Tag: HEALTH

Health Journalists get emergency hazard funds from network

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN)has announced the launch of an Emergency andHazard Fund      dedicated tosupporting the Association ofNigeria Health Journalists (ANHeJ). Dr Aminu Magashi, Coordinator of AHBN, made the announcement during a roundtable with ANHeJ’s 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 fund’s 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 state’s 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 children’s 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 Nigeria’s 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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Hajj; Nigerian Pilgrims to have access to 7 Clinics in Makkah

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

Nigerian pilgrims are to enjoy the services of 7 medical clinics in Makkah Saudi Arabia as they converge on the holy city for the 2023 hajj exercise. The Head of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON Medical Team, Dr. Usman Galadima disclosed this in a chat with a member the National Media Team in Makkah. According to him, already three of the clinics are fully established and functional, while the remaining four will take off as the number of Nigerian pilgrims increased in the holy city, and the clinics would…

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Zulum inaugurates abandoned medical center in Biu

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has inaugurated a multi-million naira medical centre in Miringa, Biu Local Government donated by Chevron Nigeria Ltd, but abandoned since 2020. This is contained in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor, Baba-Sheik Haruna and issued in Abuja on Friday. The governor’s action followed a peaceful protest launched by the people of Miringa on the governor’s convoy on Tuesday while on his way for a 3-day working visit to Biu LGA asking him to put the facility to use. He said…

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Health: Gombe Specialist Hospital Accredited For Postgraduate Training On Obstetrics, Gynecology, Others

Aminu Imam

Umar Kaltungo The Specialist Hospital, Gombe, in Gombe State, has got accreditation for postgraduate training in obstetrics/ gynecology and family medicine by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and the West African College of Surgeons. With this development, the Gombe Specialist Hospital has now become the first state-owned hospital in the North-East region to achieve this milestone. The representatives of the two colleges were very impressed with what they saw in the hospital and lauded the State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, for providing state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment necessary for…

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