Hand hygiene saves millions of lives every year when performed at the right moments during health care delivery. It is a minimum requirement for every health facility in the world.  Preventing infection and its spread can have huge benefits in reducing the impact of infection and antimicrobial resistance spread in health care settings and producing economic advantages. WHY SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR HANDS? Handwashing with soap removes germs from hands. This helps prevent infections because: People frequently touch their eyes, nose, and mouth without even realizing it. Germs can get into the body through the eyes, nose and mouth and make us sick. Germs from unwashed hands can get into foods and drinks while people prepare or consume them. Germs can multiply in some types of foods or drinks, under certain conditions, and make people sick. Germs from unwashed hands can be transferred to other objects, like handrails, table tops, or toys, [...]

On the first Tuesday in May, World Asthma day is celebrated all over the world to bring more awareness to asthma and inform people about this chronic disease and its long-term management. It was organized by Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) which was founded by the World Health Organization in 1993. WHAT IS ASTHMA? Asthma is a chronic health condition that arises due to increased responsiveness of the airway to a range of stimuli leading to narrowing of the airway. It usually presents with cough, shortness of breath, wheeze and chest tightness usually at night or early in the morning which are reversible either spontaneously or with treatment. Asthma affects both children and adults. BURDEN OF ASTHMA About 262 million people worldwide were affected by Asthma in 2019 and there were 455,000 asthma related deaths in the same year. It is often misdiagnosed and poorly managed in middle to low [...]

There are some 'basic' medical emergencies that occur every now and then; conditions or injuries that might not seem like a big deal at first, but if left untreated, they could spiral into something much more severe. When such emergencies happen, there's a high chance the average person would panic, and try to find the fastest way to get to the hospital. However, what happens if you can't access medical help immediately due to one reason or the other? Here are some of these types of injuries/conditions and simple ways you can give first aid at home before receiving proper medical attention at a hospital. Fever This is a body temperature that is higher than the normal temperature of about 37°C. It usually indicates the presence of an infection. For Kids : Remove excess clothes  and offer the child a lot of fluid (water or juice is just fine). Do [...]

Introduction It's a new year, and as usual, you've written down a number of health and fitness goals you plan to achieve this year. This is a gentle reminder that those goals won't work unless you do. To ensure we tick these goals as "done" at the end of the year, we have compiled some tips that would ensure you stay on the right track throughout the year! Some useful tips to help you achieve your health goals Be realistic You have to think realistically when you're setting a health goal. For example, for a person who has not exercised in a while, starting your fitness routine with 200 squats a day is highly unrealistic. Setting a goal to work out 7days a week is also very unrealistic for a 9-5ver with a very tight schedule. Remember to always start on a comfortable and sustainable level,  then build up your [...]

Introduction Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that develops in a woman’s cervix which is the entrance to her womb. Cervical cancer is termed the fourth most common cancer among women globally. The popularity of this particular cancer has birthed fear among people which may have perhaps led to a number of myths that are now popularly associated with this cancer. In this blog post, we would be discussing the various myths that are commonly associated with cervical cancer. Some common myths 1. It cannot be prevented Cervical cancer can be prevented. This cancer mostly occurs as a result of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)  which is commonly transmitted through sexual intercourse. To help prevent this, you should get vaccinated against HPV and also have regular screening tests to stay up-to-date on your body. 2. It only affects old women Although older women might have a higher risk of getting [...]

Nigerians and other West Africans can relate to Harmattan. For those who have not experienced Harmattan, it is a season that starts between late November and typically ends in February. The Harmattan season is characterized by cold–dry wind, and heavy dust-laden particles; usually colder at night and in the early hours of the morning. Due to the temperature and other factors during this season, the weather can take its toll on your body and your health in general. And with so many activities around the corner especially the Christmas and the New Year celebrations, now would be the most inconvenient time to fall sick! Luckily we're here to help. We've compiled some tips that would help you stay healthy during this Harmattan season. Keep your skin moisturized Ensure that your skin, especially parts of the body that are left uncovered when you’re dressed, are well moisturized. Examples are your lips, [...]

According to the UN, violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent, and devastating human rights violations in our world today and remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma, and shame surrounding it. A report by WHO- states that "across their lifetime, 1 in 3 women, around 736 million, are subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or sexual violence from a non-partner – a number that has remained largely unchanged over the past decade". This alarming statistic points to why we should do our best to help women that are stuck in abusive situations. To raise awareness on International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women, we came up with a list of ways that you can help women around you who are in abusive situations. Lend a listening ear Abused women often find it hard to share their [...]

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms persistently grow in the presence of drugs designed to kill them. This means that the microorganisms become immune to the drugs that are designed to kill them. This could become an issue because it means new and most likely- stronger medications have to be prescribed. Here are some important facts about antimicrobial resistance you should keep in mind- It can affect people at any stage of life Antimicrobial resistance isn't limited to age. It can happen to anyone no matter the age. Non-completion of prescribed medication When you don't complete your medications as prescribed by your doctor, you give the microorganisms that caused your sickness the opportunity to come back stronger. Completing your medications ensures that the cycle is completed and the organisms are completely wiped out. Self-medication When you take medications that have not been prescribed by a Doctor, you risk making the disease [...]

According to a report by BMC primary care, approximately 6 million adults in Nigeria are living with diabetes.  While prevention is better than cure, a Diabetes diagnosis is not a death sentence. Here are some useful self-care tips to follow if you have diabetes, you can also share the tips with any friend or relative living with diabetes. Stay Physically Active If you are Diabetic, you should find ways to stay active. You can do this by playing sports, exercising, or just taking walks regularly. This will help in controlling blood sugar levels, boost your body's sensitivity to insulin, and also lowers the risk of nerve damage. Choose Whole foods over Processed food: Diabetic or not, you always have to be cautious of what goes into your mouth, and how it will affect your health. A healthy diet for a diabetic patient includes a mix of whole foods in the [...]