Connect with us
Advertisment

society

World TB Day Event: Federal Ministry of Health, LASG, USAID/ SHOPS Plus Unveil New 16 Modular GeneXpert Machine

Published

on

World TB Day Event: Federal Ministry of Health, LASG, USAID/ SHOPS Plus Unveil New 16 Modular GeneXpert Machine at EL-LAB Medical Diagnostics Lagos
The Federal Ministry of Health, Lagos State Government and USAID/SHOPS Plus unveiled a 16-Module GeneXpert Machine, the first of its kind in the country, on Monday, March 22nd, 2021 at the Diagnostics Complex of EL-Lab in Festac Town, Lagos.
According to WHO, TB is a major public health concern in Nigeria with the country ranked 6th among the 30 high TB burden countries globally and about 15 percent of the global gap in TB case notification.
The machine, which is for molecular diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB), was purchased by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its funded Sustaining Health Outcomes through the Private Sector Plus project (SHOPS Plus) for the government of Nigeria to facilitate case detection in the private sector.  The machine was launched at EL-Lab Ltd, one of the leading indigenous medical diagnostic and research centres in Nigeria, with a view to closing the gap in TB case detection, notification, and treatment. EL-Lab is one of the 118 engaged stand-alone laboratories trained by SHOPS/Plus and has been very active in PPM Mix activities in Lagos State.
Mrs. Ayodele Iroko, the Senior Private Sector Advisor USAID/SHOPS Plus who anchored the event started by commending all private sector partners that have remained committed to the proactive screening, testing, and treating of TB in their various communities. She also encouraged all engaged health professional associations to work tenaciously at expanding the pool of private sector TB providers by scaling up engagement to include more of their members while facilitating efforts to integrate tested approaches into facilities service provision for ownership and sustainability.
In his opening remarks, the National Coordinator, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), Dr Chukwuma Anyaike identified two main national goals as regards TB; to find the missing cases, and to ensure all cases found are adequately treated.
He applauded the efforts of the private sector partners, citing the increase in TB case finding and recent times but also emphasised that there is still a lot of room for improvement. Anyaike also stressed the need for more up-to-date statistical data on TB cases in Nigeria.
Anyaike described the introduction of the 16-Module GeneXpert Machine as a “milestone” and encouraged optimal use of the machine to achieve maximal results. He pointed out, however, that the mission goes beyond case finding, to ensuring treatment for all cases.  He encouraged stakeholders to re-strategize and think outside the box in order to “fish out all TB cases.”
Omosalewa Oyelaran, Deputy Director at USAID Nigeria office for HIV/AIDS & TB also commended the efforts of all stakeholders and encouraged them to take up the challenge of finding and treating all cases of TB in Nigeria. She expressed her excitement about the launching of the 16-Module GeneXpert Machine stating that it will increase the testing capacity, allowing patients to know their status and be placed on treatment as quickly as possible. Oyelaran expressed her organization’s commitment to supporting private sector engagement while encouraging them to take ownership and add value to success stories. She also encouraged all stakeholders to continue to raise awareness around the upcoming World Tuberculosis Day.
In a brief goodwill message, Mr. Mayowa Joel, the Executive Director of STOP TB Partnership expressed gratitude to USAID and SHOPS Plus for their efforts in facilitating and supporting private sector engagement.  He emphasized the need to strengthen and sustain the public -private collaboration.
Individual remarks were also given by Dr Makinde Akinlemibola, Chairman, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Lagos State; Mr. Clement Olaifa, Chairman, Lagos State Association of General & Private Nursing Practitioners of Nigeria, Mr. Anorue C.J Chairman, Guild of Private Medical Laboratory Directors, Lagos State. Pharm. Lawrence Ekhator – Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, Lagos State. Each pledged their commitment to vision of 100 percent case finding and treatment, promising to improve their contributions with sustainable strategies, particularly emphasizing their willingness to work with the government in achieving the common goal.
The Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, through its registrar and CEO, Dr Tosan Erhabor also congratulated EL-Lab Diagnostics on the official unveiling of the First ever 16 modules GeneXpert machine in Nigeria. He also pledged his commitment, on behalf of the organization, to scale up TB case finding and treatment.
Dr Bolanle Olusola –Faleye, TB Technical Director of SHOPS Plus, while sharing the successes of the involvement of the private sector commended the synergy between the private sector and government, as well as the high level of dedication demonstrated by partners and donors.
Expanding further on these successes, Mr. Elochukwu Adibo, CEO of EL-Lab Medical Diagnostic Ltd explained that the involvement of the private sector is gradually ensuring that Nigeria’s unenviable ranking as  6th globally among the high burden countries and first in Africa with high burden for TB becomes a thing of the past.
He noted that the adoption of GeneXpert MTB/RIF test as the entry point diagnostic tool for TB case detection was done in 2016, and Federal Government’s wisdom in engaging the private health sector has tremendously helped to increase case detection and treatment.
Adibo stated that out of over 4000 networks of standalone Laboratories under Guild of Private Medical laboratory Directors, (GMLD), the Hon. Minister for Health donated a 4-module GeneXpert machine on September 4, 2018, to EL-lab Medical Diagnostics, Lagos.
EL-Lab, applying private sector efficiency, optimized testing with the machine which brought about significant improvement in TB case detection and testing with a tremendous support and partnership from the USAID /SHOPS Plus program network and their technical/logistic excellence.
He pointed out the need for infrastructure and logistics upgrade, especially with regards to power supply to meet the demand for uninterrupted service delivery.  He also called on the government and all concerned parties to remove the bottlenecks in the current partnerships to enable unhindered private sector contribution, to meet Country goals and National Strategic Plan for TB which will ultimately improve Nigeria’s global ranking.
Speaking before formally unveiling the new 16 modular machine, Dr Agbolagorite Olurotimi, Director of Disease Control, Lagos State who represented the Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Prof Emmanuel Akinola Abayomi commended the private sector for their contributions at all levels, to the case finding and treatment of TB cases. He particularly commended EL-Lab’s commitment in testing samples both from government and private facilities. He urged stakeholders to continue to work at the desired goal, as Nigeria still has a long way to go with regards to TB case finding and treatment. He promised to investigate the identified bottlenecks that hinder private sector involvement and encouraged stakeholders to keep identifying and reporting such hindrances.
After his speech, the Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Prof. Emmanuel Akinola Abayomi, who was represented by Dr Agbolagorite Olurotimi with other guests led by Dr Elochukwu Adibo proceeded on a walk-through tour of the laboratory that culminated into the formal cutting of ribbons and unveiling the new machine to the joy and excitement of both the physical and virtual audience present at the event.
Testing of samples from public and private health institutions was demonstrated using the
new 16 module GeneXpert machine.
Mr. Ifeanyi Okekearu, the Chief of Party of SHOPS/Plus commended the involvement of all partners and appreciated their time at the event.
PHOTO CAPTION:
(L-R) Lawrence Ekhator – Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists Lagos State, Prince Elochukwu Adibo –Laboratory Director, EL-LAB Diagnostics and National President, Guild of Private Medical Laboratory Directors, Dr Agbolagorite Olurotimi – Director of Disease Control Lagos State representing the Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Mrs Ayodele Iroko –  Senior Private Sector Advisor, USAID/SHOPS Plus, Dr Makinde Akinlemibola – Chairman, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Lagos State

Advertisment
Advertisment

Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

society

LASRRA Eases Registration with New Centre at Blue Line Rail Terminal

Published

on

LASRRA Eases Registration with New Centre at Blue Line Rail Terminal

…Highlights Benefits of LAG-ID Card

 

Advertisment

 

 

Advertisment

The Lagos State Residents’ Registration Agency (LASRRA) has taken a significant step towards improving its database by launching a registration centre at the Blue Line Rail Terminal.

The event, which occurred at Marina, Lagos Station, on Thursday, seeks to encourage commuters who reside in Lagos State and use the corridor daily to register and validate their information with LASRRA.

The General Manager of LASRRA, Mrs. Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, expressed the agency’s commitment to providing convenient registration facilities for residents. Currently, LASRRA operates 62 registration outlets across the five divisions of Lagos. However, the agency plans to establish more centres to cater to the teeming population of the largest city in West Africa.

Advertisement

She highlighted the importance of bringing the registration process closer to residents, particularly those with busy schedules.

“By setting up centres at strategic locations like the Blue Line Terminal, LASRRA aims to ensure that all residents can fulfill their civic responsibility of registering with the agency.

“Similar registration centres will be established at other terminals across the state in the near future. This initiative is part of the government’s commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that no resident is left behind. The benefits of the LAG-ID Card, the end product of the registration process are enormous.

“Besides serving as a legitimate form of identification, the LAG-ID Card offers multifaceted usage. To check the status of their cards, registered individuals can simply dial the short USSD code *347*641#.

“It is important to note that the registration process is not complete until individuals collect their printed LAG-ID Card and receive a notification on their registered phone number for pick-up,” she noted.

The highlight of the event was when participants had the opportunity to use their LAG-ID Cards to board the train and experience a ride from Marina to Mile 2. This symbolic gesture showcased the seamless integration of the LAG-ID Card with public transportation and further emphasized the importance of registration for all residents.

She emphasized that LASRRA remains committed to its mission of capturing the information and biometrics of Lagos State residents to provide better services and meet their needs, and the launch of the registration centre at the Blue Line Rail Terminal is a significant step towards achieving this goal and ensuring the inclusivity of all residents in the state’s development plans.

 

LASRRA Eases Registration with New Centre at Blue Line Rail Terminal

Advertisment
Continue Reading

society

Grace Nation PHDS : Angels don’t Comes to Places Where there is No Prayers – Dr Chris Okafor

Published

on

Grace Nation PHDS : Angels don’t Comes to Places Where there is No Prayers – Dr Chris Okafor

…. God works in a Mysterious Ways.

 

Advertisment

 

 

Advertisment

When God is at work it takes People with the eyes of God to see what God is doing because only the spiritual people that understand things of the spirit.

Speaking at Grace Nation Mid-week Prophetic Healing Deliverance and Solution service held at the international Headquarters of the church in Ojodu Berger Lagos, The Generational Prophet of God and Lead Pastor Grace Nation world-wide Dr Chris Okafor said you must pay the Price to fall down the wall of Jericho.

The Generational Prophet of God who speak on the Topic, with subtitles spiritual designs, Wall of Jericho must Go down reiterated that for God to be in charge you must consistently understand the Principles of altars that relates to Prayers.

Advertisement

The Man of God said for the Jericho of your life to come down, your Prayer life must be very high, highlighting that demons and angel don’t come to a place, where there is no Prayer, Demons operate well in a cool place, immediately the place is firerised demons gives way.

The Generational Prophet of God Dr Chris Okafor said anyone that want to win a battle must be ready to fight, therefore for you to bring down the wall of Jericho in your life , you must be committed says the Apostle of altars.

The Mid-week Prophetic service also witness Restoration of lost Glory, Mind blowing Miracles, the Mighty Hand of God was evidential throughout the Services.

Inherited battles and bloodline diseases were all destroyed by God through his Servant the Generational Prophet of God as God visited a couple married for over 16 years without the fruit of the womb, God open the case file and blessed them with A miracle baby. There was testimonies of financial breakthrough, foreign benefits and various deliverance, all to the Glory of God.

 

Grace Nation PHDS : Angels don't Comes to Places Where there is No Prayers - Dr Chris Okafor

Advertisment
Continue Reading

society

Outrage in Elepe as Monarch Exposes Notorious Land Grabber, Adeyinka Bolaji Fakoya aka Bora’s Crimes

Published

on

Outrage in Elepe as Monarch Exposes Notorious Land Grabber, Adeyinka Bolaji Fakoya aka Bora's Crimes

Outrage in Elepe as Monarch Exposes Notorious Land Grabber, Adeyinka Bolaji Fakoya aka Bora’s Crimes

…Says Endless Police Harrassment Frustrating, Disturbing Community Peace

 

Advertisment

 

 

Advertisment

The Baale of Elepe community in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, Chief Ganiu Omotayo, has cried out to the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene and put an end to the menace caused by protracted land grabbing activities of one Adeyinka Bolaji Fakoya aka Bora and his cohorts in the community.

 

 

Advertisement

Outrage in Elepe as Monarch Exposes Notorious Land Grabber, Adeyinka Bolaji Fakoya aka Bora's Crimes

The aged monarch lamented that Adeyinka aka Bora and his accomplices have also been involved in criminal intimidation, violence, evading judicial processes, threat to life, giving false information to police, and breaching public peace of the community.

Addressing the media on Wednesday in Elepe in the company of representatives of all five arms of the royal families of the town, Omotayo said he and the Ijaolu rulling royal family have become very frustrated by their inability to get justice after exploring legal options including taking many expensive trips to honour invitations at police headquarters in Abuja over the matter as the notorious land grabbers, led by Adeyinka have continued to sell lands duly owned by people for decades with clear titles, and evade judicial prosecution while truncating effort of various police formations to curb his ciminal and atrocious activities and bring him to justice.

The landgrabber has instead perfected a habit of courting different police formation with false information, for endless and indiscriminate arrest and intimidation of the aged monarch and community youths, while refusing to attend susbsisting police interviews with parties, and prosecution processes.

“As an elder, I’m tired of the endless circle and Adeyinka has refused to let peace reign despite all offers the community has extended to him which he usually takes before resuming his violent activities again. Even when we gave him and youths acres of land, he accepted and sold it but returned to his criminal ways thereafter.

“Once he writes one frivolous petition to police and I attend their invitation, he will not show up for interview, the next we will hear is another petition in another police formation. When they invite us and I attend, he will never show up. He did that at SCID, Panti, also at Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan Lagos, and also at
Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja. He has been playing this hide and seek game but refused to show up at Area N Police Area Command in Ijede, Ikorodu where he is a wanted person for jumping bail since 2017.

“Even when we went with police officers from Ijede Area Commander to the lands unlawfully invaded by Adeyinka, we met him and his cohorts in company of some other police officers. It was decided that all parties and the two police groups return to office of Area Commander but enroute police station, Adeyinka vanished leaving us to wait out the entire day at Area Commander office but he never showed up since then.”

The visibly worried traditional ruler narrated how Adeyinka invaded and started selling lands owned by late Chief GOK Ajayi, SAN, since 1975, to unsuspecting buyers from 2016 and despite being warned refused to stop and as a result was arrested and arraigned. Due to his unrepentance, a petition to Area N Police Command by the community led to his arrest but he later ran away with his surety and since became untraceable by police.

He added that having spent almost 50 years on throne as the monarch of Elepe town, he and the ijaola Royal family members have become perplexed by indiscriminate harrassment from some police officers acting on instructions of Adeyinka, as well as having to endlessly bear the financial burdens of at least five visits to Police Headquarters in Abuja and many offices in Lagos, with no result while the culprit remains untouchable for the police and stayed away from lawful prosecution.

He revealed that Adeyinka at will comes to town in company of violent cultists with guns and other dangerous weapon to cause unrest and threatened his life.

He said he enjoyed the majority support of the lawful youths of the town because as a father after the youths had initially requested for share of community land, he had ensured the community gave out two acres to them, prompting them to sign undertaking to support the traditional leaders and maintain peace.

Adeyinka however had after exhausting the sales of the lands greedily proceeded to grabbing already owned lands and fomenting chaos with the elders, prompting other community youths to dissociate from him and his nefarious activities.

He appealed to the government and police authorities to save him and the royal family from the dilemma of the huge cost of attending endless meetings in Abuja while the assailants appear untouchable in Lagos, evading prosecution.

One of his numerous petitions to the police authorities on December 14, 2017 , signed by his lawyers read in part, “According to our Client, one BOLAJI ADEYINKA (A.K.A BORA) a notorious and dangerous criminal popularly known for his act of land grabbing, encroachment and selling of other people landed properties has continued to exert efforts to truncate the effort of various Potice formations to curb his ciminal and atrocious activities in order to avoid the lonig arm of the law.

“That sometime in 1975, our Client’s forefather sold portion of the land at Ewu Elepe to various persons, and these people have been in peaceful possession and quiet enjoyment of their landed properties until sometime last year when our Client received a call from Mrs. Ajayi who informed our Client that the said Bolaji Adeyinka A.K.A (BORA) encroached on her husband’s land and sold portions
thereof to unsuspecting buyers.

“That our Client who did not have prior notice of the unlawful and criminal
activities of the said Bolaji Adeyinka and his cohorts warned the said Bolaji Adeyinka to desist from his unlawful and criminal dealings with other people’s lands but despite our Client’s warnings the said Bolaji Adeyinka continued in his unlawful and criminal activities and as a result of which he was arrested by the police and arraigned before the Magistrate Court of Lagos State, Ijede, via Ikorodu, Lagos State in Charge No. IKD/E/06/2017.

“That thereafter, the said Bolaji Adeyinka did not stop in his criminal activities, he
intensified his acts of encroaching other people’s landed properties resulting in breach of peace, and public tranquility and our Client wrote a petition to the Area
Commander, Area N Command Headquarters. ljede, via Ikorodu, Lagos State, and upon which the said Bolaji Adeyinka was arrested by the police and granted bail with surety, and directed to report to the said police station on a later date.

“That the said Bolaji Adeyinka and his surety ran away and did not comply with the directive to report to the police at the said Area N Command Headquarters, Ijede, via Ikorodu, Lagos State and all efforts to trace them by the police were abortive until sometime in July, 2017 when our Client received an invitation from the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos directing our Client to report to Officer in Charge, General investigation (D”), SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos.

“That upon the above, our Client honoured the said invitation and went to the said
Officer in Charge, General investigation (D3), SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos on 30th May
2017 where our Client’s statement was obtained, and the parties again directed to
attend an interview with the Officer in Charge, General investigation (D3), SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos on several occasions but on all such occasions, and throughout the period our Client reported to the said Officer in Charge, General investigation (D’),. SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos the said Bolaji Adeyinka (A.K.A BORA) refused to show up, and upon which the said Officer in Charge, General investigation (D’), SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos returned the case file to Area N Command Headquarters, ljede, via Ikorodu, Lagos State.

“That as soon as the said Bolaji Adeyinka realized that the police at General
investigation(D”), SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos could not to be used as a tool for the
perpetration of his unlawful and criminal activities, the said Bolaji Adeyinka again
wrote another petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan Lagos, and our Client was again directed to report to the Officer in Charge, Zonal Monitoring Unit; Nigeria Police, Zone 2 Command Headquarters. Onikan Lagos: vide
an invitation with AR: 3000/SZN.2/MTV/TM2/VOL.1. Dated. 7th of July, 2017.

“That our Client again honoured, the said Police Invitation and as a good citizen
volunteered his statetent to the police, and the parties were again directed to come
for an interview with the -Officer in- Charge, Zonal Monitoring Unit, Zone 2 Command.

“That recently our Client again received a letter of invitation from the office of the
Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters, Loius Edet House, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja by which invitation it is so glaring that the said Bolaji
Adeyinka again intends to use the said police formation to truncate ongoing
investigation into the matter and prevent the possibility of his being arraigned-in court for his numerous criminal activities by the police at General Investigation, Force
Headquarters, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.

“That upon the preceding paragraph, our Client who live in Lagos had once again been directed to report to the police at the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit
Force Headquarters, Loius Edet House, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja without any regard for the enormous cost, expense and risk such a journey portend to our Client who is a pantry community leader in Ewu Elepe, via lkorodu, Lagos State.

“Our Client is of the sincere belief that the the matter for which our Client is being
summoned by the police, at the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit, Force
Headquarters, Loius Edet house, Shehu Shagari Way Abuja is already being effectively handled by the police at General Investigation, force Headquarters, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos and for the fact that both parties reside in Lagos till date, it will serve the ultimate end of justice if the matter is left for the police at General Investigation, Force Headquarters. Alagbon., Ikoyi, Lagos for the conclusion of investigation into the matter
in the interest of all concerned.

We as Solicitor on behalf/of our Client-humbly pray that you look into this matter and prevent the desperate efforts of the said Bolaji Adeyinka. (A.K.A BORA) and his cohorts to use the Nigeria Police as a tool in an attempt to escape prosecution for their criminal activities by bringing them to book.”

Advertisment
Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending