The Nation Newspaper

Category: Health

  • FG building six cancer centres for early detection, treatment – Minister

    FG building six cancer centres for early detection, treatment – Minister

    The Federal Government on Friday revealed that it is currently building six Cancer Excellence Centres across the six geopolitical zones for early detection, treatment, and management of all cancer cases.

    Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isiaq Salako, disclosed this in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, while launching the OncoSeek Cancer Screening test, an early Cancer screening diagnosis test which formed part of a workshop on the Development of National Nuclear Medicine Guidelines and Policy.

    He noted that the increasing burden of cancer in the country demanded the deployment of all solutions and all management possibilities to tackle the challenge.

    Salako also noted that three of the six centres are already nearing completion, stressing that the 2025 budget includes funds for establishing more Cancer Excellence Centres, with the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba Abeokuta, designated as one of them.

    According to him, Nigeria now has an agency solely dedicated to cancer research –  the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment.

    Salako reiterated that the Technical Working Group on Nuclear Medicine Guidelines and Policy was inaugurated in February as part of the government’s efforts to harness the potential of nuclear medicine in cancer treatment, assuring the team that their recommendations would be implemented in their entirety.

    He said: “We are implementing programmes cutting across prevention, treatment and control, including the ongoing construction of 6 cancer centres of excellence across the 6 geopolitical zones. The second phase in the agenda to provide state-of-the-art cancer treatment infrastructure is set to commence under the 2025 budget, and I am happy to announce that in this second phase, FMC, Abeokuta, has been selected to be a recipient of a cancer center of excellence under the 2025 budget.

    READ ALSO: Again, the Fubara-Wike rapprochement

    “As we know, a key challenge of cancer care in our country is late detection and presentation.  A lot of cancers often present with signs and symptoms that mimic other diseases and may go undetected.

    “Screening services that can detect cancers early or even at the precancerous stage are therefore an important mechanism in the prevention and control of cancer. Oncoseek, a blood-based test that can be used for early detection of high-mortality cancers, including nine high-mortality cancer types – breast, colon, esophageal, liver, lung, lymphoma, ovarian, pancreatic, and stomach cancers- being introduced today is a welcome development. It is useful for screening and identifying patients who may require definitive diagnostic tests. “

    Earlier, Dr. Kehinde Ololade, Chairman of the National Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group,  highlighted the committee’s mandate to develop guidelines and policies for the application of Nuclear Medicine in Nigeria.

    Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, Dr. Tomi Coker, in a remark, emphasized the importance of exploring nuclear medicine to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality rates, stating that cancer can no longer be ignored.

    In a goodwill message, Professor Abidemi Omonisi, President of the Nigeria Cancer Society, appreciated the Federal Ministry of Health’s efforts, particularly the Minister of State for Health, for bringing health workers together to focus on cancer prevention.

  • Experts, stakeholders call for tailored communication to boost family planning uptake 

    Experts, stakeholders call for tailored communication to boost family planning uptake 

    Stakeholders in Nigeria’s reproductive health sector have called for more tailored, context-specific communication strategies to improve the uptake of modern family planning (FP) methods across the country. 

    This call was made during a dissemination webinar hosted on Wednesday, 26 June 2025, by the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), to share findings from the Family Planning Communication Landscaping Assessment conducted in Lagos, Kaduna, and Kano states.

    The virtual event, which brought together public health experts, communication professionals, policymakers, and development partners, highlighted the urgent need to align FP messaging with the media habits, cultural contexts, and method preferences of target populations, especially adolescents and youth.

    Welcoming participants to the session, moderator Precious Kanayo-Omonoju set the tone for the event, which provided a platform for reflection on the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from the six-month research project.

    Evaluation and learning expert, Chukwuemeka Nwimo, who gave an overview of the study’s objectives, emphasised the importance of evidence-based communication in bridging the gap between awareness and adoption of modern contraceptive methods. 

    “There is high awareness of family planning across the three states, but uptake remains low. This study helps us understand why,” he said.

    Presenting the research methodology and key findings, Dr Matthew Okoh, the project’s lead research consultant, revealed that although Lagos recorded the highest use of modern contraceptives at 41.6%, uptake was significantly lower in Kano (27.4%) and Kaduna (26.8%). The most preferred methods across the states were implants, injectables, and male condoms, with clear variation by age, gender, and location.

    Dr Okoh noted that adolescents in Kano showed high use of injectables, while male condom use was particularly high among youth in Lagos. “These findings show that one-size-fits-all approaches are not effective. Communication must be tailored to suit different demographics and regional dynamics,” he stated.

    In his presentation on challenges and lessons learned, Dr Okoh highlighted the persistence of myths and misconceptions, limited youth-friendly communication, and inadequate digital engagement, particularly in the northern states. 

    He recommended more strategic use of influencers, digital platforms, and culturally appropriate messaging.

    The event also featured a lively Q&A session and open discussion moderated by Kanayo-Omonoju, where participants shared insights and asked questions around sustainability, community engagement, and policy implications.

    In his vote of thanks, Mr Oluyemi Abodunrin, Senior Programme Manager at CCSI, commended the research team and reaffirmed CCSI’s commitment to supporting data-driven interventions that strengthen Nigeria’s family planning ecosystem.

  • NUJ FCT, Nizamiye Hospital provide free medical check-up to over 300 journalists

    NUJ FCT, Nizamiye Hospital provide free medical check-up to over 300 journalists

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, on Saturday partnered with Nizamiye Hospital to provide free health check-ups for over three hundred journalists in Abuja.

    More than 300 journalists took part in the outreach event, which took place at the NUJ FCT Secretariat in Utako, with a high prevalence of elevated blood pressure and sugar levels.

    This is just as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, praised both the NUJ FCT and Nizamiye Hospital for the thoughtful move to care for journalists’ health.

    Representing the CDS at the event, the Director of Medical Services, Surgeon Commodore Momoh Jimoh Salihu, said, “It is actually a laudable event and I want to say kudos to the NUJ FCT and Nizamiye Hospital for organising and conducting this medical outreach for journalists.

    “This effort will improve the well-being and productivity of journalists in Abuja and help them stay focused on their job.”

    READ ALSO: My biggest challenges in office, by Dapo Abiodun

    The NUJ FCT Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, thanked Nizamiye Hospital for bringing their team of specialists, including a general surgeon, internist, cardiologist, nephrologist, ophthalmologist, and general practitioners.

    She stressed how important it is to look after journalists’ health, saying, “We will always make sure our members are healthy. They go out to the field every time and most times they barely have time to check on themselves.”

    This outreach is part of NUJ FCT’s wider plan to raise health awareness and give free medical support to journalists. Comrade Ike also said the results of the check-ups would help guide their efforts to get health insurance for members.

    “We will always make sure our members are healthy. They go out to the field every time and most times they barely have time to go for medical check-ups.”

    “The NUJ FCT Council decided to take it as a point of duty to make sure that we have our bodies checked.”

    “It is our desire to make sure that we get health insurance for our members. The outcome of today’s outreach will better guide us.”

    “I am happy that members turned en masse for this outreach. For me, I am happy that the team of medical doctors from Nizamiye Hospital are here to check our members.”

    “This will not be the last. We will continue to do this. Thank you to Nizamiye Hospital for taking up this challenge.”

    She promised this wouldn’t be the last time, saying the union remains committed to looking after its members.

    “This initiative demonstrates the union’s commitment to supporting journalists’ well-being,” she added.

    Doctors from Nizamiye Hospital carried out several checks in areas such as heart health, bones and joints, eyes, and dental care.

    Mohammed Abubakar, the hospital’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer, earlier confirmed the hospital’s support for the event and other similar health programmes in the FCT.

    “Our aim was to conduct medical screening for journalists in the FCT. The aim of the medical outreach is to prevent diseases. We are known to give humanitarian aid and this, for us, is a partnership with the NUJ FCT.

    “The major disease that is prevalent so far is high blood pressure and sugar level, and for eye issues, we will go back to the hospital and revert to members who have serious medical eye issues for surgery where necessary,” he added.

    Speaking during the exercise, Deputy Medical Director of Nizamiye Hospital, Dr. Nurullo Sadokov, stated that the medical outreach was part of the hospital’s corporate social responsibility.

    He said, “I hope this screening will help journalists to identify and prevent diseases and sicknesses.”

    “From what we have seen so far, there are journalists with blood pressure and blood sugar problems. Our surgeon here has identified some journalists with hernia and haemorrhage.”

    “We are making plans for those patients to come to our hospital for proper treatment and management. We came here for a general screening.”

    “They may have a problem or not. After identifying the problems and diseases, we will then take another step, which is at the hospital level.”

    “Some patients may end at the diagnostic level while others may need further attention. At the end of the day, we will make a list and make recommendations to the NUJ,” he said.

    The NUJ FCT and Nizamiye Hospital hope this partnership will lead to better health and higher productivity among journalists in Abuja.

  • Awosika donates health centre to Ondo community

    Awosika donates health centre to Ondo community

    The Tola Awosika Foundation has built and donated a state-of-the-art, totally free health center to the people of Ondo Kingdom. 

    Located in Bolorunduro, the headquarters of Ondo East Local Government, this facility will significantly improve healthcare access for the community.

    During the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Tola Awosika reiterated commitment to enhancing the lives of people in Ondo Kingdom. 

    Read Also: Residents displaced as flood wreaks havoc in Ondo community

    He emphasised his passion for improving welfare, aligning with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s EASE mantra.

    The donation will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the community, providing essential healthcare services and improving overall well-being of people who otherwise had no access to improved healthcare.

    The event was a grand celebration, marked by vibrant cultural displays. 

    Awosika was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Joyce Awosika, who was warmly welcomed by the womenfolk with singing, dancing, and pageantry.

    The event was a testament to the community’s appreciation for Dr. Tola Awosika’s generosity and commitment to their welfare. 

    The commissioning of the free health center have undoubtedly brought joy and improved healthcare to the people of Ondo Kingdom.

  • World Drug Day: Pharmacists, student call for national action against drug abuse

    World Drug Day: Pharmacists, student call for national action against drug abuse

    The Federal government has been urged to put in place stronger policies, prevention-focused interventions, and national commitment to combat rising drug abuse in the country.

    The National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, has called for intensified efforts from government, civil society, and communities to tackle drug abuse while Ogbodo Kelvin, a student of Government Secondary School, Garki, Abuja, stressed the urgent need for preventive measures, warning that the future of young Nigerians is threatened by the growing use of illicit drugs among students.

    In a press statement on Thursday on the commemoration of the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, ACPN National Chairman, Igwekamma, noted that the urgency of shifting focus from treatment to prevention, aligned aptly with this year’s theme: ‘The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention’

    According to him, the preventive strategy aligns with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) strategic plan on substance abuse.

    “Drug abuse fuels mental health disorders, crime, school dropout, family breakdown, and premature deaths. It cripples dreams and sabotages national development,” he said.

    While emphasising that community pharmacists are often the first to witness the impact of drug misuse in Nigerian communities, he warned, “Every tablet sold without prescription, every codeine cough syrup diverted, and every hard drug traded illegally is not just a crime, it is a threat to our collective future”.

    According to him, ACPN has been proactive through its national anti-drug abuse competition among secondary school students, which seeks to disabuse the minds of younger generations against the consequences of drug abuse.

    Outlining other key policy actions for the stakeholders, he said, “The ACPN urges relevant agencies to enforce stricter controls on the distribution and sale of controlled substances.

    Read Also: World Drug Day: Tinubu launches ‘Save Our Families’ advocacy campaign in Nigeria

    “We must close the leakage points that allow prescription drugs to enter the illicit market.”

    He also called for greater empowerment of community pharmacists, urging that community pharmacists must be given a central role in identifying early signs of drug misuse and providing counselling, referrals, and rehabilitation support.

    “We must also be involved in school-based and grassroots education programs,” he said.

    However, in a heartfelt open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Ogbodo Kelvin, a student of Government Secondary School, Area 10, Garki, Abuja, noted that the menace of drug abuse in Nigeria is an issue that demands immediate attention.

    He described how widespread drug use has become across all regions, stating that “no corner of our country is immune to its grip.”

    He cited multiple root causes, including porous borders, weak law enforcement, and the glamorization of drugs in the media.

    “Drugs like Alabukun, cough expectorants, tramadol and many others are constantly abused and yet nothing is being done by law enforcement agencies to curb the widespread nature of this hazardous issue,” he lamented.

    Ogbodo warned about the long-term consequences of addiction, saying, “Drug abuse tends to mostly affect the brain, resulting in poor memory, and change in behaviour, suicidal thoughts, depression, and personality disorder. It also affects the economic state of a nation and scares away foreign and local investors.”

    Ogbodo also offered his solutions with a series of policy recommendations, saying, “First of all, a public education campaign should be launched nationwide to educate people about the dangers of drug abuse.

    “Rehabilitation projects should be introduced to our youths and teenagers struggling with drug abuse. More importantly, law enforcement agencies should enact laws to prevent the illegal production, distribution, and sale of drugs.”

    He also emphasised the need to regulate prescription medication, saying, “Implementing regulations to control the sale and use of prescription drugs, including monitoring prescriptions and reducing access to opioids, would help contain this pandemic.

    “Mr President, thank you in advance for your kind response as you take proactive measures to create a society where drug abuse is no longer a threat. The time to act is now!”

    June 26, 2025, is set aside to observe the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by the United Nations (UN) to raise awareness of the devastating consequences of drug abuse and illicit trafficking on individuals, families, communities, and nations.

  • Rethinking maternity care: Amina Yamgnane holds special conference in Lagos

    Rethinking maternity care: Amina Yamgnane holds special conference in Lagos

    Leading voice in obstetrics and maternal health, Dr. Amina Yamgnane, will today, June 27, 2025, speak to health professionals and the general public, on the need to radically rethink how to care for women before, during and after childbirth.

    In what promises to be a rare and powerful conversation, she will be speaking at the Alliance Française de Lagos.

    A French-Togolese obstetrician-gynecologist specialising in fetal medicine and high-risk pregnancies, Dr. Yamgnane brings over 15 years of experience in top-tier hospitals across Europe. 

    She currently serves as Head of the Maternity Department at the American Hospital of Paris and leads the national working group on Respectful Maternity Care within France’s College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 

    This event marks her first return to the African continent in years, a personal initiative driven by a desire to reconnect, listen and learn from the realities on the ground.

    Her career began as Chief Resident at Cliniques Saint-Luc (Université de Louvain, Belgium), before taking her to Necker Hospital in Paris (AP-HP) and eventually the American Hospital.

    In 2016, she founded La Clinique des Femmes in Paris, a pioneering space for human-centered, trauma-informed care.

    Read Also: LSDPC delivers maternity ward to Ebute Metta General Hospital

    The conference, titled “Rethinking Maternity Care”, will bring together doctors, midwives, nurses, hospital directors, medical educators, and healthcare investors to address a critical question: How do we provide care that is not only clinically safe but also respectful, dignified and adapted to women’s lived experiences?

    In a world where maternity care can too often become technical, depersonalised or even violent, this event is a collective call to pause, reflect, and act. From delivery rooms to policy rooms, it invites all those shaping maternal health to imagine a new standard, one that truly listens to women, respects their choices, and supports caregivers in doing the same.

    Starting at 6:00 PM at Alliance Française Lagos, in Ikoyi, entry is free.

     “This is more than a talk. It’s an invitation to transform,” she said.

  • Fact Check: Is teething a cause of death among children?

    Fact Check: Is teething a cause of death among children?

    Claim: A TikToker, Ajoke (@harjohkeh001), claimed that teething killed her baby.

    Verdict: False. Paediatricians say that teething is a natural process and does not lead to death in children. Medical peer-reviewed studies also confirm that teething does not cause death in children. However, the symptoms of teething can lead to death if not well managed.

    Full Text

    The teeth are part of a human’s digestive system, which helps break down food by crushing or cutting it before swallowing. Teething occurs when a baby’s teeth start to emerge through the gum line. This developmental milestone is typically observed from around five months onward. 

    On May 17, 2025, a TikToker, Ajoke (@harjohkeh001), claimed that she lost her baby as a result of teething. She posted a video where she was first dancing with the child, and in some seconds into the video, she was carrying the child on her lap with an intravenous (IV) injection affixed to his hand.

    Written on the video is a text that reads “if anybody finds me, come, tell them say I lost my Mudashir to teething.”

    As of June 2, 2025, the video had been shared 985 times with 2,550 comments.

    Screenshot of Ajoke’s post.

    TikTok users who commented under the post sympathised with her over her loss and shared the belief that teething kills patients. 

    Scrolling through social media, DUBAWA observed tons of posts and debates on the link between teething and infant death..

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    On Facebook, a User, Priscilla Nwogu Onyi, wrote, “How can a child die because of teething? Are you sure it’s sepsis, it kills children a lot. Mothers should beware of sepsis. Oh, it’s well. May his soul rest in peace”.

    One of the users on TikTok is @Khadija. In 2013, she shared that she had the same experience nine years ago with her son. She wrote, “This was my story 9 yrs ago. My baby boy started teething too early at four months, and that led to his death. Sorry, mummy, that I am strong.”

    Another TikTokker, @Daddygold01, said he lost his daughter the same way, “Same as me, my first daughter died of teething issues. Sorry, dear, take heart.”

    One user, @Nurse Rose🇧🇪🇧🇪, however, questioned if it was medically diagnosed that it was teething that killed the child. She wrote, “Sorry for your loss, but did the doctor say it was teething? Sorry for the question, though, but I want to know.”

    In the interest of public health, as many nursing mothers rely on experiences of others to care for their children, DUBAWA decided to investigate whether teething can cause death in children.

    Verification 

    When a child starts teething, the symptoms typically begin some days before the teeth erupt. Babies’ teeth erupt many times during their first five years of life.

    According to this article by WebMD, teething symptoms vary from baby to baby. Some of the listed symptoms include swollen, tender gums, fussiness and crying, slightly raised temperature (less than 100.4 F), gnawing or wanting to chew on hard things, lots of drool, which can cause a rash on the face, coughing, rubbing their cheek or pulling their ear, bringing their hands to their mouth, and changes in eating or sleeping patterns.

    In another article by MedicineNet, teething may cause crankiness or gum irritation, but is not responsible for high fever, diarrhoea, cough, or body rashes. They emphasised that while some studies mention a slight rise in body temperature, sometimes referred to as “teething fever,” this does not constitute an actual fever, which typically begins at temperatures above 101°F (38.3°C). 

    Paediatricians explained to DUBAWA that although teething can cause discomfort and a slight increase in temperature, it does not directly cause fever or death. 

    Amina Abubakar, Principal Medical Officer at the Jummai Babangida Maternal and Child Hospital in Minna, Nigeria’s Niger state capital said, 

    “Some children might come down with pain and discomfort, and that pain sometimes can increase in body temperature. However, if these symptoms the child is experiencing are not managed appropriately, they can deteriorate. When that happens and the child does not get medical help, death can occur. But we cannot say it is teething that is the cause of the death.”

    The Consultant Paediatrician at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Frances Okpokowuruk, agreed with Amina, stating that teething is a natural process and the temperature rise experienced by the child during teething is due to the mild inflammation in the gum.

    “The child can become irritable, crying more than usual, the gum itches, and they salivate. These are all natural things that are going on,” Frances said.

    She added that the behaviour during the teething period also puts the child at risk of infection, which many confuse with teething. 

    “Because of the itching of the gum and discomfort they feel, they are putting a lot of things in their mouth, and usually, this teething coincides with the time when most babies are crawling, and there is a probability of them picking things to put in their mouth. Many times, the environment is not very clean, which can lead to infections. 

    “If the environment is not clean, the baby picks up a lot of germs and begins to stool or get bacterial infections, and people will start saying it is caused by teething, no it is not teething per se but it is the things that is involved that is making the baby to stool.”

    Conclusion 

    Teething does not cause death in children. Paediatricians and medical peer-reviewed studies note that teething is a natural process and does not lead to death in children. However, the symptoms of teething can lead to death if not well managed.

  • Why Nigerians must cut salt intake, by experts

    Why Nigerians must cut salt intake, by experts

    …public health experts seek media boost for awareness

    Public health advocates have renewed calls for Nigerians to reduce their salt intake, warning that excessive sodium consumption is driving a surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, heart disease, and stroke, with devastating consequences for individuals, national productivity, and the economy.

    Although they acknowledged government efforts toward salt reduction, they emphasised that involving the media in creating and sustaining public awareness would yield far greater impact.

    At a media roundtable held Wednesday in Abuja, experts, nutritionists, and journalists convened to discuss the National Sodium Reduction Guidelines, the health risks of salt-heavy diets, and the critical role of the media in promoting public awareness.

    The event was organised by the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), in collaboration with the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).

    According to the experts, with the country already battling a rising tide of diet-related illnesses, research shows that many common processed foods consumed by Nigerians far exceed safe sodium levels.

    Yet, the absence of clear front-of-pack food labels prevents consumers from making informed dietary choices. Adopting Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL), the experts said, would empower Nigerians to easily identify high-salt, high-sugar products.

    Nigeria’s food environment is flooded with invisible risks. The media must spotlight these risks, not just for awareness, but to demand solutions that protect citizens’ health,” said Dr. Emmanuel Sokpo, NHED Country Director.

    Dr. Joseph Ekiyor, a global health researcher, provided sobering statistics, saying, “1.6 million lives could be saved each year globally if sodium intake is cut by 30%.

    “In 2021, NCDs caused 43 million deaths worldwide, 75% of all non-pandemic-related deaths. Most of these were in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria.”

    He warned that unless urgent action is taken, the number of deaths could rise to 52 million annually by 2030.

    Read Also: World Salt Week: NHED rallies support for mandatory sodium limits, clear food labels

    John Tehinse, a Food Scientist and member of Nigeria’s sodium reduction technical working group, explained that the government has adopted the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and is now working with the food industry to reformulate products.

    “We studied 34 food categories popular in Nigeria, including bread and meat products, to guide safe sodium levels,” he said.

    Tehinse added that the national target is to reduce salt in processed foods by 15% by 2026, reaching 30% by 2030, urging, “This gradual approach helps Nigerians adapt their taste without losing flavour. But the media must drive this awareness so people understand what’s at stake”.

    Citing examples from schools, Tehinse warned that children are increasingly exposed to salty, processed foods.

    “Some schools feed pupils junk five times a day. A nine-year-old already weighing 75kg is a sign of crisis. Parents must return to home-cooked, traditional meals,” he said.

    Tehinse emphasised that enforcement of new regulations will be led by NAFDAC once sodium guidelines are codified into law, noting, “But enforcement alone isn’t enough. Public education must start now, and that’s where the media comes in.”

    To help reverse this trajectory, Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA, called on media practitioners to prioritise food policy reporting.

    “Nutrition stories are not just lifestyle pieces; they are justice and survival stories. Frame them that way,” he said.

    Oluwafemi, who noted that excessive sodium intake is a looming public health crisis, urged that the media must move beyond reporting to advocacy, helping Nigerians make informed food choices that could save millions of lives.

    Joy Amafah, Country Coordinator for GHAI, said Nigeria’s shift from traditional, nutrient-rich diets to ultra-processed products (UPPs) has worsened the NCD burden.

    “We are now consuming more products with minimal nutritional value and high salt, sugar, and trans fats, driven by aggressive marketing. The media must expose this,” she said.

    The roundtable also served as a build-up to a digital engagement scheduled for June 28 via TX Space, themed Salt, Labels & Public Health: Addressing Nigeria’s Food Environment.

  • Tabitha-Abimbola foundation marks second anniversary with free medical outreach in Lagos

    Tabitha-Abimbola foundation marks second anniversary with free medical outreach in Lagos

    …unveils two additional community projects to celebrate anniversary

    As part of activities marking its second anniversary, The Tabitha-Abimbola Foundation has unveiled a series of impactful, community-focused initiatives, beginning with a free medical outreach for underserved residents in Lagos.

    The outreach, the first of three anniversary projects, aims to deliver essential healthcare services to at least 100 residents of the Agboyi-Ketu riverine community. Beneficiaries will receive general health consultations, basic medications, health education, and vital screenings—all at no cost.

    The initiative is designed to support individuals and families with limited or no access to regular medical care, underscoring the foundation’s commitment to health equity and social impact.

    Speaking on the foundation’s journey so far, Founder and CEO, Mrs. Abimbola Agbebiyi, said: “Our mission has always been about creating lasting, meaningful change.”

    “There’s no better way to celebrate two years of impact than by deepening our service to those who need it most. This outreach is more than just treatment, it’s about restoring dignity, hope, and wellness.”

    The medical outreach is scheduled for June 28th and will be held in Agboyi-Ketu, Lagos. It will bring together volunteer healthcare professionals, community leaders, and support teams dedicated to delivering care where it’s needed most.

    Following this outreach, the Foundation will roll out two additional community projects in the coming days—each aligned with its core pillars of health, education, and economic empowerment.

    Founded in 2023, The Tabitha-Abimbola Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable population especially women and children, through sustainable grassroots initiatives. 

    In just two years, the Foundation has impacted numerous communities across Lagos and aspires to extend its reach across Nigeria, Africa, and eventually, the world.

  • Enrollees not permitted to buy drugs outside health facilities, says HMO boss

    Enrollees not permitted to buy drugs outside health facilities, says HMO boss

    It is against the National Health Insurance (NHI) policy for any enrollee to purchase prescribed medications outside designated healthcare facilities, a leading health expert has said. Dr. Kunle Ewenla, Managing Director of Ultimate Health HMO, made this clarification during the Annual General Meeting of the company held in Abuja. He emphasised that enrollees are not expected to bear the financial burden of sourcing drugs externally, as the policy mandates health facilities to dispense listed medications directly to patients under the scheme. “There is no room for drugs to be procured by our enrollees outside the facility,” Dr. Ewenla stated firmly. “I’m repeating it again: there is no room for that to be done.”

    Explaining the structure of the capitation model under the Federal Government’s health insurance programme, Ewenla noted that 65 per cent of the premium paid per enrollee is allocated to healthcare facilities specifically for procuring and warehousing drugs. “The capitation is N1,450 per enrollee, paid monthly in advance,” he said. “Facilities are expected to warehouse medications for a minimum of 2,500 enrollees, amounting to about N3.625 million monthly. This amount is to be used first and foremost for procuring drugs listed under the NHI formulary.”

    READ ALSO: PDP to INEC: Tell us our secretary!

    He stressed that the policy is clear: drugs must be sourced and dispensed by the facilities, and not left for enrollees to purchase elsewhere. “Prescriptions are not meant to be written and handed over for the patient to buy drugs outside. That defeats the entire purpose of the insurance scheme,” he said. Dr. Ewenla urged stakeholders to adhere strictly to the NHI framework, ensuring that enrollees receive the full benefits of their coverage, including access to medication without additional out-of-pocket expenses. The warning comes amid growing complaints from enrollees who say they are often asked to buy prescribed medications outside healthcare facilities—a practice experts say violates the core principles of the health insurance programme.