The Nation Newspaper

Category: Health

  • The hidden dangersof high cholesterol -what you should know

    The hidden dangersof high cholesterol -what you should know

    A man hurries through the morning rush, a woman bargains with practiced skill, a father laughs with friends over drinks. None feels sick. None of them has any reason to suspect that, deep inside, a quiet process may already be at work — a gradual tightening of the blood vessels that keep the heart beating and the brain alive. This is the cruel genius of high cholesterol. It announces nothing. It sends no warning. It simply advances, patiently, until the moment it strikes.

    High cholesterol is among the most misunderstood health threats of our time, particularly in Nigeria where illness is often expected to come with visible suffering. Many people assume that if they are not overweight, not constantly tired, not gasping for breath, then all must be well. But cholesterol does not operate on appearances. It works invisibly, within the bloodstream, laying down layers of damage while life goes on as usual. You can be slim, active, and outwardly healthy, yet carry levels of blood fat that put you on a collision course with a heart attack or stroke.

    Ironically, cholesterol itself is not the villain it is often made out to be. It is a vital substance, essential for life. Every cell in the body needs cholesterol to maintain its structure. Hormones that regulate growth, stress, and reproduction depend on it. Even digestion relies on cholesterol-derived compounds. The liver produces most of what the body needs, while the rest comes from food. Problems arise only when the balance is lost — when certain types of cholesterol circulate in excess and begin to settle where they do not belong.

    Doctors often describe cholesterol in simple terms: “good” and “bad.” The labels may sound casual, but the difference is profound. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is the so-called bad cholesterol. Its job is to transport cholesterol through the bloodstream, but when there is too much of it, LDL begins to deposit cholesterol along the inner walls of arteries. Over time, these deposits harden into plaques, narrowing the vessels and making it harder for blood to flow freely. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, plays the opposite role. It scavenges excess cholesterol and carries it back to the liver for disposal, helping to keep arteries clear. Then there are triglycerides, another form of blood fat, which tend to rise with high intake of sugar, alcohol, and refined carbohydrates. Elevated triglycerides further increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

    To understand the danger, imagine your arteries as water pipes in a house. When they are new and clean, water flows easily. But if grease and dirt are allowed to accumulate year after year, the pipes narrow. Pressure builds. One day, a blockage occurs. In the body, that blockage may appear as a sudden chest pain on a busy morning, or a stroke that steals speech and movement in an instant. What makes high cholesterol particularly frightening is that this process can unfold over decades without causing a single symptom.

    One of the most persistent myths is that cholesterol is only a problem for people who are visibly overweight. Yet stories abound of individuals described as “fit” or “slim” who collapse without warning. Genetics plays a powerful role in cholesterol levels. Some people inherit conditions that cause dangerously high cholesterol from a young age, regardless of diet or body size. Without routine testing, they may live for years unaware of the risk they carry, until the first sign appears as a medical emergency.

    Lifestyle, however, still matters — and often more than we care to admit. Cholesterol risk is not confined to plates piled high with fried meat. It hides in everyday habits that feel harmless because they are familiar. Large portions of white rice eaten day after day. Frequent pastries grabbed on the way to work. Sugary drinks that accompany meals and social gatherings. Fast foods heavy in refined oils and salt. Even the humble routine of bread and tea every morning becomes problematic when fruits, vegetables, and fibre-rich foods are consistently absent. Over time, these patterns shape the chemistry of the blood.

    Then there is inactivity, the silent partner of modern life. Hours spent sitting in traffic, at desks, or in front of screens take their toll. Physical movement is one of the body’s natural defences against cholesterol imbalance. Regular activity raises HDL, the protective cholesterol, and helps blood vessels remain flexible and resilient. Exercise does not require a gym membership or expensive equipment. Brisk walking, climbing stairs, dancing at home, or engaging in active chores — done consistently — can significantly reduce risk.

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    Age also shifts the balance. As the years pass, the effects of long-standing habits accumulate. Men often face cholesterol-related risk earlier in life, while women’s risk rises sharply after menopause, when protective hormonal effects decline. When high cholesterol combines with conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes — both common and often poorly controlled — the strain on blood vessels intensifies, accelerating damage.

    Perhaps the most unsettling aspect of high cholesterol is how difficult it is to detect without testing. You cannot sense it. You cannot judge it by energy levels or physical strength. The only reliable way to know is through a blood test known as a lipid profile, which measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. Many people are stunned when results reveal dangerous levels, precisely because they felt fine. That shock is often the first real encounter with the reality of this silent threat.

    The good news is that high cholesterol is not a life sentence. It is manageable, and often reversible, especially when caught early. Small, sustained changes can yield meaningful improvements. Diets rich in vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains increase fibre, which helps lower LDL. Choosing grilled, boiled, or steamed foods more often than fried ones reduces harmful fat intake. Cutting back on sugary drinks, moderating alcohol, and paying attention to portion sizes all make a difference. Foods such as fish, nuts, seeds, and plant oils provide healthier fats that support heart health rather than undermine it.

    Regular physical activity strengthens the heart and improves cholesterol balance. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week can raise HDL and lower overall risk. For those carrying excess weight, losing even a small amount can significantly improve cholesterol levels. In some cases, particularly where genetics play a role, lifestyle changes may not be enough. This is where medication becomes essential. Drugs such as statins reduce cholesterol production in the liver and help clear LDL from the bloodstream. They are among the most studied medications in the world and have been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Taking them is not a failure of willpower; it is an act of prevention.

    The true danger of high cholesterol lies not only in what it does, but in how quietly it does it. It allows life to feel normal right up until it no longer is. A simple blood test, done routinely, can expose a hidden risk while there is still time to act. So take a moment and ask yourself a difficult question: when last did you check your cholesterol level? Not your blood pressure. Not how energetic you feel. An actual cholesterol test. That single decision could mark the line between prevention and emergency, between control and crisis. High cholesterol may be silent, but you do not have to be. Awareness, testing, and timely action can keep your arteries open — and your future firmly in your own hands.

  • Closing the gap to improve cancer survival in Nigeria

    Closing the gap to improve cancer survival in Nigeria

    Nigeria’s rising cancer burden has once again come under sharp focus, as the National Cancer Intervention Fund (NCIF) called for sustainable and transparent financing mechanisms to curb preventable cancer deaths across the country. The appeal, made to mark World Cancer Day 2026, underscores a growing consensus among health experts that cancer in Nigeria is as much a financing and access crisis as it is a medical one.

    Speaking in Abuja, Chairman of the NCIF Governing Council, Dr Gafar Alawode, said Nigeria could significantly reduce cancer-related deaths if funding for prevention, early detection and treatment was prioritised and equitably deployed. His call aligns with the 2026 World Cancer Day theme, “United by Unique,” which highlights the reality that while cancer affects individuals differently, everyone deserves timely access to quality care. “Cancer may be a unique journey for every patient, but access to prevention, early detection and treatment must not depend on income, geography or social status,” Alawode said. “No Nigerian should be denied lifesaving cancer care because they cannot afford it.”

    The scale of the challenge is stark. According to the GLOBOCAN 2022 report, Nigeria records about 127,763 new cancer cases every year, with an estimated 79,542 cancer-related deaths annually. GLOBOCAN, managed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), provides one of the most comprehensive pictures of the global cancer burden, drawing from population-based cancer registries across 185 countries.

    In Nigeria, breast, prostate and cervical cancers remain the most commonly diagnosed, with women accounting for a higher proportion of cases overall. Yet beyond the numbers lies a more troubling reality: too many patients arrive at hospitals when it is already too late. Alawode noted that late presentation remains one of the strongest drivers of Nigeria’s high cancer mortality rate. Studies indicate that between 70 and 75 per cent of cancer patients in the country present at advanced stages—Stages III and IV—when treatment options are limited, more expensive, and outcomes are often poor. “Many of these deaths are preventable,” he said. “Early detection saves lives, but only if people can access screening services and afford treatment when cancer is found.”

    For many Nigerian families, cost is the biggest barrier. Cancer care often requires repeated diagnostic tests, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or long-term medication—expenses that are largely paid out-of-pocket. In a country where health insurance coverage remains limited, a cancer diagnosis can quickly become a financial catastrophe, forcing families to sell property, exhaust savings or abandon treatment altogether. Health experts warn that this financial strain does not only affect patients; it weakens the entire health system. When people delay care because of cost, cancers progress, treatment becomes more complex, and survival rates fall. The result is a cycle of late presentation, high mortality and rising social and economic losses.

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    It is this cycle that the NCIF hopes to break. Alawode said the Fund is committed to strengthening cancer prevention and control by expanding access to affordable services across the cancer care continuum—from prevention and screening to diagnosis and treatment. “Sustainable financing is not optional; it is essential,” he stressed. “Without it, screening programmes cannot scale, diagnostic centres cannot function optimally, and treatment remains out of reach for the people who need it most.”

    Alawode called on all stakeholders—federal and state governments, healthcare providers, development partners, community leaders and individuals—to play their part in addressing the growing cancer burden. “A coordinated and inclusive response is the only way forward,” he said. “When government policy, health systems, community awareness and individual action align, we can translate personal cancer stories into collective progress.”

    Public health advocates argue that such coordination must include stronger screening programmes for common cancers, better public awareness to dispel myths and fear, improved referral systems, and financing models that protect families from catastrophic health spending.

  • New year resolutions: Nourishing your chakras (4)

    New year resolutions: Nourishing your chakras (4)

    Are you a “ higher animal”, as the disciples of CHARLES DARWIN say, or a human being, Self conscious, not just concious of existence, and LIVING? This is a serious existential question many of us are unable to crack even till ripe, old age, and take away, wherever we go after earth- life, like a rottening fruit with an immature kernel. Yet, we have a task to answer the question, using abilities with which we are endowed for this purpose from about the age of 15 to 21, according to the syllabi of the SCHOOL THAT EARTH LIFE earth life is all about. It is the MANDATE of the THIRD CHAKRA for which the first three parts of this series have been like rungs of a step ladder. ( If you missed them, you may wish to see them at THE NATION ON-LINE or at JOHN OLUFEMI KUSA on facebook).

    The THIRD CHAKRA stage or class in the Earth SCHOOL OF LIFE agrees that we are “ not higher animals”, but the kernels of subconscious spiritual creatures implanted inside their respective physical earth bodies. The physical earth body was derived from the highest developed animal, when the subconscious spirit kernel, as man, descended from its home into the material world. This was where, confused, Charles Darwin and his disciples got stuck in their descriptions of a great epocal event, the coming into being of man on earth, which I cannot discuss today. Suffice it to say, however, that these subconcious kernels or spirit seed Germs are visiting the earth, lodged in physical vessels with HUMAN forms. The kernels, as HUMAN spiritual seeds, are on earth to gather experiences which would make them come ALIVE and fully self conscious, the only condition for developing into HUMAN FORMS and becoming HUMAN BEINGS! That is suggesting that not all of us existing in physical HUMAN forms are as yet HUMAN BEINGS. The journey to become a human being may not be as arduous as we may imagine, if we strive to understand THE THIRD CHAKRA in a 2026 New Year Resolution.

    The Third Chakra

    This is the “energy plant” which maintains all organs of the physical body above the belly button or the navel and are below the rib cage. They include the small intestine, the liver, gall bladder, adrenals, spleen, stomach and the pancreas, along with the NERVE JUNCTION called THE SOLAR PLEXUS, a very important zone of the physical body. The big intestine and the kidneys do not belong here, but to the FIRST CHAKRA, being organs of elimination. I described the solar plexus as a very important zone of the physical body because it is at this point that the spiritual body of man which some persons call the “soul” and other persons say is a “ghost”, that is the earth visitor, man, Spirit, is connected to his or her earth body.

    This connection is best imagined, in my view, if we imagine a baby in the womb of the mother and the UMBILICAL CORD which connects them. What connects body and soul is an ethereal SILVER CORD. Ethereal matter is a totally different species of matter from gross material matter to which belong everything that scientific instruments, eyes, ears etc can detect. The silver cord is elastic when it is healthy and is well maintained by the spiritual essence living within the earth, casing vessel or mud body.

    Knowledge of The THIRD CHAKRA enables us to understand that the spirit makes the physical body through the laws of nature and that this body is an anchorage for it on earth. It is like the anchor of a ship which holds it down and stable on water so that the waves do not toss it aimlessly Hither and tither. Without the earth body, the spirit would not be able to consciously experience Life on earth.

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    This is why the silver cord is very important to the survival of everyone and to organs in the third CHAKRA zone. When the body and spirit seperate in what we call death, the silver cord becomes inelastic, taut and, ultimately, is severed at both ends. Evidence of this is in the effort it takes in Traditional Medicine (TM) or magnetic or faith healing to recall a departing soul into the discarded body. In the Biblical Lazarus story, the Lord Jesus spent more time and energy to bring him back to life, because he had been physically dead for four days, than He needed for the daughter of the centurion’s servant who had passed only a few hours.

    The silver cord is important for human existence on earth in several ways. It offers us human dwellers in the earth body a two way communication link with the body and from our bodies to us. This is one of the lessons we are to learn in THE THIRD CHAKRA of the EARTH SCHOOL OF LIFE, which is to make our third CHAKRA organs healthy when we positively apply these lessons. For it is the pathway through which the soul or spirit imputes instructions to the body through the back and front brains and, from them, to it in reverse order, from the body to the spirit. This enables the spirit to know what is going on on earth to enable this human or spiritual tenant of this mud body take intelligent decisions and give instructions to the body via the brains. Persons who are successful in whatever they do, whether in private life or in the professions, are persons whose routine activities follow this route, consciously or otherwise. If you watch them well, they hardly suffer from diseases in their third chakra organs! They easily move in and out of their bodies, developing personal power in engagements with the Universe, generating warmth and not cold or congestion in this region. I will leave it at that today.

    In other words, THIRD CHAKRA education enables us humans to posses and control our bodies and to use them aright as prescribed in the design of creation in which we are guests. Thus, whoever does not posses and control his or her body creates a vaccum which may be exploited by other persons in or outside the flesh, as we observe in some cases of not only depression or possesion but, also, of unclarified or wrong decisions and actions. This explains the meaning of the statement that some persons “see” but do not “perceive” or “hear”, but do not “understand”.

    Why do THIRD CHAKRA Education and experience come not earlier Than the 15-21 years age bracket?

    Generative Power

    In the body, the soul lies protected from the outside World until the host vessel has matured enough to serve it as shield and sword for engagements in the inevitable WARFARE IN NATURE awaiting it outside the protection of its bodily “castle”. In this State, the soul or spirit does not interfere in events on the outside and is, also, not affected by them. The body, meanwhile, continues to grow and to build its paraphernalia which include, but are not limited to, the back or small brain (the cerebellum) and the big or front brain (the cerebrum). The soul or spirit is roaring for action, and waiting for the body to be set as well. What makes the body ready is when it has become mature enough to be able to start producing GENERATIVE POWER. This is the highest energy potential the body is capable of producing from it been glowed through and given some life by radiation of the energy of the soul or spirit and from its own resource through the diet and natural strivings. The first evidence of the onset of GENERATIVE POWER is the onset of PUBERTY, the resource of which is depleted or strangled through diversions to unworthy ends such as excessive indulgence in sexual activities, (sleeplessness, night clubbing, night walk, for example) and drinking urges.

    What happens next?

    The soul or spirit sallies out of its defensive rampart or cocoon. If it is to survive, it must find its way through the bushes, thickets and forests of the warfare in Nature, as it were, to whence it came. This battle is to educate him about what it is, whence it came and wither it goes after here in obedience to THE LAW OF GRAVITY and, ultimately, the Law of the cycle. The former makes everything sink or soar to regions corresponding to its density or lightness. The latter, ultimately, makes everything return to its starting point. Do the rotating and revolving earth, like the blood circulation, evaporation and rainfall, the seasons and daylight and nightfall not obey this Law? Overcoming obstacles and frictions of THE WARFARE IN NATURE helps the soul or spirit to develop and to grow, while succumbing to them would have opposite effects.

    Thus, if we are sick in body and soul today, if we experience poverty in our finances, if our marriages are not working, if we are learned but we cannot eke out a decent living or any at all, if we seek a companion of the opposite gender but cannot readily find a suitable one among the millions around, if we are sorrowful whereas there is joy all around us, it is possible we do not have PERSONAL POWER, an endowment of the right application of THIRD CHAKRA practices…or our THIRD CHAKRA energy vortex has been blocked, and we are not really LIVING!

    Personal Power

     In their book, THE CREATION OF HEALTH ISBN (0-913299-94-4), an effort to introduce Euro-Americans to chakra energy medicine, surgeon Norman Shealy and Carolyn Myss said with certainty that the human spirit existed within the physical human body. I discovered this 1988 book about 10 years later and was privileged to review it for THE COMET NEWSPAPER, now defunct. Dr Abayomi Aiyesimoju, a neurologist and chartered homeopath known by his colleagues and patients to exhibit keen interest in Spiritual matters, reviewed the book as well. Dr Shealy and Myss admonish each of us to “BECOME AN ELEGANT SPIRIT”. What this means to me is that we, not our bodies which are our instruments, become robust, conscious and thorough in our world, LIVING, not just existing…through acquisition of PERSONAL POWER. They did not fight shy of saying erudition of the intellect, highest perceptive capacity of the brain and physical body, is not POWER.

    They lead us back to EDGAR CAYCEE, the intuitive healer who conducted his diagnostic sessions in trances, and made correct, personalised prescriptions.

    We should ask ourselves: what went into those trances, Edgar Caycee or his body? Dr Shealy and Myss remind us of the warning of Edgar Cayce that what they always say are the causes of disease are their Secondary causes.

    According to Dr Shealy and Carolyn Myss:

    “ Edgar Cayce suggested in the Edgar Cayce encyclopedia of Healing by Reba and Karp that causes of disease included poor assimilation, poor elimination, inadequate diet, improper acid alkaline balance, spinal sublixation and other spinal abnormalities , imbalance, incoordination of the circulatory system, glandular malfunction, stress, overtaxation and over exertion, karma, attitude and infection. Certainly, a number of these were not considered primarily psychological, psychosomatic or attitudinal.

    “Cayce considered each individual “ entity” as being consisting of body, mind and spirit or soul. In many metaphysical discussions, he used spirit and soul interchangeably, and he frequently called the body “the temple of the Living God”. He held that the body and mind come into being for the purpose of manifesting the soul in the realm of materiality. According to Cayce’s concepts, until the complete entity achieves full attunement with God, the principle of karma operates. Cayce firmly believed the Biblical statement that “for whatever a man soweth, that shall he reap”

    “Edgar Cayce gave extensive readings on the effects of attitudes and emotions and stated, for instance, that anger creates headaches or indigestion, depression results in weariness, emotional turbulence triggers asthmatic conditions and so on. He said “no one can hate his neighbour and not have stomach or liver trouble” and “one cannot be jealous and allow anger of same and not have upset stomach or heart disorder”. He emphasized that anger, resentment, hate, self-condemnation, animosity and related attitudinal problems release poisons from the glandular system, deplete body energies, block elimination and generally predispose people to disease. Frequently describing emotions as “ electronics” that act as vibratory communication among body, mind and soul, Cayce stated that “any illness involves all three aspects of an entity in a meeting of self”.

    “Even a cold requires mental and emotional change and spiritual lessons to be learned, according to Cayce, a cold could come from becoming angry or “chewing someone out”. He often emphasized the interrelationship of various stress factors in creating illness. For instance, in the common cold, he mentioned that a poor diet in combination with over exertion leads to fatigue; that negative attitudes and emotions further deplete total energy; that acid- alkaline balance becomes disturbed; and that the body becomes over-acid and a cold results. Similarly, more serious complications such as pneumonia could result if the General weakening is Bad enough”.

    Dr Shealy and Myss lead us from here to the heights in Edgar Caycee’s thoughts from where, I believe like birds of a feather, they invite us to become “ELEGANT SPIRITS”. According to a review of their conception of THE ELEGANT SPIRIT:

    “ According to them, becoming an Elegant Spirit involves understanding our planetary situation, choosing survival, and looking to the future. It’s about embracing a higher level of consciousness and spiritual awareness, which can lead to holistic healing and personal growth.

    In essence, the Elegant Spirit represents a state of being where individuals transcend their limitations, cultivate self-awareness, and align with their spiritual purpose. This concept is closely tied to the authors’ broader themes of energy medicine, emotional healing, and the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit”.

    This touches upon the purpose of existence and the task of the HUMAN spirit on earth which we should begin to master from age 16 to 22 to be firmly in control of our health in several ramifications. I had a first out of body experience (OBE) at 24!

     Thinkers or intuitive

    This is the principal “syllabus” in the THIRD CHAKRA class. We think too much. We believe the products of THINKING Will solve all problems. If we misplace a house key, we THINK all day and all night, believing doing so would help us to find it. This week, I upturned almost everything in my wardrobe while searching for an old pocket purse in which I kept some of my photographs. I gave up only when I remembered I should not have done so. Next day, something else took me elsewhere where I discovered I had kept the purse. We THINK out solutions to problems only because we do not realise there is life beyond the brain, the sharpest instrument of which is the INTELLECT. The biblical king Pharoah couldn’t think out how seven lean cows could eat up seven fat cows and still remain lean. Slave Boy Joseph cracked the nut. The spirit of Pharoah was asleep and allowed the INTELLECT of his tool to mount the throne as king and ruler over him. In supposedly poor Joseph, the spirit was alive!

    This year, we should all awaken in spirit, like the Five Wise Virgins or the servants who did not bury their talents. It is not as difficult to do as we may imagine. The starting point is to realise that we are not Higher animals as Charles Darwin and his disciples misled us to assume, but HUMAN SPIRITS who Dr Norman Shealy and Carolyn Myss invite us to become.

    They work together to show us we are greater than we imagine. Dr Shealy sends his patients to laboratories for investigation of their health. Carolyn Myss looks at their photographs several hundred kilometers away and tells him what is wrong with them, based on the energy profiles of their chakras. In more than 98 percent of the cases, she is correct. She is an INTUITIVE!

    An INTUITIVE does not think out solutions to problems. An INTUITIVE RECIEVES SOLUTION to them. As a HUMAN spirit, he or she sends out a call for help into creation. Helpers and GUIDES who are appointed to support each wanderer spirit on earth, in a long chain right from here on earth right up to the highest peaks in the Spirit World, mediate the answers of the help we need. All we need do is believe they are there and to always connect with them in Spirit. Does it now not make sense that whoever would worship God must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth?

    • MAIL: johnolufemikusa@gmail.com  Whats pp: 08116759749/08034004247

  • IFC, NSIA boost cancer care with $154m lifeline

    IFC, NSIA boost cancer care with $154m lifeline

    The International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority have agreed to invest about $154.1 million to expand cancer treatment and modern diagnostic services for communities across Nigeria that currently lack access to quality healthcare.

    The project, which will be carried out through NSIA’s healthcare subsidiary, NSIA Advanced Medical Services Limited (MedServe), includes a major contribution from the IFC of about ₦14.2 billion, or $24.5 million, in long-term naira financing. 

    This marks the first time the IFC is supporting a healthcare project in Nigeria using this kind of local currency funding, which helps reduce the risk that comes from changes in foreign exchange rates.

    According to details of the partnership, the investment will lead to the establishment of more than a dozen modern diagnostic and treatment centres in different parts of the country. 

    These centres are expected to create about 800 direct jobs and provide specialised training for over 500 healthcare workers in areas such as cancer care and heart treatment.

    The goal of the project is to improve access to reliable and affordable diagnostic and oncology services, especially for people in low-income and underserved communities who often struggle to get timely medical attention.

    Under the arrangement, the IFC will provide naira-based financing to MedServe, with support from the International Development Association’s Private Sector Window Local Currency Facility. This structure allows the healthcare company to expand its facilities while avoiding the heavy burden that can come from borrowing in foreign currencies.

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    The expansion plan includes setting up diagnostic centres, radiotherapy-equipped cancer treatment facilities, and cardiac catheterisation laboratories in several states. 

    These centres will be fitted with modern medical equipment such as CT and MRI scanners, digital pathology laboratories, linear accelerators for cancer treatment, and advanced heart care machines.

    MedServe said its services are designed to be sustainable and affordable, with pricing that reflects the income levels of local communities, making it easier for low-income patients to access life-saving care.

    Speaking on the partnership, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, described the initiative as a major step towards building a stronger healthcare system in the country.

    “This partnership with IFC represents a significant milestone in NSIA’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem through sustainable, locally anchored investment solutions,” Umar-Sadiq said.

    “By deploying long-tenor naira financing, we are addressing critical infrastructure gaps while reducing foreign exchange risk and ensuring that quality diagnostic and cancer care services are accessible to underserved communities. MedServe’s expansion underscores our belief that commercially viable healthcare investments can deliver strong development impact while supporting national health priorities,” he added.

    The IFC Vice President for Africa, Ethiopis Tafara, said Nigeria’s growing challenge with non-communicable diseases presents an opportunity to bring in private sector funding in a way that also promotes fairness in access to healthcare.

    “Nigeria’s focus on addressing the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases presents a significant opportunity to deploy innovative financing mechanisms capable of mobilizing private capital at scale, while ensuring equitable access to quality care,” Tafara said.

    “This ambition is consistent with our broader vision for Africa, one where resilient health systems and inclusive growth reinforce each other to deliver long-term impact across the continent,” he added.

    The IFC said the investment supports Nigeria’s drive for Universal Health Coverage and fits into the World Bank Group’s Country Partnership Framework, as well as national programmes aimed at strengthening the healthcare value chain and attracting private investment into the health sector.

    Beyond funding, the IFC will also provide advisory support to help MedServe improve its operations. This includes guidance on patient safety, measuring how well low-income groups are being served, and meeting international green building standards.

    Construction of the new facilities is expected to continue through 2026, with the first centres projected to open in the second half of the year, bringing modern diagnostic and cancer care closer to communities that have long been underserved.

  • FULL LIST: How to keep snakes away from your home

    FULL LIST: How to keep snakes away from your home

    An Abuja-based music talent, Ifunanya Nwangene, died on Saturday after sustaining a snakebite, prompting renewed concerns over snake safety, especially in residential areas.

    Nwangene, a soprano singer with the Amemuso Choir, died on Saturday at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja.

    The choir confirmed her death in a statement by its Music Director, Sam Ezugwu.

    “We regret to announce the sudden demise of our beloved soprano, Ifunanya Nwangene, who passed away yesterday, January 31, 2026, at the Federal Medical Centre following a snakebite,” the statement read in part.

    Describing her death as a major loss to Abuja’s growing music community, the choir said Nwangene was a rising star who was close to gaining wider recognition for her talent.

    “Ifunanya was on the cusp of sharing her incredible gift with the world. Her voice and spirit will be deeply missed,” the statement added.

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    The choir said details of her burial arrangements would be announced later.

    Health experts warn that snakes often bite when startled or threatened, both during the day and at night. Their venom can be fatal if victims do not receive immediate medical attention.

    Snakebite remains a major public health challenge in rural and semi-urban communities across Nigeria and other tropical regions.

    Health authorities estimate that about 2,000 people die from snakebites annually in Nigeria, with many more suffering long-term complications.

    In light of this, experts advise residents to take preventive measures to reduce the presence of snakes around their homes.

    Here are ways to keep snakes away from your home:

    1. Clear bushes and cut grass short around your home. Snakes avoid open, exposed areas where they can be easily seen.

    2 Inspect your house regularly, especially gaps under doors. Seal cracks in walls, foundations, and floors.

    3.  Move wood piles away from the house, as they provide ideal hiding spots for snakes.

    4.. Avoid leaving doors and windows open for long periods, especially in the evening, as some snakes can climb quietly and unnoticed.

    5. Check shaded areas before resting outdoors, as snakes are attracted to cool, shaded environments.

    6. Inspect your bed and surroundings before sleeping, including under sheets and mattresses.

    7. Avoid sitting or sleeping outside on mats or mattresses in the evening, when snakes are more active.

    8. Use approved snake repellents where necessary.

  • Nine things to do with snake bite

    Nine things to do with snake bite

    The death of Abuja-based music talent Ifunanya Nwangene following a snakebite has renewed public concerns over snakebite emergencies and the urgent steps required to save lives when such incidents occur.

    Nwangene, a soprano singer with the Amemuso Choir, died on Saturday at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, after sustaining the bite.

    Her death was confirmed in a statement by the choir’s Music Director, Sam Ezugwu.

    “We regret to announce the sudden demise of our beloved soprano, Ifunanya Nwangene, who passed away on January 31, 2026, at the Federal Medical Centre following a snakebite,” the statement reads.

    The choir described her as a rising star in Abuja’s music scene, noting that she was close to gaining wider recognition for her talent. Burial arrangements, the group said, would be announced later.

    Health experts say snakebites often occur when snakes are startled or threatened and can happen both during the day and at night. Without prompt medical attention, snake venom can be fatal.

    Read Also: Five countries where snakes don’t exist

    Here are things to do if bitten by a snake:

    1. Give pain relief medication to help manage severe local pain and calm the victim.

    2. Gently wipe the bite site but do not cut or incise it, as this can worsen bleeding.

    3. Remove tight items such as rings, bracelets, shoes, or clothing around the bitten area.

    4. Avoid traditional remedies, herbal treatments, or unverified first aid methods.

    5. Take the victim to a health facility immediately for proper medical care.

    6. If vomiting occurs, place the person on their left side in the recovery position.

    7. Monitor breathing and airway closely, and be prepared to assist if necessary.

    8. If the snake has been killed, take it along to the hospital for identification to guide treatment.

    9. Keep movement to a minimum, especially of the bitten limb, to slow the spread of venom.

    10. Get a snake antivenom at the hospital.

  • Ibadan community gets free medicare

    Ibadan community gets free medicare

    Residents of Ireakari Estate, Ibadan have benefited from free medical services offered by the Lagos New Emerald Lions Club.

    The club said it was part of its Annual Health Mission 6.0 to the community.

    The outreach, organised under Lions International District 404B2 Nigeria, drew men, women and elderly residents who arrived early to access basic medical care that many said was often beyond their reach due to cost and distance.

    President, Lagos New Emerald Lions Club, Olaide Kadiri, said the outreach formed part of a broader effort to deliver healthcare services to communities across several states during the service year. She added that the mission remained central to the club’s commitment to service, compassion and community development.

    Health professionals and volunteers carried out malaria and typhoid tests, blood pressure checks for hypertension, blood sugar screening for diabetes, eye examinations and general body assessments. Beneficiaries received essential medications on the spot, while those with more serious conditions were counselled and referred for further medical attention.

    Residents described the intervention as timely, noting that many people rarely went for routine health checks until illnesses became severe. Some said the screenings helped them detect health challenges early and take steps toward proper treatment.

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    Mrs Aishat, who spoke in Yoruba, expressed joy over the outreach and thanked the Lions Club for bringing relief to her community, saying the exercise showed concern for ordinary people who struggled to afford hospital care.

    Mr Seun Aina said the initiative reflected true humanitarian service, noting that both young and old residents were examined and treated, with referrals given where necessary. He commended the Lagos New Emerald Lions Club for the gesture and said the experience had inspired him to consider joining the organisation.

    Community representatives also praised the initiative, saying it reduced the financial burden of healthcare on households and increased awareness about the importance of preventive health practices within the estate.

  • Stakeholders fault NAFDAC’s sachet alcohol ban

    Stakeholders fault NAFDAC’s sachet alcohol ban

    Stakeholders across Nigeria’s food, beverage, distribution and informal retail sectors have expressed concern over the enforcement of a ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and containers below 200 millilitres by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

    The concerns were outlined in a statement signed by the National President of the union, Jimoh Oyibo, following a recent press release by the Director-General of NAFDAC on the policy.

    While acknowledging the shared objective of protecting children, adolescents and vulnerable groups from the harmful use of alcohol, the stakeholders described the enforcement approach as disproportionate, economically disruptive and inconsistent with broader public health realities.

    They noted that public health challenges require balanced, evidence-based and enforceable solutions, rather than blanket prohibitions that fail to address underlying causes.

    According to the statement, underage alcohol consumption is primarily linked to weak enforcement of age restrictions, limited parental supervision and insufficient public education, rather than packaging size.

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    The stakeholders argued that global public health evidence shows that behavioural regulation, education-driven interventions and strict age-verification enforcement are more effective than outright product bans.

    The union also challenged NAFDAC’s claim that no alcohol-producing companies were shut down as a result of the policy.

    It cited reported and documented instances of manufacturers’ depots being sealed during enforcement operations in areas such as Enugu and Abakaliki. Some of these depots, the stakeholders said, have remained inaccessible since January 20, 2026, despite housing products not covered by the ban.

    According to the union, repeated representations made by affected businesses have not resulted in restored access, leading to disruptions in distribution and threatening workers’ livelihoods. The group said it has compiled records of the enforcement actions for engagement with relevant authorities.

    The stakeholders warned that the ban could have severe economic and social consequences, particularly for indigenous distillers, blenders and distributors.

    For many local operators, sachet and sub-200ml packaging forms the core of their business model, designed to serve low-income consumers, informal retail outlets and rural markets where affordability determines demand.

    They explained that production lines are dedicated to sachet and small-format packaging, while distribution networks are optimised for high-volume, low-unit sales. Transitioning to larger pack sizes, they said, would be financially unattainable for many small and medium-scale operators, resulting in what they described as an economic shutdown, even if factories are not formally closed.

    The stakeholders also warned that the policy could tilt the market in favour of larger multinational companies capable of absorbing retooling costs, while smaller indigenous producers are forced out, raising concerns about unfair competition and market concentration.

    In its official response, NAFDAC said the enforcement of the ban is driven by public health concerns, particularly the need to curb alcohol abuse among minors and vulnerable populations.

    The agency maintained that it did not shut down any alcohol-producing factories, clarifying that the policy targets only alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and containers below 200ml, which it described as easily accessible and prone to abuse.

    NAFDAC stated that manufacturers and distributors were given prior notice and adequate time to comply and added that enforcement actions were carried out in line with existing regulations. The agency also said it remains open to engagement with stakeholders but stressed that public health considerations must take precedence.

    Despite NAFDAC’s position, the union called on the National Assembly, Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, industry stakeholders and civil society organisations to engage in open and evidence-based dialogue to protect public health without destroying livelihoods.

    “Public health and economic survival are not mutually exclusive,” the statement concluded.

  • FG, partners intensify awareness campaign against neglected tropical diseases

    FG, partners intensify awareness campaign against neglected tropical diseases

    The federal government, in collaboration with development partners and civil society organisations, has intensified public awareness efforts on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), warning Nigerians against ignoring illnesses that often progress silently but cause long-term physical, social, and economic damage.

    The stakeholders called for increased funding, early case detection, consistent drug availability, and stronger grassroots engagement as Nigeria pushes toward eliminating neglected tropical diseases.

    Nigeria carries one of the heaviest global burdens of NTDs.

    The Head of Monitoring and Evaluation of the NTD Control Programme, Gambo Yakubu, disclosed that data from recent reports show that 583 of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas are endemic for lymphatic filariasis.

    Yakubu said the scale of other NTDs remains equally troubling, with onchocerciasis or river blindness present in about 480 LGAs, schistosomiasis in 583 LGAs, soil-transmitted helminths in 424 LGAs, and trachoma affecting 133 LGAs nationwide.

    “These diseases are called neglected because they don’t receive the attention they deserve, yet they are silently killing and disabling people, especially in tropical regions like Nigeria,” Yakubu said.

    He spoke in Abuja during a public awareness walk held on Friday to mark the 2026 World NTDs Day, which took participants from Wuse Market to Utako.

    The event drew health officials, development partners, civil society groups, persons affected by NTDs, and other stakeholders.

    Citing Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), commonly known as elephantiasis, as an example, Chinwe Okoye, National Programme Manager for Lymphatic Filariasis at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said the disease remains one of the most underestimated in Nigeria, despite its widespread impact.

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    She noted that about 119 million Nigerians are currently at risk of lymphatic filariasis, representing nearly half of the global burden and about a quarter of Africa’s cases.

    Stressing that the scale of exposure makes public knowledge and early prevention critical, Okoye said, “When people hear that NTDs are neglected, they assume they are not important. But because they are neglected does not mean they are harmless.

    “Lymphatic Filariasis can stay in your body for five to ten years, silently destroying the lymph cells, and the carrier won’t even know.”

    According to her, World NTDs Day, observed annually, is designed to mobilise governments, communities, and partners around the global theme ‘Unite, Act and Eliminate’, with a focus on ending diseases that perpetuate disability, stigma, and poverty.

    Okoye further explained that LF is transmitted through mosquito bites and thrives in environments with poor sanitation and high mosquito density, conditions common in many parts of the country.

    “The mosquito that bites you today can infect another person tomorrow. And we all know what mosquitoes are doing in Nigeria daily. That is why this disease must not be taken lightly,” she added.

    On the consequences of delayed LF treatment, Okoye said visible symptoms such as swollen limbs and enlarged scrotum often appear only at advanced stages, when damage has already been done.

    “Once the leg becomes that big, it cannot return to normal. That is why early prevention is critical. The shame, emotional trauma, and economic losses are enormous,” she said.

    Speaking on behalf of development partners, Ms. Sarah Pantuvo of The Carter Center said the 2026 theme emphasises collective responsibility.

    “Unite, Act, and Eliminate means decisive action, sustained funding, strong political will, and community ownership. Everyone has a role to play,” she said.

    She disclosed that The Carter Center currently works in 10 States and has supported the elimination of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis in Plateau and Nasarawa States, making them the first states in Nigeria to achieve that milestone.

    She emphasised that sustained, coordinated efforts and strong political will from both the government and development partners are essential to effectively combat neglected tropical diseases.

    Meanwhile, Peter Teweyuki, President of AIDA Nigeria, an association of persons affected by leprosy, called for improved access to NTD medications and timely treatment.

    “For the past two years, there have been challenges with the availability of leprosy drugs. When treatment is delayed, people develop disabilities, and that leads to stigma and discrimination,” he said.

  • Maternal health stakeholders advocate transition to multiple micronutrient supplementation

    Maternal health stakeholders advocate transition to multiple micronutrient supplementation

    The Projects Director of the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), Dr. Stanley Ukpai, has called on key healthcare stakeholders to show the political will needed to transition from Iron Folic Acid (IFA) to Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) for pregnant women in Nigeria.

    Ukpai made the call during a high-level panel discussion titled “Moving Research to Market: Scaling Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) for Maternal Health Impact in Nigeria,” organised by dRPC in partnership with Sight and Life in Abuja.

    He described the transition from IFA to MMS as a critical intervention in addressing the high prevalence of anemia among pregnant women, stressing that MMS provides a broader range of essential micronutrients required during pregnancy, thereby reducing maternal and infant mortality.

    “Women are still anemic in pregnancy, and MMS is critical to tackling these challenges. Nigeria still faces a substantial maternal nutrition burden, with millions of women experiencing anemia in pregnancy despite the availability of an effective solution,” Ukpai said.

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    He noted that global best practice supports a gradual transition from IFA to MMS, adding that many countries have already adopted the shift, while Nigeria has made notable progress in that direction.

    Also speaking at the event, President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), Professor Salisu Abubakar, said MMS enjoys high acceptability among pregnant women and projected that by 2029, about 70 per cent of expectant mothers could access MMS through antenatal care.

    Abubakar explained that while iron folic acid contains only two micronutrients, MMS offers broader nutritional benefits, with evidence showing improved outcomes for both anemia management and childbirth.