Health
NAFDAC pledges to support NMSMEs for economic growth
NAFDAC pledges to support NMSMEs for economic growth
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has pledged to support the Nano Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (NMSMEs) to enable them to grow the nation’s economy.
A statement by NAFDAC Resident Media Consultant, Mr Olusayo Akintola, on Tuesday stated that the agency’s Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, made the disclosure at a meeting in Lagos.
According to the director-general, NAFDAC will continue to drive collaboration and understanding between NMSMEs and the regulatory authority with a view to empowering them in terms of the next step for their businesses.
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Adeyeye said that NAFDAC remained committed to meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the business community, adding that the gains and impact of subjecting products and services to regulatory scrutiny were vital.
The director-general said that such regulatory scrutiny was all about protecting businesses and their environment.
“When I see you, I see myself because I was raised up trading with my mother, with my grandmother selling things. I know how hard it is to put money together and trade.
“I know how hard it is or the anxious moments that the average trader has, wondering whether he or she is going to have profit,” she.
She said that NMSMEs was capable of driving the economy of Nigeria, adding that Nigeria had a recession a few years ago and still came out of it despite all the odds and the challenges of the mega industry.
“How did we come out of it quickly?’’ asking rhetorically, as she said that NMSMEs subsector was the magic wand that sustained the economy during the turbulent period.
She said that this was possible because of the mandate from the agency on food, packaged water, cosmetics and others.
Adeyeye said that three of the agency’s mandates were under NMSMEs, along with chemical and herbal regulations.
She said that the agency would not take NMSMEs matter lightly.
She urged operators of NMSMEs to always focus on one product that is well accepted by the consumers rather than manufacturing many products at the same time where none would be accepted.
The NAFDAC boss admonished NMSMEs operators to dream big by entering the global market with their products, adding that commercial opportunities and benefits were abound for products that had been subjected to regulatory scrutiny.
According to her, one of such opportunities is the possibility of exporting such goods, noting that exportation is tied to quality.
Adeyeye said that NAFDAC was on ground to work with NMSMEs to take its trading to a higher level, adding that they must not only think of what to consume but what could be exported.
Adeyeye said that the agency was already talking with the UK Department of Business and Trade to build a bilateral relations in which Nigerian products that are exported to that country would be of high quality having been registered with NAFDAC.
She expressed regrets at the incidence of rejected food exports from Nigeria at the point of entry due to bad quality.
She said that if such food items had been subjected to NAFDAC scrutiny, the incidence of rejection would have been curtailed.
“Let us think of the future or where we can take our products to, Nigerians abroad are concerned about what we are doing in terms of foods that we are exporting.
“Some of our people cannot live without eating eba, (cassava flour), pounded yam or amala (yam flour). Some people cannot cook without palm oil. There are a lot of opportunities for us to tap into,” she said.
She insisted that the agency must continue to do testing of foods and others things to make sure that whatever was put out there first was not going to be harmful.
The director-general assured NMSME of NAFDAC’s continued support of NAFDAC, emphasizing that staff of the agency were being trained not to compromise and to hold customers with high esteem based on quality management system.
She equally assured business owners who are desirous of entering the marketplace with NAFDAC regulated products of maximum support, saying the agency would provide them with necessary guidance and support.
NAFDAC pledges to support NMSMEs for economic growth
“Nigerian Doctors in High Demand as 67% Work in UK – FG”
The Federal Government has disclosed that 67 percent of Nigerian doctors currently practice in the United Kingdom. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, revealed this during an interview on Tuesday, highlighting the global demand for Nigerian-trained doctors and nurses.
Pate emphasized that the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) would face significant challenges if Nigerian doctors decided to withdraw and return home. This issue is part of the broader concern addressed by the newly approved National Policy on Health Workforce Migration, which aims to curb the mass exodus of health professionals from Nigeria.
Speaking on Channels Television’s *Politics Today* program, Pate noted the critical shortage of healthcare professionals in Nigeria, with only 55,000 licensed doctors serving a population exceeding 200 million. He reported that 16,000 doctors have left the country in the past five years, with about 17,000 being transferred.
Pate proposed that countries benefiting from Nigerian health professionals, like the UK, should invest in expanding training opportunities within Nigeria. “The continuous migration of health workers places a strain on our system. The UK will always need Nigerian doctors. But perhaps they should consider helping us train more, ensuring a sustainable flow of professionals,” he suggested.
Acknowledging the government’s inability to restrict the movement of its citizens, Pate stressed that the focus should be on creating a more favorable environment for health workers to stay and practice in Nigeria. “We cannot stop anyone from leaving, but we are committed to improving conditions to encourage health professionals to remain in the country and to attract those who have left to return,” he added.
President Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19, Exhibits Mild Symptoms
U.S. President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19, the White House announced on Thursday. According to Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre., Biden is fully vaccinated and boosted, and is currently experiencing mild symptoms.
The positive test result came after Biden attended an event in Nevada. Following this, he will return to his private residence in Delaware to self-isolate while continuing to perform all his presidential duties remotely.
Biden’s physician reported that the president displayed upper respiratory symptoms, including a runny nose and a cough, in the afternoon. Although the results of a PCR confirmation test are pending, Biden has already received his first dose of the COVID-19 drug Paxlovid.
This marks the second time Biden, 81, has tested positive for COVID-19; he experienced mild symptoms during his previous infection two years ago. Given his age, Biden is at a higher risk for severe illness from the virus.
This latest positive test comes amid increasing scrutiny of Biden’s mental acuity and physical health, raising concerns about his fitness to run for a second term in the upcoming November presidential elections.
President Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19, Exhibits Mild Symptoms
Abuja residents take preventive measures against cholera
By Anita Uzoagba/Olamide Kuye
Some residents of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) say they are taking measures to avoid contracting cholera which is spreading in different parts of the country.
The residents, who spoke in separate interviews with newsmen on Saturday, said that proper hygiene was now paramount in their everyday life.
Media reports indicate that deaths from cholera outbreak in Lagos State has risen to 24 with 35 confirmed cases.
There also 417 suspected cases in 20 Local Government Areas of the state.
Mr Kunle Ashimi, the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ogun State, acknowledged the impact of cholera in 30 states in the country, according to media reports.
The FCT residents told NAN that they were paying extra attention to the sources of food they consume and taking extra measures to keep their environment clean.
Miss Kanayo Gift said she improve on her cleanliness, adding that “I know that cholera is caused by poor sanitation practices, so I ensure that I keep my surroundings clean.
“I dispose my garbage properly, and most importantly, I always make sure I wash my hands regularly.
According to her, she applies hand sanitizer on her hands when she is not at home and unable to wash them.
“I also ensure that my toilet is clean and hygienic”, Gift said.
Mrs Gladys Ohiwere, Assistant Head Mistress, Leadway Schools, said that they had put up safety guidelines for students to protect them from contracting cholera and other communicable diseases.
“We made sure there is tap water flowing around the school environment with soap for washing their hands.
“We also provided sanitizers to use on their hands properly. Whenever a pupil is going to the toilet we ensure a teacher is there to assist them.
“This is to ensure that they use the toilet properly and also make sure that they wash their hands afterwards.
She also told NAN that they strive to ensure that the students did not eat their food with unwashed hands.
Similarly, Mrs Loveth Ezeurike, a teacher at Ariella Ville Academy, said that the school management made sure its environment is clean at all times.
“The classrooms are thoroughly cleaned each day. This includes the student desks and floors. Students are encouraged to always wash their hands after their break time and before entering their respective classrooms.
She added that hand sanitisers have also been provided for every classroom.
“We have also informed parents to ensure their children are in good health before sending them to school” she said.
Malam Bala Musa, a fruit vendor, said usually he washed his fruits once but with the outbreak, he washes them twice with clean water before selling.
“There are some people who are not taking the outbreak of this disease seriously. As for me I will continue to keep my environment clean and maintain hygiene at all times.
I want to keep my customers and myself healthy”, Musa told NAN.
Abuja residents take preventive measures against cholera
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