Health Benefits of Okra

By Daily News Reporter

Sometimes called “lady’s finger,” okra is a flowering plant with edible seed pods. It grows best in warm climates and is often cultivated in Africa and South Asia.

Though technically a fruit, okra often gets used like a vegetable in cooking. You might be familiar with okra as an ingredient in gumbo, for example. Though not necessarily a household name in healthy foods, okra still has plenty of nutritional value.

Health Benefits

Okra is low in calories but packed full of nutrients. The vitamin C in okra helps support healthy immune function. Okra is also rich in vitamin K, which helps your body clot blood.

Some of the other health benefits of okra include:

Fight Cancer

Antioxidants are natural compounds that help your body fight off molecules called free radicals that can damage cells. Free radicals are most well known for causing oxidation damage, which can eventually lead to cancer.

Okra contains antioxidants called polyphenols, including vitamins A and C. It also contains a protein called lectin which may inhibit cancer cell growth in humans. Studies using concentrated compounds from okra showed they inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells by up to 63%. Further research is needed for definitive proof of okra’s cancer-blocking properties.

Polyphenols decrease your risk of heart problems and stroke by preventing blood clots and reducing free radical damage. The antioxidants in okra may also benefit your brain by reducing brain inflammation.

Mucilage—a thick, gel-like substance found in okra—can bind with cholesterol during digestion so it is passed from the body. An eight-week study conducted on mice showed lower blood cholesterol levels after they were fed a high-fat diet containing okra powder.

Control Blood Sugar

Various studies have shown okra may help control blood sugar levels. Researchers believe okra may help prevent sugar from being absorbed during digestion.

In one study, rats given purified okra and liquid sugar had fewer blood sugar spikes than rats in the control group. More evidence is needed to confirm that okra helps control blood sugar levels in humans.

Prenatal Support

One cup of okra has 15% of the daily value of folate, a helpful nutrient for pregnant women. Folate helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects, which can affect the brain and spine of developing fetuses.

Nutrition

Okra is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants that help reduce the risk of serious health conditions like cancer, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.

Okra is also a good source of:

Magnesium

Folate

Vitamin A

Vitamin C

Vitamin K

Vitamin B6

Nutrients per Serving

A one-cup serving of boiled okra slices contains:

Calories: 35

Protein: 3 grams

Fat: 0 grams

Carbohydrates: 7 grams

Fiber: 4 grams

Sugar: 4 grams

Things to Watch Out For

People with diabetes should be careful when considering adding more okra into their diets. Although okra may be able to help people better control their blood sugar, it can also interfere with metformin, a medication often used to treat Type 2 diabetes.

 CCPC REVIEWS ITS 2023 PERFORMANCE

By Daily News Reporter

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) in Zambia reviewed the performance of various sectors last year and by various players with impunity while reckoning the assenting to the amendment bill into law-giving impetus to the regulator to defend, deliver effective enforcement, compliance and ensure fair play by all.

The law to refine the consumer rights has undergone various metamorphosis since the Commission was established in 1997 then under Zambia Competition Commission (ZCC). The name was then changed in 2010 to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).

This followed the enactment of the new Act, the Competition and Consumer Protection Act (CCPA) No. 24 of 2010 and repeal of the old Act.

The recently revised and amended Bill, which on 22 December last year and assented by President Hakainde Hichilema into the Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 21 of 2023 to be read side by side with the 2010 has elated the Zambian consumer regulator.

The amended Act, now gives more latitude and power for CCPC to among other roles, enhance the maintenance of acceptable levels of competition in the market.

It prohibits restrictive agreements (Where a person or an enterprise connives to enter into an agreement which may have the potential to prevent, distort or restrict competition to an appreciable extent), cartels and other uncouth practices that disadvantage others from fair business practices.

The amended Act will now broaden the scope of CCPC and enhance competitiveness of players in various sectors at home and beyond.

“We are excited that the Act will enhance competition and consumer welfare legal framework which will better equip the commission to address challenges in the economic landscape occasioned by developments and advancements in trade,” Brian Lingela, CCPC Chief Executive told the media in Lusaka during end of year review meeting.

“It will further foster regional integration through the enforcement of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Competition Regulations, 2004 which have through the said Amendment been domesticated and now form part of Zambia's competition law”. he said.

The amendment, arguably empowers the CCPC to redress issues relating to movement of core company assets out of the country, unlike before when the country was eroded to its industrial base as companies freely moved essential production equipment out of the country, making the industrial uncompetitive.

Previous legislation-the then Competition and Fair Trading Act of 1997 and the 2010 legislation, did not legally support fair trading and other supervisory powers to plug cartels, unfair competition, and collusion, among other abuses that were committed with impunity by various sector players.

Under the amended Act many abrogation's enjoyed previously have now been plugged and will attract various fines, annually.

Defaulting business houses are now at risk of fines or severe penalties including custodial sentencing.

Under clause 24 of the CCPC Act, amended to section 52 of the principal Act, sector players are prohibited from selling, supplying, importing, or displaying expired products and services.

During the fiscal year 2023, CCPC undertook various supervisory undertakings including monitoring acts of unfair trading and had during the last 12 months arbitrated over 1,854 cases, involving 2,219 provisions of the Act compared to 2,064 cases involving 2,412 provisions resolved a year earlier.

The downturn in the number of cases, Mr. Lingela attributed to the commission’s collaboration with other competent authorities.

This collaboration resulted in 21 traders being fined for violating consumer protection provisions of the Act with fines ranging from 0.5 percent to 0.8 percent of their respective annual turnovers.

CCPC recovered ZMW8, 642, 194. 61 from 24 erring enterprises fined. It collected ZMW31, 043,219.29 in statutory fees which were deposited in the national treasury.

CCPC remains resolved to ensure its exercise its mandate, now expanded to the regional sphere as enshrined under the new Act in a robust manner in the interest of consumers it seeks to serve diligently as supported by law.

And CCPC has reiterated its resolve to intensify educational awareness programmes for various consumers that are often defrauded by business houses on among other issues, non-refunds on expired or defective products and service and failure to secure receipts on products bought, among other concerns and allow their unequivocal beneficiation from the law.

“Yes, we have not done much to sensitise our consumers on their rights, now the commission will harness stakeholder collaborative efforts with sector regulators to safeguard the interests of the consumers and traders alike” Mr. Lingela noted adding:

“We will devise new, convenient, and effective systems of capturing and resolving cases; we will scale up our sensitization and inspections as well as education efforts in order to foster better compliance in line with our 2022-2026 strategic plan,”

 

1. What is Cholera?

Cholera is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, resulting in rapid dehydration and draining of electrolytes. The rapid loss of fluids can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Oral rehydration therapy is a key component of cholera treatment to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.

2. How is Cholera transmitted?

Cholera is often transmitted through contaminated water or food, and it can spread rapidly in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene.

3. How can Cholera be controlled?

Vaccination and improvements in sanitation and hygiene are the key ways to control the outbreak and further spread of cholera.

4. What is government doing to avert the outbreak of Cholera in Zambia?

Whole-of-Government approach is being deployed, relying on the complementary capacities of different agencies and ministries government, the key ones being the Ministries of Health; Water Development and Sanitation; Local Government and Rural Development; Defence; Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development; Green Economy and Environment, being coordinated by the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit in the Office of the Vice President.

Since the first reported case for the current outbreak in October 2023, to avert the outbreak of Cholera, the government is currently providing clean drinking water in the cholera hot spot areas. Almost 300 water tanks with 10,000ltrs capacity are being installed in strategic areas. In addition, solid waste management, involving the clearing of drains and dump sites, is being done. The Government has also embarked on emptying 20,000 pit latrines as well as super chlorinating and/or burying shallow wells.

Communities are being called upon to take seriously personal hygiene, to boil or chlorinate their drinking water and cook their food thoroughly, while also sanitizing their environments. The government is supporting this exercise by providing granular and liquid chlorine in targeted areas.

As part of surveillance, the government is also conducting inspections of trading and food premises as well as certification of food while distribution of chlorine and disinfection of households where cases are coming from is on-going.

5. What else is government doing in the area of Cholera case management?

The government has procured recommended supplies and equipment for the Cholera Treatment Centres in Lusaka and other districts that are reporting confirmed cases of cholera. Some of the supplies and equipment procured include cholera beds, Laboratory reagents and consumables for cholera confirmation and genomic sequencing, as well as food for cholera patients admitted in treatment centres.

6. How is government handling Risk Communication and Community Engagements regarding the outbreak of Cholera?

Dissemination of cholera alert messages via bulk SMSs is being done on all networks. The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit working with the Ministry of Health and the local authorities are sending cholera messages direct to the mobile phones of people in the affected communities. Mobile announcers and Community Based Volunteers (CBVs) are currently in the communities in Lusaka to sensitize the public on the need to prevent cholera in their neighborhoods. This is in addition to the cholera adverts that are being aired on both radio and television stations. The government is also procuring additional equipment and printing more Information, Education and Communication material to enhance community sensitization.

 NBA ISSUES 64 CERTIFICATES FOR TRANSITING GMO PRODUCTS

THE National Biosafety Authority (NBA) last year granted 64 certificates to transit mealie meal which may contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from South Africa to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

And the Authority issued 120 non-genetically modified organism certificates to companies exporting various commodities.

NBA Chief Executive Officer Mr. Lackson Tonga said the Authority in 2023 recorded an increase in the number of applications for authority to transit commodities that may contain GMOs.

“Over 750,000 metric tons of mealie meal which may contain GMOs transited Zambia last year. In 2023 we recorded an increase in the number of companies and individuals seeking transit authorisation as over 40 companies and individuals applied compared to less than 10 in the previous year.”

Mr. Tonga also expressed happiness with the compliance levels to the Biosafety Act.

“There has been an impressive response from the suppliers and distributors as regards applying for new permits and renewing permits to placing on the market products which may contain GMOs. This shows that there is appreciable levels of compliance to the provisions of the Biosafety Act,” he said.

However, the Authority also recorded two cases of non-compliance to the Biosafety Act following inspections which revealed that two companies from 16 that were visited were non-compliant. The companies in question were cautioned and advised to adhere to the provisions of Act.

Additionally, the Authority while working with other border agencies in Livingstone and Kazungula seized 300 bags by 25 kilograms of mealie meal containing GMOs which were placed on the market without prior authorization from the Authority.

The matter was taken to court and the trader was fined. The Authority disposed off the mealie meal since risk assessment was not conducted on the product.

And Mr. Tonga said the Authority issued 33 Permits for placing products that may contain GMO on the market. The Authority also issued two research permits to conduct clinical trials for Tuberculosis and Shigellosis vaccines.

The Authority, furthermore, contributed to the facilitation of trade through issuance of over 120 non-GMO certificates. These certificates are issued to anyone wishing to export any commodity to a country where non-GMO confirmation is a requirement. Before a non-GMO certificate is issued, samples of the products are first collected and subjected to laboratory analysis for confirmation of non-GMO presence.

Meanwhile the Authority collected 191 samples of various commodities and products including grain, mealie meal, cereals, tobacco from across the country and were subjected to GMO tests of which all tested negative except for the three samples of Texture Soya Protein which tested positive. As a result the Authority did not grant clearance for the importation of the products, that tested positive, into the country until after a risk assessment was conducted.

“We also continued monitoring the approved clinical trials and conducted routine surveillance for seed companies and farming communities. To that end, twenty (20) cotton depots representing 660 farmers were visited and on-site screening using rapid GMO test kits were conducted and all results were negative,” Mr. Tonga said.

“The Authority also continued to enhance public awareness, education and sensitization. Various stakeholders including research institutions and chiefs were engaged.”

 MINISTRY OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE APPOINTS NEW INTERIM BOARDS FOR NSTC,NRSC,NTBC,RPA AND ZAMIM

By Daily News Reporter

"interpret policy in responding to the dynamics of change in key areas of science, technology, innovation and skills development as stipulated under the four pillars in the eighth National Development Plan (8th NDP)," Mutati said 

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony of interim management board members of six statutory institutions under the Ministry of Technology and Science, the Minister stated that the new inaugurated members form a confident and expertise team that are a key enabler to demonstrate and share a collective vision for Zambia.

He said that the board members will primarily play a role of executing policies that will enhance decision making procedures and operational matters to deliver and assist interpreting the policy.

Mr. Mutati urged the boards to initially undertake an in - depth induction tilted on each respective institution's mandate in order to create a comprehensive understanding of operations and help support policy execution.

The Minister also expected the boards to appreciate the legal framework of each institution devised on regulations that help thrive progressively.

He guided the installed boards to establish performance contracts that are a yardstick to execute and measurable towards actioned work plans.

He called on the boards to embark on a tangible and practical course of work that is result output oriented. The Minister also upheld a collective and diversity appointed team that he believed will transform the lives of the people of Zambia as expected.

And Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Technology and Science Engineer Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu these interim members of the management boards are a substance and signifies an important milestone that steer commitment to advancing science, scientific research, technological innovation, skills development, and organization excellence in Zambia.

He said the Governing body now exists in a new era of collaboration, expertise, and education development.

Dr Habeenzu said the appointees emanate from a world of experience and expertise who come on board with a shared passion to the contribution of the growth of prosperity of the Country.

He called on the board members to strive collectively to overcome challenges towards excellence and innovation that must be leveraged on a shared vision through exploration of science, technology, innovation, and skills development for a bright future Zambia.

And meanwhile Christabel Reinke commended the Ministry for inaugurating the board of directors as this demonstrates a high level of commitment and a drive to achieve key performance indicators for the economy.

Ms. Reinke indicated that the boards were ready to execute duties and undertake decisions at strategic levels in various mandates of respective institutions with a focus to realise goals and above expectations.

The newly inaugurated interim board management members bring their expertise to the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR), National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), National Remote Sensing Center (NRSC). Other institutions include National Technology Business Center (NTBC), Radiation Protection Authority (RPA), and the Zambia Institute of Management Board (ZAMIM).

 Both conventional tobacco products and e-cigarettes pose risks to health.

E-cigarette use can negatively impact the health of your brain, lungs and heart and it is linked to an increased risk of heart disease and lung disorders.

 ZAMBIA CHINESE ASSOCIATION DONATES K260, 000 WORTH OF GOODS TO ZAMBIA POLICE

By Daily News Reporter

The Association donated various assorted items worth K260,000 to the Zambia Police Service in Lusaka aimed at safeguarding the lives of men and women in uniform against cholera and reported cases of COVID-19 in the country.

Speaking during the donation, Zambia China Association Executive President, Wu Ming stated that Chinese Association in Zambia were concerned with the happenings in the country in terms of health, hence coming forward with the donation.

And the Zambia Chinese Association has pledged continued support towards ensuring that Zambia remains a peaceful nation that allows investors to thrive.

Mr. Ming urged the Zambian government to create an enabling environment for Chinese investors to thrive in the country.

"We are members of the community in Zambia who are equally affected by what is happening in the country, and that is why we have decided to come on board with this donation as a supplement to what the government is doing in the prevention of Cholera," Ming said.

Mr. Ming also added that the Chinese community was concerned about their safety in the country, with a number of security concerns which they felt the Zambia Police could help in resolving.

"We remain hopeful that our relationship with the Zambian government will continue to grow in 2024 and beyond and will create a platform in which we can engage Zambia as far as security is concerned," Ming added.

Meanwhile, Zambia Police chief Grapheal Musamba also said that the Chinese community has nothing to worry about in terms of their safety, adding that the police service will ensure that all foreign nations and investors in Zambia including the Chinese feel free to conduct their business.

He has assured the Chinese community in Zambia of their safety under the police service.

"It is our hope and trust that we continue on this trajectory in order to create our relationships in increasing a peaceful and secure environment," Musamba said,

Among the donated items include Chlorine, Soap, Wash bins, water purifiers, face masks and alcohol for medical purposes among others.