International Celebration

Eid el-Kabir falls annually on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah i.e. the 12th and final month in the Islamic calendar. The date may differ between nations because the precise day is determined by moon sightings. In Nigeria this year, the celebration was marked on Saturday, 9th July, 2022.

The festival of Eid el-Kabir is noteworthy as it is founded in the biblical narratives of both Islam and Christianity about how Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), in obedience to God, was required to sacrifice his son before divine intervention. Thus, the true meaning and essence of this occasion is submission, obedience and love; virtues that are in short supply in our country today.

Eid-el-Kabir is therefore a season that calls for rededication to the cause of mankind, to appreciate the gift of life and to imbibe the virtues of tolerance, understanding and good neighbourliness.

During the feast of Eid Al Kabir, Muslims re-enact Ibrahim’s obedience by sacrificing a cow or ram. The family eats about a third of the meal a third goes to friends and relatives, and the remaining third is donated to the poor and needy.

The giving of charity in the form of money, food or clothes to the homeless or poor is another key tradition of Eid el Kabir.

Therefore, as we celebrate this special festival, we must reflect on and imbibe the essence of sacrifice and humility for the promotion of harmonious relationship in our country. We also need to take this opportunity to reach out to everyone in promoting love, peace and unity. 

Happy Eid-el Kabir! 

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World Blood Donor Day is celebrated around the world on 14 June; to raise awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products to save lives. The day is also an opportunity to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.

Blood and blood products are essential resources for effective management of women suffering from bleeding associated with pregnancy and also childbirth; children suffering from severe anemia due to malaria and malnutrition; patients with blood and bone marrow disorders, inherited disorders of hemoglobin and immune deficiency conditions; victims of trauma, emergencies, disasters and accidents; as well as patients undergoing advanced medical and surgical procedures.

The need for blood is universal, but access to safe blood and safe blood products for all those who need it is not. Shortages of safe blood are particularly acute in many countries in the Western Pacific Region.

This year, the World Blood Donor Day slogan is “Donating blood is an act of solidarity. Join the effort and save lives”, and aims to draw attention to the roles that voluntary blood donations play in saving lives; and enhancing solidarity within communities.

The specific objectives of this year’s campaign are to:

1. Thank blood donors in the world and create wider public awareness of the need for regular, unpaid blood donation
2. Highlight the need for committed, year-round blood donation to maintain adequate supplies and achieve universal and timely access to safe blood transfusion
3. Recognize as well as promote the values of voluntary unpaid blood donation in enhancing community solidarity and social cohesion
4. Raise awareness of the need for government investment to build a sustainable and resilient national blood system and increase collection from voluntary no-remunerated blood donors.

A particular activity that countries in the world are encouraged to implement for this year’s campaign is to disseminate to various media outlets stories of people whose lives have been saved through blood donation as a way of motivating regular blood donors to continue giving blood, and to motivate people in good health who have never give n blood to begin doing so.  

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World Schizophrenia Day is a day marked in a bid to spread awareness and also explores what it means to live with this much misunderstood and often stigmatized mental health condition. It’s an opportunity to learn more about the illness and challenge the stigma around mental ill health.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness affecting more than 21 million people worldwide according to the World Health Organization. The purpose of this day is to spread awareness about this illness, eradicate the myths and superstitions around mental illnesses in general.

A common myth surrounding schizophrenia is that people suffering from it have a split personality. However, this is completely untrue. Schizophrenia patients have just one personality, just like everyone else. Common symptoms of schizophrenia include confused thinking, delusions and hallucinations which is the ability to feel, hear or see something which does not exist. Some schizophrenia patients recover completely and find improvement while some suffer from it for a long period. According to World Health Organization, a range of effective care options exist for people with schizophrenia and at least one in three people with the condition will be able to recover fully.

Causes of schizophrenia

Research have not been able to find the exact causes of this illness. However, research now tells us that the disorder is linked to abnormalities in the structure of the brain.

There are also some factors that are believed to put a person at a greater risk of developing schizophrenia like:

Genetic factors: Having a parent or sibling with schizophrenia puts the person at increased risk.

A chemical imbalance in the brain

Problems during pregnancy: A child may develop schizophrenia if the mother does not receive proper nutrition, or is exposed to viral illnesses during pregnancy.

Extreme stress and overuse of drugs and alcohol can worsen any existing symptoms of schizophrenia.  

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At Terraskills^®, culture is at the center of our unity. As a family of diverse culture and orientation, understanding and cultural integration are part of our strength. Hence, our core philosophy as a human centered organization is understanding that there is unity in diversity.

Every year on May 21st, the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development urges everyone to do their part to bridge the gap between cultures. The days is often referred to as Diversity Day.

According to the UN, bridging this gap is essential for peace, development, as well as stability. When we deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity, we can achieve these four goals:

• Support sustainable systems for the governance of culture.
• Achieve a balanced flow of cultural goods and also services.
• Integrate culture into the frameworks of sustainable development.
• Promote human rights as well as fundamental freedoms.

These four goals were established during the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Besides achieving these goals, embracing other cultures helps us to lead more fulfilling lives. This fulfilment happens intellectually, spiritually, and morally. When we focus on embracing other cultures, we help improve many sectors of our lives. These sectors include education, science, health, and the environment. Many also believes that bridging culture gaps can help to eradicate poverty.

Happy International Day of Cultural Diversity from all of us at Terraskills.

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At Terraskills, we believe the world has the potential to constantly renew and evolve.

This potential is deeply rooted in the family; as a family, we adopted the human-centered philosophy as a core of our ethos; and as a result, we are creating successful individuals with the ability to use literacy, communication; and numeracy skills, as well as the use of technology for learning, who can learn both independently and as part of a group.

We are in the business of developing self-aware and self-respecting individuals with a sense of physical, mental; and emotional well-being, ambition, and the ability to relate to others and manage themselves.

At the heart of our operations is our belief that by working together as a global family; we can help individuals develop an enterprising attitude; the ability to work independently and in groups, and the ability to take initiative and lead.

As a result, we develop innovative individuals who are open to new thinking and ideas; capable of thinking creatively and independently, and capable of creating, developing, and proposing solutions.

We are deeply committed to the idea that we can be a part of your family, to have ‘a friend in every home‘. To foster a lasting bond and friendship, we recognize the need for and have taken steps to develop responsible individuals who have respect for others; a commitment to participate responsibly in political, economic, social, and cultural life; and the ability to develop informed and ethical perspectives on complex issues.

Happy International Day of Families from all of us at Terraskills.

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International Nurses’ Day is celebrated around the world every May 12; in recognition of the tireless contribution of nurses to saving lives; and providing quality care for their patients as well as the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. International Council of Nurses (ICN) commemorates this important day each year with the production; and also distribution of the International Nurses’ Day (IND) resources and evidence.

The Theme

The International Council of Nurses (ICN); has announced the new theme for International Nurses Day (IND) 2022; Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health; focusing on the need to protect, support and also invest in the nursing profession to strengthen health systems around the world.

ICN has also launched a compilation of case studies submitted by nurses across the world to showcase the incredible range of innovative work nurses do every day. However, these stories, which were highlighted on the ICN and IND website throughout the year reflect the work of nurses to care for those with COVID-19 throughout the pandemic, as well as the wide variety of nursing that continued throughout the pandemic to care for those suffering from other conditions. From birth to death, non-communicable diseases to infection disease, mental health to chronic conditions, in hospitals, communities as well as homes, nurses provide accessible, affordable, person-centered, holistic care for all.

The COVID-19 has exposed weaknesses caused by underinvestment in health systems around the world. Hence, the theme for IND 2022 demonstrates the need to invest in nursing; to build a resilient, highly qualified nursing workforce; and to protect nurses’ right in order to transform health systems; to meet the needs of individuals and communities now and into the future.  

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International Midwives Day is celebrated each year on May 5. This is a chance for midwives to celebrates their profession and for all of us to recognize their work and contribution to maternal and new-born health.

Midwifery is a vital solution to the challenges of providing high-quality maternal and new-born care in all countries. On the International Day of the Midwife, 5 May, WHO/Europe reiterates that planned investments in the midwifery workforce are essential to ensure better health for all.

Midwifery is skilled, knowledgeable and compassionate care for childbearing women, new-born infants and families across the field throughout pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and the early weeks of life.

Strengthening the education and training of midwives is also key to addressing maternal and infant morality and facilitating positive experiences in the first 5 years of life. Fully educated and licensed midwives integrated into interdisciplinary teams can deliver about 90 percent of essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, new-born and adolescent health interventions across the life course.

More women would receive high-quality sexual and reproductive health care and rights if governments work towards optimizing and protecting the role of the midwife. Let us join forces on this occasion to recognize and show appreciation for their work and to advocate for strengthening the role of the midwife.

Importance of International Midwives Day

1. Midwives are real-life heroes

Midwives not only save lives but also provide a variety of other vital medical services as well as counselling.

2. Midwives are women’s right advocates

Midwives play a vital role in defending women’s right. They can help victims of gender-based abuse and assist in preventing female genital mutilation. The significance of their efforts should not be overlooked.

3. Midwives are important healthcare reminder

International Midwives’ Day strives to re-emphasize the importance of health systems all around the world. It also serves as a reminder to all stakeholders to pay attention and act.

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Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lungs.

The disease is transmitted from person to person through the air. People with lung TB spread the TB germs into the air when they cough, sneeze, or spit. In order to become infected, a person only needs to inhale a few of these germs.

About a quarter of the world’s population has a tuberculosis infection, which means they’ve been infected with the bacteria but aren’t sick yet and can’t spread it.

Global impact of Tuberculosis

In 2020, the largest number of new TB cases occurred in the South-East Asian Region, with 43% of new cases, followed by the African Region, with 25% of new cases and the Western Pacific with 18%.

About 86% of new TB cases occurred in the 30 high TB burden countries. Eight countries accounted for two-thirds of the new TB cases: India, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and South Africa.

Who is most at risk?

Tuberculosis primarily affects adults in their prime years of work. All age groups, however, are at risk. Developing countries account for over 95% of cases and deaths.

HIV-positive people are 18 times more likely to develop active tuberculosis. Active tuberculosis is also more likely in people who have other illnesses that weaken the immune system. People who are malnourished are three times more likely to die of the disease.

Theme of the World Tuberculosis Day

The theme for this year’s World Tuberculosis Day is “invest to end TB. Save Lives.” 

This calls for investment in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research of Tuberculosis

The World Health Organisation reports that US$ 13 billion are needed annually for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. 

According the World Health Organisation,

Investments in TB prevention, diagnosis and care for tuberculosis in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) accounting for 98% of reported TB cases, fall far short of what is needed. Less than half (41%) of the global TB funding target is available, leaving a US$ 7.7 funding gap in 2020 to achieve global targets.

TB funding is back to the level of 2016 with an 8.7% drop in TB spending between 2019 and 2020.

Of the US$5.3 billion funding for tuberculosis available in 2020, 81% was from domestic sources; with the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa) accounting for US$2.8 billion.

Over the past decade, US$ 0.9 billion were invested annually in tuberculosis by international donors; 76% of which accounted by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund), the largest contribution. 

The United States Government is the largest contributor of funding to the Global Fund and also the largest bilateral donor; overall, it contributes close to 50% of international donor funding for TB.

Provisional data for TB funding in 2021 suggests that allocations for 2021 will remain inadequate. Increases in both domestic and international funding for TB are urgently required

For research and development, according to the Treatment Action Group, only US$ 0.9 billion were available in 2019 of the US$2 billion required per year to accelerate the development of new tools. At least an extra US$ 1.1 billion per year is needed to accelerate the development of new tools.  

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World Water Day is a day globally recognized to create awareness; on the significance of fresh water sustainable management of this significant resource.

One of the essential elements of earth, water is the prime necessity of life. All living animals as well as plants cease to exist without it. Hence, the proverb says, “Water is life”. However, with the increasing industrialization; over-use, and exploitation of all-natural sources, human life is facing some questionable situations such as acute water shortage.

Officially the idea of World Water Day was a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly conference; on Environmental and Development in Rio De Janeiro in 1992. It was then that the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution stating that every year; March 22 will be marked as World Water Day starting 1993. And since 1993, this day has continued as an annual event to increase community awareness;about understanding the importance of water conservation.

As water is an essential building block of existence, each year March 22 is celebrated as World Water Day to raise public awareness about the significance of fresh water and sustainable management of this significant resource.

Theme

‘Groundwater: Making The Invisible Visible’ is the theme of World Water Day 2022, proposed by International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre (IGRAC). It was presented at the opening session of the 9th World Water Forum in Dakar, Senegal on 21st March 2022.

Significance

Water is crucial for drinking, business, farming and also for more; but almost 1 billion people do not have access to clean water.

Approximately 99% of all liquid freshwater on earth, groundwater provides societies with a huge number of benefits and opportunities. But experts say due to anthropogenic hazards major water depletion and pollution are now affecting the life and livelihood of billions of people.

Hence, for this reason, every year, this World Water Day is promoted globally by UN agencies to stimulate people across the world by organizing promotional activities to encourage the people, make them address the critical water issues, and also coordinate with the international activities. According to the United Nations (UN) website, the main purpose of this day is to “support the achievement of sustainable development goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.”

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Down syndrome (also known as Trisomy 21) is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition; occurring in approximately 1 in 800 live births worldwide, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Down syndrome is characterized by varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability, as well as medical complications.

Commemoration of Down Syndrome Day

World Down Syndrome Day is observed every year on March 21 as a global initiative to raise awareness about the hereditary disorder. Down syndrome is characterized by the presence of an extra chromosome. The global incidence of Down Syndrome is estimated to be between 1 in 1,000 and; 1 in 1,100 live births, according to the United Nations. Every year, between 3,000 and 5,000 babies are born with this chromosomal abnormality around the world. Although the cause of this syndrome is unknown, it has always existed as part of the human condition.

Theme

This year’s theme for World Down Syndrome Day is “Inclusion Means”. It calls for people with Down syndrome to be included in all aspects of life and not discriminate against them.

Although the United Nations calls for “full and effective participation and inclusion in society” in the general principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the reality today is quite different. Full and effective participation and inclusion in society are not beneficial to people with Down syndrome and disabilities.

Many people believe that policies already exist to guide the inclusion of people with disabilities. However, there is one major issue; and it revolves around the definition of “inclusion” and how an inclusive system works in practice.

As we commemorate World Down Syndrome Day, What Does Inclusion Mean to you?