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Even Healthcare Givers Share Misinformation about COVID-19, Says Kano Health Official  

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Misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines appears to have gotten worse and is keeping people from getting the shots, driving an increase in cases.

 

Medical personnel in Nigeria have complained that COVID misinformation has constituted a major threat to all the efforts been made to stamp out the disease.

An official of Kano State ministry of health said that “even health care givers share in the underlying misinformation about COVID-19, and I must tell you that if government did not make the taking of vaccine mandatory, a lot of health officials will not take it, I am sure.” Misinformation has become a growing problem in the outbreak, fueling vaccine hesitancy among a wary public, health officials have complained.

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In Kano State, “a lot of our people still believe Covid is a mirage. They say even if it exists, it is not as potent as it is being made to appear,” he said, adding that misinformation is not a Kano of Nigerian issue but rather “a global phenomenon.

Maria Van Kerkhove said during a Q&A livestreamed on the WHO’s social media channels that “In the last four weeks or so, the amount of misinformation that is out there seems to be getting worse, and I think that’s really confusing for the general public,”.

Misinformation has become another risk factor that is “really allowing the virus to thrive,” she said.

Public health leaders have blamed conspiracy theories and misinformation for growing distrust of the vaccines around the world — so much so that in July, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, declared Covid misinformation a “serious public threat.”

According to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey conducted July 15-27, most unvaccinated Americans think the Covid vaccines are more of a threat to their health than contracting the virus itself.

Part of the misinformation going round about the vaccine are that it causes infertility, contains microchips and causes Covid-19, said Yusuf Sani Jogana, an administrative officer in a state hospital in Kano.

Nigerian Sketch also found that misinformation about alternative treatments for Covid-19 are prevalent among the populace.

For instance, a local herbs seller claims that a certain shrub called ‘Tazargade’ is effective against the disease and can completely cure it.

Tazargade has received so much attention that authorities are already beginning to consider carrying out a research about its efficacy.

Other more dangerous claims are that bathing with hot water, drinking hot water with lemon juice and chewing bitter kola can either prevent contracting COVID-19 or cure it when it is detected.

But medical experts have insisted that the best way to cut down the time frame to getting to the end of this pandemic is through mass vaccination.

 

 

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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.

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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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.

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“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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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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