Opinion I Owelle, Thank You For Heeding My Advice

OWELLE, THANK YOU FOR HEEDING MY ADVICE!

        

The last time I painstakingly checked, my entire system was deeply pleased over a recent pronouncement made by the Imo State governor, Chief Owelle Rochas Okorocha in one of his numerous official outings targeted towards governance. In that occasion, the number-one citizen disclosed to the gathering that the ongoing General Hospitals in each of the Local Government Areas in the state would be handed over to the private sector. Frankly, this is a welcome development.

        

There are two critical and pertinent factors that must be treated as priorities while discussing governance. They are education and health. The former remains the reason a given society is duly informed and developed, whilst the latter guarantees a fit society. No doubt, any society that is deformed and unfit is obviously not unlike an individual seriously ravaged by a medical condition known as kwashiorkor.

        

The above fact could be the sole reason Governor Okorocha thought it wise to declare free-education in the state’s education sector. Till date, Imolites schooling in the state’s various educational institutions ranging from nursery to tertiary, enjoy learning without paying a dime. It could equally be the fact given in the above paragraph that necessitated construction of General Hospitals in each LGA across the state, alongside the Ochiedike Diagnostic Centre situated in New Owerri, which is now complemented and functional.

        

Although the governor’s move to ensure that every LGA in the state could boast of at least one standard hospital was genuine and commendable, the moment he commenced the project about four years ago, having appreciated him for the laudable political will employed therein towards investing in the health sector, I unequivocally made him understand that such project was rather inconsequential because it may end up causing more harm than the intended good.

        

The project was ‘inconsequential’ because I strongly foresaw that such initiative might end up consuming our treasury without achieving the desired motive of the initiator; inconsequential because I knew such project might in the long run be tagged a ‘white-elephant project’; unnecessary, because I was deeply of the notion that if other existing hospitals across the state were put in order or revived, there wouldn’t be any need of constructing new ones; because I knew when completed, the state cannot manage the activities of the gigantic hospitals.

         

These, among others, were the reason I candidly advised the workaholic governor to consider selling the project to interested buyers in the private sector. When a government is investing in the health sector, its primary aim is to cater for the well-being of the citizenry, and not to make profit as it is usually the case in the private sector. Hence, the government needs to regularly ensure that each of the facilities in the hospitals are functional and in good shape, contrary to a private investor who would concentrate mainly on the profit he stands to make in the process. In other words, such amenities would be so cumbersome for the government to super-head when in use.

        

So, being preoccupied with the notion that Imo can adequately manage the hospitals when completed, in addition to the already existing ones, is just like lying to ourselves. The state can never have the muscle, financially and otherwise, to oversee the day-to-day running of the hospitals under normal circumstance, let alone in an era when workers are being begged to go home with seventy per cent of their salaries, and pensioners aren’t sure what the next month entails.

         

So far, the fund that have been channeled to the project in question from the state’s coffer is unimaginable, thus I wouldn’t like the government to continue financing the initiative till they are duly completed. Rather than doing this, let them be conceded to the private sector at this stage, and not to wait until their completion is witnessed. I wouldn’t want this thing to overweigh the governor who has other more pressing tasks to attend to.

        

I’m aware when Gov. Okorocha eventually pronounced that the hospitals would be leased to private investors, he was actually referring to when they are thoroughly completed. Against this backdrop, I wish to differ from his idea. I want to further advise the governor not to wait till they are completed as well as equipped, before handing them over to the private sector. There are other inevitable needs in the state that require the urgent attention of the funds being utilized on the said initiative.  
        

Ensuring that the citizenry could boast of sound health care is unarguable very crucial in any society, but let’s concentrate on managing the hospitals we have already, instead of building what could be addressed as ‘castle in the air’. I’m more concerned about sustainability, and not establishment of an edifice.

         

I can imagine how much the ongoing free-education, alone, is taking from the state’s coffer on an annual basis, let alone when the burden is juxtaposed with a similar one. He who wears the shoes knows where it pinches him most; I think I’m one of those clad in the shoes, so I’m in a good position to acknowledge where the pain is being felt. I’m a full-fledged citizen and equally a stakeholder in the state, thus I needn’t any fellow or an outsider to intimate me on how the odyssey had fared so far.

         

Ab initio, one of the prime plights faced by successive governments has been indulgence in initiation of white-elephant projects. Worse still, anyone who happens to succeed a governor/president of a state or country, as the case may be, would rather than ensuring that the projects he met on board are completed, prefer initiating new ones at the expense of the state/country’s treasury, forgetting that government is a continuum. It is in view of this ugly tradition that I wouldn’t want Gov. Okorocha to leave any uncompleted project behind when exiting from Douglas House come 2019, because such scenario might rubbish all the good gestures he showcased while in office.                   

         

I would be making a grievous mistake, or deceiving myself, if I fail to concur that the governor – Owelle as he’s fondly called – is so passionate about education as well as compassionate towards the sick and frail-looking individuals, but he ought to note that whatever is worth doing, is definitely worth doing well. Think about it!

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Opinion I One Mistake Okorocha Mustn't Make

ONE MISTAKE OKOROCHA MUST NOT MAKE

        

The last time I checked, an average Imolite had abruptly become more observant and attentive than ever, that, he/she could not spent a whole day without making frantic effort to spy on the Imo Government House otherwise known as the ‘Douglas House’ towards ascertaining what the political strategy of the governor, Chief  Rochas Okorocha entails.

         

Sometimes when they peep, they would take time to comprehend what the body language of the leader in question truly represents. I would assert that they have emerged good observers unannounced. A good observer is one who is very sound in listening; one who listens more and talks less; one who takes his/her precious time to study what every circumstance is made up of; one who can go extra mile to discover facts, either weird or usual, surrounding any given situation.

          

Acknowledging this very scenario, it’s imperative for everyone that’s involved in the famous Rescue Mission Administration, particularly the governor, to fasten his/her seat-belt. The current season could be best described as critical and most challenging, which could be linked to the ongoing Lenten period observed by the Christendom. Notwithstanding, it’s pertinent to note that the said season is actually referring to the political state of Imo.

         

Lest I forget, this critique could be tagged the continuation of the one tendered penultimate week, precisely in the previous edition of this very column entitled ‘Imo, 2019 and Okorocha’s apparent confidence in the youth’. In that very piece, I categorically made the governor who was of the notion that one at above the age of 50 didn’t mean well for the state, understood that age shouldn’t be a requisite for a gubernatorial aspiration. In that analysis, I unequivocally told the revered Imo number one citizen that Imo as a people was only keenly interested in having someone of reputable antecedents and genuine intention as her governor.

         

It is only a-day-old child in the Nigerian political terrain that would think that 2019 is still very far to be discussed by anyone whatsoever. To everyone who really understands the real rudiments of politics, 2019 is already by the corner; in other words, it’s just like a period that would be embraced within a twinkle of an eye. Hence, it’s not unlike a day after today. This is the reason, at the moment, a staunch politician hardly goes to bed owing to 2019.

        

The above premise implies that the heat as regards the awaited Imo governorship race among others is really on and would continue to be intensified as the days unfold. For those whom are yet to be informed, the recently released time-table by the electoral umpire (INEC) in regard to the 2019 political dispensation disclosed that every primary election must end at worst in the second quarter of next year being 2018. Needless to say that only this year (2017) is left for every political party to put its house in order. Thus any party that fails to put its acts together before the end of the third quarter of this year would indeed have itself to be blamed.

        

Sure, any party that refuses to arrange its house this year towards maintaining the needed decorum and decency is liable to misfire come 2018 when the awaited primaries would take place. It is on this backdrop that I thought it wise to advise Governor Okorocha on what he ought to do with a view to avoiding a mistake that he is bound not to make if he truly wishes to remain popular having relinquished power come 2019.

        

The mistake in question is avoidable, thus no excuses is supposed to be given if the governor eventually makes it. The consequences of the mistake, if made, would be very grievous and untold; hence, can cause Chief Okorocha something very costly in the nearest future. Without mincing words, anointing a wrong person as the state’s gubernatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would definitely cost the governor a treasure he would live to recall; it would cost him something that is deeply cherished by his person; in fact, it might cost him his eternal joy, political wise.

         

It’s therefore needless to reiterate that pouring the anointing oil on a wrong individual would be an indelible mistake made by the governor. It could be tagged a blunder because Chief Okorocha who strongly comprehends the basis of politics has no iota of reason to indulge himself in such an anticipated mistake. This implies that he currently has every opportunity to avert the mistake. This is why he must not work alone in regard to preparing someone for the governorship position, or to succeed him.

         

At this point, I expect Gov. Okorocha to be involved in wide consultations. Everyone must be given a listening ear, thus every view should be considered crucial and needed. He must not let his personal interest override that of the party (APC). Hence, he mustn’t be faster than the party; let the party take the lead while he follows, although he undoubtedly remains one of the leaders of the party. The APC must be seen as a family for this to work.

         

What we must acknowledge is that any slightest error made by the party leadership might make the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to become a more useful party, because such error would possess the tendency of disintegrating the former (APC) into various factions; it might even take the state chapter of the party into extinction.

         

In view of the above, the governor must jettison the idea of ensuring that whosoever that would succeed him must not be over 50 years of age; rather, he ought to concentrate on how to produce a credible flag bearer regardless of age or physical stature; a candidate that would be loved by the majority of the members of the party, and Imolites in general. It suffices to state that he mustn’t play politics with such factor, even though this is conspicuously an era of politicking.    
        

However, do not forget in haste that my interest remains Imo, and not APC. It is no longer news that whatever that affects the party would definitely and negatively affect the wellbeing of the state, because the political platform is obviously in charge. Think about it!        

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Opinion I Today is World Tuberculosis Day!

CONFRONTING THE SCOURGE OF TUBERCULOSIS AS THE 2017 WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY IS COMMEMORATED ON FRIDAY MARCH 24

           

Today, Friday March 24, the world over is commemorating the 2017 World Tuberculosis Day. The annual World Tuberculosis Day, which was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and duly adopted by the United Nations (UN), is one of the eight official global public health campaigns marked by WHO. March 24 was chosen to commemorate the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch astounded the scientific community by announcing to a small group of scientists at the University of Berlin’s Institute of Hygiene that he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis known as the TB bacillus.

        

Tuberculosis popularly known as TB is an infectious bacterial disease characterized by the growth of nodules or tubercles in the human respiratory organs, especially the lungs. It is a curable communicable infection that is transmitted by inhaling tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of a carrier or an infected person.

         

Tuberculosis (TB) mainly affects the lungs, though it can affect any other part of the body, including the glands, bones, and nervous system. Typical symptoms of TB include a persistent cough that last more than three weeks and usually brings up phlegm which may be bloody, loss of weight, high temperature or fever, night sweats, tiredness and fatigue, loss of appetite, overstayed swellings, among others.

         

TB is generally caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which could be found in food, water or unsafe environment. The type that affects the lungs is the most contagious type, but it usually spreads after prolonged exposure to someone with the illness. Most times, it is transmitted within family members who live in the same house.

           

In most healthy people the immune system, which is the body’s natural defence against infections or illnesses, kills the bacteria thereby making the patient free from any form of symptom. Sometimes the immune system cannot kill the bacteria, but manages to prevent it spreading in the body of the carrier; this means the carrier in question would not have any symptoms but the bacteria will remain in his or her body. This mode of infection is known as Latent TB.

           

If the immune system fails to kill or contain the infection, it can spread within the lungs or other parts of the body, and symptoms will develop within a few weeks or months. This is known as Active TB. Latent TB could develop into an active TB infection at a later date, particularly if the patient’s immune system becomes weakened. It is estimated that, about one-third of the world’s population is currently infected with latent TB; of these, up to ten percent (10%) is expected to become active at some point.

         

It is important to note that someone suffering from HIV/AIDS or any immune-deficiency disease is at a higher risk of contracting tuberculosis, especially when the person is not placed on a proper diet. Thus, a HIV patient is expected to go for TB test from time to time.

          

Several tests are used to diagnose tuberculosis, depending on the type suspected. The most common types include, chest X-ray, Mantoux test, urine and blood tests, biopsy, Computerized Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan; and in some cases, lumbar puncture may be recommended. Some of the diagnoses are implored in a case of Pulmonary TB, some are applied in cases of Extrapulmonary TB, whilst lumbar puncture is specifically used to ascertain if the TB has infected the central nervous system i.e. the brain and spinal cord, of the patient.  

          

Pulmonary tuberculosis is the type that affects mainly the lungs, while extrapulmonary TB is used to describe the type that occurs outside the lungs. Any of the above types has the tendency of affecting the brain or spinal cord of the carrier.

          

Bacilli Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a vaccine for tuberculosis disease. Many foreign-born persons have been BCG-vaccinated. BCG is used in many countries with a high prevalence of TB to prevent childhood TB meningitis and miliary disease. Though, the vaccine is meant only for selected individuals who have met specific criteria and in consultation with a TB expert. For instance, BCG vaccination ought not to be administered to persons who are immuno-suppressed such as HIV patients or persons who are likely to become immuno-compromised like someone who is a candidate for organ transplant.

          

In the same vein, BCG vaccination is not meant to be taken during pregnancy. Even though no harmful effects of BCG vaccination on the fetus have been observed or detected, further studies are needed to prove its safety in the body of a pregnant woman.

          

It is noteworthy that, tuberculosis can be cured. In some cases, the carriers would need a course of antibiotics, usually for six months. Several different antibiotics are used; this is because some forms of TB are resistant to certain antibiotics. If one is infected with a drug-resistant form of TB, treatment can last as long as two years or thereabouts.

         

Tuberculosis is a contagious air-borne disease. Someone suffering from the infection is not supposed to share household materials like spoon, fake, cup, and what have you, with anyone until he is totally cured. He is also required to always endeavour to cover his mouth with handkerchief whenever he coughs, to avoid spreading the bacteria to his immediate environment or transmitting it to anyone around him.

         

If one is in close contact with a carrier of tuberculosis, it is recommendable to carry out tests on him or her to see if he/she has also been infected with the disease. These can include a chest x-ray, blood tests, as well as a skin test called the Mantoux screening test. This measure is often significant, so that if necessary, the person can receive treatment alongside the original carrier of the disease.

         

The World Tuberculosis Day is aimed toward building public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease. According to UN, survey shows that in the year 2012, about 8.6 million people fell ill with TB and 1.3 million of the said carriers died of the disease, mostly in the Third World countries or developing nations such as Nigeria.

          

As the global community marks the World Tuberculosis Day, there is an urgent need for every Nigerian, both home and in the Diaspora, to acknowledge that the societal menace of tuberculosis cannot be overemphasized and that, it is indeed a contagious and deadly disease. On this note, we ought to continually ensure that whatever we eat or drink is thoroughly boiled or washed as the case might be and also endeavour to keep our nostrils away from unwanted environmental particles such as dust and what have you.

         

Also, we should bear in mind that intake of vaccine, if and when necessary, is a pathway towards embracing a TB-free society. Therefore, government and other health stakeholders should encourage the entire citizenry to ensure that they are vaccinated against TB by ensuring that the BCG vaccine is regularly made available within their reach in line with the Millennium Sustainable Goals.

         

Above all, we should not forget that this ongoing crusade is a civic responsibility of every sane individual irrespective of his/her affiliation. Think about it!    

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