News & Activities

Feb 09

Risk of newly diagnosed diabetes >30 days after COVID-19 infection among children (United States)

SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with worsening of diabetes symptoms, and persons with diabetes are at increased risk for severe COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 infection might also induce newly diagnosed diabetes.

Persons aged <18 years with COVID-19 were more likely to receive a new diabetes diagnosis >30 days after infection than were those without COVID-19 and those with prepandemic acute respiratory infections. Non–SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infection was not associated with an increased risk for diabetes.

The increased diabetes risk among persons aged <18 years following COVID-19 highlights the importance of COVID-19 prevention strategies in this age group, including vaccination for all eligible persons and chronic disease prevention and treatment.

For further details, visit the CDC link below

CDC

Feb 09

Gene therapy for sickle cell disease (December 2021)

The largest study of gene therapy for sickle cell disease has been published, including data from 35 patients with a median follow-up of over 17 months. 

The gene therapy construct uses an anti-sickling variant of beta globin, introduced into autologous hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells that are delivered by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

After transplant, vaso-occlusive events decreased from a mean of 3.5 to 0 annually, and median hemoglobin increased from 8.5 to ≥11 g/dL.

Transplant toxicities were as expected; one individual with underlying pulmonary hypertension and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy died after 20 months. Other gene therapy and gene editing approaches are under study.

Feb 09

Pediatric fatalities associated with over-the-counter cough and cold medications (November 2021)

Manufacturer labelling and US Food and Drug Administration recommendations strongly advise against the use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications (CCM) in young children.

A new report describes fatalities identified by a United States surveillance system and associated with CCM ingestion in children <12 years of age from 2008 to 2016. During this period, there were 40 reported deaths; the majority occurred in children <2 years old and involved diphenhydramine.

Root cause analysis determined that 13 deaths occurred after deliberate supratherapeutic administration by a caregiver with the goal of sedating or harming the child.

Health care providers should continue to educate caregivers on the dangers of CCM in children and maintain a high index of suspicion for child abuse with a low threshold for toxicology testing in infants and young children with unexplained signs or symptoms compatible with drug toxicity.

Jan 29

PHOTOSPEAKS AND REPORT ON THE 48TH INDUCTION/OATH-TAKING CEREMONY OF FACULTY OF MEDICINE.

It was a glamorous occasion at the College of Health Sciences, Nnewi Campus on Saturday, 11th December, 2021 as the Faculty of Medicine inducts 63 newest Medical Doctors into the prestigious Medical Profession.

Notedly, the induction of the 63 new Medical Doctors had brought to a total of 2,339 Medical Doctors produced by the Faculty of Medicine since its first Induction ceremony on July, 1995.

The venue of the event – Metu Uzodike, Auditorium, NAUTH Premises was filled to the brim. The excitement on the faces of the parents/guardians were alluring considering the facts that their wards were supposed to graduate in the year 2020 but did not due to COVID-19 Pandemic and the long ASUU strike. Now!, to the glory of God, the Inductees had successfully circled the 250 weeks of strenuous & rigorous medical training while passing through 20 departments in the University. Interestingly, the Class of 2020 set recorded a total number of 7 distinctions.

The Vice-Chancelor, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone, FAS, who was ably represented at the event by Prof Joseph Ikechebelu, FAM, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Administration in his keynote address felicitated with the graduands, their parents and the Faculty staff members on the joyous occasion. The Vice-Chancelor then urged the graduands to go into the Medical Profession in the spirit of the Hippocratic Oath taken at the ceremony, strengthened by the sound training they had received in character and learning and imbued with the University core values of Discipline , Self-Reliance and Excellence .

Prof Joseph Ikechebelu, FAM, informed the audience that the Vice-Chancelor’s heartbeat was to see a comprehensive transformation of the College. According to him, with the recent inauguration of the Governing Council of the College, in few years from now, the College will witness a massive infrastructural and personnel developments geared towards promotion of quality training, teaching and research.

In his remarks, the Provost of the College, Prof Gerald Udigwe congratulated the graduands on their academic feat and thanked the University Management for providing enabling environment for our students to train despite the numerous challenges. He also thanked the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Management ably led by the Chief Medical Director, Dr Joseph Ugboaja (Ochinanwata) for continuously availing our students their facilities for training and learning.

The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof Betrand Obi Nwosu, who spoke on behalf of Deans in the College appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for his continued support to the academic growth of the College; and especially with the approval for the commencement of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme. The Dean later congratulated the Inductees for their resilient, doggedness and intelligence to complete their medical training successfully.

The Dean further charged the Inductees to inculcate the 3A’s ideal – Availability, Amiability and Accessibility in the course of their medical practice; fear God and learn the act of referral.

Consequently, Dr.Paul Nnadozie Obiabu, who represented the Registrar, Medical & Dental Council of Nigeria led the graduands on taking the Hippocratic Oath. He further noted that Nigeria Medical Doctors are highly demanded globally. He later admonished the Inductees to be discipline in the course of their medical practice.

The Medical Elder of the day was Prof Godswill Amechi Nnaji. The elder charged the Inductees to pay close attention on the solemnity of the physicians’ oath and be guided by ethical principles and concepts of respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, equity and justice. He encouraged them to refrain from criminal activities such as abortion, euthanasia (mercy killing) and flouting the rule of confidentiality. Above all, he advised the Inductees to develop a vision of their future and pray always; be steadfast and persevere to achieve the vision.

The high point of the awards was the presentation of the award of the overall best graduating student of Class of 2020 set which went to Attama Chinweokwu Geoffrey.

Worthy of note are the special guests who graced the occasion, namely: Prof Joseph Ahaneku, FAS, the former Vice-Chancellor, NAU; Prof Emeka Ezeonu, the Vice-Chancelor, Hezekiah University, Umudi, Nkwerre, Imo State & the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, IMO State; Prof Emma Okoye, former Convocation Rep at the 8th UNIZIK Council; Igwe Nnewi, HRM Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu, III who performed the traditional breaking of kolanut and a host of others.

Once again, we congratulate the newest graduands and wished them a resounding success in the course of their medical practice.

Finally, Project200 Policy is working. Let us continue to support it.

Bright Anyanwu,
College Secretary.