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Category: Health

Lassa fever death toll hit 215 in 2025, fatality rate exceeds 2024 level – NCDC

Nigeria recorded 215 deaths from Lassa fever in 2025, with the disease’s case fatality rate rising to 18.7 percent, higher than the 16.3 percent recorded during the same period in 2024, according to the latest Situation Report released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The report shows that confirmed cases increased from 21 in Epidemiological Week 51 to 27 in Week 52, covering the period from December 22 to 28, 2025.

The new infections were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Nasarawa and Taraba States.

Cumulatively, Nigeria recorded 1,148 confirmed Lassa fever cases by the end of Week 52 in 2025, with infections reported across 22 states and 107 Local Government Areas, reflecting the continued nationwide spread of the viral haemorrhagic disease.

Despite the increase in cases during the final week of the year, the NCDC noted that the overall number of suspected and confirmed cases in 2025 was lower than what was recorded during the same period in 2024, indicating gradual improvements in surveillance, early detection and response.

The report revealed that 89 percent of all confirmed cases in 2025 were concentrated in four States — Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Taraba.

Ondo State accounted for 35 percent of confirmed cases, Bauchi 26 percent, Edo 16 percent and Taraba 12 percent, while the remaining 11 percent were reported across 17 other states.

Young adults aged 21 to 30 years were the most affected group, with reported cases ranging from infants aged one year to elderly persons aged 96 years.

The median age of confirmed cases was 30 years, and the male-to-female ratio stood at 1 to 0.8.

The NCDC also confirmed that no healthcare worker was infected during Epidemiological Week 52, underscoring improved infection prevention and control practices in health facilities.

The agency said the National Lassa Fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group continues to coordinate response activities nationwide, covering surveillance, case management, risk communication and logistics support.

Read Also: NCDC Report: Lassa fever killed 176 in 10 months

It stated that Lassa fever response efforts were intensified across the country ahead of the new outbreak season, including the conduct of a dynamic risk assessment and a webinar on the application of the Lassa fever advocacy toolkit.

According to the agency, behavioural assessments were conducted in 10 high-burden states, alongside community-based One Health planning, After Action Reviews for the 2024/2025 outbreak season, and strategic capacity development sessions.

It added that health facility preparedness was strengthened through infection prevention and control training, hand hygiene audits, clinician sensitisation in hotspot local government areas, and the launch of the NCDC’s IPC e-learning platform.

The agency noted that national and subnational partners supported vaccine development planning, clinical trials in Ondo State, as well as multiple fellowship and clinical management training programmes.

It further disclosed that Rapid Response Teams were deployed to affected states, while essential commodities including personal protective equipment, Ribavirin and information, education and communication materials were distributed.

The agency said these efforts were complemented by enhanced risk communication through jingles, targeted messaging, and the integration of Lassa fever messages into broader viral haemorrhagic fever strategies, alongside sustained regional and international collaboration across ECOWAS countries.

January 15, 2026
How e-pharmacy policy aims to fix medicine access gaps

Nigeria’s health system continues to grapple with persistent challenges, including high out-of-pocket healthcare spending, uneven access to essential medicines, shortages in the health workforce, and limited availability of family planning services. These gaps affect millions of Nigerians across both urban and rural communities, often forcing households to rely on informal or unregulated sources for basic healthcare needs.

At the same time, rapid growth in mobile connectivity, digital payments, and e-commerce has transformed service delivery across multiple sectors, opening new pathways for healthcare access. These digital advances have begun to bridge long-standing gaps in distribution, efficiency, and convenience—particularly within pharmaceutical services—creating opportunities to reach populations previously excluded from formal systems.

Against this backdrop, the launch of Nigeria’s National Electronic Pharmacy Policy (NEPP) represents a significant turning point in pharmaceutical service delivery. The policy introduces, for the first time, a comprehensive regulatory framework governing e-pharmacy and hybrid digital pharmacy platforms nationwide. NEPP establishes unified standards for licensing, dispensing, data protection, advertising, and professional accountability in digital pharmacy services. By setting clear rules for operators and consumers alike, the policy formally integrates e-pharmacy into Nigeria’s broader health system, positioning digital platforms as regulated complements to physical pharmacies rather than informal or unlicensed alternatives.

Within this framework, e-pharmacy offers government and patients a practical tool to improve convenience, confidentiality, and access to essential medicines, particularly for underserved populations in both remote and densely populated urban areas. At the policy’s official inauguration, health sector stakeholders emphasised that NEPP would strengthen prescription governance, improve medicine traceability, and leverage private-sector capacity to support public health objectives, while expanding access to safe and affordable pharmaceutical products. The policy also extends licensed pharmaceutical services beyond physical premises, introducing regulatory guardrails designed to protect consumers, enhance service reliability, and enable the scalable and secure delivery of medicines across Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said NEPP would modernise pharmaceutical regulation while ensuring that Nigerians in all parts of the country can access safe, quality-assured medicines. Represented by the Director of Food and Drug Services, Olubumi Aribeana, Pate noted that despite rapid digital expansion, Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector remained fragmented, with minimal oversight of online medicine sales.

He explained that these gaps had enabled the proliferation of unlicensed vendors, counterfeit drugs, and widespread misinformation, posing serious risks to public health. “Uncontrolled access to medicines online has created dangerous vulnerabilities, exposing citizens to substandard products and unregulated sellers,” Pate said, describing NEPP as a critical safeguard for patients.

“Today marks a bold step towards modernising healthcare delivery and guaranteeing that every Nigerian—regardless of location or social circumstance—can access safe, affordable, quality-assured medicines. The NEPP provides a clear, enforceable framework to ensure that innovation in electronic pharmacy does not compromise patient safety or professional accountability across the pharmaceutical value chain.

“With this policy, we are building a nationally coordinated, transparent, secure, and patient-centred e-pharmacy ecosystem that integrates digital innovation with established health standards,” he added.

NEPP sets out licensing and accreditation requirements for digital pharmacy platforms, enables real-time monitoring and traceability of medicines, and expands access to essential drugs for underserved and hard-to-reach populations nationwide. Pate said the policy strengthens accountability across the pharmaceutical value chain and reflects extensive collaboration among stakeholders, regulators, and professional bodies. He commended contributors involved in developing the policy’s digital governance, data protection, and operational frameworks, describing NEPP as the product of strategic, multi-agency cooperation.

Ibrahim-Babashehu Ahmed, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), said NEPP provides clear regulatory direction, with PCN designated as the primary implementing and supervisory agency. According to Ahmed, the policy—approved by the Coordinating Minister of Health and endorsed by the Minister of Justice—defines enforceable standards while cautioning operators against non-compliance. He expressed confidence that implementation challenges would be minimal, citing strong institutional backing, clear guidelines, and alignment with national health priorities.

Munir Elelu, Director and team lead at the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Foundation, described NEPP as an innovative policy that strengthens primary healthcare delivery, family planning access, and community-level pharmaceutical services. Elelu said evidence gathered before the policy’s adoption showed Nigeria’s e-pharmacy market was already emerging, making regulation essential to ensure safe, equitable, and coordinated growth. “A significant number of women of reproductive age are willing to use digital channels for essential health products once access barriers are removed,” he noted, underscoring growing demand for regulated e-pharmacy services.

Dr Usman Abdulrahman, a consultant physician and member of the Nigerian Infectious Diseases Society, described NEPP as a hopeful development that directly addresses everyday barriers to accessing licensed pharmaceutical care. He explained that for many families outside major cities, reaching a licensed pharmacy can be costly or impossible, leaving them vulnerable to counterfeit or unsafe medicines.

Read Also: ‘Why Nigerians will re-elect Tinubu in 2027’

According to him, NEPP provides pharmacists and health-tech innovators with a safer, regulated environment to operate, fostering trust, professional practice, and sector growth. However, Abdulrahman acknowledged potential concerns for small community pharmacies and informal drug sellers who may struggle with compliance costs, technology requirements, and stricter oversight. He also warned that poor internet connectivity, weak logistics, and low digital literacy in some regions could initially favour urban populations if implementation is uneven. “In human terms, NEPP tests how Nigeria balances safety with inclusion, innovation with compassion, and regulation with empathy,” he said.

Dr Adewale-Adeleye Premiere, President of the Association of Resident Doctors at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, praised NEPP for its potential to curb antimicrobial resistance and the circulation of fake or misused medicines. He noted that widespread antibiotic abuse has created serious health risks and said regulating sales by unlicensed vendors is critical to improving patient safety.

David Adeyemi, founder and CEO of Pharmachain Technologies and a policy contributor, said NEPP was designed to avoid the implementation failures that undermined earlier reforms. He explained that the policy would clearly identify government-approved platforms, helping consumers distinguish licensed services from unsafe online vendors. “With visible regulatory markers, Nigerians will know which platforms are authorised, improving trust and access to quality medicines,” Adeyemi said.

Overall, NEPP aims to modernise Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector, protect consumers, strengthen regulatory oversight, and safely integrate digital innovation into healthcare delivery. Stakeholders expressed optimism that, with careful implementation, the policy would reduce counterfeit medicines, improve prescription adherence, enhance patient safety, and position Nigeria as a leader in regulated digital pharmacy in Africa.

January 15, 2026
Why Most Health Resolutions Fail (3)

Health Care is not Health

At the beginning of every new year, a familiar ritual repeats. Gym memberships surge, diets are announced with conviction, and vague promises of “living healthier” float through conversations, sermons, and social media posts. Yet, by February, many of these resolutions quietly fade. Not necessarily because people lack discipline, but because they are often built on a misunderstanding of what health truly is.

For many, health is still defined by hospitals, doctors, and medicines. If there is no pain, no diagnosis and no prescription, then all must be well. But this assumption is precisely why so many people enter the health system only when something has already gone wrong. As a new year begins, it is worth confronting a simple but powerful truth: health care is not health. Health care refers to the system designed to respond to illness. It is what we turn to when symptoms appear, when injuries occur, or when disease has already taken root. Hospitals, clinics, laboratories, pharmacies, and specialists form a critical safety net. They save lives every day, and without them modern society would be immeasurably poorer. But health care is fundamentally reactive. It treats problems after they emerge.

Health, on the other hand, is proactive. It is not something we visit; it is something we live. It is shaped long before a doctor writes a prescription, and long after a patient is discharged from a ward. Health is influenced by what we eat, how we move, how we sleep, how we cope with stress, and how connected we feel to others. It includes mental balance, emotional stability, and social wellbeing, not merely the absence of disease.

This distinction matters deeply when thinking about New Year resolutions. Many resolutions focus on avoiding illness rather than building health. People say they want to “not get sick,” “avoid hospital bills,” or “stay away from drugs.” While understandable, these goals still centre illness as the reference point. A healthier framing asks a different question: what kind of life, body, and mind do I want to sustain this year?

Read Also: World Bank projects Nigeria’s economy to grow 4.4% in 2026

The answer to that question cannot be found solely in hospitals. Hospitals excel at emergencies, surgeries, infections and complex conditions. They are less equipped to address the slow, cumulative forces that shape most modern health challenges. Conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, chronic back pain, and even some mental health disorders are not sudden events. They are the result of years of lifestyle patterns, stress exposure, environmental factors, and unmet emotional needs.

This is where wellness enters the conversation. Wellness is not a trend or a luxury; it is the everyday practice of protecting and strengthening health. It is the quiet, consistent work that rarely makes headlines but determines long-term outcomes. Wellness does not wait for pain before acting. It recognises that how we live on ordinary days matters more than how we respond on crisis days.

A person may faithfully attend hospital appointments yet continue habits that undermine their health. Another may rarely see a doctor because their daily routines support physical and mental balance. The difference is not luck; it is orientation. One lives in reaction to illness, the other in alignment with wellbeing. The New Year offers a rare psychological reset. It invites reflection and intention. But if resolutions are framed only around weight loss targets, detox plans, or fear of disease, they often become short-lived. Sustainable change emerges when people understand that health is not an event but a process, not a destination but a direction.

It is also important to recognise that health does not exist in isolation. Individual wellness is shaped by social and environmental realities. Access to safe food, clean water, decent housing, supportive relationships, meaningful work, and rest all play roles. This broader perspective explains why two people with the same diagnosis can experience very different outcomes. One may have the support, knowledge, and stability needed to recover and thrive, while the other struggles despite receiving identical medical care.

None of this diminishes the importance of health care. On the contrary, it restores it to its proper place. Health care is most powerful when it works alongside wellness, not as a substitute for it. Preventive check-ups, early screenings, and professional guidance are essential tools, but they cannot compensate for daily neglect of the body and mind. A system designed to treat illness cannot, by itself, manufacture health.

As the year unfolds, many will eventually encounter the health system, whether for routine tests or unexpected issues. The question is not whether health care will be needed, but how prepared the body and mind will be when that moment comes. A healthier body heals faster. A balanced mind copes better. A supported individual follows treatment more effectively.

New Year health resolutions, then, should move beyond fear-driven promises and embrace a more expansive vision. They should be less about avoiding hospitals and more about building resilience. Less about quick fixes and more about daily rhythms. Less about perfection and more about consistency. When people understand that health is something they actively cultivate, not something they outsource entirely to doctors, the tone of resolutions changes. Health becomes less intimidating and more personal. It becomes a shared responsibility between individuals, communities, and the health system, rather than a last-minute rescue mission.

As another year begins, the most meaningful health resolution may simply be this: to stop confusing health care with health. To appreciate hospitals for what they do best, while committing to the quieter, less dramatic, but far more powerful work of living well every day. That shift in understanding, more than any single diet or fitness plan, may be the resolution that truly lasts.

January 15, 2026
How America’s new vaccine policy could reshape child health outcomes

Public health experts across the United States have raised urgent concerns following a sweeping revision of the country’s childhood immunisation schedule, warning that the move could weaken population-wide protection against preventable diseases and reverse decades of progress in child health. Under new guidance issued by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), routine childhood vaccination in the United States will now cover protection against 11 diseases—down from a broader schedule that previously included vaccines for influenza, rotavirus, hepatitis A and B, certain forms of meningitis, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Vaccines removed from the routine list will now be offered only to children considered medically high-risk or through what officials describe as “shared decision-making” between families and healthcare providers. The overhaul, requested by President Donald Trump in December and long advocated by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., marks one of the most consequential shifts in US vaccine policy in decades. While the administration insists the changes are intended to rebuild trust in public health institutions, critics argue that the decision undermines scientific consensus and exposes children to unnecessary risk.

In a statement, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said the revised schedule followed a review of immunisation practices in 20 peer nations, concluding that the United States had become an “outlier” in the number of vaccines recommended for all children. “This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health,” Kennedy said. President Trump, writing on his Truth Social platform, described the new schedule as “far more reasonable” and claimed it aligns the US with other developed countries. Officials also stressed that vaccines removed from the routine list remain available and that insurance coverage would not be withdrawn for families who choose to receive them.

Vaccines that remain broadly recommended include those against measles, mumps and rubella, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, chickenpox and human papillomavirus (HPV). However, the updated guidance reduces HPV vaccination to a single dose for most children, down from the previous two- or three-dose regimen depending on age. That change has drawn particular criticism from cancer specialists, who note that HPV vaccination has been shown to significantly reduce rates of cervical and other HPV-related cancers.

Medical associations and public health experts have widely condemned both the substance of the changes and the manner in which they were introduced, arguing that they bypassed established scientific processes and public consultation. Michael Osterholm, director of the Vaccine Integrity Project at the University of Minnesota, warned that scaling back recommendations for vaccines that protect against influenza, hepatitis and rotavirus would have serious consequences. “Abandoning these vaccines and altering the HPV schedule without a transparent public process to weigh risks and benefits will lead to more hospitalisations and preventable deaths among American children,” he said.

The American Academy of Paediatrics echoed those concerns, cautioning that international comparisons fail to account for disease patterns specific to the United States. “You can’t just copy and paste public health,” said Dr Sean O’Leary, chair of the Academy’s Committee on Infectious Diseases. “That’s essentially what they appear to be doing here.”

The American Medical Association also criticised the process, with its president, Dr Sandra Fryhofer, noting that policy changes of such scale demand rigorous scientific review and expert input. “Changes of this magnitude require careful review, public engagement, and clear scientific justification. That level of rigour and transparency was not part of this decision,” she said. In response to the revised federal guidance, paediatricians and major medical groups have released their own alternative immunisation schedule, continuing to recommend vaccines dropped by the administration. O’Leary highlighted influenza as a critical example, noting that 280 children died from flu-related complications last winter—the highest toll since 2009.

Senior HHS officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the revised recommendations were developed largely by political appointees rather than the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices (ACIP), which traditionally evaluates vaccine evidence and issues guidance. Scientists within the agency were reportedly restricted to presenting international comparisons and barred from making formal recommendations.

Read Also: US suspends immigrant visa processing for Nigeria, 74 others

The decision comes at a particularly sensitive moment for US public health. Childhood vaccination rates have been declining steadily in recent years, while requests for vaccine exemptions are at record highs. At the same time, outbreaks of measles and whooping cough—diseases once close to elimination—are again being reported in several states. Public health experts warn that removing vaccines from the routine schedule sends a powerful signal to parents that those immunisations are optional or unnecessary, even when decades of evidence demonstrate their effectiveness.

Comparisons with other countries, critics argue, are also selectively framed. France, for instance, currently recommends vaccination against 14 diseases for children—three more than the US under the new guidance. Other countries achieve high disease control not by limiting vaccines but through stronger uptake, robust public trust, and consistent messaging. Kennedy, a long-time vaccine sceptic, has been a controversial figure in public health circles. Since assuming office, he has directed the CDC to drop COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women, disbanded its advisory committee, and ordered changes to the agency’s stance on vaccines and autism despite the absence of new scientific evidence linking the two.

Supporters of the administration argue that the changes empower parents and restore confidence in a system many Americans have come to distrust. Critics counter that weakening routine recommendations risks normalising vaccine hesitancy at a time when trust in science is already fragile.

For paediatricians on the front lines, the concern is immediate and practical. Fewer routine recommendations could translate into fewer vaccinations, more preventable illnesses, and renewed strain on hospitals and healthcare systems. As debates continue, one point of consensus remains clear among medical professionals: vaccination policy is not merely a matter of choice or comparison, but a cornerstone of population health. Whether the revised schedule strengthens trust or erodes protection may become evident not in policy statements, but in disease surveillance data—and in the health outcomes of children.

January 15, 2026
Calls intensify for stronger health regulation after Lagos hospital tragedy

Healthcare professionals, legal experts and policy advocates have renewed calls for far-reaching reforms in Nigeria’s health sector following the death of Nnamdi Nkanu, son of celebrated author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, at a hospital in Lagos. The incident has reignited a nationwide debate on patient safety, accountability and the glaring absence of effective regulatory oversight in healthcare delivery across the country. Beyond the individual tragedy, the case has become a rallying point for long-standing concerns about systemic weaknesses that continue to expose Nigerians to preventable harm.

Speaking in Abuja, experts argued that the growing convergence of opinion among clinicians, legal practitioners and health policy specialists reflects the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s healthcare regulatory architecture. They said such reforms are critical to preventing avoidable deaths and restoring public confidence in a health system many Nigerians increasingly view with apprehension.

Dr Richardson Ajayi, founder of Bridge Clinic Fertility Centre, Abuja, said the tragedy underscored the need to strengthen healthcare systems rather than focusing solely on individual practitioners. “While healthcare depends on the dedication of doctors, nurses and other professionals, patient safety ultimately rests on the strength of the systems that support them,” Ajayi said. “To build real trust, we need clear standards, transparent oversight and continuous improvement—without resorting to blame for those on the front line.”

He called for the establishment of a National Health Facilities Regulatory Agency that would be empowered to set and enforce minimum standards, accredit healthcare facilities and ensure consistent quality of care nationwide. Ajayi urged the public to await the outcome of official investigations into the circumstances surrounding Adichie’s son’s death, describing her public account as deeply troubling and reflective of long-standing systemic failures. “Healthcare operates in a life-and-death environment where market forces alone cannot guarantee safe, equitable and affordable care,” he said. “Regulation is essential to define standards, protect patients’ rights, safeguard data and coordinate responses to public health emergencies.”

Legal experts have also weighed in, arguing that Nigeria’s regulatory framework has failed to keep pace with the growing complexity of healthcare delivery. Dr Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), warned that weak oversight and poor enforcement mechanisms were at the heart of recurring tragedies in the sector. He called for the immediate creation of an independent Health Regulatory Authority and the reinstatement of Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) at both federal and state levels. “The fundamental problem underlying these tragedies is the complete failure of the legal and regulatory framework governing Nigeria’s health sector,” Agbakoba said. “Unless oversight mechanisms are urgently restored, preventable deaths will continue.”

Drawing on more than two decades of experience in medical malpractice litigation, Agbakoba recalled that Nigeria once operated a more functional supervisory system anchored by CMOs and Health Inspectors. According to him, that structure has largely collapsed under the current legal framework. “Today, under the National Health Act and various State Health Laws, there are no routine inspections, no systematic reporting, and no effective enforcement of professional standards,” he said.

Agbakoba also criticised the existing arrangement in which Ministers and Commissioners of Health simultaneously oversee policy formulation and regulatory enforcement, describing it as a “fundamental governance failure.” “There must be a clear separation between policy and regulation,” he argued. “You cannot be both the referee and the player.” He disclosed that his law firm is currently handling 25 medical negligence cases across the country, stressing that the Adichie incident represents only a fraction of a much wider and largely under-reported crisis in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Questions have also been raised about how best to structure health regulation within Nigeria’s federal system. Mr Jide Falaki, Senior Vice-President, Finance and Treasurer at McKesson, United States, noted that healthcare falls under the concurrent legislative list, making states constitutionally responsible for regulating healthcare delivery within their jurisdictions. “This reality must be carefully considered in designing any national regulatory framework,” Falaki said. “Any reform must respect federalism while ensuring minimum national standards that protect patients regardless of where they seek care.” He added that effective regulation would require coordination rather than duplication, with clearly defined roles for federal and state authorities.

Read Also: World Bank projects Nigeria’s economy to grow 4.4% in 2026

Clinicians working within the system say the consequences of weak regulation are evident in daily practice. Dr Ndayi Amdii, a consultant gynaecologist and fertility specialist at Bridge Clinic Fertility Centre, said consistent and timely regulation of healthcare facilities in Nigeria is long overdue. “Although in Adichie’s case there appears to be more than meets the eye, I speak from experience, having also been at the receiving end of Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system,” Amdii said.

He noted that inadequate supervision, poor infrastructure and inconsistent enforcement of standards have become normalised across both public and private facilities, with patients often bearing the cost. “Stronger regulation is not optional; it is fundamental to patient safety,” he said. “Regulation is not a luxury or a bureaucratic exercise—it is as basic as the air we breathe.”

Observers say the renewed debate presents a rare opportunity for policymakers to confront entrenched weaknesses that have long been acknowledged but insufficiently addressed. From poorly monitored private hospitals to overstretched public facilities, Nigeria’s healthcare landscape remains fragmented, with regulation often reactive rather than preventive.

For many Nigerians, the tragedy in Lagos has amplified fears that access to care does not necessarily translate into safety or quality. As public attention intensifies, experts argue that meaningful reform—rooted in transparency, accountability and independent oversight—will be the true measure of whether the health system can honour its most fundamental obligation: to protect life rather than imperil it.

January 15, 2026
FG rolls out enhanced medical support amid veterans’ calls for pension increase

The Federal Government has rolled out enhanced medical support for military veterans, aiming to improve their healthcare access and overall welfare.

This comes amid calls for an upward review of pensions and gratuities, with retirees citing the rising cost of living, fuel price hikes, and transportation challenges.

The intervention was unveiled during a medical outreach organised for veterans as part of activities marking the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD), held on Wednesday in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwa, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of ex-service personnel.

Pheelangwa said the outreach was designed to support veterans, particularly those who could no longer adequately cater for their health needs.

“This is essentially our way of giving back to society by reaching out to veterans who are unable to care for themselves,” he said.

Pheelangwa explained that the outreach was not limited to Abuja, noting that similar exercises had been conducted in several locations nationwide to maximise impact.

According to him, AFCRD is an annual event, and while the current outreach is tied to the 2026 celebration, other institutional mechanisms remain in place to address veterans’ long-term welfare.

He disclosed that veterans could access lifelong medical care through accredited Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) upon proper registration.

“Once veterans are registered with the HMO, they are entitled to medical facilities for life,” Pheelangwa said.

The National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Grace Henry, clarified issues surrounding healthcare coverage for veterans, describing the outreach as symbolic and critical to their wellbeing.

Henry explained that access to free medical treatment required registration with the Defence Health Maintenance Organisation (DHMO), through which a unique identification number is generated and used at approved hospitals.

She noted that medical bills incurred outside designated hospitals would not be covered, adding that where approved coverage proved insufficient, affected veterans could apply for refunds through the scheme, which would be forwarded to the Ministry of Defence for consideration.

Henry said honourably retired personnel, including their spouses, were entitled to healthcare benefits, stressing that only those dismissed from service were excluded.

She said the Legion has engaged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to secure subsidised farm inputs and implements for veterans involved in agriculture.

“We have applied with the ministry and discussions are ongoing. Farming is a key area we are advocating for, and we are hopeful of positive outcomes,” she said.

Sharing his post-retirement experiences and expectations, a retired Master Warrant Officer of the Nigerian Air Force, Emmanuel Waniko, called for an upward review of pensions and gratuities, citing inflation, fuel price hikes and rising transportation costs.

Waniko said while access to healthcare had improved through recent interventions, housing support for retirees remained largely absent.

He said he took up farming after retirement, urging government support for veteran farmers through subsidised fertiliser, agro-chemicals and farm machinery, noting that high input costs were eroding the value of pensions.

Another retiree, Magaji Abdallah, a retired Master Warrant Officer of the Nigerian Army, commended government initiatives, particularly the electronic pension verification process, which he described as stress-free and effective.

“You can do it from the comfort of your home, even from the village, without travelling long distances or queuing for days,” he said.

Abdallah, however, appealed for improved housing policies for retirees and expanded healthcare coverage to include drugs not currently captured under existing schemes.

The veterans expressed appreciation for the medical outreach, while urging sustained reforms and stronger inter-agency collaboration to improve their quality of life and honour their years of service to the nation.

The medical outreach featured free eye checks, High Blood Pressure test and distribution of free test devices as well as treatment and referral for other ailments.

The outreach also involved distribution of 25kg bags of rice to about 100 beneficiaries.

January 14, 2026
LSBTS raises alarm over looming blood shortage, urges stronger donor mobilisation

With hospitals grappling with rising emergencies and an overstretched blood supply system, the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) has issued a warning, mobilising donor advocates, partners and civil society groups to prevent a potential blood crisis in the state.

At the 2026 Blood Donor Mobiliser Stakeholders’ Engagement held on Wednesday in Alausa, Ikeja, stakeholders were urged to scale up community-based mobilisation to address sharp fluctuations in voluntary blood donation that continue to endanger patient outcomes across Lagos.

The Executive Secretary of LSBTS, Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya, cautioned that while the demand for blood remains steady due to childbirth complications, road traffic accidents, surgical procedures, sickle cell crises and cancer treatment, donation levels are inconsistent and typically drop during festive seasons.

“Blood cannot be manufactured or replaced,” she said. “When donations drop, lives are put on hold.” She noted that the sharp decline in donations in December exposed deep vulnerabilities in Lagos’ blood supply chain and reinforced the urgency of sustained, year-round mobilisation.

Osikomaiya stressed that voluntary, non-remunerated donation remains the safest and most sustainable source of blood, describing donor mobilisers as the frontline defenders in the fight to save lives.

According to her, no amount of infrastructure or policy can compensate for the absence of willing donors and trusted community voices.

She disclosed that LSBTS’ 2026 strategy would prioritise turning one-time donors into regular life-savers through improved donor care, recognition and a referral-driven “each one, reach one or two” model, designed to multiply impact at the grassroots.

The engagement, she added, was structured to deliver action rather than rhetoric, with clear performance benchmarks, simple reporting systems and outreach plans tailored to Lagos realities such as traffic congestion, distance and limited time.

Providing insight into current realities, Head of Donor Recruitment and Retention, Ms Olayinka Animashaun, revealed that in 2025, LSBTS recruited 7,670 donors, recording 5,656 successful donations from 216 blood drives across the state.

While improved face-to-face advocacy and better donor experience boosted turnout, she said persistent myths, low awareness, poor internet access and space constraints continue to limit optimal performance.

Animashaun said the 2026 push would focus on deeper community penetration, sustained education and dismantling misconceptions that keep otherwise eligible residents away from donation centres.

Partners echoed the urgency. President, Rotary Club of Lagos Palm Grove Estate, Rotarian Pravin Kumar, described Lagos as a critical link between donors and patients, noting that Rotary clubs remain key responders to emergency blood needs. He said Palm Grove Estate donates about 500 pints of blood annually, with plans to double the figure through intensified mobilisation.

Co-founder, One Health Lifesavers, Mr Idris Ibrahim, said collaboration was no longer optional, stressing that shared networks and pooled resources were essential to reaching more residents and running multiple donation drives simultaneously.

Similarly, PRO, KBK Club, Mr Kamal Safiriyu, said the forum offered a moment for honest reflection and strategic reset, adding that stronger partnerships were crucial to reversing donation gaps.

Founder and CEO, Diabetes & Limb Salvage Foundation, Mrs Osarenkhoe Chima Nwagwugwu, gave the issue a human face, recounting her struggle to access blood in December. She described blood donation as a non-negotiable social responsibility and urged families and communities to make it a constant conversation.

“Blood should never be searched for only in emergencies,” she said, calling on residents to see voluntary donation as a civic duty rather than an occasional act of charity.

The engagement ended with a renewed commitment by stakeholders to strengthen trust, expand coordinated outreach and work closely with LSBTS to ensure that no patient in Lagos is denied life-saving blood when it matters most.

January 14, 2026
LASG charts new path for stronger primary healthcare

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) as the foundation for achieving universal health coverage and positioning the state as a leading medical tourism destination in Nigeria.

This commitment was reiterated at a one-day Joint Leadership Dialogue with the theme: “Strengthening PHC Systems: A Joint Leadership Dialogue,” convened by the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) brought key stakeholders, including local government chairpersons, policymakers, development partners, and health sector leaders.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, painted a candid picture of Lagos’ healthcare challenges and ambitions.

He discloses that Lagos currently has about 50 hospital beds per 100,000 people, a figure far below global standards, while maternal and infant mortality rates, malnutrition, and low health insurance coverage remain critical concerns.

According to him, data shows that four out of every 10 children in Lagos suffer from some form of malnutrition, while nearly 20 per cent of residents live with hypertension, most of them unaware of their condition.

He stressed that weak primary healthcare systems have led many residents to bypass PHC facilities in favour of informal healthcare providers, often with grave consequences.

He said, “Primary healthcare is the first point of contact and medical intervention in any state. If we follow WHO recommendations, Lagos needs at least 2,4000 additional PHCs to adequately serve its rapidly growing population of over 30 million.”

To address human resource gaps, the commissioner announced the establishment of a standalone University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Lagos, aimed at significantly increasing the production of doctors and other health professionals.

“Nigeria currently has about 40,000 doctors against an estimated need of 300,000, while Lagos alone requires about 33,000 but has only about 7,000,” he said.

He also highlighted major reforms in health financing, including the enforcement of mandatory health insurance following the domestication of the National Health Insurance Act. Through the ILERA EKO Social Health Insurance Scheme, the state hopes to scale coverage from about 1.5 million enrollees to the majority of its population.

Another major reform is the rollout of the Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP), a digital system designed to connect PHC, secondary, and tertiary facilities across the state, enabling real-time data for planning, monitoring, and early disease detection.

The Director of Medical Services and Disease Control at LSPHCB, Dr. Veronica Iwayemi, described the dialogue as a critical step toward aligning state health strategies with grassroots realities.

She emphasised that PHCs are often the only point of healthcare access for many Lagosians, making collaboration with local government leadership indispensable.

The Permanent Secretary of the Board, Dr. Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa, commended local governments that have invested in building and renovating PHC facilities but warned that infrastructure alone is not enough.

“A functional PHC is more than a building,” he said, stressing the need for staffing, equipment, security, water, power supply, and strong governance structures.

Read Also: LASG cancels 2025 greater Lagos fiesta, urges residents to pray for nation

The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Hon. Bolaji Robert, underscored the unique role of local governments in delivering people-centered healthcare, noting that effective PHC systems depend on strong community participation and accountability.

In her remarks, the Special Adviser on Health to the Governor, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, charged local government chairmen to demonstrate strong political ownership of PHC under the PHC-Under-One-Roof framework, in line with the THEMES Plus Agenda of the administration.

She described the initiative of the LSPHCB as a catalyst for sustainable health reforms and charged Local Government Chairmen to meet counterpart funding obligations, strengthen collaboration with the Board, and ensure transparency in resource management.

EngenderHealth Country Director, Dr. Kabiru Atta, praised Lagos for its intentional investment in healthcare, particularly in human resources and funding, describing the state as being “on a clear journey toward a resilient primary healthcare system.”

Participants at the dialogue agreed that sustained collaboration, adequate financing, digital innovation, and strong political will at the grassroots are essential to building a resilient PHC system capable of improving health outcomes and delivering quality, affordable care to all Lagosians.

January 14, 2026
JOHESU warns of health sector collapse amid prolonged strike

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has cautioned that Nigeria’s public health system is on the brink of collapse as the nationwide industrial action reached its 63rd day, and 43rd day in Lagos State, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

The Lagos State Council of JOHESU issued the warning during a press conference, attributing the prolonged strike to unresolved welfare concerns, stagnant salary adjustments, and the continued emigration of health workers.

Vice Chairman of JOHESU in Lagos, Comrade Sode Adegbenro, said the government’s failure to review the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for 14 years has further eroded staff morale and accelerated the departure of experienced professionals.

He noted that public hospitals are increasingly short-staffed, leaving the remaining workforce overstretched.

Adegbenro added that the Lagos chapter joined the nationwide strike on its 20th day following lingering state-level issues, including the non-domestication of the Consultant Pharmacist cadre and the absence of a Directorate of Medical Laboratory Services.

Adegbenro explained that the lack of professional leadership structures in laboratories and poor career progression had contributed to frustration among health workers.

He decried inadequate logistics support, noting that health workers across primary, secondary and tertiary facilities in Lagos State rely on a single functional staff bus to cover rotations and emergency duties.

Read Also: Medical Lab Guild urges LASG to resolve JOHESU strike

The union demanded the extension of retention allowance to all health workers on CONHESS, as well as the correction of anomalies in call duty and after hours allowances affecting pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other cadres.

Despite the strike, Adegbenro said JOHESU members had continued to maintain essential hospital utilities such as oxygen supply, water, electricity and sterilisation services to prevent avoidable loss of lives.

He described the gesture as a sign of restraint and professionalism, adding that it had come at a high personal and financial cost to workers.

The union warned that without urgent government intervention, the health system would continue to lose experienced personnel, deepening the crisis in public hospitals.

Adegbenro urged the Federal and Lagos State governments to address the union’s demands promptly to avert further deterioration of healthcare delivery.

January 14, 2026
NARD applauds Tinubu’s role, keeps strike suspension under review

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has commended President Bola Tinubu for his intervention in resolving the ongoing standoff with the Federal Government over members’ welfare and the state of health-sector infrastructure in the country.

While the union expressed appreciation for the Federal Government’s commitment, as conveyed by President Bola Tinubu through Vice President Kashim Shettima, it stated that the agreement, which led to the suspension of its “Total Strike 2.0,” remains subject to review within two weeks.

The union further warned that failure to fully implement the immediate reinstatement of two of the seven previously disengaged doctors could become a fresh source of contention.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the NARD President, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, flanked by union executives, insisted that the recommendation to transfer two of its members out of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, is unacceptable and firmly rejected by the association.

He explained that although discussions are ongoing, the association has made it unequivocally clear that the redeployment of the affected doctors is unacceptable, warning that such a move could set a dangerous precedent for collective labour action nationwide.

“There is a clear commitment that all our members should return to Lokoja. Anything short of that is unacceptable to us,” Suleiman said, stressing that allowing transfers could legitimise punitive redeployments of union leaders for legitimate labour agitation.

While commending the government for the steps taken so far to avert a nationwide strike, Suleiman highlighted several of the union’s demands that have recorded measurable progress in their resolution.

On welfare matters, NARD disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has formally communicated with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation on the implementation of the corrected professional allowance, adding that the provision has been captured in the 2026 budget proposal.

The association also confirmed that, following interventions by key stakeholders, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has written to the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation regarding the urgent need to clear the outstanding 25.5 percent CONMESS arrears.

Suleiman expressed optimism that payment would be expedited.

In addition, he said promotion arrears owed to medical officers from 2020 to 2024 have been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance, noting that discussions are ongoing and that assurances have been received that a payment plan will be developed soon.

Similarly, salary arrears owed to four federal health institutions have been transmitted from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Finance, with engagements continuing on an expanded payment framework.

Suleiman also confirmed that the Federal Ministry of Health has communicated with Chief Medical Directors nationwide on the approved entry level for medical doctors in the civil service, in line with the directive of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

The NARD president confirmed that the letters have been acknowledged by relevant implementing authorities.

The union commended the constitution of a multi-stakeholder committee comprising the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the Committee of Chief Medical Directors, the Postgraduate Medical Colleges and NARD, chaired by the Director of Hospital Services, to address issues of membership certificate recategorisation and the non-issuance of Part I postgraduate certificates.

However, it made several demands callinh for the swift resolution of House Officers’ welfare concerns, immediate implementation of the professional allowance from January 2026 with payment of all arrears, and sustained engagement to clear outstanding salary and allowance arrears across federal and state health institutions.

It also rejected the proposed six-month job evaluation timeline, demanded urgent intervention to address decaying infrastructure and obsolete equipment, and called for the reconvening of the Special Pension Benefits Committee alongside accelerated implementation of all previously agreed demands.

Based on these developments, NARD stated that it has given the Federal Government a two-week window to implement the agreed-upon measures, after which the situation will be reviewed at the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting later this month.

Read Also: BREAKING: NARD suspends nationwide strike

Praising Vice President Shettima for his intervention, and noting that he acted on behalf of the President and demonstrated strong commitment to resolving the dispute, Suleiman said, “If we did not believe in the sincerity and capacity of the Vice President, we would already be on strike,” NARD said, explaining that the decision to shelve industrial action was based on agreed timelines and visible progress.

Addressing concerns over the reported ₦90 billion allocation for health sector remuneration, he clarified that the 2026 budget proposal is still before the National Assembly and that remuneration-related provisions could be captured under different budget components, including personnel costs and service-wide votes.

While he recalled that previous arrears were lost when service-wide votes were suspended in successive budget cycles, forcing President Tinubu in 2025 to make special provisions to clear them, Suleiman said it was that development that informed the union’s insistence on firm budgetary guarantees before suspending strike action.

“It is not about whether ₦90 billion has been sighted in the budget yet,” he said, noting that less than 20 percent of the amount would go to resident doctors, with the bulk benefiting other health workers and senior doctors.

He urged the public to focus on the broader issue of healthcare worker welfare and system sustainability, while reaffirming NARD’s commitment to continued engagement with the Federal Government and the National Assembly.

January 13, 2026