Category: Health

Bird Flu: FG confirms outbreak in Kano; urges caution

Aminu Imam
FG confirms bird flu

The Federal Government yesterday confirmed an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in Kano State. The disease has affected various bird species, including layers, ducks, guinea fowls, and turkeys. In an issued circular signed by Dr. Taiwo Olasoju on behalf of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, authorities raised concerns over the heightened risk of the disease spreading, particularly during this period. The circular called on relevant agencies and state veterinary offices to activate surveillance systems to curb the spread of the virus, stressing the…

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Lassa Fever: 174 deaths recorded from 1,025 confirmed cases – NOA

Aminu Imam
Lassa Fever

The National Orientation Agency, (NOA), has disclosed that the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)s Epidemiological Report of Week-41 indicates that from October 2024 to date, 1,025 cases of Lassa Fever were confirmed across 28 States of the federation, with  174 deaths, representing a fatality ratio of 17%. The NOA Director-General, Dr. Lanre Onilu, disclosed this in a press briefing to mark the commencement of the organisations nationwide campaign to create awareness of the preventable measures that will help nip in the bud the infection and spread of Lassa Fever.…

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Health workers declare 7 days nationwide warning strike

Aminu Imam
Health workers strike notice

Health workers under the auspices Joint Health Sectors Union (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) have declared a seven-day nationwide warning strike commencing from midnight of Oct. 25. JOHESU’s National President, Kabiru Minjibir, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the end of the unions expanded National Executive Council (NEC) hybrid meeting in Abuja yesterday. Minjibir regretted that, thus far, the unions were yet to get any positive response from the Federal Government on some of the critical issues raised in spite of repeated assurances during meetings with…

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NAFDAC workers vow to continue strike

Aminu Imam
NAFDAC workers vow

The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) branch, has vowed to continue its ongoing strike action till their demands are met. In an interview with newsmen yesterday in Kaduna, the Chairman of the Chapter, Adetoboye Ayodeji, said it was left for the agencys management to call the union for negotiation in order to see actionable evidence that things would be done appropriately. Recall that workers of the agency began an indefinite strike on October 7, to demand the review…

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Kano: Doctors to begin strike tomorrow over unmet demands

Aminu Imam
Kano doctors

Doctors in Kano State are set to go on strike from tomorrow, October 1, following the Federal Governments failure to meet their demands, according to the National Association of Government General and Medical Dental Practitioners. The associations secretary, Dr. Anas Hassan, announced the decision after a meeting on Friday, highlighting that the State government had not fulfilled its promises made three months ago. Dr. Hassan said the Government has yet to pay the post-Covid-19 hazard allowance, which the federal Government settled for its workers in 2021. He also revealed that…

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Kaduna: Jubilation, as Uba Sani floods 253 PHCs with drugs

Aminu Imam
Uba Sani PHCs

Not long after the ranking of Kaduna State as the second-best in the country in terms of efficient healthcare delivery, Governor Uba Sani has inaugurated a committee for the distribution of essential drugs and hospital equipment worth billions of naira. He was represented at the inauguration by the Commissioner for Local Governments, Honorable Sadiq Mamman Lagos. The distribution will benefit 253 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the 23 local government areas of the State, ensuring that critical medical supplies reach communities in need. This initiative is the latest in Governor…

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Maiduguri Flood: NAFDAC shuts down market over contaminated drugs

Aminu Imam
NAFDAC shuts down market

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC), has shut down the Gomboru drug market in Maiduguri, Borno State, where contaminated drugs were washed and sun-dried for resale following the devastating flood that hit the State. The drug agencies made this known on Thursday, in a statement posted via his official X handle, saying it has ordered the closure of the drug market after the recent flooding submerged the market, and the drugs became contaminated. NAFDAC posted: After the recent flooding in Maiduguri that submerged the Gomboru…

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Electricity: FG approves 50% subsidy for public hospitals

Aminu Imam
FG on hospitals

To rename Federal hospitals as ‘Specialists’ ones The Federal Government has approved a 50% electricity subsidy for public hospitals nationwide to reduce operational costs and ease patients’ financial burdens. Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced this during a visit to the National Neo-Psychiatric Hospital in Barnawa, Kaduna. Dr. Alausa, while commissioning several new projects at the hospital, including an Electronic Health Records system and a solarisation project, said, “This subsidy is part of our commitment to improving healthcare delivery across the country. It will…

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Nigerian Doctors’ strike over kidnapped colleague enters day 2

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir
Doctors strike 750x375

National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in public hospitals seven-day nationwide strike demanding the release of their colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who has been in kidnappers den for over eight months, enters second on Tuesday. Popoola, a mother of five was kidnapped in official quarters at National Eye Centre, Mahuta Kaduna in the night of 27 December alongside her husband and a nephew. While her husband was released in March after the payment of the initial demanded ransom, the kidnappers are still holding the ophthalmologist and her nephew. President of…

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Mpox: NMA task C’River on strengthening surveillance

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir
mpox II

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called on Cross River Government to urgently enhance its surveillance mechanisms against Mpox, amidst increased vulnerability. The Cross River chapter of the association also warned that the state was more vulnerable than others. Dr Ukam Edadi, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the NMA, made the call in an interview in Calabar. The mpox virus, which initially broke out in Central Africa, has since spread to several West African countries, including Nigeria, where 39 cases have been officially recorded. Edadi emphasised the importance of proactive…

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