Day: May 18, 2023

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Impulse Dynamics Announces First Implant for CCM-D™ Clinical Trial

World’s First Device Combining CCM Therapy With an ICD in a Single Rechargeable Implant That Treats Both Heart Failure Symptoms and Sudden Cardiac Death

MARLTON, N.J., May 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Impulse Dynamics plc, a global medical device company dedicated to improving the lives of people with heart failure, announced the completion of the first implantation for the INTEGRA-D clinical trial, designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of two proven cardiac therapies combined — CCM® and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) — in a single device (CCM-D). The Optimizer® IntegraTM CCM-D System delivers CCM therapy to improve quality of life and reduce heart failure symptoms, and ICD therapy to treat life-threatening arrhythmias that may cause sudden cardiac death. The investigational technology is rechargeable with long battery life, potentially reducing the need for replacement procedures.

The journey of a heart failure patient often involves debilitating symptoms and declining quality of life.

CCM therapy delivered by the Optimizer System improves quality of life and helps patients feel better. Patients indicated for CCM therapy may also be at a higher risk for arrythmias and sudden cardiac arrest and are therefore often offered an ICD to treat their heart for life-threatening arrythmias, should they occur. The INTEGRA-D trial is the first to evaluate the Optimizer Integra CCM-D System that combines both therapies into a single device, designed to last for many years.

“The first-in-the-world implant of this novel technology has potential to advance treatments for patients living with heart failure,” said Niraj Varma, M.D., Ph.D., electrophysiologist at Cleveland Clinic and National Primary Investigator of the INTEGRA-D clinical trial. “The trial aims to study whether this device can protect heart failure patients from the risk of sudden cardiac death while also treating heart failure symptoms.”

“We hope combining cardiac contractility modulation therapy and ICD therapy with prolonged battery life will reduce the number of leads and the number of procedures a patient may have to endure,” said Bruce Wilkoff, M.D., Director of Cardiac Pacing and Tachyarrhythmia Devices at Cleveland Clinic and Principal Investigator of the INTEGRA-D trial. “The first implant went well, and we look forward to further studying this device.”

The INTEGRA-D trial is a multicenter study of 300 subjects from 75 centers that will evaluate the combination of CCM and ICD therapy in a single device via the Optimizer Integra CCM-D System. The study will assess the performance of the CCM-D device in effectively treating episodes of ventricular tachycardia and/or ventricular fibrillation while also providing CCM treatment for heart failure. Patients enrolled in the study will receive the Optimizer Integra CCM-D System, and will be followed for at least two years.

“This clinical study is important in proving the potential benefit of combining CCM therapy, which improves quality of life in patients with heart failure, with gold-standard ICD technology that delivers lifesaving therapy for sudden cardiac death,” said Nir Uriel, M.D., Director of Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation at New York-Presbyterian and National Co-Principal Investigator for the INTEGRA-D trial. Dr. Uriel is also a professor of cardiology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and an Adjunct Professor of Medicine in the Greenberg Division of Cardiology at Weill Cornell Medicine.

“Today’s announcement is another example of our commitment to a continuous pace of innovation to build a comprehensive platform in interventional heart failure and help improve the lives of many patients that suffer from this debilitating disease,” said Simos Kedikoglou, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Impulse Dynamics. “We are proud to partner with physicians at leading centers around the world to conduct important research on this first-of-its-kind rechargeable combination device designed to address a major unmet need of a large patient group.”

About the Optimizer Integra CCM-D System and CCM Therapy

The Optimizer Integra CCM-D System is an investigational device that combines CCM therapy and ICD therapy into one device. “Investigational” means that the study device is currently being tested. It is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Impulse Dynamics currently offers the Optimizer system that is FDA-approved and CE-marked. The Optimizer system delivers CCM therapy — the company’s proprietary technology — to the heart. CCM therapy has been designed by Impulse Dynamics to significantly improve the heart’s contraction, allowing more oxygen-rich blood to be pushed out through the body. CCM therapy is indicated to improve the 6-minute hall walk, quality of life, and functional status of NYHA Class III heart failure patients who remain symptomatic despite guideline-directed medical therapy, are not indicated for CRT, and have a left ventricular ejection fraction ranging from 25 to 45 percent.

CCM is the brand name for cardiac contractility modulation — a therapy that delivers non-excitatory electrical pulses from the implantable Optimizer device to improve heart contraction. CCM therapy sends unique electrical pulses to the heart cells during the absolute refractory period. In doing so, CCM helps the heart contract more forcibly. Impulse Dynamics has completed numerous clinical studies, including several randomized controlled trials, and CCM therapy has been published in more than 120 peer-reviewed journal articles.

About Impulse Dynamics

Impulse Dynamics is dedicated to advancing the treatment of heart failure for patients and the healthcare providers who care for them. The company pioneered its proprietary CCM therapy, which uses the Optimizer technology platform to improve quality of life in heart failure patients. CCM therapy is delivered through the Optimizer system, which includes an IPG implanted in a minimally invasive procedure and approved for commercial use in the United States and 44 countries worldwide. More than 9,000 patients have received the therapy as part of clinical trials and real-world use, where it is proven to be safe and effective for heart failure patients with debilitating symptoms who otherwise have few effective options available to them. To learn more, visit www.ImpulseDynamics.com, or follow the company on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as ‘‘may,’’ ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘should,’’ ‘‘expect,’’ ‘‘plan,’’ ‘‘anticipate,’’ ‘‘could,’’ ‘‘intend,’’ ‘‘target,’’ ‘‘project,’’ ‘‘contemplate,’’ ‘‘believe,’’ ‘‘estimate,’’ ‘‘predict,’’ ‘‘potential’’ or ‘‘continue’’ or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning potential benefits of CCM therapy, and CCM therapy combined with an ICD delivered via a single device (CCM-D), and the absence of risks associated therewith; the ability for CCM therapy and our products to fill a significant unmet medical need for patients with heart failure; and the short-term and long-term benefits of the Optimizer Integra CCM-D System and CCM therapy in patients with heart failure, as well as to the physicians treating those patients. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Other important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contemplated in this press release include, without limitation: the company’s future research and development costs, capital requirements and the company’s needs for additional financing; commercial success and market acceptance of CCM therapy; the company’s ability to achieve and maintain adequate levels of coverage or reimbursement for Optimizer systems or any future products the company may seek to commercialize; competitive companies and technologies in the industry; the company’s ability to expand its indications and develop and commercialize additional products and enhancements to its current products; the company’s business model and strategic plans for its products, technologies and business, including its implementation thereof; the company’s ability to expand, manage and maintain its direct sales and marketing organization; the company’s ability to commercialize or obtain regulatory approvals for CCM therapy and its products, or the effect of delays in commercializing or obtaining regulatory approvals; FDA or other U.S. or foreign regulatory actions affecting us or the healthcare industry generally, including healthcare reform measures in the United States and international markets; the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals; and the company’s ability to establish and maintain intellectual property protection for CCM therapy and products or avoid claims of infringement. The company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements and expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Rohan More, Global Vice President of Marketing
Impulse Dynamics
856-642-9933
rmore@impulsedynamics.com

Harriss Currie, Chief Financial Officer
Impulse Dynamics
856-642-9933
hcurrie@impulsedynamics.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8841961

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Chairman of Avia Solutions Group Gediminas Ziemelis: 10 big challenges for passenger aviation sustainability for the next 3 years

DUBLIN, Ireland, May 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ensuring sustainable operations has become a primary driver for aviation businesses in recent years. Nonetheless, this dynamic industry faces a multitude of challenges that can impede companies’ efforts to enhance profitability. While several factors contribute to the aviation industry’s struggles, certain key issues merit highlighting as primary culprits.

High market $ interest rates for heavily leveraged and drowning-in-debt airlines will be even higher

In recent years, the aviation industry has experienced a significant drop in demand for air travel, resulting in many airlines facing financial losses. To stay afloat during this time, airlines have taken on additional debt. However, this increased debt has resulted in higher risk for lenders, leading to higher market interest rates for the airlines.

In addition to the impact of the pandemic on the industry, other factors such as rising fuel costs and increased competition have also contributed to the financial struggles of many airlines. These factors have made it increasingly challenging for heavily leveraged airlines to generate profits and pay off their debt, leading to concerns about the sustainability of their business models.

The combination of these factors has led to a situation where heavily indebted airlines are now facing even higher market interest rates, which can exacerbate their financial difficulties.

Much higher insurance costs — worsening war risks could push insurance premiums higher

The aviation industry is grappling with rising insurance costs due to worsening geopolitical risks. This is highly influenced by the fact that, as stated by leading insurance companies, around 500 aircraft leased to Russian operators remain trapped in Russia. Insurers are facing potential liability issues due to the uncertain situation created by the Russian government’s refusal to release the aircraft.

As a result, insurers are struggling to assess the level of risk involved, leading to a wide range of potential losses estimated to be up to $30 billion, according to industry sources. This uncertainty is likely to drive up insurance premiums for airlines, impacting the industry as a whole.

Passengers will remember compensations for flight delays, and it will impact airlines’ unplanned costs

The EU regulation 261/2004 provides compensation for passengers who experience delays, cancellations, overbooking, or denied boarding. Depending on the specific circumstances and subject to certain conditions, affected passengers may be eligible for a compensation claim ranging from €250 to €600 per person. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of flight delays in the EU that fell under compensation was 1.5% of all flights, with an average compensation amount of €375 per delayed flight.

In 2019, EU airlines carried a total of 1.12 billion passengers, with 1.7 million flights experiencing delays and resulting in a total compensation pay-out of €6.3 billion. Only 10% of affected passengers currently file complaints directly with the airlines or via specialised service companies, such as Skycop or Airhelp.

However, this number is expected to increase significantly, as after COVID-19 the industry faces capacity shortages and other challenges. As a result, the number of claimable flights that experience delays could increase from 1.5% to 5%, potentially leading to a total compensation pay-out of €20 billion.

LEAP engines challenges will impact more aircraft on the ground and shortage of capacity;

According to our internal research, presently, the aviation industry operates a fleet of 1397 A320neo aircraft with LEAP-1A engines, totalling 3080 engines with an average of 2.2 engines per aircraft, and 1043 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with LEAP-1B engines, totalling 2338 engines with an average of 2.2 engines per aircraft. To maintain these engines, there are 21 locations globally for LEAP-1A overhaul and maintenance and 22 locations for LEAP-1B engines.

However, the grounding of 16,000 aircraft (equivalent to 60% of the total fleet) in 2020-2021 has led to a staggering 60% postponement of LEAP engine maintenance. Consequently, there is now a significant maintenance gap across 43 locations, resulting in wait times of 9-10 months for engine maintenance, which could potentially disrupt airline operations.

OEM production and supply chain disrupted during 2023-2025 will cause a shortage of aircraft capacity;

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the aerospace industry. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as Boeing and Airbus have experienced significant disruptions in their production and supply chains. In response to the global economic slowdown and reduced demand for air travel, OEMs have cut their production levels by around half compared to pre-COVID levels. However, this has led to a shortage of aircraft capacity, which is hindering the industry’s recovery efforts.

The production cuts have affected over 5,000 suppliers in the supply chain, all of whom have had to reduce their volumes during the pandemic. Consequently, the recovery of the aerospace industry is projected to take 2.5-4 years to return to pre-COVID production levels. This prolonged period of disruption is likely to have significant consequences for the industry and its stakeholders.

In 2020-2021, the cancellation of pilot cadet programs and planned retirements caused a pilot shortage in 2023-2024 and a rapid increase in costs for airlines;

The aviation industry faces a constant demand for new pilots, as approximately 3% of pilots retire annually. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a major setback in the industry, with all cadet programs being either postponed or cancelled.

Hence, there is now a significant pilot shortage issue, leading to rapid cost increases. It is estimated that industry will experience a shortage of 300,000 pilots within a decade. This shortage is expected to create significant challenges, particularly in India, which is anticipated to have the largest pilot shortage.

Challenges to book MRO slots after COVID-19, because scheduled maintenance events were postponed

Another issue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is a significant accumulation of MRO services for aircraft worldwide. As a result of the unprecedented reduction in air travel and the grounding of many aircraft, scheduled maintenance was delayed or deferred.

Nonetheless, as air travel demand begins to recover and airlines return to full operations, the challenge of booking MRO slots to perform necessary maintenance on these aircraft has emerged. Many airlines are finding that MRO facilities are already operating at full capacity, resulting in long wait times and potential disruptions to airline operations. This accumulation of maintenance is expected to persist for some time, creating obstacles to the aviation industry’s recovery efforts.

Challenge to find engines maintenance slots for V2500, and RR engines due to deferred maintenance

Airlines that operate aircraft with V2500 and RR engines are also encountering difficulties in scheduling maintenance for their engines due to high demand and limited availability. This has created a challenging situation, particularly for airlines with large fleets of such aircraft.

The lack of available maintenance slots has forced airlines to ground some of their aircraft, leading to operational disruptions and revenue losses. In addition to the financial impact, the situation also poses safety concerns as delayed maintenance can compromise the safety and reliability of the engines, potentially leading to more significant problems in the future.

ESG requirements for greener aviation didn’t disappear in the medium term

The International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) 41st Assembly, held in Montreal in October 2022, marked a significant milestone for the aviation industry’s commitment to sustainability. The assembly committed to a Long Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050, which has brought Environment, Society, and Governance (ESG) issues to the forefront of the sustainable aviation conversation.

The LTAG’s ambitious target is challenging, but it has the potential to encourage airlines to accelerate the development and adoption of greener jet fuels and other technical improvements to decarbonise flying. This will require a significant shift in industry-wide mindset, investment in research and development, and collaboration between airlines, manufacturers, and governments to achieve the long-term goal.

After COVID-19, debts for spare parts, MRO services, and aircraft leasing will impact that some aircraft will still be grounded, which will cause capacity demand

The challenging situation in the industry has pushed airlines to take on additional debt to finance various aspects of their operations, such as spare parts, MRO services, and aircraft leasing. However, the increase in outstanding debt for the industry could have significant implications, with some airlines potentially struggling to pay off their debts, which could result in a reduction in capacity as airlines are forced to ground some of their aircraft or cut routes to minimise costs.

Insider data shows that the industry’s outstanding debt has jumped over 20% since 2020, reaching more than $300 billion. To raise capital, global air carriers have sold $63 billion in bonds and loans so far this year.

Media contact:
Silvija Jakiene
Chief Communications Officer
Avia Solutions Group
silvija.jakiene@aviasg.com
+370 671 22697

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000810732

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Okada rider remanded over alleged robbery spree

A commercial motorbike rider, has been remanded into police custody by an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly robbing five ladies in I robbery spree in 2022.

Solomon Ohene, 21, denied robbing Dorcas Boatemaa, Sarah Yeboah, Beatrice Dery, Bernice Nimako and Faustina Asantewaa Arthur of their handbags containing sums of monies, cellular phones, among other valuables whilst inflicting cutlass wounds and pushing some down in the process amidst threats.

He will be brought back to the Court presided over by Mr Samuel Bright on May 30, 2023.

Meanwhile, his accomplice, Edmund Kojo is deceased.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Maxwell Oppong narrating the incidents said the complainants were Dorcas; trader, Sarah; trader, Beatrice; salesperson, Bernice; student and Faustina; businesswoman.

They are residents of Ablekuma, Pokuase, and Amasaman, all suburbs of the Greater Accra Region whereas Ohene lives at Three Junction Amasaman.

The prosecution said in the evening of Sunday, December 18, 2022, the accused person met his accomplice Edmund Kojo (now deceased) at a washing bay at ‘3’ junction where the accused person lived with his uncle.

They both planned the robbery expedition for the next day at 0300 hours and on Monday, December 19, 2022, at the agreed time, the deceased Edmund Kojo allegedly arrived at the same location with an unregistered Royal Motorbike and they set off for their robbery expedition.

It said upon reaching Ablekuma Fan Milk at about 0430 hours, the accused and his accomplice spotted Boatemaa by the roadside and they quickly stopped and rushed on her with the cutlasses they were holding.

The prosecution said they threatened to kill her if she did not hand over her handbag, thus, Boatemaa surrendered her handbag containing iPhone 6x plus and GHC300.00 with her identification cards.

The Court heard that Ohene and his deceased accomplice sped off and at about 0445 hours, they attacked Sarah with the cutlass, inflicted a wound on her left arm and succeeded in robbing her of her handbag which contained a small Nokia Phone and cash of GHC30.00 at Ablekuma junction.

The prosecution said the two also went through the streets and got to the Pokuase Mayera stretch where they attacked Beatrice at a junction called Electricals, where Ohene threatened to kill her if she did not surrender her bag.

For fear for her life, she surrendered her bag containing shopping vouchers and other personal effects together with her Samsung Galaxy A12.

The prosecution said again, Ohene and Kojo proceeded to Sonitra at Amasaman at about 0540 hours and robbed Bernice of her handbag containing one Samsung Galaxy Tablet valued at GHC1,600.00 and GHC42.00.

At about 100 meters away from Asantewaa, the accused and his accomplice allegedly attacked her, threatened to kill her and successfully robbed her of her small keypad phone and GHC500.00.

The Police, upon receiving several distress calls, traced and chased the accused person and his accomplice.

The prosecution said having noticed the closeness of the Police, they abandoned the motorbike and fled on foot, but luck eluded them when they were chased and attacked by a mob.

The two were rescued by the Police, but Edmund Kojo died shortly after, the prosecution told the Court.

it said during the investigation, the accused person admitted the offences.

Meanwhile, Mr Ameyaw Nyamekye, defence counsel for Ohene, in praying for bail, said the accused person did not admit to the crime on his arrest.

He said his client had been incarcerated for six months, which was unlawful, adding that Ohene was discharged by a Circuit Court for want of prosecution after he had been arraigned, only for the Police to rearrest him.

The prosecution debunked the assertion that Ohene had been incarcerated unlawfully, explaining that he had six different cases pending in other courts and that it was the Court that had kept him in custody.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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WACCI to celebrate 16 years of contributing to food security in Africa

The management, staff, alumni and partners of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, will from May 31 to June 2, mark its 16th Anniversary with a series of activities.

Alumni of WACCI from 15 countries and partners would converge at the University of Ghana for conversations and actions that will take the Centre to the next level.

Theme for the celebration is: ‘Harnessing Human Capital in Plant Breeding for the Future of Food and Nutrition Security in Africa.’

A statement issued by WACCI and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the theme reflected WACCI’s rich story of academic excellence in capacity building and commitment to shaping the future of food security in Africa through quality teaching, impact-driven research, extension and community engagement.

Since its establishment, 105 PhD and 40 MPhil students have graduated from WACCI, who have successfully released 227 improved crop varieties and attracted over $57 million to their home institutions for research and development projects.

The statement said the Centre also trained 56 Agri entrepreneurs at its Kofi Annan Enterprise Hub for Agricultural Innovation, who were scaling-up innovations through the establishment of start-ups and agribusinesses.

The celebration would open on May 31 at the Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research Conference Room with a welcome address by Professor Eric Y. Danquah, Founding Director of WACCI, it said.

There would be interactive panel discussions featuring distinguished alumni on various topics to inform the strategic direction and sustainability of the Centre.

Founding, implementing and prospective partners, including the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, Cornell University, University of Illinois, Urbana

Champaign, Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, University of Pretoria, King Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, and the University of Zagreb will also address the conference.

The climax of the day will be the election of the members of the WACCI Alumni Executive Committee.

The statement said key persons to illuminate the opening ceremony include Prof Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ghana; Dr Bryan Acheampong, Minister of Food and Agriculture; Prof Eric Danquah, Founding Director WACCI, and Prof Boateng Onwona-Agyeman, Provost, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, UG.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Musician accused of defrauding couple granted bail

A musician, who allegedly took GH?20,000.00 from a couple under the pretext of securing them a plot of land but failed has been granted bail by an Accra Circuit Court.

Mr Isaac Adjetey Adjei, who was charged with defrauding by false pretense, pleaded not guilty.

The Court presided by Mrs Angelina Attachie admitted the accused person to bail in the sum of GH?20,000.00 with two sureties.

The case has been adjourned to June 12, 2023.

The facts as presented by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Seth Frimpong were that the complainants were Evelyn Adiki Addy and her husband Adolf Muckenhaupt, who are German nationals, resided at Adenta, while the accused person was resident of Lakeside, Accra.

The prosecution said in January 2022, the complainants (the couple) visited Marina Park for entertainment and spotted a piece of land around the park and developed interest in buying it.

It said the couple communicated their interest in buying the said land to the Sheriff, a worker at the park who also led the couple to the accused person.

The prosecution said the accused person presented himself as the owner of the land and told the couple that he (the accused person) had been on an attached plot of land where he and his entire family lived and that he was ready to sell the part that the couple were interested in.

It said the couple and the accused person bargained the price of the land and settled on GH?120,000.00.

The prosecution said the accused person produced a site plan he claimed to cover the said land and requested that the couple made a deposit to enable him to prepare the land documents for them.

It said the couple obliged and gave the accused person the sum of GH?20,000.00.

The prosecution said the couple took the site plan for a search and had suspected foul play and reported the matter to the Police, who arrested the accused person and during investigations, he admitted taking the GH?20,000.00 from the couple.

It said the accused person stated that he used part of the money to prepare the site plan, bought stones and sand to renovate where he was living with his family and spent the rest.

The prosecution said the Police extended investigations to the Lands Commission and it came to light that the whole site belonged to the Agricultural Cattle Lakeside Estate limited following a judgment dated May 6, 2020.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Women should consider optimum gestational age for births – Medical Officer

A woman’s peak reproductive years are between the late teens and late 20s, Dr Mrs Dorothy Hanson, a Medical Officer at the International Maritime Hospital (IMaH), has said.

By age 30, fertility, the ability to get pregnant, begins to decline.

‘This decline happens faster once you reach your mid-30s. By 45, fertility has declined so much that getting pregnant naturally is unlikely, Dr Mrs Hanson stated.

She recommended that all things being equal, women should give birth, ‘not too early or too late as they all have their respective complications.’

‘Women should also consider proper spacing children,’ she said and stressed that women should consider giving birth before their 30th birthday.

Dr Mrs Hansen said giving birth at a young age is better; nonetheless, the interval between children was crucial.

Dr Mrs Hanson made the remarks at the weekly ‘Your Health! Our Collective Responsibility,’ a Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Office initiative aimed at promoting health-related communication and providing a platform for health information dissemination to influence personal health choices through improved health literacy.

The Tema Regional Office of the Ghana News Agency launched the public health advocacy platform ‘Your Health! Our Collective Responsibility’ to examine the components of four health communication approaches: informing, instructing, persuading, and promoting.

She suggested that spacing the birth of children between the ages of two and four years is ideal when the body had recovered from the previous delivery and was ready for another.

She said the body reacted to giving birth as if it were the first time after a four-year interval.

The IMaH Medical Officer advised married couples to evaluate their financial and personal circumstances because some women had conditions that required them to limit births due to the high risk of mortality.

Dr Mrs Hanson recommended that young people marry early because giving birth early frequently allowed them to achieve the body stature, they desired and live life more fully.

Contributing to the discussion, Mr Samuel Atuahene Antwi, Nutritionist Officer at Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate, said the reproductive system of women in their younger years produces quality eggs.

He said women’s reproductive lifespan evolved within the menstrual cycle period; nevertheless, the fertility of eggs produced at ages 18 and up was of higher quality than eggs produced at ages 30 and up.

Mr Antwi also believed that giving birth at a young age was easier than giving birth at an older age when the woman and newborn were more likely to have abnormalities.

According to the Nutritionist, as individuals become older, they lose interest in many things. early parenthood stimulates young couples since they have the energy to take care of their children’s development.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Tema Metro records slight improvement in anaemia in pregnancy

The Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate recorded a slight improvement in anaemia in pregnancy in the first quarter of 2023, as all indicators saw some decrease, Mr Samuel Atuahene Antwi, the Metro Nutritionist, has disclosed.

He said there was a 4.5 per cent decrease in the percentage of pregnant women who were anaemic at registration and a 1.18 per cent dip in the percentage of severe anaemia at registration.

Mr Antwi made the remarks at the weekly ‘Your Health! Our Collective Responsibility,’ a Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Office initiative aimed at promoting health-related communication and providing a platform for health information dissemination to influence personal health choices through improved health literacy.

The Tema Regional Office of the Ghana News Agency launched the public health advocacy platform ‘Your Health! Our Collective Responsibility’ to examine the components of four health communication approaches: informing, instructing, persuading, and promoting.

Mr Antwi said 0.9 per cent of pregnant women were found to be anaemic at 36 weeks of gestation.

He, however, expressed worry that there was a sharp decrease of 21.4 per cent in the antenatal clinic (ANC) registrants who received Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation for three months, a situation he said was being investigated to ascertain the cause.

Giving the actual figures, he said one case of severe anaemia was recorded at the Tema Regional Hospital at the first visit, while 816 cases of moderate anaemia, comprising 559 at the Tema Regional Hospital and 257 from Manhean Polyclinic, were seen at the first visit.

Mr Antwi called for cooperation among the units involved in maternal nutrition services at the various health institutions in the metropolis to enable the directorate’s efforts to improve anaemia in pregnancy to become a reality.

He said midwives should refer pregnant women to the nutrition unit for counselling and education, as that forms part of the protocol, which indicates that pregnant women must receive at least one counselling session in each trimester.

He said with respect to the general well-being of pregnant women, pregnancies often affected the normal functioning of the body, such as loss of appetite or cravings for non-nutritious or non-food items.

He said consuming such items might prevent the consumption of nutritious food; therefore, there was a need to support them in making healthy choices and making good combinations based on what they had and could afford.

Mr Antwi said some of them have low haemoglobin (HB) and needed to be supported by the nutritionists to build their own blood since haemorrhage could occur in some deliveries.

‘HB below 11m/dl needs so much support; supplementation with iron and folic acid comes to add on whatever nutrient intake,’ he said.

According to him, the nutritionists follow the progress of all their clients till delivery, adding that, some of them with low HB have to repeatedly repeat their tests during the pregnancy period for observation and support.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Stakeholders collaboration will curb challenges in auto sector- Council boss

The Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr Jelani Aliyu, says challenges faced in the auto industry can be curbed with stakeholders’ collaboration.

Aliyu, in a statement on Thursday, said this at the Third Annual Edition of the West Africa Automotive Show (WAAS) in Lagos.

The director-general was represented at the event by a Deputy Director of the council, Dr Segun Omisore.

“We cannot deny that there are still challenges facing the industry, such as the influx of low grade used vehicles through our borders. We are faced with the depreciation of Naira and value/scarcity of foreign exchange.

“(Also) the absence of dedicated Automotive Funds by Nigeria’s financial institutions to provide low interest vehicle finance scheme for market development,” Aliyu said.

He listed the stakeholders to include, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (NAMA) and the State Governments.

According to the NADDC boss, Nigeria is the biggest market in West Africa and the largest economy in Africa.

He said those who avoid Nigerian market due to some temporary challenges should have a rethink as Nigeria would rise above these challenges in the very near future.

“The investment incentives provided by the government, with the vehicle production capacity of over 400,000 units, which is still growing, the human resources capacity endowment in Nigeria and the Nigeria passion for Automobiles, makes Nigeria No 1 favourable Auto investment destination in Africa,” Aliyu said.

The NADDC boss said that the commitment of the Federal Government towards boosting the sector was evident through its recent approval of the new Auto policy 2023 to 2033.

While reiterating some benefits of the policy, he said it would among other things, position Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem as a leading centre for automotive production in Africa.

He said that the policy would provide a legal framework for the development of a competitive and sustainable automotive industry in Nigeria.

According to Aliyu, the policy will promote investment in the auto sector and fiscal incentives which includes additional tax relief for five years for Assemblers or manufacturers of automotive components and products.

He said it would also ensure 10 years for assemblers/manufacturers of electric vehicles and components used in electric vehicles and many other incentives provided.

“NADDC as a regulatory agency of the Auto Industry will continue to support all our stakeholders in the development of the industry by providing the necessary policy framework and the Investment Promotion incentives to support the industry,

”The new policy that was approved recently, provides policy direction and investment promotion incentives for the first time to electric and gas-powered vehicles development in Nigeria.

“It is our belief that industry players will make use of these incentives to compete favourably with their peers globally,” the NADDC boss said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria