Day: July 2, 2024

The Grace Thomas Foundation in collaboration with Christopher Oghogho Foundation, have called on families especially parents to be at the forefront in the fight against drug abuse to build a better society.

The Non-Governmental Organisations made the call at a Women and Family Drug Education Programme (WOFADEP) with the theme ‘The Role of Family in Drug Abuse Prevention” in Abuja.

The Chief Executive Officer, Grace Thomas Foundation, Mrs Rejoice Henry-Wesley, said the move to address drug abuse from the family level was imperative.

Henry-Wesley said that the drug use was a universal problem that transcends boundaries and could affect any family.

According to her, when drug user is discovered within a family, it often leads to considerable stress, conflicts, and a pervasive sense of helplessness.

‘The associated shame can cause both the family and the individual using drugs to deny the problem, further complicating the path to recovery and support.

‘The Grace Thomas foundation was birthed out of my pers
onal experience of losing a beloved sister to substance abuse.

‘It was very tragic and because of that experience, we are inspired to enlighten and educate people so that they don’t go through the same struggles that my family suffered when my sister was abusing drugs,” she said.

Henry-Wesley said that education could reduce substance abuse by 50 per cent adding that educating the family would help in reducing drug abuse.

She advised women to stay close to their children, look out for the signs and be their children’s friends so as to be able to stop them from making wrong friends.

According to her, mothers should to also enlighten their children and let them know the dangers of abuse of drugs.

She said the event was organised with the aim to tackle the problem of drug abuse from a family perspective, emphasising the crucial role that families could play in preventing the menace.

Mrs Celina Onogwu, Member of Christopher Oghogho Foundation for Women, Girls and Youth, said there was need to sensitise Nig
erians on the use of drug, particularly with the families especially with women.

Onogwu said that drug abuse was gradually taking over the society, adding that more women were involved in it which had affected families negatively.

She said the foundations had brought stakeholders to share information and experiences to enable families and people involved in drug abuse to know the effects.

‘It is to also help family members to know what to do. So it is very important that this is happening right now.

‘We the Christopher Oghogho Foundation, since we are focused on making sure that we contribute to society positively, we are joining them to make this possible, to give them our full support,” she added.

A representative of NDLEA, Precious Oyutu, an Assistant Commander of Narcotics, said that it was necessary to start the fight against drug abuse from the family level since all abuser came from families.

Oyutu said that educating the families on coping strategies and the way they should talk to their childr
en was imperative in tackling the menace of substance abuse.

According to her, the pivotal role of family in preventing drug abuse cannot be overstated.

‘By fostering and nurturing family environments, establishing supportive networks, and advocating for comprehensive preventive measures, society can create a resilient foundation that mitigates the risks and impacts of substance abuse,” she said.

A member of Women of Worth, Edith Bagorma, said that the issue of drugs abuse was becoming worrisome and it was apt for organisations to collaborate to address the menace.

Bagorma urged women to drive the fight against drug abuse being the closest to their children, urging stakeholders to leverage their collective effort to tackle drug abuse.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

National Treasury says that whilst South Africa is on track to address all the outstanding Action Items to exit grey listing, it remains a tough challenge to address all 14 of the remaining Action Items by February 2025.

This assertion comes after the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) published the latest update on South Africa’s progress in addressing the Action Items in its Action Plan on 28 June 2024, following the conclusion of the June 2024 FATF Plenary meetings in Singapore.

‘All relevant agencies and authorities will need to continue to demonstrate significant improvements, and also that such improvements are being sustained and are effective,’ National Treasury said on Tuesday.

When the FATF grey listed South Africa at its February 2023 Plenary meetings, it adopted a jointly agreed Action Plan containing 22 Action Items linked to the eight strategic deficiencies identified in the country’s Anti-Money Laundering and the Combating of the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime.

South Africa is requ
ired to address all 22 Action Items so as to exit the FATF grey list. The Action Items have differing deadlines, falling between January 2024 to January 2025.

‘National Treasury is satisfied with the outcomes of the FATF Plenary meetings. Given the FATF process, Treasury does not expect South Africa to exit grey listing before June 2025, as per the Action Plan deadlines,’ National Treasury said.

The Minister of Finance has been leading a process within government to ensure that South Africa addresses all Action Items by February 2025, to enable South Africa to exit grey listing by June 2025.

‘The FATF Plenary did not discuss the delisting of South Africa from grey listing at this juncture but focused instead on the progress made by South Africa in addressing the 17 outstanding Action Items.

‘The FATF Plenary accepted the report of the FATF Africa/ Middle East Joint Group that South Africa has largely addressed three further Action Items, and hence has 14 outstanding items left to address (from the origina
l 22),’ National Treasury explained.

The January 2025 deadline serves as a general guide on the earliest time that South Africa can be expected to have addressed all the Action Items in the Action Plan, which is two years after the placement of a country on the FATF grey list.

FATF Joint Group

‘Once all the Action Items have been addressed, the country is required to confirm its progress via an onsite visit by the FATF Joint Group.

‘As such, if the FATF Plenary determines in February 2025 that South Africa has addressed or largely addressed all 22 Action Items, it will schedule an onsite visit of the Joint Group in April/May 2025 to confirm that assessment and make a recommendation to the June 2025 FATF Plenary to remove the country from the FATF grey list.

‘If any of the Action Items remain unaddressed by the January 2025 deadline, the country will be required to continue reporting to the FATF every four months, until all the deficiencies have been addressed,’ National Treasury said.

Deadlines

At the
June 2024 meetings, the FATF Plenary adopted a report by the FATF Joint Group for Africa/ Middle East, confirming that eight of the 22 Action Items are now addressed or largely addressed in accordance with the specified deadlines.

The items that are addressed or largely addressed relate to the legal provisions criminalising terrorist financing and underpinning South Africa’s targeted financial sanction regimes, increasing the use of financial intelligence from the Financial Intelligence Centre to support money laundering investigations.

The items that are addressed also introduce risk-based tools to identify higher-risk Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions, the updating of the Terror Financing National Risk Assessment, and increasing the resources and capacity of relevant authorities.

‘South Africa is left with two reporting cycles in September 2024 and January 2025 in terms of the Action Plan. Many of the 14 outstanding items are due in the last two reporting cycles because South Africa has
to demonstrate that the improvements made are sustained over successive reporting periods.

‘In the next reporting cycle, South Africa is required to address (or at least largely address) nine of the outstanding Action Items in the Action Plan that are due in September 2024. The final five Action Items are due in January 2025,’ National Treasury said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Pate, has inaugurated some medical structures in the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) for affordability of health care services.

Pate, at the inauguration on Monday in Gwagwalada, said that the infrastructures reflected President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and unwavering determination to bridge the gap in the health sector.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the structures inaugurated were the mental health building, Cardiovascular Research Centre and Sen, Joshua Dariye medical Out Patient Clinic Block.

According to him, the structures will provide integrated care services and acute care for both inpatient and outpatient, in line with international best practices in the health sector.

‘The health infrastructures in our teaching hospitals and the medical equipment provide services to Nigerians to expand the affordability of medical services in anticipation of the increasing burden of non-communicabl
e diseases.

‘We are unveiling the Cardiovascular Research Centre, mental health building and the Medical Outpatient Block as we have increasing cases of hypertension, diabetes and cancer in Nigeria and the health sector has to deal with it.

‘I am very pleased with the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Gwagwalada for expanding the infrastructure, mobilising human resources and global partnership to build research centre.

‘We are making progress, we are expanding the Primary Healthcare, expanding higher level services through our hospitals, rebuilding our human resources, retraining about 120,000 frontline health workers all over Nigeria,’ he said.

Pate said that the President signed an executive order to unlock the healthcare value chain, which would allow us to produce some of the things needed, to enable Nigerians get treated in the country.

‘We are very optimistic that the President’s mission on expanding health insurance coverage in the next few years will add to the momentum that we have built in
the country,’ he said.

Pata said the present administration was committed to improve the health sector by expanding primary health care services in the country.

This, he said would expand access to higher levels of services through hospitals and rebuilding human resources.

On the issue of cholera outbreak in the country, Pate called on all Nigerians to maintain basic hygiene to help prevent water and food diseases.

The Chief Medical Director, UATH, Prof. Bissallah Ekele, said the hospital was in need of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine and more medical structures in the hospital.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Pontederia crassipes, commonly known as water hyacinth, might be admired for its striking purple flowers, but it is also one of the most aggressive and problematic invasive plants globally. Originating from the Amazon basin, the species was first recorded in South Africa at the beginning of the 20th century and has since become a significant environmental threat in this country. Water hyacinth’s rapid growth and reproduction capabilities pose severe challenges to water bodies in South Africa.

Under ideal conditions, water hyacinth can double its biomass every 5 – 10 days under ideal conditions. Each plant can produce up to 22 daughter plants, which mature, break off, and produce their own daughter plants, creating a vicious cycle. A single inflorescence with 20 flowers produces up to 3000 seeds depending on the site and time of year. Seed dispersal is also an important factor to consider as seed germination from seed banks or reservoirs takes only 3 days on average, with a combination of contributing factors
such as water fluctuation, eutrophication and decomposition influencing the dispersal of seeds. The predominant dispersal strategy used by water hyacinth is via the daughter plant propagation through the formation of stolons.

Water hyacinth’s rapid growth and reproduction capabilities pose severe challenges to water bodies in South Africa. It easily overwhelms small ponds are easily overwhelmed by the species, leading to desperate pond owners removing the plants and improperly disposing of them in nearby rivers or dams, exacerbating the spread.

A green field with a river and a city in the distance Description automatically generated

Water hyacinth covering the Roodeplaat dam, Gauteng. (photo credit: D. Muir – DFFE)

Despite this bleak scenario, there is hope. Biological control agents, specifically insects, mites or even pathogens that feed on water hyacinth, serve as our ecological warriors. There are eight biocontrol agents known to attack water hyacinth effectively. However, their success is closely tie
d to water quality; the more eutrophic the water, the longer it takes for these agents to control the invasive plant effectively. Some biocontrol agents are also limited by environmental conditions such as temperature and seasonality. For example, the mirid (Eccritotarsus catarinensis) does not respond well to excessive cold or heat so releases of these biocontrol agents should be in coastal areas or areas with sufficient canopy cover, whereas the planthopper (Megamelus scutellaris) is much more adaptable and can withstand colder climates – meaning it can be released inland and in the coastal areas. This is the reason why M. scutellaris was chosen for the testing of the integrated approach at the Roodeplaat Dam in Pretoria.

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The biocontrol agent, Megamellus scutellaris, showing adults and nymphs (photo credit: Julie Coetzee)

In September 2020, the Department applied a biocontrol with sub-lethal spraying of an aquatic-safe her
bicide, such as a glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) without the carcinogenic co-formulant polyethoxylated tallow amine (POE-T), to the Roodeplaat Dam. Large numbers of the biocontrol agent, M. scutellaris, were released over three months. Initially, the water hyacinth infestation covered approximately 60% of the dam.

The intervention at Roodeplaat Dam demonstrated the potential of this method. Mass rearing stations were set up around the dam to boost biocontrol agent numbers, facilitating quicker establishment. By the third month, the water hyacinth cover had dropped below 45%.

The biocontrol populations were monitored until the water hyacinth mass dropped to below 20% at which stage a sub-lethal strip spray was applied by spraying 2 strips in the centre of the floating water hyacinth mass, ensuring the herbicide did not harm the biocontrol agents.

Care was also taken to ensure that the swaths that were sprayed were not within 5m of the shoreline to mitigate against riparian contamination and spray drift (R
iparian contamination occurs when pollutants from nearby land enter rivers, streams, or other water bodies. This can harm aquatic ecosystems, affect water quality, and disrupt the natural habitat of riparian zones).

This approach not only controlled the water hyacinth but also made the plants more palatable for the biocontrol agents, accelerating their feeding and control efforts. Within three months, the water hyacinth was effectively managed without disrupting the aquatic ecosystem.

Given the success of the integrated approach on Roodeplaat Dam, the Department embarked on the process of formalising this approach as the standard policy for controlling floating macrophytes nationally. The integrated approach would then serve as the protocol to be applied on all water bodies, especially dams and rivers battling water lettuce and water hyacinth, amongst others.

The Roodepoort Dam is now ‘free’ of alien invasive plants with 1.99% of water hyacinth biomass (pic: RU-CBC)

The protocol stipulates that any contro
l method used should be the combination of a sub-lethal herbicide spray with a polyethoxylated tallow amine free glyphosate-based herbicides, either aerial or foliar. This ultimately means that the use of a full dose spray of herbicide is no longer necessary or used as this combination is registered under the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Stock Remedies and Agricultural Remedies Act, (Act No 36 of 1946) as a registered agricultural application.

And it’s envisioned that this strategy will be deployed on the Vaal River and Dam, which is battling water lettuce (Salvinia molesta) growth. Scientists assigned with dealing with the Vaal River are currently in the process of researching the appropriate biocontrol agent for the water lettuce, in order to be able to calculate the effective sub-lethal dosage to apply in this novel integrated approach.

By embracing an integrated strategy that combines biocontrol and targeted sub-lethal herbicide use, we can protect our water bodies and ensure the health and productivity of
our ecosystems. It is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation among various stakeholders, including government, research institutions, and local communities.

During this Environment Month, we call on all stakeholder to work together so we can combat the spread of alien and invasive alien plants and safeguard our natural resources for future generations. Let us unite in our efforts to restore and protect our precious terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

*Debbie Muir is Biodiversity Officer and Pesticide Risk Manager at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

Source: South African Government News Agency

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has encouraged men to prioritise their health as the province observes Men’s Health Month.

Ntuli made the call during the launch of Men’s Health Month, which included a law enforcement parade held in Durban on Monday.

Men’s Health Month seeks to engage men on issues they face. The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government also uses the month to create awareness on the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

READ | KZN Premier lays down the law on GBV

‘Let us use this Men’s Health Month as an opportunity to prioritise our health, break down barriers, and foster a culture of well-being,’ the Premier urged men.

Ntuli said Men’s Health Month will see health screenings taking place across the province, which will cover essential aspects of men’s health.

Outlining the programmes and initiatives that KwaZulu-Natal has earmarked to commemorate during Men’s Health Month, Ntuli said the initiative holds a significant relevance for the province, as it focuses on raisi
ng awareness about the health challenges confronting men, and advocates for early detection and treatment of diseases.

Ntuli said throughout July, the province will organise health screenings, which will cover essential aspects of men’s health, including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diabetes, and prostate health.

‘We will collaborate with local clinics, community centres, and workplaces to ensure that men have easy access to these screenings. The awareness campaigns will emphasise the importance of regular check-ups and early intervention,’ Ntuli said.

The month will also include awareness campaigns, including mental health support, physical fitness and active lifestyle, nutrition and healthy eating, and fatherhood and family support.

Ntuli said mental health is a critical component of overall well-being, noting that men often face unique challenges in seeking help for mental health issues.

Ntuli said during the month, targeted campaigns will be launched to destigmatise the discussions on mental h
ealth.

He said counselling services, including helplines and support groups specifically tailored for men, will be expanded.

The Premier encouraged men to reach out and share their struggles and seek professional assistance when needed.

‘We will promote physical fitness through community events, sports programmes, and recreational activities. Let us encourage men to engage in regular exercise, whether it is walking, jogging, or participating in team sports.

‘We will celebrate responsible fatherhood and encourage positive parenting practices. Workshops, seminars, and parenting classes will equip fathers with essential skills to support their children’s emotional and physical development,’ Ntuli said.

He said the province will also collaborate with schools, workplaces, and local markets to raise awareness about balanced diets, and further provide practical guidance on healthy eating, emphasising the importance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Source: South African Government News A
gency

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), says it registered 63 deaths and 2,102 suspected cases in the ongoing cholera epidemic across the country.

The Director-General of the centre, Dr Jide Idris, said this during a news conference on the cholera situation on Tuesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that cholera is a severe diarrheal illness caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, and has remained a significant health challenge, especially in regions with inadequate sanitation and clean water.

It is, therefore, advisable to understand the disease transmission mechanism so as to curb its spread.

Idris said that as at June 30, Nigeria recorded 2,102 suspected cholera cases and 63 deaths across 33 states and 122 local government areas, with a case fatality rate of 3.0 per cent

The NCDC boss said that the top 10 affected states are Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Zamfara, Bauchi, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Rivers, and Delta, with seven of these being in the south.

He said
that the National Cholera Multisectoral Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), activated for this crisis, comprised subject matter experts who coordinate the response, ensuring effective resource mobilisation, surveillance, case management, and community engagement.

He said that the measures aim to enhance diagnostic capacity, treatment, and public awareness.

According to him, there are key prevention and response activities initiated by the agency.

‘Such activities include assessments in 22 hotspot states, distribution of medical supplies, technical support, training programmes and public health advisories,’ he said.

The NCDC boss said that in spite of strong political support and efforts, challenges like open defecation, inadequate toilet facilities, poor water and sanitation, waste management issues, and weak regulatory practices persisted.

He added said that the impact of climate change and flooding exacerbated the cholera situation in the country.

He said that there were efforts to continue to combat
the outbreak, with a focus on improving hygiene practices, enforcing public health laws, and enhancing healthcare workers’ capacity at state and local levels.

‘Only 123 (16 per cent) of 774 LGAs in Nigeria are open defeacation free. With Jigawa as the only open defeacation free state in Nigeria. More than 48 million Nigerians practice open defecation.

‘Inadequate toilet facilities and existing ones even in many government facilities not well maintained. Inadequate Safe water and poor sanitation,’ he said.

According to him, 11 per cent of schools, six per cent of health facilities, four per cent of motor parks and markets, have access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene services.

He listed its causes to include poor waste management practices, poor food, environmental and personal hygiene practices., capacity gap among health care workers at the state and LGA levels.

‘Weak regulation on construction of soak away and bore holes (some sunk close to water source and bore holes sunk in wrong location).

‘
Inadequate Implementation and enforcement of public nuisance law and other relevant public health laws.

‘Inadequate capacity at State level – delayed disease reporting and response action. Capacity gap among health care workers at the state and LGA levels.

‘Also, poor regulation of food vendor and commercial water supply on hygiene, weak regulation on sighting of boreholes and well, which are close to sewage or toilets pathways,’ he said.

He said that low knowledge and practice of basic hygiene such as hand washing and effect of climate change and flood was also a major cause of cholera.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako, said that the cholera outbreak in the country came as a stark reminder that when the country failed to prioritise environmental sanitation, public health would be jeopardised and economy would be affected.

‘Nigeria is experiencing the adverse impact of climate change as evidenced by the shift in seasons, rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weat
her events like floods, droughts and heat waves with undeniable health consequences,’ Salako said.

According to him, the combination of climate change and poor sanitation, without doubt, poses a double jeopardy to the health of the planet and all creatures on it.

NAN recalls that public health experts have suggested comprehensive strategy to combat the cholera outbreak.

The experts also called for improved sanitation, access to safe water, proper hygiene, and better living conditions to address this recurrent and predictable loss of lives.

They advocated for the classification of cholera as a neglected tropical disease.

Cholera, a virulent but treatable disease, causes 2.9 million cases and 95,000 deaths annually worldwide.

Proper management keeps mortality under one percent, but it can rise to 60 percent if untreated.

Historically, cholera has shaped public health, from John Snow’s 1854 London outbreak response to the development of life-saving oral rehydration therapy by Hemendra Nath Chatterjee in 1
953. 9

Source: News Agency of Nigeria