Health & Environment Archives

Bloodless Urine Malaria Test (UMT)

Scientists working in Nigeria have developed a new laser test that can detect malaria in humans within minutes with a simple urine test without drawing blood.

Current malaria testing methods requires piecing the with a needle to draw blood but the new urine malaria test (UMT), developed by Fyodor Biotechnologies, doesn’t require use of blood.

The fast, non-invasive test can detect malaria in both humans and mosquitoes. It has advantages over current techniques because it does not depend on blood sampling, reagents, facilities or trained personnel. The simplicity – it can be operated by non-medical personnel – and sensitivity of the test mean it could be a low-cost, safe and universal tool for clinical and field diagnoses.
Speaking at the launch of UMT in Abuja, Dr Victoria Enwemadu, Fyodor’s global head of projects, said “There are some challenges with adopting that [national malaria testing] guideline mainstream because of the invasiveness of trying to get blood for testing. Now we have made it easier by just using urine to test for malaria.”

According Enwemadu, the UMT includes a strip that is dipped into urine sample for 25 minutes to give results which can be read as positive, negative or valid, when compared against a control.

NAFDAC Receives GACG Anti-Counterfeiting Award

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has emerged the winner of this year’s Global Anti-Counterfeiting award by the Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group (GACG). The award is in recognition of the Agency’s commitment to the fight against fake drugs and counterfeiting of regulated products.

According to a statement by NAFDAC public relations officer (PRO), Mr.. Anslem Okonkwor, the award which was presented to the agency recently at the Annual Interpol Ip Crime Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was in appreciation of the many innovations especially the cutting-edge technologies the Agency has introduced in the fight against counterfeiting.

The Chairman of the GACG, Mr. John Anderson while presenting the coveted award to the Director, Investigation and Enforcement, Mr. Kingsley Ejiofor on behalf of the Agency extolled NAFDAC’s deployment of TRUSCAN and its global leadership in the Authentication user category.

GACG is a network of national and regional anti-counterfeiting organisations drawn from the European Union, North America, South America, China, India and Africa with the common objective of addressing the problems of counterfeiting and piracy by the sharing and exchange of information and participation in appropriate join activities.

This year’s conference had 509 attendees from all the continents participating notably the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, European Anti-Fraud Office, Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China, International Document Police, International Trademark Association, the European Union, top multi-national companies, security and IP experts, Jurists and the academia.

NAFDAC used the opportunity to further showcase its anti-counterfeiting initiatives and activities which were well received and commended by the participants who were particularly interested in the arrests and prosecution of the counterfeiters of various pharmaceuticals worth over ₦10 billion.

Seun Omobo Emerges First Black FIP-YPG Chairperson

Seun Omobo, has emerged chairperson of the International Pharmaceutical Federation – Young Pharmacists Group (FIP-YPG), making history as the first African to occupy the position.

Seun Omobo won the election to chair the FIP-YPG, which has been in existence since 2001, during the recently concluded Annual Congress of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) held in Dusseldorf, Germany from 29 September to 3 October 2015.

Continue reading Seun Omobo Emerges First Black FIP-YPG Chairperson

Rebecca Chinyelu Chukwuanukwu Wins 2015 UNESCO-MARS Prize

Dr. Rebecca Chinyelu Chukwuanukwu has emerged the first prize-winner of this year’s UNESCO-Merck Africa Research Summit (UNESCO-MARS) held in Geneva, Switzerland.

Dr. Rebecca Chinyelu Chukwuanukwu is a Medical laboratory science lecturer in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, College of Health Sciences, Okofia Nnewi.

Dr. Rebecca Chinyelu Chukwuanukwu, whose area of specialization is Immunology, beat 99 other scientists/researchers across Africa who attended the summit. The annual summit aims to bring together young top researchers across the continent to discuss the generation, sharing and dissemination of research data and to draw a roadmap for Africa’s development as an international hub for research excellence and scientific innovation.

This year’s summit focused on building research capacity in health and life sciences with special attention on Ebola and emergent infectious diseases. Chukwuanukwu’s work was on: Modulation of the Immune Response to Mycobacterium Tuberculosis during HIV/Malaria Co-infection. The first prize of the UNESCO-MARS comes with a prestigious six months fellowship in Merck research and development hub.

Dr. Rebecca Chinyelu Chukwuanukwu’s publication summary

Cryptococcus neoformans Antigenemia in HIV Positive Pregnant Women Attending a PMTCT Clinic in South-East Nigeria
R Chukwuanukwu, P Manafa, E Iloghalu, C Onyenekwe, M Ifeanyichukwu, …
Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare 3 (18), 15-20
1 2013

Atheromic and lymphoplasmacytic effects of Mangifera indica methanolic leaf extract on the heart of chinchilla rabbits
AA Ngokere, PC Ezeofor, JO Okoye, RC Chukwuanukwu
Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology
2015

Evaluation of Zinc and Copper and Immunological Implication in Menstrual Cycle of HIV Infected Females in Nnewi, Nigeria
NR Ukibe, SN Ukibe, CC Onyenekwe, JE Ahaneku, AO Igwegbe, …
Advances in Life Science and Technology 31, 9-16

Pattern of Lipid Profile in Adult HIV Seropositives in Nnewi, Nigeria
IP Ezeugwunne, CC Onyenekwe, JE Ahaneku, M Ifeanyichukwu, …
Food Science and Quality Management 29, 35-38
2014

Assessment of Some Cardiac Biomarkers in Adult HIV Seropositives in Nnewi, Nigeria.
IP Ezeugwunne, CC Onyenekwe, JE Ahaneku, G Ahaneku, …
Chemistry and Materials Research 6 (7), 8-13
2014

The Status of Some Trace Elements in Sickle Cell Homozygous and Heterozygous Subjects Attending Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nigeria
PO Manafa, CE Okocha, SC Nwogbo, GO Chukwuma, RS Ebugosi, …
Archives of Basic and Applied Medicine 1 (1), 73-75
2013

Can serum concentration of C-reactive protein, albumin and body weight serve as an index of disease progression and treatment assessment in HIV/AIDS subjects?
AO Oluboyo, UN Onyekachi, CC Onyenekwe, BO Oluboyo, …
Orient Journal of Medicine 25 (3-4), 101-106
2013

Evaluation of Pcv, Cd4 T cell Counts, ESR and WBC Counts in Malaria Infected Symptomatic HIV (Stage 11) Male HIV/Aids Subjects on Antiretroviral Therapy (Art) In Nnewi, South Eastern Nigeria
IP Ezeugwunne, CC Onyenekwe, JE Ahaneku, M Ifeanyichukwu, …
Evaluation 2 (5), 38-42
2012

Assessment of haemostasis in malaria and HIV infected subjects in Nnewi, South East Nigeria
R Chukwuanukwu, E Ukaejiofo, P Ele, C Onyenekwe, M Ifeanyichukwu
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY 157, 32-32
2012

Assessment of Lipid Profile in HIV Seropositive Pregnant Women attending Ante-Natal Clinic in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria
PO Manafa, RC Chukwuanukwu, CP Ugochukwu, JI Ikechebelu, …
Orient Journal of Medicine 24 (3-4), 40-44
2012

CD4 counts in HIV positive subjects before and during antiretroviral therapy
RC Chukwuanukwu, SC Meludu, TOG Chukwuanukwu, …
Journal of Biomedical Investigation 5 (2), 66-69
2007

The Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Positive Patients on Therapy in Nnewi.
RC Chukwuanukwu, PO Manafa, EE Ugwu, CC Onyenekwe, AO

Laolu Osanyin Appointed First African Member of the Board of Governors of WAML

Nigerian medical lawyer, Laolu Osanyin, has been appointed as the first African Member of the Board of Governors of the World Association for Medical Law (WAML).

Laolu Osanyin was decorated at the 21st Annual World Congress of the Association, which took place at Coimbra, Portugal.

Continue reading Laolu Osanyin Appointed First African Member of the Board of Governors of WAML

Cancer Research

Pharmacy Professor Awarded $1.1 Million to Research Novel Breast Cancer Treatment

Nigerian Army Provides Free Medical Care To IDPs In Borno [2015]

The Nigerian Army says it has so far provided free medical treatment to about 300 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Chibok, Borno / Konduga community of Borno State, as part of activities marking this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration.

The army spokesperson, Sani Usman, in a statement said the free medical care which would last for three days – August 12 to 14 – is for the internally displaced persons in the area.

The immediate health needs of the displaced persons will be catered for during the exercise.

Continue reading Nigerian Army Provides Free Medical Care To IDPs In Borno [2015]