New Post Africa

Category: Health

  • LASG Commends JOHESU for Suspending Strike, Appreciates Residents’ Patience

    LASG Commends JOHESU for Suspending Strike, Appreciates Residents’ Patience

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA): The Lagos State Government has welcomed the decision of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) to suspend their recent strike, which had disrupted healthcare services across state-owned hospitals. Officials described the move as “a demonstration of goodwill and shared responsibility toward safeguarding public healthcare in Nigeria’s commercial capital.”

    The Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, speaking after a meeting between government representatives and union executives, commended JOHESU for embracing dialogue and constructive engagement. He noted that both parties agreed to sustain discussions while the union convenes its congress to formally communicate resolutions and restore normalcy in public healthcare facilities.

    Ayantayo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing JOHESU’s demands for improved welfare benefits within established regulations and agreed timelines. He stressed that the administration remains dedicated to equitable treatment, better working conditions, and sustainable welfare programs for health sector employees.

    The Commissioner also expressed gratitude to the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for their roles in facilitating the resolution. He extended appreciation to residents for their patience, understanding, and cooperation during the strike, assuring the public of uninterrupted access to quality healthcare services going forward.

    JOHESU in Lagos had joined a nationwide strike earlier in 2026, which lasted about 84 days. The industrial action severely affected public hospitals, leading to disrupted services, increased workload on doctors, patient suffering and delays, heightened public health concerns, and economic strain as families turned to costly private healthcare while public hospitals lost revenue. The strike also strained trust between health workers and government authorities.

  • Newpost Africa Relaunches, Reaffirms Commitment to World-Class Journalism

    Newpost Africa Relaunches, Reaffirms Commitment to World-Class Journalism

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA): Nigerian media organisation Newpost Africa Media Publishing® (Newpost Africa) has announced its return following a successful restructuring process. The relaunch underscores the company’s renewed commitment to delivering journalism of the highest standards—anchored in integrity, balance, and diversity.

    Positioning itself as “Nigeria’s independent, world-class media organisation”, Newpost Africa emphasized its founding principles of strict editorial neutrality, an uncompromising stance against propaganda, and reporting that informs without bias or distortion. The organisation stressed that credible journalism is indispensable to democratic societies and informed citizenship.

    In a statement issued on February 22, 2026, Newpost Africa encouraged stakeholders and readers to actively engage with its mission. “By sharing perspectives and experiences, you contribute to a platform that values truth, dialogue, and collective responsibility in shaping the public record,” the statement read.

    Driven by a team of seasoned professionals and supported by a global network of journalists and writers, Newpost Africa said it is well-positioned to deliver timely coverage of rapidly evolving stories with speed, clarity, and analytical depth—while maintaining accuracy and editorial discipline.

    Its editorial focus remains firmly on Nigeria and the African continent, ensuring accountability from policymakers, institutions, and power brokers. At the same time, the organisation pledged to continue reporting on international developments that shape Africa’s place in the global context.

    The relaunch, according to the statement, is not merely a return but a reaffirmation of purpose and a strategic commitment to excellence in journalism. “This relaunch is a reaffirmation of our mission to uphold the highest standards of journalism and to serve as a trusted voice in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond,” the organisation noted.

  • FG Moves to Establish Armed Forces Medical College

    FG Moves to Establish Armed Forces Medical College

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (Agency Report): The Federal Government says it has advanced plans to establish the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences (AFCOM&HS) to strengthen military healthcare services.

    This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja by Folasade Boriowo, Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education.

    Boriowo said the initiative would also address manpower shortages within the Armed Forces and expand Nigeria’s overall medical training capacity.

    She quoted the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, as disclosing this development at a high-level meeting with the Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, and other stakeholders.

    In attendance at the meeting were the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad and the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle.

    Alausa said the proposed college aligned with the Federal Government’s reform agenda, particularly efforts to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematica and Medical Sciences Education’.

    He said the college would provide a structured and sustainable pipeline of military-trained doctors, surgeons, trauma specialists, emergency response medics and allied health professionals.

    According to him, Nigeria faces a growing shortage of medical professionals amid a population of over 240 million people.

    He said the country had a deficit of about 340,000 doctors, stressing the need for scalable and innovative training models.

    Alausa said the ministry had doubled annual medical school admissions from about 5,000 to nearly 10,000.

    He added that projections were underway to increase the figure to about 19,000 annually in the coming years.

    The minister said the new college would form a critical component of the expansion strategy.

    He said in compliance with the Federal Government’s seven-year moratorium on new tertiary institutions, the Nigerian Defence Academy would establish the college within its existing framework.

    According to him, the institution will be located in Lagos State and linked to accredited federal and military hospitals for clinical trainings.

    Alausa said trainings would be anchored at designated military medical facilities, including the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital and the 661 Nigerian Air Force Hospital in Lagos.

    He said medical cadets would undergo an eight-year programme comprising six years of academic training, one year of military training and one year of housemanship.

    The minister said the graduates would be equipped with medical expertise, discipline, leadership skills and operational readiness for military service.

    He added that a Technical Working Group had been constituted to ensure regulatory compliance and quality assurance.

    According to him, its members include representatives of the Ministries of Education and Defence, the Nigerian Defence Academy and relevant professional and regulatory bodies.

    He said the objective was to ensure that admissions commence by October or November 2026.

    Alausa expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his support for human capital development and national security.

    He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with its defence and regulatory partners to deliver the initiative in compliance with the extant national standards and global best practices. (NAN).

  • Lassa Fever Claims 70 Lives in Nigeria in 2026 — NCDC

    Lassa Fever Claims 70 Lives in Nigeria in 2026 — NCDC

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA): The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, has confirmed that Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic illness endemic in West Africa, has killed 70 people in Nigeria since the beginning of 2026.

    Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Idris disclosed that as of February 15, 2026, Nigeria had recorded 1,469 suspected cases, 318 confirmed infections, and 70 deaths, representing a 22 percent case fatality rate (CFR).

    According to the NCDC, five states — Ebonyi (southeast), Edo (south), Bauchi (northeast), Ondo (southwest), and Taraba (northeast) — account for 91 percent of all confirmed cases nationwide.

    Dr. Idris highlighted several obstacles hampering the national response. He criticized some state governments for failing to provide adequate support, noting that many have not allocated funds for awareness campaigns or community engagement.

    “In many cases, no funding is provided at the state level for robust awareness activities. This has made it difficult to carry out risk communication and community engagement, which are critical in changing behavior in highly affected communities,” he said.

    He also raised concerns about substandard treatment centers, reports of patients absconding, and excessive fees charged by some facilities. In addition, he pointed to shortages of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), inadequate infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, and weak data reporting mechanisms at state and facility levels.

    To strengthen containment, the NCDC has deployed National Rapid Response Teams to eight states — Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, Plateau, Benue, and Jigawa — with plans to expand further. The agency has also distributed laboratory testing supplies, medical countermeasures, and PPEs across its national network.

    The Incident Management System (IMS) has been activated to coordinate the national response, alongside weekly National Lassa Fever Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) meetings.

    Dr. Idris urged state governments to intensify active case searches and contact tracing, scale up community risk communication, address treatment cost barriers, and enforce IPC practices across all health facilities. He emphasized the need for stronger coordination among state teams to avoid rivalry and ensure a unified response.

  • Ifunanya Nwangene, Nigerian Singer Who Died of Snakebite, Laid to Rest

    Ifunanya Nwangene, Nigerian Singer Who Died of Snakebite, Laid to Rest

    ENUGU, NIGERIA — The remains of rising Nigerian singer Ifunanya Nwangene were laid to rest in her hometown in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State. Her death on January 31, 2026, after a snakebite in her Abuja apartment, sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

    According to reports, Nwangene was rushed to hospitals, including the Federal Medical Centre, but was unable to access life-saving antivenom. Her tragic passing has reignited debate over Nigeria’s struggling healthcare system, long plagued by poor funding, corruption, and inadequate drug availability.

    Observers note that the incident underscores the impact of the ongoing “Japa” syndrome, where medical professionals leave Nigeria in search of better opportunities abroad, further straining the country’s health sector.

    In response, the Nigerian Senate leadership has directed hospitals nationwide to stock antivenoms to prevent similar tragedies. However, questions remain over how effectively such a directive can be enforced, given systemic challenges.

  • National Primary Health Care Development Agency Kicks Off Mpox Vaccination In Nigeria

    National Primary Health Care Development Agency Kicks Off Mpox Vaccination In Nigeria

    The symptoms of the disease include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The rash can be painful and may appear on various parts of the body. The virus spreads through close contact with an infected person, animal, or contaminated materials such as bedding or clothing. It can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy or birth.

    Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has announced the commencement of vaccination against the monkeypox, which officially kicked off on November 18, 2024.

    The national health agency, in a statement, stated that the campaign is geared toward “protecting communities and safeguarding health—one step at a time.”

    Monkeypox is a viral disease that has been affecting parts of Africa for decades. As of November 2024, over 53,000 cases of mpox have been reported across 19 African countries, with 1,109 deaths. The Democratic Republic of Congo has seen the largest increase in cases.

    The symptoms of the disease include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The rash can be painful and may appear on various parts of the body. The virus spreads through close contact with an infected person, animal, or contaminated materials such as bedding or clothing. It can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy or birth.

    While most people recover within a few weeks, some cases can be severe, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems.

    In response to the outbreak, the Africa CDC declared mpox a public health emergency of continental security in mid-August 2024, and efforts are ongoing to expand testing and ramp up local manufacturing of medical supplies.

    The disease remains a significant public health concern in Africa, and efforts to control its spread are ongoing.

  • Peter Mbah Flags Off 300-Bed Healthcare Facility Project To Reverse Brain Drain

    Peter Mbah Flags Off 300-Bed Healthcare Facility Project To Reverse Brain Drain

    Another multiplier effect of the project is the reversing of brain drain in the country. The governor noted that the state is “actively engaging our sons and daughters in the diaspora, inviting them to bring their expertise back to Enugu. We’re giving them our word that Enugu is open and ready for business. We have derisked investment, offering incentives to make sure their returns are guaranteed.”

    ENUGU, NIGERIA (New Post Africa)—The Governor of Enugu State, Nigeria’s southeast, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has flagged off the construction of the ultramodern Enugu International Hospital in the state capital, Enugu. The mammoth project, a 300-bed healthcare facility, is touted to become the leading destination for medical tourism in the region.

    Speaking about the project, Mbah said: “It is a commitment to bring to an end, the need of seeking medical care overseas by our people. The facility will also serve as a training and research centre for students from our state’s major tertiary institutions, building a future of skilled healthcare professionals.”

    Another multiplier effect of the project is the reversing of brain drain in the country. The governor noted that the state is “actively engaging our sons and daughters in the diaspora, inviting them to bring their expertise back to Enugu. We’re giving them our word that Enugu is open and ready for business. We have derisked investment, offering incentives to make sure their returns are guaranteed.”

    Mbah, who during the 2023 elections campaigned on the theme ‘Tomorrow is here!’ has initiated several similar projects across the state. His well-articulated policies on road construction, industrialisation, security and job creation have entrenched his government in the hearts of the citizens of the state and received praises at the national level.