GSK To Shut Down Operations In Nigeria

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Nigeria Plc has announced its plans to shut down its operations in the country after about 51 years since it began business in Nigeria in 1972. This was made known in a press statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Company’s Secretary, Frederick Ichekwai and addressed to the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX).

Diphtheria: Senates Urge Health Ministry To Commence Immunization

Following the death of 20 people in Kaduna State, the Senate passed a resolution, mandating the Ministry of Health to, as a matter of urgency, commence the immunization of vulnerable Nigerians against Diphtheria disease. The resolution was a sequel to a motion that came under orders 41 and 51, under a matter of urgent public importance, sponsored by Senator Sunday Katung (PDP Kaduna South).

Company Creates New App To Help Farmers Get Ahead Of Avian Influenza 

The Biosecurity leaders, Livetec has launched an industry-first app which aims at assisting poultry farmers and backyard keepers tackle the spread of Avian Influenza (AI) amid UK’s ongoing outbreak. The development was made public in the a press release from the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA). The Livetec Systems App is a disease management mobile app which helps farmers get ahead of the spread of the highly pathogenic H7 avian influenza in poultry, and provides the tools they need to manage and protect their livestock. It comes amid the worst ever outbreak of AI in the UK, with tough laws imposed by government towards curbing the devastating spread. Designed as an easy-to-use tool which can accompany farmers throughout their day-to-day activities, the Livetec Systems App has been fashioned using Livetec’s signature lab to farm philosophy to bring contemporary technology to over a decade’s real-world experience on farm.

FG Raises Health Workers Allowances

The Federal Government has approved the upward review of hazard allowance for non hospice based health professionals in the country and also approves #25,000 peculiar allowances for doctors with effect from June 1, 2023. This was made known in different circulars dated July 26, 2023, and signed by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta.

18 Million Dose Of First-Ever Malaria Vaccine Allocated To 12 African Countries

Twelve African countries across different regions are set to receive eighteen million doses of the first-ever malaria vaccine to help curb the parasite over the next two years, this was revealed by the Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI), the World Health Organisation and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) on 6th June 2023. The statement noted that the allocations have been determined through the application of the principles outlined in the framework for allocation of limited malaria vaccine supply that prioritizes those doses to areas of highest need, where the risk of malaria illness and death among children are highest.

WHO Warns Against Use Of Artificial Sweeteners

The World Health organization (WHO) said that a scientific review of existing evidence found that consumption of such sweeteners was also linked to an increased risk of Type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality in the long run. Artificial sweeteners provide sweetness to food and beverages like tea and coffee, without adding significant calories. They are also widely used ingredients in pre-packed food. Hence, they have become a popular choice, especially among those who are trying to burn extra calories or loose weight. WHO made the caution on Monday recommending against the use of ‘non sugar sweeteners’ (NSS) to control body weight or reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs. “Because weight loss and maintenance of healthy weight must be sustained over the long term to have a meaningful impact on health, evidence of minor weight loss or reduced BMI over several months or less, as observed in the … trials, without additional evidence of long term impact, does not represent a health benefit,” WHO said in its report.