World TB DAY - 2018

World TB Day

HEALTH IMPACTS OF THE SOURCE AND USE OF WATER

Availability of safe water is very important in public health, irrespective of whether it is used for drinking, domestic purpose, food production or recreational drives. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2015, only 5.2 billion people use safely managed drinking-water services; while at least 2 billion people use a drinking water source contaminated with faeces and other contaminants, globally. Contaminated water can transmit diseases like cholera, dysentery, typhoid, diarrhea and polio. Contaminated drinking water causes an estimated 502,000 deaths from diarrhea annually, yet diarrhea is preventable. Diarrhea is the most widely known disease in connection to contaminated food and water, amongst other hazards. 38% of health care facilities lack an improved water source, 19% do not have improved sanitation source while 35% lack water and soap for hand-washing, in both low- and middle-income countries.

Climate change, increasing water scarcity, population growth, demographic changes and urbanization are recurrent challenges of the water supply system across most countries. It is reported that by 2025, half of the world’s population will be leaving in water-stressed areas. Consequently, re-use of wastewater is becoming an important strategy in addressing the portending challenge of shortage of hygienic water.

It is often said that ‘water is life.’ About 60% to 70% of the human body mass is made of water. Therefore, it is vital that hydration of the body is considered a serious health practice to ensure the body components function optimally. Enumerated below, are some key health importance of water:

1. It increases energy levels and relieves fatigue
2. It helps to maximize physical performance
3. It reduces appetite, leading to burning of more calorie
4. It improves brain functions. On the contrary, 1.36% fluid loss after an exercise can impair mood, concentration and cause headache.
5. Water helps to relieve constipation, by aiding the processes of digestion and absorption of food
6. Water is implicated in the prevention and reduction of the risk of kidney stones
7. It prevents hangovers
8. Water helps to regulate body temperature
9. Water plays an important role in the transportation of nutrients and oxygen to various body cells
10. Water promotes weight loss. For instance, 2 liters of water daily can shoot up your energy expenditure by about 96 calories, which can contribute to weight loss.
11. It is active in detoxification processes of the body system
12. It improves skin complexion favourably
13. It boosts the immune system
14. It can naturally prevent and remedy mild headaches, especially the once that resulted from dehydration.
15. Water can also help to prevent cramps and sprains

As we mark the World Water Day today (March 22^nd, 2018), it is pertinent to put measures in place that support healthy water intake daily, in the best quality and right quantity. Don’t wait till you are thirsty before drinking safe water. As often as you can, drink good water, stay hydrated all day and enjoy the benefits of drinking safe and hygienic water.

© GODDAY O. AGHEDO (Author: Healthy Life Compass)

METHICILIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS IN CLINICAL SAMPLES AND FOMITES

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUD OF STUDY

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are strains of Staphylococcus aureus which are resistant to methicillin and related penicillins and are particularly difficult to treat because they are also resistant to most other common antibiotics (Cheesbrough, 2000).

Although Staphylococcus aureus infections were historically treatable with common antibiotics, emergence of drug-resistant organisms is now a major concern. MRSA was endemic in hospitals by the late 1960s, but it appeared rapidly and unexpectedly in communities in the 1990s and is now prevalent worldwide (Deleo, 2009; Liebowitz, 2009). Staphylococci are gram positive cocci of uniform size, occurring characteristically in groups but also singly and in pairs. They are non-motile and non-capsulated (Cheesbrough, 2000). Staphylococcus aureus is the most medically important member in terms of pathogenicity of the group (Ochei and Kolhatkar, 2000).

Staphylococcus is present in the nose of 30% of healthy people and may be found on the skin. It causes infection most commonly at sites of lowered host resistance, such as damaged skin or mucous membrane (Humphrey, 2007). Although 50 – 60% of patients with MRSA are merely colonised (i.e. they carry the bacteria but do not have symptoms or an illness), serious infections such as those involving the blood stream, respiratory tract and bones or joints do occur (Humphrey, 2007). S. aureus causes boils, pustules, styes, impetigo, infections of wounds (cross-infections), ulcers and burns, osteomyelitis, mastitis, septicaemia, meningitis, pneumonia and pleural empyema. Also, toxic food poisoning (rapid onset, no fever), toxic shock symdrom and toxic skin exfoliation (Chessbrough, 2000).

Mannitol salt agar is a useful selective medium for recovering S. aureus from faecal specimens when investigating staphylococcal food poisoning. It can also be used to screen for nasal carriers. S. aureus ferments mannitol and is able to grow on agar containing 70 – 100g/l sodium chloride. Mannitol salt agar containing 75g/l sodium is recommended particularly for isolating MRSA strains (Cheessbrough, 2000).

On mannitol salt agar, S. aureus produces yellow colonies (Ochei and Kolhatkar, 2000). The MRSAs are usually sensitive to vancomycin (Ochei and Kolhatkar, 2000). Flucloxacillin and chloxacillin are used to treat b-lactamase (penicilinase) producing staphylococci. Vacomycin is often needed to treat MRSA infections. Antibacterial resistance to penicillin may occur due to the b-lactamase production, cell membrane alterations reducing antibiotic uptake (gram negative bacteria), or changes in the penicillin-binding protein as occurs with MRSA (Cheesbrough, 2000).

There is no effective immunisation with toxoids or bacterial vaccines for preventing the spread of S. aureus (Levinson and Jawetz, 2002). The control and prevention of MRSA involves early and reliable detection in the laboratory through surveillance, patient isolation when admitted to hospital, good professional practice by all healthcare workers (including compliance with hand hygiene guidelines), effective hospital hygiene programmes and sensible use of antibiotics (Humphrey, 2007).

LESSONS FROM ST. VALENTINE

The misconception about the person of St. Valentine and the events leading to his martyrdom has continued to deepen. Very often I hear people allege that he died for a love type called “Eros” not “agape” and consequently, it becomes unworthy to mark that date in his honour. Many preachers have held that opinion tenaciously over the years, which make it even more worrisome. This position of theirs is not far fetched from the spate of immorality that takes place on February 14^th each year. But it is not still enough justification for their poise .

Even on Christmas days, Easter and other holy days of obligation, people still sin and commit immorality. I don’t want to sound apologetic, but I desire to have you understand the integrity of St. Valentine for which he should truly be worthy of a memorial. I don’t do anything very special or lovelier on Valentine’s Day because I believe that a good life and a lovely life should be a daily affair all year round. But on February 14th, I ponder on the lessons this celebrity leaves behind and allows it to challenge me into a better life of commitment to just courses.

Let me begin the demystification process by asking a series of questions: did Valentine actually die for love (Erotic love)? Was he a rebel and a stubborn person? Did he deserve the death? Did he die for selfish personal reasons? Was he actually promoting sexual promiscuity and infidelity? Were his actions contrary to God’s will? Did he on the long run gain anything financially, materially or physically for his actions? These and many other salient questions are begging for sincere and objective answers.

Honestly, all of the above questions have a simple answer, which is an EMPHATIC NO! Valentino did not die for love (i.e. Eros). If there was anything love associated with his death, it must be love for God’s commands, love for God’s standard and ordinance, love for humanity and the love that moves a man to defend the institution God Himself had established from the destructive actions of perverts, tyrants and so called lords who had no atom of regards for the rights of the populace.

Perhaps, I should remind you that those promising young men usually conscripted by the government into the army, though occasionally, had women (basically prostitutes and few others forced against their wills) brought to them for sexual relations. This moral indecency was initiated to appease the men, knowing they wouldn’t get married. That means, directly or indirectly, the government of Emperor Claudius II was perpetuating sexual promiscuity and harlotry. Valentino didn’t like that; hence, he rose to the task of putting an end to immorality, by promoting marriage within the ambit of the scriptures. This just course projected him as a rebel and law breaker before the then Emperor and the Roman officers. He became the black sheep that had to be punished. For the purpose of reminder, the followings are the consequences of the decree, to which Valentino stood in opposition.

a.      The decree denied the men their rights to the choice of life

b.      The decree made sexual immorality legal, in a sense

c.       The decree increased the number of heart breaks, especially for those already engaged before the conscription into the army.

d.      The decree brought names of families which had only one son into the danger of extinction, since there was no other son to promote the lineage through procreation.

e.      The decree was an expression of self reliance and self protection rather than trusting the Almighty God for security.

f.        The decree was a direct attack on God’s idea and agenda for procreation.

g.      The decree was flooded with selfish interests, self aggrandizement, autocracy and pride, which are indubitably not part of God’s nature.

h.      The decree engendered single parenting and broken homes for the family of newly wedded grooms who were victims.

i.        The decree changed the destiny of young men, stole their sense of fulfillment by engaging them in a profession other than that which constitutes their passions and purpose in life.

j.        The decree brought young men in danger of death against their consent or will; leaving them without a name, a child, properties or even a legacy.

Dear reader, these were the things St. Valentino saw and could not dance to the tone of the emperor’s directive. He chose to be different, to defend the course of his faith and the future of his people. He fought for the fundamental human rights of his people. He chose to stand for the truth, justice and service to God through humanity, and that cost him his life. You can now understand that his death was purely sacrificial but not for anything related to erotic love as some people wrongly claim.

I therefore present to you ten (10) lessons to learn from St. Valentine:

1.      IDEOLOGY: he was a man of godly principles, who would not be tossed about by the wind of any man-made decree. He was not just a priest of God, but one whose ideologies were built on God’s Word. He was willing to risk his life for his ideology. Today, what is your ideology? What do you stand for?

2.      UNCOMPROMISING: he was threatened, thrown into prison, most doubtlessly battered and assaulted, humiliated, insulted and degraded, yet he didn’t change his mind, he didn’t condescend to the level of inhumanity. He remained firm on the truth and his God inspired opinions. In the face of trials, ridicule, temptations and suffering, will you still proclaim your faith in Christ? Will you still profess Catholicism?

3.       SELF-SACRIFICE: All the patriarchs, martyrs and fathers in faith have this quality in common. He allowed himself to be murdered for the emancipation of the entire Roman Empire. How much are you willing to give up for the sake of the gospel or the welfare of those in your neighbourhoods or your co-parishioners?

4.      PATIENCE: It did not matter much to Valentino how long he would spend in the prison or how much he had been misunderstood. He simply was patient with his captors. How long are you willing to put up with an unrepentant sinning brother or sister?

5.      WALKING IN THE MIRACULOUS: Julia, the daughter of the jailer, was born blind but had her sight restored by the power of God through her encounters with St. Valentine. My question is this, how can a man who is on his way to death because of erotic love walk in the miraculous? By the way, how many of those who claim erroneously that he died for erotic love, will fall in love with a blind girl. Moreover, he never knew Julia until he was jailed. Do you believe that God still performs miracles, even through the Eucharist?

6.      DEDICATION: Part of the duty of a priest is to join people together in marriage. He was dedicated and was not deterred by the decree of the emperor. How dedicated are you to your official duties?

7.      FAITHFULNESS: He was faithful to his priestly vows to stand for truth and integrity against all odds. He was faithful to teaching ONLY what the Bible says about marriage. How often do you break your vows or fail to fulfil your promises to God and fellow mankind.

8.      PROMOTER OF GOD’S PLAN: He was so addicted to God that he preferred promoting God’s idea of a holy family to promoting the Emperor’s decree, though to the detriment of his physical life. I can imagine him speaking aloud like St. Peter in Acts 4:19, “Am I to obey Emperor Claudius II or God?” How often do we place God’s interest before ours?

9.      COURAGE AND BOLDNESS: “... the righteous are as bold as lion” (Proverbs 28:1). It takes a great deal of courage and boldness to stand against a king’s decree. The apostles understood this reality better, hence they prayed for boldness in Acts 4:29. It also does not come from hallucinogens, only the Holy Spirit can make us proclaim the gospel in boldness (Acts 4:31). Invariably, St. Valentine was full of the Holy Spirit and was bold in defending his faith. How courageous and bold can you be in upholding the Christian Faith when those who are of contrary opinions are highly placed over you?

10.  GOOD WILL & SERVICE: Not withstanding his imprisonment, St. Valentine was willing to teach, educate, impact and share his wealth of knowledge and experiences with little blind Julia. How willing are we to share our knowledge and revelations of the gospel with others who may be with or with it?

11.  SOUL WINNING: St. Stephen was martyred and thereafter Saul was converted. Jesus was crucified and billions of people have been converted thereafter. St. Valentine was executed and Julia, as well as her household became converted to Christianity thereafter. He was a soul winner even in the prison and most possibly, without a bible. How many souls have you brought to Christ? What efforts are you making to win souls for Jesus?

Friend, these are few lessons among others to learn and ponder on when we mark St. Valentine’s Day (February 14^th) yearly. Even if couples and families are coming together in the name of St. Valentine, these virtues should form the fulcrum of the celebration. St. Valentine was not fighting for sex or love but in love, was fighting for what a family stands for, from God’s own perspective.

The best way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is not to have sex, it is not to sing “I love you” to everyone who cares, it does not also end at giving gifts to people as dictated by our varying abilities, but going all the way to putting smiles on people’s faces, according justice its rightful place, facilitating liberty to all those who are unjustly detained in our prisons, releasing forgiveness to all our offenders, giving hope to the hopeless, ultimately making effort to inculcate values and virtues that will help bring people to God, build a lovely formidable family and a stable society of law abiding people who are enjoying their rights to the fullest. That is the true spirit of Valentine. May we become Valentines in our various capacities, everywhere we find ourselves. SHALOM!

© GODDAY O. AGHEDO, 2017

(Author: Securing Open Heavens)

THE STORY, LESSONS AND CENTRAL THEME OF VALENTINE!

BY:

GODDAY O. AGHEDO

February 14th of every year is commemorated in honour of Saint Valentine of Rome, who was a Catholic Priest. At a time in the 269 AD when the then Emperor Claudius sought men to join is army by force, due to the observable apathy put up by young men towards military service. In order to scale through with his plans, a decree was enacted forbidding young men to getting married. This was in the belief that men would soon get bored and then join the army.

However, Rev. Fr Valentine believed that marriage was sacred, an institution established by God Himself and a necessary tool for recreating those who would have to be used by God in various capacities, including the army; to better the lots of mankind. It was on this solemn and heaven borne conviction that he resolved to be wedding couples secretly, against the law of Emperor Claudius to the detriment of his life.

This did not continue for long before it reached the awareness of the desperate Emperor, who in fury commanded Valentine's Arrest and imprisonment. As punishment, a trio sentence was passed on him: to be BEATEN, STONED and DECAPITATED. Saint Valentine died as a martyr, he tread on a heroic path; he chose to take a stand with God, His ideals and the well being of His people. This is the life we are called to live – to live for Christ and for humanity.

While in prison, the jailer by name Axterius permitted his blind daughter, Julia to always visit Valentine and to learn as much as possible from his wealth of knowledge before final execution; for Valentine was highly esteemed as a man of great wisdom, knowledge and intellectual capacities. Valentinus (his real Roman name) took advantage of her visitations to teach her lots of things, ranging from religion, morality, spirituality, faith in Christ and salvation, to Mathematics and other academic subjects. In the process of time, while responding to Julia's question regarding her desire to see the beautiful things he had said about God and the creatures, in relation to God's willingness to restore her sight, both of them clasped their hands together and burst into prayers. The result of that was the healing of her blindness, and she screamed: "I can see!" Prior to his execution, he wrote a letter to Julia, encouraging her to remain in the faith. The last line of the letter read: "Yours Valentine."

On February 14th, 270 AD, the letter was published (I mean it went widely public) and the date was set aside as lover's day, for couples and intending couples. 

But let's consider the real ideal behind VALENTINE. I think this date has been grossly abused over the years. Valentine day is not a day for romance, sex and practice of eroticism or immorality. It also goes beyond friendliness, presentation of bouquets of pink and red flowers, expression of kindness and love as the case may be. These are all good deeds to be done, but the bitter truth must be told: they were not the particular reason for his death.

The central theme for valentine day is: Ideology, Purpose, Belief, Strong Conviction, or Commitment to Truth. Valentine did not die for love; he died for what he believed. He died for the fulfilment of his purpose, and his convictions about what God says about marriage. He preferred dying for the truth to compromising or taking side with the Emperor. His concepts and ideologies about life in general were more precious to him than his life, hence he could lay down his life for them rather than bowing to Claudius' decree. He stood by, and defended the light; shunning the raging darkness. This is what February 14th is all about. Ask yourself, "What am I willing to die for?" A man who has nothing to die for has no reason to live on. We too, in our various capacities, no matter how insignificant it may appear, must be readily willing to give up something for a course we believe and for the general good of the society. True valentine is when we are willing to give more of ourselves than we expect to receive from others. May we be true valentines in our homes, offices, churches, schools and everywhere we find ourselves. What is your belief? What do you stand for? What can you die for? What are you convictions? Valentine is finding something for which you can risk your comfort, freedom and even your life, to the glory of God.

LESSONS FROM ST. VALENTINE

The misconception about the person of St. Valentine and the events leading to his martyrdom has continued to deepen. Very often I hear people allege that he died for a love type called “Eros” not “agape” and consequently, it becomes unworthy to mark that date in his honour. Many preachers have held that opinion tenaciously over the years, which make it even more worrisome. This position of theirs is not farfetched from the spate of immorality that takes place on February 14^th each year. But it is not still enough justification for their poise .

Even on Christmas days, Easter and other holy days of obligation, people still sin and commit immorality. I don’t want to sound apologetic, but I desire to have you understand the integrity of St. Valentine for which he should truly be worthy of a memorial. I don’t do anything very special or lovelier on Valentine’s Day because I believe that a good life and a lovely life should be a daily affair all year round. But on February 14th, I ponder on the lessons this celebrity leaves behind and allows it to challenge me into a better life of commitment to just courses.

Let me begin the demystification process by asking a series of questions: did Valentine actually die for love (Erotic love)? Was he a rebel and a stubborn person? Did he deserve the death? Did he die for selfish personal reasons? Was he actually promoting sexual promiscuity and infidelity? Were his actions contrary to God’s will? Did he on the long run gain anything financially, materially or physically for his actions? These and many other salient questions are begging for sincere and objective answers.

Honestly, all of the above questions have a simple answer, which is an EMPHATIC NO! Valentino did not die for love (i.e. eros). If there was anything love associated with his death, it must be love for God’s commands, love for God’s standard and ordinance, love for humanity and the love that moves a man to defend the institution God Himself had established from the destructive actions of perverts, tyrants and so called lords who had no atom of regards for the rights of the populace.

Perhaps, I should remind you that those promising young men usually conscripted by the government into the army, though occasionally, had women (basically prostitutes and few others forced against their wills) brought to them for sexual relations. This moral indecency was initiated to appease the men, knowing they wouldn’t get married. That means, directly or indirectly, the government of Emperor Claudius II was perpetuating sexual promiscuity and harlotry. Valentino didn’t like that; hence, he rose to the task of putting an end to immorality, by promoting marriage within the ambit of the scriptures. This just course projected him as a rebel and law breaker before the then Emperor and the Roman officers. He became the black sheep that had to be punished. For the purpose of reminder, the followings are the consequences of the decree, to which Valentino stood in opposition.

a.      The decree denied the men their rights to the choice of life

b.      The decree made sexual immorality legal, in a sense

c.       The decree increased the number of heart breaks, especially for those already engaged before the conscription into the army.

d.      The decree brought names of families which had only one son into the danger of extinction, since there was no other son to promote the lineage through procreation.

e.      The decree was an expression of self reliance and self protection rather than trusting the Almighty God for security.

f.        The decree was a direct attack on God’s idea and agenda for procreation.

g.      The decree was flooded with selfish interests, self aggrandizement, autocracy and pride, which are indubitably not part of God’s nature.

h.      The decree engendered single parenting and broken homes for the family of newly wedded grooms who were victims.

i.        The decree changed the destiny of young men, stole their sense of fulfilment by engaging them in a profession other than that which constitutes their passions and purpose in life.

j.        The decree brought young men in danger of death against their consent or will; leaving them without a name, a child, properties or even a legacy.

Dear reader, these were the things St. Valentino saw and could not dance to the tone of the emperor’s directive. He chose to be different, to defend the course of his faith and the future of his people. He fought for the fundamental human rights of his people. He chose to stand for the truth, justice and service to God through humanity, and that cost him his life. You can now understand that his death was purely sacrificial but not for anything related to erotic love as some people wrongly claim.

I therefore present to you ten (10) lessons to learn from St. Valentine:

1.      IDEOLOGY: he was a man of godly principles, who would not be tossed about by the wind of any man-made decree. He was not just a priest of God, but one whose ideologies were built on God’s Word. He was willing to risk his life for his ideology. Today, what is your ideology? What do you stand for?

2.      UNCOMPROMISING: he was threatened, thrown into prison, most doubtlessly battered and assaulted, humiliated, insulted and degraded, yet he didn’t change his mind, he didn’t condescend to the level of inhumanity. He remained firm on the truth and his God inspired opinions. In the face of trials, ridicule, temptations and suffering, will you still proclaim your faith in Christ? Will you still profess Catholicism?

3.       SELF-SACRIFICE: All the patriarchs, martyrs and fathers in faith have this quality in common. He allowed himself to be murdered for the emancipation of the entire Roman Empire. How much are you willing to give up for the sake of the gospel or the welfare of those in your neighbourhoods or your co-parishioners?

4.      PATIENCE: It did not matter much to Valentino how long he would spend in the prison or how much he had been misunderstood. He simply was patient with his captors. How long are you willing to put up with an unrepentant sinning brother or sister?

5.      WALKING IN THE MIRACULOUS: Julia, the daughter of the jailer, was born blind but had her sight restored by the power of God through her encounters with St. Valentine. My question is this, how can a man who is on his way to death because of erotic love walk in the miraculous? By the way, how many of those who claim erroneously that he died for erotic love, will fall in love with a blind girl. Moreover, he never knew Julia until he was jailed. Do you believe that God still performs miracles, even through the Eucharist?

6.      DEDICATION: Part of the duty of a priest is to join people together in marriage. He was dedicated and was not deterred by the decree of the emperor. How dedicated are you to your official duties?

7.      FAITHFULNESS: He was faithful to his priestly vows to stand for truth and integrity against all odds. He was faithful to teaching ONLY what the Bible says about marriage. How often do you break your vows or fail to fulfil your promises to God and fellow mankind.

8.      PROMOTER OF GOD’S PLAN: He was so addicted to God that he preferred promoting God’s idea of a holy family to promoting the Emperor’s decree, though to the detriment of his physical life. I can imagine him speaking aloud like St. Peter in Acts 4:19, “Am I to obey Emperor Claudius II or God?” How often do we place God’s interest before ours?

9.      COURAGE AND BOLDNESS: “... the righteous are as bold as lion” (Proverbs 28:1). It takes a great deal of courage and boldness to stand against a king’s decree. The apostles understood this reality better, hence they prayed for boldness in Acts 4:29. It also does not come from hallucinogens, only the Holy Spirit can make us proclaim the gospel in boldness (Acts 4:31). Invariably, St. Valentine was full of the Holy Spirit and was bold in defending his faith. How courageous and bold can you be in upholding the Christian Faith when those who are of contrary opinions are highly placed over you?

10.  GOOD WILL & SERVICE: Not withstanding his imprisonment, St. Valentine was willing to teach, educate, impact and share his wealth of knowledge and experiences with little blind Julia. How willing are we to share our knowledge and revelations of the gospel with others who may be with or with it?

11.  SOUL WINNING: St. Stephen was martyred and thereafter Saul was converted. Jesus was crucified and billions of people have been converted thereafter. St. Valentine was executed and Julia, as well as her household became converted to Christianity thereafter. He was a soul winner even in the prison and most possibly, without a bible. How many souls have you brought to Christ? What efforts are you making to win souls for Jesus?

Friend, these are few lessons among others to learn and ponder on when we mark St. Valentine’s Day (February 14^th) yearly. Even if couples and families are coming together in the name of St. Valentine, these virtues should form the fulcrum of the celebration. St. Valentine was not fighting for sex or love but in love, was fighting for what a family stands for, from God’s own perspective.

The best way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is not to have sex, it is not to sing “I love you” to everyone who cares, it does not also end at giving gifts to people as dictated by our varying abilities, but going all the way to putting smiles on people’s faces, according justice its rightful place, facilitating liberty to all those who are unjustly detained in our prisons, releasing forgiveness to all our offenders, giving hope to the hopeless, ultimately making effort to inculcate values and virtues that will help bring people to God, build a lovely formidable family and a stable society of law abiding people who are enjoying their rights to the fullest. That is the true spirit of Valentine. May we become Valentines in our various capacities, everywhere we find ourselves. SHALOM!

© GODDAY O. AGHEDO, 2017

(Author: Securing Open Heavens)

SEVEN (7) THINGS THAT CAUSE ILL HEALTH

BY: Godday O. Aghedo

One’s state of health is always a serious concern of any serious individual. This is so because, it directly impacts on the one’s plans, events, activities and even focus. A sick man won’t be able to pursue his dream fully. A seek man won’t be able to attend important functions be it social or religious. A sick man does not think about education or academic laurels. A sick man does not have the pleasure and comfort of effectively running his business or attending to office responsibilities. Invariably, ill health reduces a man’s financial worth rather than adding to it. It costs much more to regain one’s health than to regain it; this is why it is paramount to as often as the opportunity presents itself, talk about personal and communal health.

Considering the prevalent global environmental and climatic changes, the health of most people has continued to deteriorate. Several conditions are culpable for this negative modification; ranging from massive industrialization across the globe, deforestation, devastating exploration and excavation of natural resources, increasing degree of poverty in many countries, laziness, illiteracy and poor leadership leading to poor and unpatriotic health policies. Let’s examine the aforementioned, one after another.

Þ    Due to the industrialization of most of the cities of the world, the amount of toxic gaseous chemicals released into the atmosphere has continued to rise. Gases such as Carbon (II) Oxide, Sulphur (IV) Oxide (SO₂), Carbon (IV) Oxide (CO₂), amongst other dangerous gases are constantly emitted by industrial plants.

Þ    Deforestation does not only increase the leeway of land erosion, it also limits the availability of Oxygen (O₂) and increases the atmospheric CO₂. Note that plants exhale O₂ (which is used up by animals) and inhales CO₂ (a respiratory waste from animals). Both industrialization and deforestation are major causes of global warming due to the destruction of the ozone layers.

Þ    Searches and mining activities pollute the land, waters and the air. As the pollution continues to accumulate, it launches diverse health complications on the inhabitants of the region. Agricultural activities and products (both those on land and water alike) are adversely affected. The aquatic lives and other food substances in such a region may carry some of the contents of the pollutants.

Þ    Poverty makes people unable to take good care of themselves or at least access routine medical checkup and counselling services. They are unable to afford decent and healthy food, wears and accommodations. Due to high cost of housing, poor people settle for unhygienic houses in the slums as well as purchasing already contaminated old farm products instead of the expensive but fresh ones.

Þ    Some people are too lazy to embark on exercises which will eventually improve their health status.

Þ    Where there is poor health literacy or public health education, inhabitants are prone to indulging in anti-health practices such as smoking, excessive drinking and self-medication etc.

Þ    Poor leadership may affect the kind of laws made in a particular nation. Therefore, health policies that will help the populace live aright are inadvertently absent in many nations. It is the duty of any good leadership to install policies that will promote a health of the people. This should cut across every community of people, including the workplace.

Bye and large, it is safely logical to state categorically that, the quality of the life one lives, is dependent on some salient factors, some of which are food intake, lifestyle, environment, work life, friends or companies and purpose. See TIPS FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH for details.

THE HALLMARK OF NATIONAL SECURITY

BY: GODDAY O. AGHEDO

January 15^th every year is celebrated as Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Nigeria. It is a day set aside to acknowledge the heroic contributions as well as rewarding excellence of personnel in the Nigerian military. This year’s commemoration has come with lots of mixed feelings and reactions, as some people hold the opinion that the armed forces have fallen short of expectation while others believe they have done well so far. It’s no news that Nigeria has suffered serious setbacks security wise, in recent times. National security almost hit the bricks considering the increasing insurgency attacks launched by the dreaded Boko-Haram terrorists, cases of murder, pipeline vandalism, armed-robbery, kidnapping and various other sorts of heinous criminal and condemnable activities of some unscrupulous entities. To add salt to injury is the recent genocide executed by suspected Fulani Herdsmen in Benue State. While it is worthwhile to celebrate this unique sector of Nigeria’s national life, there is no gainsaying that the security challenges in Nigeria are multiplying instead of shrinking. This calls for more worries actually, than resting on our oars; and the military must win back the trust of Nigerians in their ability to secure lives and properties of the citizens/inhabitants.

Security is a basic concern of every citizen and we cannot under mind the gallant efforts of our military officers at various cadre. It is imperative to reward and honour our heroes past. Amidst many challenges such as lack of incentives, having to combat enemies in possession of far more sophisticated weapons, military effort sabotage by internal devious elements, bad leadership, politicizing the allocation and relocation of military personnel, lack of cooperation by members of the community amongst others.

However, it is noteworthy to bear in mind the hallmark of any security outfit of any nation.

1.  Heart-rooted Discipline
2.  Impeccable Integrity
3. Undaunted Bravery
4. Unalloyed Patriotism
5. Selflessness
6. Hard work and Commitment
7. Skill and Professionalism
8. Respect and Loyalty

Nevertheless, the Nigerian military has come a long way and deserve to be applauded. So much has been achieved in the past but honestly, there is still much to be done. Bravo, to the Nigerian military, the paramilitary forces and to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

PILLARS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE

By: Godday O. Aghedo

Governance is the process of making decisions and implementing same for the common good of the populace and general society. However, good governance is an indeterminate term used to describe how public institutions manage both human and natural resources, conduct public affairs,  and control internal or external disputes. 

At every level of human endeavours, leadership is a necessary component of the processes leading to the achievement of set targets. Governance is a form of leadership and its impacts on the people and public is always far reaching, therefore, it should be given adequate attention if the current developmental challenges must be truly surmounted. In Nigeria and many parts of Africa, more works have to be done to arrest the problems surrounding effective and public oriented leadership. This is paramount on the ground that, governance encompasses: the establishment of policies, execution of the policies, continuous monitoring of the implementation drivers, meeting the most vital and basic public needs and answering the questions about issues of public interest. It is also implicated in balancing the powers (be it political, social, cultural, religious or academic powers) of the members of the governing council/board and their fundamental functions of enhancing the living conditions of the populace, bringing prosperity and progress to the organisation. Good governance is neither a title nor a position; it is rather a system and process. It is the primary responsibility of every leader at every cadre to allow the system work and the process run.

SEVEN PILLARS OF EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE

Every acclaimed good governance must touch on the following basic necessities of the people. This may not be an  exhaustive list, but these pillars are enough to judge how effective or good a particular set regime of government has performed.

1. Devolution of powers - Power should be decentralized and given to the people rather than a selected or an elected few in government. 

2. Education - On yearly basis, there should be workable strategies in place for ensuring the the improvement of the literacy level of the members of the society, access to quality education at affordable costs must be established.

3. Housing and Infrastructure - The masses should be able to afford decent and healthy accommodations, public and private work-places should be modern enough to guarantee the safety of the employees. Massive road constructions and networks are needed. This in turn will positively impact the economy and productivity of the nation.

4. Health Care - Access to quality and affordable health care and social services will not only enhance the life span of the people, it will directly affect the productivity, vitality, savings and resourceful of the masses.

5. Environmental Management - Environmental degradation is one of the major threat to man on earth. A good government should be able to enact and implement policies that will protect our environment and make it healthier for man's habitation. Such as elimination or minimizing gas-flaring, embarking on reforestation activities, beautification of roads and dwellings with selected flowers or tress, regulating the mining of natural resources as well as ensuring effective system for waste control and management.

6. Economy - It should a key interest of any good government to boos the economy of the nation and not just that of individual members of the cabinet. Empowerment programmes have to be initiated and rolled-out, and incentives given to indigenous entrepreneurs who are also major players in driving up the economy. Partnership with private and public investors and corporations, both local and international, for massive economic operations should top the government's agenda. 

Bye and large, good governance must involve the participation of all and sundry, both the leaders and the led have distinct roles to play. When the leader is a good leader but the follower is a BAD follower, we will still run into crises. Therefore, all hands must be on deck to bring to bare, good governance; beginning from the so called low estates to the political government houses.

THE CHALLENGES OF MEDICAL INTERVENTION IN NIGERIAN HEALTH SECTOR

Health as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) is a state of complete physical, mental, social and emotional well being of an individual. It is a vital aspect of living as the absence of it threatens the existence and survival of individuals, families, societies, nations and the world at large. The health sector is an aggregate of units within an economic system that provides curative, preventive, rehabilitative and palliative care. Challenges of medical intervention therefore implies conditions and factors which hinder the moves and smooth running of medicine and its paramedics in ensuring individual and societal well being.

The medical world today is relentless in actualising its goals and objectives through vaccination, environmental alteration (vector and intermediate host control,) education, legislation (legal actions, subsidies and taxes,) nutritional, maternal, neonatal and therapeutic interventions. Unfortunately, its pace has greatly been retarded (if not rendered unattainable) by challenges. Nigeria health sector, a vestige of poverty, disease, illiteracy and vice wreaking nation, has struggled under the clouds of life threatening diseases such as malaria, cholera, tuberculosis, diarrhea, HIV, pox and a host of others. Intermittent outbreaks of these diseases throw the nation in diaspora breeding stigmatization, segregation and high mortality of citizens.

The study by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) showed poor diet to be responsible for 72% of all deaths. This no doubt calls for great concern and attention. As man, a product of what he eats, drinks, inhales and thinks is prone to eating and drinking for quenching hunger, taste and satisfaction of pleasure which most often is detrimental to his health and wellbeing.

The prevalence of poverty has breed malnutrition which renders individuals susceptible to diseases and infections, while the poor wrestles with malnutrition, the rich is drown in gluttony. Some foods gladly eaten in Nigeria today cannot be given to dogs in the Western and developed countries of the world. The immense consumption of staples unwittingly shifts attention from other enriching foods that helps in keeping adequate and balance diet.

Stated in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the sole responsibility of the government to ensure the health and wellbeing of its citizens. Unfortunately, a look at the annual budget shows just 5% to 6% of the national budget allotted to the health sector, as opposed to the average (minimum) of 15% expected of any country that seeks to be called a developed and healthy nation or state. Instability and nonchalance of the government and its policies has crippled the intervening limbs of the health sector. A vivid example is the abandonment of the 500 Bed Specialist Hospital in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state for reasons yet unfathomable.

Nepotism, which results in recruitment of unskilled workers and the delay in payment of workers’ salaries by government which leads to incessant strike actions that cost lives and rendered many helpless, has also become a hard knock to crack. The importation of substandard and un-scrutinized goods (e.g. fairly used clothes) has put lives in grave danger of diseases and infections. Also, the rampancy of mushroom hospitals (registered by government assigned organizations and parastatals), exposing many to low quality health facilities and care, and opening wide the door to illegal health practices such as abortion, euthanasia and a host of others. The effect is obviously high crime and mortality rate.

Predominance of diverse religions, customs, traditions, cultures, values, beliefs etc has immensely instigated unawesome practices such as ritual killing, incisions, bethrotal of the girlchild, animal sacrifice (a threat to fauna), and negligence to life saving medical practices such as drug intake, blood transfusion, tissue/organ transplant etc. The prevalence of such naïve and dinosaurian practices in the 21st century, no doubt puts the growth of the health sector at snail pace.

Death resulting from conflicts, terrorism, suicide, murder and natural disasters such as flood, drought etc., is also on the rise; as those fortunate to escape such deaths are unavoidably rendered orphans, widows, homeless, disserted, disabled or threatened with worst health conditions. Abandonment of settlements, as people flee to other regions for safety, thereby leading to overcrowding and paving routes for outspread of diseases, congestions,  high crime rate and a host of threats to living and survival.

Poor hygiene in homes, communities, cities, industries, which create breeding grounds for bacteria, virus, fungus, indiscriminate disposal of  wastes and pollution of environment through bush burning, deforestation, automobile usage, volcanic eruption, etc. (releasing substances such as CO, SO₂, chlorofluorocarbons, excess CO₂ in the air) leading to depletion of ozone layer, global warming, greenhouse effects, acid rain, etc which ultimately shortens longevity.

Incessant migration of skilled medical personnel to other countries (Brain drain) to secure attractive salaries and for other ulterior motives has greatly diminished the efficiency and credibility of Nigerian health sector. Nigerians have little (if not no faith) in the health centres and facilities. The leaders take the lead by travelling far and wide the globe seeking medical attention and quality health care in exchange for huge sums of Nairas.

The stealthy acts and dispositions of infected persons, such that the hands of medical practitioners cannot reach them (to avoid being quarantined) and their deliberate acts of spreading  diseases is not only a challenge but also a threat to medical intervention in Nigeria.

According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria has the highest number of drug related convicts worldwide. Such a humiliating declaration shows recklessness on the part of citizens. The taking of drugs without the consent of skilled and experienced medical practitioner has landed many in hospitals and early graveyards. Ranging from alcohols, pharmaceutical and hard drugs like heroin, cocaine, etc., the abuse of these substances causes adverse effects suffered by their abusers or dealers, which in turn demeans and renders useless, the struggles of medicine in ensuring a healhy Nation.

Above all, the greatest enemies weakening and thwarting the interventions of medicine in a nation such as Nigeria are: ignorance, apathy, illiteracy and pessimism in its citizens. This alarming mental attitude begets and sustains other challenges combating the health sector. Little or no attention to rid these challenges has made every effort of the health sector as flogging a dead horse. All hands therefore must be on deck to circumvent the aforementioned challenges. Appointed ministers, commissioners, directors of health must seek selfless ways at the primary to tertiary levels. ‘A problem known,’ they say ‘is half solved.’ Collective effort is required in ensuring the peace and wellbeing of all, as a healthy Nation remains a wealthy Nation.

© Victoria Olabisi, 2018