ON HEPATITIS. 

Hepatitis is simply inflammation of the liver, the symptoms and long term consequences are not that 'simple', though.  

The liver can get inflamed by a number of factors ; viral infection, drugs, toxins. 

Hepatitis A, B, C are all caused by viruses.

Hep A, is transmitted through consumption of infected food and water. 

Hep B, C are transmitted through contact with infected blood and body fluids

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It is needful to wash our hands with soap/ash and water before touching foods, after using the convenience, after diaper change, immediately we return home. Furthermore, it is imperative to properly wash fruits and vegetables before eating, to avoid eating raw sea foods, to get vaccinated with Hep A,B vaccines if we are to travel to a foreign country, are to get a body piercing. There is need for protected sexual relations, use of personal manicure/pedicure set or any sharp such sharp object, screen blood for Hep virus before transmission, ,hold toilet flush handle with tissue same for toilet door handle in public restrooms. 

Regular screening for Hep virus is advised as the symptoms seem to be overlooked or mistaken for something else.

Symptoms include; fatigue, loss of appetite, stomach pains, vomit, jaundice(yellow appearance of eyes and skin, as a result of build up of unmetabolised bile).

Today, World Hepatitis Day, presents another opportunity to get tested, adviced,, treated. 

Know your hepatitis status today.

Do Live Responsibly. 

Acknowledgements: webmd. Fidelity bank Nigeria (photo credit).

STILL ON THE MATTER. #NUTRITION.

There are a plethora of factors and 'sub factors' that make for a buoyant economy and improved livelihoods per capita but I beg to approach from the angle of nutrition and agricultural investments.

Malnutrition results to underweight and stunting(chronic malnutrition) in under five children. Acute malnutrition (wasting/ low weight for height) can be reversed if handled timely. However, chronic malnutrition (stunting) is irreversible and will predispose the  affected child to some challenges in adulthood : nutrition-related diseases due to prolonged micronutrient deficiencies, increased chances of having low birth weight children, learning deficiencies leading to poor school performance and reduced employability,  poverty and so on.

The effect of malnutrition is far reaching. It goes beyond the individual and family directly involved to spill over to the society at large. A society whose work force is largely made up of malnourished adults loses a lot in terms of reduced productivity, mentally and physically.   A society with high prevalence of malnutrition among children, is looking at a gloomy economic future as malnutrition hampers mental and physical development in children.  

It is thus needful for governments to #InvestInNutrition, as an integral part of economic development, via Building Nutritious Food Baskets, Agricultural support to small holders especially women, workable pro- agric policies, security of crops and farmlands, incentives to young agripreneurs, gender sensitive nutrition and agric interventions, Nutrition sensitisation campaigns, and so on. Governments need not be passive on issues bothering on #Nutrition. Private bodies and individuals also need to move out of the sidelines and take steps to improve nutrition. 

It is said that a $1 investment in Nutrition will yield $16 ROI. 

#InvestResponsibly.#InvestInNutrition

#NUTRITION.

I am glad global leaders are raising their voices in advocacy for more targeted  investments in 

Nutrition. For me, it is like a wish met, a prayer answered. 

I recall my university days how, as part of 

the recommendations I gave in my final year project, I strongly advocated that multinationals industries in my country, Nigeria, take up nutrition intervention projects as their corporate social responsibility. Well, my plea  reverbated only within the walls of the project defence room. 

I still did not relent, being a staunch believer in Nutrition. Some months later I conceptualised and designed a nutrition sensitisation campaign that will run on T.V and radio airwaves, bringing sustainable, accessible, affordable nutrition solutions to the Nigerian public. My business plan was good, realisable, profitable with a reasonable lead period.  I canvassed for funds, applied for the then existing youth empowerment scheme YoU WiN programme, the judges believed my business plan made sense and was innovative but I was not awarded the grant probably because they felt my business plan required more funds than their 10 million naira upper limit, grant. So I was not funded. 

Undeterred still, I later came up with a CSR proposal for multinationals, banks to be precise. It is designed to be self sufficient and indirectly bring business to the banks.  However, the proposal is lounging in my email as I do not know how to channel it directly to the decision making executives.  

I'm happy the cause I passionately believe in and speak out for, is being echoed from the roof tops by leaders with global voices and reach. I'm happy nutrition has advocates among global decision makers in various fields of endeavour. 

However, global echoes need be matched with local amplifiers to achieve desired impact. 

I believe the global leaders need work with local actors in the field,  in order for policies, funding, interventions to find optimum expression where needed. 

#Nutrition. #staunchbeliever. 

HEALTHY MIND, HEALTHY BODY.

Life is full of ups and downs, lessons and regrets, losses and gains, comliness and ugliness.

However, it is vital to maintain a a healthy mental state because your mind drives your life. 

The BIBLE says out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The mind sure drives our actions, words, life. 

Disease, the absence, presence, progression of it, is largely determined by the state of the mind. 

It is therefore vital to 'detox'  the mind, especially after traumatic experiences, to foster healing and to avoid breakdown or sudden outburst of pent up emotions.

Music is one way of 'detoxing' the mind. 

Talking with someone you love or to counsellor/friend is another way.

Do Have a Mental-Stress-Free Week.

Acknowledgement :useful/gen

OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITY.

Of the over 7 billion people in the world, 795 million are undernourished (they do not have enough food to lead a healthy, active life).

About 45% of under five children die of malnutrition and malnutrition related causes every year.

One of six children is underweight, while one out of four children is stunted. 

If women farmers had the same resources as male farmers, the number of hungry in the world would be reduced by 150 million.

Scores of children go to school hungry and go to bed hungry. 

We can change the tide one step at a time.

The onus does not only lie on the World Food Programme.

It is our shared responsibility.  

Feed one hungry today.

Take Responsibility Today.

Acknowledgement : World Food Programme. 

Yeah Right.