Health

American actress Olivia Munn announced Wednesday, March 13, that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2023 and underwent a double mastectomy.

Published

1 year ago

March 13, 2024

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The actress, 43, explained that she and her sister Sara Potts tested negative for the BRCA gene — the most well-known gene to cause cancer — and her mammogram came back clear, but her doctor decided to calculate her Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score just in case.

Her doctor prompted the actress to go for an MRI, then an ultrasound and finally a biopsy that confirmed she had luminal B cancer in both breasts, which is an “aggressive, fast-moving cancer.”

Munn underwent a double mastectomy 30 days later and has gone through four surgeries total over the past 10 months.

“I went from feeling completely fine one day to waking up in a hospital bed after a 10-hour surgery the next,” she wrote. “I’m lucky. We caught it with enough time that I had options.”

The “X-Men: Apocalypse” star credited her family, friends and partner, John Mulaney, for their support throughout her cancer journey.

“I’m so thankful to John for the nights he spent researching what every operation and medication meant and what side effects and recovery I could expect,” she continued.

“For being there before I went into each surgery and being there when I woke up, always placing framed photos of our little boy Malcolm so it would be the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes.”

Munn concluded her message by thanking her physicians, the staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., calling her OBGYN, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, her “guardian angel.”

Health

Katsina targets three million children for polio immunisation — Official

Published

3 days ago

April 16, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Polio-Victims

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The Katsina State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHCA) says it is targeting not less than three million children during the polio immunisation campaign scheduled for 26 -29 April.

Its Executive Secretary, Shamsudeen Yahaya, made the disclosure on Tuesday at a media dialogue with UNICEF, Katsina State Government officials and partners on polio and routine immunisation in the state.

Mr Yahaya said the exercise was aimed at creating awareness of the importance of immunisation in saving children from preventable deaths.

He, therefore, urged the media to continue to enlighten caregivers and other stakeholders on the importance of immunisation.

He revealed that the state has 1,636 health facilities providing routine immunisation services for children.

Mr Yahaya said the government would engage 3,700 independent monitors to ensure that each eligible child is reached during the campaign.

In his remarks, the Officer-in-Charge (OIC), also the Nutrition Manager of UNICEF Kano Field Office, Karanveer Singh, stressed the need to immunise every child against polio and other deadly diseases.

Mr Singh revealed that polio is highly infectious, warning, “Once a child is infected with the virus, he or she is permanently paralysed.”

The officer explained that every round of immunisation is important, as is immunising every child until the virus is completely eradicated.

He added that immunisation is the backbone of any eradication programme, hence the need for caregivers and other stakeholders to intensify efforts in ensuring that all children below five years are fully immunised.

Health

We must stop contaminating our rivers and streams in the name of ‘odinani’ (tradition)—- Gov Chukwuma Soludo ‎

Published

6 days ago

April 13, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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‎In a recent address to All Progressives Grand Alliance supporters in Awka, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo raised concerns about pollution of local streams and rivers by native doctors during rituals. He stated, “We must stop contaminating our rivers and streams in the name of ‘odinani’ (tradition). Many depend on that water for drinking and cooking.”
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‎According to Daily Trust, Governor Soludo urged practitioners to be responsible, saying, “If you must perform rituals, use a container—like a bucket—and carry out your practices there. Do not pollute our public water sources.” He emphasized that polluted water can lead to serious health issues, declaring that “we do not want that for our communities.”
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‎He addressed the backlash from a crackdown on native doctors suspected of criminal behavior: “I am not targeting legitimate traditional worshipers but those who defraud and deceive people.” His aim is to eliminate fraudulent actors while respecting cultural practices.
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‎He highlighted the need for balance: “We can embrace our traditions while ensuring the safety and health of our communities.”
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Health

NAFDAC Begins Gradual Reopening of Shops at Ogbo-Ogwu Drug Market in Onitsha

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1 week ago

April 11, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced the gradual reopening of shops at the Ogbo-Ogwu drug market in Onitsha.

This development follows the agency’s closure of the market on February 10, 2025, due to concerns over the sale and distribution of counterfeit, unregistered, and substandard drugs.

The unsealing exercise is being led by a Deputy Director of NAFDAC, Mr. Tunji Omoyemi.

According to NAFDAC, traders whose shops meet the required safety and documentation standards are being cleared to resume business operations.

Addressing the traders, the market chairman, Mr. Ndubuisi Chukwulota, urged full cooperation with the agency to facilitate the swift resumption of commercial activities.