The Nation Newspaper

Category: Health

  • Abia to recruit 33 medical consultants, passes start-up bill to boost healthcare, digital economy

    Abia to recruit 33 medical consultants, passes start-up bill to boost healthcare, digital economy

    The Abia State government has announced plans to recruit thirty-three medical consultants into the state civil service to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.

    State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed in Umuahia that the appointments follow the successful completion of interviews conducted by the State Civil Service Commission as part of the ongoing recruitment exercise for health professionals. He noted that the recruitment portal remains open for Ophthalmologists, dental officers, medical officers, and both contract and full-time consultants.

    Prince Kanu also revealed that the proposed Abia Startup Bill, sponsored by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovations, has been passed by the State House of Assembly. He said the Bill aligns with Governor Alex Otti’s vision of establishing a thriving digital economy to stimulate innovation across multiple sectors.

    “The next step will be for the governor to grant his assent and sign the Bill into law. With the law in place, we will set up the Abia State Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Board and launch the Abia Startup Portal,” Kanu explained.

    He added that the state government’s strategic initiatives aim to create an enabling environment for start-ups, noting that the Abia Technology and Innovation Summit is scheduled to hold from December 10 to 12, 2025.

    READ ALSO: Tinubu unstoppable in 2027, says Orji Kalu

     “The main thrust of the summit will involve activities surrounding the start-up law and the hosting of a start-up innovation challenge. The summit will hold at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.

    “The challenge will be open and not restricted to graduates of the state’s first TechRise program. The challenge will use the new UNPD UNIPOD facility at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture during the challenge event”, he stated.

    The Commissioner also announced that the State Government will host the 44th National Council of Civil Service Commission Conference between November 30 and December 5, 2025.

    “This conference will have over 600 participants in attendance. The conference is another evidence of the growing focus on Abia state, following the massive transformation recorded so far in all aspects of governance in the state in the past 29 months of the Dr. Alex Otti-led administration”, he stated.

    The Commissioner informed that the Governor has granted approval for the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) to oversee the construction and deployment of 100 additional bucket bins across the state.

    He said, “The construction of the bin buckets is being undertaken by Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba.

    “With the deployment of these additional bin buckets, it is hoped that the laudable waste disposal and sanitation activities of ASEPA will take the state to an even higher level of cleanliness”.

    He informed that the State Ministry of Works has embarked on Direct Labour projects in 48 locations across the state, adding that five of such Direct Labour projects were completed recently, while five new projects were added to the maintenance bucket of the ministry.

    The Information boss used the opportunity to give clarification on the information regarding the increase in the monthly allowance of National Youth Corps members serving in the state and declared that the allowance for Youth Corps members has been increased to N50,000.

    “We observed that there have been some conflicting reports about the governor’s kind gesture towards the Youth Corps members serving in the state.

    “The allowance paid to corps members serving in the state establishments had remained stagnant for 27 years.

    “With the kind gesture by the governor, both corps members serving in the state establishments and others in the private sector will now earn N20,000 across board. Simply put, the increase is from N4,000 to N20,000.

    “The corps members serving in the state-owned establishments will earn an additional N10,000, bringing the total allowance for such corps to N30,000. The corps members in the private sector establishments will also be entitled to whatever extra allowance their employers pay them.

    “Corps members who serve as medical personnel in the state-owned health centre institutions and those who teach in the state educational system will earn an extra sum of N30,000, bringing the total monthly allowance for such categories of corps to N50,000”, Prince Kanu explained.

  • UICC president-elect Shinkafi-Bagudu urges stronger collaboration to tackle cancer in Nigeria

    …as 60 cancer patients benefit from Medicaid Foundation’s ₦100m fund

    Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, President-elect of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), has called for increased collaboration between government, the private sector, and civil society to strengthen Nigeria’s health system and ensure sustainable cancer care.

    Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday during the launch of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation Circle and the disbursement of ₦100 million to 60 cancer patients, Shinkafi-Bagudu stressed that urgent action is needed as many Nigerians, particularly in rural areas, continue to die undiagnosed and untreated due to weak healthcare systems and limited screening coverage.

    The event, held in observance of the November 17 Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, brought together government officials, development partners, and private sector stakeholders. It highlighted the critical importance of early detection, domestic financing, and coordinated efforts to curb Nigeria’s rising cancer burden.

    Shinkafi-Bagudu, a paediatrician and cancer advocate, acknowledged recent government progress but said much more remains to be done, saying, “The government is on the right track.

    “We have seen six new cancer centres and an active Cancer Health Fund under the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), which provides e-wallet credits to patients in accredited hospitals. But we need more. We need a budgetary allocation. We need to resensitize that budget.

    “We need the release of those funds that are appropriated in the budget. The budget is just a paper, but we need to see those funds coming through.

    “So from the government side, they can also work with partners, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, industry partners that will support the process”.

    READ ALSO: Tinubu unstoppable in 2027, says Orji Kalu

    She further stressed that cervical cancer elimination requires urgent attention, “For instance, cervical cancer elimination, the day is on the 17th of November, and screening is something that we’re greatly lacking in.

    “The Cervical Cancer Elimination Task Force needs more support so that screening at the national primary health care level is available at our primary health care centres.”

    As co-chair of Nigeria’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Task Force and a UICC board member, Shinkafi-Bagudu said her global experience reinforces the urgent need for greater investment in nationwide screening programmes at the primary healthcare level.

    Explaining the reason for the financial assistance to 60 cancer patients, the former First Lady, who is also the CEO and founder of the 20-year-old foundation, said the funds were raised through the foundation’s annual Walk Away Cancer campaign and other charitable donations.

    The disbursement, she said, would support 60 patients through the foundation’s Patient Access to Care (PACE) programme, covering diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and psychosocial support.

    “This ₦100 million is a drop in the ocean. A woman diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in Nigeria needs about N₦25 million for treatment. Most of our patients present in stage 3 or 4, and survival rates drop to around 25 percent compared to 90 percent in high-income countries.

    “We must focus on early detection, awareness, and health insurance so that care becomes affordable,” she stressed.

    Dr. Yakubu Agada-Amade, the Director of Standards and Quality Assurance at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), said the government is working to address cancer financing challenges, especially for the vulnerable.

    “NHIA currently covers surgeries for all listed conditions, including cancer. We also support radiotherapy up to 50 percent and chemotherapy drugs through varying cost-sharing models.

    “In some cases, we pay 70 percent while the patient covers 30 percent. Our partnerships with pharmaceutical companies help reduce the out-of-pocket burden for patients,” he said.

    Dr. Agada-Amade disclosed that over 240 cancer patients, mostly breast cancer cases, have benefited from NHIA’s intervention through collaborations with pharmaceutical firms such as Roche.

    He added that more patients are now presenting early for diagnosis, improving survival outcomes, while revealing that NHIA, in partnership with the National Assembly and the Ministry of Health, is working to establish a Catastrophic Health Fund to provide broader coverage for cancer, sickle cell disease, and end-stage renal failure.

    On his part, Prof. Usman Aliyu, NICRAT Director General, who confirmed that the Cancer Health Fund had been transferred to the Institute for better coordination and expansion, however, expressed the government’s efforts to boost the fund

    “In 2025, ₦200 million was appropriated for the fund. While this is not sufficient to meet the needs of our estimated 140,000 cancer patients nationwide, the government is committed to increasing resources and improving coordination,” he said.

    Aliyu added that the upcoming Catastrophic Health Fund under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would serve as another financing mechanism for patients with major non-communicable diseases.

    He also revealed that NICRAT plans to launch a National Childhood Cancer Programme in 2025 with support from NGOs and international partners.

    “I must commend the Medicaid Foundation for its leadership. What Dr. Bagudu and her team have done is a model of partnership and compassion. We encourage more NGOs and corporate bodies to emulate this approach to support indigent patients,” he said.

    The beneficiaries of the Medicaid Foundation’s ₦100 million support expressed deep gratitude to the initiator, describing the assistance as a priceless lifeline in their fight against cancer.

  • FG moves to revitalise Nigeria’s analytical laboratory sector — Minister

    FG moves to revitalise Nigeria’s analytical laboratory sector — Minister

    The federal government has restated its commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s analytical laboratory sector to enhance public health, environmental protection, and industrial competitiveness.

    Speaking at the national stakeholders’ summit on the analytical laboratories sector in Nigeria, held in Lagos on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, who was represented by the director, national food safety programme, John Atanda, described laboratories as “silent watchdogs of public health and safety” that underpin the nation’s development.

    The two-day summit, organised by the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN), brought together policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and international partners to discuss strategies for reforming Nigeria’s fragmented and underfunded laboratory system.

    The event, themed “Strengthening Analytical Laboratories for Public Health, Environmental Protection, and Industrial Growth in Nigeria,” featured technical sessions on laboratory accreditation, funding mechanisms, policy reforms, and innovation-driven collaboration.

    The minister said analytical laboratories remain vital to Nigeria’s economic and public health ecosystems, noting that they ensure food and water safety, verify medicine efficacy, monitor environmental pollution, and validate products for trade.

    “Laboratories are not just scientific facilities; they are national assets. They test our water and air, screen for contaminants in food, support disease surveillance, and ensure the quality of our products for local and international markets,” Salako said.

    READ ALSO: Tinubu unstoppable in 2027, says Orji Kalu

    He, however, lamented that despite their critical role, the sector continues to face challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, obsolete equipment, a shortage of skilled personnel, and weak regulatory coordination.

    “These gaps,” he warned, “limit our ability to compete globally and to harness the full potential of laboratory science in driving innovation, trade, and disease control.”

    Salako described the summit as “timely and strategic,” noting that it provides a platform for all stakeholders, government, private sector players, academia, and development partners, to collaborate on repositioning the sector.

    He said the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is committed to strengthening regulatory frameworks, building laboratory networks, and integrating laboratory services into national health and environmental surveillance systems.

    “No single institution can solve these challenges alone. This summit marks a turning point. It is an opportunity to forge partnerships that will lead to measurable improvements in infrastructure, human capital, and innovation,” he added.

    The minister urged participants to develop “bold and sustainable” solutions that would enhance laboratory accreditation, promote indigenous technology, and reduce dependence on imported equipment.

    He assured that the Federal Ministry of Health would champion the summit’s resolutions and advocate for policies that recognise the analytical laboratory sector as a “strategic national priority.”

    Also speaking at the event, the President of the Society of Testing Laboratory Analysts of Nigeria (SoTLAN), Mr. Bolawa Gbolahan, said no laboratory system can thrive without sustainable funding.

    He highlighted the sector’s persistent challenges, including inadequate financing, weak enforcement of standards, obsolete instruments, and manpower shortages, which, he said, have affected Nigeria’s capacity to generate reliable data and maintain international credibility.

    “As the world moves towards data-driven industrial and environmental policies, our laboratories must no longer be seen as secondary support systems. They are critical national infrastructure,” Gbolahan said.

    He announced that SoTLAN is advocating for a National Framework for Laboratory Development and working with IPAN to promote structured training programmes, mentorship for young analysts, and laboratory accreditation in line with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

    According to him, a unified and well-coordinated laboratory system would boost confidence in Nigerian products, strengthen research credibility, and attract investment.

    Gbolahan, who chaired the summit’s session on Funding Opportunities for Laboratory Development, urged stakeholders to explore creative financing models to address the sector’s funding gap.

    These, he said, include public-private partnerships, equipment leasing schemes, development bank credit lines, and cooperative ownership of high-end analytical facilities.

    “If we must compete globally, our laboratories must be well-funded, well-managed, and well-regulated,” he said.

    He added that strong collaboration among regulators, practitioners, and investors would accelerate the development of a national network of accredited laboratories and foster policy reforms that support local testing capacity.

    Both the Minister’s representative and SoTLAN president agreed that the summit should not end with rhetoric but should yield practical roadmaps and actionable strategies to build a world-class laboratory system.

    They commended IPAN for its leadership in convening the forum and reaffirmed their commitment to working with all stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s analytical laboratory ecosystem.

  • Jigawa NMA hails Namadi for breaking 15-year health workers’ salary stalemate

    Jigawa NMA hails Namadi for breaking 15-year health workers’ salary stalemate

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Jigawa chapter has expressed appreciation to Governor Umar A. Namadi for approving the long-awaited salary review for doctors and other health workers in the State.

    In a statement by Publicity Secretary Dr. Shamsu Gujungu, the association lauded the Governor for implementing the Federal Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), reviewing call and Hazard allowances, and reviewing Doctors’ entry points to CONMESS 3 aligning Jigawa’s pay with the national standard and surpassing it in some components.

    The statement reads in part. “Under his leadership, Jigawa has become a model of progressive healthcare governance, pioneering one of Nigeria’s most revolutionary healthcare initiatives marked by extensive investments in health infrastructure, primary healthcare revitalization, recruitment of health workers, the establishment of a Medical Village in Dutse, which will host a Diagnostic Centre, Cardiac Catheterization (CATH) Laboratory, and a Cryo-Oxygen Plant and the expansion of social health insurance coverage.

    “The NMA also commends the fatherly efforts of the Head of the Civil Service Muhammad K. Dagacheri the Chairman, State Minimum Wage Committee, the Honourable Commissioner of Health-Dr. Muhammad Kainuwa, Permanent Secretary SMOH Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim, the Accountant General, and other members of the Implementation Committee, whose dedication ensured the success of this landmark achievement.

    “With these bold strides, Jigawa is fast emerging as a new hub for healthcare excellence — a model of progressive governance where health workers are motivated, patients receive better care, positioning Jigawa as a hub for medical excellence.

    “We therefore call on doctors and health workers across the nation to consider Jigawa, and for those seeking new opportunities and investments to “come happy” — Jigawa is ready to receive you!”

  • FG reaffirms 2030 NTDs elimination

    FG reaffirms 2030 NTDs elimination

    By Dele Anofi and Haggai Daniel, Abuja

    The federal government has reaffirmed its determination to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria by 2030, in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global roadmap for the decade.

    Speaking at a High-Level Advocacy and Resource Mobilization meeting in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Adekunle Salako, said the country is scaling up domestic financing, improving coordination, and deepening partnerships to eradicate NTDs.

    Reports indicate that an estimated 166 million Nigerians still require treatment for at least one NTD, underscoring the scale of the challenge despite notable progress.

    Salako revealed that 3.5 million people across 109 Local Government Areas in 17 States no longer require mass drug administration for specific NTDs.

    He attributed this milestone to collaboration among government agencies, donor partners, civil society, and institutions such as the Uniting to Combat NTDs coalition and the Global Fund.

    While acknowledging that NTDs still receive limited attention within the broader health agenda, Salako said ongoing sector reforms, including the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Sector-Wide Approach, will sustain progress.

    He also identified President Bola Tinubu’s Unlock Healthcare Value Chain initiative as key to improving access to locally manufactured medicines and consumables that support NTD treatment at the community level.

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    The Minister urged state governments to create and safeguard budget lines for NTD elimination and integrate their activities with other health programmes to maximize efficiency, while calling on stakeholders to increase public awareness and resource mobilization.

    The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Kachollom Daju, described the meeting as a critical platform for driving leadership and financing at a time when NTDs continue to affect over 1.5 billion people globally, mostly among the poorest populations.

    She warned that despite Nigeria’s progress, the withdrawal of key donor funding and shrinking domestic resources could reverse gains if not urgently addressed.

    She called for stronger federal-state collaboration to integrate health programmes, reduce duplication, and ensure efficient use of available resources.

    Daju also urged commissioners and permanent secretaries to take ownership of the fight against NTDs, sustain financing, and build resilient health systems capable of addressing both infectious and non-communicable diseases.

    She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to reducing barriers to healthcare and achieving universal health coverage, stressing that effective NTD control contributes directly to poverty reduction and improved national productivity.

    Director of Resource Mobilization and Advocacy for Uniting to Combat NTDs, Stuart Halford, commended Nigeria’s leadership and progress in fighting NTDs but warned that “sustained funding and accountability are now the critical next steps.”

    He said State commissioners have pledged to establish dedicated budget lines for NTDs, describing it as “the bedrock of sustainable progress in eliminating these debilitating diseases.”

    Halford confirmed that the coalition is supporting Nigeria to expand domestic and international financing, including securing funding through the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) and mobilizing bilateral and multilateral assistance.

    “We are working with the government to develop business cases to strengthen investment and mobilize resources,” he added.

    Also speaking, the Secretary of the Nigerian Health Commissioners’ Forum (NHCF), Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, reaffirmed subnational commitment to the NTD elimination drive, highlighting progress made in states such as Kwara.

    She emphasised that while NTDs remain common in tropical regions, they are often overlooked, making continued visibility and sustained political will vital.

    El-Imam cited Nigeria’s ongoing efforts against trachoma, schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, and lymphatic filariasis, among others, stressing that “These diseases are certainly not forgotten by the Commissioners’ Forum.”

    She, however, noted that as Nigeria wins the battle against many infectious diseases, the growing burden of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cancer, and hypertension calls for renewed focus.

    She said finishing the fight against NTDs will free resources and capacity for tackling emerging health challenges, reinforcing Nigeria’s broader commitment to equitable and sustainable healthcare delivery.

  • Reps panel launches probe into $4.6bn health grants from global fund, USAID

    Reps panel launches probe into $4.6bn health grants from global fund, USAID

    The House of Representatives Committee on Infectious Diseases on Monday inaugurated an investigative hearing to probe the over $1.8 billion and $2.8 billion grants received by Nigeria from the Global Fund and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) between 2021 and 2025 for the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, as well as for strengthening health systems.

    Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, said the probe was essential to determine how the huge grants had been utilised and to ensure accountability in the management of funds aimed at tackling infectious diseases ravaging Nigerians.

    Ogah recalled that the House had, during plenary on October 21, 2025, mandated the then Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control (ATM) to investigate the matter.

    He commended Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and the leadership of the House for renaming and expanding the committee’s mandate to the House Committee on Infectious Diseases, reflecting a broader focus on public health threats.

    “Nigeria continues to be battered by the ill effects of a greater burden of HIV, Tuberculosis, Malaria, and other numerous infectious diseases.

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    “It appears that while budgetary allocations and donor funds are mobilized for the response against these health challenges, there is no reprieve in sight as Nigerians are ravaged daily,” Ogah said.

    He said the hearing became necessary to ascertain what had been done with the huge grants received, stressing that 90 percent of the country’s intervention funds for these diseases came from international partners.

    Ogah warned that Nigeria would no longer accept being a “mere spectator” in the management of grants given to it, insisting that donor funds must henceforth be managed in line with Nigeria’s priorities.

    “Any grant or assistance being given to us without us managing such a grant is unacceptable. If they would not give us such grants and assistance on our terms, then let them keep their grants,” he declared. “We must assert our capacity to take charge of our affairs, particularly in the response against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.”

    He directed the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) to ensure that all principal recipients and implementing partners submit their implementation plans for approval by the National Assembly before funds are released.

    “The era of spending Nigeria’s money without approval and accountability is over,” he warned.

    Ogah also disclosed that the House was amending the NACA Establishment Bill to transform the agency into a multi-sectoral body with an expanded mandate. When passed, the agency will be renamed the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (NACATAM).

    The hearing, he said, would help determine the level of transparency and accountability in the use of donor funds since 2021. “Anyone, whether state or non-state actors, must indeed account for every Nigerian kobo spent for the response against public health threats,” he stressed.

    With the 8th replenishment of the Global Fund expected this month, Ogah said Nigeria must move away from dependency and inefficiency in managing donor resources.

    “We must maximize and efficiently utilize the resources at our disposal by cutting out all forms of duplication and wastage, while allocating domestic resources to areas that will present greater value for Nigerians,” he said.

    He revealed that the committee would work closely with the EFCC and ICPC to ensure that principal recipients and implementing partners of all grants account to Nigerians.

    “This is even more critical when you consider that some funding for terrorist activities has been traced to grants and donor funds,” Ogah added.

    He urged implementing partners to prepare for robust parliamentary oversight, noting that some lacked proper or verifiable office addresses. The committee, he said, would hold the Ministry of Health and the Country Coordinating Mechanism responsible for ensuring accountability from all entities receiving donor grants.

    Ogah emphasised that the exercise was not a witch-hunt but a democratic measure to ensure transparency and value for public health spending.

    “This exercise is an essential ingredient of democracy and should not be seen as a vendetta or warfare,” he said. “We are very clear in our vision to ensure that no Nigerian child dies before age five from HIV, Tuberculosis, or Malaria. We want to ensure that the advocacy and commitment that will lead to the elimination of infectious diseases in our country by 2030 are championed and owned by all relevant stakeholders.”

    Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, called for a gradual end to Nigeria’s dependence on foreign aid in funding its response to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

    Pate said the country must take greater responsibility for financing its health priorities as donor funding declines after two decades of support.

    He described the probe as a welcome step toward transparency, accountability, and domestic ownership of health programmes.

    He noted that while donor assistance has saved millions of lives through HIV, TB, and malaria interventions, Nigeria’s health spending remains below 15% of the Abuja Declaration target, warning that underfunding threatens sustainability.

    Declaring the session open, Speaker Hon Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka, said the investigation reflects the parliament’s resolve to ensure transparency in health funding.

    He said it would produce an evidence-based report on how the grants were received, utilized, and their impact on public health, while strengthening accountability and governance in the sector.

  • Strike looms as health workers’ ultimatum nears expiration

    Strike looms as health workers’ ultimatum nears expiration

    A nationwide disruption of health services is looming as the 15-day ultimatum by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) to the Federal Government expires on November 14. 

    JOHESU, which comprises the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals (SSAUTH), Research Institutes and Associated Institutions and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, represents over 85 percent of health workforce.

    A strike by the group would cripple diagnostic, pharmaceutical and administrative services across public hospitals, forcing facilities to scale down or suspend operations. 

    Patients may face difficulties accessing essential services while maternal, child and emergency care may deteriorate significantly.

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    In a letter to the Ministers of Health and Labour by National Chairman Ado Kabiru and National Secretary Martins Egbanubi, JOHESU accused the government of failing to honour the Memorandum of Understanding signed on October 29, 2024. 

    The MoU, it said, promised the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) in line with doctors’ pay under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

    The union lamented that despite President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in 2023 and several conciliation meetings, “no progress has been made, largely due to the inactivity of the Presidential Committee on Salaries since August 2023.” 

    It also decried alleged discriminatory treatment at a recent tripartite meeting chaired by the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, claiming its representatives were denied the chance to present their case.

    Accusing the government of insensitivity, JOHESU warned it would have “no option but to resume its suspended strike of October 30, 2024, if the issues remain unresolved.”

    The warning follows similar concerns raised by the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), which at its 51st National Executive Council meeting in Abuja warned that Nigeria’s health system is “on the brink of collapse” unless urgent steps are taken to address brain drain, insecurity, and chronic underfunding.

    In a communiqué by MHWUN President Dr. Kabiru Sani and Secretary-General Auwalu Kiyawa, the NEC described Nigeria’s health system as “far from the sector of our dream,” citing poor infrastructure, inadequate personnel, and low public investment. 

    It urged the Federal Government to “prioritize workers’ welfare and commit more resources to strengthen the system.”

    The union lamented worsening inflation and economic hardship that have eroded workers’ purchasing power and called for policies that reduce reliance on imports. 

    It warned that the mass exodus of health professionals has crippled care delivery, with over 60,000 nurses and 19,000 doctors leaving Nigeria in the last two decades.

    Sani described the migration as “a rational response to a system that fails to reward diligence or guarantee dignity,” urging the government to create incentives that make working in Nigeria worthwhile. 

    He condemned government’s failure to meet the 15 percent health budget target of the 2001 Abuja Declaration, calling it “unacceptable.”

    The NEC also cited insecurity, displacement, and climate impacts as threats to national stability, urging the government to declare a national emergency on flooding, food shortages, and disease outbreaks.

    On internal matters, Sani announced that the union had implemented a ₦70,000 minimum wage for its staff, cleared deduction arrears, and ensured pension payments. 

    “A sustainable health system must be built on respect for collective agreements,” Sani stressed, warning that neglecting signed pacts undermines industrial peace.

    In his remarks at the meeting, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero blamed the crisis on policies that prioritize profit over people.

    “Our health sector continues to bleed because the government prefers to die abroad rather than fix the system here,” he said.

    Ajaero urged MHWUN to rally all health unions under JOHESU for stronger collective action,” insisting that only radical and organized mobilization can save the sector. 

    He also called for greater worker participation in politics ahead of 2027, warning, “Without labour’s influence in policymaking, the cycle of decay will continue.”

  • Ekiti varsity Chancellor seeks improved investment in medical education

    Ekiti varsity Chancellor seeks improved investment in medical education

    The Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, has called for increased investment in  medical education, research, and technology as a sustainable solution to reverse the trend of medical tourism in Nigeria.

    Olowolafe said Nigeria must deliberately strengthen its healthcare and education systems to retain its best professionals and enhance the quality of care available locally.

    He spoke at the 2025 Healthcare and Medical Expo of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) held in Abuja with the theme, “Reversing Medical Tourism: Africans Investing in Africa”. 

    He noted that years of underinvestment in research and medical training have continued to push skilled doctors abroad while compelling many citizens to seek medical treatment overseas.

    “To reverse medical tourism, there must be deliberate investment in knowledge acquisition, research, faculty development, and medical education that ensure global relevance,” the EKSU Chancellor stated.

    Olowolafe, a frontline entrepreneur said medical professionals must be equipped with the necessary tools, knowledge, and technological exposure to compete favourably on the global stage while remaining relevant at home.

    “As Chancellor of Ekiti State University, I understand the critical link between education and healthcare transformation. We cannot reverse medical tourism without investing in knowledge production, research, and faculty development,” he added.

    He described technology as “the great equalizer,” urging Nigeria to embrace innovation to bridge infrastructural gaps and create an integrated ecosystem that connects universities, hospitals, laboratories, and investors.

    “We must move from isolated excellence to a connected system that drives collaboration and efficiency across the sector,” he said.

    He challenged African nations to move from being consumers of innovation to creator of medical breakthroughs, saying

    “We must make Africa not just a market for medical solutions, but a maker of medical advancements. 

    The EKSU Chancellor also emphasized the need to adopt digital health tools and artificial intelligence in diagnostics and treatment to boost confidence in local healthcare delivery and attract foreign investment.

    He encouraged continuous training in financial management, feasibility analysis, and digital learning for medical professionals, noting that Nigeria already has some of the world’s most skilled doctors.

    Olowolafe urged the NMA to leverage its broad network to engage government, the private sector, the Nigerian diaspora, and development partners in driving policy reforms that will strengthen the health system.

    He expressed optimism about ongoing reforms under the President Bola Tinubu administration, noting that international investors are already showing interest in establishing advanced medical facilities in Nigeria.

    Olowolafe added that such measures, if sustained, would help attract top talents back home, restore public confidence in local healthcare, and significantly reduce capital flight.

  • NGSF retreat: Otu hails Govs’ wives, backs gender, health advocacy

    NGSF retreat: Otu hails Govs’ wives, backs gender, health advocacy

    Cross River Governor Bassey Edet Otu has lauded members of the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF) for what he described as their “transformative influence on the moral, social, and developmental architecture of the nation,” pledging his administration’s full support for gender inclusion and public health advocacy.

    Otu gave the commendation on Friday when he received members of the forum, led by its Chairperson and First Lady of Kwara State, Ambassador (Prof.) Olufolake AbdulRazaq, at Government House, Calabar, as part of the 2025 NGSF Annual Retreat, which later concluded with a communiqué charting a bold course for women’s advocacy in the coming year.

    Describing women as “the true backbone of national development,” the Governor said Nigeria’s sustainable progress depended on the active participation of women in governance and community building.

    “No woman, no nation,” Otu declared. “It is very clear that this nation cannot move forward without women. My rise in politics has been largely attributed to the support of women, because when they take a decision, it is very difficult to change it.”

    The Governor highlighted the six-month paid maternity leave introduced by his administration for female civil servants as a model of gender-sensitive governance, adding that Cross River had made significant strides in healthcare delivery and immunization coverage.

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    “We have discovered that most maternal deaths occur at the primary healthcare level, so we are upscaling those facilities and training health workers to ensure better service delivery,” he explained. “Our goal is to make sure no mother or child dies from preventable causes.”

    Otu praised the First Ladies for their humanitarian initiatives, describing them as “selfless architects of compassion whose impact transcends politics.” He also commended the Cross River First Lady, Rev. (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, for her people-focused programmes aligned with the NGSF’s objectives.

    “Your retreat here will be fruitful,” he assured. “Nigeria is coming out of a dark age, and things are beginning to take shape again. We all must work together to build a better Nigeria.”

    In her response, Ambassador (Prof.) Olufolake AbdulRazaq thanked Governor Otu for hosting the retreat and for his government’s strides in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, describing Cross River as “a home of grace, culture, and progress.”

    She recalled that the forum, which began as the Nigeria Governors’ Wives Against Gender-Based Violence (NGWA-GBV), has evolved into a powerful national platform for gender equality and family welfare.

    “By ensuring equitable representation of women in legislative bodies, we open the door to policies that reflect the realities of half our population,” she said. “When women lead, communities prosper; when women participate, societies grow stronger.”

    She further applauded Cross River’s adoption of the six-month maternity leave and called on other South-South governors to emulate it, saying the policy “strengthens family bonds and enhances workforce productivity.”

    At the end of the retreat, attended by 22 First Ladies, the forum issued a communiqué reaffirming its commitment to advancing women’s health, gender equity, and child welfare.

    The First Ladies resolved to sustain the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), endorse the “Reserved Seat for Women Bill,” and intensify advocacy for the adoption of six-month paid maternity leave in all states.

    They also pledged continued collaboration with donor partners, civil society groups, and health agencies to reduce maternal mortality, strengthen immunization coverage—particularly on HPV, Measles, Rubella, and Hepatitis—and end child labour through a strategic partnership with the Federal Ministry of Labour.

    In a landmark resolution, the forum endorsed the 2026 RenewHER Roadmap Strategy presented by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health, aimed at improving health outcomes for women and girls nationwide.

    The communiqué described the retreat as “a gathering of shared wisdom and renewed commitment,” noting that the NGSF would sustain its role as a unifying platform for advocacy, partnership, and leadership.

    “We are resolved,” the First Ladies stated collectively, “to keep standing where the cries of the weak are heard, where the hope of the woman and child is rekindled, and where the light of compassion continues to shine.”

  • Foundation chief rallies support to keep Nigeria polio-free, improve child survival

    Foundation chief rallies support to keep Nigeria polio-free, improve child survival

    Rotary International has reaffirmed its commitment to vaccinating Nigerian children against polio and expanding its maternal and child health interventions, stressing that the mission remains urgent while wild poliovirus still exists in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

    Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during a visit by Rotary’s global leadership, Holger Knaack, Chair of the Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees, cautioned that Nigeria cannot afford complacency despite recording no wild poliovirus cases in the last five years.

    The outreach, held at the Government Junior Secondary School, Gwarimpa playground, brought together community leaders, parents, teachers, health workers, and Rotary officials who conducted free medical outreach in the community.

    “As long as there is a single case in Pakistan or Afghanistan, we must continue vaccinating children. As long as we see a single case anywhere in the world, our children are not safe,” Knaack said.

    Knaack outlined Rotary’s three flagship programmes in Nigeria: the Polio Eradication Initiative, the Together for Healthy Families maternal and newborn safety project, and the Rotary Healthy Community Challenge, which focuses on malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia, three of the leading causes of child deaths.

    He expressed appreciation to Nigerian Rotarians, community members, and major donors for their unwavering support, singling out Sir Emeka Offor for his $5 million contribution to the Foundation.

    Announcing a new phase of the Healthy Community Challenge, Knaack said Rotary teams would be dispatched to communities to prevent and treat malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia through awareness campaigns, improved access to care, and preventive health measures.

    He explained that Rotary’s combined interventions, spanning immunisation, maternal care, community outreach, and digital health tracking are designed to achieve lasting reductions in maternal and child mortality.

    While acknowledging Nigeria’s progress toward eradicating all strains of poliovirus, Knaack urged well-meaning Nigerians to continue supporting Rotary’s humanitarian programmes.

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    Rotary Foundation Trustee, Ijeoma Okoro noted that Rotary’s community interventions have yielded measurable improvements. 

    “We have reduced maternal and child mortality by over 28 percent across our project sites,” she said.

    She explained that the current phase of the programme covers Ekiti, Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory, and Gombe States, with plans to expand to 10 states in the next phase following new funding support from the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation.

    According to Okoro, Rotary’s approach follows a cradle-to-five model, supporting women from pre-conception through pregnancy and tracking children until age five. 

    “This is a commitment. Rotary is fully invested in it, and we are not looking back,” she affirmed.

    She called for stronger community engagement and clearer public messaging to sustain progress, urging traditional rulers, religious leaders, the media, and citizens to promote routine immunisation and ensure all children under five receive vaccines during campaigns.

    “Government needs to work closely with traditional rulers because they are custodians of law and opinion leaders in their communities. 

    “Polio anywhere is polio everywhere, and ending preventable maternal and child deaths requires collective, sustained action,” Okoro added.

    Commending Rotary International for the impactful outreach in his community, the District Head of Gwarimpa, Hakim Umar Bayero, emphasized that community ownership has been key to the success of health and empowerment initiatives. 

    He called for closer collaboration with government agencies and stakeholders to translate short-term gains into sustainable health systems.

    In appreciation of their contribution to the community, the Rotary Foundation Chief and his wife, Suzanne, were gifted with the traditional Gbagyi attire, symbolizing gratitude for bringing global attention and support to Gwarimpa.