Tag: HEALTH

SURWASH raises alarm over implementation bottlenecks

Aminu Imam
SURWASH

Half way through the 6-yr period the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) to implement its mandate, the seven participating states are alleging undue interference by the supervising ministry. The programme consist of financing by utilizing a $700m investment financing instrument that is being used to facilitate technical assistance for states and selected implementing institutions to address critical institutional development. Participating States, Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina and Plateau, are expected to fund projects from their state budgets and after verification by an independent verification…

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“Anti-microbial resistance deadlier than HIV, TB, malaria’ – NCDC

Aminu Imam
NCDC warns

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, (NCDC), has raised the alarm over the growing threat of Anti-microbial Resistance. The NCDC described AMR as a ‘silent killer’ deadlier than malaria, Tuberculosis, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) combined. The NCDC Director General, Dr Jide Idris, said this in an interview with the yesterday in Abuja, highlighting the urgent need to tackle the global health threat, which many Nigerians remained unaware of. Idris said, “AMR is a silent killer. It kills more than the combination of malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS together.…

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Poor Service Condition: ABUTH Zaria Resident Doctors Embark on Strike

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir
Nigerian Health minister Pate

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir. The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) , Zaria have down tooled for a three days warning strike over non-payment of outstanding emoluments and poor conditions of service. Speaking with Liberty News via phone, the Public Relations Officer of the association, Doctor Imrana Sani Abdulazeez said the strike becomes imperative after the expiration of one week ultimatum given to the management of the hospital. Dr. Abdulazeez said on 14th July, 2024 the association had an emergency congress where the issues…

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Health Journalists get emergency hazard funds from network

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir
Nigerian Health minister Pate

The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN)has announcedthe launch of anEmergencyandHazard Fund dedicatedtosupportingtheAssociationofNigeria Health Journalists(ANHeJ). Dr Aminu Magashi, Coordinator of AHBN, made the announcement during a roundtable with ANHeJs executive council in Abuja. Magashi explained that the fund aims to provide financial assistance to journalists facing personal emergencies or hazards while reporting on health-related issues. Acknowledging the risks and challenges encountered by health journalists, particularly during health emergencies, he emphasised the critical role these journalists play in disseminating accurate information to the public. He outlined the funds purpose as offering financial…

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Heatwave: Kano residents task on precautions

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The Kano State Government has urged residents to adopt safety measures against the current heatwave being experienced in the state.The states Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran, said this in a statement in Kano. Labaran expressed concern over the excessive heat and urged residents to adopt health precautionary measures to protect themselves against negative consequences.The excessive heat began since March this year, causing increase in malaria and mortalities. That was why the ministry embarked on investigations to unravel the cause.Kano people are very much aware of the fact that these…

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Poor Nigerians decry soaring cost of healthcare, as prices continue to rise

Aminu Imam

Nigerians have raised concerns over the rising cost of healthcare amid the economic downturn. Most Nigerians, who already have to foot 80% of their medical expenses out of pocket have to bear more financial burden as hospitals adjust fees for medical services. Lately, the rate at which Nigerians ask for donations to foot medical bills has increased tremendously on social media, this is due to the fact that the cost of medications, tests and consultations in hospitals are no longer affordable. Poverty is a major problem crippling the Nigerian health…

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Protecting youngsters from smoking; WHO bans act, vaping in schools

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released two new publications, Freedom from tobacco and nicotine: guide for schools, and Nicotine- and tobacco-free school toolkit to help protect childrens health. WHO made this known in a statement on Tuesday. It said that tobacco industry relentlessly targeted young people with tobacco and nicotine products resulting in e-cigarette use increasing, with nine out of 10 smokers starting before the age of 18. The statement said that the products have also been made more affordable for young people through the sale of single-use cigarettes…

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Diphtheria spreads to 18 States; kills 453, infects 7,202

Aminu Imam

The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigeria has recorded 7,202 confirmed cases and 453 deaths from diphtheria since the confirmation of the current outbreak in December 2022. A joint statement from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, (NPHCDA) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) yesterday, said as of September 24, 2023, there have been 11,587 reported suspected cases, out of which 7,202 were confirmed cases from 105 local government areas (LGAs) in (18) States, including the…

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Diphtheria: WHO says Nigeria facing second wave of outbreak

Aminu Imam

The World Health Organisation, (WHO), says Nigeria is currently facing a second wave of the diphtheria outbreak. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by the corynebacterium species, which affects the nose, throat, and sometimes, skin of an individual. Some symptoms of diphtheria include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes, neck swelling, and difficulty in breathing. In a statement issued on Thursday, the health body said there has been an increase in Nigerias affected population with a rise in the number of confirmed cases and related deaths. The report…

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Pilgrims Welfare: Saudi priorities transportation, health, technology

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

By; Aisha Muhammad Ahmed, Makkah, Saudi Arabia is no doubt modernising as a means of easily accommodating and making life comfortable for millions of pilgrims who annually embark on lesser hajj and pilgrimage.  To achieve this, it is also utilising and prioritising technology in transportation and health. One of the major challenges that pilgrims face during annual hajj operations is traffic as you have a million to two plus simultaneously performing same rituals withing Makkah especially and moving from one point of ritual to another. The Saudi authorities are putting…

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