ESCALATING PNEUMONIA RELATED CHILD MORTALITY: AN EMERGING GLOBAL HEALTH CONCERN

BY:

AGHEDO, OJORE GODDAY

Pneumonia is preventable with vaccines and treatable too in most cases with antiboiotics, and the World Pneumonia Day was established in 2009, to be commemorated on November 12^th, each year. However, it remains one of the world’s leading cause of mortality in children of below 5 years. According to World Health Organization (2019), 15% of all death of children under 5 years of age is caused by pneumonia, killing 808,694 children in 2017 alone. It is simply an acute pulmonary infection (that is, infection of the respiratory system), which makes breathing difficult and painful, due to insufficient oxygen uptake and invasion of the alveoli by pus and fluid. South Asia and sub-Sahara Africa have highest prevalence of pneumonia.

KNOWN CAUSES AND TRANSMISSION ROUTES

The causative agents of pneumonia include: viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Pneumonia causing bacteria include: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila. In children living with HIV (CLHIV), Pneumocystis jiroveci is the common cause of pneumonia related deaths. Generally, bacteria and viruses inhabiting the throats and nose of children can cause pneumonia if inhaled by the children. Nevertheless, it can be transmitted by air-borne droplets from a cough or sneeze, as well as through blood contacts during or/and shortly after birth. This means that children can get infected even before birth and must be treated as immediate as possible, but unfortunately, many children do not get to receive proper and early treatment, accounting for high mortality rate in children under 5 years of age. More researches on the transmission routes of pneumonia is necessary, to ensure adequate preventive measures are in place, or early diagnosis and prompt treatment.  

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of pneumonia can come sudden or develop slowing over few days. For instance, in pneumonia caused by the flu virus, symptoms manifest within 18 to 72 hours while that caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) manifest in 4 to 6 days. The commonest symptom of pneumonia is cough, which can be either dry or phlegm containing.  Difficulty in breathing, fever, the presence of tachycardia (that is fast breathing), retraction of the chest during inhalation and even wheezing are other possible presenting symptoms. In very severely ill infants, difficulty in feeding (loss of appetite), fatigue, unconsciousness, hypothermia and convulsions may be experienced.

RISK FACTORS

Healthy children with optimal immune system can easily fight off pneunomia naturally. However, weakened or compromised immunity, malnutrition or undernourishment (especially for children undergoing other feeding plans different from exclusive breast feeding), other preexisting opportunistic infections/illnesses like Measles or Tuberculosis or HIV, and environmental factors such as indoor air pollution (from cooking with biomass fuels), overcrowded homes and parental smoking, are major risk factors of pneumonia in children.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

The 2030 ambition of ending preventable child deaths, is fast coming under threat of non-fulfillment, unless pneumonia amongst other diseases is consciously prevented.

1.    Immunization or vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type-b (Hib), pneumococcus, measles and whooping cough is reputed as the most effective way to prevent pneumonia.

2.    Sufficient and acceptable feeding practices and proper nourishment will help boost the immune system. For instance, exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, is highly recommended for the nourishment and protection of every child.

3.    Completely eradicating indoor air pollution by avoiding cooking with dungs and woods in the rooms where children stay, is high advised.

4.    Avoiding to raise children in overcrowded homes and practicing extremely good hygiene, is very helpful.

5.    Children who are infected with HIV should be placed on daily antibiotic (cotrimoxazole).

CONCLUSION

Pneumonia is a leading global health killer infection, which despite being preventable and treatable kills thousands of children below 5 years annually. This can be an indication of either neglect or inadequate attention paid to it by key global health stakeholders. With renewed commitment and concerted efforts by all relevant stakeholders, especially in Asia and sub-Sahara Africa, the goal of ending preventable child deaths by 2030 is achievable. Children have the right to life. Let’s stop pneumonia from taking more lives of the children.

#ProtecttChildrenfrompneumonia

#Preventpneumoniawithvaccines

#Treatpneumonia

©Aghedo, Ojore Godday (AMIIM, HRMA)

AGHEDO, OJORE GODDAY

Godday Ojore Aghedo is a young man of many parts, and hails from Edo State, Nigeria. He acquired his formal education in Basic Medical Sciences, leading to the award of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Degree in Medical Physiology from Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma. He holds a Diploma in Public Health Management from Transworld Education College – United Kingdom (UK); Advance Certificate in Epidemiology, Leadership and Management in Health (LMIH) and Project Management in Global Health, all from the University of Washington – USA; and a Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) from the School of Salesmanship (affiliated to Kings University College – Ghana). He has also bagged certificates in some Global Health Courses at John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA; certificate in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) from St. John’s Ambulance International Order of St. John in Nigeria; Professional HSE from National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN) and Professional Business and Investment, from BIPS Firm. Godday is an Associate Member of the Institute of Information Management (AMIIM) and a Human Resource Management Associate (HRMA) at MacNel Consult Ltd.

He is a Leadership Consultant, with many years of personal experiences in positions of authority both at sacred and secular levels alike. As a trainer, part of his focus has been to build world class leaders of excellent characters. Godday is the CEO (Founder and President) - Global Multiple Impact Consults (GLOMIC) which was initiated in 2008 and became widespread in 2013; and a Co-founder of Campus Leadership Initiative for Peace in Africa (CLIP Africa). He has served as the secretary - Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD); the President - National Association of Catholic Corps Members (NACC), Bayelsa State Chapter; the National President - Illushi Students’ Association (ISA); and the Public Relation Officer (PRO) - Medical and Health Community Development Service (MHCDS). He is a fascinating regular radio & television talk show guest on public concerns, a relationship & marriage counsellor at Let’s Live Life Initiative (LLLI), where his model has been widely accepted and used to restore and sustain broken homes. He is the Editor-in-Chief at GLOMIC Books Int’l, and an editor at Fox Flakes Magazine, amongst others.

As a Medical Personnel, he currently consults for Excel Health Corporation (EHC) on Human Resource Management, Human Capacity Development, Food & Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle; his services include health consulting for families and corporate organisations on health &wellness. He is also the host at Healthy Life Compass, a platform for health promotion and health literacy campaigns.

As a Public Speaker and Life Coach, he is a regular resource personnel at Eagles’ Gathering, an annual conference of champions. He is a proven mentor to numerous young people, many of whom now have fantastic testimonies following his coaching and inspirations. He is a prolific writer and an author of four books, the most recent being “Healthy Life Compass.” Many of his articles have been accepted and published in notable journals and magazines.

Above all, G. O. Aghedo is a passionate minister of the gospel. His teachings and deep insights into the Word of God have presented to him countless number of invitations cutting across many denominations to speak at crusades, conferences, seminars and other religious programmes, on diverse topics. He honours invitations to speak to people of all ages, irrespective of the organisations; on issues ranging from personality, relationship, marriage, character, career, spirituality, employment, wealth or economy, education, and health to leadership.

He can be contacted directly via E-MAIL: aghedogodday@gmail.com

THE NIGERIAN GIRL CHILD’S ACCESS TO EDUCATION: A RIGHT OR PRIVILEGE

As we commemorate the UN’s International Day of the Girl Child, it is paramount to reminiscent on the rights and endemic challenges the girl child regularly encounters, with particular references to Nigeria. It is common knowledge that the typical Nigeria girl child and by extension the African girl child, suffers untold deprivations, abuses, victimization and diverse levels of vulnerability to certain human rights violations. To this extent, they require additional protections and supports from individuals, relevant private and public institutions and the society at large. Human rights are universal and thus cut across all ages and gender; including rights to quality education.

According to UNICEF, “All children, no matter where they live or what their circumstances, have the right to quality education.” UNICEF has been taking the arrow head position ensuring reintegration of children of school age back to school as well as promoting access to good quality education across Nigeria. Sadly, one in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is in Nigeria. Despite being officially free and compulsory, primary education is still not accessible to quite an alarming number of children in Nigeria, most of which are female. Nigeria records about 10.5 million of the children aged 5-14 years who are not in school, while 5.5 million have never been to any school. Relevant stakeholders must rise to this challenge and threat on girl child education in Nigeria, especially as the country’s population growth poses serious pressures on the available resources and infrastructures.   

UNICEF (2014) statistics on education has it that 60% of the out-of-school children are from the North Eastern Nigeria, just as 60% of the out-of-school children are girls. This calls for more concerted efforts and attention on the girl child’s education in Nigeria.

ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSE…

The disparity in access to adequate education between boys and girls in Nigeria is unacceptably wide, as the girls suffer a lot of bottle necks in their educational pursuits. The female adult literacy rate (ages of 15 and above) for Nigeria was 59.4%, compared to the male adult literacy rate of 74.4% for the same age range. Unequivocally, the culprit regarding this gap in literacy is the unequal access to quality education in Nigeria and Africa (World Bank Report, 2010). The gender gap in literacy rates in 2000 at the rural level between boys and girls was 18.3 percent in favour of the boys in general (CBN annual report, 2000). One of the fundamental steps that must be taken, especially in the North Eastern Nigeria, is abolishing possible laws that prohibit or hinders girl child education in the region. Strengthening existing laws that fight child abuse, child labour and child trafficking. Incentivizing girl child education in Nigeria will go a long way in closing the gaps. Generally, government must also make effort to sufficiently invest in education. The EFA Dakar Framework for Action (2000) recommended that 20% of national budgets, or 5% GDP, should be allocated to education. However, allocations by the Federal Government of Nigeria have not met this benchmark expectation. On the contrary, the Federal Ministry of Education had continued to record successive decline in shared budget, from 8.6% of the national budget in 2006 to 5.3% in 2010 and 3.1% in 2012 (ActionAid, 2012). This trend must be deliberately checked, because it is dangerous.

• Let’s join hands together and bridge the gap. Educating a girl child is akin to educating a nation.
• -       Let’s get our girl children back to school
• -       Girl child education is a RIGHT, not a PRIVILEGE!

#InternationalDayoftheGirlChild

#Educationisaright

#EducationisNotaPriviledge

© Godday O. Aghedo, 2019

THERE WAS A COUNTRY! (POEM)

THERE WAS A COUNTRY!

1.      Strategically located in the coast of West Africa

Not belligerently, remained the pride of Africans

Famous for no evil, populous described her people

Extraordinarily creative, and skillfully talented were her people

There was a country!

2.      Across the world, waves they made

The delight of the universe, her people stayed

Notable they were, for trailblazing

Even the weakest toddlers dared not be lazy

There was a country!

3.      Loved by all, and blessed by nature

Admirably diverse and exquisitely rich, was her culture

Broken in her court, was the yoke of ethnicity

Rooted deeply like the iroko, so was unity

There was a country!

4.      A happy people, indeed happier than the angels

Fashioned by the empyreal hands of divinity, not with gels

She with wittiness managed all duress

Only hard-work and excellence got awarded success 

Nigeria was the country! 

5.      With alarming precipitousness, her strength turned weakness

Amidst the murdering and maltreatment of her offspring, she is voiceless

By them that once loved and cherished her, now eschewed she is

Helpless in all things and strong in nothing she is

Where is Nigeria my country?

6.      The circlet of shamelessness, wears she like a King

By her stupidity and pride, the conscience of truth she killed

With prodigious dexterity, the arrow of corruption pierced her soul

Reaping now a bitter harvest another sowed

At 59, she waggles in the pains of chains, rather than the cheers of change

Where is Nigeria my country?

GLOBAL TUBERCULOSIS SCOURGE: THE NIGERIA PANORAMA

BY: Aghedo Ojore Godday (AMIIM, HRMA)

Nigeria joins the rest of the world every March 24^th, to commemorate the World Tuberculosis (TB) Day. It is important for everyone too to take cognizance of this day and ensure a renewed commitment to protecting one’s family and indeed neighbours from the devastating health, social and economic consequences of this highly infectious disease. Over 95% of TB related morbidity and mortality occur in low-income and middle-income countries especially in Africa. This means a lot to us in the public health sector.

Despite being curable, World Health Organization (WHO), states that TB kills 18 Nigerians every hour and 4,500 people globally per day. 407,000 HIV negative persons and 63,000 HIV positive persons in Nigeria are estimated to have TB every year. While mortality in TB/HIV co-infected persons stands at 39,000 annually, TB related death in HIV negative persons is projected at 115,000 persons annually.

For the records, Nigeria is now ranked 6th globally and 1st in Africa among the 30 high burden countries and sadly among the 14 high burden countries for TB infection prevalence, TB/HIV co-infection and Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) TB cases (Global TB Report, 2017).

CHALLENGES…

Major challenges faced in the fight against TB in Nigeria include but not limited to:

1.      Low TB case finding both in adult and children.

2.      Poor knowledge about TB.

3.      Poor health seeking behaviour of Nigerians, and

4.      Low TB treatment coverage.

5.      Escalating number of MDR-TB cases

Away from the aforementioned challenges, another threat is that, about one-third of the world’s population has latent TB (according to WHO). Latent TB means, people have already been infected by “mycobacterium tuberculosis” without morbidity and capability of transmitting the disease. However, latent TB carriers do have a 10% lifetime risk of TB morbidity or developing active TB, while persons with compromised immune systems have a much higher risk of falling ill. Compromised immune system is common with people living with HIV (PLHIV), patients of various viral infections, diabetic persons, people who use tobacco or suffer malnutrition.

THE WAY FORWARD…

1.    In addressing the setbacks around case finding, the World Health Organization (WHO) has engaged 12,000 persons to report cases suspected to be TB in about 12 high burden states in Nigeria. While this is an effective and laudable step, that number is not enough; therefore we can volunteer to report TB suspected cases to relevant health professionals in our community health facilities offering TB services. According to Dr Emperor Ubochioma, an estimated 418,000 new TB cases occurred in Nigeria in 2018 but the country was notified of only 106,533 (25 per cent). This leaves us with a gap of over 311,000 (75 percent).

2.    In addressing challenge number four above, Dr Adebola Lawanson and National Coordinator of the National Tuberculosis, Burulli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), had said through Dr. Emperor Ubochioma, “The Federal Ministry of Health with support from partners is rapidly expanding TB diagnostics and treatment services to more sites across the country.” This is critical because the undetected TB cases constitute a puddle for incessant transmission of the disease in Nigeria. I must commend the FMoH and NTBLCP for the much incentive given to MDR-TB patients, in ensuring adherence to TB treatment.

3.    Ongoing and unalloyed sensitization of the public about TB will enhance case finding and demystify TB treatment myths, which have prevented TB infected persons from seeking professional care and treatment in the past. TB is a bacteria disease, it is curable and it is not a sign of witchcraft. People must know this truth and that is where the media comes in. Medical journalists, researchers and health educators must rise up to this challenge and wear TB a human face like we have done to HIV. “Prevention” they say, “is better than cure.” Preventive measures such as isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT), intensified case finding (ICF), nutrition intervention services, infection control in health facilities and even ART initiation have documented records of effectiveness.  ART significantly but not entirely reduces the risk of TB disease in PLHIV. Some common signs and symptoms of TB are: fever, persistent cough (especially for about two weeks), night sweating and sometimes, lymphnoadenoparthy.

4.     Poor health seeking bahaviour is an endemic problem in Africa, especially among the masculine gender. Female are twice more proactive about their health than the males, but it high time we changed this ugly thread. Regular routine medical checkups can be lifesaving and highly economical. It is always best to seek professional medical advice rather than resorting to self-medication when we feel unwell. In my book: Healthy Life Compass (Aghedo, 2017), I dealt exhaustively with the health consequences of self-medication. While the government is making unpretentious efforts to expand the coverage of health services in Nigeria, Nigerians must make themselves available to access such services.

5.    Right policy formulation – Nigerian government should come up with favourable policies that will enhance smooth intervention of both corporate and private performers towards curbing the TB scourge.

CONCLUSION

Health is Wealth! Health is Priceless!! Health is Life!!! Taking issues of your health seriously is beneficial, because a compromised health can amount to a crumbled life and destiny. TB is curable, yet it is claiming scores of life every single day. This is a cause to worry. While we acknowledge the previous and ongoing efforts of individuals, relevant agencies of the government and global partners/donors on TB programmes in Nigeria and Africa at large, it is obvious we still have much to be done in achieving the 90-90-90 target by 2020 and ending TB by 2030. Just 11 days ago, precisely on March 14^th, 2019, the President announced the latest national HIV prevalence to be 1.4%, a laudable decline from 3.1% in 2015. We must commend the FMoH, NACA, NCDC, other stakeholders and global partners for the success of the Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) – one of the largest HIV/AIDS surveys in the world. Of course, I am glad to be part of that project. So, if we could bring down HIV to this point, then I believe we can eliminate TB in record time. This is a herculean task before us but it is not impossible. The end of TB was made visible when Dr Robert Koch found its cause in 1882, March 24^th. The 2019 World TB Day theme is: “IT IS TIME!” Indeed, it is time for action… It is time to End TB in Nigeria and Africa in general. It is time for the young, old, men, women and all stakeholders concerned to join hands together in making Nigeria a TB-free country. YES, IT IS TIME! Keep the promise, find TB and treat TB!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL PDF DOCUMENT!

© Aghedo Ojore Godday (AMIIN, HRMA)

NIGERIA GENERAL ELECTIONS: THE PROGNOSIS AND DIAGNOSIS, -BY: Godday Ojore Aghedo

A nation founded on falsehood cannot stand the test of time, so it is with an individual or political cabinet enthroned by stolen mandates. Many people are befuddled and bewildered by the spate of ignoble events that have dragged Nigeria as an entity into the mud of national defacement, value degradation and global object of mockery. Thus, they have continued to query in soliloquy, what is happening to us? How did we get here? Where are we going to? Only to be answered by dead silence. But I have a revelation for you: AFTER OSUN TEMPLATE WAS BUSTED, EDO TEMPLATE WAS USED. The Osun State Template was version 2018 (OST_V.2018) but failed, while the Edo State Template which was version 2016 (EST_V.2016) still spawned results for the mischievous developer and programmer.

Nigeria missed it when the Amended Electoral Bill was not endorsed into law by the president, and the senate was too divisive to exercise their constitutional veto power. We have once again washed our dirtiness in the comity of nations and International Election Observers (IEO). Oh yes, I have my sentiments and candidates of preference because I am a concerned Nigerian and I have right to choose who leads me. But that is not the basis of this write up, it is about Nigeria as a nation and the electoral processes. I am more concerned about the PROCESS than the PRODUCT. This is because, once the PROCESSES are faulty or compromised, the PRODUCTS can never satiate the cravings of the consumers. Having read the lame arguments of some myopic or better put, blind Nigerians whose perspectives are borne out of religious and political party fanaticism, I concluded that we still have a long way to goal in our quest for peaceful, united, strong and progressive nation.

Under our watch, our democracy was not only raped but whisked away to an unknown destination. The ransom for its restoration may be overbearing - I pray we would have learnt our lessons and be equal to the task by then. I also pray that before 2023, a messiah will rise from the wilderness to fix these lapses, amidst predictable strong oppositions though. We finally lost our voices when we started clapping for impunity, vindictive castigations, setting aside of the Rule of Law for party supremacy or so called national interest, dictatorial tendencies, regionalism or regional prejudice, marginalization under the façade of meritorious selection, and cluelessness because of the alleged rottenness of “the past 16 years.”

Let me shock you:

1.       Over-voting is not when the number of casted votes exceed the number of accredited voters. It is when the number of casted votes exceed the number of registered voters in that polling unit (PU). The Nigeria constitution and courts recognize only the later as a malpractice. For instance, if in PU – 5, there are 1300 registered voters, and on election day only 450 voters turned up for accreditation and voting, but result announced was 950 votes, THERE IS NO OVER VOTING HERE BECAUSE 950 DOES NOT EXCEED 1300, even though it exceeds 450 accredited voters. That is a weakness of the Nigeria constitution and some politicians are exploiting it to their advantage.

2.       CARD-READER is not tenable in court for justifying or debunking any electoral malpractice because it is not yet recognized in the constitution; even though INEC adopted it and selectively cancelled votes in polling units where it was not used.

3.       We no longer have an independent, upright and apolitical judiciary. Forget it; judiciary is no longer the hope of “ALL common men” but “selected common men.” They are now loyalists of the presidency and powerful politicians. If you lose any election, don’t border going to court except you are a friend of the employer because verdicts don’t come from judges anymore, but from their employers. However, there is no harm in trying, and I still believe in miracles. Under the current circumstances, ONLY DIVINE INFLUENCE can restore any stolen mandates.

Therefore, I congratulate all the winners and losers at the just concluded general election. And for those with our stolen mandates, remember that your days are numbered and God still rules in the affairs of men (Daniel 4:17).

But as for you my friend, it is a new year, accept the reality and move on. Plan your life, work hard, pray and trust God and you will succeed in this same Nigeria – with or without a responsible government. Do not be a burden on the government, take up the challenge and chart a glorious path for your future. I know you have a great destiny, which is what you should be pursuing. DON’T GIVE UP ON YOURSELF, NOT EVEN ON NIGERIA!

Friends, welcome to the NEXT LEVEL. For me, it is a NEXT LEVEL of glory, success, breakthrough, joyful sounds, celebrations, favour, Holy Ghost anointing and demonstration of power, righteousness and sanctification, relevance in God’s vineyard,  a NEXT LEVEL of unprecedented achievement in my career, a NEXT LEVEL of international and intercontinental open doors, a NEXT LEVEL of financial abundance and prosperity, a NEXT LEVEL of admirable & ground-breaking exploits both in the secular and sacred worlds, physical and spiritual realms, a NEXT LEVEL in purpose actualization, and a NEXT LEVEL in my walk with God.

I speak to Nigeria today, you are delivered from demonic manipulations, you people shall not be foolish, you will experience a NEXT LEVEL of economic growth, unity, technological advancement, agricultural explosion, oil boom, peace, GDP growth, infrastructural development, massive job creation, a NEXT LEVEL of sincere war against corruption and insecurity, it shall be an indisputable POSITIVE NEXT LEVEL for Nigeria and Nigerians, so help us God.

From this month forward:

-Nigerians will march forward,

-Nigeria will march forward,

-Nigeria will work again

-There is hope for Nigeria.

My name is Godday O. Aghedo - a concerned Nigerian, a space-age & futuristic thinker, and an objective analyst. I remain apolitical!

©Godday O. Aghedo, March, 2019