The Nation Newspaper

Category: Health

  • FG sets up inter-ministerial committee for implementation of health sector agreements

    FG sets up inter-ministerial committee for implementation of health sector agreements

    The Federal Government has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee to oversee the implementation of agreements reached with health sector unions and associations. 

    The move is part of a broader strategy to ensure lasting industrial harmony in the nation’s healthcare system.

    The committee is chaired by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Izaq Adekunle Salako, with membership drawn from key government institutions, including Daju Kachollom, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; a representative of the Ministry of Labour and Employment; a delegate from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; and a member of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission. 

    Also on the committee are representatives from the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and the Budget Office.

    The committee’s establishment follows recent constructive engagements between the Federal Government and the leadership of all health sector unions and associations. 

    The discussions are part of an ongoing reconciliation process aimed at sustaining peace and stability in the health sector while addressing the welfare concerns of health workers.

    According to a statement on Saturday by Alaba Balogun, the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, who led the government delegation during the meeting, reaffirmed the administration’s recognition of health workers as critical to achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda. 

    He said President Bola Tinubu is committed to improving healthcare delivery through increased investment in infrastructure, equipment, services, and the welfare of health professionals.

    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appreciates all Nigeria’s health workers, whom he regards as key to realizing the Renewed Hope Agenda for the health sector. 

    “His administration has made significant investments in infrastructure, equipment, services, and welfare, and will do even more,” Professor Pate noted.

    Read Also: FG speeds up Alau Dam reconstruction to combat floods, water shortages

    Highlighting the progress made under recent health sector reforms, the Minister noted that Nigerian hospitals are now attracting patients from other West African nations, as well as from Europe and America. 

    He described the meeting as the first of its kind, commending the unions for their dedication and constructive participation.

    Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Tanko Yusuf Sununu, lauded both the health unions and the Ministers of Health and Social Welfare for their commitment to dialogue. 

    He stressed that the agreements must be implemented consistently and uniformly and called for continuous engagement between the government and health sector stakeholders to maintain industrial peace.

  • Delta to implement six-month maternity leave

    Delta to implement six-month maternity leave

    As the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Enugu Zonal Office, rounds off the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week in 12 states, including Delta State, the Primary Healthcare Centre in Ogbeogologo in Asaba, the state capital, was agog with flurry of activities.

    Nursing mothers, expectant mothers, nurses and other healthcare practitioners were present to deepen their understanding of exclusive breastfeeding and its benefits to child’s growth and development and the wellbeing of nursing and expectant mothers.

    Addressing the large audience, Delta Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojame, said while the state government was fully in support of the global policies on breastfeeding, it must collectively strive to attain the World Health Organisation (WHO) target of 50% exclusive breastfeeding.

    Read Also: Significant development has occurred in Niger Delta under Tinubu, says Minister

    The Commissioner, represented by Dr, Paul Yinkori, Executive Director, Delta State PHC Development Agency, said the government was poised to the implementation of six months maternity leave for working mothers and encourage breastfeeding support groups in the State.

    Onojame said the approach would be to demystify myths surrounding breastfeeding, improve awareness on the importance of breastfeeding, implement enabling policies on breastfeeding such as early initiation within one hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continuous complimentary breastfeeding up to two years. 

    “We will implement six months maternity leave for working mothers and encourage breastfeeding support groups,” he stated.

    He noted that the state was lagging behind at exclusive breastfeeding rate at 27 per cent against the WHO standards of 50 per cent.

  • UNICEF, Katsina Government tackle malnutrition with N1b

    UNICEF, Katsina Government tackle malnutrition with N1b

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Katsina Government have declared war against malnutrition  by committing additional N1 billion to combat the scourge ravaging parts of the State.

    The Nation repprts that some 650 children died from malnutrition between January and June 2025 with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) prevalence in the Mashi Local Government Area.

    Speaking during a meeting of the Standardised Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transition (SMART) survey in Katsina, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Shamsudeen Yahaya, said that the State Government and UNICEF would provide N500 million each in the 2025 fiscal year to address the issue of malnutrition.

    According to him: “Since the coming of this present administration, His Excellency, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, has prioritised healthcare delivery, especially primary healthcare and the welfare of children. 

    ”This year, the State Government will provide N500 million while UNICEF will match it with the same amount, making it N1 billion to address acute malnutrition in the state.

    Read Also: Uzodimma, UNICEF, WHO urge mothers not to abandon breastfeeding babies

    “Since 2016, 14 local government councils have been contributing N250,000 monthly, amounting to N3.5 million to attenuate malnutrition amongst children and breastfeeding mothers.”

    The UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, Niyi Oyedokun, described the SMART survey meeting as crucial, noting that the Katsina State government is taking the leadership of the conduct of the exercise.

    He said “The meeting is to sensitise all the major stakeholders, including all the 34 Local Government Areas chairmen who were invited, among other partners. 

    “UNICEF is supporting the government and UNICEF is funding the SMART Survey, but the government of Katsina State is also contributing both financially and facilities as well”

  • Organ donation: Expert disects procedures, benefits

    Organ donation: Expert disects procedures, benefits

    Nigerian Muslims have been encouraged to show interest and participate actively, in organ donation to the needy, just as the gesture is recognized by Islam as an act of charity.

    Similarly, when participating in the process, the faithful, including medical experts and donours have been urged to be conscious of their intention and follow Islamic principles, so as to earn the full reward in life and hereafter.

    The Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer of Our Friend Hospital, Dr Muhammed-Isa Abdul Mujeeb, made the call while delivering lecture titled: “Navigating the complexities of organ donation and harvesting: Legal, Ethical and Islamic Perspectives, at The Companion (Association of Muslim men in business and the professions) Lagos District 2025 Midterm Conference Public Lecture, on Saturday.

    Speaking on the Islamic principles relating to the process, the Medical practitioner stated that, Islam gives credence to life and body, that the human body is a trust, and as such, it’s expected to be accorded respect in life and death.

    He affirmed that Islam allows organ donation, as it encourages seeking legal cure; recognizes the principle of necessity – which accommodates “daurura” – a ruling which allows exceptions to general rules, especially when human life is at stake.

    The physician stressed on intention of the action – asserting that organ donation motivated by altruism and saving of lives, aligns with the Islamic values of charity and compassion.

    While noting thaat the mostly donated organs, include kidneys and lungs, among others, Dr AbdulMujeeb stated that the Islamic rulings on the act, provide that the donation must not cause harm to the donour and the process must be with the valid consent – permission from donour or family.

    He warned that organ donation should not be for profit making, just as Islam prohibits organ trading or to be done for financial incentives.

    Read Also: Experts sound alarm over rising NCDs, call for urgent action

    He added that Islam rules that there should be medical necessity – a clear need for organ transplantation with no alternatives.

    He listed the benefits of organ donation which include saving of life; restoring health; giving emotional reward to donour and impacting positively on the society.

    Dr AbdulMujeeb encouraged Muslims to be positively disposed to ethical organ donation, as it is considered under the Islamic rulings as an act that save life; an act of charity and a charity gesture which rewards to donour is everlasting – described in Islam as “Sadaqah Jariyah”.

     Chairman of the Conference Public Lecture, Hassan Fajimite, noted that as the science continues to break new grounds, human being is faced with serious questions – “not just about what can be done, but what should be done properly with the fear of Allah”.

    Fajimite, who is the Managing Partner, Inukan Chambers, cautioned that both the donour and medical practitioners should follow legal procedure while giving consent for donation and harvesting, so as to avoid being caught by hands of the laws.

    He recalled the saga of a former Senator in Nigeria, describing it as a tragic story of a father trying to save his daughter, but taking the wrong route, adding that the event reminded the world that when ethics are ignored, compassion can turn criminal.

    He commended Lagos State House of Assembly over recent passing the Bill on Human Organ Harvesting and Tissue Transplantation into Law, noting that it was a response to the new realities, affirming that the gesture, alongside the National Health Act 2014 are bold steps.

    “We are beginning to see clearer structures that protect both donours and patients. The law is only part of the picture – our compass must also be the Quran and Sunnah,” he said.

    The Lagos District Amir of The Companion, Alhaji Abdul Kabir Baruwa, said: “We are all living in times that are evolving and rapidly advancing with scientific breakthroughs, medical research and innovations, deployment of cutting edge technologies with disruptive capabilities, Bio and Nano technological development that have expanded human knowledge and horizons. 

    “The cumulative effects of these technological and medical advances have changed not only our perception but our collective realities on how we interact and embrace the use of these technologies.

    “As Muslims, it is imperative to evaluate the appropriateness of the deployment of these technologies and interrogate their ethical considerations using Islamic lens and standards”. 

    Alhaji Baruwa reiterated that the choice of the conference topic was largely predicated on the need to beam a search light on this development, adding that it is worrisome that there’s been reported cases of incidences of organ harvesting and sales especially amongst the youth demography. 

    He lamented that the development has reached an alarming scale that requires urgent intervention from policy makers, while the various law making bodies should come up with stringent measures to counter this pervasive threat to the health and well being of our young people. 

    “A country with unregulated and loose standards for organ donation, transplant and procurement is a recipe for a health disaster with devastating consequences for future generations. Organ harvesting, especially when done illegally or without consent, is one of the most disturbing human rights issues of our time” Alhaji Baruwa warned.

    He stressed that the multi-dimensional poverty in Nigeria is a systemic challenge that requires coordinated and sustained efforts across all sectors and levels of government. 

    Baruwa specified: “Tackling it is not just a humanitarian imperative but a key to national stability, economic growth, and the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is germane to emphasize that government at all levels should collaborate to ensure that well articulated policies and programmes are implemented to reduce the effect of the high inflationary pressures on the most vulnerable segment of the society. This will go along way in reducing the number of our population that are currently experiencing multi-dimensional poverty”.

  • Mpox cases drop by 58% across Africa but new outbreaks raise alarm — Africa CDC

    Mpox cases drop by 58% across Africa but new outbreaks raise alarm — Africa CDC

    The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has announced a sharp decline in mpox cases across the continent, revealing a 58 per cent drop between epidemiological weeks 19 and 30 of 2025.

    The health agency, however, warned of fresh outbreaks in three countries and urged continued vigilance to prevent further spread.

    The Director-General of Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, disclosed this on Friday during the agency’s weekly press briefing webinar.

    He attributed the progress to strengthened national leadership, improved community engagement, and bolstered healthcare systems, all supported by Africa CDC and its development partners.

    “Through collaborative action, we are seeing a promising reduction in mpox transmission. This success is a reflection of our collective efforts to ensure that vaccination campaigns are reaching those at highest risk, and that our surveillance systems are better coordinated and more responsive.” Kaseya said.

    According to him, over 3.1 million doses of the mpox vaccine have so far been distributed across 12 African countries, with more than 886,000 individuals vaccinated.

    The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) alone accounted for 69 per cent of all vaccinated persons on the continent, making it the leading country in vaccination coverage.

    Despite the significant progress, Dr Kaseya expressed concerns about new mpox outbreaks reported in The Gambia, Cameroon, and Mozambique.

    He noted with particular concern the detection of multiple mpox clades, including the high-risk Clade IIb, in the capital city of Kinshasa.

    “These emerging threats remind us that we must not relent,” he warned. “Our member states must intensify surveillance efforts, especially in vulnerable populations, and continue targeted vaccination strategies. We cannot afford to backslide.”

    Kaseya emphasised the need to monitor mutations and transmission dynamics closely to avoid regional resurgence.

    Read Also: Edo, WHO earmark six councils for MPox vaccination

    Turning attention to another public health threat, the Africa CDC boss raised alarm over the increasing number of cholera outbreaks across the continent.

    He said that the disease had now spread to 23 African Union member states, with new cases emerging in Chad and the Republic of Congo.

    While he noted a gradual decline in both cases and fatalities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, the two most severely affected countries, Kaseya said the threat remained serious and underscored the urgent need for multisectoral intervention.

    He blamed poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure as the primary driver of cholera outbreaks, stressing that the continent’s fragile WASH systems were failing to protect communities from waterborne diseases.

    “We cannot defeat cholera if we do not fix the root causes,” he said. “There must be a coordinated approach involving ministries of health, water resources, education, and local governments to ensure safe water and improved sanitation reach every household.”

    To strengthen response efforts, Kaseya revealed that Africa CDC was expanding the role of its Incident Management Support Team (IMST) to include cholera interventions.

    The initiative, he explained, is being executed in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other global health actors, and will now function under the leadership of the Zambian Presidency.

    He urged African governments to bolster community-led surveillance, prioritise cholera vaccinations in high-risk areas, and improve integrated case management, particularly for patients with existing medical conditions that increase vulnerability.

    As he wrapped up the briefing, Dr Kaseya reiterated Africa CDC’s commitment to supporting member states with technical assistance, strategic coordination, and resource mobilisation.

    He said that while progress was being recorded, it remained fragile and required ongoing dedication from governments, communities, and international partners.

    “Our success depends on our unity, our resolve, and our ability to adapt to evolving threats,” he concluded. “Let us continue to act with urgency and responsibility to protect the health and future of our continent.”

    The Africa CDC continues to monitor the situation closely and is expected to provide updated guidance to countries in the coming weeks.

  • FG launches national task force to combat counterfeit drugs, unsafe foods

    FG launches national task force to combat counterfeit drugs, unsafe foods

    The federal government has launched the Federal, Zonal and State Task Forces on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods in a decisive push to safeguard public health and reinforce Nigeria’s healthcare system.

    The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Pate, and the Director General (DG) of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, described the initiative as critical to Nigeria’s health security, economic stability, and international reputation.

    Both acknowledged that while progress has been made, with substandard and falsified medicines estimated at less than 10 percent of the market, Nigeria cannot afford to relent.

    While inaugurating the Task forces in Abuja on Friday, Pate said the initiative was not just a procedural step but a very important moment in the nation’s ongoing effort to protect the health and safety of every citizen.

    “This is about protecting not just our present but also our future. Our children are growing up in environments where exposure to unsafe products could determine their health decades from now,” he said.

    He noted that NAFDAC’s designation among the top national drug regulatory authorities in Africa and globally as a Maturity Level 3 (ML3) regulatory authority by the World Health Organisation (WHO) underscores the agency’s strategic role in safeguarding public health.

    The ML3 designation signifies that NAFDAC operates a stable, well-functioning, and integrated regulatory system for medicines and imported vaccines, meeting international standards.

    The Minister outlined how the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s health agenda, which rests on four pillars of strengthening governance in the health sector, improving population health outcomes, unlocking the healthcare value chain, and advancing national health security.

    He said counterfeit medicines and unsafe processed foods directly threaten each of the goals, making the Task Forces essential to safeguarding the health of Nigerians.

    Read Also: Customs intercept rice-laden tanker, hands over seized drugs, chemicals in Kaduna

    He explained that fake drugs not only fail to treat health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancers but can also accelerate complications and mortality.

    Similarly, noting that contaminated or substandard processed foods can contribute to cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and other life-threatening illnesses, the Minister stressed, “These illicit products endanger lives and erode trust in our healthcare system.

    “If Nigerians cannot trust what they are getting, they will not take what is necessary to save their lives.”

    The Minister stressed that a strong regulatory system protects legitimate manufacturers from unfair competition by producers of substandard goods and helps position Nigeria as a reliable source of quality medicines and foods for the West African region.

    Highlighting the economic stakes, Pate said Nigeria’s over 200 million people and neighbouring countries depend on products manufactured locally, making regulatory vigilance a matter of both domestic and regional importance.

    He called for uncompromising collaboration between government agencies, security forces, industry, and the public, urging zero tolerance for corruption or compromise.

    “The fight against counterfeit drugs and unsafe food is urgent. Every delay costs lives and livelihoods. This is a shared responsibility,” he noted.

    Pate also linked the initiative to the broader African sovereignty agenda, noting that many diseases caused by unsafe products are preventable if governments act early.

    “We don’t have to wait until we have cancers, kidney disease, or hypertension before we act. Prevention is cheaper and saves more lives,” he said.

    NAFDAC DG Adeyeye reinforced the urgency, describing counterfeit and substandard products as an insidious threat that jeopardises the health of our citizens, the integrity of our healthcare system, and the trust Nigerians place in the products they consume daily.

    She revealed that between February and March 2025, NAFDAC carried out large-scale operations in major drug markets, including Onitsha and Ariaria, seizing and destroying over 100 truckloads of counterfeit and substandard products worth more than ₦1 trillion.

    Noting that the raids led to numerous arrests and the removal of dangerous medicines, unregistered drugs, and unsafe foods from circulation, the DG said, “These operations sent a clear message: Nigeria is serious about protecting its citizens.

    “But lives are at stake every day, and delays in action only deepen the risks. We must act now, with purpose, resolve, and unity.”

    She stressed that success would depend on robust collaboration with industry, law enforcement, and consumers, backed by public awareness campaigns and technological innovations to track and prevent the infiltration of fake products.

    The task force, empowered by Cap C34 laws, will operate at the Federal and State levels, with members drawn from NAFDAC, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Armed Forces, the Police, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and other regulatory bodies.

    The 10-member Federal Task Force and its sub-national counterparts will prioritise surveillance, rigorous enforcement, and public education to empower citizens to identify and reject counterfeit products.

    Adeyeye added that the fight is also about restoring trust, “Together, we will protect our citizens, uphold our national health standards, and restore confidence in the integrity of our medicines and foods,” she said.

    While assuring that funding challenges would be diligently addressed, the DG appealed for state governors’ cooperation and full support for the Task Forces’ mandates.

    The Federal Task Force Chairman, Martins Iluyomade, also pledged that members would uphold the integrity of the initiative’s objectives without compromise.

  • Kogi leads in health insurance coverage, expands affordable care for workers, retirees

    Kogi leads in health insurance coverage, expands affordable care for workers, retirees

    Kogi State has emerged as Nigeria’s top-performing state in insurance coverage for adults, with 11% of its population enrolled, according to new 2023 data from StatiSense and EFInA. This figure places Kogi ahead of Lagos (9%), Oyo (7%), and the Federal Capital Territory (6%), underscoring the state’s commitment to expanding quality, affordable healthcare.

    At the center of this progress is the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency (KGSHIA), led by Dr. Kunle Aledare, whose people-centered approach has driven aggressive enrollment, rural outreach, and partnerships that deliver inclusive, sustainable health financing. Thousands of rural and underserved residents can now access essential health services without fear of financial ruin.

    Government Spokesperson, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, noted:

     “This data confirms that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration is deeply committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Kogites. With Dr. Aledare’s leadership, we are not just building hospitals but a healthcare system that truly works for everyone.”

    Fanwo added that other states are already studying the Kogi model as the administration moves closer to universal health coverage.

    Read Also: Kogi Assembly seeks urgent intervention to restore electricity in Ankpa LGA

    In a further push to extend affordable healthcare, the Kogi State Government recently signed a landmark pact with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), providing Local Government staff access to affordable insurance under the state scheme. The Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Ayoade, signed the agreement on behalf of the state, describing it as a “game changer.”

    Fanwo explained that the initiative also covers retirees, with thousands of Kogi pensioners already enrolled and registration ongoing for others.

    “We are actively onboarding our retirees, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to ensure cheap, quality, and accessible healthcare for pensioners and low-income earners,” he stated.

    To support the rollout, the government is upgrading over 200 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state to guarantee grassroots access to quality care.

    Fanwo hailed the Federal Government for its support, assuring civil servants, Local Government workers, and retirees that the Ododo administration will continue to build a healthy, empowered, and productive population as the foundation for sustainable development.

  • FG challenges dental technologists to innovate, digitise profession

    FG challenges dental technologists to innovate, digitise profession

    The federal government has called on dental technologists across Nigeria to embrace innovation, digitalisation, and stricter regulation to elevate their role in the country’s evolving healthcare system.

    The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said it is important for the profession to modernise standards, curb quackery, and enhance multi-disciplinary collaboration.

    Salako spoke in Abuja on Thursday while delivering the keynote address at the maiden Dental Technologists National Summit, organised by the Dental Technologists Registration Board of Nigeria (DTRBN).

    The event, themed ‘Dental Technologists: Past, Present and Future’, brought together health professionals, policymakers and students to reflect on the profession’s evolution and its role in national health reform.

    Stressing that the practitioners must not give space for quackery to thrive in any part of Nigeria, he said, “I challenge the Board to strengthen its monitoring systems through technology, ensure that only qualified personnel are allowed to practise, and make the public aware of who and where registered technologists are.”

    The Minister emphasised the need to fully digitise its operations, including student indexing, practitioner registration, and location tracking, while describing dental technologists as essential to health outcomes.

    Noting their behind-the-scenes fabrication of crucial dental and maxillofacial appliances, he said, “Without your input, the dental team cannot function optimally. You are essential in restoring smiles, speech, nutrition, and patient dignity”.

    Salako called for the adoption of modern methods, including digital scanning, 3D printing, and advanced dental materials.

    “Don’t be stagnant. Keep pace with technological advancements and ensure better, more comfortable, and accurate care through innovation,” he said.

    Reaffirming government backing, Salako said dental technologists are “important partners in this transformation. Your technical skills, material expertise, and ability to adopt modern methods are vital to achieving better health outcomes.”

    He encouraged participants to use the two-day event as a space for collaboration and strategic dialogue.

    Read Also: Sokoto businessman gets free medical treatment after DSS accidental shooting

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Healthcare Services, praised technologists’ vital but often overlooked contributions.

    “This summit is a platform to reawaken our collective commitment to ethical practice, research, and collaboration. The Legislature stands ready to partner with stakeholders for reforms that benefit all Nigerians,” he said.

    In her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Kachollom Daju, reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening dental practice and called for professional unity.

    “We do not see the Ministry of Health as belonging to any single profession; we are one family, united for a cause,” she said, decrying divisions between doctors and dental surgeons.

    “All health professionals, from technologists to therapists and surgeons, must recognise their shared purpose: patient care,” Daju stressed, describing the summit as a milestone for dental technology capable of producing strategies that enhance oral health outcomes.

    DTRBN Registrar, Idris Bappah, in his welcome address, described the summit as a historic milestone and a platform for bold conversations around the challenges facing the profession and the innovative responses required.

    “This summit opens a new chapter to reflect on the past, engage the present, and shape a resilient future,” he said.

    Bappah explained that the Board, established in 1987 and governed by Act Cap D6 of 2004, is the profession’s sole regulator and has consistently promoted discipline, professionalism, and ethics while overseeing a growing workforce of licensed technologists.

    He detailed the wide scope of the profession: “Our practice includes oral and facial prostheses, but we also fabricate ocular prostheses, artificial ears, feeding plates for cleft babies, and even breast prostheses for cancer patients.”

    The Registrar called for continuous learning and ethical conduct, saying, “This summit is not just a gathering; it’s a call to action. Let us challenge the status quo, collaborate meaningfully, and co-create a profession defined by excellence and integrity.”

    The panel discussions centred on unity, curriculum reform, and integrated training. 

    Speakers stressed the need for a unified regulatory framework and stronger interprofessional collaboration.

    Another recurring point was the need to review outdated legislation, with the panellists calling on stakeholders to draft proposals for the National Assembly, advocating for a General Dental Council inclusive of all cadres.

    Concerns were raised over leadership tussles and professional hierarchy that could obstruct unity.

    They also criticised limited interprofessional representation at such summits, urging broader inclusion to foster mutual respect.

    However, the panellists agreed that addressing the challenges requires more than dialogue; it demands intentional structural reform, values-based education, and a shared commitment to patient-centred care.

    The Minister, the Permanent Secretary, and other dignitaries received awards of excellence in recognition of their contributions to advancing healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

  • First Lady Tinubu seeks increased investment to end tuberculosis in Nigeria

    First Lady Tinubu seeks increased investment to end tuberculosis in Nigeria

    First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has emphasised the need for sustained efforts and increased domestic investment to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) as a public health threat in Nigeria.

    Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during the commissioning of new TB molecular diagnostic machines, the First Lady highlighted the importance of improving access to modern diagnostic tools to accelerate progress in the fight against TB.

    “Tuberculosis is curable, but far too many Nigerians are still dying from it—not because the technology to detect it doesn’t exist, but because access to proper diagnostic tools remains limited,” she stated.

    Represented by the First Lady of Kwara State, Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq, Senator Tinubu expressed satisfaction that her earlier ₦1 billion pledge through the Renewed Hope Initiative had been fulfilled. 

    The funds were used to procure and deploy new diagnostic equipment to underserved communities across the country.

    She said the new machines would significantly boost the early detection of TB cases, enabling prompt treatment and helping to disrupt the chain of transmission.

    “Ending TB in Nigeria requires more than just machines and medication. We need resources human, financial, technical, and political,” she said, pledging continued advocacy to achieve the goal of eliminating TB in Nigeria by 2030.

    She also commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, led by Coordinating Minister Prof. Muhammad Pate, for revitalizing the national TB response, saying, “Let us continue to stand shoulder to shoulder in this fight. 

    “Together, we will build a Nigeria where no life is lost to tuberculosis, where health is not a privilege but a right, and where our hope is both renewed and fulfilled”.

    Pate, in his remarks, commended the First Lady for her commitment, noting that she had fulfilled her promises with a donation of ₦1 billion in 2024 and another ₦1 billion pledged for 2025. 

    “Her Excellency has delivered decisively on those promises to see that Nigeria ends TB by 2030,” he affirmed.

    He described Sen. Tinubu as a national, regional, and global TB champion, commending her for strengthening the health sector and expanding diagnostic capacity. 

    “We are working hard on the direction of the President to ensure that drugs, other tests, the human resources are available and integrating TB care into the primary healthcare system so that our compatriots will not suffer needlessly from a disease that is indeed curable,” he explained.

    The Minister highlighted ongoing reforms in the health sector, including infrastructure renewal and increased access to care, noting, “We are seeing rapid transformation alongside all the state governors, our local government chairmen, the private sector and our development partners. 

    “We are seeing steady progress in expanding primary healthcare”.

    The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmood, described the commissioning as a testament to the First Lady’s unwavering support for public health, noting that the machines would improve early detection and management of TB across the FCT and beyond.

    Mahmood commended the Renewed Hope Initiative and aligned its vision with the Federal Government’s broader goals of strengthening health systems. 

    Calling on healthcare professionals to ensure proper use and maintenance of the new diagnostic tools to maximize their impact, the FCT Minister said, “This initiative underscores the importance of strategic partnerships in advancing healthcare delivery. 

    “We look forward to continued collaboration with the First Lady’s office to promote public health and uphold human dignity”.

    Read Also: First Lady donates ₦110m to families of deceased Kano athletes

    Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, the Acting Board Chair of Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, emphasized that the diagnostic machines represent a game-changing intervention in TB detection and management. 

    “The machines aid fast and accurate diagnosis, detect drug resistance quickly, and reduce the spread of TB,” she said.

    With declining donor support, Ogbuji-Ladipo stressed the need to increase domestic funding, saying, “In light of dwindling donor support, we need to intensify our advocacy for domestic resources for TB now, more than ever,” she said, urging Nigerians to unite in the fight.

    “Let us stand together as a community, support one another, and say boldly, Yes, we can end TB”.

  • Sanwo-Olu seeks legal backing for sustainable HIV funding

    Sanwo-Olu seeks legal backing for sustainable HIV funding

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on state legislatures across the country to prioritise the passage and implementation of laws that guarantee sustained financing for the national HIV response.

    He also urged lawmakers to support legislation that eliminates stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and promotes inclusive, equitable access to services.

    Sanwo-Olu made the call at the closing ceremony of the 7th National Council on AIDS (NACA), held in Lagos on Thursday. 

    The event, themed “Advancing National HIV Sustainability Agenda in the Changing Global Policy on Aid,” focused on the need to reposition Nigeria’s HIV response amid shrinking international donor support.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said the time had come for Nigeria to fully take ownership of its HIV programmes and shift away from a donor-dependent model to a more resilient and homegrown solution.

    “We must shift from dependency to sustainability, from fragmented responses to coordinated systems, and from ad hoc programming to long-term strategic planning,” he said.

    According to him, Lagos State is already taking the lead in this regard through initiatives such as the Lagos State HIV Trust Fund, the ongoing reform of the HIV Anti-Stigma Law, and the integration of HIV services into broader health systems.

    “These efforts reflect our unwavering commitment to human dignity, inclusion, and justice. Sustainability is not just about funding; it is about building a system that protects our people today and in the future,” he added.

    Sanwo-Olu further urged stakeholders to ensure that the resolutions reached at the NCA are translated into concrete policies and actions that impact lives across communities.

    Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control, Hon. Amobi Ogah, underscored the urgency of increasing domestic funding for the national HIV response.

    Ogah disclosed that Nigeria would need an estimated $8 billion annually to sustain its HIV interventions and ensure access to quality care for people living with the virus.

    “The Nigerian government must take the lead by increasing its budgetary allocation to the HIV sector,” Ogah said, assuring that the National Assembly would continue to provide legislative backing and oversight to support the fight against the disease.

    The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, reiterated the agency’s commitment to aligning both national and sub-national HIV response strategies to achieve long-term sustainability.

    Ilori said the implementation of the National HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Sustainability Plan was critical to ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in accessing comprehensive healthcare services.

    “We are at a defining moment. We must ensure that our plans are not just on paper but are translated into action, especially at the community level,” she stated.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, in his remarks, stressed the importance of domestic resource mobilisation and institutionalising HIV funding at all levels of government.

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    He explained that sustainability went beyond financial investment, noting that stronger leadership, adaptive health systems, innovation, and accountability must drive the HIV response going forward.

    “As a state, we are committed to reducing mother-to-child transmission, scaling up treatment, and strengthening prevention efforts,” Abayomi said.

    He added, “HIV care must become cheaper, more accessible, and fully integrated into routine healthcare services. We must also begin to treat HIV as a critical public health security priority.”

    The 7th National Council on AIDS, convened by NACA in partnership with key stakeholders, brought together policymakers, development partners, civil society actors, and representatives from various states to deliberate on strategies to sustain Nigeria’s HIV response in a rapidly changing global funding landscape.