At last resident doctors bow to pressure, suspend nationwide strike

The National Association of Resident Doctors, (NARD) on Saturday suspended its 10 days old strike after sustained pressure mounted on them to shelve the strike by stakeholders.
The National President of the Association, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi said the strike was suspended after series of long hours of meetings with various stakeholders in the health sector.
He said based on their responsibility to Nigerians and the fact that the Federal government has met some of their demands they have no option but to call off the strike.

World Health Day: Govt decries shortage of vaccines as communities groan over neglect n Nasarawa

Umar Egbunu Muhammed, Lafia

The Nassarawa State Government has raised the alarm over shortages of essential supplies of COVID-19 vaccines for its citizens who are yet to access the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination particularly the vulnerable persons in the state.

This state commissioner of health, Pharmacist Ahmed Baba-Yahaya made the disclosure during the World Health Day in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital on Wednesday.

According to him, “The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the light on the inequalities among the citizens amidst shortages of essential supplies, poor people have been pushed to the back of the queue in accessing COVID-19 test kits in the state.”

He continued: “There are several shades of inequalities, discrimination based on gender, place of residence, income, educational level, age, ethnicity and disability to disadvantage of the vulnerable populations across the state.”

He, however, emphasized that there was need to start to act on the social and economic determinations of the people, by working across sectors to improve living and working conditions, particularly the marginalized groups.

While reacting on the challenges being faced by the vulnerable persons in the state, he urged leaders at various levels to work together to address inequalities in their respective countries, specially on COVID-19 vaccines.

The commissioner of health also admonished pharmaceutical companies to expand their manufacturing capacity to overcome current supply shortages in the state, urging wealthy individuals to partner with the state government so that the most at risk populations in all countries could be protected.

Also residents in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital, Awe, Keana and Obi local government areas and others in the state have expressed worry over lack of access to COVID-19 test in their locality.

Narrating his ordeal, Mr. John Daniel, said they could not access the COVID-19 test in their community, owning to the fact that the health workers trained by the Primary Development Agency in charge of administering COVID-19 tests are focussing on tge rich in the state.

He said: “We are poor people. We have been relegatedto the background because we are not government workers.”

Also speaking to our correspondent, Ovey Timothy, said since the state government commenced the COVID-19 test the health workers have not be able to reach their community.

His words: “We are calling on the state government to urgently intervene and come to their rescue.”

World Autism day: 25 Autistic children get therapeutic management in Nasarawa

Umar Egbunu Muhammed, Lafia

Not less than 25 Autistic children in Nasarawa state have undergone therapeutic management across the 13 local government areas of the state.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that most of the children with Autism in the state were reportedly being neglected on account of their condition.
A visit to Government Special School Lafia indicated that the school had 25 Autistic Children undergoing therapeutic management.
The head of the school, Mrs. Baerbel Jaja, said most of the children had been denied acceptance by their parents as a result of their condition.
Consequently, Health Experts and Care Givers in Nasarawa have advocated for the establishment of a Special Agency for the management, treatment and care for Autistic Children to enable them attain their full potentials.

A Paediatrician at the Special Baby Unit, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia, Nasarawa State, Dr. Toafik Oluwaseun, explained that Autism could be diagnosed at the age of six months and three years of birth if the child is unable to respond to eye contacts, verbal and non verbal communication as well as repetition of one thing continuously.

Dr. Oluwaseun indicated that Autism is a disorder that is not curable, however he emphasised the need for early diagnosis to access care and management rather than attributing the condition to spiritual attacks and witchcrafts.

He also stressed the need for increased awareness campaigns in the state to avert such discrimination against them.

“We are calling on the state government to increase awareness campaigns as most children with Autism in the state are being neglected due to their condition.”

According to him Autism is a permanent genetic developmental disorder from the brain which affects the ability to communicate and interact.

An Autism Therapist and Care Giver, Mr. Yahaya Kumo also explained that due to low awareness, most parents find it difficult to identify themselves with their Autistic Children.

He called on government at all levels to initiate special intervention programmes targeted at creating enabling environment for caring and giving attention to children with Autism to enable them have sense of belonging.