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AstraZeneca’s Vaccine: Blood Clots Listed as Side Effect

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A very rare case of blood clots being seen in some people – mainly younger women – two weeks after taking the AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine has been listed by the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) safety committee as a “possible side effect” of the vaccine. This is said by the EMA’s Executive Director, Emer Cooke, in a Wednesday, April 7, press conference which was broadcasted live via YouTube and Europa Satellite.

The EMA safety committee also known as PRAC, is responsible for assessing all aspects of the risk management of medicines for human use. “After a very in-depth analysis, the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) after a very in-depth analysis had concluded that the reported cases of unusual blood clotting following vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine should be listed as possible side effects of the vaccine,” said Emer.

EMA Executive Director, Emer Cooke, at Wednesday press conference

She, however, noted that the (PRAC) has confirmed that the benefit of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing COVID-19, overall, outweigh the risk of side effects. “This vaccine has proven to be highly effective. It prevents severe disease and hospitalisation, and it is saving lives.”

Nigeria received nearly 4 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine on 2 March 2021. Many low-and-middle-income countries in Africa are right now almost exclusively reliant upon the AstraZeneca vaccine supplies – is provided at the most affordable price, and in some of the countries, free of charge via the COVAX initiative, a partnership between CEPI, Gavi, UNICEF, and WHO.

The EMA’s Press Conference:

This linkage between blood clotting and the AstraZeneca vaccine, in Europe, no matter how rare, could worsen concerns and public hesitancy in Nigeria as there have been growing global concerns about the vaccine’s efficacy against the SARS-CoV2 virus variant first identified in South Africa, as well as safety concerns that have led to the temporary suspension of AstraZeneca vaccines for people under the age of 60 in Germany, and elsewhere. Some of these countries, however, later took a U-turn on their suspension of the vaccine.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has on Tuesday, asked all states administering the AstraZeneca vaccine to halt the exercise the moment they used half of the doses allocated to them. Explaining this during a media briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, the Minister of State for Health, Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora said that is necessary so as to enable those who had received their first jab of the vaccine to be able to complete their vaccination. “We still cannot specifically determine when the next batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine will arrive,” he said.

The EMA’s statement today marked the second time it’s recommending the continued use of the AstraZeneca vaccine after the decision in March by more than 20 European countries to temporarily stop using it.

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Health

Kano Nurses Consider Separation from National Body Over Leadership Concerns

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A significant number of nurses, particularly younger professionals, are expressing their intention to withdraw from the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) due to perceived failures in leadership at the state level. Many nurses and midwives have voiced their frustrations regarding the union’s inability to advocate effectively for their welfare, leading to widespread discontent within the healthcare community.

The primary concerns driving this potential breakaway include:

1. Ineffective Representation: Nurses are increasingly worried about the union’s failure to address critical issues such as the implementation of hazard allowances, upgrading CONHESS to 100%, timely promotions, inadequate salaries, poor working conditions, and improper placement of graduate nurses upon employment. Additionally, there have been delays in approving changes in cadre for registered nurses to officer status, as well as a review of allowances for NYSC graduate nurses.

2. Insufficient Advocacy for Nurses’ Rights: There is a growing sentiment among nurses that their rights are not being adequately represented. Many face workplace challenges and instances of abuse without the support of a strong advocacy system to negotiate fair treatment and justice.

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3. Lack of Transparency: Concerns have been raised about the financial governance of the union, particularly regarding monthly rebates and overall financial activities. Nurses are calling for a detailed financial report to ensure transparency in how union funds are managed.

Additional issues contributing to the unrest include low morale, stagnation of professional growth, and a general loss of trust in union leadership.

Young nurses in Kano State are demanding immediate action to address these pressing concerns. If these issues remain unresolved, they may feel compelled to sever ties with the union altogether.

“We urge the management and leadership of NANNM to take these concerns seriously and engage with the necessary authorities to improve the welfare of nurses in our state,” said a representative of the concerned nurses. “Failure to act promptly may leave us with no choice but to pursue separation from the union.”

The situation remains fluid as nurses await a response from union leadership regarding their demands.

One of the nurses who pleaded anonymity released their stand to news men in Kano.

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Health

Kano Vows to Mitigate Cholera Outbreak

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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf

 

Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim

The Kano State government has said that it has taken proactive measures to safeguard people against the Cholera outbreak.

Commissioner of Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, made this disclosure on the “Zauren Premier” program at Premier Radio Kano.

He explained that, in response to the pandemic’s spread across 31 states in Nigeria, the Kano government has launched a sensitization campaign to educate people, particularly in rural areas, on how to protect themselves.

Although Cholera has not been reported in Kano, with no cases recorded in any local government area, Mr. Yusuf explained that the government has procured medicines to combat the disease in the event of an outbreak. Dr. Yusuf attributed the state’s cholera-free status to the prayers of its people.

“We cannot take credit for Kano’s freedom from the pandemic; it is the people’s prayers that have helped.

As a government, we have taken necessary measures, including informing our Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) committee two weeks ago when the disease broke out in Lagos.”

“The committee, comprising health practitioners, surveillance and notification officers, health educators, and ward volunteers, is tasked with reporting any strange disease or pandemic and taking prompt measures to halt its spread,” he said.

He also said that they have designated Zana Hospital as a referral center for suspected Cholera cases. Additionally, they have embarked on a sensitization campaign targeting food vendors and fruit sellers to ensure they maintain proper hygiene practices.

We will soon distribute flyers containing information on first aid and disease prevention to hawkers and the general public. Furthermore, we have commenced treating public wells at risk of contamination in the Kano metropolis.

The Commissioner of Health urged the public to cooperate in preventing the outbreak by maintaining a clean environment and avoiding open defecation.

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Health

A Leading Kano Hospital Offers Expert Urology Care

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BEST CHOICE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, a renowned healthcare facility, has reiterated its commitment to providing effective service delivery, a conducive atmosphere, and hospitality to save lives.

The CEO of Best Choice Specialist Hospital, Auwal Lawal Muhammad, made this assertion in an exclusive interview with newsmen in Kano.

Lawal emphasized that the hospital is well-equipped with ultramodern infrastructure and sophisticated health apparatus. Its team of esteemed urologists is dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions for various urological issues.

According to him, the hospital has broadened its routine healthcare services to include treatments for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), kidney stones, bladder control problems, prostate issues, and other urological concerns.

As a registered health facility, BEST CHOICE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL possesses board-certified urologists with extensive experience, state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, personalized care, and a compassionate approach.

In addition, the management assured patients of hospitable welfare with advanced treatment options, including minimally invasive procedures.

According to Lawal, when patients visit the hospital, they will have a healthier tomorrow. He noted that scheduling an appointment with their expert urologists helps regain control over one’s urological health.

He urged patients not to let urological issues, kidney stones, bladder, and prostate problems hold them back.

The CEO added that BEST CHOICE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL has moved to its permanent site along Tal’udu Roundabout, near Shekh Bashir El-rayya College, Aminu Kano Way, Kano, Nigeria, where its present headquarters is located. The hospital is not in any way related to any hospital around its former site.

In addition to its renowned urology services, Lawal told newsmen that the hospital offers a broad spectrum of medical services. These include general surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, dental care, dermatology, orthopedics, physiotherapy, obstetric gynecology, a general outpatient clinic, laboratory services, pharmacy, and a neonatal intensive care unit.

He noted that the dental department at BEST CHOICE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL is particularly notable for its extensive range of services where  patients can access tooth extractions, tooth whitening, crowns, bridges, scaling, and polishing. The hospital’s advanced whitening techniques promise to brighten teeth in less than an hour, ensuring patients can smile confidently.

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