Category: Health & Environment

Dr. Bennet Ifekandu Omalu Awarded Honorary Doctor of Science Degree [2016]

Dr. Bennet Ifekandu Omalu, the man who discovered Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) has received a honorary Doctor of Science degree from the Xavier University in Louisiana in the United States of America, for massive contributions to science.

In the words of Dr. Bennet Ifekandu Omalu on receiving the honour:

“Got an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Xavier University of Louisiana today. I am deeply grateful and thankful.”

Dr. Omalu is a Nigerian forensic pathologist and medical examiner who was first to discover and publish findings of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) while conducting autopsy on former Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Webster in 2002.

Webster had died suddenly and unexpectedly, following years of struggling with cognitive and intellectual impairment, destitution, depression and suicide attempts. Although his brainlooked normal at autopsy, Omalu conducted independent and self-financed tissue analysis.

Dr. Bennet Ifekandu Omalu fought against efforts by National Football League to suppress his research on the brain damage suffered by professional football players.

Will Smith portrayed him in the movie “Concussion” which depicts the 47-year-old doctor’s efforts to publicize CTE.

Nigeria Emerge Third In FDI Global Dental Health Index [2016]

World Dental Federation (FDI) has ranked Nigeria third in global dental health index.

President of Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), Dr. Olabode Ijarogbe, disclosed this at the 2016 World Oral Health Day (WOHD) commemoration.

Ijarogbe said that the feat was made possible with supports from Unilever, dental therapists, dental technologists and other dental auxiliaries.

The WOHD which is celebrated in March 20 has its theme: “It all begins here, healthy mouth, healthy body”.

This year’s theme, according to the president, reflects the major contributions that oral health makes to our lives and focuses on Nigerians with the view to changing our attitudes with respect to oral health.

He also explained that the theme reminds us that our mouth is an integral part of the body and as such, should be properly taken care of. Healthy smile and the ability to speak and eat without pain or discomfort are critical to general health and wellbeing. Easily preventable or treatable oral diseases left unchecked can lead to major negative health consequences.

According to him:

“WOHD is celebrated every year to remind us that healthy teeth, gums and mouth generally play a crucial role in our ability to relate, work or study without constant nagging and painful toothache, boost in our self-confidence and in the health of our whole body at large.

WOHD celebration is aimed at increasing awareness for oral health as well as the impact of oral diseases on general health, well-being and national economies. It provides an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage individuals, families, communities and governments to take measures to lower the incidence of oral disease.”

Meanwhile, Vice President, Unilever Nigeria PLC, Robert de Vreede said that about 1.8 million children have been educated on how to take better care of their teeth.

In his words:

“Our vision this year would be reaching out to one million. Unilever is a big supplier of oral care products in Nigeria. We produce. We manufacture them here and we also have all our brands of oral care in Nigeria.

We believe it is of extreme importance to carry out the measures of brushing twice a day, morning and night because we know from experience that that would help massively to reduce the problem that people are experiencing from oral health problems and by doing this, we believe we are building towards a better Nigeria and that is what we are committed to as a company by whole.”

“Meet the Nigerian Scientist” Professor Isa Hussaini Marte

On 11th February 2016, the Sussex Nigerian Society hosted Professor Isa Hussaini Marte, a Professor of Pharmacology, University of Maiduguri, a visiting Professor, University of Virginia, USA and a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science.

In an event titled “Meet the Nigerian Scientist” organised by the Society, Professor Isa discussed with the Nigerian students in Sussex about their discovery of Nigerian traditional herbs that show substantial efficacy against cancer, better than the currently used cancer drugs.

Continue reading “Meet the Nigerian Scientist” Professor Isa Hussaini Marte

InterCEDD Develops Flat Belly

International Centre for Ethnomedicine and Drug Development (InterCEDD), makers of Intercedd Health Products (IHP), with its international partners have developed Flat Belly.

The product made of some local herbs such as Moringa, Pigeon pea and cocoa promises a flat belly within three months of use.

InterCEDD is a subsidiary of Bioresources Development and Conservation Programme (BDCP), which is a non-governmental non-profit organization.

The product was developed with a European partner and has been introduced in Europe.

As a result of certain cultural issues, the formulation of this product is quite different being in powder form and that means one has to dissolve in water before drinking.

Emeka Okwara Launches http://www.mylivemd.com/

Emeka Okwara, a Nigerian Tech Executive in the United States launches innovative “LiveMD” Platform for patients in developing countries to search for and receive expert, highly-specialized care from licensed doctors around the world, by phone, video or text.

Patients can use the site (www.mylivemd.com) to search for doctors by specialty, qualification, language, patient ratings, and location. Then they can communicate directly with those doctors for a nominal fee.

Patients in developing countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and India routinely have to travel hours to a hospital or clinic, even for a non-life threatening emergency. Once they arrive they still have to wait for hours, just to talk to a doctor for a few brief minutes, and they pay a very high cost for that consultation. But with LiveMD, they can conveniently speak to a licensed, qualified doctor who gives them their full attention. Plus patients can do it at any time, from the comfort of their home or office, using a phone or computer. As Emeka Okwara, Founder and CEO of LiveMD, explains, “A patient in Lagos, Nigeria can talk to a cardiologist in the United States for the same amount they will spend on a plate of rice.”

Communication between doctors and patients can be done by phone, video chat, or text, or the patient can schedule a face-to-face appointment if that is preferable. LiveMD connects patients with doctors from the USA, UK, and other parts of the world without incurring any prohibitive long distance charges, and the entire LiveMD platform is localized to support all countries, time zones, and currencies. Payments to doctors can be processed safely and instantly via PayPal with all major credit cards, in more than 200 countries, including developing nations. All patient information is also carefully guarded with robust security protocols to ensure full compliance with HIPAA regulations.

Okwara, an accomplished technology executive, has spent almost two decades in the United States leading the delivery of world-class, multi-million dollar tech initiatives for companies including IBM, AT&T, and Delta Airlines. But to him the launch of LiveMD is also based on a personal passion to give back to communities in need. “I was raised in Nigeria,” he says, “and while living in the USA I have made significant contributions in industries including telecommunications, health care, and computer technology. Now my mission is to ensure that people living in Africa and other developing countries also have access to the best, state-of-the-art health care.”

LiveMD is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA but serves patients in developing countries. Licensed doctors wishing to join the LiveMD Global Medical Provider Network and offer medical consultation services to patients may submit applications at the LiveMD Website (www.mylivemd.com).