Lexy Blog

In recent times, over 17.1million lives are said to have been lost annually to the global burden of cardiovascular diseases (heart attacks and strokes) and other non-communicable diseases. However, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), this figure represents a leading threat to global health and development. With over 80 percent of CVD-related deaths occurring in developing countries like Nigeria, India, China, etc. which can least afford the social and economic consequences associated with the disease, these figures are projected to rise further to almost 23.6 million people by 2030, a move that is said to seriously affect the number of people who contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of any nation. Giving these worrisome indices, health experts have tasked Nigerians to maintain healthy lifestyles through healthy diet, regular physical activity and avoid tobacco smoke even as a comprehensive and integrated action by government and stakeholders in the health

Worried by the increasing number of Nigerians seeking medical care in the United States of America, India, Britain; a radiologist has called on the Federal Government to upgrade diagnostic services that have hindered early detection and effective diagnosis and treatment of diseases in public hospitals in the country. Emmanuel Chukwurah, general manager, Purple Ray Diagnostics Centre, who made this known to BusinessDay at the inauguration of the Purple Ray Diagnostic Centre in collaboration with Global Energy Health Care services in Lagos , said poor diagnosis had frustrated efforts of medical doctors and health workers at saving the lives of their patients. While pointing out that most public hospitals were equipped with obsolete machines and diagnostic equipment that would not detect diseases, Chukwurah noted that this move had increased human and medical errors in the health care sector. According to him, “in Nigeria , the analogue medical system has remained the order of the

…UNILEVER promotes hand washing campaign Since the onset of rains, various states in the country have reported cases of incessant flooding, which has not only affected households but further expose inhabitants within the affected areas to environmental and public health challenges. However, the practice of open defecation, unscientific mode of disposal system, man-made mountains of litters, and over-flowing gutters, is gradually become a worrisome trend in semi urban areas. Aside this, sewage which is sometimes disposed off directly to nearby low lying areas or to receiving water bodies has more often than not result in a situation whereby such unhygienic practices of disposal have caused growth of different disease carrying vectors, polluted different water bodies where water could be sourced and led to the spread of water borne diseases.   Giving the public health implications of these actions, public health experts in conjunction with Unilever have urged Nigerians to pledg

... Remains absent in NHIS Over the years, the issue of mental health is one dilemma that has continued to remain a huge stigma on Nigeria with many individuals, even families of victims, choosing to ignore them in the hope that the problem will get solved somehow. This condition, in many cases, has resulted in the exclusion of such individuals from society. It has also led to loss of work, and breakdown in relationships. Families usually struggle to seek help which often times ends in vain. As Nigeria joins other countries to celebrate ‘World Mental day’-every October 10 - to raise public awareness about mental health issues, experts have called on government to increase its investment in mental health, inclusion of mental health in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the passage of the draft Mental Health Bill of 2003 which is yet to be passed by both chambers of the National Assembly. In an exclusive interview with BusinessDay, Olakunle Obagaye

Recent plans by the Federal Government to completely withdraw petroleum products subsidies has attracted serious discourse as regards the socio-economic implications the move would have on Nigerians. However, Nigerians say that certain conditions must be met before executing the plan, writes Alexander Chiejina   In Nigeria today, the most contentious issue is the removal of subsidy on petroleum products which has generated wide debate by citizens from all walks of life, including the civil society groups, particularly the Nigerian Labour Congress, owing to its implications on the nation’s socio-economic landscape. Over the years, the Federal Government has operated a fuel subsidy with the purpose of making petroleum products available and cushion the effect of the true market prices of the products on the populace. According to reports by the Petroleum Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), the country consumes an average of 35 million litres of fuel daily. As of Aug