New Post Africa

Category: Health

  • Kenyan Government, civil servants sign deal to boost healthcare access

    Kenyan Government, civil servants sign deal to boost healthcare access

    NAIROBI, Kenya (NPA) — Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Thursday chaired the signing of a Joint Communiqué between the government and civil servants, outlining measures to improve healthcare services for public officers under the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF).

    The agreement provides for the immediate removal of the tariff-locking mechanism within the Social Health Authority (SHA) system to ease access challenges at the point of care. In the interim, contracted facilities are barred from charging civil servants out-of-pocket fees, with strict tariff provisions suspended pending nationwide negotiations.

    To address urgent cases, Duale announced the creation of a Joint Rapid Response Desk comprising SHA, the State Department for Public Service, and the Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS). The desk will coordinate the release of civil servants detained in health facilities and review unauthorized charges to facilitate refunds.

    Nationwide tariff negotiations for private and faith-based Level 3 to Level 6 facilities will begin on April 28, 2026, and are expected to conclude within four weeks. Duale emphasized that under the revised framework, the “walk-in, walk-out” principle will apply strictly, with no co-payments permitted. Facilities breaching contractual terms will face enforcement action, including de-contracting.

    SHA will maintain and regularly update a public list of approved facilities, strengthen accountability through claims audits, fraud detection, and performance monitoring, and expand regional sensitisation forums. The POMSF manual will also be updated and published to improve accessibility and understanding.

    The meeting was attended by Medical Services PS Dr. Ouma Oluga, UKCS Secretary General Lawrence Nyaguti, SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, Digital Health Agency CEO Eng. Anthony Lenayara, and other senior officials.

  • Senate approves increase of basic health care fund to 2%

    Senate approves increase of basic health care fund to 2%

    ABUJA, Nigeria (Agency Report) — The Senate has approved an increase in Nigeria’s Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), raising its allocation from one per cent to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

    The decision followed the presentation of the report by the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) on the National Health Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Committee Chairperson and bill sponsor, Senator Ipalibo Banigo, recalled that the bill was read for the second time on October 22, 2025.

    Banigo explained that the amendment seeks to strengthen primary healthcare delivery nationwide. “Primary Health Care is the bedrock of any strong health system. By raising the BHCPF, we will increase funding to strengthen frontline facilities, recruit and retain skilled health workers, and guarantee access to essential medicines and services, particularly for women, children, and rural populations,” she said.

    She added that the increase would reduce financial hardship for households, align Nigeria with best practices across Africa, and address the country’s heavy reliance on out-of-pocket health spending, which currently accounts for over 75 per cent of costs.

    Established under Section 11 of the National Health Act, 2014, the BHCPF provides a guaranteed minimum package of health services for all Nigerians and represents the country’s first statutory mechanism for sustainable health financing.

    Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed the Committee on Health to investigate reports of a COVID-19 case in Cross River State and present its findings at the next sitting.

  • FG approves ₦17 billion community-based taskforce to drive grassroots development under Health Ministry

    FG approves ₦17 billion community-based taskforce to drive grassroots development under Health Ministry

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Federal Government has approved the establishment of a Community-Based National Social Action Fund Taskforce to accelerate socio-economic development across Nigeria’s 8,804 wards.

    The initiative, endorsed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will deploy locally driven interventions tailored to community needs. Each ward will engage a verified community-based organisation or association to implement priority projects.

    According to a statement by Ado Bako, Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations in the Health Ministry, the approval builds on earlier reforms, including the creation of the Social Action Fund in September 2023 and the Community-Based Procurement Platform approved in January 2026. The platform allows community organisations to deliver projects valued up to ₦50 million.

    The President has approved a project timeline beginning March 1, 2026, with delivery expected by December 2026. A Programme Management Unit will be housed in the Sector-Wide Approach Coordination Office of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to oversee implementation.

    To support the initiative, the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation have been directed to release ₦17 billion into a ring-fenced special intervention account for implementation, monitoring, communication, and accountability.

    Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, described the initiative as a shift toward locally driven service delivery. “This approach places communities at the centre of development. By enabling each ward to identify and implement its priority needs, we are unlocking practical solutions that directly improve livelihoods and strengthen service delivery where it matters most,” he said.

    Interventions may include nutrition support, provision of essential health commodities such as micronutrients and therapeutic foods, and minor infrastructure improvements in schools, health facilities, and sanitation systems.

    The Taskforce will be chaired by Prof. Pate and include the Ministers of Finance, Humanitarian Affairs, State for Health and Social Welfare, State for Humanitarian Affairs, and the Permanent Secretary of the Health Ministry. Other members are the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, the Director-General of the Budget Office, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and a National Coordinator.

    In a related development, President Tinubu has approved the upgrade of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre (NTBLTC), Zaria, to the National Institute of Public Health and Infectious Diseases.

    The upgrade, aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and rapid response. The Institute will serve as a multidisciplinary hub for public health training, research, and workforce development, expanding access to advanced learning and enhancing readiness to manage infectious disease threats.

  • NAFDAC warns against counterfeit ‘Colgate Toothpaste’ in Nigeria

    NAFDAC warns against counterfeit ‘Colgate Toothpaste’ in Nigeria

    LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert over the circulation of unregistered and suspected counterfeit Colgate Toothpaste across Nigeria.

    In Public Alert No. 022/2026, the agency disclosed that its Post-Marketing Surveillance (PMS) Directorate received a complaint in Kaduna State regarding suspicious toothpaste products.

    Following an investigation, NAFDAC officials discovered two unregistered and counterfeit variants — Coglaet ActivGel 100g and Coglaet Herbal 100g — being sold at a local outlet. The shop owner admitted the items were supplied by a door-to-door sales representative but failed to provide proof of purchase.

    NAFDAC emphasized that these products have not undergone regulatory evaluation or quality assurance checks, warning that their use poses serious risks to public health and safety. The counterfeit items were immediately removed from circulation, and investigations are underway to trace their distributors.

    The agency urged consumers nationwide to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspected sale of substandard, falsified, or counterfeit regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office.

  • Uzodimma hosts ANPA for dinner, seeks stronger healthcare partnership in Imo

    Uzodimma hosts ANPA for dinner, seeks stronger healthcare partnership in Imo

    OWERRI, Nigeria (NPA) — Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, on Saturday hosted members of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) to a dinner at the Banquet Hall of Government House in appreciation of their free medical intervention programme in the state.

    In a statement, the governor said his administration places a high value on the lives of citizens, stressing that the state must go beyond social commitment to building purposeful partnerships with global organisations such as ANPA and dedicated volunteers to ensure free access to quality healthcare services.

    Uzodimma praised members of ANPA for their strong commitment, demonstrated through sustained medical outreach that has positively impacted many lives.

    He also urged the association to go beyond service delivery by supporting capacity building and deliberate knowledge transfer to resident healthcare personnel, particularly in strengthening their proficiency in operating modern medical equipment procured by the state to enhance healthcare delivery across its facilities.

    The Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) is an educational, scientific and charitable organisation representing the professional interests of more than 4,000 physicians, dentists and allied health professionals of Nigerian origin or affiliation in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It provides a platform for medical and scientific dialogue on health issues affecting populations of Nigerian descent across North America, the Caribbean and Africa.

    The organisation has, over the years, conducted free medical missions in various communities, with its latest outreach held in Abia and Imo states in southeastern Nigeria.

    The climax of the four-day Imo–ANPA Medical Mission 2026, which covered the three geopolitical zones of the state, was a dinner hosted by the governor. The event served as a token of appreciation by the state government for the group’s selfless service, the hope they restored, the faith they renewed among the people, and the improved well-being of the many beneficiaries reached through the intervention.

  • Lassa fever: Lagos sounds alarm as deadly outbreak sweeps Nigeria

    Lassa fever: Lagos sounds alarm as deadly outbreak sweeps Nigeria

    LAGOS, Nigeria — 13 April 2026 (NPA) — The Lagos State Government has issued a stark public health warning over Lassa fever, launching a statewide awareness and prevention campaign as Nigeria battles one of its most severe outbreaks in recent years.

    With over 660 confirmed cases and 167 deaths between January and mid-March, the situation has escalated into a national emergency spanning 22 states and 93 local government areas.

    Professor Akin Abayomi, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, described the outbreak as “a serious national health concern” requiring urgent, coordinated action. Particularly troubling is the infection of 38 healthcare workers, including three doctors who have died since January.

    Lassa fever, a highly contagious zoonotic viral disease transmitted from rodents and bushmeat to humans, spreads person-to-person and often presents as a haemorrhagic illness with fever and internal bleeding. While Lagos is not traditionally endemic, its dense population and commercial activity heighten the risk of rapid transmission.

    Evidence now suggests year-round transmission, driven by environmental changes and increased human interaction with rodent reservoirs. Abayomi warned that 70 per cent of infected individuals show mild or no symptoms yet remain infectious, fuelling silent spread in urban centres.

    He stressed that one in five symptomatic patients faces life-threatening complications if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Lassa fever, he noted, belongs to the same high-risk category as Ebola and Marburg virus disease — pathogens capable of overwhelming health systems.

    The Commissioner linked the rising incidence of such outbreaks to climate change, deforestation and ecological disruption, which are pushing rodents closer to human settlements.

    To counter the threat, Lagos has activated a 24-hour Emergency Operations Centre, strengthened surveillance, deployed digital health tools, and intensified biosecurity training for healthcare workers.

    Abayomi urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, assuring that Lagos is working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, the Federal Ministry of Health, and partners such as Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital to bolster response systems and public awareness.

  • Free medical mission begins across all Imo State zones

    Free medical mission begins across all Imo State zones

    OWERRI, Nigeria —13 April 2026 (NPA) — The Imo State Government, in partnership with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), has launched a week-long Free Medical Mission across the state’s three geopolitical zones. The initiative, which began on Sunday, April 12, is offering a wide range of medical, surgical, and eye care services at designated healthcare facilities.

    Governor Hope Uzodimma, in a statement, encouraged residents to take full advantage of the programme, noting that it goes beyond immediate treatment to strengthen the state’s health system. “This mission focuses on building capacity through targeted training programmes, including sickle cell disease management and other critical life-saving competencies for healthcare workers,” he said.

    Locations

    Services are being provided at:

    • Owerri Zone: Imo State Specialist Hospital, Umuguma
    • Orlu Zone: Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu; Michael Uzodimma General Hospital, Omuma
    • Okigwe Zone: Mbano Joint Hospital, Okigwe

    Programme Schedule

    • Monday, April 13: “Stop the Bleed” (Train-the-Trainer), sickle cell disease training, and medical outreach.
    • Tuesday, April 14: Essential Newborn Care (Helping Babies Survive), Basic Life Support/CPR, alongside ongoing services.
    • Wednesday, April 15: Continued newborn care training and outreach across all zones.
    • Thursday, April 16: “Stop the Bleed” training, CPR sessions in Owerri, Wellness and Happiness workshop, plus medical missions.
    • Friday, April 17: Half-day medical mission, cultural exchange activities, and closing ceremony. Departure of participants is scheduled for Saturday, April 18.

    Impact

    The mission is expected to provide thousands of residents with free consultations and treatment while equipping healthcare workers with vital skills. Officials say the collaboration underscores Imo State’s commitment to improving healthcare outcomes, reducing preventable complications, and promoting a healthier population through sustainable partnerships.

  • Nigeria activates steering committee for National Food Bank Programme

    Nigeria activates steering committee for National Food Bank Programme

    ABUJA, Nigeria, 12 April 2026 (NPA) — The Federal Government has inaugurated the Steering Committee for the National Community Food Bank Programme, marking a significant step towards tackling malnutrition and strengthening food support systems across Nigeria.

    At the inaugural meeting in Abuja, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, urged members to move swiftly from planning to execution, stressing that the programme’s success would be judged by its impact on vulnerable communities. “This Committee must ensure that implementation is not only coordinated, but effective. This is not about meetings, but about results that improve the lives of Nigerians,” he said.

    According to a statement by Ado Bako, Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations at the ministry, the initiative—championed by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu—is designed to address acute malnutrition and provide community-level food and nutrition support across all 774 Local Government Areas.

    The Steering Committee, chaired by Prof. Pate, includes senior representatives from the Federal Ministries of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Agriculture and Food Security, Women Affairs, and Health and Social Welfare. It also features leaders of key implementing agencies such as the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). This multi-sectoral composition reflects a whole-of-government approach, recognising that food security requires coordinated action across health, agriculture, and social protection systems.

    The Committee is tasked with providing strategic oversight, aligning sectoral efforts, mobilising resources, and ensuring accountability and transparency. A structured coordination framework was outlined, including regular performance reviews, stakeholder engagement, and mechanisms to track progress as the programme expands nationwide.

    The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the National Community Food Bank Programme delivers measurable improvements in nutrition, reduces vulnerability, and builds more resilient communities. The official flag-off of the programme is scheduled to take place in Borno State later this month.

  • NAFDAC hails Sam Pharmaceuticals’ new lagos facility as boost for local drug production

    NAFDAC hails Sam Pharmaceuticals’ new lagos facility as boost for local drug production

    LAGOS, Nigeria, 9 April 2026 (NPA) — The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commended Sam Pharmaceuticals following the commissioning of its new manufacturing facility in Lagos.

    NAFDAC described the commissioning of Sam Pharmaceuticals Ltd’s plant as a significant milestone in advancing local pharmaceutical production in Nigeria. The event also featured tributes to the Agency’s Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, for her leadership in strengthening the sector through policies that promote quality, safety, and local capacity development.

    In a statement issued today, NAFDAC noted that stakeholders at the event highlighted the Agency’s 5+5 Policy as instrumental in driving increased local manufacturing, contributing to a rise in domestic pharmaceutical output. They further acknowledged that NAFDAC’s regulatory reforms and commitment to global best practices have enhanced investor confidence and supported industry growth.

    Reaffirming its commitment, NAFDAC pledged to continue fostering a robust and self-sufficient pharmaceutical sector, ensuring the availability of safe, effective, and affordable medicines for Nigerians. The Agency emphasised that sustained collaboration between regulators and industry players remains critical to achieving national drug security and improved healthcare outcomes.

  • South Africa strengthens HIV prevention with Lenacapavir

    South Africa strengthens HIV prevention with Lenacapavir

    PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA, 8 April 2026 (NPA) — The South African Government has received its first consignment of 37,920 doses of Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking long-acting injectable that offers up to six months of protection against HIV with just two injections per year.

    This milestone marks a significant advance in the country’s HIV response, expanding prevention options particularly for adolescent girls, young women, sex workers, and men who have sex with men. The introduction of Lenacapavir is expected to accelerate efforts to reduce new HIV infections and support South Africa’s goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

    Lenacapavir is not a vaccine but a long-acting HIV prevention medicine. Administered twice yearly, it provides continuous protection and offers a convenient alternative for individuals who face challenges with existing prevention methods.

    The Government emphasised that the rollout of Lenacapavir strengthens its integrated, people-centred approach to HIV prevention. The six-monthly injectable is expected to improve adherence and expand choices for high-risk populations.

    An official launch will be announced in the coming weeks, including details of a phased implementation plan to ensure effective and equitable distribution across the country.