The Coming of Society For Global Health Nigeria

Society for Global Health Nigeria debut. The Aims and Objectives of the Society is to: 

1. Bring preventive and curative healthcare to the door post;

2. Promote Health initiatives among health workers;

3. Propagate and promote global Health;

4. Promote environmental Sanitation and Hygiene among rural and urban communities as well as during emergencies arising from from man- made and natural dusasters;

5.  Promote the prevention and control of emerging and re- emerging and neglected tropical diseases among communities;

6. Promote healthcare planning, management and administration through awareness creation and advocacy;

7. Promote capacity building among medical and health professionals;

8. Promote industrial peace and harmony in the health sector;

9. Coordinate and harness volunteers in global health care;

10. Promote medical and health care services in emergency and disaster situations;

11. Promote accountability in global health governance and financing;

12. Promote training and retraining of global healthcare workers in specialised areas in liason with appropriate institutions/ professional bodies;

 13. Promote research and dissemination of research findings in global health care;

14. Promote participation in workshop s, symposium, seminars and conferences in global health; and

15. Promote adoption and integration of current medical and health technologies in global health.

Stakeholders calls for Integrated Training Of Primary Health Care Workers

Effective training of Primary Health Care Workers to deliver quality services to women and children is the key to solving the challenges facing Primary Health Care [PHC] centres in Nigeria, said by stakeholders.
Stakeholders in the health sector made the statement at the launch of Integrated Manual for Primary Health Care Workers, in Abuja.
Director, Community Heath Services, Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Nneka Onwu said, with appropriate training, PHC workers can utilize the manual and offer effective treatment to a patient. She also stated that the manual will be implemented to its fullest so that the capacity building of the workers be at its best.
Iya Balogun, representing National Association for Nigerian Nurses and Midwives [NANNM], said the manual will improve the knowledge and skills in reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality rate in the country.
The manual is a combination of everything about the mother and child, communicable diseases, malaria, leprosy and HIV

A letter by a group of unemployed environmental health graduates to Lagos State Speaker

A PASSIONATE APPEAL FOR THE INCLUSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICER CADRE APPLICANTS IN THE ON-GOING RECRUITMENT EXERCISE OF THE LAGOS STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE COMMISSION

Greetings to your highly esteemed office. We applaud your exemplary contributions in paddling the affairs of the state to birthing a new social order of monumental infrastructural development and economic growth, with resonated enhanced standard of living of Lagosians.

Following the job advert placement on print and electronic media by the Lagos State Local Government Service Commission which was slated for a period five days (25th – 29th September, 2017), we, the Environmental Health graduates made our application entries as directed by the commission.

Invitation of applicants for screening/recruitment by the Commission commenced last week through e-mail and SMS correspondence. While other cadres are being invited for screening/recruitment, the environmental health cadre applicants are being sidelined and in breach of the Local Government Schemes of Service 2006, Non-Environmental Health graduates including those with degrees in Anthropology, biotechnology, sociology, crop protection, etc are being invited for interview and placement as Environmental Health Officers while thousands of the real graduates of the profession who applied were not invited. Moreover, it is expedient to point out here that these Non-Environmental Health graduates lack in outright term the requisite competence and credentials to function statutorily and desirably as Environmental Health Officers.

We would like to reassure the state government of our willingness to gainfully contribute our quota in the enhancement of public service delivery, to the good people of Lagos state. It is also noteworthy that some of our members are not only Higher National Diploma (H.N.D) holders from recognized schools/colleges of health technology but graduates with additional qualifications such as bachelor and master's degrees with excellent grades, and have been serving the state government on a non-pensionable basis for almost a decade.

Additionally, we actively participated in the successful intervention programmes being organized by the state and federal governments in the epidemiological control of outbreaks of Lassa fever, Ebola Virus, Cholera and some other diseases. We are not in doubt that we would also be relevant in the arrest of this  recent outbreak of monkeypox viral infection.

For the avoidance of doubt, an Environmental Health Officer is a qualified graduate from either the university or school/college of health technology and duly certified by the West Africa Health Examination Board (WAHEB) and Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON). Our job specifications are well spelt-out by the World Health Organization (WHO) which aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

Finally, in the light of the above, we humbly request for your swift intervention on the delay in the job interview being experienced by our members, because we believe in your leadership, spirit of equality and goodwill for a sustained serene environmental health of the state.

Yours Faithfully,

_________________

BASHORUN N.O

Coordinator.

Cc:    The Executive Governor of Lagos State,

State House,

Alausa – Ikeja,

Lagos State.

          Honourable Segun Olulade,

          Chairman, House Committee on Health,

          Alausa – Ikeja,

          Lagos State.

Hon. Saka Fafunmi

Chairman, House Committee on Environment.

Lagos State House of Assembly.

          Hounorable Agunbiade Sunai (SOB),

          Majority Leader,

          Lagos State House of Assembly,

          Alausas – Ikeja,

          Lagos State.

                               

Commissioner of Police,

          Lagos State.        

          The President,

          Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN),

          Oshodi Isolo,

          Lagos State.

          The Chairman,

          Medical  and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN),

          Surulere,

          Lagos State.

          Chairman,

Lagos State Local Government Service Commission,

Old Secretariat,

P.W.D;

Lagos State.

Barr. Festus Keyamo (SAN),

1, Festus Keyamo Lane, off Gbagada Expressway,

Lagos State.

Barr. Femi Falana (SAN),

Old Secretariat Road,

G.R.A; Ikeja, Lagos.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,

(Governor Emeritus),

National Leader,

All Progressive Congress (APC)

Bourdilion Road,

Osborne, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Unemployed Environmental Health Graduate Visits Lagos Speaker

A group of unemployed environmental health graduates had visit and present their petitions to the Speaker, Lagos state house of assembly on their plight on the issue of ongoing recruitment by Lagos state local government service commission.The group is led by Nureni Bashorun whom stated that they have been working with local governments in Lagos for some years as casual staff with the hope that if vacancies exists, they will be absorbed, fortunately, the service commission placed an advert which includes environmental health officers, but those that applied were not call for interview while all other cadres were call, thus giving room of rumour and speculation that we would not be part of the recruitment.

"Why would they not invites us, having made the application open for everybody. They should create a level playing ground and allow everyone who is qualified to participate in the ongoing screening and interview", Nureni Bashorun said.

Responding, the speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, represented by Mr Segun Olulade, Chairman House committee on health said he will look in to the grievances of the group and do justice accordingly.

"We will contact your representatives and also call on other parties to explain the rationale behind it so that we can be on the same page....we will get back to you very soon", the speaker said.

Read the letter in full in the next post.

EHSAN organizes conference in Ibadan

Environmental health Scientists Association Of Nigeria [EHSAN]

The conference on Environmental Health Sciences is organized to increase awareness on, deepen knowledge for and stimulate action towards various primordial and emerging issues of environmental health for the purpose of ensuring environmental quality and safeguarding public health through evidence sharing from basic, applied and translational research.

The theme for the 2017 conference is ‘New Frontiers in Safety and Toxicology for Environmental health Management’. The conference will address salient and topical issues in the field of safety and toxicology particularly as it bothers on exposures to hazards and the vulnerability of the public to a myriad of deleterious health outcomes including cancers.

Delegates at conference are invited from amongst environmental scientist, researchers, public health professionals, safety professionals, policy makers, students and individuals from governmental/non-governmental and community-based organizations respectively.

Conference Objectives

·        Buildings bridges among different scientists, professionals, practitioners, and other stakeholders in environment, safety and public health fields;

·        Sharing of knowledge and skills during scientific and exhibitions sessions;

·        Networking among delegates during technical sessions and social tours;

·        Expanding new research horizon among scholars; and

·        Fostering multi-centre and inter regional collaborations.

Conference Sub-themes/Speakers

Air toxics, Man and Cancer, Prof R. Vermeulen, Institute of Risk Assessment Sciences, [IRAS], Netherlands;

Nano Technology: Toxicological and Safety Concern, Prof A. Dhawan, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, India;

Children, School Environment and Safety, Prof Louise Stroud, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa;

Water Safety: Implications for Households and Eco Tourism, Prof MKC Sridhar, University of Ibadan, Nigeria;

Food Safety, Chemical Exposure and Toxicovigilance, Prof Eo Farombi, University of Ibadan, Nigeria;

Hazardous and Health Care Waste, Engr. Olabode Oladeji, Oiloff Nigeria Limited;

Soil Health and Biosafety, Prof Kehinde Olayinka, University of Lagos, Nigeria;

Industrial Hygiene and Safety, Dr A Amadi, HSE Manager, LNG Nigeria; and

Households-level Toxic: Safety and Health Issues, Dr G.R.E.E. Ana, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

The conference schedule to holds on 20-24^th November, 2017

Registration is N20, 000.00 for participants, N10, 000.00 for students and USD500 for foreign participants.

Payment can be made to:

Account Name:                   Environmental Health Scientists Association, Nigeria

Bank:                                  

Access Bank Plc, UCH branch, Ibadan

Account Number:              0 7 2 7 6 8 3 2 6 7

Teller of payment should be scanned and sent to adejumo_mumuni@yahoo.com and oyinobisesan@gmail.com

Environmental and Public Health Watch Blog is No 55 on the web

I am happy to inform our readers that that this blog is selected among the Top 75 Public Health Blogs on the web. Specifically, it is No 55 among the 75, hence the blog has the honour to use the badge below.
These could not have possible without your efforts of always standing by the blog in making available the information you needed.
Even though update on the blog is not regular, it is my wish to continue updating daily, therefore, readers should bear with me.
The blog appreciated this honour and thanks our readers.

The other blogs can be found here https://blog.feedspot.com/public_health_blogs/

55	Environmental and Public Health Watch+ Follow tsaftarmuhalli.blogspot.com About Blog - This blog brings environmental and Public health issues as it happens in Nigeria. Frequency - about 1 post per month Since - Sep 2005

A BILL

FOR

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTITIONERS OF NIGERIA AND FOR RELATED MATTERS, 2017 (HB.1022)

Sponsored by: Hon. Obinna Chidoka

Provisions of the Bill	Committee’s Recommendation
PART I - ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTITIONERS OF NIGERIA Establishment of the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria. 1. (1) There is hereby established a body to be known as the Institute of environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (in this bill referred to as the Institute).             (2) The Institute:             (a) shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal;             (b) may sue and be sued in its corporate name; and             (c) may for the purpose of carrying out its functions, subject to the limitations in this Bill and to any law for time being in force, acquire, hold or dispose of property, whether movable or immoveable.
Established for the Governing Council. 2. (1) There shall be established for the Institute a Governing Council (the council) charged with the responsibility for the administration and general management of the Institute.             (2) The Council shall consist of:             (a) President of the Institute, who shall be the chairman;             (b) Vice-President of the Institute who shall be the Vice-Chairman;             (c) National Treasurer of the Institute who shall be the treasurer;             (d) Minister of Environment or his representative who shall not be below the rank of a Director;             (e) Minister of Petroleum or his representative who shall not be below the rank of a Director; (f) Minister of Agriculture or his representative who shall not be below the rank of a Director;             (g) the immediate past president of the Institute;             (h) five persons appointed by the Institute;             (i) Chairmen of branches of the Institute;             (j) Chairman board of Fellows; and             (k)  Chairmen of committees of the Council.  Schedule.         (3) The provision of the First Schedule to this Bill shall regulate the proceedings of the Council and related matters.
Function of the Institute. 3.  The Institute shall:             (a) determine what standard of knowledge and skill are to be attained by persons seeking to become registered as Environmental Practitioners in Nigeria;             (b) secure in accordance with the provisions of this Bill, the establishment and maintenance of a register of Members and the publication of a list of  such members;             (c) regulate and control all aspects of the environmental practice in Nigeria (Professional Services); and             (d) perform through the Council, functions conferred on it by this Bill.
Function of the Council. 4.  The Council shall be responsible for:             (a) ensuring the effective and efficient implementation of the function of the Institute;             (b) supervising and monitoring the operations of the Institute;             (c) maintaining the highest level of integrity and honesty in the operations of the Institute; (d) the consideration and approval of the annual budget of the Institute;             (e) presentation of the report and account prepared by the Institute to the Minister; (f) the approval of the audited accounts and the consideration of the management letters from the external auditors;             (g) appointment and removal of auditors, provision of the necessary facilities and remuneration; and             (h) carrying out such other activities as are necessary and expedient for achieving the objectives and functions of the Institute.
Grades in the Institute. 5.  A person registered as an environmental Practitioner under the Institute shall be a:             (a) Fellow, if the person has:             (i)  spent at least Ten years as a full member of the institute, or             (ii)  contribute significantly to the practice and development of environmental management;             (b) member, if the person has:             (i)  spent at least six years as an Associate, and             (ii) adjudged by the Council to possess an adequate knowledge of environmental management; and             (c) Associate, if, the person is a:             (i) University graduate who has spent at least four years in an affiliate grade;             (ii) holder of university degree in environmental science or any related discipline, or a person who has performed duties at a senior level in environmental management continuously for at least six years;             (iii) graduate of the Institute who has competently performed executive or advisory duties at a senior level in environmental management for at least four years since election to the grade of member; and             (iv) non-graduate who has spent at least ten years in an affiliate grade, and possesses standard knowledge and qualities essential for a successful practice of environmental management.
PART II - FINANCIAL PROVISIONS Fund of the Institute.            6. (1) There shall be established for the Institute a Fund, which shall be managed and controlled by the Council.             (2)  There shall be paid into the fund:             (a) all fees, charges and monies payable to the Institute pursuant to this Bill; (b) all monies provided by the Federal Government to the council by way of grant or loan or otherwise; and             (c) other monies received by the Institute in course of its operations or in relation to the  exercise of its function under this Bill.             (3)  There shall be paid out of the Fund of the institute:             (a) remuneration and allowances of the Institute;             (b) any money borrowed by the Council on behalf of the Institute and interest payable on such monies;             (c) such reasonable expenses and allowances of members of the Council in discharging their duties for the Institute, as the Council may determine; and             (d) any other expenses incurred by the Council in the discharge of its function under this Bill.             (4) The Council may invest monies from the fund in any security created or issued by or on behalf of the Government of the Federation or any other security in Nigeria as may be approved by the council.             (5) The Council may on behalf of the Institute, from time to time borrow money for the purpose of running the Institute, which shall be paid into the Fund.
Annual accounts. 7.  The Council shall on behalf of the Institute keep proper accounts in respect of each year, and the Council shall cause the accounts to be audited by an external auditor appointed in accordance with the guidelines supplied by the Auditor-General  for the Federation, and the audited accounts submitted to the members at the general meeting of the institute.
PART III - THE REGISTRATION AND THE REGISTER Appointment of Registrar, etc and preparation of register.         8. (1) The Council shall appoint a Person knowledgeable in environmental practice for not less than Ten years to be the Registrar of the Institute, and such other persons as the Council may from time to time think necessary to assist the Registrar in the performance of his functions under this Bill.             (2) The Registrar shall be the Chief Executive officer of the Institute and Secretary to the Council.             (3) The Registrar shall prepare and maintain a Register of names, addresses and approved qualifications and other relevant particulars as may be specified in the rules made by Council, of all categories and classes of members/persons registered as Environmental practitioners in the Country.             (4) The register shall consist of five parts; each part shall be in respect of Fellows, Members, Associates, Affiliates, Graduates and Students.             (5) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Council may make rules with respect to the creation and maintenance  of the register including:             (a) the making of applications for enrolment;             (b) notifying the Registrar as to any change in any particulars submitted by any person;             (c) authorizing a registered person to have any qualification relevant to this Bill; and             (d) specifying the fees, including subscription to be paid to the Institute upon the entry of names on the register and authorizing the Registrar to refuse the entry of a name in the register until specified entry fees have been paid.
Duties of the Registrar. 9.   It shall be the duty of the Registrar to:             (a) correct, as directed by the Council, any wrong entry in the register; (b) update the registered particulars of registered persons;             (c) remove from the register the name of any registered person who has died;             (d) record the names of members of the institute who have defaulted for more than four months in the payment of annual subscriptions; (e) take such action in relation thereto (including removal of the names of defaulters from the register) as the Council under this Bill, may direct or require.
Publication of register and its correction. 10. (1) The Registrar shall ensure that:             (a) the register or any corrections made  therein shall be printed, published and put on sale for members of the public not later than two years from the commencement of this Act; and             (b) a copy of each edition of the register and a list of any corrections made, shall be deposited at the principal office of the Institute and made available to  members of the public.             (2) A published copy of the Register and any corrections therein shall be admissible in evidence to prove registration of a person.
PART IV - REGISTRATION             Registration of Environmental Practitioners organization. 11. (1) The Council shall register annually all qualified Environmental Practitioners and organisations.             (2) A person, organisation or firm shall not practice as an Environmental Practitioners or consultant in Nigeria unless registered by the Council.
PART V - PROFESSIONAL  DISCIPLINE             Establishment of Environmental Practitioners Disciplinary Committee. 12.  There shall be established a committee known as Environmental practitioners Disciplinary Committee, which shall be charged with the duty of considering and determining any case of discipline against any erring members.
PART VI - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS             Qualification for membership of the Institute. 13. Persons who possess acceptable qualifications with at least five years cognate experience shall be admitted as Members of the Institute.
Fees. 14. The Council shall prescribe rules and regulations, including fees to be paid for registration and other purposes under this Bill; and when and how such fees shall be paid.
Honorary membership. 15. The Council can admit persons to the Institute as Honorary members, provided not more than five (5) persons are admitted for a period of not less than two (2) years.
Library. 16.  The Institute shall: (a) provide and maintain a library comprising of books, research materials and publications that  will build the capacity of the Environmental Practitioners and other materials approved by the Council;             (b) encourage research into environmental and other related subjects and             (c) formulate and make rules and regulations guiding the use of  the library in particular and the Institute in general.
Property of the Institute. 17. The Institute may own, register, transfer and receive properties in its corporate name.
18. In the execution or carrying out of any environmental contract or job in any area or locality, residents of such area or locality shall be properly notified and as much as possible allowed to fully participate in such contract or job.
19. An environmental contractor or consultant carrying out an environmental contract or job in an area or locality shall in all cases ensure that reasonable number of his staff available for such job come from the area or locality where the job or contract is to be undertaken and shall set aside temporary jobs and local supplies for residents of the area or locality concerned.
Offences and penalties. 20. (1) If any person for the purpose of registration of any name, qualification or other matter(s):             (a) makes a statement which he believes to be false in a material particular, or             (b) recklessly makes a statement which is false in a material particular, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a fine of …..or to imprisonment for…..years or not exceeding ....years, or to both fine and imprisonment.             (2) It shall be an offence under this Bill for anyone who is not a member and who is not registered with the Institute to solicit, procure, practice or otherwise undertake an environmental professional job or consultancy services, including the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Assessment Reports (EARs) and studies.             (3) It shall also be an offence for anyone to award an environmental job, contract or consultancy services to anyone without first ensuring and confirming that the contractor or consultant is qualified and registered with the Institute to practice as an environmental practitioner in Nigeria. (4) If any person, group or organization is found to be in breach of Sections 18(2) and (3) above, such person, group or organization shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a fine of …..or to imprisonment for …..years or not exceeding ….; or to both fine and imprisonment and in the case of an organization or body corporate, the Director(s) of such an organization or body corporate shall individually and collectively be vicariously liable.
Interpretation. 21.  In this Bill: "Institute" means the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria; "Association" means the Association of Environmental Practitioners; "Minister" means Minister in charge Environment; "Council" means Governing Council of the Institute; "Fees" includes annual subscription; "Member" means a registered member of the Institute; "Practitioners" means environmental Practitioners; "Tribunal"  means Environmental  Practitioners' Discipline Tribunal; "Register" means register of members; and "Registrar" means chief executive of the Institute.
Short title. 22. This Bill may be cited as the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2017.
SCHEDULE Clause 3(3) SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE INSTITUTE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL             1. Subject to provisions of this Bill and other applicable laws, Council may make orders regulating its proceedings or those of any committee it sets up             2. Where standing orders made under paragraph 1 of this Schedule provide for the Council to co-opt persons who are not members of the council, such persons may advise the Council on any matter referred to them by the Council, but shall not be entitled to vote at a meeting of the Council or count towards a quorum.             3.  The Council may appoint one or more committees to carry out on its behalf such functions as the council may determine.             4.  A committee appointed under this paragraph shall consist of such number of persons as may be determined by the Council and a person shall hold office in accordance with the terms of his appointment.             5.  A decision of a Committee of the Council shall be of no effect until it is confirmed by the Council. Meetings of the Council.             6.  The council shall meet whenever it is considered necessary (but not less than twice a year) by giving notice to all members concerned, at least seven (7) days before the meeting.             7.  The Chairman shall preside at every meeting of the Council and in his absence, the Vice Chairman shall preside. 8.  Five members of the Council, other than the Chairman shall form a quorum at the meeting.             9.  Unless otherwise provided in this Bill, decisions shall be by a simple majority of the votes of the members present, but in the event that equal votes are cast, the person presiding shall cast the deciding vote. Committees             10.  Subject to standing orders, the Council may appoint one or more committees to carry out on its behalf such duties as the Council may determine and make necessary reports.             11.  A committee appointed under paragraph 10 of this schedule shall consist of the number of persons to be determined by the Council and not more than the one-third of those persons may be persons who are not members of the Council; a person other than a member of the Council may hold office on the Committee in accordance with the letter of appointment provided.             12. The quorum of any committee set up by the Council shall be determined by the Council.             13.  The decision of the committee shall be of no effect until confirmed by the Council. Miscellaneous             14.  The fixing of the seal of the Institute shall be authenticated by signature of the Chairman and some other members authorised generally or specially by the council to act for that purpose.             15.  A document purporting to be an instrument issued by the Institute  and to be sealed with the seal of the Institute authenticated in the manner provided by the foregoing paragraph, or to be signed by the Chairman, shall receive in evidence and shall be deemed to be the instrument without further proof, unless there is proof otherwise.             16.  Any contract or instrument which, if made or executed by a person not being a body corporate, would not be required to be under seal, if made by or executed on behalf of the Council by any person authorised generally or specially by the Council to act for that purpose.             17.  The validity of a proceeding of the council shall not be affected by:             (a)  a vacancy in the membership of the Council;             (b)  by a defect in the appointment of a member of the Council; or             (c) by reason that a person not entitled to do so took part in the proceedings.             18.  A member of the Council and a person holding office on a committee of the Council, who has a personal interest in a contract or an arrangement entered into or proposed to be considered by the Council or the committee shall forthwith disclose his interest to the council or committee and shall not vote on any question relating to that contract or arrangement.
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM This Bill seeks to establish the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria, to be charged with the responsibility of regulating and managing environmental practices in Nigeria and for other purposes related thereto.