Health
Laws Of Healthy Living
Members of Junior Chamber International (JCI), Port Harcourt metropolitian, during a free medical outreach in Bundu-Ama, Port Harcourt, recently.
The Exercise you obtain:
Do you want to live longer?
Dr Roy .J. Shepherd, an expert on exercise and aging at the University of Toronto, in the Sixth Edition of the Natural Remedies Encyclopedia explains it: “you’d have to go a long way to find something as good as exercise as a fountain of youth, and you don’t have to run marathon to reap the benefits. Little more than rapid walking for 30 minutes at a time three to four times a week can provide ten years of rejuvenation.”
Exercise is another important law of healthy living but unfortunately, we are too carried away by our works once comfort of our offices and homes that we neglect it. Here is a brief summary of some of the things that regular exercise can begin to do for you right away:
Exercise will improve the tone of your muscles and blood vessels, charging them from weak and flabby tissue to strong and firm tissue, often reducing blood pressure in the process.
It will increase the efficiency of your heart, gradually making it to grow stronger and pump more blood with each stroke, thus reducing the number of strokes needed to supply your body with life-giving blood.
It will improve your digestion by quickening the circulation and helping to lift the blood back to the heart from the digestive organs and thus normalizing your bowel action.
It will increase the efficiency of your livings, conditioning them to process more air with less effort.
Exercise increases your maximum oxygen consumption by increasing the amount available and the efficiency of its delivery to the blood cells.
It will improve the overall condition of your body, especially your most vital parts: the lungs, heart, blood vessels and endocrine system. This will impart added protection against sickness.
It can change your whole outlook on life, enabling you to relax, work more efficiently and handle stress better. When not overdone, it imparts a cheerful quality to the mind.
It will enable you to sleep better at night and think better during the day. Exercise strengthens the will and helps to get more work done with less fatigue.
Exercise further slows down the aging process-by slowing down the natural physical deterioration that old age normally brings. It gives a new zest for life at a time when you most need it and there is evidence that it can reduce the likelihood of cancer.
This law of healthy living provides a powerful increase of oxygen to the body. Ordinarily, a man in hales about 500 cubic inches of air every minute. By walking about four miles per hour, he draws in about 2,500 cubic inches per minute, or five times more than that absorbed when sitting down. But if you are over 50, exercise carefully. Avoid jumping and pounding activities. The best objective is light exercise such as walking for 30 minutes, three to five times weekly.
One of the great faults of our current civilization is that our young adults about the age of 25 become ‘too busy’ to exercise. Yet, for the next two decades of their lives, they probably need it even more than when they were children.
A lack of physical activity leads to abnormal or accelerated clotting of the blood in coronary cerebral and other arteries as well as in the veins. Thus, it is now felt that regular on-going activity all year long may be important in preventing or reducing strokes and coronary heart attacks.
For his busy age, walking is one of the simplest and best exercise. Go out there into the open an and walk. Leave all your cares behind you briskly set off with your arms swinging. Take deep breaths of air as you go and afterward, experience the new life.
.The water that cleanses: Water is one of the most valuable helper’s you have in the daily task of keeping n health or in receiving health when it is lost. How very important it is that you drink enough water each day. Yon kidneys alone filter about 50 gallons of fluid each day. In a 24-hour period, more than eight quarts of digestive juices flow into the digestive tract. Much of this water is recycled over and over again by the kidneys. But about two to four quarts of water a day are lost through the urine, lungs or perspiration. Thus, if you do not keep drinking water, your kidneys cannot perform their functions well and kidney disease results.
It has been found that water intake can increase physical endurance and ability to work by as much as 80 percent. When you do not drink water, your blood thickens and flows with greater difficulty. This can cause trouble not only in body tissues and organs but also to your heart that must pump that sludged blood.
So many people eat far too much of salt, sugar and protein, yet each of these substances requires additional water to process. Lack of water not only affects health, it affects work production as well. It is therefore generally recommended that we drink eight glasses of water a day. But it is best if you do not drink it with your meals but between them. According to experts the very best times for water drinking is first thing upon arising n the morning and then 30 minutes or so before each meal.
The drinking water should be pure but unfortunately this is becoming too difficult to obtain. One solution to this is to purchase a reliable water distiller for your home. This will clean the water. Distilled water will rather than hurt, help you especially when eating a good diet so that you are obtaining you proper amounts of calcium and other minerals from your food. In contrast, regular water often contains an excess of inorganic sodium, chlorine, Sulfur, fluorine, iron, chromium, lead and other undesirable elements and in far greater amounts than the body could possibly use. We can be thankful that small, inexpensive home distillers are now easily available.
If you have the choice, when drinking water from pipes, it is better to drink hard water and soft water. The hard water, which mainly has calcium and magnesium in it, will lower the chances of acquiring cardiovascular and kidney diseases.
When we come to the individual need for water, it is readily realized that water is certainly our most precious mineral. It is the most essential of all minerals for our bodies. An animal can lose all its fats, about half its protein but if it loses as much as one-tenth of its water, it will die.
Your body is 80 percent water. The countless millions of cells inside of you are constantly being bathed in water. And this is not merely a soaking process, but a rewashing activity done by your blood stream. Water in the blood brings nutrition and oxygen to your tissues and caines off wastes. If injury occurs, coagulants come out of the fluid and stop the bleeding, while white blood cells emerge from the blood stream and begin to attack the poisonous substances.
Delicate chemical balances are maintained by the flowing blood as hormones, digestive substances and many other vital substance are transported through the body fluids to their appointed places. It is no wonder than that this most precious commodity should be needed by mankind not only inside but outside as well.
.The Power Of Abstemiousness: To be abstemious ‘is to be moderate or separating in the use of certain things including an excess of even good food. Here, we are speaking of self-control. In order to succeed physically, mentally and morally in life, we must have temperance in regard to things good and abstinence in regard to things harmful. And in order to preserve good healths, temperance in all things-labour, eating and drinking is necessary.
Even when eating the most careful diet, you can get too much of a good thing. Too much even of the best food is harmful. Too much sunshine can result in severe sunburn, too much exercise can cause excessive exhaustion and so, this law, one of the most important of the laws of health should not, be downplayed.
The famous American writer, William Cullen Bryant, lived to a very old age. When asked the reason for his excellent health in such an advanced age, he replied, “ it is all summed up in one word: moderation.” If we would be temperate in all things, self-control must be exercised in our daily diet, work habits, recreation, conversation, travels, sleep and study. Throughout life, we must ever be on guard lest we fall into intemperance.
Have certain times to work and certain times not to, do the same with your mind. Turn it off at times and just relax. Moreso, be cheerful. Permit nothing to keep you continually depressed or anxious. Note that people that are cheerful and relaxed always are healthier and have longer, happier lives than they otherwise would-without exception.
Lady Godknows Ogbulu
To address the increasing number of rape and defilement cases in Lagos communities, the State Ministry of Health has trained healthcare workers on the prevention and management of sexual assault cases.
The Director, Public Affairs in the ministry, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, in a statement on Monday said the training equipped health workers with the knowledge and skills to provide professional, compassionate, and timely care to survivors.
Dr Folasade Oludara, Director, Family Health and Nutrition, State Ministry of Health, said the growing number of rape and defilement cases in Lagos communities necessitated the upskilling of healthcare workers who are often the first responders to survivors.
Oludara, represented by Dr Oluwatosin Onasanya, Deputy Director, Child Health, said the government recognised the critical role of health professionals in both clinical management and legal documentation of sexual assault cases.
She explained that the training was designed to ensure healthcare workers are adequately equipped to identify, document, and manage sexual assault cases effectively.
According to her, the training will strengthen Lagos’ coordinated health system response to gender-based violence.
She disclosed that the state government had already provided equipment and specimen collection tools to health facilities, noting that the training complemented this investment by building the competence of personnel handling such sensitive cases.
Oludara explained that doctors and nurses at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels who serve as first contact points for survivors were carefully selected from all 57 LGAs and LCDAs, particularly from areas with higher incident rates.
The SGBV Programme Manager, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Juradat Aofiyebi, emphasised that the capacity-building initiative was a strategic step toward improving survivor-centred healthcare delivery and prosecution outcomes.
Aofiyebi added that the training underscored the government’s commitment to reducing the prevalence of sexual assault through a robust, multi-sectoral approach.
“The training provides healthcare workers with the knowledge to properly identify survivors, document findings accurately, and provide comprehensive care, all of which contribute to justice delivery and prevention of repeat offences.
She said the ministry would sustain such training to ensure that every survivor who presented at a Lagos health facility received quality, non-judgmental care.
Mrs Adebanke Ogunde, Deputy Director, Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lagos State Ministry of Justice, highlighted the importance of medical documentation in sexual assault trials.
She explained that most convictions hinge on the quality of medical reports and forensic evidence provided by healthcare professionals, noting that medical reports served as vital corroborative evidence in court, particularly in cases involving children.
“Your medical reports are crucial; they can determine whether justice is served or denied,” she said.
Ogunde reminded health workers of their legal duty to report suspected sexual assault cases to the police or the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA).
Similarly, Dr Oluwajimi Sodipo, Consultant Family Physician, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), underscored the importance of timely medical attention, psychosocial support, and non-stigmatising care for survivors.
Sodipo explained that immediate presentation within 72 hours of assault improved chances of preventing infections and collecting viable forensic evidence.
He commended Lagos State for sustaining its inter-agency collaboration and continuous professional training on SGBV.
Sodipo, however, called for the strengthening of DNA and forensic capacities, improved insurance coverage, and better remuneration for healthcare workers.
“We must sustain motivation and continuous retraining if we want to retain skilled professionals and enhance justice outcomes,” he added.
Also, Mrs Margret Anyebe, Claims Officer, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), said domestic and sexual violence response had been integrated into the ILERA EKO Health Insurance Scheme.
Anyebe explained that survivors of sexual and domestic violence are covered for medical treatment, investigations, and follow-up care under the state’s Equity Fund for vulnerable groups.
“Hospitals are to provide first-line care, document, and refer survivors appropriately, while LASHMA ensures prompt reimbursement and oversight,” she said.
The technical session of the ongoing National Council on Health (NCH) meeting on Monday reviewed 35 out of the 82 policy memos submitted ahead of full Council deliberations scheduled for later in the week.
Dr Kamil Shoretire, Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, disclosed this on Tuesday during the Technical Session of the 66th Regular meeting of the NCH ongoing in Calabar, Cross River.
He said that 10 of the memos considered were recommended for Council’s approval, eight were noted, and 18 stepped down for further work.
According him, two additional memos were deferred and will be re-presented after revisions are made.
At the reconvening of the session, Ms Kachallom Daju, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said that there were five memos from the Coordinating Minister of Health, adding that they were all related to the Department of Food and Drugs.
Daju said that the memos were stepped down on Monday and scheduled for re-presentation.
She also provided clarification on the previously contentious healthcare waste-management memo, explaining that the N3.5 million requests tied to the proposal had already been repurposed by the Global Fund.
“I have followed up, and I am informed that the funds have been reprogrammed. Just so we put it to rest, we will not be discussing that memo anymore,” she said.
She also said that the final memo considered on Monday was the proposal for the inclusion of telemedicine services under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
“The next memo scheduled for presentation is the proposal for the establishment of Medipool as a Group Purchasing Organisation (GPO) for medicines and health commodities in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Dr Oritseweyimi Ogbe, Secretary of the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC), formally notified the Council of the establishment of Medipool, a new public-private GPO created to strengthen the procurement of medicines and health commodities nationwide.
Presenting an information memorandum at the technical session, Ogbe explained that Medipool was the first nationally approved GPO designed to leverage economies of scale, negotiate better prices, and ensure quality-assured medicines.
He said this was beginning with primary healthcare facilities funded through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
According to him, Medipool was established after a proposal to the Ministry of Health, followed by appraisals and endorsements by the Project Implementation and Verification Committee (PIVAC) and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).
“It subsequently received Federal Executive Council approval, with MOFI now owning 10 per cent of the company’s shares. The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission has also approved its operations.
“Under the model, Medipool will work with Drug Management Agencies (DMAs) in all states to aggregate national demand and negotiate directly with reputable manufacturers to obtain competitive prices and guaranteed-quality supplies.
“The platform will function as a one-stop shop for DMAs, who will then distribute medicines to health facilities through existing state structures.”
Ogbe added that while Medipool will initially focus on BHCPF-supported primary healthcare centres, it was expected to expand to other levels of care nationwide.
“The organisation will provide regular reports to the ministry of health and participate in national logistics working groups to ensure transparency, oversight, and technical guidance,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Day One of the 66th NCH technical session opened with a call reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to advancing Universal Health Coverage under the theme “My Health, My Right”.
“The delegates also adopted the amended report of the 65th NCH, setting the stage for informed deliberations.
The implementation status of the 19 resolutions from the previous Council was also reviewed, highlighting progress and gaps.
The authorities of Police Clinic in Port Harcourt have reported high cases of Malaria in its facility.
The revelation was made by Mrs Udoh Mba Robert, a Chief Superintendent of Police and senior medical personnel in the Clinic.
She told The Tide that,”the Hospital admits sixty (60) to seventy (70) patients in a month”.
On how the facility runs, she stated that the hospital is under the National Health Insurance Scheme as most patients are treated almost free.
She maintained that staff of the hospital have been trained professionally to manage health issues that come under the purview of the National Health Insurance Scheme.
Mrs. Robert explained that malaria treatment also falls under NHIA, as patients are expected to pay only 10 per cent for their treatment while the government takes care of the outstanding bills.
NHIA, she further stated covers treatment and care for uniform personnel like the police force, military men, civil servants and all others working for the government.
Urging the public to seek professional medical attention, Mrs. Robert said the facility is open to workers in the federal services, especially police staff.
Favour Umunnakwe, Victory Awaji, Excel Nnodim
-
Sports4 days agoArsenal Women End Man City’s Invincibility
-
Sports4 days agoU-20 WWC: Falconets claim qualifier win
-
Sports4 days agoInsurance Deepen Enyimba’s Trouble
-
Sports4 days agoYouth Olympics preparation Gears up
-
Sports4 days agoCologne Youth Team Set Crowd Record
-
Sports4 days agoTornadoes Set For NPFL exit over Stadium Ban
-
Sports4 days agoBarca Pull Out Of Super League Project
-
Sports4 days agoPalmer Stars As Chelsea Compound Wolves Woes