Connect with us

Health/Beauty

COVID-19 VARIANTS: LAGOS BOOSTS CASE MANAGEMENT AT LUTH, FMC EBUTE METTA WITH N200 MILLION GRANT

Published

on

FG to induct 2nd batch of vaccine by August 16

 

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has released the sum of N200 million to support the Coronavirus (COVID-19) response of the Federal Government-run isolation centres that are based in the State. The grant is specifically to ramp up the capacity of the federal isolation centres in Lagos to efficiently manage and cure infections from all identified COVID-19 variants. 

 

This development was disclosed in the Governor’s latest update on the State’s COVID-19 response, which was released on Sunday evening.

 

The beneficiary treatment centres are the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Idi Araba, and Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Ebute Metta, which will get N150 million and N50 million respectively.

 

Also, the State Government announced that its isolation centre situated in the Gbagada General Hospital would now be transformed into fee-paying private wards. The move, Sanwo-Olu said, is in response to the growing requests from patients and families willing to pay for personalised care in Government-run facilities, while also protecting their privacy.

 

Payable fee for the private treatment, the Governor noted, will be moderately lower than charges at licenced private hospitals. Sanwo-Olu said the State-owned treatment centre at Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Yaba would continue to offer high-quality treatment to all persons, free of charge.

 

He said: “In view of the rising profile of the Coronavirus disease due to the mutating variants now being discovered globally, and to shore up our containment and management capacity, I have approved the sum of N200 million to support the ongoing patient management and treatment efforts in two Federal Government’s treatment centers in our State.  To this end, LUTH will be receiving the sum of N150 million and the FMC Ebute Metta will be receiving N50 million. These sums will be disbursed today, February 1.

 

“Also, in response to the growing clamour by patients and families who are willing to pay for COVID-19 treatment but would like to do so at a cost that is lower than is currently obtainable at private facilities, Lagos State Government is making efforts to transform the State-owned isolation center in Gbagada into a fee-paying facility that people can elect to be treated at. While the treatment facility in Yaba will continue to offer free and high-quality treatment to all persons, Gbagada isolation centre will offer treatments at a moderated and affordable cost to those who wish to take advantage of extra offerings like private treatment rooms and more personalised levels of care.”

 

Despite that oxygen demand had spiked up from 300 cylinders to 400 cylinders per day across State-owned treatment facilities, Sanwo-Olu said the State Government would not charge patients who receive oxygen.

 

The Governor said Lagos was working hard to ensure oxygen supply met and surpass the demand, disclosing that the State was on the verge of delivering its second oxygen plant at the Gbagada General Hospital. The new plant will be ready in the next seven days.

 

Sanwo-Olu said when the COVID-19 vaccines are finally delivered to Lagos in the coming days, distribution priorities would be accorded to frontline workers, persons with co-morbidities, essential workers and the elderly who are within the age bracket of 50 to over 65 years.

 

He said: “The Government will keep the integrity of the vaccines intact along the entire supply and distribution chain, while also ensuring approved dosages are complied with. The State will follow up on possible post-vaccination adverse effect; the monitoring strategy will be diligently followed in line with protocols of pharmaceutical public safety.”

 

The State Government frowned at what it called “widespread flagrant disregard and non-adherence to COVID-19 guidelines and protocols” issued to stem the tide of infection. Sanwo-Olu particularly noted that some event centres’ owners had been operating their facilities outside the acceptable parameters for usage, warning that defaulters would be decisively dealt with.

 

In line with the COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations of 2021 signed last week by President Muhammadu Buhari, Sanwo-Olu directed that no gathering of more than 50 persons shall hold in an enclosed space, except for religious purposes, in which case the gathering shall not exceed 50 per cent capacity of the space.

 

“A breach of the provisions of the presidential regulations attracts upon summary conviction, a fine or six months imprisonment or both. Our enforcement agencies have been appropriately tasked to ensure maximum compliance,” the Governor said.

Health/Beauty

Transforming Healthcare: RapidHeal Nigeria Offers Job Opportunities for 100 Certified Nurses Nationwide

Published

on

Transforming Healthcare: RapidHeal Nigeria Offers Job Opportunities for 100 Certified Nurses Nationwide

Transforming Healthcare: RapidHeal Nigeria Offers Job Opportunities for 100 Certified Nurses Nationwide

Continue Reading

Health/Beauty

Why Men Without Morning Erection Need Help 

Published

on

Why Men Without Morning Erection Need Help 

Why Men Without Morning Erection Need Help 

 

Male reproductive health experts have urged men to take their sexual health seriously by seeking medical evaluation if they are not experiencing morning erections, a common and natural occurrence in healthy men.

The urologists stated that men experiencing persistent erectile issues or concerns should consult a healthcare professional for personalised evaluation and guidance.

Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, the physicians advised men not having morning erections to carry out a comprehensive health assessment, including hormone testing, semen analysis, and lifestyle evaluations, to determine the underlying causes which may be erectile dysfunction or infertility.

According to Healthline, morning erections, a natural occurrence in most men, are often seen as a sign of healthy sexual function. They are typically caused by increased blood flow and hormonal fluctuations during the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep.

The health website, however, noted that a notable number of men have reported experiencing a lack of morning erections, raising concerns about potential fertility or sexual health problems.

While some experts suggested that the absence of morning erection could be linked to underlying health issues, including infertility, others argued that it is not a reliable indicator of reproductive health.

A consultant urologist, Dr Emmanuel Eze stated that the body’s ability to have regular morning erections may be a reflection of broader reproductive health.

The physician stressed that the absence of morning erections could signal problems with hormone levels, such as low testosterone, or vascular health, which could affect overall erectile function and, in some cases, fertility.

Eze emphasised that morning erection is a natural occurrence during the REM sleep stage, typically happening 3-5 times per night.

The physician explained that the absence of morning erections could suggest issues such as erectile dysfunction, low testosterone levels, or underlying cardiovascular conditions.

According to him, it is normal for men to experience morning erections three to five times each night. These erections are typically spontaneous and occur without sexual arousal. The process is part of the body’s natural hormonal fluctuations and is linked to the functioning of the nervous system and blood flow.

Eze explained that these spontaneous erections during sleep are crucial in maintaining healthy erectile function and, by extension, overall reproductive health.

He emphasised that they are a natural and healthy sign of the body’s ability to achieve and maintain erections, which are important for male fertility.

“While occasional changes in morning erections are normal as men age, a persistent lack of them could point to potential health problems such as erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, or even more serious conditions like heart disease. Men mustn’t ignore these early warning signs.

“A comprehensive evaluation can help pinpoint the cause and allow for timely treatment options, whether it’s lifestyle changes, therapy, or medications,” Eze added.

Speaking further, the urologist elaborated that the absence of morning erections could be an indication of various medical conditions that might impact sexual and reproductive health.

“Erectile dysfunction is often the result of an imbalance in the body’s ability to deliver blood to the penis. If morning erections are absent, it could be a reflection of poor blood flow or nerve function, which are key contributors to erectile dysfunction,” Eze explained.

In addition to erectile dysfunction, the male reproductive expert noted that the absence of morning erections may also be linked to low testosterone levels.

He added, “Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, essential for sexual function, mood regulation, and the production of sperm. A decline in testosterone can lead to a reduced frequency of morning erections. It can also cause a range of other symptoms, such as fatigue, decreased libido, and loss of muscle mass. While a decrease in testosterone levels is a natural part of aging, significant drops in testosterone could signal more serious health concerns.”

Eze also underscored the connection between erectile function and male fertility, stressing that problems with achieving or maintaining an erection could affect a man’s ability to conceive.

He explained that erectile function plays a critical role in sperm delivery, and when erectile issues arise, they could make it more difficult to engage in regular sexual activity, which could impact fertility.

“There is a direct connection between erectile function and male fertility. If a man is consistently not experiencing morning erections, it could indicate that there’s an issue with his reproductive system, whether it’s a problem with his hormones, blood vessels, or nerve function,” he said.

He pointed out that while the absence of morning erections does not automatically equate to infertility, it could signal underlying problems that should be addressed.

Eze advised that men who notice a persistent absence of morning erections should consult a urologist for an evaluation of their reproductive and sexual health.

He explained that poor blood circulation, which is often associated with heart disease or high blood pressure, can directly affect the ability to achieve erections.

“The vessels that supply blood to the penis are small and delicate, and when these vessels are compromised due to poor cardiovascular health, it can result in a decreased ability to have spontaneous erections.

“Erectile dysfunction is frequently one of the early signs of cardiovascular problems. If a man is not having morning erections, it could be a sign that his vascular health is not in optimal condition. It’s essential to recognise this as a potential red flag and seek medical advice before the issue becomes more severe,” the urologist warned.

However, a Senior Registrar in Urology at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Akpo Edewor, argued that the lack of a morning erection is not necessarily an indication of serious health concerns, as many people assume.

Edewor emphasised that the absence of morning erections is not an automatic sign of erectile dysfunction or serious sexual health problems.

He explained, “Morning erections should not be viewed as the definitive measure of sexual health. It is important to understand that men can still maintain erectile function despite not having morning erections. This does not immediately indicate erectile dysfunction.”

The urologist stressed that various factors, such as sleep patterns, stress, or even the time a man wakes up, can influence whether or not he experiences a morning erection.

He further clarified that a key component in assessing erectile health is the ability to achieve an erection in response to sexual stimuli.

“If a man can still attain an erection when engaging with a partner, even without morning erections, this indicates that his erectile function is likely intact,” he stated.

Erectile dysfunction, according to Edewor, is more complex than just the absence of morning erections. It is a condition where a man consistently struggles to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.

He said various health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and even the medications used to treat these conditions, could contribute to erectile dysfunction.

Continue Reading

Health/Beauty

Doctor Warns On The Danger Of Excessive Masturbation

Published

on

Doctor Warns On The Danger Of Excessive Masturbation

 

 

A British doctor has warned that excessive masturbation is behind the rise of male health problems.

In moderation, self-pleasure helps to reduce stress, and improve sleep quality and mood, but it can become ‘an unhealthy habit’ and trigger a form of erectile dysfunction, says Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy.

Doctor Warns On The Danger Of Excessive Masturbation

‘Overall, there’s no strict rule or guideline on how much people should masturbate.’

‘But when masturbation gets out of hand, there’s a variety of ways it can impact sexual and physical health.’

A key concern is the rise of porn use: half of adults in the UK now access graphic material online, according to a recent survey by media watchdog Ofcom, and Dr Grant links this to the rise in porn-induced erectile dysfunction, or PIED.

 

Up to 50 percent of adult men suffer from some degree of erectile dysfunction, according to the British Association of Urological Surgeons. It is often associated with obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes but can also have no obvious cause. One lesser-known culprit could be PIED, claims Dr Grant.

‘PIED is a type of erectile dysfunction that stems from an unhealthy consumption of pornography.

‘This unhealthy porn usage can lead to desensitisation, making it more difficult for men to achieve and maintain an erection — as they’re used to more intense sexual activity seen on screen.

‘It can lead to reduced interest in sex with actual partners as men prioritise porn and masturbation instead.’

More worryingly, Dr Grant warns that compulsive masturbation could trigger physical changes that affect intimacy.

‘Compulsive masturbation can lead to reduced sensitivity in the genital area, making it more difficult to achieve sexual pleasure or stimulation.

‘It can occur when nerve endings become damaged from too much activity, creating a loss of sensitivity.

‘This can also impact individuals who masturbate too roughly, causing potential friction damage.

 

‘Thankfully, this is a short-term issue and factors such as taking breaks or utilising lubricants can help restore sensitivity.

‘And thankfully, there are a range of treatments available to men who are struggling with ED, helping them manage a healthy sex life and achieve erections with ease.’

Dr Grant added that ‘over-masturbating’ can be damaging in other ways.

It can cause men and women to become ‘hyper-focused on their own pleasure, meaning when the time comes for sexual intercourse with a partner, individuals could experience performance anxiety, which directly impacts sex drive.’

The question of how much is too much is subjective, he admitted.
‘Masturbation habits can differ largely from person to person with some people doing it daily, weekly or not at all.

‘It’s important to monitor the sexual activity to ensure it doesn’t interfere with social lives, work or relationships.

‘Additionally, discomfort or injury is usually a telltale sign that the masturbation sessions are becoming too much and harming health.

‘It’s important to maintain a healthy but sensible sex life through masturbation, ensuring it’s not at the expense of daily activities.

‘Some people can even experience mental distress due to guilt or shame relating to their masturbation — this can stem from porn usage or other factors, but can have a big effect on people’s mental well-being.

‘Overall, common sense is required to ensure it remains a recreational activity without interfering with other aspects of daily life.’

 

 

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending