News
WHO says life expectancy increased from 46 to 73 years
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says global life expectancy for both sexes has increased from 46 to 73 years, with the biggest gains in the poorest countries.
Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, said this during an online media conference.
Ghebreyesus said after years of war, the organisation realised that it was better to work with one other than fight with one another.
He said that the organisation also realised that a healthier world was a safer world.
“Their vision was clear, but bold: the highest possible standard of health, for all people. To achieve that vision, they agreed to set up a new organisation.
They debated and and agreed what this organisation would be and do in a document called the Constitution of the World Health Organisation,” Ghebreyesus said.
According to him, the organisation marked the 75th anniversary of the day that constitution came into force.
He said that the organisation’s constitution was the first document in history to formally recognise health as a human right.
The WHO boss said that since then, the world has made significant progress towards realising that vision.
He said that smallpox has been eradicated and polio was on the brink.These are actually two of the important highlights during the 75 years of existence of the organisation.
Forty-two countries have eliminated malaria, the epidemics of HIV and TB have been pushed back.
“Forty-seven countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease,” he said.
<span;>Ghebreyesus said in the past 20 years alone, smoking has fallen by a third, maternal mortality has fallen by a third and child mortality has halved.
According to him, just in the past five years, new vaccines for Ebola and malaria have been developed and licensed.
He said that just in the past five years, new vaccines for Ebola and malaria have been developed and licensed.
“And for the past 3 years, WHO has coordinated the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic – the most severe health crisis in a century.
“We can’t claim sole credit for these achievements, but we have played a leading role in all of them. Partnering with many partners, especially our Member States.
“And although we have many achievements of which to be proud, we still face many challenges – some old, some new.
“Around the world, people still face vast disparities in access to health services, between and within countries and communities,” Ghebreyesus said.
According to him, since 2000, access to essential services has increased significantly, but at least half the world’s population still lacks access to one or more services like family planning, basic sanitation, or access to a health worker.
He said that often it was because of where people live, their gender, their age or who they are people living in poverty, refugees and migrants, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and other marginalised groups.
Meanwhile, since 2000, the number of people who experience financial hardship from out-of-pocket health spending has increased by a third, to almost two billion.
“Noncommunicable diseases now account for more than 70 per cent of all deaths globally. Rates of diabetes and obesity have increased dramatically, driven by unhealthy diets and physical inactivity.
“Progress against malaria and TB has stalled, antimicrobial resistance threatens to unwind a century of medical progress.
“Air pollution and climate change are jeopardising the very habitability of our planet;
“And as COVID-19 has exposed so brutally, there remain serious gaps in the world’s defences against epidemics and pandemics.
“For all these reasons and more, the world needs WHO now more than ever,” he said. (NAN)
News
Stampede at Catholic Church in Maitama Claims Ten Lives During Food Distribution
Ten people have been confirmed dead in a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, on Saturday, 21st December 2024, during the distribution of food items to vulnerable and elderly individuals.
The unfortunate incident, which occurred around 6:30 am, resulted in the loss of ten lives, including four children, and left eight others injured with varying degrees of severity. Four of the injured have been treated and discharged, while the remaining victims are still receiving medical attention.
The FCT Police Command, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the tragedy, extended condolences to the families of the deceased, and wished the injured a swift recovery.
News
Port-Harcourt Refinery Fully Operational- Says NNPC
The attention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has been drawn to reports in a section of the media alleging that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery which was re-streamed two months ago has been shut down.
We wish to clarify that such reports are totally false as the refinery is fully operational as verified a few days ago by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC.
Preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing.
Members of the public are advised to discountenance such reports as they are the figments of the imagination of those who want to create artificial scarcity and rip-off Nigerians.
News
Port Harcourt Refinery Halts Production Less Than a Month After Resumption
Less than a month after the porthacourt appeared to have resumed production, the facility has stopped working.
It was gathered that the lifting of petrol actually stopped last Friday, December 13, as the 18-arm loading bay of the new Port Harcourt refinery was empty.
While about 18 trucks littered the stretch of the busy road leading to the refinery itself, nine trucks were spotted inside the parking yard, while the loading bay was empty.
Journalists who visited the refinery on Thursday, December 19, 2024, observed that the lifting of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) had stopped completely.
The depot, which is usually a beehive of activities where tankers scramble for space at the parking yard, was a shadow of itself with literally no vehicular or human activity relating to operations.
This was after $1.5bn was approved in March 2021 and spent on the rehabilitation of the facility.
The inauguration of the 60,000 barrel per day production capacity plant by the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, was met with celebration and fanfare.
During the re-opening of the facility, there was lifting of petrol to the excitement of the cheering crowd.
However, less than 10 trucks of petrol were lifted that day as against widespread claims that about 200 trucks carried petrol out of the bay.
Stampede at Catholic Church in Maitama Claims Ten Lives During Food Distribution
Port-Harcourt Refinery Fully Operational- Says NNPC
Port Harcourt Refinery Halts Production Less Than a Month After Resumption
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Stampede at Catholic Church in Maitama Claims Ten Lives During Food Distribution
Port-Harcourt Refinery Fully Operational- Says NNPC
Port Harcourt Refinery Halts Production Less Than a Month After Resumption
FG Allocate ₦27bn For Obasanjo, Gowon, Buhari, Others In 2025
Court Renews Order of Arrest Against Mr. Bright Echefu for Allegedly Defrauding BCGNEEDS Company of $651,280.00 USD
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Open Letter To His Excellency The Executive Governor Of Kano State:Need For A Balanced Composition Of Kano State Executive Council
Minimum Wage: Kano Water Board Staff Embark on Indefinite Strike
ASUU Declares Indefinite Strike
NLC Declares One Week Strike
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