The Nation Newspaper

Category: Health

  • Pharmacists decry marginalisation, doctors’ dominance

    Pharmacists decry marginalisation, doctors’ dominance

    The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in what it described as systemic marginalisation of non-physician professionals in the health and education sectors.

    In an open letter by its National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, and National Secretary, Omokhafe Ashore, the ACPN decried events at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), where physician-lecturers reportedly embarked on strike over the selection of a Vice-Chancellor.

    The association also cited a similar protest at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), where physicians resisted the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor without a medical background, despite regulations that stipulate a Ph.D. as the minimum requirement for such positions.

    The association accused the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) and other physician-led unions of routinely using strikes to intimidate the government into making appointments that favour their members, even when those appointments contradict laid-down rules.

    The pharmacists warned that this trend has reached alarming levels, encouraged by the appointment of physicians as ministers in key sectors.

    READ ALSO: Tinubu orders speedy execution of approved projects

    “The Federal Ministry of Education, under a most inexperienced leadership, is systematically promoting a flurry of Universities of Medicine while insisting that only physicians can serve as Vice Chancellors,” the letter stated.

    The ACPN criticised what it described as a culture of blackmail among physician groups who go on strike whenever Ph.D. requirements for academic leadership positions are enforced, arguing that many physicians hold fellowships rather than academic doctorates.

    Turning to the health sector, the pharmacists lamented what they described as decades of exclusion and poor management of Federal Health Institutions (FHIs).

    They alleged that since 1985, only physicians have been appointed as Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of FHIs based on a narrow interpretation of the term ‘medically qualified’, to the detriment of other healthcare professionals.

    “Most CMDs are part-time academics but enjoy full-time leadership roles at hospitals, an abuse of public service rules,” the group argued.

    It also referenced the 2023 law passed by the National Assembly without a public hearing, which mandates that only those registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) can be appointed as MD/CEOs of Federal Medical Centres.

    The association said these policies have led to institutional failure, pointing to a recent electricity crisis in which many FHIs were left without power due to unpaid bills.

    “None of the CEOs could devise sustainable alternatives. This is why we need trained hospital administrators to manage our hospital system, as was the case before 1995,” they said.

    The community pharmacists also cited a case at the Irrua Specialist Hospital, where a senior pharmacist was allegedly punished for offering lawful advice on how drug-revolving funds (DRFs) should be managed.

    The pharmacist was reassigned to a rural outpost while a less senior colleague was installed in his place.

    When the matter was escalated, the ACPN claimed, the Federal Ministry of Health sent an investigation team dominated by physicians, who unsurprisingly cleared the CEO.

    According to the ACPN, such incidents are now common across FHIs, where DRF schemes are often mismanaged, and pharmacists’ roles are deliberately undermined.

    On broader health policy issues, the pharmacists pointed to the nation’s weak primary healthcare and health insurance systems.

    They accused the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) of sidelining community pharmacists despite their global recognition during the COVID-19 immunisation drive.

    “Despite our success, the agency refused to engage us meaningfully, and the FMOH ignored our complaints,” the group said.

    The ACPN also questioned the recent approval of MEDIPOOL, a government procurement initiative for medical supplies, without proper consultation with pharmaceutical stakeholders.

    It called for the establishment of a Federal Drug Management Agency to ensure that drugs are procured and distributed efficiently, as outlined in the National Drug Distribution Guidelines of 2015.

    The ACPN warned that Nigeria’s ambition to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) remains a mirage, as the key pillars, health insurance, primary care, and access to drugs, are sabotaged by poor policy and entrenched interests.

    “The time to act is now, you must stop the incomprehensible dominance of an overpampered group of civil servants. National growth will continue to suffer unless this imbalance is corrected,” the association urged President Tinubu.

    They further warned that the continued marginalisation of health workers and academic professionals outside the medical field is discouraging the next generation from entering those professions, adding, “Nobody wants to be an underdog anymore”.

    The ACPN called for a shift in government appointments, urging the President to ensure merit-based, multidisciplinary leadership in both the education and health sectors.

  • Nigeria records increased LASSA fever cases

    Nigeria records increased LASSA fever cases

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported an increase in the number of confirmed Lassa fever cases in its latest situation report for epidemiological week 23, spanning June 2 to 8, 2025.

    The report indicated that a total of 11 new confirmed cases were reported across Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, and Taraba States, up from eight cases recorded in the previous week.

    One new death among confirmed cases was also recorded during the week, bringing the case fatality ratio (CFR) for the week to 9.1 percent, the report revealed.

    Read Also: Tinubu at 2025 PPP Summit: Nigerians want infrastructure, not promises

    Cumulatively in 2025, according to the report, the country has recorded 758 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 143 deaths, resulting in a CFR of 18.9 percent, which is higher than the 17.8 percent reported during the same period in 2024.

    So far this year, the report showed that 18 States across 96 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have reported at least one confirmed case.

    However, the report also showed that the number of suspected and confirmed cases in 2025 remains lower compared to the same period last year when 911 confirmed cases and 162 deaths were recorded across 28 States and 125 LGAs.

    According to the report, Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi States continue to account for 90 percent of all confirmed cases in 2025.

    It also added that Ondo leads with 31 percent, followed by Bauchi with 25 percent, Edo with 16 percent, Taraba with 15 percent, and Ebonyi with 3 percent.

    The remaining 10 percent of cases, the report showed, are distributed across 13 other States while the most affected age group is between 21 and 30 years, with a median age of 30.

    The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1 to 0.8, though, one new healthcare worker infection was reported during the week, the report also revealed.

    According to the report, the national Lassa fever multi-sectoral Incident Management System remains activated to coordinate response activities across all levels, adding that key response actions during the reporting week included clinician sensitization in six high-burden LGAs in Ondo State with WHO support, and an After Action Review in Ebonyi State supported by Pro-Health International.

    It also stated that a national risk dynamic assessment was conducted, and Lassa fever messages were integrated into broader viral hemorrhagic fever risk communication strategies.

    The NCDC also launched its Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) e-learning platform developed with Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh (DRASA) Health Trust and funded by the Global Fund.

    It said collaboration was deepened with various partners, including the Nigerian SORMAS Web Enhancement team and Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Geneva, while Georgetown University supported webinars on clinical management and infection prevention in health facilities.

    IPC materials were disseminated to health facilities nationwide with the support of the Robert Koch Institute.

    Response commodities such as personal protective equipment, Ribavirin, body bags, thermometers, hand sanitizers, and IEC materials were distributed to states and treatment centers, according to the report.

    It also stated that the agency deployed 10 Rapid Response Teams to affected states and conducted geospatial risk mapping and forecasting of medical countermeasures.

    Healthcare worker training in Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Benue states, according to the agency, was supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), in addition to Nigeria taking part in the Economic Community of West Africa ln States (ECOWAS) Regional Training on Lassa Fever Clinical Management in Togo and hosted monthly webinars on clinical protocols.

    Efforts to strengthen surveillance and case management were intensified through enhanced contact tracing, active case finding, and the activation of public health emergency operation centres.

    Community sensitization campaigns were carried out in high-burden LGAs, including radio engagements and environmental response drives in Ondo State.

    Despite these efforts, the agency noted that challenges remain, such as late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour due to treatment costs, inadequate environmental sanitation, and low awareness in affected communities, which remain major contributors to the elevated CFR.

    The agency emphasized the need for continued collaboration across sectors to reduce disease spread and improve early case detection and management.

  • ACPN urges Tinubu to end marginalisation of non-physician professionals, misuse of strikes

    ACPN urges Tinubu to end marginalisation of non-physician professionals, misuse of strikes

    The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently address what it described as the escalating misuse of strike actions and the systemic marginalisation of non-physician professionals in Nigeria’s health and education sectors.

    In an open letter titled “Call These Bluffs in National Interest”, signed by National Chairman Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh and National Secretary Pharm. Omokhafe Ashore, the ACPN, cited recent developments at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), where physician-lecturers reportedly went on strike over the selection of a new Vice Chancellor.

    The group also pointed to a similar situation at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), where physicians allegedly protested the appointment of a Vice Chancellor without a medical background, even though the statutory qualification for the role is a Ph.D., not a medical degree.

    The ACPN accused physician-led unions, particularly the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), of weaponising industrial actions to pressure the government into making decisions that favour doctors, often in violation of established rules and procedures.

    The association warned that this trend is being emboldened by the continued appointment of physicians to key ministerial positions, calling on President Tinubu to intervene in the national interest and ensure equity and professionalism across all sectors.

    “The Federal Ministry of Education, under a most inexperienced leadership, is systematically promoting a flurry of Universities of Medicine while insisting that only physicians can serve as Vice Chancellors,” the letter stated.

    The ACPN criticised what it described as a culture of blackmail among physician groups who go on strike whenever Ph.D. requirements for academic leadership positions are enforced, arguing that many physicians hold fellowships rather than academic doctorates.

    Turning to the health sector, the pharmacists lamented what they described as decades of exclusion and poor management of Federal Health Institutions (FHIs).

    They alleged that since 1985, only physicians have been appointed as Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of FHIs based on a narrow interpretation of the term ‘medically qualified’, to the detriment of other healthcare professionals.

    “Most CMDs are part-time academics but enjoy full-time leadership roles at hospitals, an abuse of public service rules,” the group argued.

    It also referenced the 2023 law passed by the National Assembly without a public hearing, which mandates that only those registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) can be appointed as MD/CEOs of Federal Medical Centres.

    The association said these policies have led to institutional failure, pointing to a recent electricity crisis in which many FHIs was left without power due to unpaid bills.

    “None of the CEOs could devise sustainable alternatives. This is why we need trained hospital administrators to manage our hospital system, as was the case before 1995,” they said.

    The community pharmacists also cited a case at the Irrua Specialist Hospital, where a senior pharmacist was allegedly punished for offering lawful advice on how drug revolving funds (DRFs) should be managed.

    The pharmacist was reassigned to a rural outpost while a less senior colleague was installed in his place.

    When the matter was escalated, the ACPN claimed, the Federal Ministry of Health sent an investigation team dominated by physicians, who unsurprisingly cleared the CEO.

    According to the ACPN, such incidents are now common across FHIs, where DRF schemes are often mismanaged, and pharmacists’ roles are deliberately undermined.

    On broader health policy issues, the pharmacists pointed to the nation’s weak primary healthcare and health insurance systems.

    They accused the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) of sidelining community pharmacists despite their global recognition during the COVID-19 immunisation drive.

    “Despite our success, the agency refused to engage us meaningfully, and the FMOH ignored our complaints,” the group said.

    Read Also: Afenifere hails Tinubu for kick-starting Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, other key projects

    The ACPN also questioned the recent approval of MEDIPOOL, a government procurement initiative for medical supplies, without proper consultation with pharmaceutical stakeholders.

    It called for the establishment of a Federal Drug Management Agency to ensure that drugs are procured and distributed efficiently, as outlined in the National Drug Distribution Guidelines of 2015.

    The ACPN warned that Nigeria’s ambition to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) remains a mirage, as the key pillars, health insurance, primary care, and access to drugs, are sabotaged by poor policy and entrenched interests.

    “The time to act is now, you must stop the incomprehensible dominance of an overpampered group of civil servants. National growth will continue to suffer unless this imbalance is corrected,” the association urged President Tinubu.

    They further warned that continued marginalisation of health workers and academic professionals outside the medical field is discouraging the next generation from entering those professions, adding, “Nobody wants to be an underdog anymore”.

    The ACPN called for a shift in government appointments, urging the President to ensure merit-based, multidisciplinary leadership in both the education and health sectors.

  • WAHO strengthens regional health security with World Bank’s $500m

    WAHO strengthens regional health security with World Bank’s $500m

    The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) has called for deeper collaboration among countries in West and Central Africa to effectively combat emerging public health threats, particularly those with cross-border implications.

    This emerged in Abuja on Tuesday during the first regional learning event of the Health Security Program for Western and Central Africa that brought together key stakeholders, including the World Bank, national public health agencies, and regional institutions, to forge a unified response strategy and strengthen long-term emergency preparedness across the sub-region.

    Speaking at the event, the World Bank’s Practice Manager for Health, Nutrition, and Population in West and Central Africa, Rifat Hassan, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting health resilience in the region.

    “This program, approved by our Board in December 2023, represents a $500 million investment to support countries in Western and Central Africa in strengthening their capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats,” she said.

    She noted that the COVID-19 pandemic taught critical lessons and emphasised that the new initiative reflects a collective effort to ensure the region is better prepared for future health emergencies.

    According to her, the Health Security Program builds on more than a decade of World Bank engagement in the region, particularly following the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak.

    She explained that although countries had made notable gains through earlier initiatives such as the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement (REDISSE) project, significant gaps remain.

    “New threats like antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and deforestation require deeper investments and more integrated approaches,” she said.

    She outlined the program’s four strategic priorities: scaling up One Health interventions linking human, animal, and environmental health; strengthening cross-border collaboration and regional institutions; addressing neglected challenges such as gender inequity and antimicrobial resistance; and aligning health security efforts with broader health system development goals.

    “This program is not just about funding, it is about transforming how we work, through shared learning, coordinated action, and resilient systems.

    “The learning agenda prioritises peer-to-peer exchange, helping us transform knowledge into regional public goods,” she said.

    Providing further details about the structure of the program, she added that it is a regional initiative aimed at preventing, detecting, and managing disease outbreaks across West and Central Africa.

    “Currently, three countries and WAHO are participating in the first phase, and we anticipate additional countries from the Sahel and Central Africa joining soon. Discussions are ongoing.

    “This is a seven-year operation. Over time, more countries will come on board, building a broader coalition of coordinated public health actors across the region.

    “The goal is to improve cross-border disease surveillance, coordination, and laboratory capacity, ensuring that countries are not only able to respond effectively to outbreaks, but also maintain essential health services during emergencies.

    “At the end of this program, we expect to see stronger systems both within and between countries, better surveillance at points of entry, more reliable lab networks, and enhanced emergency preparedness that protects lives and livelihoods.”

    Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, who represented the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, described health security as a regional necessity that demands collective action.

    “Health security is not just a national priority, it is a regional imperative..We are responding to multiple outbreaks, from Lassa fever and meningitis to cholera and COVID-19. We cannot tackle these alone. Collaboration and knowledge exchange are critical.”

    Dr. Idris highlighted Nigeria’s journey, recalling that in 2017, the country scored 39 percent in the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) for health security readiness.

    “By 2023, this improved to 54 percent, largely due to the implementation of the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS). A second version of the plan, NAPHS 2 (2025–2030), is now in development with a focus on strengthening sub-national capacities.

    Read Also: WAHO rallies Nigerian firms, four others to manufacture COVID vaccines

    “Nigeria’s approach spans emergency preparedness, surveillance, laboratory systems, and the One Health agenda. Our efforts are backed by partners like the US CDC, UKHSA, JICA, and Resolve to Save Lives. But we need sustainable financing, which is why this World Bank-supported program is timely.”

    He emphasised that no country can stand alone in confronting global health threats, noting, “We’ve learned hard lessons from past outbreaks like Ebola and COVID-19.

    “Today, we’re managing Lassa fever, meningitis, cholera, and others. COVID-19 hasn’t gone away, and new threats like the Marburg virus could strike at any time. We have to be ready.

    “No country can stand alone. Cross-border threats require joint action. That’s the essence of this health security initiative: training participants from across the region in surveillance, preparedness, lab diagnostics, antimicrobial resistance, infection prevention, and emergency response.

    “We cannot afford to work in silos. These threats don’t respect borders. If we don’t cooperate and build regional capacity together, we won’t be able to mount effective responses.

    “This program is about developing joint strategies, action plans, and the workforce needed to implement them. We are fortunate to have the support of the World Bank and other partners in building this essential regional capacity.”

  • Climate change threatens Africa’s malaria-free goal by 2030

    Climate change threatens Africa’s malaria-free goal by 2030

    The ambition to eliminate malaria across Africa by 2030 faces serious setbacks, with experts warning that climate change, population growth, and declining funding are reversing progress made over the past decade.

    A new analysis has projected that an additional 554,000 people could die from malaria between 2030 and 2049, with Nigeria expected to be among the most severely affected.

    This warning was issued by health researchers and scientists under the Target Malaria consortium, citing a joint climate impact model by the Boston Consulting Group and the Malaria Atlas Project.

    The model projects future malaria burdens based on anticipated climate-related events, especially changes in rainfall, temperature, and population exposure.

    At the heart of the growing crisis is climate change, which is shifting malaria transmission zones. Warmer temperatures and increased rainfall are creating favourable conditions for mosquitoes to breed and spread the disease in areas previously considered low-risk.

    A leading entomologist at the Health Sciences Research Institute (IRSS) and Field Entomology Coordinator at Target Malaria Burkina Faso, Dr. Patric Epopa said that,  “Shifting temperature and rainfall patterns are expanding and altering malaria risk zones, which will continue to disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, especially children under five.”

    The climate model predicts that from 2030 to 2049, if current global temperatures continue to rise, malaria deaths in Africa will increase by 554,000, with 92% of those deaths linked directly to extreme weather events such as floods and droughts.

    Despite progress in some regions where transmission may decline, the net effect of climate change will be a significant increase in malaria risk for most parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

    The burden of this projected malaria surge is expected to fall most heavily on young children. According to the 2024 Africa Malaria Progress Report by the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa accounted for 95% of global malaria cases and 97% of deaths in 2023, with nearly 580,000 lives lost, the majority of them being children under the age of five.

    In countries like Burkina Faso, malaria remains the leading cause of death in young children, despite the widespread use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying, and artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs).

    “Extreme weather is one of the biggest drivers of malaria spikes,” Epopa explained. “Displaced communities are often left unprotected, without mosquito nets, indoor spraying, or access to early diagnosis and treatment.”

    Although current tools such as ITNs and ACTs have helped to reduce malaria cases and deaths over the years, the report notes that climate change is weakening their impact by up to 17%. Flooding, droughts, and rising temperatures often disrupt supply chains, healthcare services, and mosquito control efforts, making traditional tools less effective during emergencies.

    In 2023, Nigeria accounted for about 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of global malaria deaths, with over 24 million reported infections and more than 170,000 lives lost, mostly children under five, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    There is also a growing problem of insecticide resistance, especially among Anopheles mosquitoes, the primary malaria vector in Africa. In many areas, mosquitoes have evolved resistance to commonly used insecticides, rendering nets and sprays less effective.

    Faced with these challenges, scientists and public health experts are increasingly looking toward new technologies to help fill the gaps. One of the most promising innovations is gene drive technology, a form of genetic engineering aimed at reducing the population of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes.

    Target Malaria, a non-profit research group supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Open Philanthropy, is spearheading efforts to develop gene drive solutions. The approach involves modifying the genes of Anopheles mosquitoes so that they produce fewer females, the mosquitoes responsible for biting and spreading malaria.

    Read Also: Climate Change: Unlocking the economic benefits of climate action

    “Gene drive isn’t a silver bullet, but we hope that it could dramatically cut transmission by reducing the number of female mosquitoes,” said Epopa.

    Mathematical modelling studies suggest that gene drive, when combined with existing tools, could lead to a sharp reduction in mosquito populations, especially in West Africa, and significantly slow down malaria transmission.

    Experts say that to succeed in the malaria fight, African governments must act boldly and swiftly. They are being urged to integrate malaria control into broader health and development strategies, including primary healthcare delivery, gender equality, environmental planning, and climate resilience programs.

    “Now more than ever, we need bold tools and local innovation to stay ahead of this disease,” Epopa added. “African governments must also embed malaria control into broader systems if we want a lasting impact.”

    Failure to act decisively, he warned, will result in the loss of thousands of lives and the derailment of the vision for a malaria-free Africa by 2030.

    Target Malaria is a non-profit research consortium that aims to develop and share innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable genetic technologies to combat malaria. Its core work focuses on the responsible development of gene drive technologies, and it operates in partnership with institutions across Africa, Europe, and North America. Its main institutional hub is located at Imperial College London.

  • Nigerian doctors in U.S. call for visa reforms to help tackle physician shortage

    Nigerian doctors in U.S. call for visa reforms to help tackle physician shortage

    A group of Nigerian doctors based in the United States has urged the U.S. government to reform its visa policies to allow more foreign-trained physicians to help address the country’s growing doctor shortage, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

    Operating under the Nigerian Physician Advocacy Group (NPAG), the doctors recently met with bipartisan members of Congress in Washington, D.C., to present their proposals and advocate for policy support.

    They explained that while many Nigerian medical professionals are qualified and willing to serve in the U.S., outdated and restrictive visa rules are preventing them from filling critical gaps in the healthcare system.

    The NPAG delegation held meetings with lawmakers, including Reps. Jonathan Jackson, Lisa Blunt Rochester, James Baird, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Dan Crenshaw, and Chris Smith, indicating strong interest across party lines.

    Dr. Susan Edionwe, who led the team, emphasised that Nigerian doctors are already making significant contributions, especially in underserved areas such as small towns and inner cities. “We serve with care, skill, and dedication,” she said.

    However, Dr. Edionwe warned that tightening immigration policies are worsening the problem. She cited a sharp increase in student visa interview delays and rising denials of J-1 visas, required for medical residency training in the U.S.

    In 2023 alone, NPAG recorded 32 visa denials under Section 214(b), even for Nigerian candidates with full scholarships and confirmed hospital placements, further straining an already overstretched U.S. healthcare system.

    “These doctors are not only skilled—they are future leaders in global health,” Edionwe said. “Training them in the U.S. helps both countries and makes American healthcare stronger.”

    She pointed out that Nigerian doctors usually come fully trained, which saves the U.S. the high cost of medical school, often between $120,000 and $600,000. Also, about 60% of Black doctors in the U.S. are of Nigerian origin, showing their important role in the health system.

    To make things better, the doctors are asking Congress to pass a bill called the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1201). This law would let more foreign doctors stay in the U.S. after training if they work in areas that lack enough medical professionals.

    “Passing this bill is critical,” Edionwe said. “There are already Nigerian doctors doing this important work. Don’t shut the door on them.”

    Read Also: Nigerian doctors launch AI tool to improve care for patient

    She added that more than 30 Nigerian medical graduates are waiting to train and do research in the U.S., but are held back by immigration rules.

    “This is not about asking for help,” she said. “Nigerian doctors want to help solve a real problem, giving people better access to healthcare. We just need the chance to do it.”

    The group also spoke about concerns back home in Nigeria, saying that U.S. support for health programs like USAID and PEPFAR is dropping. These programs provide medicine and services that have saved millions of lives, and delays in funding or medicine delivery could cause serious harm.

  • Lagos builds psychiatric hospital to tackle gambling, others

    Lagos builds psychiatric hospital to tackle gambling, others

    As part of a response to the rising mental health toll of gambling addiction and related behavioural disorders, the Lagos State government is building a 500-bed psychiatric hospital with a 1,000-bed rehabilitation wing.

    It is the largest of its kind in West Africa.

    The Head of Special Projects and Mental Health at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Tolu Ajomale, broke the news at Gamble Alert’s Responsible Gaming symposium in Lagos.

    He represented the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi.

    “This is a strategic investment directed by Mr. Governor to strengthen our mental healthcare system and address gambling as a growing public health concern,” Prof Abayomi said.

    The announcement marks Lagos’ boldest policy shift yet in confronting the health risks of Nigeria’s fast-expanding gaming industry, especially for vulnerable youth and low-income earners.

    Recognising gambling as a legal, revenue-generating activity, Prof. Abayomi warned it comes with hidden costs, addiction, depression, and social instability.

    He praised Gamble Alert’s advocacy and emphasised the need for industry-wide harm-reduction strategies, including stricter regulation of online platforms.

    “Operators must provide self-exclusion tools, but right now these are optional for users,” he added. “We’re working to standardise these safeguards and enforce them through robust regulatory frameworks.”

    The commissioner also announced plans to develop a centralised national database to track gambling-related mental health cases, data that is currently fragmented across hospitals, regulators, and gaming providers.

    To reach underserved communities, Lagos is ramping up grassroots sensitisation through roadshows, flyers, local radio, and outreach campaigns, particularly in informal urban areas where gambling thrives unchecked.

    “We’re committed to working with NGOs, regulators, and community groups to make responsible gaming the norm,” Prof Abayomi said.

    Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gamble Alert, Mr Fisayo Oke said the event aimed to spark meaningful dialogue and drive policy reforms.

    “Responsible gaming is not optional, it’s a business imperative. Protecting consumers ensures long-term sustainability for the industry.” He said.

    Oke stressed that while eliminating gambling-related harm may be unrealistic, coordinated efforts can significantly reduce its impact.

    He urged regulators and operators to adopt preventive tools, enforce safeguards, and invest in consumer protection.

    Oke also highlighted the dual responsibility of both the industry and the public. “Players must understand how to gamble responsibly, while operators must build safer platforms,” she said.

    With Nigeria’s gaming sector booming, Oke called for urgent, deliberate policy shifts to mitigate risks, particularly among young and vulnerable populations.

    “The conversation must lead to action,” he said. “Everyone, government, industry, and civil society, has a role to play.”

    Director General of the Oyo State Gaming and Lottery Board, Olajide Boladuro, warned Nigerian youths against seeing gambling as a shortcut to success, stressing its link to addiction, debt, and mental health crises.

    “Gambling is not a path to prosperity,” he said during a responsible gaming advocacy event. “Our youths should focus on productive ventures, not betting kiosks.”

    Boladuro highlighted Oyo’s regulatory reforms since 2023, including stricter licensing, accountability for operators, and an enforcement modelled after international standards.

    He cited the UK’s £5 million fine on a betting firm for underage gambling as a benchmark Oyo aims to emulate.

    Read Also: Bode George dismisses claims of PDP collapse in Lagos 

    To broaden awareness, the board has expanded outreach into rural areas like Fopa and Igbo Elerin through road shows, radio campaigns, and community education, backed by resources from Governor Seyi Makinde.

    Warning about the severe mental toll of gambling, Boladuro said early intervention is crucial. “Depression, anxiety, even suicide, these are real outcomes,” he noted, urging youths to treat gambling as leisure, not income.

    He called for more collaboration between government, civil society, and gaming operators to push financial literacy, mental health awareness, and industry compliance. “Gambling is not a job,” he said. “It’s just a game, and it should stay that way.”

    The symposium convened health experts, regulators, gaming operators, and advocates to chart a new path for safer gambling practices in Nigeria.

  • Abdulrazaq seeks collaborative approach to health funding as Kwara hosts 27th confab of health educators

    Abdulrazaq seeks collaborative approach to health funding as Kwara hosts 27th confab of health educators

    Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday restated the administration’s commitment to strengthening health systems through investments in health promotion, prevention care and community engagement.

    He said the government has greatly invested in the renovation and equipping of many primary and secondary healthcare facilities in the state and will do more.

    The Governor spoke in Ilorin at the opening ceremony of the 27th Annual National Conference of Nigerian Association of Health Educators (NAHE), with the theme: “Dimensions and Adaptation to Health and Illness Behaviours; Repositioning Health Education in Nigeria Healthcare System”.

    “Our administration is working round the clock to ensure that our health workers are well-trained, that our schools incorporate health education into their curriculum, and that our citizens are equipped to make healthier decisions,” the Governor said Monday while declaring the Conference open.

    “Our government has huge  investments in health care services in the state. We have renovated and equipped our primary healthcare centres and maternities across the state.

    “The secondary health care facilities are not left out. This is in addition to frequent recruitment of health care personnel across all cadres into our workforce. Salaries and wages including promotion of health care workers are regular and prompt”. 

    Represented by his Deputy Elder Kayode Alabi, the Governor noted that the task of turning around the health sector requires a collective approach, soliciting for value partnerships with NAHE and other professional bodies. 

    He commended the organisers for the Conference, believing that the theme will stimulate rich conversations, innovative ideas, and practical solutions to the pressing health challenges we face as a nation.

    He also praised the health care workers for their brilliant performance at duties especially during and after COVID-19 outbreak in the state. 

    “Twenty-seven years of consistent national conferencing is no small feat. It reflects your resilience, passion, and unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of Nigerians,” he added.

    “We are confident that the outcomes of this conference will inform policy, improve practice, and contribute to the overall development of our people.”

    The programme attracted senior government officials, including the Chairman Kwara Assembly Committee on Education Hon Muhammad Baba Salihu; Hon Joseph Bamigboye; Hon Lawal Ayanshola; Hon Mariam Yusuf Aladi; 

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    some Local Council Chairmen such as Ekiti, Ifelodun, Asa, and Ilorin South; Olupako of Share, Oba Olawale Haruna Ilufemiloye; Onira of Ira, HRM Oba Abdulwahab Oyewole Oyetoro; Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin Prof Wahab Egbewole SAN; VC Lagos State University of Education and Keynote Speaker, Prof Bidemi Lafiagi-Okuneye; local government education secretaries; stakeholders and students in the healthcare sector.

    Prof Lafiagi-Okuneye, for her part, implored government at all levels to see health education not as an optional add-on or an ancillary service, but as a strategic imperative for sustainable national development.

    She also called for an adequate investment in the sector, its full integration across relevant sectors, and provision of a robust, enabling policy environment for it to truly flourish.

    “A healthy nation is indeed a wealthy nation, and effective health education is an unshakeable keystone of that foundation,” she said.

    President of NAHE, Prof Shehu Raheem Adaramaja, said the conference sought to understand the multi dimensional aspects of health and illness behaviours, adapt health education approaches to meet contemporary challenges, and strengthen the integration of health education into Nigeria’s healthcare system for better outcomes.

    Adaramaja, who is the Chairman, Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), said despite the progress in the Nigerian healthcare system, the sector is still facing low health literacy and inadequate prioritization of preventive health education among other challenges.

    He pointed out the need to continue to leverage technology, community engagement and policy advocacy towards seeing health education as a tool for behavioural change and sustainable health development.

  • Food Safety: FG, WHO push science-based reforms for safer food chain

    Food Safety: FG, WHO push science-based reforms for safer food chain

    The federal government has renewed its call for science-driven collaboration to tackle the persistent threat of unsafe food in Nigeria, highlighting the urgent need for stronger policies, innovation, and stakeholder action across the food supply chain.

    Speaking at the 2025 World Food Safety Day in Abuja on Monday, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, said the heavy toll of foodborne diseases on public health and the economy demands a coordinated, evidence-based response.

    “With the theme ‘Food Safety: Science in Action’, we reaffirm our commitment to turning cutting-edge research into real-world progress. From farm to fork, every item must meet the highest safety standards,” she declared.

    Kachollom stressed that foodborne illnesses affect over 600 million people globally each year, with low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria carrying a disproportionate burden, both in human suffering and economic loss.

    Estimates place the global economic impact of unsafe food at over $110 billion annually due to lost productivity and healthcare costs.

    According to her, the Ministry has made substantial progress in embedding science into policy and enforcement, citing the revised

    National Policy on Food Safety and Quality, and the introduction of regulatory tools such as the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction and the Food Handlers’ Medical Test Guideline.

    “These initiatives set new benchmarks for consumer protection. We are actively upgrading laboratory protocols and deploying digital traceability tools to monitor food production, transportation, and retail with scientific precision,” she said.

    Kachollom added that Technical Working Groups (TWGs) have been convened to provide expert recommendations on food inspection, traceability, education, and risk assessment, key to shaping future food safety regulations.

    She also praised early gains from the sodium reduction policy, noting that some food producers have begun reformulating their products in line with healthier dietary standards.

    “Our strategy bridges science with regulation to create a sustainable, inclusive, and effective food safety system. We are not only protecting consumers today but building resilience against future risks,” she said.

    She called on stakeholders across government, industry, and civil society to serve as ambassadors of food safety, saying, “Let us return to our communities not just informed but inspired to act.

    “Together, through science and collaboration, we can ensure that every meal is safe, nutritious, and a testament to our shared responsibility.”

    In his remarks, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative, Walter Mulombo, emphasised that science must be at the heart of national responses to foodborne diseases, which affect one in every ten people globally.

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    “Underreporting and weak linkages between contamination and illness have long masked the true impact of unsafe food on health and the economy.

    “Science is the foundation of food safety. Without it, maintaining safety in today’s global food chains would be impossible,” Mulombo added.

    Represented by Dr. Pindar Wakawa, WHO Technical Officer for Nutrition in Nigeria, Mulombo highlighted WHO’s collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in developing global food safety standards and risk monitoring platforms like the Global Environment Monitoring System for Food (GEMS/Food) and the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN).

    “These systems provide evidence-based tools that help countries respond to food safety threats and prevent cross-border spread of contaminated products,” he noted.

    Mulombo urged governments to invest in food safety research, enforce science-based policies, and ensure that such policies translate from the lab to the market and the dining table.

    He also called on food businesses to comply with safety regulations and adopt proven practices that protect consumer health.

    “Food safety is everyone’s responsibility. In this era of climate change and globalisation, our response must be smarter, faster, and rooted in evidence,” he added.

    Mrs. Olubunmi Aribeana, the Director of the Food and Drug Department in the Ministry, echoed the importance of collective responsibility, saying every actor, from farmer to consumer, must play a role in applying scientifically proven practices.

    She noted that the theme of this year’s commemoration points to the power of science in preventing food contamination, reducing health care costs, and ultimately saving lives.

    Earlier, the National Coordinator for Food Safety and Quality Programme, John Atanda, reaffirmed the Ministry’s long-term vision for a science-led regulatory framework and called for sustained vigilance.

    While World Food Safety Day offers a moment of reflection, he said, “It is more importantly a call to action to strengthen systems and scale innovations that protect our food, our people, and our economy.”

  • How to bridge gap, increase blood donation drive – Experts

    How to bridge gap, increase blood donation drive – Experts

    A medical expert Ayokunnumi Jesubunmi and a Medical Laboratory Scientist, Fisayomi Adetayo have said many people who don’t know the importance of blood donation will be willing to donate when they see those leading them in different spheres takes the lead.

    Both speakers in the separate remarks said lives are lost daily due to the gap between needed blood in times of emergency and availability of blood in the various banks.

    Jesubunmi, who presides over, RCCG, Jesus Residence, Awolowo, Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State made the remarks when he mobilised and led his members on a blood donation drive at the Blood Bank, University College Hospital, Ibadan on Saturday, to commemorate the World Blood Donor day.

    He said, beyond preaching and teaching to save lives, blood donation is also a way by which lives can be saved, eapecially in times of emergency.

    According to him:  “This event is a blood drive initiative. We are keying into the world blood donor day. And the reason why we decided to embark on this is because of the injunction of Jesus Christ.

    “Jesus said in John 10.10, He said that the thief comes to steal, kil and destroy, but I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly. So Jesus came to give life, which is life eternal. And He has also designated us that as I have given you life, you can also.

    “So we feel that aside from preaching the scriptures, one of the ways to reach people is by at least saving their life through blood donation. We do a lot of other things, but this is part of us identifying with helping the people and saving life according to how Jesus said.”

    Speaking on the importance, Jesubunmi said, just a pint of blood can save up to three people per time, hence it’s imperative in saving lives.

    “As a medical practitioner, I do tell people that a pint of blood, which is around 450ml, can even save three people. Not just one person. And sometimes when you donate, we call something Aphresis

    “Aphresis is dividing the blood into different components. So you will not even administer the whole blood to people. You can administer somebody with platelets. Somebody with white blood cells. Somebody with red blood cells. It is very, very good.

    “When people give birth, it is not even a bad thing. Some will need blood. Accident victims need blood. Those who are going through chemotherapy need blood. A lot of people need blood. And this is something that we should encourage people. And when you even donate blood, you are even helping yourself. It is a symbiotic thing. You help the people. Your body also rejuvenates.”

    He said, with the right policy, if people in leadership position lead in blood donation, many if their followers will follow suit.

    “I do say that after God is government, anything that the government wants to do, it can do. The person that has the monopoly of anything is the government. So if the government is serious about anything, including blood donation, people will donate.”

    In her views, Adetayo who doubles as the Vice Chairman of the Planning Committee, said blood donation is crucial and expedient since science and reaearch have not been able to come up with formulae for blood manufacturing.

    Adetayo, who is also a volunteer blood donor and a public health advocate said blood donation is compulsory because it is literally the pillar of medicine.

    Noting that her years of experience had shown that demand for blood is far more than the supply in most hospitals, she said her Parish decided to embark on the blood donation drive to follow Christ step who also gave his blood for humanity. 

    “Because for almost all chronic conditions, illnesses, surgical procedures, medical conditions, think of everything that pertains to the hospital setting, you need blood. You need it for trauma accidents, mother and child. When you have incidences for postpartum haemorrhage. You need blood for surgical procedures and for dialysis for people that suffer from chronic kidney diseases.

    “Dialysis is one of the treatments that they give to them to clear their blood of all of the unnecessary things that circulate in it as a result of the breakdown of the kidney. So they need blood to transfuse them, to wipe out toxins and wipe out excretory products. And they need blood.

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    “Take, for example, even cancer patients. You need blood for chemotherapy. You need blood for quite a number of things in the hospital. And the demand is outrageously more than the supply. I can remember when I had my internship here at UCH. We ran out of blood completely from the blood bank. There was literally no blood to cross-match for patients. 

    “And it’s even worse for developing countries and the blacks. Nigeria, as a case study, is worse for us because in Western countries, they have policies, they have systems in place to ensure that a larger percentage of their population are meeting the demands of their blood need.

    “But in Nigeria and in Africa, it’s quite unfortunate for us. So that’s why we are advocating and bringing from the religious perspective that Christ gave His blood, so we also should give our blood.

    “And it’s quite unfortunate that blood cannot be synthesised commercially. You can’t produce blood. You can’t prepare blood in a laboratory setting. It is only the human body system that has that ability. All accolades and credits to God for his level of creativity. It’s only the human system that has the ability to reproduce blood.

    “So I think, since we are the only source of production, the government should put in place policies that will encourage people. And I also think it’s because of lack of education. There are so many myths and untrue information that is passing around in the community space. Many 

    people don’t have the right information about the importance of blood donation.

    “So if government officials, public agencies can come and put in place policy that would actually work, it’s not just about making the policy, but also ensure that they implement the policies that they make to ensure that all these policies are obeyed at diverse blood bank centres across the various facilities in the country”, she added.