Prof. Linda Okoye, Dean of Dentistry at University of Nigeria Enugu, delivers inaugural lecture urging federal government to elevate oral health in national development. Highlights paltry 0.5% health budget allocation, pushes for NHIS inclusion, fluoridation pilots, school programs, sugar labeling, workforce expansion, and personal habits like fluoride brushing and sugar limits.
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Zaidi ya Tabasamu: Wito wa Prof. Linda Okoye wa Kutia Afya ya Mdomo Mbele nchini Nigeria
Prof. Okoye akizungumzia vipaumbele vya afya ya mdomo wakati wa mhadhara wake. (Picha: Mikhail Nilov kupitia Pexels)
ENUGU – Prof. Linda Okoye, Mkuu wa Kitivo cha Tiba ya Meno katika University of Nigeria, Kampu ya Enugu, amewahimiza serikali ya shirikisho kutia afya ya mdomo mbele kama sehemu muhimu ya maendeleo ya taifa.
Okoye alitoa wito huo wakati wa kutoa mhadhara wa 236 wa kuanzishwa wa chuo hicho, ulioitwa “Beyond The Smile: The Myth, The Truth and the Control of Tooth Decay”. Profesa wa Tiba ya Kurejesha Meno aliangazia ufadhili usiotosheleza kwa afya ya mdomo, akibainisha kuwa ni 0.5% tu ya bajeti ya sekta ya afya ya N2.48 trilioni inayotengwa kwa hiyo. Kwa muktadha kuhusu marekebisho ya bima ya afya, tazama mpango wa Nigeria wa GIFSHIP.
Mapendekezo kwa Hatua za Serikali
Hatua za serikali zinazohitajika kwa kuunganishwa kwa afya ya mdomo. (Picha: Mikhail Nilov kupitia Pexels)
Okoye alitaka kuingizwa kwa huduma za kimsingi za kuzuia na kurejesha katika National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), pamoja na ruzuku kwa idadi ya watu hatari, hasa watoto na wazee.
Aidha alipendekeza serikali:
Chunguze fluoridation ya maji au chumvi kupitia programu za majaribio, kama ilivyoendesezwa na CDC;
Amuru programu za afya ya mdomo za shule katika shule zote za msingi;
Dhibiti uuzaji wa bidhaa zinazoharibu meno kwa watoto kwa vizuizi sawa na vya tumbaku na pombe;
Amuru uwekaji lebo wazi wa kiwango cha sukari kwenye vyakula na vinywaji vyote vilivyowekwa pakiti.
“Serikali lazima iamtanie uwekaji lebo wazi wa kiwango cha sukari kwenye vyakula na vinywaji vyote vilivyowekwa pakiti,” alisema.
Okoye alisisitiza kuimarisha mfumo wa afya kwa kuongeza uwezo wa mafunzo kwa wataalamu wa meno, kukuza kundi la kiwango cha kati cha wafanyakazi wa afya ya mdomo kupitia programu za tiba ya meno ili kushughulikia upungufu wa wafanyakazi, na kuhakikisha upatikanaji wa vifaa muhimu vya kuzuia. Jifunze zaidi kutoka WHO kuhusu afya ya mdomo.
Wajibu wa Kibinafsi
Hatua muhimu za kibinafsi kwa afya bora ya mdomo. (Picha: Vitaly Gariev kupitia Pexels)
Okoye pia alisisitiza jukumu la kila Mnigeria katika kuboresha matokeo ya afya ya mdomo, akishauri watu binafsi:
Piga mswaki mara mbili kwa siku kwa kutumia mchubwa wa meno wenye fluoride;
Punguza ulaji wa sukari, hasa vinywaji vilivyotolewa na sukari. Tazama miongozo ya NIDCR;
Punguza nyakati za kula hadi mara tatu hadi nne kwa siku;
Tafuta huduma za kuzuia meno mara kwa mara.
Mtazamo: Mhadhara wa 236 wa Kuanzishwa, University of Nigeria, Kampu ya Enugu. Imeripotiwa na Gideon Arinze.
Only 0.5% of the N2.48 trillion health sector budget is allocated to oral health.
Include preventive and restorative services in NHIS, subsidies for vulnerable groups, water fluoridation pilots, school programs, regulate cariogenic products, and mandate sugar labeling.
Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, limit sugar intake especially beverages, reduce eating to 3-4 times daily, and seek regular preventive dental care.
“Beyond The Smile: The Myth, The Truth and the Control of Tooth Decay”.
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