Health
FCT residents resort to “agbo” as prices of drugs soar
FCT residents resort to “agbo” as prices of drugs soar
Following the astronomical increase in prices of drugs, some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have resorted to herbal concoctions commonly referred to as “Agbo” to treat various illnesses.
Agbo is made by combining different herbs, roots and plants that are believed to have medicinal properties.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the prices of many prescribed and over-the-counter medications have witnessed a steady increase, making these drugs unaffordable and unavailable.
NAN confirmed this from some pharmacies visited in the FCT where some drugs were reported to be scarce or unavailable, such as Augmentin, Multivitamins like Omega H3, Ventolin inhaler and Fleming antibiotics.
A pharmacist who spoke on the condition of anonymity said: “GlaxoSmithKline(GSK) products are now scarce and expensive since the company announced its exit from Nigeria.
“For the GSK products, we have the example of Paracetamol which a single card was being sold at N200, but now has increased to N400.
“Fidson products too have increased in prices. Whenever we go to buy drugs, the prices keep going up.
“We are even thinking of returning some stocks supplied by our suppliers that we have not paid for because they are too expensive and people are not buying; our customers are complaining,” she said
In one of the big pharmacies visited by NAN, Ventolin inhaler is selling at N8,870 as against N2,000, while Augmentin is selling for between N23,000 to 25,000 as against N3,000 to N5,000 it was sold before the GSK exit.
Nicholas Adah, a cleaner, who spoke to NAN said he was advised by his friend to take agbo after sharing his symptoms with him.
“I went to the chemist to buy drugs but I did not have the money to buy the antibiotics they prescribed for me, it was so expensive.
“My friend told me to take agbo after I told him how I was feeling. I took his advice and they prepared the one for treating typhoid for me and I feel a lot better, ” he said.
Wasiu Ahmed, a vulcaniser, said: “Why would I go and spend money that I do not even have to buy medicine from a chemist when I can take agbo?
“The country is too hard, no money anywhere. How much do I make from this work I am doing? Agbo is good and it helps my body feel better.”
A taxi driver, Sunny Adeniyi, said he preferred to take agbo to treat his ailments because it is effective and cheaper than orthodox medicine.
“Thank God, I hardly fall sick, but whenever I feel sick like having fever or waist pain, I take agbo and it works for me.
“There is no money to go to the chemist or hospital because everything in Nigeria is expensive. By the time I buy fuel, I won’t have money again,” Adeniyi said.
Agbaje Adeola, a corporate driver, said he made agbo at home for his use and other members of his family adding that he only visited the hospital for very serious health issues.
“I take agbo every three days or if I feel like I have malaria. I prefer it because that is what I grew up with. I also force my children to take it once in a while.
“Sometimes, I do buy agbo from hawkers but the problem with that one is that there is no measurement. I prefer using local herbs because it is good for the system,” he said.
An agbo seller, Sisi Ayo, who said she has been in the business for a while, said she got new customers regularly, both educated and uneducated people.
“Some people do not have money to buy drugs from the pharmacy when they are sick, so they patronise me.
In fact, in recent times, my patronage has more than doubled.
“My customers do ask me to mix herbs for them to treat body pains, aches, malaria or typhoid fever, “jedijedi/opa eyin” (hemorrhoids) “ale” (libido booster) and even ulcer.
“Most of them do come back to thank me that my agbo is effective and they also recommend their friends to me.
“I also have some customers who just take it to get high and forget their sorrows. These kinds of people prefer to take the agbo mixed with alcohol. ”
“I sell for as low as N100 for a measure of a small cup and up to N300 depending on the ailments
For those that prefer a preparation that they can take home, I sell for N1,500 to N3,000 in a plastic container depending also on the ailments,” she said
Mrs Theresa Okafor, a retiree and widow who is hypertensive said the prices of all her medications had increased by 10 per cent to 40 per cent and she could no longer afford to buy some of them.
Okafor, who said the cost depended on brand name and availability, added that her physician had to replace some of her drugs with cheaper brands.
“My pension is N100,000 a month, and I still have children in universities. One of my medications increased from N4,500 to N6,000; the cost of food, fuel, and everything has also increased. I am just living by the grace of God.
“Government really needs to help Nigerians, especially retirees, many of whom are dying every day because they cannot afford to buy the medications prescribed for them,” Okafor said.
(NAN)
No fewer than 25 persons have died and several others hospitalised following the outbreak of Gastroenteritis also known as Cholera in three council areas in Sokoto North, Silame and Kware local government areas of the state.
The state commissioner for health Asabe Balarabe who disclosed this to newsmen in Sokoto, said currently the state is treating 15 victims of the outbreak on active cases from Sokoto North, Silame and Kware local government areas.
According to her, the 15 active cases were diagnosed through laboratory tests based on culture and sensitivity and confirmed to be active cases of the outbreak.
She also disclosed that 1,160 people were said to have been affected by the outbreak and 25 of the victims have already succumbed to the disease.
According to her, the state rescue teams are working in collaboration with the state government to manage and forestall further spread of the dreaded disease.
She described the state government’s response to the outbreak as prompt and effective, adding that medication and drugs have already been purchased and distributed to 18 local government areas, as an intervention to curtail the continued spread of the disease.
Nasarawa State has initiated a review of its public health bills to strengthen its health security framework.
The bills under review are the Nasarawa State Public Health Security Bill and the Public Health Bill.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Labaran Magaji, announced this development at a four-day stakeholders’ meeting on Monday in Nasarawa.
The meeting aims to refine the bills and enhance the state’s health security framework.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative is a collaborative effort between the Nasarawa State Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, Orixine Consulting, and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL).
NAN also reports that the proposed bills aim to address gaps in the state’s existing legal framework, aligning it with international health regulations and national health security benchmarks.
Magaji emphasised the urgency of overhauling the bills, stating that the health and well-being of the people were paramount.
He noted that revising these laws would not only ensure compliance with national and international standards but also enhance the state’s preparedness to prevent and respond to public health emergencies.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Gwamna Shekwonugaza, highlighted the collaborative nature of the effort, emphasising the goal of creating practical, enforceable laws that could make a real difference in people’s lives.
Shekwonugaza was represented by Mrs Naomi Oyegbenu, Department of Planning, Research and Statistics.
“Our goal is to create laws that are not only theoretical but also practical, enforceable, and capable of making a tangible difference in people’s lives.”
Mr Yenan Sebastian, Director of the Subnational Support Department at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), commended Nasarawa State for setting a precedent in public health.
He noted that the state’s proactive approach to legal reform in health security was commendable and essential for building resilience against emerging health threats.
Emem Udoh, Senior Legal Advisor at Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), emphasised the importance of robust and actionable legislation.
He expressed optimism about the outcomes, stating that strong legal frameworks were the backbone of effective public health systems.
Mr Audu Arome, Executive Director of Orixine Consulting, highlighted the significance of stakeholders’ engagement in legal reforms.
He noted that inclusive participation ensured comprehensive and considerate laws that catered to all facets of public health.
The meeting, which will run until November 21st, aims to refine a set of bills ready for legislative action, demonstrating Nasarawa State’s commitment to prioritising public health.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has commenced the enrollment of 10,000 people in Rivers West Senatorial District under the “Bringing Healthcare Home” initiative.
Dr Kelechi Ohiri, Director-General of NHIA, made this known in a statement by Emmanuel Ononokpono, Assistant Director of Media, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The programme was sponsored by Sen. Ipalibo Banigo, the Chairperson, Senate Committee on Health.
It was aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare in the region, and was launched in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the State.
Ohiri said that health insurance was a critical tool to combat health-related poverty issues and inequality.
He said that access to affordable healthcare was essential for maintaining human dignity.
“The initiative targets reducing the high rate of out-of-pocket healthcare expenses in Nigeria, with 70 per cent of the population currently bearing healthcare costs without financial support,” he said.
Meanwhile, the sponsor of the programme, Sen. Ipalibo Banigo, affirmed her commitment to improving healthcare access for her constituents.
“At the flag-off, over 30 beneficiaries received their health insurance identity cards, marking the beginning of their coverage under the programme, which spans eight Local Government Areas in Rivers West,” she said.
She said that the initiative underscored the role of health insurance in addressing social inequalities and improving healthcare access, particularly for vulnerable communities.
Cholera Kills 25 In Sokoto, 15 Persons Hospitalised
Nasarawa State reviews public health bills to boost health security
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