The Nation Newspaper

Category: Health

  • World Alzheimer’s Day: Neurologist laments stigmatising people with dementia

    World Alzheimer’s Day: Neurologist laments stigmatising people with dementia

    A consultant neurologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Dr. Temitope Farombi, has urged Nigerians against stigmatising people living with dementia.

    She said Nigerians should have empathy for them, show understanding and support rather than pity or discrimination.

    Speaking at a public awareness campaign across major markets in Ibadan to mark World Alzheimer’s Day 2025, Farombi, who is also the founder of Brain Health Initiative Nigeria (BHIN) and Chief Executive Officer of Brain Centre Neurocritical and Neurorehabilitation Services, stated that dementia is a medical condition related to aging and not a spiritual affliction as believed in many communities.

    The World Alzheimer’s Day is observed globally every September 21 to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia as well as to encourage early diagnosis, care and support for individuals and families affected.

    Addressing traders and members of the public during the campaign, which took place in markets such as Gbagi, Gate, and others, Farombi said: “This month is World Alzheimer’s Month. It is aimed at encouraging conversations around dementia and understanding what people living with the condition are going through.”

    Farombi, who received training and Ph.D in Global Health in London, explained dementia is a brain disease, though not curable, but it is treatable and manageable with the right care and early intervention.

    “Many people still don’t know that dementia is a brain disease. They assume it’s just part of aging or something spiritual. This lack of awareness leads to stigma and neglect. Our aim is to educate the public that with proper support, people living with dementia can live meaningful and dignified lives.”

    She highlighted several modifiable risk factors for dementia, including hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, air and noise pollution, hearing loss, depression, social isolation, and poor diet among others.

    “These are all risk factors that can significantly increase the chances of developing dementia. The good news is that, according to scientific literature, addressing these factors can reduce the risk of dementia by up to 40 percent.”

    Farombi, who underscored the importance of early detection and intervention, called on people showing symptoms of memory loss, confusion, or disorientation to seek medical attention rather than hide due to fear of shame.

    “Anyone can develop dementia as they age. Stigmatising those affected only worsens their condition and burdens their families. We must replace pity with empathy, and judgment with support,” she added. 

    She urged Nigerians to become more informed and compassionate towards those living with dementia, adding that Nigerians can live good lives despite challenges if they support one another.

  • Experts urge government support for wider access to HIFU fibroid treatment in Nigeria

    Experts urge government support for wider access to HIFU fibroid treatment in Nigeria

    High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), a non-invasive treatment for fibroids and adenomyosis, has recorded remarkable success in Nigeria. However, specialists warn that without government intervention, its benefits will remain limited to only women who can afford it.

    At a virtual press briefing on Tuesday to mark over a year of HIFU treatment in Abuja, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, Chief Medical Director and CEO of Nordica Fertility Centre, together with Dr. John Bakut, a consultant at the centre’s fibroid care unit, emphasized that access to the treatment cannot be left to the private sector alone.

    He noted that while government interventions in several life-threatening diseases for vulnerable populations are commendable, similar support is needed for women’s health.

    According to Ajayi, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) should be a starting point, as women — who form a large percentage of the population and contribute significantly to family and national economies — are disproportionately affected by fibroids and related conditions.

     “Access to quality and affordable healthcare is ultimately a government responsibility, but this unique technology is quite capital-intensive; regardless, we have the expertise.

    “We at Nordica took loans to acquire these machines, and even now we heavily subsidize the treatments; in fact, we are the cheapest provider worldwide. Elsewhere, HIFU costs between $5,000 and $8,000, but we charge much less here.

    “We’ve even given free treatments to some patients, but that alone cannot solve the problem. For wider access, the government and the NHIA need to get involved,” Dr. Ajayi said.

    While Nordica entered into a partnership with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), he explained that its scope was limited, saying, “That partnership was mainly about awareness creation, not free treatment.

    “The FCT is itself struggling with basic equipment like MRI machines, so funding treatments isn’t realistic at the moment.”

    Dr. Ajayi noted that the experience of the past year showed a clear demand for the service. “One key lesson is that many patients truly desire HIFU treatment.

    He said, “While cost is a challenge, we’ve seen patients come early and later return to pay once they can. HMOs should consider including HIFU in their packages, which would increase access.

    “We’ve seen infertility cases resolve after treatment, women conceiving naturally without IVF, and severe fibroid complications being managed successfully without surgery. Every day, our results confirm that HIFU works.”

    The effectiveness and safety of the treatment, he argued, strengthened the case for government adoption: “Out of all the patients we’ve treated with HIFU, none has died, none has required a blood transfusion, and none has developed major complications,” he said.

    He explained that the benchmark for success differs from other medical procedures, noting, “As for ‘success rate,’ I think we need to clarify.

    “Fibroid treatment with HIFU isn’t like IVF, where success is measured in live births. Here, success is judged by improvement in quality of life, and in that sense, all our patients have benefited.

    “Some patients may require two treatments, but this is explained upfront during assessment, and those who need additional sessions are satisfied after completing them.

    “Importantly, there have been no deaths, no major complications, and no prolonged hospital stays.”

    According to him, it was on this basis that the Abuja centre celebrated a major milestone, with more than 100 women treated in just over a year.

    “We have treated 100 patients in Abuja using HIFU, all successful treatments. We started in July 2024, and as of now, we’ve treated 101 patients in total.

    “We felt it was worth sharing our experience, because in Lagos we’ve treated over 670 patients,” Dr Ajayi said.

    Beyond fibroids, Dr Ajayi said the potential of HIFU was growing, noting, “Another lesson we’ve learned is that many patients also need psychological support, because fibroids affect quality of life beyond the physical symptoms.

    “Globally, HIFU is being studied for different conditions, and as we continue to grow capacity, we’ll explore how Nigerians can also benefit from its wider applications.”

    He revealed that Nordica is part of a global HIFU network, saying, “We have a society, about 40 countries that do HIFU in the world, and we meet every two years where we exchange experiences.

    “There’s a teaching hospital in China dedicated only to HIFU. They do the core research, and we share our clinical experiences. Research is ongoing at Oxford University in the UK as well, where trials are exploring applications in cancer drug delivery.

    “So we are part of a family. Even our results are part of the global report, and the 2024 newsletter shows HIFU is making significant progress”.

    Stressing that Nigerians need to be aware and take advantage of the technology, Dr Ajayi said, “HIFU is available in Abuja, it is functional, and it will continue to serve patients. But awareness remains very low.

    “Nigerians need to know about this technology. We hate hearing that women are dying from fibroids when, with HIFU, many of those deaths are preventable.

    “Our message today is clear: women should not have to die from fibroids when safer treatment exists”.

  • Bill Gates raises alarm over child mortality in northern Nigeria

    Bill Gates raises alarm over child mortality in northern Nigeria

    Philanthropist Bill Gates has voiced deep concern over the alarming rate of child deaths in northern Nigeria, warning that one in six children born in the region does not survive to their fifth birthday.

    Speaking in an interview ahead of the Gates Foundation’s annual Goalkeepers event in New York, Gates described the statistic as a wake-up call for governments and development partners to take urgent action.

    “A kid born in northern Nigeria has a 15 per cent chance of dying before the age of five. You can either be part of improving that or act like that does not matter,” he said.

    To strengthen the global fight against preventable diseases, the Gates Foundation has pledged \$912 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria for the 2026–2028 cycle.

    The funding is expected to sustain interventions that have already halved child deaths worldwide since 2000, reducing annual deaths from 10 million to fewer than 5 million.

    However, Gates warned that years of progress are now at risk, citing a more than 20 per cent drop in international health funding over the last year — the lowest level in 15 years. He stressed that philanthropy cannot substitute for government responsibility.

    “I am not capable of making up for what the government cuts, and I do not want to create an illusion of that,” he said.

    He urged governments to strengthen primary healthcare, expand vaccine access, and deploy new medical innovations, insisting that millions more children could be saved by 2045 if leaders recommit to proven strategies.

    Nigeria remains among the countries with the highest child mortality burden, especially in the northern states, where weak health systems, poverty, and insecurity limit access to life-saving care.

    Reacting to Gates’ warning, a senior official at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health, who asked not to be named, acknowledged the challenge but said efforts were underway to change the narrative. “We are scaling up routine immunisation, revitalising primary healthcare centres, and working with partners like the Gates Foundation to close gaps in child survival. The figures are worrying, but they reinforce why the government must stay the course,” the official said.

    UNICEF Nigeria also stressed the urgency of the issue. In a recent report, the agency noted that child survival in the country “is closely tied to stronger health systems, clean water, nutrition and security,” and urged more investment at the federal and state levels.

    For Gates, the choice before leaders is stark: act decisively to save children or watch preventable deaths continue.

  • Building menstruation-friendly schools: What needs to change

    Building menstruation-friendly schools: What needs to change

    Across Nigeria, millions of adolescent girls face avoidable barriers to education simply because they menstruate. From the absence of clean toilets and safe water to the unavailability of sanitary pads, schools remain ill-equipped to support girls through a natural biological process. As a result, many girls stay home for several days each month, missing valuable learning time and, in extreme cases, dropping out entirely.

    Creating menstruation-friendly schools is no longer optional—it is a necessity. Experts say it demands changes in infrastructure, policy, and attitude, backed by sustained advocacy from both government and civil society.

    The reality in Nigerian schools

    “In Nigeria, menstrual health continues to be a taboo-ridden battlefield, where lack of open dialogue, cultural myths, and economic constraints force many girls and women into precarious hygienic conditions,” says Abdulhameed Adediran, Team Lead for Menstrual Health Initiatives at Population Services International (PSI) Nigeria.

    According to Adediran, these challenges begin in schools. Many public schools lack gender-segregated toilets, access to clean water, and facilities for safe disposal of menstrual waste. In such environments, adolescent girls struggle to change or manage sanitary materials discreetly, which leads to discomfort, embarrassment, and absenteeism.

    “For a girl, having her period in school should not be a reason to hide or leave class,” Adediran noted. “But in many communities, the physical environment and the silence around menstruation make it almost impossible for girls to feel comfortable.”

    Policies that exclude girls’ needs

    Nigeria’s education and health policies have historically overlooked menstrual hygiene management. Even where water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) policies exist, they seldom include gender-specific infrastructure or menstrual health education.

    Teachers, particularly male educators, are often unequipped to respond empathetically to menstrual emergencies. Some schools still impose punishments or stigmatize girls who stain their uniforms. Others provide no private space for girls to clean up or access sanitary materials, reinforcing feelings of shame.

    Experts emphasise that the government must move beyond one-time awareness campaigns to embed menstrual hygiene in the national education policy framework. School management committees, parent-teacher associations, and local governments also have roles to play by integrating menstrual health into their operational budgets.

    PSI’s advocacy for adolescent-friendly infrastructure

    In response to these gaps, PSI Nigeria has been at the forefront of efforts to make schools more menstrual-friendly through its Menstrual Health – No Wahala (MH-NoW) program. The initiative targets adolescent girls aged 10–24 across six states—Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Kano, Lagos, Nasarawa, and Sokoto—and promotes a holistic approach to menstrual health.

    Under MH-NoW, PSI works with schools and community leaders to install adolescent-friendly facilities, including clean toilets with water access, safe disposal units, and designated rest spaces for girls experiencing menstrual discomfort. The program also trains “menstrual health champions”—students, teachers, and healthcare workers—who lead awareness campaigns and peer-education sessions.

    So far, the initiative has reached over 200,000 individuals and trained more than 300 champions, transforming schools into safer and more inclusive environments for girls.

    Beyond infrastructure, PSI advocates for the inclusion of affordable sanitary pads in schools. The organization has urged both government and private partners to support local pad manufacturing to lower costs and ensure a steady supply.

    Changing mindsets, breaking silence

    While facilities are crucial, Adediran warns that cultural silence remains one of the biggest obstacles. “During our trainings, we ask what people call menstruation in their culture,” he explained. “Many hesitate to even utter the word ‘period,’ preferring euphemisms or silence. This pervasive hush means a girl may struggle to ask for pads or speak to a teacher about pain or infection.”

    Schools, he insists, must become safe spaces for dialogue. Incorporating menstrual health education into school curricula would empower both boys and girls to understand the process, dismantle myths, and normalize discussion. Teachers should also receive training to handle menstrual issues with empathy and accuracy.

    What needs to change

    To build menstruation-friendly schools, experts outline several priorities:

    1. Infrastructure investment: Every school should have gender-segregated toilets with running water, soap, and bins for sanitary waste.

    2. Pad accessibility: Schools should collaborate with NGOs and state agencies to ensure free or subsidized pads for students.

    3. Policy enforcement: Menstrual hygiene management must be enshrined in national and state education standards with clear funding lines.

    4. Teacher training: Educators should be equipped to provide guidance and psychological support to menstruating students.

    5. Community engagement: Parents and local leaders must be included in awareness campaigns to combat stigma from home to classroom.

    Adediran summarised the goal succinctly: “We must learn to say it, teach it, budget for it, and protect it.”

    Building menstruation-friendly schools is not merely about improving sanitation—it is about ensuring equality, dignity, and the right to education for every Nigerian girl.

  • Sanwo-Olu’s wife launches Measles Rubella vaccination campaign

    Sanwo-Olu’s wife launches Measles Rubella vaccination campaign

    The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has launched the Measles Rubella Vaccination (MRV) campaign, urging parents, guardians, and community leaders to ensure that every eligible child is immunized.

    The launch began with an awareness walk from the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, through Obafemi Awolowo Way to Allen Roundabout, Ikeja, and was followed by a high-level stakeholders’ engagement session at Lagos House, Alausa.

    She described the campaign as a reflection of the state government’s determination to safeguard the future of children and protect generations yet unborn from preventable diseases.

    She recalled that Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu had on August 18, approved counterpart funding for the campaign, underscoring his unwavering commitment to child health and the strengthening of the state’s healthcare system.

    “This action by the Governor is not only a testament to his passion for child health but also a reflection of the State Government’s resolve to eliminate preventable diseases,” she said.

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    The initiative, championed under the Governor’s Spouses Forum Initiative with strong backing from the Centre for Well-being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS), was described by the First Lady as a collective social responsibility.

    She warned about the dangers of measles and rubella, which are highly contagious and capable of causing blindness, brain damage, deafness, birth defects, or even death. She explained that the MR vaccine provides dual protection, saves lives, reduces hospital costs, and enhances the quality of life for children.

     “The vaccine targets children between 9 months and 14 years. Two doses provide up to 85 percent immunity. While mild reactions such as fever or rash may occur, serious side effects are extremely rare. The benefits far outweigh any temporary discomfort,” she emphasized.

    The First Lady assured parents that the vaccines would be free, safe, and available in all government health facilities and schools across Lagos State from January 2026. She also appealed to school authorities to cooperate fully to ensure no child is left behind.

    The high point of the event was the inauguration of prominent traditional rulers and religious leaders as Vaccination Ambassadors by the First Lady, including the Oba of Lagos, the Oniru of Iruland, the Onigando of Igando, the paramount ruler of Igbogbo, the Oniba of Iba, the Baale of Marine Beach, the Chief Imam of Lagos, the Lagos Chairman of CAN, the Iya Oloja General, and the Eze Ndigbo, among others.

    “When culture, tradition, and science work together, progress is inevitable. With the voices of our royal fathers and community leaders joining the call, we are confident that acceptance of the vaccine will increase and hesitancy will diminish,” she said.

     The governor’s wife called on parents, guardians, teachers, religious leaders, traditional rulers, health workers, and civil society organizations to mobilize children for vaccination.

    “The Lagos State Government has done its part by making this vaccine accessible and free. Now, we must do ours by ensuring that no child is left unprotected. Together, let us say YES to vaccination, YES to a healthier Lagos, and YES to the future of our children,” she declared.

    Giving an overview of the campaign, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Ibrahim Mustapha, noted that the state’s dense population and high mobility make it particularly vulnerable to outbreaks, hence the urgency of the MRV campaign.

    He assured that the vaccine, which has been used globally for over five decades, remains safe and effective, preventing millions of deaths worldwide. Vaccination in Lagos, he said, would be conducted in schools, Primary Healthcare Centres, religious institutions, and through mobile outreach teams.

    Mustapha stressed that the campaign aligns with the World Health Organization (WHO) global elimination goals for measles and rubella, as well as Nigeria’s national strategy to reduce childhood mortality.

    He called for the cooperation of parents, caregivers, schools, and community leaders to achieve high coverage and protect Lagos children.

  • ‘No case of Ebola in FCT’

    ‘No case of Ebola in FCT’

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Friday established that the suspected Ebola case reported in the nation’s capital has tested negative.

    FCTA urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.

    Speaking while briefing journalists, the FCT Mandate Secretary for Health and Environmental Services, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, explained that the suspected case was identified only as Patient X for confidentiality.

    Fasawe said it was immediately reported after showing symptoms of fever and unexplained bleeding upon returning from Rwanda.

    According to the FCT Epidemiologist, Dr Lukman Lawal, the case triggered an immediate activation of the Emergency Operations System in line with World Health Organization, WHO, National, and FCT protocols.

    Lawal said contact tracing, sample collection, and laboratory testing were conducted without delay and results from the National Reference Laboratory returned negative within six hours.

    Fasawe commended the patient for seeking medical attention immediately, the private facility that raised the alert at Nisa Premier Hospital, for maintaining a high index of suspicion, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC), for its swift collaboration with the FCT health authorities.

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    She said: “This incident shows that our surveillance system is active and alert. Every fever is not malaria. Every fever is not Ebola. What matters is early reporting and strict adherence to protocol”.

    Fasawe said that while Nigeria has no recorded Ebola cases, the vigilance remains high because of outbreaks in neighboring countries.

    According to the mandate secretary: “The FCT Administration has already conducted two Ebola-related investigations this year, both of which returned negative”.

    Fasawe also warned against misinformation and panic, calling on the media to verify information before publication. She reminded the public that stigmatizing patients only worsens health crises.

    She further urged Nigerians to make use of the toll-free line 6232 and other official NCDC platforms for reporting suspected cases of infectious diseases, adding that “the vigilance of one clinician can save a nation.”

    “Diseases do not know borders. With air travel, anyone can move from an endemic country to Nigeria within hours. That is why surveillance at our borders and within our communities is critical,” she said.

    The suspected patient, the administration said, is currently responding well to treatment for other conditions and is expected to be discharged soon.

    She urged journalists to always verify information before passing it to the general public to avoid panic.

    On the strike called off by the FCT doctors, Fasawe commended them for calling off the strike and also hailed the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike for approving all their requests.

    She pleaded for patience to allow due process while the order is implemented as soon as possible.

  • Ebola: NCDC allays fears over suspected viral hemorrhagic fever cases in Abuja

    Ebola: NCDC allays fears over suspected viral hemorrhagic fever cases in Abuja

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has assured Nigerians that there is no outbreak of Ebola or Marburg virus in the country, following investigations into two suspected viral hemorrhagic fever cases recently reported in Abuja.

    In a statement on Friday, NCDC Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, confirmed that both cases tested negative for Ebola and Marburg, with samples now undergoing screening for other viral hemorrhagic fevers such as Lassa fever and dengue.

    He said the most recent case involved a traveller who returned from Kigali and immediately reported to a hospital in Abuja after falling ill.

    According to Idris, who revealed that the NCDC has conducted a dynamic risk assessment in response to reports of Ebola in other African countries, Nigeria has stepped up surveillance at points of entry, placed isolation and treatment facilities on alert, and pre-positioned infection prevention and case management supplies.

    Furthermore, he said laboratories remain on standby for rapid testing, while response teams are ready to launch contact tracing if needed.

    Beyond immediate measures, he said, the agency is working with states and partners to upgrade isolation facilities, strengthen infection-prevention training for healthcare workers, conduct simulation exercises, and ensure access to medical countermeasures such as vaccines and therapeutics if required.

    The NCDC boss also urged State governments to provide adequate support to surveillance officers, ensure isolation centres remain functional, and strengthen rapid-response capacity.

    Healthcare workers across public and private facilities, he added, must remain vigilant, apply strict infection-control measures, and report suspicious cases without delay.

    Private hospitals, Idris noted, play a crucial role in early detection and must be fully integrated into national surveillance and preparedness structures.

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    Idris praised the patient’s swift action, describing it as exemplary, saying, “His decision to seek care early, combined with the vigilance of the attending clinician and hospital team, ensured our public health system was promptly activated and the risk to the public minimized.

    “This responsible action is commendable and a practice all Nigerians are urged to emulate,” he said.

    He commended the clinicians and staff at Nisa Premier Hospital, Abuja, for raising suspicion and reporting the case, which triggered a rapid national response.

    He also acknowledged the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) epidemiology and response teams, Port Health Services, the National Reference Laboratory, and partners in immigration and aviation whose swift coordination demonstrated Nigeria’s preparedness.

    The DG explained that Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever, remains one of the deadliest viral illnesses, with a fatality rate ranging from 25 to 90 percent.

    He said transmission occurs through contact with infected animals such as fruit bats and monkeys, or through exposure to bodily fluids of infected persons, while warning that health workers, caregivers, and mourners in close contact with deceased patients are particularly at risk.

    Symptoms usually appear between two and 21 days after infection, often starting with sudden fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, he noted.

    In addition, he said severe cases may involve vomiting, diarrhoea, jaundice, uncontrolled bleeding, organ failure, and, in fatal outcomes, death within 8–9 days.

    Idris stressed that while vaccines and therapeutics exist for some strains, early detection, isolation, and supportive care remain the most effective ways to save lives.

    He also advised that infection-control measures, safe burials, and contact tracing are equally vital to stopping transmission.

    He urged Nigerians to adopt preventive practices, including frequent handwashing, avoiding contact with people showing unexplained symptoms, limiting interaction with wild animals, and ensuring meat is properly cooked.

    The public, he added, should seek medical attention immediately if symptoms appear, especially after travel to affected areas.

    The agency also cautioned against rumours and misinformation, warning that false reports fuel panic, stigma, and resistance to care, while urging citizens to rely on official updates from NCDC and government channels.

    “These recent events are a reminder that the vigilance of one clinician, the responsibility of one patient, and the cooperation of all stakeholders can protect millions,” Idris said.

    For assistance or to report suspected cases, the agency urged the public to call the NCDC toll-free line 6232, use WhatsApp (+234 708 711 0839), SMS (+234 809 955 5577), or email [info@ncdc.gov.ng](mailto:info@ncdc.gov.ng).

  • Lagos NMA seeks single tenure for CMDs, decries salary cuts

    Lagos NMA seeks single tenure for CMDs, decries salary cuts

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State Branch, has called for the introduction of a single-term tenure for Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs) of federal tertiary hospitals.

    It said the current system encourages abuse of power, impunity, and tyranny in office.

    Speaking at a news conference in Lagos as part of activities for its 2025 Annual General Meeting/Conference, NMA Lagos Chairman, Dr. Babajide Saheed, said many CMDs and MDs lose focus on their responsibilities in their second term and instead become authoritarian, to the detriment of healthcare delivery.

    “We strongly call for the adoption of a single four-year tenure for CMDs/MDs of tertiary health institutions, in line with university practice.

    Some leaders in their second term become tyrannical and lose sight of their deliverables.

    A single tenure will ensure accountability, provide opportunities for other competent candidates, and align with global best practices where leadership rotation drives innovation,” Dr. Saheed said.

    The press briefing formed part of the week-long AGM/AGC 2025, which opened with a thanksgiving service at the Chapel of the Healing Cross, Ikeja, on Sunday.

    Other activities include a scientific conference, medical school quiz competition, medical outreach, football match, Jumat service, rehabilitated Lagos SCID Panti Clinic opening, and a dinner night.

    The conference, chaired by veteran oncologist and former National Hospital CMD, Prof. Francis Abayomi Durosimi-Etti, is themed, “A Critical Appraisal of Nigeria’s Budgetary Allocations to Health: Negotiating for Better Medical Salary Scale and Relativity for Medical Doctors.”

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    Prof. Edamisan Teiniye, a professor of paediatrics and past chairman of NMA Lagos, will deliver the keynote address. 

    He is known for his advocacy on welfare and health system strengthening.

    Dr. Saheed said the theme reflects the urgent need to confront the reality that Nigeria’s health budget remains at 5.18% of government expenditure, far below the 15% Abuja Declaration target.

    NMA Lagos also condemned what it described as the “sacrilegious” continued stay in office of Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye as Acting Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, despite the expiration of his tenure months ago.

    “It is sacrilegious for Dr. Owoeye to continue to lead the institution as Acting MD after completing his tenure while still in the race for a second term. This means he will hand over to himself if reappointed. This is against extant rules and regulations,” Dr. Saheed said, calling on the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, to end the “reign of impunity” in the institution.

    The association also rejected what it termed illegal salary cuts imposed on doctors employed by the Lagos State Government since July by the State Treasury Office (STO).

    It demanded the immediate restoration of doctors’ salaries to their pre-April 2025 levels, warning Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu that the deductions were worsening the brain drain crisis in the state.

    “We reject any reduction in the salaries of Lagos State doctors. We call on the governor to restore salaries to the pre-April 2025 level as the minimum to be paid from September. Our members already work under enormous pressure due to high workload and Lagos-specific challenges. Anything less is unacceptable,” he said.

    Lagos NMA raised the alarm over the scrapping of call duty meals and unpaid arrears for doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), warning that the welfare neglect was dangerous for patient care.

    “Doctors on call work long hours with no meals provided. Coupled with unpaid skipping arrears, this neglect directly affects their well-being and compromises patient safety,” Dr. Saheed said.

    Beyond Lagos, NMA Lagos also used the platform to highlight Nigeria’s chronic underfunding of health and its link to the worsening “Japa syndrome.”

    Nigeria’s 2025 budgetary allocation to health is ₦2.48 trillion, just 5.18% of government expenditure, far below the 15% Abuja Declaration benchmark. Some states allocate less than 2% of their budgets to health.

    Dr. Saheed warned that inadequate investment, coupled with poor welfare, was pushing doctors out of the country in droves.

    “Government is turning Nigeria into an exporter of human resources after oil. When doctors trained here with taxpayers’ money leave in frustration, Nigeria loses twice. We cannot continue this way. Government must take ‘Japan’ seriously as a national emergency,” he said.

    The Lagos NMA also reminded the Federal Government of its unimplemented demands, warning of looming industrial action if concrete steps are not taken.

    It reiterated that salary relativity between doctors and other healthcare professionals must be preserved, describing it as “sacrosanct” to industrial harmony in the sector.

    Dr. Saheed rounded off with a firm call on government at all levels to act decisively:

    “Healthcare must be treated as a priority, not an afterthought. Doctors’ salaries should be restored, relativity preserved, and impunity rooted out. While we remain open to constructive engagement, we will not hesitate to take decisive action to defend the dignity of our profession and safeguard Nigerians’ right to quality healthcare.”

  • Nigeria, U.S. seal healthcare partnership

    Nigeria, U.S. seal healthcare partnership

    Minister of Health Prof. Ali Pate has hailed the new partnership on health care between Nigeria and the United States.

    Although details of the agreements have not been made available, the minister in a tweet on his X handle @muhammadpate yesterday said: “We welcome this new strategic partnership approach of the United States of America.

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    “Clearly aligned with our national sovereign interest to build robust and sustainable primary healthcare platform in Nigeria, it is the type of partnership we seek from the United States and other development partners, as we take proactive steps to prevent illnesses, improve population health outcomes, control infectious diseases (HIV, Tuberculosis, Malaria, Pneumonia etc.), expand health insurance, and establish well functioning healthcare markets, as well articulated in the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative #NHSRII of  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “Nigeria cherishes win-win partnerships with other countries and we especially thank the American people and its Government, led by President Donald J. Trump, for their stalwart support over the past two decades, and we look forward to engaging further on this comprehensive new strategy extended by the United States of America . This will accelerate the paths of countries to exit dependency over time.”

  • Abayomi Ajayi kicks off fourth physicians’ mentorship programme

    Abayomi Ajayi kicks off fourth physicians’ mentorship programme

    The Dr. Abayomi Ajayi Physicians Mentorship Programme has kicked off its fourth cohort, bringing together 13 young doctors from across Nigeria for a six-month intensive mentorship designed to sharpen their leadership, emotional, and managerial skills.

    The initiative focuses on four critical areas: leadership through emotional intelligence, planning and management, self-discovery, and decision-making.

    The cohort, made up of doctors aged 25 to 35, has been paired with 14 accomplished mentors, including fertility expert and MD/CEO of Nordica Fertility Centre, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi; former LASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lanre Fagbohun; UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola; UNILAG Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Prof. Afolabi Lesi; Managing Director of WhyteCleon Limited, Mrs. Nireti Adebayo; Interkel Group founder, Engr. Nnamdi Agbim, and Chief Client Officer of AXA Mansard, Mrs. Rasidat Adebisi.

    Speaking at the virtual launch, Dr. Ajayi said the programme aims to strengthen Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 by enhancing the training, retention, and leadership capacity of health workers.

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    He noted that Nigeria’s medical education often neglects management and leadership training despite the prestige of the profession, stressing that the programme equips young physicians with skills to thrive in leadership and professional excellence.

    Ajayi also highlighted that mentorship creates opportunities for interaction with leading professionals across fields, encouraging mentees to see a future for themselves within Nigeria.

    Other mentors shared words of guidance. Prof. Lesi urged participants to pursue excellence and purpose, while marketing expert Funmi Onabolu emphasised the importance of emotional and soft skills in real-world success.

    AXA Mansard’s Rasidat Adebisi encouraged mentees to embrace mentorship fully, as it could unlock new opportunities and broaden their horizons.

    The mentorship, organised in partnership with the Nordica Foundation, continues to build on the success of previous cohorts, with many alumni now excelling in the medical profession with resilience and leadership.