Tola Dehinde

In many countries, it is still difficult for women with an illness such as sickle cell to get work. Overall employment levels in countries with a high percentage of people living with sickle cell anaemia, (especially in West Africa) is low. People living with SCD in some parts of the world find it much harder to get work than others. Women living with sickle cell in many countries in Africa have been left trailing far behind their counterparts in developed nations when it comes to having employment.

Sickle cell anaemia is a disease where the normal red blood cells are round but for people living with sickle cell, theirs is the shape of a sickle and hence the name. This means they do not have enough blood in their system. The main symptoms of sickle cell disorder are anaemia and episodes of severe pain. The pain occurs when the red blood cells stick together, causing blockages in the small blood vessels. The sickled red blood cell can stick or clot together at any time, without notice.

I want to talk about the barriers that affect the average woman with sickle cell from getting a job. There are issues such as self-confidence or low self-esteem? How do we as women conquer these emotional self-limiting thoughts? Obstacles to employment can range from emotional, and physical to social. Lack of confidence in their own abilities appeared to be a big barrier, including concerns about how employers might perceive them. This was from the result of a research undertaken about women living with disabilities and employment.

Other attitudinal barriers from disabled applicants can include lack of confidence in applying, having been rejected many times before on declaration of a disability. Or not believing in one’s own abilities, having been brought up in a society that equates “disability” with “not as good as others.” Another is fear of not being offered the appropriate support and being discriminated against.

An additional barrier is insufficient skills in “selling” themselves on paper or in an interview. And there are equally other ones, such as, the extent of a person’s own disability, lack of education or training, lack of transportation, and the need for special features at the job were among the barriers reported. These are just a snapshot of course – there are many more.

I have always been in favour of people pursuing their passion and women, especially women living with the sickle cell being their own boss and being able to fulfill a need in other people’s lives. What does that mean in real terms? Well, American talk show host, Oprah Winfrey, stated, “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.”

Below are a few steps to pursuing your passion:

Dream big but start small: Trying to turn your passion into profit can be risky but it is worth it. The good news is that you can minimise the risks by starting small and planning carefully. This to me means if you have been able to raise a lot of capital at the outset, don’t put all the money in the business right away. You will make mistakes and learn from those mistakes and hopefully, still have money to fall back on.

Do research: Ask people questions if you can do so. Get into the habit of doing something towards this passion that you want to do. The more you get into the habit of doing something about it daily, the more the idea grows in you. Don’t rush into starting big. Start small and improve your product.

Break down your big goal into manageable chunks: When turning passion into profit, keep goals small and attainable. Break down your big goal into smaller steps. Take time to plan things out, don’t rush into things.

Focus on your strengths and outsource the rest: The most successful entrepreneurs who turn passion into profit focus on their strengths and find others to help them fill in the gaps. Not only is this an effective business strategy, but people who focus on their strengths are happier, healthier, less stressed, more energetic, confident, engaged, creative and agile, satisfied and experience more meaning at their new start-up.

Start with things you know you are good at: This will help you to be excited about your passion. In any job, there will be bits you like and bits that you don’t fancy at all. Yet, those unfanciful parts of any job still need to be done.

Don’t be afraid of making mistakes: Anyone who starts something from the scratch does not know from the outset how to navigate the whole business. It takes time and perseverance and that is why they say, ‘don’t despise the days of little beginnings.’ Mistakes are bound to happen. But if you take on the suggestions above, hopefully, they will be far and few.

Speak up and out: By this I mean ask questions and let people know what you are planning to do. You never know who would have a solution to your problem. You could be told something that you have not thought of, that would be useful to you. No one knows it all and so getting information and doing your research about what it entails at the start is important.

Ultimately, when we focus on developing our strengths, we learn faster. Remember being your own boss is a long journey, so pace yourself and look after yourself. It will involve a lot of hard work and sleepless nights but when you fulfill your dream, it will be worth it. There will be high and low moments however remain positive and believe in yourself.

If you would like to get in touch with me about this article or about sickle cell, do so, via email: t.dehinde@yahoo.com. And do check out my blog: https://www.dailylivingwithsicklecell.com/ My book on sickle cell – How To Live With Sickle and my other books are available for purchase on www.amazon.com

The following is the list of COVID-19 test centres located in the 20 local government areas of Lagos State:

1. Somolu Local Government – Wright Memorial Primary Health Centre (Emmanuel Street, Somolu)

2. Ifako Ijaiye Local Government – Ifako Mini Stadium (College Road beside Ifako General Hospital)

3. Ojo Local Government – Ojo PHC (1, Rest House, Ojo)

4. Eti-Osa Local Government – Ikota Primary School (Lekki-Epe Expressway)

5. Surulere Local Government – Surulere LG Secretariat (24 Alhaji Masha Road, Surulere)

6. Kosofe Local Government – Ogudu Area Office (By Ogudu Roundabout, Ogudu Road)

7. Amuwo Odofin Local Government – Amuwo Odofin LG Secretariat (41 Road, Festac Town)

8. Ikorodu Local Government – ItaElewa PHC (Oriwu Road, Ikorodu) / Igbogbo PHC (32, Bola Ahmed Way, Igbogbo)

9. Lagos Island Local Government – IganIduganran PHC (151/152 Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos Island)

10. Epe Local Government – Epe PHC (Epe/Ijebu-Ode Expressway bu Oba’s Palace)

11. Lagos Mainland Local Government – Simpson PHC (1, Glover Road, by Simpson Street, Ebute-Meta)

12. Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government – Akere PHC (106, Baale Street, OluwaAkere)

13. Ibeju Lekki Local Government – Awoyaya Mayfair Estate (Beside First Bank)

14. Apapa Local Government – Apapa Iganmu LCDA Secretariat (41, Gaskiya Road, Badia Apapa)

15. Alimosho Local Government – Bola Ahmed Tinubu PHC (Vulcaniser Bus Stop, Egbeda) / Ipaja mini-stadium (Fela Field, Ipaja) / Rauf Aregbesola PHC (1, Powerline Road, Okunola, Mosan-Okunola) / Meiran PHC (1, Meiran Road, Meiran) / Ijegun PHC (30, Kudeyibu Street, Transformer Bus Stop, Old Isolo Road, Ijegun, along Ejigbo Road / Helen Aderonke PHC (Olorunfunmilayo Primary School, OPC junction, Idimu Bus Stop)

16. Oshodi Isolo Local Government – Ajibulu PHC (1, Ajibulu Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi)

17. Ikeja Local Government – Ikeja LG Secretariat (2/3, Obafemi Awolowo Way)

18. Agege Local Government – Sango PHC (2, Balogun Street, Pen Cinema, Agege)

19. Badagry Local Government – Ajara Flagship Health Centre (1, Wande Street, Opp. 100 Shops, Ajara Badagry)

20. Mushin Local Government – Isola Road PHC (Isolo Road, near Zone D Police Command, Mushin / Odi-Olowo LCDA Secretariat (Ilupeju)

Oluwatobiloba Jaiyeola

An Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Dr. Olajumoke Ogunro, says pregnant women should be alert to the rare possibility that they can still conceive while already pregnant.

According to her, while the occurrence referred to as superfetation is rare, science has established that it is possible.

Superfetation is the formation of a second foetus while another foetus is already present in the uterus.

Speaking with PUNCH HealthWise in an interview, Dr. Ogunro who works at the Alpha Assisted Reproductive Klinic, Ikoyi, Lagos, explained that even though it is possible for superfetation to occur, the condition is extremely rare in humans.

She said, “In humans, it is very rare. In fact, in the whole medical literature, what has been recorded is less than 10 cases. It is more common in certain animals like rodents, fishes, kangaroos.”

She stated that the condition occurs when a woman ovulates in two different cycles and releases two different eggs. According to her, these eggs get fertilised and implantation occurs in the uterus.

Ogunro added, “Basically, what happens is that a woman ovulates, she releases her eggs and then the egg gets fertilised and implanted in the uterus, so pregnancy occurs and then in another cycle, she ovulates again, releases the eggs, they get fertilised and implantation occurs for the second time.

“It is extremely rare because the way nature does is that once a woman is pregnant, it’s rare for another pregnancy to occur.

“That is because the pregnancy hormones act as a barrier to prevent another pregnancy and also, the lining of the womb undergoes changes that it is almost impossible for a second pregnancy to occur, however, this rare condition can occur.”

According to the expert, in a case where superfetation occurs, both babies can survive although one would be older than the other.

She further explained the difference between twins and superfetation saying, “With twins, what happens is that they are conceived at the same time, within the same menstrual cycle but with superfetation, it is at different times, one is older than the other.

“What happens is that if one is older than the other, the younger one may be delivered pre-term.

“The younger one has all the challenges in pre-term, challenges such as being born earlier than the due date. It is different from twins because with twins, the conception takes place at the same time but with superfetation, it is two eggs that have been released and fertilised at different times in two different menstrual cycles.”

Ogunro stressed that the condition is extremely rare in humans, so it is not something women should bother or be worried about.

According to a 2017 study, first published in the Journal of Reproduction & Sexual Health, “Superfetation in humans is an extremely rare situation in which a woman becomes pregnant a second time with another younger foetus in the face of an ongoing pregnancy.

“It is claimed to be common in some species of animals but is extremely rare in humans that fewer than 10 cases have been reported in the medical literature. Superfetation is different from the process of twinning or multiple gestations and involves the conception of an additional fetus during an established pregnancy.

“With superfetation, the two fetuses have different gestational ages and due dates.”

The study explained that “after conception occurs in a normal pregnancy, hormones have released that stop further ovulation.

“The lining of the uterus thickens in a way that should prevent a second embryo from attaching itself.

“Finally, the cervix forms a barrier known as the mucus plus, which is designed to protect the developing fetus from microbial infection and serves as an effective barrier to sperm.”

The study carried out in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria, stated that superfetation is so unlikely because “three near-impossible things need to happen in order for it to occur; ovulation must occur while a woman is already pregnant, sperm must somehow make it past the mucus plug, and implantation must occur in a uterus that is no longer prepared for it.

“The odds of all three of them happening are without a doubt extremely small as reflected by the very occasional reports of superfetation in humans in the medical literature.”

Copyright PUNCH

Health officials say they are now investigating unexplained cases of hepatitis in children in four European countries and the US.

Cases of hepatitis, or liver inflammation, have been reported in Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain and the US, health officials say.

Last week UK health authorities said they had detected higher than usual cases of the illness among children.

The cause of the illness is not yet known.

The European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) did not specify how many cases have been found in the four European countries in total.

But the World Health Organization (WHO) said less than five had been found in Ireland, and three had been found in Spain. It added that the detection of more cases in the coming days was likely.

Investigations into the cause of the illness are ongoing in all of the European countries where cases have been reported, said the ECDC.

In the US, Alabama's public health department said nine cases have been found in children aged one to six years old, with two needing liver transplants.

Investigations into similar cases in other states are taking place, it added.

The UK is where the highest number of cases has been reported - with a total of 74 recorded so far.

Last week the UK Health Security Agency said the usual viruses that cause infectious hepatitis (hepatitis A to E) have not been detected among the cases in the UK.

As a result, investigators are looking at other possible causes, and believe that the common adenovirus could be the cause.

Adenoviruses are a family of viruses that usually cause a range of mild illnesses such as colds, vomiting and diarrhoea.

It did however say that other possible causes of the illness are also being investigated, and it had not ruled out Covid-19. It added that there is no apparent link with Covid-19 vaccines.
What is hepatitis?

It's a broad term used to describe inflammation of the liver.

Usually the result of a viral infection, it can also be caused by exposure to some chemicals, drinking too much alcohol, drugs and certain genetic disorders.

There are five main types of hepatitis caused by specific viruses - known as A, B, C, D and E - but none of those appear to have caused the liver inflammation seen in these children so far.

Some types of hepatitis can pass without any serious problems, while others can be long-lasting.

UK health authorities said parents should be on the lookout for symptoms such as jaundice.