The Nation Newspaper

Category: Health

  • Lagos steps up war against medical quackery

    Lagos steps up war against medical quackery

    In a decisive move to curb the growing menace of medical quackery, the Lagos State Government has intensified its public health campaign, warning residents against the dangers of patronising unlicensed clinics and unqualified practitioners. At a sensitisation campaign and town hall meeting held in Mushin, the Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) called on citizens to play an active role in identifying and reporting fake medical facilities that endanger lives across the state.

    Speaking at the event, themed “The Roles and Responsibilities of HEFAMAA in Lagos State,” the agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abiola Idowu, represented by Dr. Olonire Olufemi, Head of Research and Statistics, stressed that protecting the health and safety of Lagosians is the agency’s top priority. “At HEFAMAA, our core mandate is to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare service delivery to residents,” Dr. Idowu stated. “We are not an arm of the police or an enemy of health providers. Our message to operators is simple: meet the basic requirements and register your facilities.”

    Residents were educated on how to identify state-approved health centres, which must clearly display the HEFAMAA logo, registration certificate, and a unique QR code. This digital code allows patients to verify the authenticity of a facility and send real-time feedback to the agency. Dr. Idowu also urged the public to report any facility — public or private — operating without proper licenses, employing unqualified staff, or maintaining poor hygiene standards. “We want people to report illegal training of auxiliary nurses, the use of substandard equipment, and any facility that poses risks to public health,” she emphasised.

    Tunbosun Haruna Aruwe, Chairman of Mushin Local Government, praised HEFAMAA for bringing the awareness campaign directly to the grassroots. “This programme is timely and enlightening. Now, residents can tell which hospitals are safe to use. We’re working with community leaders to spread this message across every ward,” he said. Community engagement was strong at the event, which drew participation from health professionals, local leaders, market women, and concerned residents — all united in the fight against quackery.

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    Also speaking at the event, Richard Olusanya, Chief Nutrition Officer at HEFAMAA, traced the agency’s formation in 2006 to a growing crisis of unsafe and unregulated medical practices in Lagos. “Quackery is a serious public health threat, especially in low-income areas where people seek cheaper alternatives that often prove dangerous,” Olusanya said. “We still find cases where one person claims to treat eyes, teeth, pregnancies, and everything else — that’s not healthcare, that’s fraud.” He clarified that while clinics have limited licensing, only hospitals are approved to run 24-hour services. Residents were cautioned that any facility operating beyond its license scope may be unregistered or unsafe.

    Olusanya further explained that HEFAMAA conducts biannual inspections of all health facilities, including maternity homes and private clinics, to enforce compliance in areas like staffing qualifications, environmental hygiene, and medical equipment standards. “By scanning the HEFAMAA QR code, residents can instantly view a facility’s name, address, and registered owner,” he noted. “We encourage people to share this knowledge within their communities to help others make safe healthcare choices.”

    As Lagos strengthens its healthcare regulations, HEFAMAA urges residents to remain vigilant, use only accredited facilities, and report suspicious or unlicensed operations. With technology-enabled verification and community collaboration, the state is taking firm steps to eliminate quackery and ensure safer, more reliable healthcare for all.

  • Exercise as Medicine

    Exercise as Medicine

    Imagine a pill so powerful it could prevent heart disease, lower blood pressure, fight depression, reduce cancer risk, control blood sugar, strengthen your bones, sharpen your mind, and even help you live longer. A pill with no harmful side effects, available to everyone, everywhere and completely free. That medicine already exists — it’s called exercise.

    The connection between movement and health is ancient. As far back as the 5th century BC, Hippocrates declared, “Eating alone will not keep a man well; he must also take exercise.” More than two millennia later, modern science continues to affirm this timeless wisdom. Yet, in our hyper-convenient, screen-saturated age, we treat physical activity like an optional luxury rather than the life-saving necessity it is. The result is sobering: physical inactivity has quietly become one of the greatest public health threats of our time, rivalling — and in some cases surpassing — smoking as a cause of premature death.

    When you strip health down to its basics, three forces shape how long and how well we live: our genes, our environment, and our behaviour. We can’t rewrite our genetic code. And while society has made strides in creating safer, cleaner environments through sanitation, vaccination and public health laws, the third pillar — behaviour — remains largely under our control. Among all behavioural choices, none exerts a more powerful influence than physical activity. Exercise is the one factor most within our reach, yet most neglected.

    The evidence is now irrefutable. Decades of research have shown that regular movement is not merely beneficial; it’s medicinal. Exercise prevents and manages a vast range of chronic diseases — from type 2 diabetes and hypertension to obesity, heart disease, depression, osteoporosis, and even certain cancers. It improves mood, enhances immunity, boosts energy, sharpens focus, strengthens muscles and bones, and slows cognitive decline. People who move regularly live longer and enjoy a higher quality of life than those who don’t. In essence, exercise doesn’t just add years to your life; it adds life to your years.

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    Here’s the irony: if a pharmaceutical company developed a pill that could achieve all of this, it would be the most profitable drug in history. Governments would subsidise it. Doctors would prescribe it universally. Every advertisement break would remind us to take our daily dose. But because exercise doesn’t come in a bottle — and requires personal effort — we often dismiss it, postpone it, or underestimate its power. We tell ourselves we’ll “start next week,” or that we’re “too busy today.” And in doing so, we quietly forfeit the simplest, most effective medicine known to humankind.

    One of the great misconceptions about exercise is that it must be extreme to be effective. You don’t need to run marathons, lift heavy weights, or sign up for punishing gym routines. The real prescription is surprisingly moderate. A brisk walk, a dance class, cycling with friends, gardening, or even stretching at your desk all count. The goal is not perfection but consistency — weaving movement naturally into daily life. Parking a little farther from your office, taking the stairs instead of the lift, walking while taking phone calls, or enjoying a short stroll after dinner can make a profound difference over time. And the benefits aren’t only physical. Exercise is one of the most powerful mood stabilisers and antidepressants available. It releases endorphins and serotonin — chemicals that lift the spirit, calm anxiety, and build resilience against stress. It enhances sleep, sharpens memory, and restores mental clarity. In an era where mental health challenges are rising, a simple daily walk may do more to steady the mind than any screen time or self-help mantra ever could.

    So why, despite all this evidence, are we still so sedentary? Part of the answer lies in how our world is designed. Many cities prioritise cars over people, making walking or cycling inconvenient, even dangerous. Office jobs chain us to our desks. Our leisure time is swallowed by screens. But the medical establishment must also shoulder some responsibility. For too long, health systems have focused on pills and procedures rather than prevention. Doctors often fail to prescribe physical activity with the same seriousness they prescribe medication, even though exercise could reduce — and sometimes eliminate — the need for that medication. It’s time for a cultural shift. Movement should no longer be viewed as a pastime for the athletic or the young. It should be seen, prescribed, and prioritised as a frontline treatment — a daily dose of vitality and protection for everyone, regardless of age, weight, or background.

    If you’re reading this, the message is simple: your health is, quite literally, in your hands — and your feet. You don’t need a gym membership to begin. Start where you are. Walk more. Sit less. Stretch, dance, play, breathe. Let your body do what it was designed to do: move. And if you happen to be a doctor, policymaker, employer, or community leader, help make it easier for others to move — by designing walkable spaces, encouraging breaks from sitting, and recognising that promoting physical activity is a matter of life and death.

    Exercise is not a hobby. It’s not a trend. It is medicine — the most potent, affordable, and accessible therapy we have. In the 21st century, our greatest health breakthrough may not emerge from a laboratory, but from a renewed commitment to our own movement. So, lace up your shoes. Step outside. Take a walk, take a breath — and take control of your health. Because the real prescription for a better life might just be one step away.

  • How antibiotic resistance is undermining modern medicine

    How antibiotic resistance is undermining modern medicine

    In hospitals across world, doctors are witnessing a nightmare they were never trained to face — infections that refuse to yield, no matter the medicine. A feverish child gasping through pneumonia that defies every antibiotic. A mother whose post-surgical wound festers despite repeated treatments. A man whose bloodstream infection grows stronger with each new drug. These are no longer tragic exceptions; they are fast becoming the new normal in a world edging dangerously close to the post-antibiotic era.

    The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 2025 Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS) Report, released Monday, confirms what scientists have feared for years: antibiotic resistance is spiralling into one of the gravest public health threats of our time. The report, compiled from data across more than 100 countries, found that one in six bacterial infections worldwide is now resistant to available antibiotics. Between 2018 and 2023, resistance to key drugs increased by five to 15 per cent annually, undermining the foundation of modern medicine. Dr Yvan Hutin, Director of WHO’s Department of Antimicrobial Resistance, summed up the crisis bluntly: “Antibiotic resistance is widespread and increasing.” His warning carries weight beyond numbers. It means infections once considered simple are now deadly, and the very tools that made surgeries, childbirth, and cancer treatment safe are losing their power.

    Nowhere is the danger more visible than in developing regions. The GLASS report shows that Southeast Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean have the highest resistance levels, with one in three infections defying treatment. Africa follows closely, with one in five infections showing resistance — and in some countries, resistance in E. coli exceeds 70 per cent. These figures expose a grim inequality: those least equipped to fight antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are paying the steepest price.

    Hutin noted that rising resistance to critical antibiotics — such as third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems — is forcing health workers to turn to “last-resort” drugs. These medicines are costly, scarce, and sometimes toxic. Worse still, in low- and middle-income countries, they are often unavailable or unaffordable. “As resistance rises, we’re running out of options,” Hutin warned. “Especially in places lacking access to diagnostics and effective treatments.” The GLASS report lays bare not only the biological threat but also the systemic failures allowing it to grow. Surveillance — the ability to track where and how resistance is emerging — remains weak in many parts of the world. Although the number of countries participating in AMR monitoring increased from 25 in 2016 to 104 by 2023, nearly half of WHO’s member states submitted no data at all in 2024. Without such information, the global community is essentially blind to one of the fastest-evolving threats in public health.

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    Dr Silvia Bertagnolio, Head of WHO’s AMR Surveillance Unit, said this uneven progress underscores deep inequalities in health systems. “Antibiotic resistance disproportionately affects countries with weaker health systems,” she noted. “Those most burdened by AMR often have the least ability to assess and address the problem.” While Southeast Asia has achieved a 91 per cent participation rate in surveillance, and the Eastern Mediterranean 76 per cent, Africa trails behind — a gap that could prove catastrophic if left unaddressed.

    Still, there are glimpses of progress. Between 2016 and 2023, the number of reported infections undergoing susceptibility testing rose by 26 per cent for urinary tract infections and 20 per cent for bloodstream infections. These increases suggest growing capacity in laboratories worldwide — a crucial step in identifying and responding to emerging resistance patterns. Yet, Bertagnolio warned, “Without strong surveillance, resistance spreads unchecked.”

    Behind these statistics lies a simple but chilling truth: antibiotic resistance is outpacing our ability to respond. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals continue to drive resistance, while the development of new drugs has slowed to a crawl. In some countries, antibiotics are sold without prescription; in others, counterfeit or substandard medicines flood the market, further accelerating bacterial evolution. Each misuse gives microbes another chance to adapt, survive, and spread. The economic and social costs are staggering. WHO has long warned that antimicrobial resistance could push millions into extreme poverty and add billions of dollars to global healthcare costs by 2050. Infections that used to require a short hospital stay now demand weeks of care and expensive treatments — if those treatments exist at all.

    The implications go far beyond infectious diseases. Without effective antibiotics, routine surgeries, childbirth, and cancer therapies become perilous. A world without functioning antibiotics would not simply be less healthy — it would be profoundly more dangerous. The medical advances of the past century would unravel, one resistant infection at a time. The GLASS initiative, inaugurated in 2015, was designed to prevent this scenario by helping countries build robust surveillance systems and harmonise global reporting. By the end of 2024, 138 countries and three territories had joined the system, with more than 100 submitting data — a remarkable leap in participation and coverage. The 2025 report marks the most comprehensive attempt yet to understand how resistance is evolving, featuring data from over 23 million laboratory-confirmed infections and digital dashboards that make country profiles and regional summaries publicly accessible.

    Such transparency is vital. As Bertagnolio explained, global data sharing is increasingly seen as a public good. “Countries are recognising that AMR data helps protect everyone,” she said, urging governments to align their national surveillance with WHO’s 2030 targets. Without coordinated reporting, resistance hotspots will remain undetected until outbreaks spiral beyond control. The report also calls for national treatment guidelines and essential medicines lists to be updated regularly based on local resistance data. This ensures that doctors prescribe drugs that actually work — a basic but often neglected principle. “Infections once easy to treat now need more expensive and sometimes toxic drugs,” Bertagnolio warned, emphasising that the consequences are already tangible.

    Ultimately, WHO’s message is not just about microbes; it is about human responsibility. Antibiotic resistance is a man-made problem — a product of decades of overuse, misuse, and neglect. Solving it will require collective action: stricter regulation of antibiotic sales, investment in new drug development, better sanitation, improved diagnostic capacity, and public education on responsible antibiotic use. The 2025 GLASS report is a wake-up call that the world can no longer afford to snooze through. It is not enough to know that resistance exists; nations must act on that knowledge — urgently, decisively, and collaboratively. The era of complacency is over. The bacteria are evolving. The question is whether humanity will evolve its response fast enough.

  • Abuja hospital steps up breast cancer awareness campaign

    Abuja hospital steps up breast cancer awareness campaign

    The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), Abuja, has intensified efforts to promote early detection and prevention of breast cancer, emphasising that timely diagnosis remains critical to reducing cancer-related deaths among women.

    The hospital noted that with greater awareness, improved access to screening, and prompt treatment, breast cancer survival rates can significantly improve.

    The disease remains one of the most common cancers affecting women globally and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Nigeria.

    As part of activities marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month, AMCE said a 50 percent discount on mammogram screenings throughout October.

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    The initiative, according to the hospital, aims to make life-saving diagnostic services more affordable and accessible to all women, particularly those from low-income backgrounds.

    Dr. Gabriel Boules, Clinical Director of Oncology at AMCE, said early diagnosis remains the most effective tool in saving lives, “Early detection remains the most effective way to save lives from breast cancer.

    “A simple screening can make all the difference. At AMCE, we are committed to breaking barriers to access and ensuring that every woman has the opportunity to prioritize her health,” he said.

    He added that the centre’s goal goes beyond treatment to empower women through education and access, saying, “Our goal is not just to treat illness, but to empower women with knowledge and access.

    “By making screenings more affordable, we’re helping more people take control of their health because early detection saves lives”.

    AMCE said the campaign aligns with its mission to deliver world-class, patient-centered healthcare while advancing cancer prevention and treatment across Africa.

    He encouraged the public to take advantage of the initiative by visiting the African Medical Centre of Excellence in Abuja to book mammogram appointments during the awareness month.

  • No cause for alarm, HIV care uninterrupted — IHVN tells Nigerians

    No cause for alarm, HIV care uninterrupted — IHVN tells Nigerians

    The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has assured people living with HIV not to fear accessing their free care and treatment services despite ongoing concerns about a squeeze in global health funding.

    IHVN’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Patrick Dakum, who gave the assurance in Abuja on Monday, said that HIV testing, treatment, laboratory diagnosis, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission services remain fully available and free across several public and private health facilities nationwide.

    He explained that IHVN currently supports over 380 facilities across the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Katsina, and Rivers states, where more than 238,000 individuals are receiving uninterrupted antiretroviral therapy.

    “At no time were life-saving services disrupted,” Dakum affirmed.

    According to a statement on Tuesday by Ms. Florence Nwofor, Senior, Communications Manager at IHVN, Dakum highlighted that the Nigerian government is increasingly taking ownership of HIV programs through policies such as including people living with HIV in health insurance, supporting local test kit production, and preparing for the introduction of the preventive injectable drug, Lenacapavir.

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    Reassuring patients of sustained access, Dakum emphasized that IHVN, with support from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), continues to work closely with the Nigerian government to maintain essential HIV services and move the country closer to epidemic control.

    According to him, the community programs have enabled caregivers and the vulnerable, including children, adolescents, and young adults, to be reached with a comprehensive package of care and community-based intervention to improve adherence, nutrition, and quality of life

    “As we navigate global changes in funding, we are confident that our 20 years of PEPFAR support have built a strong foundation. We’ve made significant strides in program implementation, capacity building, laboratory infrastructure, and public health integration,” he noted.

    He reaffirmed IHVN’s goal to test 95 percent of people living with HIV, place 95 percent of those who test positive on treatment, and achieve viral suppression among 95 percent of those on therapy.

    Through community partnerships with faith-based and grassroots organizations, Dakum noted, IHVN continues to expand outreach programs such as the Group Mothers’ Love Gatherings and the Peer Mentor Mother Program, which provide care, counselling, and empowerment for women living with HIV.

    He called for sustained collaboration among the government, partners, and civil society to keep HIV services accessible and ensure Nigeria stays on track toward ending AIDS, saying, “By working together, stakeholders can achieve a healthier future and control the HIV epidemic”.

  • Nigeria reaffirms commitment to data-driven cancer control

    Nigeria reaffirms commitment to data-driven cancer control

    • …as African, global experts meet in Abuja to strengthen cancer research, screening

    The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cancer surveillance and data-driven policymaking to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes nationwide.

    Speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Oncology Research Alliance (NORA) and African Cancer Registry Network (AFCRN) Cancer Registry Summer School in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adekunle Salako, said the event demonstrates a collective commitment to strengthening cancer control systems in Nigeria and across Africa.

    The event brought together cancer researchers, public health experts, and development partners from across Africa and beyond to advance efforts aimed at reducing breast and cervical cancer deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    Represented by his Special Adviser on Research and Innovation, Dr. Ololade Dosunmu-Adeyemi, Salako noted that the government is advancing a national research and innovation agenda focused on data integration, digital transformation, and intersectoral collaboration.

    “Cancer registries are the heartbeat of evidence-based cancer control. They help us understand the true burden of disease, guide prevention and treatment strategies, and ensure that no community is left behind,” he said.

    Commending NORA and AFCRN for their leadership in capacity building, data harmonization, and regional collaboration, Salako described their efforts as proof that African scientists are driving meaningful change.

    “Nigeria remains committed to policies and innovations that make cancer control not just a scientific priority, but a moral imperative,” he said.

    The Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Aliyu, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to advancing cancer research, prevention, and treatment.

    He explained that Nigeria now operates both population-based and hospital-based cancer registries working in synergy to collect critical data on cancer trends, saying, “These registries take data on the type of cancers we see day to day in the country.

    “This helps inform decisions on the nature, types, and demographic distribution of cancer cases.

    “The importance of having an effective cancer registry is mainly for policy formulation. Without reliable data, government planning and budgetary allocation for cancer prevention, screening, awareness campaigns, and treatment equipment become difficult.”

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    He expressed concern over the rising incidence of cancer among younger Nigerians, describing it as a troubling shift from global patterns where cancer is more common among the elderly.

    The NICRAT chief commended the Coordinating Minister and the Minister of State for Health for supporting efforts to strengthen cancer data systems, noting that registries in Abuja and Lagos have been upgraded to the latest CanReg 5 software.

    More State registries, he said, will be established in 2025 to ensure reliable data for effective cancer control.

    Commending the collaboration between the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), AFCRN, and NICRAT, Aliyu noted that NORA’s mission to improve survival outcomes and reduce diagnostic delays aligns with the World Health Organization’s Global Cancer Initiative and Nigeria’s National Cancer Control Plan.

    On her part, the wife of the Imo State Governor, Chioma Uzodimma, speaking on behalf of the First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), called for stronger collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and advocates to curb the rising cancer burden in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    Uzodimma described cancer as a major public health threat, noting that over 127,000 new cases and 79,000 deaths were recorded in the region in 2022.

    She said FLAC has reached over 625,000 women with preventive education and HPV vaccination through its Screen Thousands True campaign, supporting the WHO’s 90-70-90 elimination goals.

    Across Nigerian States, she said, governors’ wives have led grassroots cancer screening initiatives reaching more than 10,000 women, funded surgeries for indigent patients, and supported free breast and cervical screenings.

    “Your research guides our advocacy and improves survival outcomes. Together, we can ensure that no Nigerian dies from a preventable or treatable cancer,” she said.

    Representing the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space, a delegate highlighted Nigeria’s rising profile as a regional research hub, revealing that NORA’s proposal ranked first among 100 African-German research submissions.

    “This network exemplifies the power of partnership, researchers across borders working together to generate knowledge that saves lives,” she said.

    She emphasized that while scientific evidence is vital, its true value lies in how it drives policy and practical action, “Evidence alone doesn’t save lives. Evidence in action does,” she added.

    Dr. Elima Jedy-Agba, a consultant public health physician and cancer epidemiologist who organized the event for NORA, said the alliance is a consortium of five African countries conducting collaborative research to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality.

    According to her, the summit brought together 155 delegates from 25 countries, including experts from Germany, the United Kingdom, Scotland, and the United States.

    “Our goal is to generate evidence that informs public health policy and improves cancer outcomes for women in Sub-Saharan Africa,” she said.

  • Minister seeks stronger partnership to tackle cancer burden

    Minister seeks stronger partnership to tackle cancer burden

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has called for greater collaboration among stakeholders in the fight against cancer, describing it as one of Nigeria’s most pressing public health challenges.

    She made the call at the opening ceremony of the 2025 International Cancer Week held at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre, Maitama, Abuja.

    Mahmoud noted that this year’s theme, “Redefining the Future of Cancer Prevention, Access, and Equity for All,” highlights the urgent need to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of status or location, has timely and affordable access to cancer prevention and treatment services.

    The Minister stressed that cancer remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with Nigeria bearing a significant share of the burden.

    She reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s commitment to sustained investment in awareness campaigns, early detection initiatives, and public-private partnerships to combat the disease.

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    According to her, the administration’s broader goal is to strengthen the healthcare system, prioritizing disease prevention and ensuring that all FCT residents have access to quality and affordable healthcare.

    Mahmoud emphasised that the war against cancer goes beyond medical treatment, requiring empathy, education, innovation, and investment in research. She commended the annual International Cancer Week for fostering dialogue, building partnerships, and mobilizing collective action to improve outcomes for families and communities affected by the disease.

    The minister also praised the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, the Nigeria Cancer Society, and other partners for their unwavering dedication to the cause.

    She reaffirmed the FCTA’s continued support for initiatives that enhance healthcare delivery, promote collaboration, and advance the vision of a cancer-free Nigeria.

  • Seyi Tinubu’s drug bank initiative berths at national hospital Abuja

    Seyi Tinubu’s drug bank initiative berths at national hospital Abuja

    …as resident doctor wins ₦1m training scholarship

    The Seyi Tinubu Drug Bank Initiative has been launched at the National Hospital in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), bringing pharmaceutical support to the hospital’s Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Gynecology departments.

    The initiative, funded by Mr. Seyi Tinubu, aims to significantly contribute to combating maternal and child mortality in Nigeria.

    Since its inception in August 2024, the Seyi Tinubu Drug Bank Initiative has been rolled out in six tertiary hospitals across the country, with plans to expand to more institutions, including secondary and primary health care facilities in the coming months.

    At the launch at the National Hospital leg of the initiative on Monday, which coincided with Tinubu’s birthday, drug banks valued in millions of naira to provide free essential medicines were donated to indigent pregnant women and children.

    The initiative, according to Seyi Tinubu, is part of a broader nationwide maternal and child health intervention designed to complement the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce Nigeria’s alarming rates of maternal and infant mortality.

    Represented at the launch event by Pharm. Ojeje Amin Onimisi, Tinubu emphasised that the initiative is driven by his compassion for vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, and his desire to see Nigeria’s global maternal and child health indicators improve significantly.

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    “This project is aimed at complementing the government’s efforts to ensure that Nigeria’s maternal and child mortality rates drop significantly. Our goal is to make sure no woman or child dies due to lack of access to basic medicines,” he said.

    Providing further insight into the program, Dr. Ayodele Cole Benson, the National Coordinator of the Seyi Tinubu Maternal and Child Healthcare Intervention Projects, explained that 60 tertiary hospitals have been identified for the initiative.

    “This program aims to establish drug banks in key hospital units, providing free medicines and delivery materials for indigent patients. 

    “We are also working on deploying Point-of-Care Ultrasound equipment to labour wards and antenatal clinics, supported by training to ensure effective usage,” Dr. Benson noted.

    He added that the selection of the National Hospital Abuja as an early beneficiary was due to its outstanding performance and commitment to quality care, aligning with the initiative’s broader vision to meet and potentially surpass Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) on maternal and child health by 2030.

    Receiving the donation on behalf of the hospital, Dr. Isiaka Olayinka Lawal, who represented the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Muhammad Mahmud, expressed appreciation for the gesture and assured that the hospital would ensure the proper implementation of the program to achieve its intended impact.

    “We are grateful for this timely intervention and pledge to ensure that the drug bank serves the intended beneficiaries, our mothers and children in need,” Dr. Lawal said.

    The highlight of the launch was the award of the Seyi Tinubu Residency Training Scholarship of ₦1 million to an outstanding senior registrar at the hospital, Dr. Ibrahim Fatima.

    The award, like the previous ones, was meant to support her registration for her final residency examinations in acknowledgement of her hard work and dedication.

  • Adolescents challenge FG, development partners on mental, physical health

    Adolescents challenge FG, development partners on mental, physical health

    By Dele Anofi and Haggai Daniel, Abuja

    Nigerian adolescents have called on the government and stakeholders to make mental and physical healthcare more accessible and youth-friendly, as the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to improving the health and well-being of young people.

    Speaking at the 2025 International Adolescent Health Week commemoration in Abuja, Miss Peculiar Bassey, a student of Junior Secondary School, Karonmajigi, expressed gratitude to the government, teachers, and parents but urged stronger action to address the silent struggles of young people.

    The event, themed ‘Thriving Inside and Out’, was organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with development partners to raise awareness and drive action toward improving adolescent well-being through inclusive health and education systems.

    “Many young people struggle with things we don’t talk about stress, low self-esteem, peer pressure, and loneliness. These challenges affect both our minds and bodies,” Miss Bassey said.

    Appealing to leaders, parents, and teachers, she urged them to listen to adolescents without judgment and create safe spaces for open dialogue.

    Responding, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, called for stronger national and community commitment to adolescent health, stressing that Nigeria’s future stability depends on how well it nurtures this generation.

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    Speaking through the Director of Human Resource Management, Tetshoma Dafeta, he acknowledged adolescent concerns about access to healthcare, mental health support, and safe spaces.

    Pate noted that adolescents make up 1.2 billion globally, 20 percent of the world’s population, with 85 percent in developing countries, while stressing that in Nigeria, they represent about 23 percent of the population.

    He highlighted ongoing efforts, including the creation of an Adolescent and School Health Branch, a dedicated budget line for adolescent health, and the implementation of the National Adolescent Health Policy and related guidelines.

    Urging States without such provisions to establish them, the Minister emphasized the need for open discussions on mental health, better counseling services, and collaboration among schools, families, and communities.

    Advising policymakers to dedicate a portion of key ministries’ budgets to adolescent development, Pate noted that investing in adolescents today is investing in Nigeria’s stability and resilience.

    Also speaking, the World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirmed its support for Nigeria’s adolescent health agenda. WHO Nigeria’s representative, Dr. Mary Barontuo, described the week as an opportunity to spotlight the challenges facing the country’s estimated 20 million adolescents.

    She revealed that 10–20 percent of adolescents experience mental health disorders such as depression and psychosis, often beginning between ages 11 and 18.

    Barontuo lamented low mental health literacy, stigma, and inadequate services, noting that only 20–30 percent of Nigerian adolescents engage in regular physical activity.

    She called for greater investment, intersectoral collaboration, and community engagement to promote physical and mental well-being.

    “Improving adolescent health is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring Nigeria’s long-term development,” she said.

    On her part, Jennifer Adebambi, Country Manager for Partnerships and Collaboration at the Society for Family Health (SFH), called for greater prioritization of adolescent-friendly health services to ensure equitable access to care and empowerment for young people, especially girls.

    She noted that SFH’s Adolescents 360 (A360) project has reached over one million girls aged 15–19 with family planning services, 175,000 with antenatal and safe delivery care, and 500,000 with economic empowerment and vocational skills.

    Adebambi urged the Federal Ministry of Health to integrate adolescent health into the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and reaffirmed SFH’s commitment to supporting universal health coverage and youth inclusion.

    Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Daju Kachollom, called for renewed national commitment to safeguarding adolescents’ physical and mental well-being, describing them as key to Nigeria’s social and economic future.

    Represented by Dr. Binyerem Ukaire, Director of Family Health, Kachollom said adolescence is a critical phase marked by potential and vulnerability that demands targeted interventions. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to expanding youth-friendly health services, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

    She urged collaboration among government, partners, educators, and parents to ensure effective implementation of adolescent and mental health policies. “Take care of your body, nurture your mind, and stay positive,” she told the youth, emphasizing that investing in adolescents is investing in Nigeria’s future.

  • ‘People with mental health challenges need empathy, not stigmatization’

    ‘People with mental health challenges need empathy, not stigmatization’

    The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), also known as the Pyrates Confraternity, has called for empathy rather than stigmatization towards individuals dealing with mental health challenges, emphasizing that understanding and support are essential to saving lives.

    At an event organized by the Zuma Deck of NAS in commemoration of the 2025 World Mental Health Day at its Anchor Point in Kubwa, Abuja, the group also urged adequate rest for members of the military and paramilitary services, warning that exhaustion and burnout could lead to depression or even suicide.

    Speaking during the event, the Second Mate of the Deck, Dr. Patrick Uju, stressed the importance of compassion, emotional intelligence, and self-care amid growing cases of mental health distress across the country.

    He explained that the theme of the gathering focused on breaking stigma and promoting understanding, noting that officers from the Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) participated in the discussions.

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    Citing global and local data, Dr. Uju observed that “one in every four individuals experiences a mental health issue at some point each year,” describing the condition as a “debilitating health crisis that undermines productivity and affects national development.”

    He emphasized that mental health awareness should translate into empathy and practical support rather than judgment. “People battling mental health issues don’t need to be stigmatized — they need to be supported,” he said.

    Dr. Uju underscored the need for simple acts of kindness and emotional support, explaining that “empathy, that quiet talk, that lovely speech” can make the difference between life and death for someone in distress.

    He added that the decision to focus on security operatives was deliberate, given their exposure to intense stress, long hours, and multiple responsibilities that often leave little time for rest.

    “Many of our security personnel face chronic sleep deprivation and fatigue due to their demanding schedules and, in some cases, additional work they take on to survive,” he said. “One of the key remedies to mental health challenges is adequate rest and proper nutrition. The brain needs time to rest, refresh, and reboot — just like a car engine.”

    Referring to recent tragic incidents, including the case of a newlywed military couple involved in a mysterious fire incident, Dr. Uju suggested that unchecked emotional strain often contributes to preventable tragedies.

    “With good emotional intelligence and empathy, such outcomes might have been avoided. It’s not about blame or guilt; it’s about understanding and helping one another,” he said.

    Also speaking at the event, Assistant Corps Commander (AIC) Zakari Akilu of the FRSC provided firsthand insight into the psychological strain officers endure on the job.

    He described the demanding 12-hour shifts from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., often extended by emergencies, as both mentally and physically exhausting. “The lives you are going to save are more important than that one or two hours of extra stress,” he said, while acknowledging the toll it takes on officers’ well-being.

    Akilu highlighted how everyday frustrations among drivers can easily escalate into aggression, putting both officers and road users at risk. “Someone may have had an argument at home, then brings that stress to the road. When we stop him, he just flares up,” he explained.

    He added that while FRSC personnel are trained to remain calm in tense situations, the accumulated stress can still be overwhelming. “No matter how calm you are, it’s stressful. But at the end of the day, you just have to take it,” he admitted.

    Akilu revealed that the FRSC has internal mechanisms to support its officers, including access to counseling services and mandatory rest periods. “No matter how good you are at managing stress, it’s always better to confide in someone and let the burden out,” he said. “Prevention is best, but where that’s not possible, effective stress management becomes essential.”

    The event ended with a renewed call for empathy, collective responsibility, and institutional support to address mental health concerns, particularly among frontline workers who often face the highest levels of stress in service to the nation.