No woman should suffer the indignity of an obstetric fistula… No woman should die while trying to give birth to life!
This has been my message and my mission since the time I discovered what fistula was and will continue to be until we eradicate fistula in Africa. It is definitely possible! Fistula was eradicated in North America, the UK, and western Europe in the early 1900s. This tells us that the capacity to eradicate the prolonged, obstructed labour that causes obstetric fistula has been in our hands for several generations.
Tomorrow, May 23rd is the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula. This is another time to remind us all of our responsibilities in creating awareness about this tragic childbirth injury.
To talk more about my work, I had an interview with Plus TV which will be aired tomorrow. I’m also very happy that a highly skilled surgeon and long term partner of the Extended Hands Foundation, Dr Sa’ad Idris was interviewed for this feature.
Watch the interview tomorrow by 1:30pm on DSTV channel 408.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAfHm-NhI_4/
Have you watched DRY – the first world-class feature movie to bring Fistula to the big screen? CLICK HERE to get your copy!
For many of us, the COVID-19 crisis has changed our lives
and the way we relate with people around us almost overnight.
We hear this term – social distancing – almost every day as a means of protecting ourselves from getting infected with the virus. But the truth is what we should really practice is physical distancing and not emotionally disentangling ourselves from our friends and loved ones. Yes, we’re keeping the physical distance between us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still emotionally connect.
Sickness reminds us that we are all each other’s responsibility, but it can be painfully difficult to know how to enact those responsibilities when the physical distance is first and foremost among them. How do we help people when we need to limit physical contact with them? The answer is simple: Let’s focus on reducing physical contact while maintaining—to the extent possible—the social connections that help us thrive and stay healthy.
Small steps can lead to big effects.
Here are some of the ways I’ve been keeping that emotional connection with my loved ones:
Phone Calls; Video Calls; Text messages; If you live in a place where you’re allowed to go outside, meet up with friends for walks or a run. Just remember to keep about two meters (six feet) between each other and avoid shaking hands.
Not only can you emotionally connect during this period, you absolutely should! Check-in regularly on family, older parents, neighbors, friends, or relatives and let them know they are loved and valued.
Amazonians, how have you been connecting with your loved
ones emotionally during the pandemic?
With the Coronavirus sweeping across the world and infecting many at an alarming rate, one common thing people are looking into is is ways to boost their immune system.
On the whole, your immune system does a remarkable job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms. Multiple research studies have proven the effectiveness of antioxidants to neutralise and eliminate free radicals from the bloodstream in a bid to keep your body functioning optimally. The immune system prevents countless diseases and cures infections. However, sometimes it needs a little help. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants can provide that extra boost.
The three major antioxidant vitamins are beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E. You’ll find them in colorful fruits and vegetables, especially those with purple, blue, red, orange, and yellow hues. Don’t forget whole grains, nuts, seeds and beans are awash in these potent compounds, too. In addition, consuming green tea, garlic, ginger, onions and turmeric are not only good anti-inflammatory foods, but also contain antioxidants that boost your immune system.
These foods are by no means a cure to any kind of virus infection. They make your body stronger and better able to fight diseases, so, incorporate them into your diet not just during this pandemic but always.
Today, I’m in the mood for celebrating a unique experience we were privileged to share with Uchechi & Agbo Titus, our guests on Make Me Fabulous Show. After 20 years in marriage, we hosted them to a fabulous time on Episode 3 of Season 2.
It was not just an exciting celebration for them, but a learning moment for me and the entire crew as we thoroughly enjoyed their company.
All of us make mistakes at times. As humans, we’re imperfect.
We’ve all done things we’re not proud of. However, stewing in remorse isn’t a productive way to cope. As difficult as it may seem, letting go of guilt and shame is a necessary part of moving on from any mistake or embarrassment.
Unfortunately, the decision to feel miserable for the rest of your life can have tragic consequences. And not always in obvious ways. A lot of people struggle with self-condemnation or self-blame because they’ve either done something they feel was wrong and they feel guilty, or because they feel that they’re wrong or defective in some way and they feel a sense of shame. No one can beat us up better than we beat ourselves up.
When we try to forgive ourselves, we’re trying to release something that feels like it is part of us. We’re releasing who we were in the moment that we did whatever it was.
It’s time for you to remind yourself that you’re doing the best you can. I would love for you to let go of the burden you might be carrying around so you can learn how to forgive yourself and start to experience some freedom in your life.
There’s a season for our suffering and regret. We have to have that. But the season ends; the world moves on. And we need to move on with it.
Yes I know we are still in very
uncertain times around the world, but hey, the start of another work week is
always a good opportunity for us to press that reset button, accomplish things and
tackle our goals head on.
So, let’s jump right into it! Here are
5 reasons why I absolutely love Mondays!
Lists! Mondays for me is a day of writing those important lists. I’m a firm believer of organization. You can get a lot done when you know exactly what you want out of your day and week.
You start afresh with renewed energy and motivation. No matter what happened last week, Monday always seems like a fresh start.
You’ve got a whole week ahead of you to achieve your goals. Set goals about how you want your week to look like on Mondays and enjoy a fulfilling week ahead.
Mondays give me an opportunity to push through those difficult tasks I thought I couldn’t achieve. There’s this burst of energy that tells me that I am able and constantly working at conquering my fear.
It’s a beautiful day to be you! Be happy to be living and grateful that you get to experience such a wonderful day!
I strongly believe that appreciation for any parent should be every day of the year, but, I still love to celebrate moms on this special day.
I am so blessed to be one, and I celebrate all the wonderful and selfless mothers out there! With many countries of the world currently on lockdown, the value of mothers is even more appreciated. I have so much respect for the work that all women and moms do each day.
To those who hope and pray to become mothers, I pray that God grants you your heart’s desire, and to those who have lost children or their own mothers, I pray God gives you the strength and grace to overcome every pain.
To all moms, stepmoms, godmothers, grandmothers, guardians and women out there, your gift to the world is seen, noticed, and appreciated.
How do you feel about the partial lifting of lockdown in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun State?
How’s it OUTSIDE?
Hey Lovelies 💕 How is it OUTSIDE? How do you all feel going out again after observing the lockdown for over a month?
What do you think about the Federal government decision as regards relaxing the lockdown in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun state amid rising cases?
Trader – Lagos state
Do you think it’s the right time to lift the lockdown?
Please share your thoughts with us in the comment box below. Meanwhile, I will advise we keep staying at home for obvious reasons. If you must go out wear a face mask. Take care of yourself for you and the people who care about you. Let’s try to maintain all the safety measures to keep staying safe.
Here are many ways to pass the time while inside your home
The Federal Government of Nigeria has put some of the major cities on shutdown and have instructed everyone to stay in there homes due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Love and Intimacy during Corona
This means it’ll take a while for normalcy to be restored. Of course, people will be keen to keep busy during this difficult time and there are many things you can do to have fun, without leaving the house.
It’s a good time to get creative, take up a new hobby, or do all those jobs you haven’t had the time for.
However, Here are 20 ways to keep busy and we’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments below.
Do jigsaws
Do DIY
Play chess/monopoly or scrabble
Learn an instrument
Take up painting
Read books
Have a movie night complete with popcorn
Make a list of all the things you want to do when this is over
Learn a new language using YouTube or an audio guide
Play FIFA or other games on the Xbox/PlayStation
Have a virtual party with your friends online
Phone elderly relatives who may be feeling lonely
Take a long bath and listen to an audio book
Make pizzas from scratch
Recreate your favourite restaurant dishes at home
Do origami
Take up knitting
Listen to podcasts or start your own
Watch a classic musical and sing along
Try out some new social media accounts and share what you’re up to each day
Practical tips to get ready, without hitting the panic button.
It’s safe to say ‘CoronaVirus’ is the trending topic in the world right now. It’s been declared a pandemic. A lot of major cities in the world are enforcing shut-ins and curfews and the outbreak is forcing lives to a stand-still.
So, what does this mean, for us?
According to Nicholas Kristof of New York Times, some epidemiologist has given their best case outcome for the virus.
“The best case is that the virus mutates and actually dies out,” said Dr. Larry Brilliant, an epidemiologist who as a young doctor was part of the fight to eradicate smallpox. Brilliant was a consultant for the movie “Contagion,” in which a virus evolved to become more deadly, but that’s the exception. “Only in movies do viruses seem to become worse,” he explained.
Two other lethal coronaviruses, SARS and MERS, both petered out, and that is possible here. “My hope is that Covid-19 will not survive,” said Dr. Charles G. Prober, a professor at Stanford Medical School.
Several countries have shown that decisive action can turn the tide on Covid-19, at least for a time. China, astonishingly, on Thursday reported not a single new case of domestic transmission. While China is still vulnerable to a second wave, it has apparently shown that the virus can be squelched.
coronavirus
Basic protective measures against the new coronavirus
Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following:
Wash your hands frequently Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
Maintain social distancing Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
Practice respiratory hygiene Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.
Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.
Protection measures for persons who are in or have recently visited (past 14 days) areas where COVID-19 is spreading
Follow the guidance outlined above by WHO.
Stay at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and slight runny nose, until you recover. Why? Avoiding contact with others and visits to medical facilities will allow these facilities to operate more effectively and help protect you and others from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.
If you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. Call in advance and tell your provider of any recent travel or contact with travelers. Why? Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also help to prevent possible spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.
