EMPOWERING NIGERIANS WITH ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE

Hello <<First Name>>,

Welcome to the month of May. Here are some updates for you.

INDUSTRY UPDATES

The Africa-UK Health Summit by GBC Health

The Africa-UK summit presented a valuable opportunity to enhance healthcare services across Africa by addressing its significance and exploring UK's potential involvement.

During the summit, Dr. Tinuola Akinbolagbe, our MD/CEO, had the honor of presenting plaques to Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede (CON) and Mrs. Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede on behalf of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, who committed to adopting 23 primary healthcare centers in various states. Similarly, Ms. Zouera Youssoufou received a plaque on behalf of the Aliko Dangote Foundation's commitment to adopting 44 PHCs in Kano State. These commitments will provide essential medicines, potable water, power, medical equipment, and human resources to the primary healthcare centres in numerous communities.

We applaud the GBC Health team for their unwavering dedication to organizing an event that has the potential to forge vital partnerships in the healthcare sector. It is imperative that we continue to support initiatives that foster positive healthcare outcomes globally.

PSHAN Podcast Premieres

The premiere episode of the PSHAN Podcast explores the challenges and opportunities in the Nigerian healthcare system and offers insights on how it can be improved to better serve the needs of the people.

Listen now to the PSHAN podcast that features special guests: Prof. Mohammed Nasir Sambo – Director General, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Kunle Oyelana – Managing Director, GlaxoSmithKline Nigeria, and Mrs. Odunayo Sanya – Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation as well as co-hosts, Lesley-Anne Long (CEO & President, GBC Health) and Dr. Tinuola Akinbolagbe (MD/CEO PSHAN).

Each guest delivers unique perspectives, being renowned experts in the private and public sectors.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of healthcare in Nigeria and how you can take better-informed steps to revamp the Nigerian health sector.

Listen to the PSHAN podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox and wherever you get your podcasts.

The WASH Programme and Fair

Ensuring sustainability in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector is crucial to basic healthcare. The availability of clean water, basic sanitation facilities, and good hygiene habits can greatly improve health outcomes and promote general well-being. To achieve this, a comprehensive strategy that addresses the underlying social, economic, and environmental variables affecting access to these fundamental services is necessary.

A primary healthcare WASH program should focus on providing access to clean water, and fundamental sanitation facilities, and promoting good hygiene habits. Active community participation is also essential for long-term behavior change and sustainable solutions adapted to local situations. To ensure the sustainability of infrastructure and behavior change initiatives, sustainable WASH programs require long-term planning and funding.

The recently held 2nd annual WASH Open Innovation Fair themed "Innovative Solutions for Sustainable WASH Sector Growth" offered stakeholders the opportunity to explore innovative solutions for the growth and sustainability of the WASH sector in Nigeria. The fair showcased cutting-edge WASH solutions, such as new water treatment and purification technologies, mobile water quality monitoring applications, and neighborhood-based sanitation and hygiene education programs. read more…  

World Malaria Day

Every year on April 25, World Malaria Day is commemorated to increase public awareness of the efforts being made worldwide to combat malaria, which is still one of the deadliest diseases in the world. Malaria is caused by a parasite transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020, there were an estimated 241 million cases of malaria worldwide, resulting in 627,000 deaths.

The theme of World Malaria Day in 2023 is "Zero Malaria Starts with Me." The theme underlines the important part that each person can play in eradicating malaria on a worldwide scale. The theme also emphasizes the necessity of improved political commitment, finance, and investment in R&D to create new malaria-fighting technologies.

Significant advancements have been made in the fight against malaria over the years. According to the WHO, there were 69% fewer malaria-related fatalities worldwide between 2000 and 2020, with a 74% decrease in mortality in the continent of Africa. This development was made possible by a number of interventions, including the use of insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, and efficient malaria diagnosis and treatment. read more…

HEALTH TIPS

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. While there are certain risk factors for developing diabetes that cannot be changed, such as family history and age, there are many lifestyle factors that can be modified to help prevent the development of diabetes. Here are some health tips on preventing diabetes:

Follow a healthy diet: A healthy diet is essential for preventing diabetes. Focus on eating a variety of foods, including wholegrains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Avoid sugary and processed foods, as they can increase the risk of developing diabetes.

Maintain a healthy weight: Maintaining a healthy weight isimportant for preventing diabetes. Excess body weight can contribute to insulinresistance, which can increase the risk of developing diabetes. Aim for ahealthy body weight and waist circumference.

Exercise regularly: Regular exercise is important forpreventing diabetes. It can help improve insulin sensitivity, reduce the riskof cardiovascular disease, and improve overall health. Aim for at least 30minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.

Reduce sedentary time: Reducing sedentary time, such assitting for long periods of time, can help prevent diabetes. Take regular breaksto stand up and move around, and try to incorporate more physical activity intoyour daily routine.

Limit alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption canincrease the risk of developing diabetes. Limit alcohol intake to moderateamounts, which is defined as up to one drink per day for women and up to twodrinks per day for men.

Quit smoking: Smoking can increase the risk of developingdiabetes. Quitting smoking can improve overall health and reduce the risk ofdeveloping diabetes.

In conclusion, preventing diabetes requires a combination of healthy lifestyle choices. By following a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, reducing sedentary time, limiting alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking, individuals can reduce their risk of developing diabetes and improve their overall health.