The Nation Newspaper

Category: Health

  • Marriage: yes, Ayodele Eyitayo, one plus one can never be one!

    Marriage: yes, Ayodele Eyitayo, one plus one can never be one!

    Often, if not always, we fight a health problem only on the surface, whereas we achieve better results when we dig it up from the root. Hypertension, insomnia, depression and even breast cancer are such problems that may originate from souring or deteriorating  marriage, separation and divorce. When I am told  of a woman under stress which may be linked to the behaviour  of her marriage, I suggest that a reflex zone therapy (RZT) test on the back of the palm be carried out as established by  Devendra Vora in his book, HEALTH IN YOUR HANDS. Often, there is a sharp pain where the gentle palpation is done. Many women wrench their hands free from the hold  of the therapist. Once, I saw a woman break out in sweat as if water was spread or poured over her. Some women become warmer, suggesting that, suddenly, a blockage in their etheric energy circulation had been broken or removed.  It is advisable that such women see their doctors to rule out any possibility of any undercurrent in their breast. Doctors who are unaware of this therapy will do anything but gently massage the trouble away.

    We are talking about the collapse of LOVE between two persons with many of the health challenges which may fellow it. We are talking about the collapse of love, true or fabricated, between two persons. The breast and the heart lie in the FOURTH energy CHAKRA from where the organs in this region  receive  spiritual energy, if you like, from  the indwelling BREATH OF LIFE, that is you and  I. What I am saying is that when we are grievously saddened by love gone awry, we, the breath of life in our clay bodies, transmit the lifelessness within to our clay bodies. The health problems, which many persons, men and women, encounter when their marriages are no longer the bed of roses they wanted them to be, would not arise if they knew that they own no one and no one owns them, that each party is free to go his or her way when he or she likes to. Only emotional reasons bind or bond one person to another when the love union collapses.

    This column was encouraged by the attack  Mr. AYODELE EMMANUEL  EYITAYO (alias THE MOST BLESSED MAN on radio) delivered recently in one of his sermons on what he considered, and I agree with him, on the wrong conception in Christianity that… a MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, a  WOMAN SHALL LEAVE HER FATHER AND MOTHER, AND  BOTH SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.

    One flesh? I always wonder whenever I hear this pronouncement at a wedding ceremony: Two souls, and not two human bodies,  are uniting, not FUSING or MERGING, and the priest is talking of one flesh! Erroneously, this has led many persons, especially women, to rewrite the principles of arithmetic and say ONE PLUS ONE EQUALS TO ONE. When one party dies, and the other does not follow him or her into the grave is when we know how wrong and foolish this sentiment is.

    AYODELE EYITAYO who likes to be  called THE MOST BLESSED MAN is a rebellions radio presenter and Christian preacher in the manner he does his work. I deem him a rebel because his style, departing  from norm,  is unique to him. Behind the SMA 104.7 FM radio microphone, the mass media do not appear to be to  him what, educationally and professionally,we are taught they were … battle machinery to propagate and  defend self and environment, not a battle ground or playground for psychic wars. So,  I always thought irredentist Ibo warrior Barrister Darlington could create trouble for him as Chief M.K.O Abiola’s political war on Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his romance with the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) did to the National Concord group of newspapers in their cultural and political environment. Luckily,  for Eyitayo, providence has ridden him of Barrister Darlington who has found his rightful place on an irredentist pro-Ibo programme on VOICE OF THE PEOPLE (VOP)radio station in Lagos. However, I doubt if Ayodele Eyitayo will be able to re-cIoak himself since one part of him is across the Niger. Sometimes, I catch Ayodele  Eyitayo behind the pulpit running around and about in Orthodox English Language, pidgin English and Yoruba Language. His sermon which I review below, caught my fancy because it was one of those expressions  of spirit in which he did not permit himself to be fettered  by Christian dogmas that are often at variance with the  great Truths of Life. Can you  guess what Ayodele Eyitayo broke down in the simple mathematics  of ONE PLUS ONE EQUALS TWO? Christian theology and dogmas say this ONE PLUS ONE EQUALS ONE!  In other words,  Ayodele Eyitayo is taking on the church and its many dogmatic priests. I am on his side. The battle ground is one of the engagements of adult men and women which has crippled the  happiness of many, and  made them sick in mind and body.

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    American surgeon Norman Shealy and journalist and  psychic Carolyn Myss confirm it in their energy medicine practice which culminated in their epic book, THE CREATION OF HEALTH. In this book, we see clinical evidence of breast cancer healed or cured without surgery or drugs. The therapy simply recognised that ONE PLUS ONE  EQUALED TWO. Hitherto, the patients had long been taught at home, Sunday school and priests behind the pulpit that ONE PLUS ONE  EQUALS ONE!

     Mathematically, the notion that ONE PLUS ONE EQUALS ONE had misled husbands to try to encroach on the BEING of their  wives and induced the wives  to do likewise. Any attempt to amalgamate the two spiritual forces in this equation is UNNATURAL and  cannot work. Such efforts must be centuries old, and the Bible itself reports, though not directly, how they came to naught. Certainly, Abraham and Sarah could not have been one flesh when Abigail came into their equation. Wasn’t Abraham unfair to Abigail and his son by her, Ishmael, giving to them as a gift by the Almighty Creator, when he sent them away from home to please Sarah and her son? If Ishmael was a bastard child, as many Christians say today, are they blaming the Creator of LIFE whose wisdom  provided the gift? Did ISAAC and REBECCA act as “one flesh” or one spirit” when Rebecca tricked Isaac, her husband, to bless the more beloved by her of their two sons, JACOB, in the place of ESAU, her husband’s favourite? Did DELILAH act in tandem with SAMSON when she gave his prized secret out to his enemies? Did BARSHEBA not do to URIAH?

    In his epic, old book, THE PROPHET, author GIBRAN shared a valuable thought with us when he says… husbands and WIVES CAN DRINK TOGETHER, BUT NOT FROM THE SAME  CUP. When I read those lines on MARRIAGE in 1990s, I recalled how I proposed marriage to the woman who became my wife on her 25th birthday. She brought out a bottle of wine which she served in two   glasses, not one. Really, we drank together, but not from the same cup!

    We have another insight from the book HOW TO LIVE WITHOUT STRESS. The author says that, in marriage, two human souls who have been wondering about in the material world, seeking perfection of their essence, come together this time to share their earth-life. Both are distinct entities and different to the other in different dimensions. This book suggests that marriage should not be seen as a   MERGER, but a UNION,which may be loosened and aborted whereas a MERGER is FUSION. He illustrates a union  with two circles striving towards each other.  In one illustration, they are distant. In another, they make contact at the edges. In yet another both may ingress about 18 or 20 per cent into each other. This overlapping space is the COMMON GROUND or common interest areas both are prepared to yield and should strive to develop relationships in. Every-one safeguards his or her psychic or inner space not yield it. And this is why neither a husband nor a wife reveals EVERYTHING about himself or about herself to the other.

    Surgeon Norman Sheally and Carolyn Myss show  in THE CREATION OF HEALTH that either party in a marriage may develop EMOTIONAL STRESS and PAIN when, for them, the attempt to build a UNIFIED life in marriage become  illusive. In their practise of energy medicine, they found that the most easily affected organs of the body are in the SECOND and  FOURTH CHAKRA energy zones during relationship snags or snaps, separation or divorce. For a woman, second chakra organs include reproductive organs, kidneys, bladder, abdomen, lower back. The FOURTH CHARKRA includes heart, lung, circulatory system, centre of the chest e t.c  The fourth chakra organ, principally, are the heart, breasts, although the lungs. Where one party suppresses the FREE WILL of another in an attempt to POSSESS him or her, and the underdog wishes to be free but cannot throw off the yoke, THROAT problems may develop in the FIFTH CHAKRA zone. Happily, these challenges, including breast cancer, are reported to resolve easily where the victims are successfully helped to recognise they blocked energy flow to the organs through hatred and projection of  negative emotions to the persons they  wished to absorb but cannot.

     MARRIAGES MADE HEAVEN

     Is it, thereby, there are no MARRIAGES MADE IN HEAVEN or that  marriages cannot be BEDS OF ROSES? Oh No.  In fact,  marriages are meant  to be  made in  Heaven. However, MADE IN HEAVEN does  not mean that a certain authority  randomly selects couples and dispatches them to the earth.  There may be some grains of  truth, though, in the sensing that some persons may affiliate over there for marriages on earth. Some persons may even be bonded for  earth marriages by  Karma or their uptake of  joint tasks on earth . Can  two friendly siblings with inconclusive businesses on earth  not return  as husband and wife?  May a man called to bring a monumental change to the ways and means of men on earth not come with a woman who would keep the home front for him and support his guidance from above? As there are thousands and one possibilities, as we say, I would not like to give more examples. However, you would venture that, among persons on earth who are meeting for the first time in their entire existence, it is possible to contract MARRIAGES MADE IN HEAVEN in which both parties unite but still remain separate. That is saying such marriages did not need to have been contracted in Heaven and merely formalised on earth. What a MARRIAGE MADE IN HEAVEN simply means is that each spouse brought COMPLEMENTARY ATTRIBUTES or VALUES to the UNION. No one  party is ever complete on his or her own. What is lacking in one person is brought by the other to make the union  COMPLEMENTARY, that is BALANCED or  STABLE. This is in keeping with THE LAW OF BALANCE which  upholds the entire Universe. It is a Law of Nature which man did not  create and cannot do anything about. Even the gigantic  Universe obeys THE LAWS OF BALANCE, otherwise all the Cosmic bodies would be falling out of place and colliding and offering no possibility for human existence as we observe it today.

    As BALANCE or  EQUILIBRUM in everything is THE WILL of THE Almighty Creator, they pervade everything which exists. Electrical charges are balanced in the clothes you wear, otherwise you would not be able to touch them.  Our solar system would have collapsed  upon us if it wasn’t  balanced. We observe colour riot in our dressing if the colours are not balanced. What about our meals? Too much salt or too much oil or too much bitters  or sweets put us off. Goods and services  we purchase must  march  the payment we make  for  them, otherwise we would protest. All system of the human body work in the sense of balance to  provide radiant health.  Imagine the lungs not providing enough oxygen or the endocrine system not  balancing their  hormones, especially in the monthly cycles of women or in the burning of blood sugar? What happens when the kidneys are failing or the brain cannot easily shut down its  operations at night for us to have restful  sleep? We can go on and on. Please, permit only one more example.  Researchers  who are investigating why life  spans are short or long have come to terms with FREE RADICALS and ANTI- OXIDANTS. Free radicals are  UNBALANCED molecules, antioxidants are BALANCED MOLECLES. If  the BALANCE between  free radicals  and  antioxidants ever tips in favour of the former, rapid aging and various diseases would ensue.

    BALANCE IN MARRIAGE

    Human existence on earth  has a specific purpose. Marriage is not that purpose. The Lord Jesus said marriage does not take place in Heaven. On earth, it serves two   basic purposes. One, and the more important is to support fulfilment of the purpose of existence. The second, is not even for propagation of the human race as many persons imagine, but to help immature human souls come to the earth and  strive for spiritual  maturity.  We are  reminded of this in the Bible verse…I KNEW THEE BEFORE I FORMED  THEE IN THY MOTHER’S WOMB. Without  becoming spiritually mature  we cannot return  to our  home in  Paradise, to that Garden of Eden from where we  came here millennia ago, and may become LOST IN THE JUDGEMENT. In marriage, each spouse is expected to help  the other  to perfect  his spirit  for the return journey home. Unfortunately, many couples are unaware of this. They see marriage as only an institution in which they can respectably have children and become parents. They never ask themselves  whether it is  the number of children they have or the perfection of their spirits that would  open  the gate of  Paradise for them. The MARRIAGE MADE IN  HEAVEN, and that would be BEDS OF ROSES, are those in which one party supports the other in that union with virtues he or she does not possess but which she or he possesses to make husband and wife COMPLETE, that is BALANCED, to pursue that JOINT TASK, whether they have children or not, of fulfilling the purpose of their existence on earth. In that fulfilment, they become self-conscious, recognise THE WILL OF GOD and UNCONDITIONALLY FULFILL IT, ennobling their environment. That is when their inner core, their  BEING or EGO or ESSENCE, the LIVING part of the earth-man and earth-woman EVOLVES INTO THE HUMAN FORM and can be called a HUMAN BEING! Hitherto, we are all human spirits (…they that worship HIM must worship Him in SPIRIT and TRUTH ). The spirit is a kernel, subconscious. The BEING is conscious, alive and living. It is when the mango  seed or kernel becomes  a mango  tree, flowering and fruiting that it becomes fully valuable. We humans are not different. When priests talk of “those who  God has joined together”, it is those BALANCED couples whose marriages are founded on God-willed foundation, not those who marry because it is a fashion to marry, or those  who seek the opposite gender merely for physical surrender approved by society, or those who seek comfort from bills or merely want to become parents without even the least appreciation of what parenting involves. It should be noted as well that a marriage once made in Heaven  may become irregular and collapse on the way if, meanwhile, the parties  have become strangers to each other. THE LAW OF MOTION, another Law of Nature, governs our lives. Everything must  be on the move, it decrees. That is why our lungs move, our bowels move, and our hearts beat.  The clouds move. Rivers and streams oceans and seas flow. We are born and die in the flesh. If two parties in a  marriage strive upward but at different momentum, a gap  soon occurs in their union. Where one is mobile and the other is stagnant or moving downward, a gap may grow into a gulf. In this case they are no longer suited, spiritually speaking, to be husband and wife. The sooner that union is terminated the better for the striving and living one. We are advised… IF THY RIGHT EYE CAUSE YOU TO STUMBLE, REMOVE IT. I do not doubt that there could be  immeasurable blessings in trying to,  or actually redeeming a person self-willed  towards perdition or inadvertently moving thereto. The receiving party should know the risks involved. Lot did not “look back” when his wife did, as they fled burning Sodom and Gomorrah.  At earthly demise, no  husband follows a departed wife into the grave during interment of her earthly remains. No wife does the same. As Ayodele Eyitayo recognised, we are two souls united in marriage, we remain two in marriage and never merge or fuse to become one!

  • Lagos govt strengthens disease surveillance as public health threats loom

    Lagos govt strengthens disease surveillance as public health threats loom

    …officers trained to combat early disease detection across communities

    As Lagos battles persistent threats like cholera, measles, and Lassa fever, public health experts are warning that lapses in disease surveillance could endanger the lives of millions.

    In response, the Lagos State Ministry of Health has ramped up efforts to strengthen its disease intelligence network by organising a four-day residential capacity-building workshop for Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs) and public health watch staff.

    The workshop, themed “Building Resilience into Disease Surveillance Practices in Lagos State”, brought together 86 frontline officers from across the state to the Orchid Hotel in Lekki. There, they were immersed in training designed not just to improve technical skills, but to instill a renewed sense of urgency and accountability in disease tracking and reporting.

    At the closing ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, delivered a stark warning: “If you don’t detect early, report promptly, and investigate thoroughly, the disease could spread beyond our control. You are the first line of defence for over 20 million Lagosians. That is not a job, it is a mission.”

    The state’s disease surveillance system, while operational, has been criticised for underreporting and delayed communication. Ogboye didn’t shy away from addressing these gaps.

    “We have received critical alerts from unofficial sources, sometimes social media, instead of through our official surveillance channels,” he revealed. “This must change. We must ensure our system is proactive, responsive, and accurate.”

    The permanent secretary also called on officers to embrace digital tools and predictive models, noting that data is no longer just about numbers, but about telling actionable stories.

    “Our data must speak to us, it must guide our decisions,” he said. “You now have the tools to use GIS mapping, real-time alerts, and analytics. But no technology can replace the commitment you bring to the field.”

    The workshop’s sessions covered situational awareness, risk communication, and the use of tools like Excel and QGIS for real-time data interpretation.

    According to the Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity, and Global Health, Dr Ismail Abdus-Salam, the training was designed with field realities in mind.

    “We want DSNOs who don’t just collect numbers but ask deeper questions: Why is this LGA quiet? Are we missing cases? Are people afraid to report?” Abdus-Salam explained.

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    He added that officers must not retreat into old routines after the training, especially with Lagos still on a cholera alert.

    “Surveillance is not passive, it requires constant motion,” Abdus-Salam said. “Engage your Medical Officers of Health. Engage your communities. If something looks odd, it probably is. Investigate it.”

    The workshop comes at a critical time. Nigeria has recently experienced disease outbreaks that overwhelmed local health facilities, often because initial cases went undetected or unreported. Experts say that with Lagos serving as a major gateway for migration and trade, a weak surveillance system could have national and even international consequences.

    Public health analysts agree that community-level engagement is crucial. Too often, residents do not report unusual symptoms due to fear, stigma, or lack of awareness.

    Dr Ogboye emphasised this point, calling for a “people-first approach” to surveillance.

    “We can’t sit in offices and wait for data. Surveillance must begin in the streets, markets, and homes. That’s where disease lives before it shows up in our hospitals,” he noted.

    He further praised the dedication of the officers and encouraged them to apply the knowledge in their respective LGAs, reiterating that health security starts with vigilance at the grassroots.

    “You are not just working for your LGA or institution,” he reminded participants. “You are contributing to the health security of Lagos and, by extension, the country.”

    The workshop concluded with officers committing to more responsive reporting mechanisms and community-level sensitisation. While tools and training are critical, both facilitators and participants agreed that the most important asset remains the human element, alert, informed, and empowered surveillance officers who treat every data point as a potential lifesaver.

  • NDIC seeks public input on revised global deposit insurance principles

    NDIC seeks public input on revised global deposit insurance principles

    The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has called for the participation of stakeholders in the financial services industry, policymakers, and the general public by providing feedback on the ongoing revision of the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance Systems

    Hawwau Gambo, Head of Communication and Public Affairs, in a statement on Tuesday, said the revised guidelines that were launched by IADI in May 2025, aim to strengthen deposit insurance frameworks in response to global financial changes, including digital innovation and recent banking crises, such as the March 2023 turmoil.

    Specifically, according to her, the revision is aimed at comprehensively addressing structural changes, including digital innovation, the growing role of deposit insurers in resolution, and lessons learned from the banking turmoil in March 2023, which is the most significant systemic stress event since the 2007-09 global financial crisis.

    The corporation said, as a founding and committed member of IADI, it recognizes the importance of the ongoing revision and hereby invites stakeholders and the general public to actively participate in the process by reviewing the document.

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    “The IADI Core Principles are used by jurisdictions, including Nigeria, as a benchmark for assessing the quality of their deposit insurance systems and for identifying gaps in their deposit insurance practices and measures to address them.

    “The Core Principles are also used by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in the context of the Financial Sector Assessment Programme (FSAP), to assess the effectiveness of jurisdictions’ deposit insurance systems and practices.

    “The first set of the Core Principles was issued jointly by the IADI and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) in June 2009, while the document is subject to periodic revision to keep it up-to-date with evolving trends on the global financial system landscape”, the Corporation noted.

    The Corporation urged the stakeholders to make their input through https://ndic.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Draft-Revised-IADI-Core-Principles.pdf

  • FG backs new private sector-led IHG to boost health outcomes

    FG backs new private sector-led IHG to boost health outcomes

    The federal government has expressed its support for a new initiative, Impact Health Care Group (IHG), aimed at addressing inefficiencies, reducing healthcare costs, and expanding access to quality care through a phased, three-stage integration strategy.

    The initiative also aims, in the long run, to curb medical tourism, which currently drains an estimated $1 billion annually from the country.

    The federal government said its support was imperative, noting that the role of the private sector is crucial in efforts to unlock the health sector value chain and improve the health outcomes of Nigerians.

    The government stressed that initiatives such as this signal a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s path toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and a resilient, sustainable healthcare economy.

    This is as the Nigerian National Assembly also pledged its support for the IHG, revealing intentions to initiate laws backing the strengthening of the expansion of the health sector.

    These emerged on Tuesday in Abuja during a stakeholder’s meeting convened by Dr. Ayodele Cole Benson, where the initiative aimed at transforming Nigeria’s healthcare sector was unveiled.

    Dr. Benson said the IHG was established to address inefficiencies, reduce healthcare costs, and expand access to quality care through a phased, three-stage integration strategy.

    “Healthcare is expensive because providers are small and fragmented. Our three-stage integration plan will tackle this, beginning with economic collaboration, progressing to operational integration, and culminating in a fully unified corporate group structure,” he explained.

    Central to the initiative, according to Benson, is the rollout of a healthcare discount scheme that offers savings of 10% or more within its provider network.

    Furthermore, the Convener revealed that the IHG plans to establish a private sector-led health insurance group to improve affordability and widen access to care for millions of Nigerians.

    Pledging the support of the Federal Government for the initiative, Dr Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator of the Presidential Unlocking Healthcare Value-Chain Initiative (PVAC), underscored its importance, saying that it aligns with national healthcare reform goals.

    Represented by Dr. Nasir Mohammed, Mukhtar emphasised the indispensable role of the private sector, saying, “We cannot succeed without the private sector. By consolidating our efforts, we can build a robust healthcare economy and position Nigeria as a healthcare beacon for Africa and the world”.

    In his remarks, Senator Dr. Samaila Dahuwa Kaila, Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, promised legislative backing for the group’s efforts, announcing plans to introduce a supportive bill upon the Senate’s resumption.

    “As deputy chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, I assure you of the National Assembly’s full support.

    “Upon our return on the 17th, I will present a bill focused on the registration of private healthcare organisations. This legislation aligns directly with our objectives here today,” Senator Kaila affirmed.

    Stakeholders at the event expressed confidence in the initiative’s potential to curb medical tourism, which currently drains an estimated $1 billion annually from the country.

    “By forming a collective approach to tackling systemic inefficiencies in the industry, we can bridge the existing gaps and retain healthcare spending within Nigeria,” they asserted.

  • National hospital, WASPEN lead push for reform in Nigeria’s healthcare system

    National hospital, WASPEN lead push for reform in Nigeria’s healthcare system

    The federal government has been called upon to take decisive steps in addressing hospital-based malnutrition, a largely overlooked but critical public health challenge in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

    This call was made during a joint press briefing by the West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN) and the National Hospital, Abuja, ahead of the 2025 Clinical Nutrition Conference themed “Bridging the Gap: Integrating Hospital and Community Malnutrition Care in Developing Countries.”

    The president of WASPEN, Mrs. Theresa Pound, underscored the urgent need for a structured national response to malnutrition in healthcare facilities, especially among vulnerable patient groups such as children and surgical cases.

    “We must move beyond community-only interventions. Malnutrition is also rampant within our hospitals, yet it often goes unrecognized and unaddressed. Our goal is to change that by supporting hospitals with training, research, and institutional frameworks for effective nutrition care,” she said.

    According to Mrs. Pound, the forthcoming conference is scheduled to begin with a pre-conference workshop on June 17, followed by the main event on June 18 and 19, will gather health professionals, policymakers, and institutional leaders from across Nigeria and West Africa.

    The event is expected to feature presentations by representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), and Nutrition Society of Nigeria, among others. The emphasis will be on practical strategies to ensure continuity of care between hospitals and communities.

    Citing the progress made at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) following a similar intervention, Mrs. Pound urged the Federal Ministry of Health to institutionalize hospital-based nutrition practices by establishing a national technical task force.

    “We are calling on the Ministry of Health to partner with us in setting up a multidisciplinary task force—one that includes dietitians, physicians, nurses, and pharmacists—empowered to design and implement nutrition care policies in hospitals nationwide,” she added.

    She noted that without proper nutrition screening at admission, many patients miss out on timely interventions, contributing to longer hospital stays, slower recovery, and poorer outcomes.

    Representing the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital Abuja, Professor Muhammad Mahmud, Dr. Lawal reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to addressing malnutrition using a team-based approach.

    “We manage patients from all over the country, and many arrive already malnourished. Our pediatric and surgical units are especially affected,” he stated.

    Dr. Lawal disclosed that the hospital currently applies a multidisciplinary approach to patient nutrition, involving dietitians, physicians, nurses, and therapists. He added that enteral nutrition support is already in place and that the new partnership with WASPEN will help expand this capacity.

    The hospital, he said, has also begun community-level outreach through its Department of Paediatrics to provide early nutritional assessments before cases escalate to tertiary care.

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    “This MoU with WASPEN allows us to formalize our nutrition response. We’re now planning to roll out expert teams not just at the hospital, but also at the primary care level to ensure malnutrition is detected and managed early,” he said.

    Although official statistics on in-patient malnutrition at the hospital were not disclosed at the briefing, the hospital confirmed that data collection is ongoing and will be presented during the upcoming conference.

    The collaborative initiative between WASPEN and the National Hospital Abuja is expected to serve as a model for other institutions nationwide, particularly in the push to link hospital care with post-discharge community-based follow-up.

    Mrs. Pound concluded by emphasizing that hospital malnutrition is a “silent epidemic” that requires urgent, coordinated action supported by government policy and adequate resource allocation.

    “With the right partnerships and political will, Nigeria can lead West Africa in transforming nutrition care within its hospitals and ensure better health outcomes for all citizens,” she said.

  • Senate committee chair, others seek action on health coverage

    Senate committee chair, others seek action on health coverage

    The chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Dr, Ipalibo Harry-Banigo has called for urgent action to accelerate Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and build Nigeria’s health sovereignty through public-private collaboration.

    She described UCH as an absolute necessity.

    Harry-Banigo spoke on Tuesday at the 2025 Healthcare Conference hosted by the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) in collaboration with WHX Lagos.

    Highlighting chronic underfunding, service fragmentation, and brain drain, Senator Harry-Banigo said meaningful collaboration, not outsourcing, between government and private health players is vital to scaling innovation, improving rural access, and boosting efficiency.

    She outlined key legislative priorities, including expanding digital health systems, launching a national stillbirth data dashboard, securing energy subsidies for hospitals, and pushing for extended maternity leave.

    She also reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening health insurance for vulnerable populations and enforcing ethical international recruitment practices for Nigerian health workers.

    Chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, emphasised the urgent need to integrate private healthcare providers into Nigeria’s national insurance framework to achieve UHC.

    Oloriegbe highlighted ongoing reforms under the NHIA Act, including plans to accredit private facilities and leverage technology to expand access, especially for vulnerable populations.

    He also advocated for an Executive Order to enforce mandatory employer health insurance compliance.

    Similarly, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the HFN, Mrs. Bola Adesola, emphasised that collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility are critical to strengthening the country’s healthcare system.

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    The President of the HFN, Njide Ndili, warned that shrinking international aid demands local innovation and leadership, and outlined HFN’s priorities through 2028: strengthening primary care through PPPs, boosting local manufacturing, enabling digital health, and unlocking private investment to build a resilient health system.

    Speaking on “Quality as the Cornerstone of UHC: Strengthening The Healthcare,” outgoing Medical Director of FMC Ebute-Metta, Dr. Adedamola Dada, warned that expanding healthcare access without prioritising quality is “dangerous and wasteful

    He stressed that Nigeria must shift from accepting substandard services to demanding evidence-based, equitable, and integrated care.

    Dr. Dada emphasised that quality healthcare boosts trust, utilisation, and health outcomes, and called for reduced out-of-pocket spending, stronger governance, investment in infrastructure, and lessons from countries like Thailand and India, where quality reforms improved access and efficiency.

  • Fed Govt, First Lady hail WHO, Danjuma Foundation for $2.26m to boost healthcare

    Fed Govt, First Lady hail WHO, Danjuma Foundation for $2.26m to boost healthcare

    The Federal Government has praised the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) Regional Office for Africa and the T. Y. Danjuma Foundation for the landmark $2.26 million financial support for Nigeria’s national health priorities over the next decade.

    The flexible funding, unveiled at a signing ceremony yesterday in Abuja, will run through December 2034. It will support WHO’s strategic work plan in Nigeria, focusing on expanding access to integrated health services for women, children, and vulnerable populations.

    The funding also aims to enhance access to quality health services in underserved communities, especially in Taraba, Edo, and Enugu states.

    The ceremony drew key stakeholders from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, other ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), state governments, the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations (CSOs), and international partners.

    The Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the T. Y. Danjuma Foundation, Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (retd.), said: “We are proud to partner the WHO to advance Nigeria’s health priorities.

    “This agreement reflects our dedication to improving lives and fostering sustainable development in our communities.”

    The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, described the partnership as a vital step towards achieving better health outcomes for the country.

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    In a goodwill message she delivered through the wife of Imo State governor, Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma, Senator Tinubu, who is a global health advocate, said the initiative reflected the shared commitment to addressing Nigeria’s most pressing health challenges.

    The First Lady, who is also the National Tuberculosis Patron, is currently leading a nationwide campaign under her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) for the triple elimination of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and syphilis, and is set to begin advocacy to eliminate cervical cancer in Nigeria.

    Reaffirming Nigeria’s resolve to strengthen its health system, she said: “It is through collaboration, dedication, and hope that we will overcome challenges and build a healthier future for our nation.

    “I want to express our deep gratitude for your support and partnership. Together, we are sowing the seeds of a lasting change, ensuring that our health systems are resilient, our communities are empowered, and no one is left behind.”

    The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, noted that in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Investment initiative, the partnership supports the national commitment to revitalising primary healthcare.

    WHO’s Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, noted that the initiative reflected a growing trend of local resource mobilisation to drive health progress in Africa.

    In a virtual contribution, the acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, lauded the foundation’s bold support at a time of global health funding constraints.

    The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Health Institutions, Dr. Gwamna Magaji, applauded, saying: “Many health programmes suffered after major donors exited Nigeria. This domestic initiative is timely and essential.”

    The European Union (EU) and its Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, who was represented by Dr. Anthony Ayeke, described the partnership as a bold step towards equitable and sustainable health development in Nigeria.

  • FG, First Lady laud WHO, TY Danjuma foundation $2.26m deal to boost Nigeria’s health priorities

    FG, First Lady laud WHO, TY Danjuma foundation $2.26m deal to boost Nigeria’s health priorities

    The Federal Government has applauded the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa and the TY Danjuma Foundation’s landmark $2.26 million agreement to support Nigeria’s national health priorities over the next decade.

    The flexible funding, unveiled at a signing ceremony in Abuja on Monday, will run through December 2034, to support the WHO’s strategic work plan in Nigeria with a focus on expanding access to integrated health services for women, children, and vulnerable populations.

    It aims to enhance access to quality health services in underserved communities, especially in Taraba, Edo, and Enugu States.

    The agreement marks a major step in mobilising domestic philanthropy to support national health priorities amid shifting global financing landscapes

    The ceremony drew key stakeholders from Nigeria’s Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, other MDAs, state governments, the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, and international partners.

    “We are proud to partner with WHO to advance Nigeria’s health priorities.

    “This agreement reflects our dedication to improving lives and fostering sustainable development in our communities,” Lt. Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd), Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the TY Danjuma Foundation, said.

    The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, applauded the partnership, describing it as a vital step toward achieving better health outcomes for the country.

    In a goodwill message delivered on her behalf by the First Lady of Imo State, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma, Sen. Tinubu, who is a global health advocate described the initiative as a reflection of shared commitment to addressing Nigeria’s most pressing health challenges.

    Read Also: WHO to reduce workforce due to lack of fund

    The First Lady, who is also the National Tuberculosis Patron, is currently leading a nationwide campaign under her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) for the triple elimination of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and syphilis, and is set to begin advocacy to eliminate cervical cancer in Nigeria.

    Reaffirming Nigeria’s resolve to strengthen its health system, she said, “It is through collaboration, dedication, and hope that we will overcome challenges and build a healthier future for our nation.

    “I want to express our deep gratitude for your support and partnership. Together, we are sowing the seeds of lasting change, ensuring that our health systems are resilient, our communities are empowered, and no one is left behind.”

    In his keynote address, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, noted that in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Investment Initiative, the partnership supports the national commitment to revitalising primary healthcare.

    “Through dedicated health workers, infrastructure upgrades, and improved funding via the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, we aim to expand equitable access to quality care and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals,” he stressed.

    Represented by the Director of Public Health, at the Ministry, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, the Minister said, “We commend WHO for its leadership and continued collaboration with government and stakeholders in strengthening our health systems, particularly through integrated reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAHN) services and health security.

    “We also recognise the invaluable contribution of the TY Danjuma Foundation in supporting community-led innovations and culturally relevant healthcare interventions across Nigeria.

    “This partnership represents more than a financial commitment, it is a transformative step toward improving the lives of millions. We pledge our full support and look forward to working together to deliver sustainable health outcomes for all Nigerians”.

    Earlier, WHO Country Representative Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo noted that the initiative reflects a growing trend of local resource mobilisation to drive health progress in Africa.

    Mulombo emphasised that partnerships like the one between WHO and the TY Danjuma Foundation have become increasingly imperative, especially in light of WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’s recent remarks at the 78th World Health Assembly, where he reiterated that the organisation is committed to serving the health interests of all 8 billion people around the world.

    Noting that the WHO–TY Danjuma Foundation partnership underscores a shared commitment to WHO’s mission, global solidarity, and multilateralism, Mulombo said, “This collaboration reflects our shared goal of leaving a legacy for future generations and working together for a healthier, more equitable world”.

    Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, in his virtual contribution, praised the foundation’s bold support in a time of global health funding constraints.

    “On behalf of the World Health Organisation, I extend our sincere appreciation to the TY Danjuma Foundation for your generous and visionary support.

    “At a time when the global health sector faces significant funding challenges, this long-term, flexible support could not be timelier. It strengthens our ability to support national leadership, serve communities, and drive impact where it is most needed.”

    In his remarks, Hon. Dr. Gwamna Magaji, Chair of the House of the House of Representatives Committee on Health Institutions, also welcomed the partnership as vital, saying, “Many health programs suffered after major donors exited Nigeria. This domestic initiative is timely and essential.”

    The European Union (EU) and its Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, commended the collaboration for its focus on primary healthcare and resilience.

    Mignot, who was represented by Dr. Anthony Ayeke, expressed strong support for the partnership, calling it a bold step toward equitable and sustainable health development in Nigeria. “This partnership strengthens not just Nigeria, but the entire region,” he said

    The partnership is expected to inspire further private sector and philanthropic investments in Nigeria’s health sector, advancing efforts toward Universal Health Coverage and long-term system resilience.

  • WHO urges global adoption of new RSV immunisation tools to protect infants

    WHO urges global adoption of new RSV immunisation tools to protect infants

    In response to the global burden of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease among infants, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has released its first position paper recommending the global rollout of two immunisation products: a maternal vaccine (RSVpreF) and a monoclonal antibody (nirsevimab).

    The guidance calls on all countries to integrate at least one of these tools into national health systems to prevent severe RSV, disease in infants, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

    Each year, RSV causes over 3.6 million hospitalisations and approximately 100,000 deaths in children under five globally, with nearly half of these deaths occurring in infants under six months old.

    An overwhelming 97 per cent of RSV-related infant deaths happen in low- and middle-income countries, where access to life-saving interventions such as oxygen and hydration is severely limited.

    Director of Immunisation, Vaccines, and Biologicals at WHO, Dr Kate O’Brien said, “RSV is an incredibly infectious virus that infects people of all ages, but is especially harmful to infants, particularly those born premature, when they are most vulnerable to severe disease. The recommended RSV immunisation products can transform the fight against severe RSV disease, dramatically reduce hospitalisations and deaths, ultimately saving many infant lives globally.”

    To combat this threat, WHO is urging countries to adopt two powerful immunisation tools designed to protect infants during their most vulnerable early months. The first, RSVpreF, is a maternal vaccine administered to pregnant women from the 28th week of pregnancy. It enables the transfer of protective antibodies to the unborn child, offering crucial early-life immunity. This vaccine can be easily integrated into standard antenatal care schedules.

    The second product, nirsevimab, is a single-dose monoclonal antibody given to newborns at birth or before hospital discharge. It provides protection within one week of administration and remains effective for at least five months, covering the peak RSV season.

    In countries with defined RSV seasons, nirsevimab can also be administered to older infants just before they encounter their first RSV exposure.

    According to WHO, the highest impact on RSV-related hospitalisations and deaths will be achieved by targeting infants under six months, although benefits also extend to those up to 12 months old.

    Read Also: WHO to reduce workforce due to lack of fund

    These recommendations were approved by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE) in September 2024. The maternal vaccine was prequalified by WHO in March 2025, making it eligible for procurement by United Nations agencies and paving the way for global scale-up.

    Countries are encouraged to choose between the two products based on implementation feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and potential population coverage.

    The position paper provides technical guidance to national immunisation programme managers, public health policymakers, and international funding bodies.

    RSV typically presents with mild, cold-like symptoms, such as cough, fever, and runny nose—but in infants and vulnerable populations, it can escalate to severe conditions like pneumonia and bronchiolitis. With no existing cure for RSV, preventive immunisation offers the most promising solution for reducing its deadly toll.

    WHO’s position paper marks a significant step toward equitable protection for all infants, particularly in resource-limited settings where the burden of RSV is highest. Countries now face the urgent task of integrating these tools into their national health strategies to safeguard their youngest citizens.

    The full recommendations are available in WHO’s Weekly Epidemiological Record.

  • Students rally behind national competition to combat Malaria

    Students rally behind national competition to combat Malaria

    Nigerian students have pledged full participation in the Geneith Health Competition, the country’s first student-led national malaria awareness campaign, aimed at tackling one of Nigeria’s leading public health challenges.

    The commitment was made on Sunday in Abuja at a joint press conference marking the formal launch of the competition’s registration website. 

    The event drew hundreds of students from universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria, all expressing readiness to play an active role in reshaping the nation’s health narrative.

    The initiative, organized by CEOAfrica and sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd with support from Coatal Forte Softgel is aimed at empowering young Nigerians to develop community-driven solutions for malaria prevention. 

    It features creative competitions, advocacy projects, and public health education to equip students with the tools to become change agents in their communities.

    Aligning with the World Health Organization’s malaria elimination targets, the programme aims to nurture a new generation of youth-driven public health advocates.

    Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals, Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, described the competition as a strategic effort to mobilize the creativity and energy of Nigerian youth to address malaria’s burden.

    “This competition represents a new chapter in the fight against malaria. We want to inspire young people to raise awareness and propose actionable solutions,” he said. 

    Represented by Abimbola Bowoto, Assistant General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Umenwa praised the student leaders’ enthusiasm, describing it as proof that young Nigerians are ready to shape public health outcomes.

    He emphasized that Geneith’s commitment extends beyond the contest, saying, “This is just the beginning. The fight against malaria requires collaboration across all sectors, government, private sector, civil society, and most importantly, the youth”.

    Echoing the same sentiment, CEOAfrica’s founder and co-organiser of the campaign, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, applauded the students for leading what he described as a grassroots movement to eliminate malaria.

    “It is exciting to see student leaders rise to the challenge. This is no longer a time to wait for the government alone. We are taking our destiny into our own hands,” he said.

    Ilobanafor urged the participants to look beyond the prize money and focus on the long-term impact of the initiative. 

    “This campaign will change the narrative, not just for the country but for every participant. Yes, there are prizes, but more importantly, we are building a nationwide movement,” he emphasized.

    Affirming their commitment to the competition, student leaders from various national bodies endorsed the competition with Josiah Oche, President of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), calling it a transformative platform for student-led health advocacy. 

    “Let this competition ignite your passion for health advocacy,” he said.

    Similarly, Oyewumi Ayomide, Senate President of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), outlined four major benefits of the programme, building health knowledge, encouraging preventive care, promoting innovation, and cultivating leadership, adding, “A healthy student today is a stronger leader tomorrow.”

    Oluwaseun Eegunjobi, President of the National Association of Nigerian Colleges of Education Students (NANCES), praised the partnership between the private sector and student leadership as a model for national development. 

    Read Also: Malaria poses a significant structural crisis in Nigeria, says Sen. Ned Nwoko

    He called on the government and civil society to back the initiative with policy support and increased funding, saying, “We must win this war together”.

    According to the organizers, registration for the competition is open until December, after which the contest will proceed through State and regional stages, culminating in a national grand finale.

    Of the ₦1 billion committed to the initiative by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd, ₦400 million is dedicated to student prizes.

    At the State level, first place will receive ₦300,000, second place ₦200,000, and third place ₦100,000 while at the regional level, the top three will earn ₦500,000, ₦300,000, and ₦200,000, respectively.

    At the national level, champions will be awarded ₦5 million for first place, ₦2 million for second place, and ₦1 million for third place.

    The first 200 entries at the joint press conference venue were registered for free.