LAGOS MOVES TO CHECK FOOD, WATER AND BEVERAGES CONTAMINATION IN EATERIES, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS AND OTHERS

      

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  • Sensitizes stakeholders in food, water and beverages industries on HACCP

The Lagos State Government has moved to check food and water contamination in eateries, restaurants and hotels across the state, charging stakeholders to embrace the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and certification.

HACCP is a management system that gives a systematic preventive approach to food safety, from biological, chemical, and physical hazards from raw material production, procurement and handling, to manufacturing, distribution and consumption of the finished product, through identifying where hazards may occur and design measures to reduce this risks to a safe level by putting in place stringent actions, strictly monitoring and controlling each process.

Speaking at a sensitization meeting for food, water, beverage handling establishments in Lagos recently, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Healthcare, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga lamented that food safety had become a major concern to the food industry given that the consumption of contaminated food and water contributed to a myriad of health problems in the World.

“Food and water prepared, served at the restaurants, eateries, hotels and those processed in factories may look clean and taste delicious, but may have been contaminated by biological, chemical or physical hazards during the preparation procedures from the source through to service”, he said.

Dir., Occupational Health & Staff Health Services, Min. of Health, Dr. Layeni-Adeyemo; SA to the Gov on Primary Health Care, Dr. Onanuga & CEO James Marsh & Associates, Mr. Marsh @ a Sensitization Meeting on Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) in Alausa, Ikeja.

Onanuga noted that food hazards or contamination may also come from primary production like the farm, from improper handling or storage in the food industry, or from errors during preparation at home or in other places where the food is consumed.

The Special Adviser added that kitchens are also viewed as the major sources of contamination stressing that contamination from kitchen could be from poor sourcing and handling practices which include under-cooking, poor personal hygiene, use of unclean equipment, inappropriate storage and incorrect holding temperatures amongst others.

He noted that a tool that gives a holistic approach to food safety for consumption is Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) stressing that there was need for an effective HACCP system to be in place in every food, water, beverage organization that meet food safety requirement and protect the consumer from harm that could result from any form of hazards.

“The Ministry of Health adopted HACCP Initiative in the first quarter of 2017 and till date over 106 HACCP Plans have been submitted. The procedures span from submission of HACCP Plan, review of the document, auditing of the establishment to check compliance and issuance of certification. But this figure is rather low comparing to the number of regulated premises in the State”, Onanuga stated.

The Special Adviser opined that for a successful HACCP programme to be properly implemented, the management must be committed to a HACCP approach adding that the commitment by management will indicate an awareness of the benefits and costs of HACCP which include education and training of employees. He stressed that in addition to enhanced assurance of food safety are better use of resources and timely response to problems.

“The benefits of the HACCP Certification to food, water, beverage organizations are many and these include food safety assurance, increased patronage, maintained and  improved market access, constant reinforcing of best practices by staff during food handling, prevent enforcement actions stemming from default, ensure continuous improvement and international recognition with trading interests”, he said.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Modele Osunkiyesi said the essence of the meeting was to sensitize food, water and beverage-based establishment on the importance and having an understanding of the HACCP initiative as well as foster and promote the adoption of the HACCP system in their organizations.

She added that the meeting also aimed at emphasizing the relationship between good hygiene practices and the HACCP systems as well as gain management commitment to the promotion of food safety and hygiene.

“A proper understanding will prevent sanctions, reduce the form of delays in processing documents and ensure a transparent HACCP Certification by the Ministry. This is not a training but rather to give you the necessary orientation”, Osunkiyesi said.

While noting that the HACCP sensitization meeting will be organized for all zones in the State to reach about 1000 food, water and beverage organizations in February 2018, the Permanent Secretary posited that the implementation of HACCP is the most secure and cost effective method for controlling hazards during food,  water and beverage production.

LAGOS PROCURES N2.5 BILLION HEALTH EQUIPMENT

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. 'Modele Osunkiyesi and the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris briefing newsmen on procurement of the health equipment.

The Lagos State Government has procured N2.5 billion health equipment to boost the delivery of qualitative healthcare in the State General Hospitals and Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris has said.

Idris who disclosed this over the weekend while briefing newsmen on efforts made to improve on access and quality of healthcare in the State’s secondary & tertiary and health facilities noted that the equipment which include General Out-Patient Department (OPD) equipment, Anaesthetic equipment, Theatre equipment and Laboratory equipment will apart from aiding the delivery of qualitative health services also help enhance provision of qualitative care comparable to the ones available in developed countries.

Some of the newly procured equipment

“These huge investments in infrastructural upgrade and procurement of equipment in the health sector will help foster an enabling environment for the implementation and take-off of the much awaited Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS) which will ensure that residents have unfettered access to qualitative care.

“With these in place, residents of the State are readily offered the opportunity of making choices of health care delivery within a wide range of well renovated and fully equipped hospitals. The scheme will reduce out of pocket expenses on medical care, promote access to qualitative health care, reduce incidence of chronic diseases as citizenry will be encouraged to present earlier as financial barrier to positive health seeking behaviors would have been removed”, the Commissioner said.

Idris stated that the infrastructural development projects embarked upon by the Akinwunmi led administration in the health sector include the construction of Helipad at LASUTH, Purchase of 20 Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) ambulances, purchase of 26 transport ambulances, power generators and mobile x-ray machines for all the secondary and tertiary health facilities.

According to him, other infrastructural upgrade embarked on included the installation of additional mortuary refrigerators at Ikorodu and Mainland Hospital Mortuaries, completion of the renovation and upgrading of Epe General Hospital which involves renovation of theatre complex, X-ray, Laboratory, Pharmacy, Out-patient Department and Accident & Emergency unit.

The Commissioner added that renovation works were also carried out in phases in several General Hospitals within the State with phase one involving Apapa General Hospital, Epe General Hospital and Mainland General Hospital.

“Phase two included renovation works at Orile-Agege, Agbowa, Gbagada and Ikorodu General Hospitals and Lagos Island Maternity Hospital while Phase three included renovation works at LASUTH, Badagry, Alimosho and Surulere General Hospitals, Accident and Emergency Centre at the Toll Gate, Ijede Health Centre and  Ketu Ejinrin Health Centre”, he said.

Idris noted that the effect of infrastructural development in the health sector by the state, aside from enhancing the efficiency of the health workforce and increasing the scope and quality of service delivered at the health facilities was geared towards ensuring that Lagos State emerged as a prime global destination for persons in quest of qualitative medical care.

Some of the newly procured equipment

Some of the newly procured equipment

Some of the newly procured equipment

“The huge investment in the health sector by this administration is triggered by the noble goal that every Lagosian enjoys unfettered access to qualitative healthcare without significant geographical, financial, cultural or political barriers. The basis for sustained investments in health by this administration is borne out of the conviction that in the pursuit of the public good, individual health needs are also met and secured.

“These modest contributions can be viewed from the perspective of the positive impact which the health of Lagosians has on the overall development of population groups in the State and national economy”, the Commissioner said.

While appealing to health workers to put the equipment and facilities to good use and ensure that they are well maintained, protected and preserved to serve the purpose of which they were procured for, Idris assured residents that the year 2018 will be a better year in terms of improved healthcare delivery.

The Commissioner stated that several welfare issues with doctors under the employ of the state government has been addressed while those not addressed are being looked into.

“We have made a proposal to increase the numbers of beneficiaries of various health related training programmes both on attitude and clinical services. The Service Charter is being beefed up to complement the roles of Health Service Commission while the services of different Civil Society Groups have been engaged to provide information and feedback to government on the conduct of our hospital workers.” He said.

  

Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Prof. Wale Oke and the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris during an inspection tour of health facilities in Lagos.

LAGOS RESTATES COMMITMENT TO REDUCTION OF NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. ‘Modele Osunkiyesi; Special Adviser on Primary Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga, and the Chairman, Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Mr. Hameed Tijani at the commemoration of the 5^th State Wellness Week Programme in Lagos.

The Lagos State Government has once again restated its commitment to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension, diabetes and cancers of the breast, cervix and prostate through the implementation of effective strategies.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga who disclosed this recently during the commemoration the 5^th round State Wellness Week Programme at Kola Primary Healthcare Centre in Ojokoro local council development noted the burden of NCDs is high and the challenge of combating the diseases has some unprecedented dimensions.

“It is expensive and strains our already overburdened health systems, diverting scarce resources from other important development priorities. The rise of chronic non-communicable diseases presents every nation’s public health with an enormous challenge.”, he said.

Onanuga stated that the Lagos State government remains resolute in ensuring that residents are appropriately empowered to become responsible for their health and take all necessary precautions towards prevention and control of diseases in the State.

The Special Adviser added that the State government will continue to intensify community advocacy, mobilization and sensitization interventions for disease control and prevention.

Said he, “We are determined to reduce the burden of these diseases through implementation of strategies such as awareness creation, sensitization and mobilization (ACSM); early detection and prompt treatment of those affected. This we believe will ensure favourable outcome for these medical condition”

While adding that the State government has put in place all requisite health care resources to reduce these diseases burden, the Special Adviser noted that health care facilities in the State including Primary Health Centres, General Hospitals and the State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) are continually being renovated, staffed and equipped to address the NCDs management needs of the people.

Onanuga explained that the State government’s sponsored wellness week programme provides an opportunity to create awareness and provide screening services for NCDs for the benefit of residents of Lagos adding that the NCDs involved in the exercise are Hypertension, Diabetes, Cancers of the Breast and Cervix in women and Cancer of the Prostate in men. 

“This programme is targeted at increasing awareness, reducing missed opportunities and maximizing the benefits of integration of health services towards combating non communicable diseases”, he said.

Earlier in his address, the Chairman, Ojoko Local Council Development Area, Mr. Hameed Tijani appealed to residents to ensure they go for routine medical check with a view to know their health status and take care of whatever arises without delay especially for non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, breast, cervical and prostate cancers.

LASG SHUTS 21 ILLEGAL PHARMACIES AND PATENT MEDICINE STORES

 ……….Vows to Sustain War against Fake, Substandard Drugs and Illegal Pharmacies 

No fewer than 21 pharmacies and patent medicine shops at Egbeda, Shasha, Dopemu,Command, Idimu, Ipaja, Orile-Agege and Cement in Alimosho and Agege Local government area of Lagos were sealed on November 21, 2017  by the Lagos State Task force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods for offences bordering illegal operation, operating beyond scope amongst others, the State Government has said.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga who disclosed this in his office at Alausa, Ikeja recently while reviewing the report of the operation by the Task force noted that the recent operation was coming on the heels of the war being waged against fake drugs and illegal drug shops.

Explaining the reason for the closure, Onanuga explained that the affected pharmacies and patent medicine shops indulge in the practice of operating without license, engaging unqualified persons to man and dispense drugs to unsuspecting citizens, operating beyond scope through sale of ethical products and displaying and storing drugs in unconducive environments which compromise the potency and integrity of the drugs product rendering them ineffective.

“Although some of the pharmacies visited were registered, it is disheartening to note that quite a number of them had no qualified pharmacists on ground to attend to the public resulting in the display of expired drugs for sale to the public”, the Special Adviser said.

Revealing that some of the premises visited also engaged in illegal clinical practices such as patient admission and setting of intravenous infusions, Onanuga said that the practice is unacceptable and vowed that the State government will do whatever is necessary to enforce the law and sanction erring operators. 

He noted that the sealing of these pharmacies and patent medicine stores was in accordance with the provisions of Section C34 of the Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act of 1999, No. 25. 

“Licensed patent medicine vendors are authorized to sell only drug products in their original packs in approved pack size as produced by the manufacturing companies. The law prohibits dispensing and wholesaling of drugs by patent medicine vendors,” he said. 

The Special Adviser warned that the activities of the State Task Force on Fake Drugs would not only be sustained, but intensified until operators in the sector adhere strictly to the provisions of the law on the operation of pharmacies and patent medicine shops, in order to safeguard the health of the citizenry. 

Onanuga later explained that an investigative meeting would be held later in the week at the Pharmaceutical Inspectorate Unit of the Ministry where members of the Task Force would meet with the owners of the sealed premises to make further inquiries on the status of the sealed premises and to notify them of the procedures and appropriate conditions to be met for reopening in line with government regulations and payment of administrative fee. 

“Government will not relent in its efforts to stop the inherent dangers associated with the operations from unlicensed pharmaceutical outlets and drug shops and as such we are re-energized to continue this on-going war against fake, expired and substandard drugs being peddled by unlicensed and illegal premises. This closure is thus part of the government’s renewed efforts to sanitize the drug distribution system and curb proliferation of fake drugs in the State” he stated.  

The enforcement and compliance raid by the State Task force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods was carried out in collaboration with the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharmacists’ Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Federal Taskforce on fake drugs and the Police Officers from Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) of Lagos Police Command.

LAGOS INAUGURATES LOCAL GOVERNMENT LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT COORDINATING UNITS

From L-R: Director, Pharmaceutical Services, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Moyosore Adejumo; Permanent Secretary, Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Iyabo Are; Special Adviser on Primary Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. ‘Modele Osunkiyesi at the Inauguration of Local Government Logistics Management Coordinating Units (LMCU) in Ikeja today  

In its bid to ensure the provision of safe and cost effective drugs amongst other health care commodities, the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Health has inaugurated the Local Government Logistics Management Coordinating Units (LLMCU).

The Unit which is a sub-structure of Local Government Area focal officers created to organize, monitor, and support all health logistics activities from the health facilities in the local government area to the state level will be responsible for the coordinated collection and collation of data from Primary Health Care Centres.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga who inaugurated the LLMCU in Ikeja today noted that Nigeria is being faced with some challenges of procurement and supply management activities.

He added that the challenges include poor supply chain and demand management, high stock out rates, high wastages through expiration and poor visibility of procurement and supply chain management leading to suboptimal outcomes.

Said he, “These challenges led to the creation of the Nigeria Supply Chain Integration Project (NSCIP) of the National Product Supply Chain Management Program (NPSCMP) which is charged with the responsibility to institutionalize and strengthen the framework for an integrated, effective and efficient supply chain of health commodities”.

Onanuga explained that any government that fails to ensure provision of safe, and cost effective drugs amongst other health care services will be seen to be shirking in its duty as an efficient and effective health care provider stressing that the provision of medicines is critical to quality health care delivery. 

“The Lagos State Government is irrevocably committed towards sustaining a vibrant healthcare to its teaming population and this is demonstrated with the massive upgrades of General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres across the State, in keeping with the avowed commitment of the Governor to raise and sustain the confidence in public healthcare service delivery”, the Special Adviser said.

While thanking the Federal Ministry of Health and other implementing partners for helping to develop a robust supply chain management system in the State, Onanuga assured that the State Government will continue to collaborate with relevant Federal Government Ministries and Agencies as well as development partners towards effort that will improve health systems strengthening and ensure that clients are continuously provided with quality health care using deployed resources efficiently and effectively.

“With the inauguration of the LLMCUs, it is hoped that efficient public health programs will continue to impact in enhancing the health of our people and realizing the Lagos of our dreams by ensuring the distribution of medicines in a timely and efficient manner”, he concluded.

Earlier in her remark, the Director, Pharmaceutical Services in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Moyosore Adejumo stated that the key objective of the National Product Supply Chain Management Programme which begets the Logistics Managements Coordinating Units at the State, Local Government and Health Facility levels is to ensure the continuous availability of public health commodities at the National, State, LGA and Health Facility levels through interdependence and collaboration between all the supply chain actors in-country.

“The leadership of the State Ministry of Health in keeping with the lofty objectives for a better supply chain management system in the country inaugurated the State Logistics Management Coordinating Unit which is domiciled under the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services in March 2014”, she added.

Adejumo explained that Local Government LMCUs will be responsible for the transmission of the aggregated logistics data from health facilities that are not electronically enabled within the LGA to State LMCU adding that the LLMCU will promote coordination and interdependence across all existing public health programmes operating within the LGA.

Speaking in the same vein, the Representative of the Nigeria Supply Chain Integration Project, Mrs. Talhatu Kazeem stated that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the Local Government LMCUs gets all the support it deserves.

“Most critically would be the support and buy-in of all the stakeholders at the local government and in the health facilities. The State is also expected to play a crical role of mentoring as we expect that they provide exemplary leadership to duplicate work done in the local government”, she stressed.

FOOD SAFETY: LASG INTENSIFIES EFFORTS TO ENSURE SAFE FOOD FOR LAGOSIANS, ESTABLISHES FOUR SUB-COMMITTEES

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health (LSMOH), Dr 'Modele Osunkiyesi; Director, Occupational Health and Staff Health Services, LSMOH, Dr. Kubby Layeni-Adeyemo at Inaugural Meeting of the Food Hygiene and Safety Inter-Ministerial Committee held at Alausa-Ikeja, Lagos recently.

The Lagos State Government has established four main Sub-committees for the implementation of activities on food safety in line with National guidelines and International best practices.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga disclosed this in a keynote address at the maiden meeting of the State Food Safety and Hygiene Management Committee held on Friday, 24^th November 2017 at Folarin Coker Staff Clinic Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.

Onanuga who listed the sub-committees to include Advocacy and Social Mobilization, Training and Capacity Building, Partnership and Resource Mobilization and Monitoring and Evaluation, added that the committees are expected to develop operational activities in line with the National Policy on Food Safety and its Implementation Strategy as well as International best practices.

“I hope that the reports of activities of this committee will help to develop a very strong basis for enviable implementation strategy that will be all-encompassing and achieve the desired result of ensuring safe food for all Lagosians,” he remarked.

He stated that the National Policy on Food Safety and its Implementation Strategy is a document that has been clearly developed along with its implementation framework by the Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which according to him was also complemented with extensive training of both the inspectors and food handling establishments in the six geo-political divisions of the nation.

He recalled that the Lagos State Food Safety and Hygiene Management Committee was inaugurated in 2016 specifically to delineate functions of all regulatory stakeholders and put in place monitoring mechanism to ensure standards at all levels.

He stated that since the inauguration of the committee, the Ministry has embarked on various activities to strengthen its food safety programs through active routine inspection of food handling/processing establishments and implementation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).

“HACCP is a systematic preventive approach to food safety from biological, chemical, and physical hazards in production processes.

It designs measurements to reduce these risks to a safe level by putting in place stringent actions and strictly monitoring and controlling each process,” he remarked.

The Special Adviser observed that there has been a tremendous growth in inspection coverage of the food handling industry in the State as a total of 1,651 inspections were carried out in 2016 representing 63% coverage against 55% coverage recorded in 2015.

While giving his assurances that the level of coverage in 2017 would be better, he noted that food establishments in Lagos State have already embraced the implementation of HACCP and all its pre-requisite programmes with a view to assuring safe food for all Lagosians at all levels.

Earlier in its welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Modele Osunkiyesi emphasized that the Committee was established in line with the National Policy on Food Safety and Hygiene, adding that the State has been implementing its activities accordingly to put all food establishments on their toes so as to protect the unsuspecting members of the public.

The highpoint of the meeting was a lecture on “Food Safety and Hygiene Programme in Lagos State” delivered by the Director, Occupational Health and Staff Services in the Ministry, Dr. Layeni Adeyemo.

At the meeting were stakeholders from the Ministries of Agriculture, Economic Planning and Budget and Ministry of Information and Strategy.