Category: Health

NEW YORK, United States (NPA) — Nigeria has called on multilateral institutions, development partners, philanthropies, researchers and the private sector to align efforts towards tackling sickle cell disease (SCD) globally.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, made the call at the inauguration of OneSCD on the sidelines of the ongoing 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

OneSCD is a global partnership aimed at advancing equity and transforming SCD care.

Salako urged stakeholders to invest in country-owned systems and help move proven SCD interventions from pilot programmes to national scale.

He said the call was important because the global response to SCD continued to suffer from severe inequities, structural bottlenecks, fragmentation and a historical lack of prioritisation.

According to him, almost eight million people live with SCD globally, with more than 75 per cent of them in sub-Saharan Africa.

Salako said Nigeria carries the highest burden of the disease globally, with approximately 150,000 to 180,000 Nigerian babies born with the condition annually.

He said the worrisome number had made SCD a national priority for Nigeria, embedded in its child survival, maternal health, primary healthcare, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and universal health coverage (UHC) agendas.

“This is why OneSCD matters; to provide a global mechanism that connects political leadership, technical expertise, lived experience and financing behind country-led action,” the minister said.

Salako said Nigeria, as a champion country, would continue to integrate early diagnosis and comprehensive care across primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

He said the country would also strengthen national accountability through better data, measurable targets and sustainable financing.

The minister said Nigeria would ensure that people living with SCD and their families remained at the centre of policy, programme design and evaluation.

He added that Nigeria would share implementation lessons and advocate for SCD across global child health, NCDs, maternal health and UHC agendas.

Salako said Nigeria was already strengthening its national response through a programme anchored in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, a National Sickle Cell Disease Steering Committee and National Guidance for Control and Clinical Management.

He said pilot programmes in Lagos, Kano and the Federal Capital Territory were testing scalable newborn screening approaches through maternity, immunisation, paediatric and primary healthcare services.

The minister said six centres of excellence had also been established and equipped with high-performance liquid chromatography machines for specialised diagnosis.

He said Nigeria was improving access to affordable diagnostics and medicines, strengthening supply chains, training health workers and establishing referral networks.

Salako said the country was also integrating SCD indicators into national health information systems and pursuing sustainable financing through health insurance, domestic resources and responsible public-private partnerships.

He said the aim was to ensure that families did not bear the cost of care alone.

“The launch of OneSCD is moving SCD from a neglected disease to the front burner.

“It must be more than a ceremonial moment as we double up to move from talk attention to on-ground implementation attention,” Salako said.

He said the inauguration should result in coordinated action, mutual accountability and measurable progress, so that a child’s place of birth would no longer determine whether he or she survived and thrived with SCD.

Salako said Nigeria was ready to contribute, learn and partner in advancing the OneSCD partnership.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that OneSCD was inaugurated by Nigeria, Uganda, India, Jamaica and St Kitts and Nevis.

It was inaugurated alongside UNICEF, the World Health Organisation, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the World Coalition on SCD.

(NAN)

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has taken its ILERA EKO stakeholders’ engagement to Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in the Ikorodu axis of Lagos State as part of efforts to deepen awareness and encourage enrolment in the state’s social health insurance scheme.

The engagement brought together key stakeholders and community representatives to sensitise residents on the ILERA EKO scheme, which is designed to provide affordable, accessible and quality healthcare while helping households reduce the financial burden of medical expenses.

LASHMA, in a statement, said the engagement was part of its ongoing efforts to bring healthcare services closer to residents and advance universal health coverage across the state.

“Through meaningful conversations and community engagement, we continue to bring affordable, accessible and quality healthcare closer to residents across Lagos State,” the agency said.

It added that the initiative was aimed at ensuring that no Lagos resident was left behind in access to healthcare.

ILERA EKO was launched by LASHMA to expand access to healthcare for Lagos residents and covers individuals, families, senior citizens and diaspora sponsors.

According to the information provided by LASHMA, more than 1.8 million residents are enrolled in the scheme, with over 640 accredited healthcare providers across Lagos.

The scheme offers an individual plan starting at N10,000 annually, while its coverage includes outpatient care, hospital admissions, maternity services, newborn immunisations, cancer treatment and renal dialysis.

It also provides access to telemedicine services, allowing enrollees to receive virtual consultations and reduce unnecessary hospital visits.

Under its family packages, spouses and up to four children can be covered under one plan, while the diaspora plan allows Nigerians living abroad to sponsor healthcare for relatives in Lagos.

LASHMA said the scheme was designed to protect families from financial distress arising from medical bills and expand access to healthcare through its network of facilities, including family health centres and general hospitals.

The agency said ILERA EKO was part of the state’s broader drive towards universal health coverage and improved health outcomes.

“ILERA EKO, ILERA IBILE — Healthcare for all, right where it matters most,” the agency said.

ENUGU, Nigeria (NPA) — The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu State, has confirmed a clinically diagnosed case of diphtheria at the hospital, disclosing that the patient died two days after admission despite efforts by medical personnel to save the patient.

The hospital management disclosed this in an internal memo, signed by Dr Charles Nonyelu, Chief Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of UNTH, Enugu, to Heads of Departments and Heads of Units on Wednesday, stating that the patient was managed at the hospital’s Children’s Emergency Room (CHER) before the death.

“Unfortunately, the patient was lost two days after admission, despite all efforts to treat this patient,” he said, without disclosing the identity, age or other details of the deceased patient in the internal communication.

UNTH said contact tracing had commenced following the case, while the CHER had also undergone proper decontamination with the management urging members of the hospital community not to panic, noting that sporadic cases of diphtheria had previously been managed successfully at the hospital.

“It is imperative to note that sporadic cases of diphtheria has been managed successfully in this hospital in the past as such there is no need for unnecessary panic,” the memo stated.

Meanwhile, the hospital management urged staff to remain vigilant and familiarise themselves with symptoms associated with the disease. It listed fever, sore throat and difficulty in swallowing among the symptoms members of the hospital community should watch out for, advising those who develop such symptoms to seek prompt medical attention.

“In the light of the Diphteria outbreak in the country, members of the hospital community should be aware of the symptoms such as fever, sore throat & difficulty in swallowing and seek prompt medical care if they develop such symptoms,” the memo stated.

The management further directed staff to continue observing standard precautions while carrying out their clinical duties.

What is diphtheria?

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It produces a toxin that can damage the throat, heart and nerves. Symptoms can include sore throat, fever, swollen glands and a thick grey coating in the throat that may obstruct breathing.

Severe cases can lead to heart inflammation, nerve problems and death, particularly when treatment is delayed.

How diphtheria spreads

Diphtheria can spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread through close contact, including living with an infected person or sharing personal items.

Transmission may also occur through contaminated objects such as towels, utensils and tissues, as well as direct contact with infected skin sores.

How to protect against diphtheria

• Vaccination: Diphtheria vaccination is an effective way to prevent the disease.
• Booster doses: Recommended booster vaccinations help maintain immunity.
• Good hygiene: Regular handwashing and avoiding the sharing of personal items can reduce the risk of transmission.
• Early medical care: Prompt diagnosis and treatment can reduce the risk of serious complications.
• Community protection: High vaccination coverage helps limit the spread of diphtheria and prevent outbreaks.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a medical treatment advisory to healthcare professionals and the public over evidence indicating an increased risk of drug poisoning when gabapentinoids, including gabapentin and pregabalin, are used alongside certain medicines, particularly opioids and benzodiazepines.

According to a statement issued by the agency on Friday, the advisory followed emerging evidence on the potential risks associated with the concurrent use of gabapentinoids and other medicines.

NAFDAC said a study conducted by researchers at University College London (UCL) found that among patients taking gabapentinoids, the concurrent use of benzodiazepines was associated with approximately a two-fold increase in the risk of hospitalisation for drug poisoning.

The agency added that concurrent use of gabapentinoids with opioids was associated with an approximately 30 per cent increase in the risk.

“A study conducted by researchers at University College London (UCL) found that among patients taking gabapentinoids, concomitant use of benzodiazepines was associated with approximately a two-fold increase in the risk of hospitalisation for drug poisoning, while concurrent use with opioids increased the risk by about 30%,” the statement said.

NAFDAC noted that gabapentinoids are commonly prescribed for neuropathic pain, epilepsy and anxiety disorders and are increasingly being used as alternatives to opioids for pain management.

The agency urged healthcare professionals to take the reported evidence into consideration when prescribing or administering gabapentin and pregabalin alongside other medicines.

NAFDAC also advised members of the public to seek professional medical guidance before using gabapentinoids in combination with other medicines, particularly opioids or benzodiazepines.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — A mental health expert, Mr Samuel Junaidu, has advised Nigerians not to dismiss persistent sleep difficulties, warning that chronic insomnia could be a sign of underlying mental or physical health conditions requiring medical attention.

Junaidu, a psychiatric expert at the Behavioural Monitoring Unit (BMU), Karu General Hospital, Abuja, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

He said people who consistently struggled to fall asleep or return to sleep should seek professional assessment rather than assuming the problem was caused by an uncomfortable sleeping environment or a temporary inconvenience.

According to him, insomnia could be associated with anxiety, depression, emotional trauma, substance withdrawal, hormonal changes and other conditions that may require medical attention and appropriate clinical management.

Junaidu explained that excessive worrying about work, financial obligations, family responsibilities and personal goals could keep the brain in a heightened state of alertness and interfere with normal sleep patterns at night.

He added that traumatic experiences could also disrupt sleep through nightmares and emotional distress, making it difficult for affected individuals to return to sleep after waking during the night.

The expert noted that hormonal changes, including those experienced during pregnancy, could contribute to sleep disturbances, while conditions such as dementia could also be associated with chronic insomnia and require medical review.

Junaidu cautioned Nigerians to distinguish between deliberately staying awake for work or entertainment and being unable to sleep despite making genuine efforts to rest properly each night.

He said persistent sleep difficulties could eventually cause fatigue, low energy, poor concentration, mood changes and reduced productivity during the day, affecting daily activities and overall wellbeing.

Expert recommends healthy sleep habits

Junaidu advised Nigerians to adopt healthy sleep habits by reducing exposure to screens at night, limiting caffeine intake from the afternoon, avoiding prolonged daytime naps and keeping their sleeping environment dark and quiet.

He also encouraged regular daytime exercise and advised against excessive fluid intake shortly before bedtime to reduce unnecessary night-time waking and interruptions that could further affect sleep quality.

“The patient should indulge in a lot of exercise especially during the day time, avoid sitting in one place always for too long, and avoid too much regular long naps during day time.

“Save your weakness and tiredness for night time and always keep the room dark and quiet,” Junaidu said.

The expert urged people experiencing persistent insomnia to visit a health facility for proper assessment and diagnosis, stressing that identifying the underlying cause was essential to effective management and recovery.

He also warned against self-medication, saying treating insomnia without determining its cause could delay attention to a more serious underlying condition and increase the risk of dependence or complications.

“Just go to professional mental health experts and know the root cause of the chronic insomnia to get proper diagnosis and prevent reliance on self-medication,” he said.

Junaidu emphasised that early professional intervention could help prevent chronic sleep problems from affecting an individual’s mental wellbeing, productivity and relationships, while supporting timely treatment and recovery.

(NAN)

The United Nations (UN) says it has trained nearly 200 community health officers on infection and prevention and control, early detection, and risk communication in Rwanda on Ebola preparedness.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric gave the update on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the UN headquarters in New York.

Dujarric said the UN, with its humanitarian partners, has continued to support the government-led efforts to prepare for a potential Ebola outbreak in Rwanda, which has not happened.

Last week, the UN also assessed border crossings and health facilities to review screening detection capacities as well as staff preparedness.

The UN is also supporting infection prevention and hygiene measures at the Rugerero Ebola Training Center in the western province, and has also trained Red Cross volunteers and ambulance drivers on transport procedures.

Rwanda has no confirmed Ebola cases but remains at high risk, given its proximity to the highest impacted areas in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Similarly, Kenya has strengthened Ebola readiness at its busiest land border

“We knew Ebola was in Congo and Uganda, not much more than that,” Dekens Okoth Ojera, member of the Busia Cross Border Women Traders Sacco, which has 257 registered members, said.

“We were not equipped or aware of how to handle it if it reached us, or sure that anything was being done.”

Kenya has recorded no cases of the Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus.

Still, transmission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has not stopped, while thousands of people cross Kenya’s western border every day.

Uganda’s outbreak was declared over on  August 26, 2026, but movement of people and goods across the region continues.

Busia sits on the Northern Corridor, the trade route running from Mombasa through Uganda to Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

More than 3,000 people cross here daily, alongside freight moving to and from the region. That constant movement makes border workers and communities an important part of Kenya’s early warning system.

In August, the Kenya National Public Health Institute, with support from WHO and the International Organisation for Migration, trained 35 health workers and engaged 45 border stakeholders from three priority points of entry.

The three priority points of entry are the Busia and Malaba One-Stop Border Posts in Busia County, and Lwakhakha in Bungoma County.

“The people who work at this border see travellers long before we do. When a trader notices someone who is unwell and knows exactly who to call, that is early detection.

“It has to work in the other direction too. When communities have questions or fears, we need to hear them quickly,” Oliver Atsing’a, a port health officer at Kenya National Public Health Institute, said.

(NAN)