capable medical team and the effectiveness of the state’s health insurance framework. He lauded the initiative and encouraged more Cross Riverians to enroll in the scheme, emphasizing that access to quality healthcare is no longer out of reach for the average citizen.

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    Reacting to the ongoing success, Chief Godwin Iyala, the Director General of the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, expressed deep satisfaction. “The results we’re seeing in Ugep are proof that the health insurance scheme is working. This is a major step in ending the era of catastrophic health expenses in our state,” he said.

    The DG lauded the Oden Ewa Foundation for investing in the adoption of a whooping 1500 lives in the central senatorial district into health insurance scheme, where beneficiaries have continued to receive attention to their health needs.

    He further urged the public to subscribe to the program, describing it as a safeguard for both health and financial stability. “Through the collective pooling of resources, we are creating a health safety net that truly protects the vulnerable.”

    He concluded by calling on well meaning individuals and organizations to ploughing resources into the adopting more lives in the health insurance scheme, noting that its rippling effect on livelihoods, and the state at large.

    As the outreach continues into Friday, more lives are set to be touched. The collaboration between the Oden Ewa Foundation, the State Health Insurance Agency, and medical personnel at General Hospital Ugep stands as a beacon of what is possible when government, community, and philanthropy unite for the common good.

  • CRSHIA onboards 1500 beneficiaries of Oden Ewa Foundation’s Free Health Insurance Cover

    CRSHIA onboards 1500 beneficiaries of Oden Ewa Foundation’s Free Health Insurance Cover

    The Cross River State Health Insurance Agency has said 1500 indigent and vulnerable residents spread across the 6 Local Government Areas and 66 wards of the Central Senatorial District are currently being captured from the Oden Ewa’s free health insurance coverage sponsored through the Oden Ewa Foundation.

    Recall that February 26, 2025 a formal presentation of Eighteen Million Naira Naira Cheque was made to the Agency by the Oden Ewa Foundation being payment for one year free health coverage for 1500 people.

    The chairman of the Foundation, Hon. Oden Ewa is of the view that any population that is healthy is productive and strongly believes in the healthy population.

    The gesture is to complement the state government’s efforts and key into the indigent enrollee Adoption Initiative of the Cross River State health insurance scheme.

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    The State Governor. Senator Bassey Otu, has invested heavily in the health sector, especially providing free healthcare for pregnant women and children under 5, while subsidizing healthcare for those in the formal and informal sectors.

    Hon. Oden Ewa understood the plight of the people and is working to reach out to the vulnerable through various forms of empowerment, hence the move to sponsor health insurance to enable 1500 persons in Central Senatorial District of Cross River State access healthcare freely, for a whole year.

    Beneficiaries were  excited as they expressed gratitude to the State Government for the scheme, while also thanking their sponsor, Oden Ewa Foundation and his team for the gesture.

    Oden Ewa Media

  • NAFDAC burns 100 trucks of fake, expired drugs in Onitsha, Aba

    NAFDAC burns 100 trucks of fake, expired drugs in Onitsha, Aba

    By Ovat Abeng

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has burnt to ashes a total of one hundred trucks of expired, fake, and other substandard and unwholesome regulated products worth over a trillion naira in Onitsha, Anambra State and Aba in Abia State respectively.

    The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Moji Adeyeye, who address the public before the burning exercise that took place at Anambra State Waste Management Authority ASWAMA’s dumped site in Awka, on Friday, said the items were seized during a one-month sensitization enforcement at various shops in the two commercial cities.

    She said the destruction of the expired drugs would eliminate the risk of their reintroduction into the Nigerian market and a proof of NAFDAC’s resolve to safeguard the health of the nation by ensuring that only genuine medicines and wholesome foods of the right quality are imported and manufactured in the country.

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    She reiterated that drug counterfeiting is an act of economic sabotage and also represents a serious threat to public health.

    She commended the security agencies, the media, specially, the governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Charles Soludo and his Abia counterpart, Dr Alex Otti for their continued support in the ongoing war against fake and substandard drugs in Nigeria.

    Dr Adeyeye was represented by the Director of NAFDAC South East Zone, Dr Martins Iluyomade during the burning spray.

  • NAFDAC reopens Onitsha drugs market

    NAFDAC reopens Onitsha drugs market

    By Ovat Abeng

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has announced the reopening of the popular Ogbogwu drugs market in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    NAFDAC Director, South-east zone, Dr Martins Iluyomade made the announcement on behalf of the agency’s Director General, Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye shortly after a brief meeting with the state government officials led by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Ben Obidike, the market leaders and the media, held at the market premises on Thursday.

    He said the agency agreed to reopen the market following the persistent intervention from the State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo and the agreement signed by the market leaders with NAFDAC not to go back to the sales of fake, expired and substandard products in the market.

    He said that the market will reopen officially on Friday, March 7, 2025.

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    While commending governor Soludo for his continue support in the fight against fake and expired drugs in Anambra and the country at large, Iluyomade noted that during the enforcement exercise that lasted for three weeks, the agency under his watch uncovered 50 loaded trucks of fake/expired drugs, large volume of narcotics capable of destabilizing the country and also a large number of drugs ban since 2007.

    He said the reopening of the market will not stopped the continuous enforcement exercise, adding that a total of 4,000 shops are under sealed for various offences and that there will be reopened after a proper profiling.

    He equally noted that the confiscated fake and expired drugs worth no less one trillion

    He commended the leadership of the markets for working with them throughout the period of the operations.

    In his brief remark, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Obidike, while appreciating the agency on behalf of the governor, urged the traders to respect the NAFDAC agreement.

  • World Stroke Organisation trains Anambra healthcare givers on stroke prevention mechanism

    World Stroke Organisation trains Anambra healthcare givers on stroke prevention mechanism

    By Ovat Abeng

    The World Stroke Organisation (WSO) in partnership with Stroke Action Nigeria, on Tuesday, February 24, 2025 commence a four-days training on stroke action prevention mechanism for Anambra Healthcare givers.

    It was gathered that the training which is currently ongoing at the Nigerian Medical Association NMA’s conference hall, beside the Federal Medical Centre Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State, has in attendence, Nurses, Medical Doctors, and other health partners in the state.

    Speaking to Journalists shortly after the official commencement of the training, the WSO board member and the Chief Executive of Stroke Action Nigeria, Dr. Rita Melifonwu, said the training was necessary to enable healthcare givers in Anambra State to know how, where and when to detect stroke symptoms in a patient.

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    According to her, the World Stroke Organisation WSO, was established as part of health information hub to educate and to create a continue awareness campaign on the danger of stroke disease.

    “WSO’s mission is to deliver lives free from stroke by informing and educating the public about the disease, how to spot it, how to prevent it, and how to live the best possible life after stroke.

    “Today stroke is the leading cause of deaths disability worldwide, but evidence suggests that almost all strokes could be prevented with action on a few key risk factors.

    “Despite the evidence and potential for stroke prevention over the past decade the lifetime risk of stroke in adults over 25 has increased from 1 in 6 to 1 in 4.

    “The ongoing training of healthcare workers/awareness campaign focused on bringing global attention to this new statistic as evidence of the urgent need for action at the individual and policy levels in relation to stroke prevention.

    The public communication element of the campaign highlighted that one in four of us is at risk of stroke calling on everyone to take simple steps to prevent the deadly disease.

    The goal of the four-days programme is to increase the WSO reach and to proved that the world can come together to show the difference it can make when we face stroke as one.

    “World Stroke Organisation WSO, is currently seeking to partner with the Nigeria Government to established what we named, “Life After Stroke Centre across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, this, Melifonwu, noted, will help assist the less privilege Nigerians suffering from the disease with poor financial capacity.

    She urged every Nigerian to try as much as possible to have a basic health care insurance.

    In her brief speech, the consultant of the Programme, Dr. Chiamaka Okereke, also noted that the major aim of the four-days event is to brainstorm and profer a solution to the rising cases of stroke burden in Nigeria.

  • NAUTH Radio Diagnostic Center Will Reverse Medical Tourism In South East, Says CMD Ugboaja

    NAUTH Radio Diagnostic Center Will Reverse Medical Tourism In South East, Says CMD Ugboaja

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Chief Medical Director of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Prof Joseph Ugboaja, has said the newly inaugurated Radio Diagnostic Center in the hospital will reverse medical tourism in Southeastern Nigeria.

    Ugboaja disclosed this during a grand reception for the new NAUTH board chairman, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori held at the hospital’s permanent site, on Thursday.

    He described the establishment of the multi billion naira facility as a testament to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s love for the people of the Southeast, expressing confidence that it would reverse medical tourism in the region.

    He said, “The establishment of the multi billion naira regional Radio – Diagnostic Center remains a testament to Mr. President’s love for Ndi Igbo and the people of the Southeast.

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    “I want to specially appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Hon. Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammadu Ali Pate for their support to us.

    “By the time the 2000- bed capacity facility being built in the permanent site is completed among other numerous projects already completed and ongoing, NAUTH will become the biggest and best in Nigeria.”

    Earlier, the new NAUTH Board Chairman, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori assured the management, staff and students of the institution that he would prioritize their welfare, wellbeing and motivation.

    “As I take up the new appointment from Mr President, my priority is to seek and ensure the welfare, wellbeing and motivation of management, staff and students of NAUTH,” he pledged.

  • NAFDAC seizes 10 trucks of fake drugs in Anambra

    NAFDAC seizes 10 trucks of fake drugs in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has uncovered and seized over 10-truck 40-foot container fully loaded  with fake, expired and falsified drugs at the Ogbo-Ogwu Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State.

    The agency uncovered the wide range of the fake drugs at the various shops in the market during an ongoing enforcement exercise at the market. The enforcement exercise which began on Monday had seen several shops at the popular market raided with several adulterated, substandard and expired drugs estimated to worth multi-billion naira found at the various shops.

    According to the agency, the market, comprising several buildings and shops, served as a hub for repackaging and revalidating expired medicines, with spurious claims, which were later sold to unsuspecting consumers.

    Speaking to journalists on the Day five of the exercise on Friday, the operatives of the agency, led by the Director, NAFDAC South East Zone, Dr Martins Iluyomade, said the seized the trucks were being moved to the agency’s control room for further checks and onward destruction.

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    Iluyomade said, “Today is the day five of the enforcement exercise which we began on Monday. As of today, we have moved no fewer than 10-truck fully loaded 40-foot container of fake, substandard and adulterated drugs out of the market. Some of these drugs also have spurious NAFDAC approval claims.

    “We were able to decode these claims because we came with our detecting machines and scanners. Seized drugs consisted of expired, banned, substandard, deflective, repackaged and recalled products.

    “And these drugs are very sensitive that can lead to death or permanent disability of the consumer. The seizure of the products is to eliminate the risk of their reintroduction into the market and a proof of the agency’s resolve to safeguard the health of the people.

    “We found out that some of the drug dealers have machines used to rebrand, repackaged and alter expiry dates and these items, including rebagged containers and packages were also discovered on-site. This exercise follows several efforts regarding data collation, intelligence gathering on fake and substandard drugs in the market and we got to the tail end and discovered that people are repackaging and rebagging fake and counterfeit drugs in the market.

    He explained that the raid had led to the arrest of several individuals who attempted to scuttle the exercise, adding that various sums of money up to the tune of N135million which was offered by several individuals for the NAFDAC operatives as bribe to stop the operation was turned down.

    According to him, the operation, conducted in collaboration with security agencies, market leaders and other critical stakeholders is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing crackdown on the circulation of counterfeit drugs in the country, which gave the agency the full power and backing to carry out the operation.

    The agency reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating the distribution of substandard and falsified drugs in Nigeria.

    He also stated that the agency is currently reviewing its laws to impose stricter penalties such as death or life sentences on individuals and organisations involved in the production and distribution of dangerous pharmaceutical products.

    “Over 90 per cent of shops so far investigated in the market are dealing on fake, substandard, repackaged and counterfeited drugs. If we reveal what we have so far seen in the market, it would be totally shut down.

    “During the operation so far, we have loaded no fewer than 10-truck 40-foot fully loaded containers of fake drugs out of the market and more are still being loaded. These containers are being moved to our control rooms for further checks for onward destruction. If we reveal what we found in this market, people will shed tears.

    “Let me also tell you that some of these traders have been coming to induce our staff with money up to the tune of N135million for us to stop this exercise or allow them to move away their fake products, but we have insisted on sanitizing the market because the exercise is aimed at raiding the markets of fake and substandard drugs.

    “This exercise is being carried out with every transparency that it deserves and it is not intended to witch-hunt anybody. However, there were few shops that have been given a clean bill of health, we did not find any fake or counterfeit drugs at their shops, but they are just less than 10 per cent. And those given clean bill of health have been notified and they are our ambassadors,” Iluyomade added.

    Also speaking to journalists, one of the drug dealers given a clean bill of health, Chukwudi Ikem, said, “Before now, I thought this operation was to witch-hunt some people. But I have found out that it is with good intention.

    “If NAFDAC had come one or two years ago, I might not have escaped the hammer this is because then I was dealing on fake drugs, but my conscience was troubling me until I decided to change and today, I am happy that my shop was given a clean bill of health.”

  • Apex Specialist Hospital commences construction of Artificial Intelligence diagnostic centre in Anambra

    Apex Specialist Hospital commences construction of Artificial Intelligence diagnostic centre in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Apex Specialists Hospital Nigeria Limited in partnership with SEGOFS Energy Group, has commenced construction of Artificial Intelligence backed diagnostic centre in Awka, Anambra State.

    Founder of the hospital, Prof Uchenna Nwosu said the tertiary healthcare unit which costs over N3 billion will take care of all cardiological issues and Intensive care unit delivery in the state and beyond.

    Prof Nwosu who briefed Journalists shortly after performing the foundation laying ceremony of the cente, held at the hospital premises in Awka, on Saturday, said the centre, if fully completed and equipped will end indiscriminate medical tourism in Anambra and Nigeria at large.

    He said he was moved to build the Ai assisted diagnostic centre to provide speedy healthcare for patients who suffer cardiovascular problems including stroke and other cardiological problems.

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    “Investment yield has never been my objective. If I had considered investment yields, I would not have started my private hospital in Igbo Ukwu many years ago. There are diagnostic centres that have no hospitals and there are hospitals that don’t have diagnostic centres, now we are going to have a hospital that will not only have an intensive care unit but a diagnostic centre so that when you have issues, you can go from the intensive care unit to the diagnostic centre.

    “We are now providing facilities so that people will access healthcare especially those who have cardiac related issues including strokes within two hours.”

    On his part , the founder of SEGOFS Energy Group, Engr. Chief Barth Nwibe, said the foundation decided to partner with Apex hospital system to bring home healthcare delivery to the people of the state and provide rapid response to the people.

    “We invest in diagnostic services for the benefit of Anambra people and Nigerians in general and as part of think home philosophy of Anambra government. Those who have businesses outside try to bring them home to boost economy and provide employment.

    “We are investing over N3 billion in it to ensure its completion.The benefit of the diagnostic centre will be that it will help the specialists to save patients’ lives as all the needed examinations will show exactly what the problems are for proper treatment and the things that made you travel to India or South Africa will be here. CT scan and other testing machines and strokes and cardiac arrest will be attended to within hours.

    “The parties are investing over 3 billion to established the centre as part of effort to position Apex hospital as the premium healthcare centre to the people of Anambra State and beyond.

    “The centre aimed at bringing treatment to other terminal diseases to the doorstep of Anambra citizens and other surrounding states.”

    Chief Nwibe, who is also contesting for the forthcoming November 8th, 2025 Anambra Governorship election under the Labour Party, described the centre as a comprehensive Medical Laboratory, saying it will be a reference point among other hospitals in the Nigeria.

    The ceremony also witnessed the presence of the member representing Aguata Federal Constituency, Hon Dominic Okafor (APGA) and other board members of Apex Specialist Hospital Nigeria Limited.

  • Anambra Govt, WHO Organise Retreat For 21 LG Chairmen On PHC Integrated Service Delivery

    Anambra Govt, WHO Organise Retreat For 21 LG Chairmen On PHC Integrated Service Delivery

    By Ovat Abeng

    Anambra State Government in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has organized a one day retreat for 21 Local Government Chairmen, LG Directors of Health, Supervisors and partners on Integrated Primary HealthCare (PHC) Service Delivery across the state.

    The retreat is aimed at ensuring uptake in routine immunization, vaccine acceptance and optimal healthcare service delivery across the state and for the 21 LG Chairmen to fully take ownership of health in their various local government areas.

    The event which took place in Awka, on Thursday, also witnessed the presence of all the 21 local government chairmen in the state, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Obiageli Uchebo, Traditional rulers, representative of World Health Organization WHO, and other relevant stakeholders in the health sector.

    Speaking while declaring the event open, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Ben Obidike, lamented low level of immunization vaccine acceptance in the state.

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    According to him, despite the proven benefits of immunization, vaccine acceptance remains a critical challenge, particularly in regions like some local government areas of Anambra state.

    “Refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services is a complex issue influenced by multiple factors, including misinformation, cultural beliefs, lack of trust in healthcare systems, poor awareness campaign and fear of side effects.

    “In some cases, religious doctrines and traditional practices further contribute to poor acceptance rates, leaving many communities vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases.

    “Addressing this issue requires coordinated strategies to educate communities, build trust, and strengthen the delivery of immunization services across the state.’’

    “We must improve on the low level of immunization vaccine acceptance in the state. The immune vaccine are well certified by the World Health Organization,’’ he noted.

    The Commissioner noted further that the engagement meeting is to develop institutional capacity and responsiveness required to ensure and enhance primary healthcare service delivery across the 179 communities in the state.

    He also urged the participants to intensify awareness campaigns on the benefits of immunization in their various council areas.

    Executive Secretary State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Pharm. Chisom Uchem thanked the participants for their support in healthcare of the state.

    The Aguata LG Chairman, Dr. Chibueze Offorbuike who is also the ALGON Chairman in the state, who spoke on behalf of others, assured the commitment of all the 21 LG Chairmen in addressing the issues raised.

  • C’River: While you have fun, remember your health, diasporans urge residents

    C’River: While you have fun, remember your health, diasporans urge residents

    By Christian Njoku

    A group, Cross Riverians in Diaspora (CRID) has called on residents of the state to remember and take care of their health while they enjoyed the Calabar Carnival and yuletide season.

    This was disclosed by the President of CRID, Mr Christopher Lekan, on Monday in Calabar during a free medical outreach organized by the group at the popular Christmas Village in Calabar.

    Lekan who said while people were enjoying the carnival and having fun, CRID was focused on their health because it is only a healthy workforce that can increase productivity in the state.

    The president who is based in Atlanta Georgia, said their target was anyone who had access to the Christmas Village where a lot of fun activities were presently ongoing until January 1.

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    According to him, “we have partners who work with us to support treatment of those that are found to require further treatment.

    “Though we are in the diaspora, we believe in Cross River, so, we are bringing our competencies and contacts together for the development of the state in partnership with the state government,” he said.

    On her part, Dr Esu Ezeani, the Secretary of the Healthcare Committee of CRID (HCC) said the outreach became necessary for them to give back to Cross River where they all started from.

    Ezeani who is based in Gambia, added that another aim of the outreach was to gather data on the prevalent health challenges in the state, while supporting the government in ensuring a healthier populace.

    Similarly, Dr Norbert Mogar, the physician on Ground noted that their goal was to enhance the health of residents of Cross River using the outreach.

    Mogar said in the cause of their screening, they came across people with moderate to severe challenges, adding that, while they provided medication for those with minor ailments, those with critical conditions were referred to our partner.

    “We are also using this opportunity to inculcate in residents of the state the attitude of checking their health status and not just waiting until they are sick and almost dying before seeking medical attention,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outreach involved screening for blood pressure, sugar level, Human Immune Virus (HIV), hepatitis, Body Mass Index (BMI) among others and patients had opportunity for free consultation with doctor.

    (NAN)