News
WHO advocates holistic approach to hand washing
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa has called for holistic approach to improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) on the continent.
She made the call in a message to commemorate the World Hand Hygiene Day marked every May 5.
The theme for 2022 is: “Unite for Safety – Clean Your Hands’’.
She said the theme focused specifically on health facilities with a call to health workers, patients and family members to unite on hand hygiene to attain a culture of high quality and safe care.
Moeti said that lack of proper hygiene was direr in Africa, where half of all health care facilities do not have basic water access.
“WHO has developed and disseminated hand hygiene in healthcare guidelines to member states and facilities.
“We also offer technical guidance in the implementation of monitoring tools in countries in the African Region,’’ she said.
She said that the depth of the challenge of prioritising hand hygiene as an infection prevention and control measure was already highlighted by WHO/UNICEF global estimates.
The estimates revealed that one in every four health facilities worldwide lacked the most basic access to water supplies.
She noted also that one in every three of the facilities did not have hand hygiene facilities at point of care.
Moeti also said there was need to improve collaboration between public and private sectors on investment which remained crucial to expanding and maintaining infrastructure for safe WASH in Africa.
“More financial resources are required in most African countries to achieve universal access to WASH services by 2030.
“Research on the socio-economic burden of healthcare-associated infections in African countries is also needed,’’ the WHO regional director said.
Moeti stressed that evidence showed that effective infection prevention and control measures, including hand hygiene, could reduce health care-associated infections by more than half.
She said it would also boost new-born survival rates by as much as 44 per cent.
According to her frequent hand washing also plays a significant role in the fight against epidemics and pandemics.
She said WHO in the African Region has supported the improvement of hand hygiene practices through awareness campaigns in member states.
WHO also trained more than 200,000 health workers since the onset of COVID-19, and provided WASH infrastructural support to multiple facilities, she said.
“Technical guidance on local production of Alcohol-Based Hand Rub (ABHR), and scaling up existing efforts, has been conducted in member states including Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, South Africa and Uganda.,’’ Moeti said.
“Hence good practices on hand hygiene need to be expanded and sustained to build a culture of compliance to ultimately improve the well-being of all people in the African Region,’’ she added.
The World Hand Hygiene Day is set aside to foster and support a culture of hand washing, while raising awareness and understanding about the effective and affordable ways to help prevent the spread of diseases.
Investigations by Nigerian Concord Newspaper reveal that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has allegedly misappropriated public funds for a lavish lifestyle.
According to our findings, within months of assuming office, Akutah allegedly purchased a bulletproof SUV valued at approximately N850 million. In addition, he is reported to have acquired over twenty exotic SUVs for use as a convoy.
Akutah is also said to have acquired multiple high-value properties, including three in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts worth over N2 billion, and two in Lagos’ Banana Island valued at N1.8 billion. These acquisitions appear far beyond the scope of his official salary and allowances.
Further investigation suggests that Akutah may be using public funds to support political ambitions, including allegedly grooming militants across 23 local government areas in Benue State for a potential 2027 gubernatorial bid.
Staff of the Shippers Council reportedly claim that Akutah frequently accesses the council’s treasury without proper authorization. Some insiders have indicated that a petition will soon be filed with the EFCC, ICPC, and the Presidency to report his alleged misconduct.
*
Investigations by Nigerian Concord Newspaper reveal that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has allegedly misappropriated public funds for a lavish lifestyle.
According to our findings, within months of assuming office, Akutah allegedly purchased a bulletproof SUV valued at approximately N850 million. In addition, he is reported to have acquired over twenty exotic SUVs for use as a convoy.
Akutah is also said to have acquired multiple high-value properties, including three in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts worth over N2 billion, and two in Lagos’ Banana Island valued at N1.8 billion. These acquisitions appear far beyond the scope of his official salary and allowances.
Further investigation suggests that Akutah may be using public funds to support political ambitions, including allegedly grooming militants across 23 local government areas in Benue State for a potential 2027 gubernatorial bid.
Staff of the Shippers Council reportedly claim that Akutah frequently accesses the council’s treasury without proper authorization. Some insiders have indicated that a petition will soon be filed with the EFCC, ICPC, and the Presidency to report his alleged misconduct.
*
I am writing to felicitate with Your Excellency, Atku Abubakar, GCON, former Vice-President of Nigeria (Zege Mule u Tiv & Wazirin Adamawa)
on the occasion of your 79th birthday anniversary.
I join your teeming admirers globally in celebrating you on this special day, an adorable Statesman and my Boss.
I recall with nostalgia, how countless generations have benefited from your generosity, wealth of experience and benevolence including being my key benefactor even as a young lawyer for my professional success.
Your Excellency, may your special day be filled with grandeur befitting your illustrious career.
I wish you continued success, prosperity, and an unending stream of accolades.
It takes a remarkable kind of fortitude to remain active in public life well into one’s golden years. Your dedication and patriotism remain truly exceptional.
May you enjoy a day of reflection on your many years of fruitful service to humanity. It is my prayer that God Almighty grants you many more healthy, fruitful, and fulfilling years ahead, and continues to endow you with wisdom, strength, and the grace to keep contributing to our nation-building.
Happy Birthday, Your Excellency.
Michael Kaase Aondoakaa SAN.
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
TAU reaffirms commitment to globally competitive learning
photo
JUST IN: Even Tinubu moves with too many police escorts – Senator Ndume
-
Uncategorized5 years agoFG, states urged to harness flooding for ranching, others with technology – Agbaje
-
Headlines10 years agoBreaking: EFCC seals Borno House of Assembly, as Hon members take to their heels
-
News11 years agoNigeria Security Operatives Stage Manhunt For Homosexual Perpetrator
-
News9 years agoHow 21-year-old Girl fled community over accusation of lesbianism
-
News10 years agoYobe Gov Moves Against Deputy
-
Opinion7 years ago7 signs she has friend zoned you
-
Technology4 years ago
Online job placement company headhunts women
-
Headlines10 years agoBorno Dep Gov Abducts Another Church Leader