POLICE INTERCEPT TRUCKLOAD OF FAKE PANADOL EXTRA IN LAGOS

The Lagos State Police Command has reportedly intercepted a truck loaded with fake panadol extra at  Trade fair complex market, Ojo area of the State.

The truck was also loaded with fake chloramphenicol eye drops and was carrying the fake drugs from the market to where the driver would distribute them to whole sellers before he luck ran out on him as he was flagged down operatives of State Anti Robbery Squad ( SARS) of the Lagos State police command.

A police source said when the truck was searched, it was loaded with fake panadol extra.

A senior police officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity as he was not supposed to speak to the press warned that people should be wary of where they buy their drugs as fake drugs, especially panadol extra are in circulation in Nigeria, especially in Lagos.

He said: ” It is important that the members of the public are notified because of the danger of fake drugs. We intercepted the fake drugs through stop and search. This is just one out of many containers that have come into the country. This is the one we can see, many more are still in the markets.

” We want to get to the root of the matter. We are investigating to know who imported the drugs and how they came into the country. We want to whether it is a cartel or just one person “. 35-year-old suspect, Hope Ikerimba, was said to have gone to supply the medicine to a buyer with an unknown identity.

In an interview with the suspect, he said, ” My friend, Solomon Afoaku, owns the goods. He lives in Kano State. He called me on the phone last Thursday, that he would want me to help him supply the goods to a buyer. He said that the buyer refused to pay for the goods, saying he had to see them before he would pay.

“Someone brought the goods to me at Trade Fair, where i sell spare parts. The plan was for the buyer to come inspect the goods there and thereafter, I would follow him to the bank to ensure he paid into Solomon’s account before I would release the goods to him.

” Immediately the man arrived to inspect the goods, operatives of  SARS  came and arrested me “.

UNDERSTANDING ORAL HEALTH

Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping one's mouth clean and free of disease and other problems (e.g. bad breath) by regular brushing of the teeth (dental hygiene) and cleaning between the teeth. It is important that oral hygiene be carried out on a regular basis to enable prevention of dental disease and bad breath.

Most oral health surveys in Nigeria have been sporadic and based on convenience samples. Periodontal disease with deep pocketing occurs in Nigerians at an early age, the prevalence being 15-58% in those aged above 15 years.

The health of the teeth, the mouth, and the surrounding craniofacial (skull and face) structures is central to a person’s overall health and well-being. 

Oral and craniofacial diseases and conditions include:

• Dental caries (tooth decay)

• Periodontal (gum) diseases

• Cleft lip and palate

• Oral and facial pain

• Oral and pharyngeal (mouth and throat) cancers

• Xerostomia (dry mouth)

The significant improvement in the oral health over the past 50 years is a public health success story. Most of the gains are as a result of effective prevention and treatment efforts.

One major success is community water fluoridation, which now benefits a lot of persons who get water through public water systems, especially in developed countries.

However, some countries (especially developing countries) do not have access to good preventive programs. People who have the least access to preventive services and dental treatment have greater rates of oral diseases. A person’s ability to access oral health care is associated with factors such as education level, income, race, and ethnicity.

The main objective for this topic area is to address a number of areas for public health improvement, including the need to:

• Increase awareness on the importance of oral health to overall health and well-being.

• Increase acceptance and adoption of effective preventive interventions.

• Reduce disparities in access to effective preventive and dental treatment services.

SIGNIFICANCE OF ORAL HEALTH

Oral health is essential to overall health. Good oral health improves a person’s ability to speak, smile, taste, chew, swallow, and make facial expressions to show feelings and emotions.

However, oral diseases, from cavities to oral cancer, cause significant pain and disability.
Good self-care, such as brushing with fluoride toothpaste, daily flossing, and professional treatment, is key to good oral health. 

Health behaviors that can lead to poor oral health include:

• Tobacco use

• Excessive alcohol use

• Poor diet 

Barriers that can limit a person’s use of preventive interventions and treatments include: 

• Limited access to and availability of dental services.

• Lack of awareness of the need for care

• Cost

• Fear of dental procedures

There are also social determinants that affect oral health. In general, people with lower levels of education and income, and people from specific racial/ethnic groups, have higher rates of disease. Also, people with disabilities and other health conditions, like diabetes, are more likely to have poor oral health. 

Community water fluoridation and school-based dental sealant programs are 2 leading evidence -based interventions to prevent tooth decay. 

Community water fluoridation is the most effective way to deliver the benefits of fluoride to a community. Studies show that it prevents tooth decay by 18 to 40%. Sadly, municipal water treatment and supplies is gradually finding it's existence to our history books while privately owned, insanitary / untreated borehole water supply proliferates in most developing countries like Nigeria thereby making municipal / community fluoridation process impossible.

School based dental sealant programs, which focus on sealing the chewing surfaces of permanent molar teeth, usually target schools that serve children from low-income families. Dental sealants can prevent up to 80% of tooth decay in the treated teeth. 

Major improvements have occurred in the oral health scientific research, but some challenges still remain. A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publication reported that despite dental sealants preventing over 80% of dental cavities, only 1 in 3 children aged 6 to 8 has a dental sealant. 

Potential strategies to improve access to dental services and improve oral health of children and adults include:

* Implementing and evaluating activities that have an impact on health behavior

* Promoting interventions to reduce tooth decay, such as dental sealants and fluoride use

* Evaluating and improving methods of monitoring oral diseases and conditions

* Increasing the capacity of State dental health programs to provide preventive oral health services

* Increasing the number of community health centers with an oral health component

* Encouraging and adequately funding school health services in all nursery, primary and secondary schools in Nigeria.

LAGOS STATE GOVT WARNS RESIDENTS ON POISONOUS PONMO IN LAGOS MARKET

The Lagos State Government has warned residents of the state against buying ponmo (cow skin), being sold in some markets in the state for consumption purposes.

A statement by the Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Adeola Salako, said three persons involved in the sale of the “poisonous ponmo ” in the Ojo and Iba local government areas of the state had been arrested.

The statement said the ponmo was seized in large quantities, adding that samples of the confiscated ponmo had been sent to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to test their suitability for consumption.

“The Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, who disclosed this in his office today (Sunday) while reviewing report of preliminary investigation and enforcement carried out on the sale of the toxic ponmo in the areas, stated that the three persons involved had been charged to court, while samples of the confiscated ponmo had been sent to the NAFDAC laboratory for suitability test analysis for human consumption,” the statement read in part.

The commissioner noted that the attention of the state government was drawn to the activities of traders who deal in the sales of the poisonous ponmo at odd hours in different locations in the two local government areas.

“Preliminary investigations and suspects tracing revealed that the traders were very active between 4am and 6am at various locations such as Volkswagen bus stop, Iyana Iba, Afolabi Ege Markets, all within the Ojo local government and Iba local council areas of the state.

“Furthermore, a company said to be located at the Ijedodo area of Iba LCDA was indicted as the source of supply of this toxic ponmo and has subsequently been put under surveillance,” the statement read.

Salako called on the public to be vigilant and report any sale of unwholesome foods and food products to environmental health officer in their nearest local government or to the ministry of health.

NIGERIA TOPS LIST OF COUNTRIES WITH UN-VACCINATED CHILDREN

Nigeria is among the top list of low and middle-income countries with the most children not receiving the first dose of measles vaccine between 2010 and 2017, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has said.

UNICEF stated that in low and middle-income countries, the situation is critical explaining that in 2017, nearly 4 million children missed out of vaccination in Nigeria followed by India, 2.9 million, Pakistan and Indonesia 1.2 million each and Ethiopia 1.1 million.

UNICEF revealed that an estimated 21.1 million children a year on average worldwide missed out on measles vaccine annually in the past eight years, creating a pathway to current global outbreaks.

UNICEF Executive Director, Henrietta Fore said, the ground for the global measles outbreaks they are witnessing today was laid years ago adding that the measles virus will always find unvaccinated children.

“If we are serious about averting the spread of this dangerous but preventable disease, we need to vaccinate every child, in rich and poor countries alike.”

NEED FOR SANITARY WASTE MANAGEMENT IN RIVERS STATE:

Adequate and efficient Waste management is very vital to any society that really wants to live healthy and also achieve optimum longevity. As such it's very imperative for every government to prioritize efficient waste management. It's very unwise to politicize waste management.

It's very unfortunate and also sad that waste management is contracted to unlicensed and I'll equipped contractors whose main aim is to make money, and very less of creating sound healthy environment in the course of evacuation of the waste.

Whenever I see the working conditions of those innocent young men working for refuse contractors in Port Harcourt and its environs, I feel so sorry for them especially the way they work without any effective safety gears. Most of them even eat bread and other snacks right in the middle of the pile of refuse they work on.

It's grossly unfair that these category of workers do not have access to regular medical checks as should be, due to the health hazard they are subjected to daily.

Therefore, its very imperative that the government should enable Environmental Health Officers to routinely monitor and evaluate the working environment/conditions of refuse worker:

1.  All refuse contractors must be made to undergo regular medical checks at least every three (3) months (ie quarterly). They must immediately provide clinical retainership with accredited hospitals (be it government or private) to manage any major health challenge(s) that may arise from their work environment.

2. The waste management authority must provide a standard clinic with qualified medical/health professionals and well equipped ambulance  attached, in their facility as was the case in the past.

3. Qualified Environmental Health Officers should be empowered with full authority and attached to every refuse contracting company. The said Environmental Health Officers should be made to have authority to sanction the refuse management companies especially to prevent public health violations on the part waste management companies. It should be made in such a manner that only CLEARED waste management companies should be paid or contract renewed.

4. Sanitary Waste collection points and final disposal sites should be sourced and re-established on the recommendations of the supervising  Environmental Health Officers.

5. The government should procure equipments such as payloaders, bulldozers, refuse trucks, landfill compactors etc to enable effective and efficient support for waste management in the state.

6. All hospitals, clinics and health management organisations (HMOs) must be made to forward their waste management plan to the Waste management Agency quarterly through the supervising Environmental Health Officer and no hospital, clinics, Health Management Organisation (HMO) should be allowed to dispose of their wastes (especially the medical wastes) without the direct supervision of the Environmental Health Officer assigned with that responsibility.

7. With current awareness due to civilization and globalisation, it is now public knowledge that the current unprofessional method of waste collection via open dumping on the ground and allowing such to accumulate by road sides, junctions and median of major roads is unhealthy, unhygienic, insanitary and anti-public health. This method is pre-colonial and must be discontinued to protect the environment and prevent diseases.

8. The Rivers State Waste management (RIWAMA) Law strictly prescribes INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT which has to do with proper waste separation from generation to final disposal/treatment sites. It's then worrisome why RIWAMA can not respect and obey it's own enabling law. Instead RIWAMA encourages the public to dump and accumulate all their waste by roadsides thereby defeating the real aims of INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT as enshrined in the RIWAMA LAW of 2014. Friends of the Environment must rise up collectively to stop this public health menace as it also deface the esthetics of the city. 

9. The state, through RIWAMA, must as a matter of urgency provide relevant and adequate waste collection facilities that would encourage and enforce waste separation from the point of generation, collection to the final disposal / treatment. There should be properly labelled collection bins at all collection points across the city of Port Harcourt and its environs.

Also, specialised waste management companies should be contracted. Some should specialise only on papers and paper products, others plastics and plastic products. Whilst some would be licensed to specialise only on metals, some others should be for glasses; and yet others should be for household refuse etc, all to encourage recycling of wastes where possible. The practice of jumbling up all wastes together and given to a specific wastes contractor is not only uncivilised, pre-colonial, insanitary but also anti-public Health and should be discontinued for the sake of of posterity.

10. There must be clear-cut implementation of environmental health regulations to the extent that all final disposal sites should be very far away from residential settlements and other business places /offices.

• There should be adequate security and perimeter fencing ant final disposal sites to discourage scavenging, unauthorised disposal of dead animals and even human remains, and also incessant burning of the waste which results in smoke etc...

• The final disposal sites should be regularly disinfested via the proper application of integrated pest management method; fumigation and deratization, including other effective and efficient pest and vermin control methods. This is not a matter of choice,  but in line with international standard operating protocols (SOP)

• Refuse collection trucks must be washed clean daily and should not be over filled to the the point of littering the streets with refuse as they move.

• Adequate and functional fire  extinguishers should be provided at all final disposal sites to arrest sudden fires before it gets out of control. RIWAMA. In the same vein, RIWAMA must enter into an understanding to ensure quick response to manage fires at final disposal sites.

PORTABLE WATER SCARCITY RAISES DISEASE FEARS IN STATES

The scarcity of potable water is affecting the day-to-day activities of many Nigerians across the country and exposing them to various health hazards, EHSadvisor investigations have shown.

The Minister of Water Resources Engineer Hussaini Adamu had last month during the 2019 water day declared that “there is no state or city in this country that can boast of 100 percent pipe borehole water supply, none.”

He said many states have refused to prioritise the provision of water supply, by refusing to reticulate the bulk water provided in dams and river basins to houses.

According to the minister, constitutionally, the actual provision of water supply to the tap is the responsibility of state governments and local governments.

A report released last year by the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) said 90 percent of households in Nigeria consume contaminated water and other impure substances.

According to the report, 90.8 percent of households in Nigeria drink water contaminated by faeces and other impure substances.

The MICS report was carried out in 2017 by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with UNICEF.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF had in 2012 ranked Nigeria third behind China and India as countries with the largest population without adequate water supply and sanitation coverage.

The acute water shortage is ballooning despite billions of naira budgeted for water resources by the federal and the 36 state governments annually.

Our reporters said many Nigerians, especially those living in the state capitals, have resorted to using water from boreholes “indiscriminately dug without recourse to any health guidelines.”

In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Federal Government, last Wednesday, approved a memo for the award of contract for supply of water and field for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Water Board at the sum of N368 million including five per cent VAT.

But potable water has remained scarce. Even in the city centre such as Maitama, Wuse II, Asokoro, residents rely mostly on boreholes for most of their daily water needs.

Residents spoken to in Jahi, a suburb of the FCT, urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to tackle the perennial water scarcity in the area.

In rural parts of the FCT also, many residents rely on streams for water.

Taps not running in Gombe for months

The inability of the Gombe State Water Board to provide potable water to residents of Gombe metropolis has thrown most households into untold hardship.

Our correspondent, who went round Gombe metropolis, said for months the taps of the few areas connected to the main water treatment plant are not running. This has forced most residents to rely on commercial boreholes as an alternative, even though at exorbitant prices.

Also, those who cannot afford to buy from the private vendors spent hours on queues at such boreholes which cost less.

The residential areas mostly affected by the scarcity are Tudun Wada, Bolari, Pantami, Herwagana, Kumbiya-Kumbiya, Jekadafari, and Malam Inna area, among others.

In Tudun Wada, for instance, there has been no supply from the state water corporation for months. Even in areas like Jekadafari where the taps run, a check by our correspondent shows that the supply has ceased for the past one month.

Even highbrow areas like GRA, New GRA, Federal Low Cost, Buba Shongo, Shongo Housing Estate, Orji Estate and Abuja quarters are also feeling the impact of the scarcity. The residents who are mostly wealthy rely on commercial water tankers for water.

However, the scarcity-hit most at the newly established residential areas like Arawa, Kagarawal, Riyal quarters, Bomala, Nayi Nawa, Alkahira, Unguwa Uku and Tunfure quarters, because they are not even connected to public water scheme.

JOB OPENING: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN. APPLY NOW

In as much as we take effort and due diligence to confirm the authenticity of the vacancies we post here, our methods are not fool proof. We urge you not to pay any money for any job promises. We take no responsibility for any loss of financial value. Please be cautious!

Chegutu Municipality

JOB POSITION: Environmental Health Technician

JOB TYPE: Full Time

LOCATION: Chegutu, Zimbabwe

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Key Result Areas

° Planning, implementation and coordination of Environmental Health activities

° Promotion of good personal and home hygiene.

° Food quality control

° Waste  management control

° Enforcement of pubic health legislation.

° Investigation of public health assessment needs.

° Water quality control.

° Inspection of trading and non trading premises.

° Hazardous substances control.

° Prevention  and control of  communicable diseases.

° Supervision of refuse collection.

° Any other relevant duties as  assigned by the supervisor

QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES

HND/ Diploma In Environment health

Certificate in meat and Other foods will be an added advantage

At least 2 years of  relevant experience in a similar environment

Excellent communication skills at all levels both verbal and script.

Computer literacy, all Microsoft applications

Must registered with the Health Professions Council Of Zimbabwe

Posession of a clean class four driver’s licence will be an added advantage

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidate should submit a handwritten application letter, a detailed CV with 3 contactable referees and certified copies of academic and professional qualifications or  send email: careers@chegutumunicipality.co.zw.

These must be submitted to the Town Clerk not later than 26th April 2019

CHEGUTU MUNICIPALITY

Town  House

P.O. Box 34

CHEGUTU

UPDATED: TRADITIONAL RULER, CLERIC AMONG NINE PERSONS CONVICTED AND SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR DEFECATING IN PUBLIC

An Ekiti Magistrates' Court has sentenced nine people, including one traditional title holder and a cleric, to six months in  prison for open defecation. 

The sentence was pronounced on Wednessday.

Those convicted were arraigned  for various sanitation offences, including non-availability of toilet facilities in their houses, non-availability of waste bins, and defecating in the open.

Out of the 18 people arraigned before the Magistrate court by Ekiti Local Government Environmental Health Officers, nine people  pleaded guilty to the offences, and were convicted.

The convicts from Aramoko, Erio, and Ido Ile communities, were arranged before an Aramoko Magistrate court for various sanitation offences including non-availability of toilet facilities in their houses, non-availability of waste bins, and defecating in the open. 

The convicts  are Pastor Olaleye Isaac-Aramoko; Chief Ologun Ala- Aramoko; Mr Agboola- Aramoko; Mr Atoro- Aramoko; Mr Adetoyinbo- Aramoko; Mr Adesoba Sunday- Erio; Chief Jacob Taiwo- Ido Ile; Mr Titus Ibironke- Ido Ile; and Mrs Olu Obateru- Ido Ile; all in Ekiti West Local Government, Ekiti state.

While delivering the judgement, Adeosun Abayomi, the Magistrate, lamented the environmental nuisance caused by open defecation.

However, he made options of fines ranging from N5,000 to N15,000 available to the convicts.

The Magistrate court also issued a bench warrant for the arrest of nine other persons who failed to honour the court's summons for similar offence.

He ordered the Police to present them for prosecution on April 25, 2019.

Addressing journalists after the conviction, Chief Prosecutor,  Ekiti West Local Government- Mr Ebenezer Fashipe lamented that citizens valued their wealth more than their health, assuring the local government will continue to prosecute households without toilets until open defecation is eradicated in the area.

Also commenting on the development, Team Leader of Bread of Life Development Foundation implementing ‘Farewell to Open Defecation’ project in Ekiti West and Gbonyin Local Governments, Ekiti state- Mr Babatope Babalobi commended Ekiti West Local Government for taking the bold initiative in enforcing sanitation laws against open defecation, saying this will send a strong signal to all households without toilets in Ekiti state that the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them.

He assured that Bread of Life with the support of the European Union Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme phase three (WSSSRP III) will continue to work with the stakeholders to eradicate open defecation in Ekiti state which ranks the second highest in Nigeria

Babatope Babalobi

Team Leader, Bread of Life Development Foundation

08035897435 blfnigeria@yahoo.com 

IMPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH FOR NIGERIANS

Preventing or reducing the risk of illness, injury or disease in the community is essential to good environmental health. An important way to achieve this is by improving the quality of people’s surroundings.

Government and community environmental health programs aim to improve public health in a number of key areas. In areas requiring attention; which  includes
1. Efficient Emergency Mgt Strategy (EEMS),

2. Public Health Laws implementation & Enforcement Strategies(PHLIES),

3. Natural Disasters Prediction
&  Mgt Strategy(NDPMS)

4. Portable Water Supply: water source(s) Inspection,  monitoring & evaluation....

5. Increased developmental
Health services for  urban areas and communities. etc.

6. Reliable Health (Records) Statistics

Examples of Environmental Health Risks(EHR):-

Environmental health covers many different factors in a person’s surroundings. These can include:

Air pollution – for example, soote, firewood smoke etc...

Water quality – for example, Grey water, tank water, fluoridation and drought.

Food quality – for example, Food Contamination and Nutrition.

Chemicals – for example, pesticides, farm chemicals,
Arsenic and CCA treated timber.

Metals – for example, exposure to lead, mercury and cadmium.

Diseases from animals and insects (vector borne) – for example, dengue fever, hendra virus, lyssavirus, Ross River fever and malaria.

Infectious diseases – for example, viral infections like swine flu.

Natural hazards & Disasters– for example, solar radiation and extreme weather events etc

Man-made structures – for example, exposure to asbestos or electromagnetic radiation sources like mobile phones.

Occupational health – for example, safety issues relating to the workplace such as noise pollution and hazardous waste.

Climate change – for example, higher sea levels, increased soil salinity and increased temperatures etc

It must be remembered always by all, especially, professionals in Environmental Health, that  Environmental health risks refers to factors outside of the body that can affect wellbeing or behaviour of individuals or the community at large.These may include the quality of  air, food and water supply people are exposed to and/or their exposures to hazardous materials.

Preventing or reducing the risks of illness, injury or disease in the community is essential to good environmental health practice .

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH POOR HOUSING AND HOMES

Housing is one of the traditional areas of concern for public health, though it has been relatively neglected over recent decades. However, housing is important for many aspects of healthy living and well-being. 

The home is important for psychosocial reasons as well as its protection against the elements, but it can also be the source of a wide range of hazards (physical, chemical, biological).  It is the environment in which most people spend the majority of their time. 

The local environment around the home is also important in terms of fear of crime, the accessibility of services, and the opportunity to be physically active. 

Increasingly in unstable economic conditions, the affordability of housing and the potential for individuals to lose their home because of debts they are unable to meet has become a problem for large numbers of people. 

HOUSING-RELATED HAZARDS

Housing and health

The relationship between housing and health is multi-faceted.  A healthy home needs to have sound structure, to be free of hazards, to provide adequate facilities for sleeping, personal hygiene, the preparation and storage of food, to be an environment for comfortable relaxation, for privacy and quiet, and to provide the facility for social exchange with friends, family and others.  The local environment is also important in determining such factors as fear of crime, access to local services and facilities and in promoting social interaction.

National Environmental Sanitation Policy & Guidelines, 2005 (NESPG)

One of the most innovative initiatives on housing, health and sanitation in recent decades has been the National Environmental Sanitation policy & guidelines, (NESPG) 2005, developed by the federal government of Nigeria through the Federal ministry of Environment. 

This is a health-based risk assessment / premises inspection procedure for residential properties, schools, offices, markets, abbatoir, regulated premises, etc... Environmental Health Officers conduct risk assessments on rented, social housing and Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

The NESPG is 'a means of creating policy direction and evaluating the potential effect of any faults on the environmental health and safety of occupants, visitors, neighbours and passers-by'.

The principles which underlie it are that:

1.) All dwellings should be free from both unnecessary and avoidable hazards; and where any hazard is necessary and unavoidable, then the likelihood of an harmful occurrence and the potential harm which could result should be reduced to a minimum.

The NESPG identified twenty-four categories of potential housing hazards.  Among the more important, such hazards are:

Cold/ inadequate energy efficiency

(1) COLD
In Nigeria, as in many other African countries, there are deaths and morbidity rates that are attributable to the direct effects of cold.  Although limited, there are some evidence (and good theoretical grounds) to suggest that vulnerability to cold is greater in homes with inadequate insulation / inadequate home protection mechanisms.  Measures to reduce natural indoor cold temperature shall go a long way in preventing mobidity and mortality due to cold in residential homes.  Such cold if not checked properly by the Environmental Health Officer. 

(2) HEAT
The relationship between dwelling characteristics and risk of heat mortality/morbidity is not accurately defined, but is becoming an increasingly important consideration given expectations of higher temperatures as a result of climate change. Houses that have  poorly-insulted and low roof space/ceilings are likely to develop higher indoor temperatures, and may carry greater risks to health.

It's also not advisable to use PVC as ceiling material as it is an excellent health conductor that wouldn't hold back heat but release heat from the roof as soon as as it comes from the roof. 

(3) FALLS AND ACCIDENTS
A high proportion of accidents occur inside the home, and they are a particular concern for the elderly and children. Falls on the level (tripping on smooth faced tiles and wet floors etc) account for over 11% of non-fatal accidents and 2% of deaths in home. Although it is difficult to attribute the risk to characteristics of the dwelling, poor design and maintenance is a factor in many falls.

There are around over 65,000 fires in dwellings a year, resulting in over 600 deaths, and over 15,000 non-fatal injuries.  Smoke alarms can help reduce deaths and injuries.

(4) DAMPNESS AND MOULDS
Interpretation of the epidemiological evidence about the health effects of damp and mould is made more complex because damp and mould tend to be worst in over-crowded dwellings, often occupied by families of low socio-economic status.

However, damp and mould have repeatedly been linked to a number of health outcomes, including respiratory symptoms, nausea and vomiting and general ill health. Humidity in the dwelling can cause condensation which encourages the growth of fungal spores. 

Dampness is also associated with an increase in house dust mites. Both of these are known allergens.  The prevalence of dampness varies considerably from country to country. In Europe, North America, Australia, India and Japan it is estimated that approximately between 10-50% of homes are affected by it.

(5)  CARBON MONOXIDE
Poisoning by carbon monoxide in homes occurs as the result of poorly ventilated and maintained combustion sources (especially generator fumes, fires etc).  In Nigeria there are believed to be around hundreds of deaths and hospital admissions yearly from CO poisoning especially from electric generators, but the burden of morbidity and mortality is probably under-estimated in official figures.  

Figures vary by country, however it is known that children and fetuses are particularly vulnerable. There is uncertainty in the burden of disease due to CO poisoning, however it is thought that there are likely to be significant adverse health effects such as certain neurological symptoms, from chronic low-level exposure to carbon monoxide in the indoor air. A paper by Croxford et al(2008) was the first study to quantify the association between the risk of CO exposure at low levels and the prevalence of community self-reported neurological conditions.

(6)  RADON

Radon is a radioactive, colorless, odorless, tasteless noble gas, occurring naturally as the decay product of radium. It is one of the densest substances that remains a gas under normal conditions, and is considered to be a health hazard due to its radioactivity. 

Radon represents one of the most important housing-related hazards.  It is a naturally-occurring, radioactive gas formed as part of the decay chain of uranium-238. It readily diffuses through air, is soluble in water and it can accumulate inside buildings.

It is a particular problem for dwellings in areas with particular geology (notably the areas with high rate of mining, exploration activities  in Nigeria). The health hazards are well characterised and result from the short-lived, chemically reactive isotopes of polonium, lead, and bismuth that are its daughter products. When inhaled or formed inside the lungs, these isotopes increase the risk of lung cancer.

Radon is thought to be the most important risk factor for lung cancer , especially after smoking, accounting for around one in 20 cases.  At the action level of 200 Becquerels/metre³, there is approximately a 3% lifetime risk of developing cancer as a result of radon exposure.  

Other malignancies resulting from these exposures may include leukemia (acute lymphatic leukemia in children) and skin cancer.  A number of Environmental Health solutions are possible to reduce radon levels inside the home.

Other risks

Other housing related hazards (mainly with rarer occurrence or small/uncertain health effects) include:

ASBESTOS and MAN-MADE MINERAL FIBRES (MMMF) – a common material in older dwellings, but usually causing low level exposure unless disturbed

ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS (EMF) – a ubiquitous exposure, though of variable intensity; uncertain epidemiological evidence

LEAD – mainly in old lead paint and water pipes/soldered joints

CHEMICALS in the home

Other indoor air pollutants (e.g carbon dioxide nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and biomass burning products)

Noise

Electrical hazards

Structural failure

Entrapment or collision

Explosions

Uncombusted fuel gas

Entry by intruders

Hot surfaces and materials

Domestic hygiene, pests etc

Inadequate provision for food safety

Contaminated water

Inadequate lighting

Poor ergonomics

Crowding and space – a potentially very important factor that has bearing on the risks of accidents, fires, dampness and mould, mental well-being and a range of other adverse effects.

DESIGNING HOUSES FOR HEALTHY LIVING

There are many factors that contribute to healthy housing (partly governed by building regulation), but there are some trade-offs in design.  For example, in general,  increased electricity supply to homes and offices is good for health (especially for lower income families that may struggle with generator maintaince and fuel bills), but if such energy efficiency means reducing natural ventilation rates, there may be adverse effects on indoor air quality, condensation and mould growth.

AFFORDABILITY OF HOUSING

In addition to traditional risk factors associated with a dwelling, it should also be remembered that the home is one of the major areas of financial expenditure for families.  

The lack of affordable housing and threat to many families of losing their home because of debts they are unable to meet has become an increasing problem, and one which often has substantial negative bearings on mental and sometimes physical health.

FLOODING: 

THERE ARE MANY HEALTH risks to HOUSING FROM FLOODING:

• Physical risks, from drowning and injury, due to floodwaters, unstable buildings and debris

• Pest / vermins displacement by the flood could result in pests  attacks on humans during struggle for space or safe abode. 

• Mental health aspects, from being displaced, loss of property, possessions, despair, loss of community

• Contamination of water supplies, due to surface or groundwater flooding, by sewage

• Lack of drinking water, mains supply and services, e.g. electricity and gas supplies being cut off

• Disrupted access to services, e.g. transport, community services, schools, health services, postal deliveries, etc.

• Carbon monoxide poisoning, due to the use of standby generators in unventilated spaces, or heaters used to dry out property or effects.

• Increased risk of infectious diseases, especially water borne e.g. cholera, gastrointestinal diseases and from overcrowding and lack of fresh water supplies.

The health impacts of flooding are often underestimated due to the most severely affected population being displaced or moving out of the flooded area to displacement camps, for example due to hospitalisation and death, relocation and unreported mental health effects.

The flooding prompted research into quantifying and documenting the mental health impacts of the floods over generations.  

SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF OVERCROWDING:

The social and psychological effects of overcrowding can be summarized as follows:

Health effects:

Overcrowding poses serious direct and indirect health risks to all segments of the population, particularly the elderly, young children, and the disabled:

overcrowding results in insufficient ventilation in homes, causing or exacerbating respiratory illness;

susceptibility to disease, the severity of diseases, the spreading of illness, and the mortality due to disease all increase as a result of social and physical overcrowding;

overcrowding exacerbates health risks related to insufficient and poor water supply and poor sanitation systems in the camps;

likelihood of accidents in the home and community increases;

overcrowding physically and emotionally overburdens mothers and other caregivers, increasing health risks of dependents;

lack of space and overcrowding directly impacts on the physicial development and psychological well being of disabled residents.

Social effects:

Overcrowding contributes to far-reaching social problems:

it places a strain on social relations within the home and community;

overcrowding in schools and homes is linked to substandard education and functional illiteracy, and may be related to increased child labour;

it is a ‘push factor’ in the decisions leading to girls’ early marriage (before the age of 18) which, in turn, leads to serious health and social ramifications for women and children;

overcrowding affects women’s access to social and economic resources; it increases their responsibilities in the home and burdens their time.

Psychological effects:

Direct and indirect psychological effects result from overcrowding:

lack of privacy is linked to depression and other negative psychological outcomes;

overcrowding contributes to psychological frustrations which, in turn, have a bearing on behavioural responses and residents’ ability to cope with the conditions;

In refugees/ displaced people's camps, the refugees’ perception of options and future prospects is detrimentally affected by overccrowding.

THE SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (SPDC) JOB VACANCY [2 POSITIONS]

The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) is Nigeria’s oldest energy company, and has a long term and continuing commitment to the country, its people and the economy. 

As one of the world’s leading energy companies Shell plays a key role in helping to meet the world’s growing energy demand in economically, environmentally and socially responsible ways. 

Applications are invited for the program below:

Job Title: Sabbatical Attachment for University Lecturers

Duration: 12 months (non renewable)

Job Description

The sabbatical attachemnt offers University lecturers from the rank of Senior Lecturer and above an opportunity to undertake research or other activities that would contribute to Shell Companies in Nigeria

It also offers them avenue to acquire industry-related experience and lectureship at any of the SPDC JV centres of Excellence (CoE)

Teams / Discipline 

Environment: Impact Assessment, Biodiversity, Environmental Management, and Ecotoxicology/Biostatistics.

External Relations: Social Performance – Social Impact Assessment and GMoU Implementation.

Community Health: Consultant Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics.

Exploration: Geology and Geophysics.

Oil Spill Response: Groundwater Remediation and Mangrove Re-planting & Management.

UniBen CoE: Geology and Petroleum Engineering.

Nigerian Content Development: Process and Project Engineering.

Job Title: Postgraduate Research Internship for University Students

Duration:12 months (non-renewable).

Description

The Postgraduate Research Internship provides opportunities for Nigerian post graduate students (M.Sc, M.Phil and Ph.D) to gain industry related work experience and carry out topical research within Shell Companies in Nigeria.

Team / Discipline

Environment: Impact Assessment, Botany/Revegetation, Biology /Chemistry, and Environmental Management.

Occupational Health: Occupational Health

Oil Spill Response: Eco-friendly Bio-remediation.

Strategy and Value Assurance: ICT, Computer Data Analysis and Management

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates are expected to submit the following:

A duly signed one-page application letter stating team/discipline of interest.

A Curriculum Vitae including, applicant’s phone number, email address, as well as three referees with their contact information.

A titled one-page summary of how the candidate intends to add value to the SPDC’s business during the 1 2-month sabbatical attachment.

Scanned copy of the data page of applicant’s international passport or National Driver’s Licence.

All documents should be sent to: SPDC-University-Relations@shell.com

Note

Applicants should not send any additional document apart from those listed under “Method of Application.”

Applications from persons who have previously benefited from the sabbatical leave attachment in any Shell Companies will not be considered. 

Applicants must have relevant teaching and practical experience in indicated disciplines. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Application Deadline: 15th April, 2019.

DRUG ABUSE RATE DROPPED TO 1% IN KANO STATE — NDLEA

Dr Ibrahim Abdul, the Commander, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano state, says the rate of drug abuse in the state has reduced from three per cent to one per cent according to a recent report.

Abdul disclosed this on Friday when the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA) paid a courtesy visit to Alhaji Shehi Abdullahi, the Chairman of Fagge Local Government Area.

He said the report indicated that Lagos has now taken over as the number one followed by Ogun then Kano State now dropped to number three.

He said the success was recorded in the last few months after his resumption as the new Commander of the agency in the state.

“Since I resumed office, we inaugurated a special operation team tagged ‘Operation Sharar Miyagu’ aimed at checking drug abuse in Kano state.

“With this effort, we have realised that the drug peddlers are the suppliers of fake drugs, which we are also doing everything possible to tackle it.

“We have arrested so many fake drug dealers in Sabon Gari area of the metropolis,’’ Abdul said.

Abdul explained that the cases of drug abuse and the supply of such drugs have reduced following the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari in the fight against the menace in Kano and other parts of the country.

In his remark, the Committee Chairman, retired Brig-Gen Buba Marwa said the fight against drug abuse is a great challenge to President Buhari, adding that this gave him the courage to set up the committee.

According to him, the responsibilities of the advisory committee was to find the major causes of drug abuse from the grassroots and also suggest for solutions to the problems.

Marwa expressed confidence that the President would take serious actions on the report and its suggestions, adding that the committee will tell the President the suggestions of the public.

“One of our targets is to ensure the drastic reduction of the drugs supply into the country, which I believe this will contribute to the end of its abuse.

“We are ready to suggest for a serious punishment to the drug dealers and suppliers if found guilty, therefore, we need the support of the Religious, Community, and Traditional Leaders.’’

Marwa added that the provision of more rehabilitation centres where the drug users would be rehabilitated and train them on skill acquisition programme will help in reducing the illicit drugs use.

He said one of the major challenges in fight against drug abuse is the issue of arrest by the NDLEA and released by the court.

He called for the amendment of law that established the agency to enable them arrest and prosecute the criminals without any hitches in judicial processes.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee had interface with traditional, religious, community leaders and over 500 youths in the Local Government Area.

(NAN)

MENINGITIS CLAIMS 48, HITS 15 STATES - NCDC

Cerebrospinal meningitis has claimed 48 lives since the outbreak commenced in October last year, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)  has revealed.

The centre in its situation report  released yesterday said that a total of 541 suspected cases  were reported from 15 states between October1st, 2018 to 27th March, 2019. It said 48 deaths have been recorded among all suspected cases during the period.

The weekly epidemiological report also revealed that 119 samples were tested during the period and that 47 confirmed cases were recorded. It said that the strain of the disease called  Neisseria meningitides serogroup C (NmC) accounted for 34.0% (16) of the positive cases.

According to the report , which is the 15th in the 2018/2019 season, the National Technical Working Group for Cerebrospinal Meningitis has been monitoring cases and ensuring preparedness and coordination of response across the states .

“States in the meningitis belt were formally placed on alert on the 8th of November 2018. As at Epi week 12, 2019, 15 new suspected cases were reported in two states. In the last four weeks (Epi Week 9 to Epi Week12, 2019), one local government area  is in the epidemic threshold ,” the centre said in the report.

Meningitis causes the covering of the brain or meninges to swell. It begins with an infection by bacteria or virus. The disease is carried in the throat but can overwhelm the body’s defenses through the blood stream to the brain.

Experts say the country has been recording outbreaks during the dry season  over the years because of the low humidity and dusty conditions and that the outbreaks usually ends with the onset of the rainy season.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control  (NCDC) said up to two in every 100 people carry the microorganism in their throat at any given time, but the rate increases in times of epidemics.

The common symptoms of meningitis are stiff neck, high fever, sensitivity, confusion, headaches, and vomiting.

SIGNIFICANCE OF HEART DISEASE AND STROKE

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Nigeria and the world at large. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death. Together, heart disease and stroke, along with other cardiovascular disease, are among the most widespread and costly health problems facing the Nation today, accounting approximately billions of Naira in health care expenditures and related expenses annually. Fortunately, they are also among the most preventable.

The leading modifiable (controllable) risk factors for heart disease and stroke are:

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Cigarette smoking

• Diabetes

• Unhealthy diet and physical inactivity

• Overweight and obesity

Over time, these risk factors cause changes in the heart and blood vessels that can lead to heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes. It is critical to address risk factors early in life to prevent these devastating events and other potential complications of chronic cardiovascular disease.

Controlling risk factors for heart disease and stroke remains a challenge. High blood pressure, cigarette smoking, and high blood cholesterol are still major contributors to the national epidemic of cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure affects approximately 1 in 3 adults in Nigeria, and only about half of them have it under control.

High sodium intake can increase blood pressure and the risk for heart disease and stroke, yet about 90% of most adults exceed their daily recommendation for sodium intake.

The risk of Nigerians developing and dying from cardiovascular disease would be substantially reduced if major improvements were made across the Nigerian population in diet and physical activity, control of high blood pressure and cholesterol, smoking cessation, and appropriate aspirin use.

Currently more than 1 in 3 adults (85.6 million) live with 1 or more types of cardiovascular disease.

In addition to being the first and fifth leading causes of death, heart disease and stroke result in serious illness and disability, decreased quality of life, and hundreds of billions of dollars in economic loss every year.

The burden of cardiovascular disease is disproportionately distributed across the population. There are significant disparities in the following based on gender, age, race/ethnicity, geographic area, and socioeconomic status:

> Prevalence of risk factors

> Access to treatment

> Appropriate and timely treatment

> Treatment outcomes

> Mortality

Disease does not occur in isolation, and cardiovascular disease is no exception. Cardiovascular health is significantly influenced by the physical, social, and political environment, including:

• Maternal and child health

• Access to educational opportunities

• Availability of healthy foods, physical education, and extracurricular activities in schools

• Opportunities for physical activity, including access to safe and walkable communities

• Access to healthy foods

• Quality of working conditions and worksite health

• Availability of community support and resources

• Access to affordable, quality health care

No national system exists to collect data on how often cardiovascular events occur or recur, or how often they result in disability and death.

Similarly, there is inadequate tracking of quality indicators across the continuum of care, from risk factor prevention through treatment of acute events to post-hospitalization and rehabilitation. New measures and tools are needed to monitor improvement in cardiovascular health and cardiovascular care over the next decade.

Other emerging issues in cardiovascular health include:

° Defining and measuring overall cardiovascular health

° Assessing and communicating lifetime risk for cardiovascular disease

° Addressing depression as a risk factor for and associated condition of heart disease and stroke

° Examining cognitive impairment due to cardiovascular disease

° Dealing with substantial gaps in the cardiovascular surveillance system.

The Ehsavisor is an advocate for Improve cardiovascular health and quality of life through prevention, detection, and treatment of risk factors for heart attack and stroke; early identification and treatment of heart attacks and strokes; prevention of repeat cardiovascular events; and reduction in deaths from cardiovascular disease.

NIWA ARRESTS BOAT OWNER CARRYING 12 PUPILS WITH NO LIFE JACKET ON LAGOS LAGOON

In all you do, safety should come first so that you will be healthy, alive and wholesome to continue another time. The owner of this boat went overboard. He threw caution to the wind and did something very inappropriate.

He carried 12 school pupils on his boat on the Lagos lagoon with the pupils not putting on life jackets.

The question now is: What could have been the faith of those kids if there had been a mishap? Even if he’s a fish and very good at swimming, he won't be able to save the life of 12 of them.

The management of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on a control inspection on Monday intervened and brought the boat owner to book. According to the agency, a boat carrying 12 pupils of the Government Secondary School, Tarkwa Bay from Osborne to Marina in Lagos was arrested on Thursday March 28, because none of the pupils had life jackets on. The agency further revealed that all the pupils were below 16 years old.

“The route is one of the busiest. Most shockingly, none of the children wore a life jacket on that open boat. A standard approved life jacket is an essential requirement for water transportation and its use is mandatory, for it is the only tool that helps to ensure the survival of lives in the unfortunate event of a boat mishap.

“What is more, nobody can rule out the possibility of a mishap occurring on any trip at any given time due to several factors that may be beyond human control. NIWA places a very high premium on the safety of lives on water. We had only recently toured all passenger jetties in Lagos on sensitization campaign on safety, with particular emphasis on the use of life jackets, among other requirements. We view this incident as a gross travesty of this campaign, which consequences could have been the avoidable loss of precious young Nigerian lives.

“Consequently, the operator and driver of the impounded boat would be charged to court under extant laws, so as to serve as a severe deterrence to other operators in the industry.

We have lost so many lives from boat mishaps that every necessary step must be taken to protect further loss of lives on our waterways.

“NIWA will not relent in its determination to monitor activities on the inland waterways with routine and control inspections. We will seek maximum lawful penalties for those who violate safety measures on the waterways.

“We wish to use this medium to solicit the support of all Nigerians and in particular, stakeholders in the water transportation sub-sector and the media to support the Authority in its campaign towards safety on our waterways.”