The Nation Newspaper

Category: Health

  • WHA78: World leaders pledge over $170 million to WHO to tackle global health crises

    WHA78: World leaders pledge over $170 million to WHO to tackle global health crises

    Global leaders and philanthropic organisations have pledged more than $170 million to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to support its response to growing global health challenges.

    The announcement was made during a high-level pledging event at the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly (WHA78) held in Geneva.

    The pledges were made as part of WHO’s Investment Round (IR), a fundraising initiative designed to mobilise voluntary contributions for WHO’s strategic priorities.

    The funds will go toward implementing the Fourteenth General Programme of Work, the organization’s roadmap for global health efforts from 2025 to 2028.

    According to WHO, the strategy aims to save an additional 40 million lives over the next four years.

    In addition to the voluntary pledges, WHO Member States approved a US$ 90 million increase in Assessed Contributions, the mandatory payments made by countries to support the organisation’s core work.

    This marks a significant step toward the WHO’s goal of achieving more predictable and sustainable financing.

    WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed the pledges, describing them as a strong endorsement of WHO’s role in global health.

    “In a challenging climate for global health, these funds will help us preserve and extend our life-saving work,” he said. “They show that multilateralism is alive and well.”

    Several governments and philanthropic foundations made significant contributions during the pledging event. Leading the list was the Novo Nordisk Foundation of Denmark with a pledge of US$ 57 million, followed by Switzerland with US$ 40 million, and Sweden with US$ 13.5 million.

    The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) committed US$ 13 million and pledged to increase its funding further. Laerdal Global Health contributed US$ 12.5 million, while Qatar pledged US$ 6 million, underscoring broad international support for WHO’s mission.

    WHO noted that eight donors provided flexible funding, which allows the organisation to allocate resources where they are most urgently needed. Such contributions are considered the most valuable type of support.

    The pledging event, moderated by Moazzam Malik, CEO of Save the Children UK, highlighted WHO’s expanding donor base, with contributions from both long-time supporters and first-time donors. Angola pledged US$ 8 million, Cambodia contributed US$ 400,000, and Tanzania committed an additional US$ 500,000 on top of a previous pledge of the same amount. Gabon and Mongolia offered US$ 150,000 and US$ 100,000 respectively, while China also made a pledge, with the exact amount yet to be confirmed.

    Philanthropic institutions also played a key role in the pledging event, with notable contributions coming from ELMA Philanthropies, which donated US$ 2 million, Fondation Botnar with a pledge of US$ 9.6 million, and the Nippon Foundation of Japan, which committed US$ 9.2 million to support WHO’s global health initiatives.

    Read Also: Lancet report warns of rising gender injustices amid global crises ahead of WHA78

    WHO also highlighted the role of ordinary citizens in its fundraising efforts. Through the One World Movement, nearly 8,000 people worldwide have signed on as “Member Citizens,” contributing a combined total of almost US$ 600,000, many every month. This initiative reflects growing public support for global health and the WHO’s mission.

    Speakers at the event emphasised the importance of diversified and flexible funding to help the WHO remain responsive to health emergencies and aligned with national health priorities. The pledging event was described as a turning point in WHO’s efforts to build a more sustainable, country-focused, and agile organisation.

    “As the world faces complex and interconnected health threats, this show of support reaffirms our shared commitment to health as a human right,” Dr. Tedros said in closing. “Together, we can build a healthier, safer, and more equitable future.”

    The WHO Investment Round remains open, with expectations for further pledges in the months ahead. The organisation continues to encourage governments, foundations, and individuals to contribute to its vision of “One World for Health.”

  • Foundation advocates 30% subsidy on heart surgeries

    Foundation advocates 30% subsidy on heart surgeries

    The Heart Recovery Foundation (HRF) has urged the government to introduce a 30 per cent subsidy on heart surgeries to ease the financial burden on patients battling life-threatening cardiovascular conditions.

    The organisation emphasised that thousands of Nigerians cannot afford critical heart procedures, and a government-backed subsidy could save countless lives by improving access to timely and affordable care.

    Founder of the Foundation, Gilbert Kiaka Goodnews, made the appeal in Abuja on Tuesday during an awareness campaign to promote cardiovascular health and wellness among students at Government Secondary School, Tudunwada, Wuse zone 4, Abuja.

    He said the initiative was aimed at raising awareness and providing early diagnosis of congenital heart defects in underprivileged Nigerian children, especially in schools.

    According to him, the campaign was motivated by his personal experience of surviving a severe heart defect which was corrected through surgery in India.

    He said the foundation has already identified over 50 children with heart defects and plans to reach 200 schools across Abuja.

    “The prevalence of heart defects is widespread, and most of these children do not have access to medical diagnosis. That’s why we decided to engage students early to educate and help identify these issues when they are still young.

    “Out of every 1,000 children born, about two may have a hole in the heart or ventricular heart defect. This initiative is our starting point, and we hope to expand it further.

    “Heart surgeries are very expensive. Most parents cannot afford them. If the government can subsidise even 30%, it would make a huge difference. This condition is not caused by lifestyle choices, it is a birth defect. It’s not the children’s fault, so the government must step in and support them, either through subsidies or by offering free surgeries.”

    Read Also: Troost-Ekong Foundation all-stars charity match holds June 22

    Also speaking, Director of Funds in the Office of the Accountant – General of the Federation, Dr. James Abalaka called on others to support the cause so that life can be more meaningful for those in need.

    “The cost of heart treatment is enormous. If the government subsidises it (heart surgery) things will improve. Many people can’t even afford to get a diagnosis, let alone treatment. By God’s grace, if the government intervenes, countless lives could be saved,” he said.

    Chairman of the Foundation, Suleiman Haruna, lamented the increase in cardiovascular diseases in the country.

    He said: “In Nigeria, cardiovascular diseases are rising, and stress among young people is often overlooked. Did you know that poor diet, inactivity, and unchecked stress today can shadow your future? But here’s the good news: you hold the power to change this narrative.”

  • Africa could face 113 million climate migrants by 2050, warn researchers

    Africa could face 113 million climate migrants by 2050, warn researchers

    Africa is at risk of experiencing a massive human migration crisis, with researchers projecting that over 113 million people could become climate migrants by 2050 due to the escalating impacts of climate change.

    Despite contributing less than four per cent to global greenhouse gas emissions, the African continent is one of the hardest hit by climate-induced disasters, including floods, droughts, heatwaves, and rising sea levels.

    These extreme events are compounding long-standing development challenges and forcing millions, particularly youth and children, into displacement and uncertainty.

    The warning comes from researchers affiliated with the African Climate Mobility Initiative (ACMI), who recently launched a new publication titled Climate Mobility Guidebook for Youth and Children in Africa.

     The guidebook, authored by Lukmon Akintola, Gislaine Kengne, and Afees Akinola Agboola, sheds light on the growing reality of climate-driven mobility across the continent.

    The lead author of the guidebook, Lukmon Akintola said: “The climate crisis is not waiting for anyone. It is here, and it is particularly unforgiving in regions like ours that have contributed the least to global greenhouse gas emissions.”

    The report cites striking figures: in 2022 alone, at least 7.4 million people were internally displaced in Sub-Saharan Africa due to climate-related disasters.

    Of these, more than 1.85 million were children, with displacement incidents such as the deadly floods in Nigeria, which uprooted over 2.4 million people, and the prolonged drought crisis in Somalia, which forced over one million people to flee their homes.

    The catastrophic flooding in Libya, which displaced over 43,000 people and claimed more than 5,000 lives, is also highlighted as a stark example of the continent’s climate vulnerability.

    “Children represent a significant portion of the displaced population. In 2022, over 1.85 million children were forcibly displaced due to climate disasters. These young ones are growing up with severely limited access to education, healthcare, and safety,” Akintola said.

    He further warned that climate change is not only disrupting the environment but also affecting health systems, education, food security, and economic stability.

    Read Also: Don gets Climate Change Advocate award

    “Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns have triggered outbreaks of diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and dengue fever, while also wreaking havoc on agricultural production across the continent,” the researchers noted in the guidebook.

    “This has led to worsening food insecurity, with at least 165 million people, including youth and children, documented as food insecure in 38 African countries in 2022.”

    The African Development Bank, the report adds, has projected a sharp decline in GDP across multiple African nations by 2050 due to climate-related disruptions, potentially deepening poverty and unemployment.

    Akintola, who is also a Knowledge Associate at the UN Global Centre for it Climate Mobility, described the guidebook as a critical tool for empowering young Africans with knowledge and solutions.

    “The guidebook is not just a publication, it’s a clarion call for Africa’s young population to take ownership of their future in the face of climate uncertainty,” he said.

    “It responds to the urgent need for African youth to understand not just the science of climate change but also its human face and how it disrupts lives, livelihoods, and entire communities.”

    He stressed that climate mobility, which includes forced displacement, voluntary migration, and planned relocation, is a complex, multi-layered phenomenon requiring context-specific solutions.

    “Too often, African voices are missing from global discussions on climate mobility. This guidebook changes that narrative. It gives African youth the language, the data, and the strategies to meaningfully engage and influence policy,” Akintola added.

    He called for urgent investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and social safety nets to protect those most vulnerable, especially children and rural communities.

    “It is not enough to have pockets of awareness among urban youth. Climate change is happening everywhere. Every young African must be equipped with the tools to respond,” he argued.

    Akintola also made a strong appeal for climate justice, noting the stark disparity between Africa’s minimal contribution to emissions and the severe impact it faces.

    “Africa contributes less than four per cent to global emissions, yet we are paying the steepest price. This is unjust, and we must keep demanding climate justice,” he insisted.

    While acknowledging the growing involvement of African youth in global climate platforms, such as the African Youth Declaration on Climate Mobility at COP27 and COP29, Akintola urged for greater structural support and meaningful youth participation in decision-making.

    “We must go beyond hashtags. We need to be present in parliament halls, policy rooms, and negotiation tables. We must draft, debate, and demand policies that reflect our realities. Youth must be treated as equal partners, not mere symbols of inclusion,” he said.

    Highlighting the growing field of climate mobility, Akintola also noted the career opportunities available at the intersection of climate and human movement.

    “The climate mobility space is not limited to environmentalists. It needs storytellers, data analysts, engineers, legal minds, and advocates. This guidebook introduces young people to the limitless possibilities of making an impact and earning a livelihood while doing so.”

    He urged educational institutions, NGOs, and civil society to mainstream climate literacy, particularly targeting underserved and rural communities, where the impact is often most severe but least reported.

    As Africa braces for what could be the continent’s most significant internal migration crisis in modern history, Akintola and his co-authors hope the guidebook will serve as a vital resource for youth engagement, policy advocacy, and long-term resilience.

    “We must not wait for another flood or famine to act. The time for bold, youth-led climate action is now,” Akintola concluded.

  • FG deploys 774 officers to strengthen PHC delivery nationwide

    FG deploys 774 officers to strengthen PHC delivery nationwide

    In a bold and strategic move to transform the delivery of primary healthcare services in Nigeria, the Federal Government has launched an unprecedented reform initiative that will see the deployment of 774 Performance and Financial Management Officers (PFMOs)—one in every local government area across the country. The ground-breaking initiative, unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja, represents a major milestone in the journey to improve accountability, efficiency, and equitable service delivery within Nigeria’s primary healthcare (PHC) system.

    The launch, presided over by Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), signals a strong push by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to recalibrate the nation’s health sector. Dr. Aina emphasized that the PFMO initiative is not merely an administrative policy but a structural overhaul with the potential to redefine how healthcare reaches ordinary Nigerians. “This is not just a policy; it is a transformational effort aimed at securing the future of healthcare in Nigeria, where young people not only participate but lead,” he stated.

    PFMOs, he explained, are trained professionals tasked with tracking performance metrics, supporting local health outreach efforts, and ensuring transparency in the use of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF). With more than 60,700 health workers retrained under ongoing reforms, Nigeria’s PHC facilities are undergoing a facelift—solar-powered energy systems, modern medical equipment, and upgraded infrastructure are becoming the new standard. Although the formal launch occurred in the North Central region, Dr. Aina clarified that implementation is nationwide, covering all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He further noted the strategic inclusion of traditional institutions to strengthen community collaboration and drive grassroots ownership of healthcare reform.

    READ ALSO: Seyi Tinubu and sirens of hypocrisy

    This reform has not gone unnoticed by global health experts. Dr. Francis Ukwuije, a Health Economist with the World Health Organisation (WHO), lauded the initiative as a significant leap toward achieving value-based healthcare in Nigeria. “The appointment of PFMOs is a commendable step. We must also emphasize the importance of ethics and dignity in care delivery, principles central to WHO’s values,” he said. Dr. Ukwuije identified five key pillars that should underpin Nigeria’s value-driven healthcare agenda: equity, efficiency, effectiveness, ethics, and dignity. He further urged stakeholders to establish a robust learning agenda to extract and document lessons from the PFMO implementation process. These lessons, he argued, could be institutionalized in Nigeria and shared globally as a model for health system strengthening.

    Adding perspective from another key development partner, Dr. Onoriode Ezire, a Senior Health Specialist at the World Bank, recalled how the earlier Nigeria State Health Investment Project (NSHIP) laid the foundation for direct facility financing. “PHCs are often underfunded and poorly managed—not because health workers lack commitment, but because they’re not trained as managers,” Ezire explained. To sustain the gains of the PFMO reform, Dr. Ezire emphasized the need for continuous technical assistance. He called for systematic capacity building in financial planning, leadership, and data management to enable health workers to function not just as caregivers but as competent health system managers.

    The human impact of this initiative is already being felt at the grassroots. Mallam Mohammed Baba Gana, a facility manager from Niger State, shared how the deployment of a PFMO has begun to restore trust and structure in his local PHC. “For the first time, we have dedicated eyes and ears on the ground to ensure funds are spent where they matter most. With PFMO support, we now feel more confident managing our facility’s finances and can focus more on care delivery,” he said. Similarly, Ms. Farida Mohammed from Kogi State described visible improvements in her health centre since the initiative began. “We now have more drugs, the workers are more responsive, and there’s always someone ensuring things are working properly. Before now, many of us struggled with budgeting and reporting. The PFMO training and support are bridging that gap and helping us better use the BHCPF funds,” she said.

  • Only 2.5% of Nigerians control hypertension, says NHS

    Only 2.5% of Nigerians control hypertension, says NHS

    In a country where an estimated one in three adults in urban areas and one in four in rural communities are living with hypertension, new figures from the Nigerian Hypertension Society (NHS) paint a grim picture: less than 2.5% of affected Nigerians successfully manage to keep their blood pressure under control. The revelation came from the President of the NHS, Prof Simeon Isezuo, during the 2025 World Hypertension Day commemoration in Abuja. This year’s theme, “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer,” couldn’t be more urgent.

    Hypertension—often dubbed the “silent killer”—rarely presents symptoms until it manifests in serious, often irreversible, complications. Stroke, kidney disease, heart failure, and heart attacks are just some of the deadly consequences of unchecked high blood pressure. Yet, according to Isezuo, only about one-third of Nigerians with hypertension even know they have it. Of those, just 10% are receiving treatment, and a meagre 2.5% are able to maintain blood pressure within safe limits. These numbers reveal a health system that is deeply out of step with the reality of one of its most widespread chronic conditions.

    The NHS’s data reinforces what health experts have warned for years: Nigeria is in the throes of a quiet epidemic. In a country already burdened by infectious diseases and maternal mortality, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension are rising steadily—and silently—pushing many into long-term disability or sudden death. What makes hypertension particularly dangerous is its asymptomatic nature. Without regular checks, many individuals live for years unaware of the ticking time bomb inside them. “Many Nigerians have never measured their blood pressure or even seen an accurate measuring device,” Isezuo remarked.

    This is where awareness becomes as critical as treatment. And the NHS, through its May Measurement Month (MMM) programme—an annual blood pressure screening campaign running from May through July—is trying to change that. Yet, the gap between awareness and action remains troublingly wide. The inability of most Nigerians to access effective hypertension care reflects systemic shortcomings. The low treatment and control rates are linked to multiple challenges: poor access to health services, high out-of-pocket costs for medications, insufficient health education, and the absence of routine screening at primary health care centres. Moreover, socio-economic factors play a defining role. Hypertension prevalence is not just a medical issue—it’s tied to poor diets dominated by processed foods, high stress levels, sedentary lifestyles, and lack of public health infrastructure. While cities report slightly higher rates due to dietary and lifestyle factors, rural areas are not spared, and often suffer from limited access to diagnosis and treatment.

    READ ALSO: Seyi Tinubu and sirens of hypocrisy

    Prof Isezuo’s address was not just a presentation of data; it was a call to action. He urged the government to impose taxes on unhealthy food products and beverages, echoing global public health recommendations. He also highlighted the need for stronger advocacy for preventive health measures—starting with regular blood pressure checks. “Every Nigerian should have their blood pressure measured during every hospital visit or at home,” he said. He also pushed for the promotion of low-sodium diets, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, physical activity, and smoking cessation.

    But lifestyle changes alone won’t solve the crisis. There’s a need for government-supported health insurance schemes that cover NCD care, expanded training for frontline health workers, and consistent access to affordable medications. Without systemic reforms, most Nigerians will remain stuck in a vicious cycle of undetected, untreated, and uncontrolled hypertension.

    Despite the bleak statistics, the NHS is not working alone. The society has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Health to conduct translational research aimed at creating locally relevant, evidence-based treatment guidelines. It is also collaborating with private sector entities such as New Heights Pharma Ltd—distributors of OMRON Healthcare products—to encourage home-based blood pressure monitoring. Further, through a partnership with mDoc Healthcare Ltd, the NHS is facilitating continuous professional development for healthcare workers via national webinars focused on hypertension care. These partnerships mark a significant shift toward multi-sectoral collaboration, which experts say is essential to tackling the NCD crisis.

    Nigeria’s battle with hypertension is far from over. But the unveiling of these troubling statistics may finally serve as a catalyst for urgent action. The truth is clear: if only 2.5% of hypertensive Nigerians can control their condition, then the remaining 97.5% are potential candidates for avoidable suffering and death. Changing this trajectory will require more than campaigns—it will demand a national health movement grounded in policy, prevention, and people-centred care. Hypertension may be silent, but its consequences are not. The time to listen—and act—is now.

  • Oniru visits Reddington Hospital, seeks partnership for better healthcare in Iruland

    Oniru visits Reddington Hospital, seeks partnership for better healthcare in Iruland

    Reddington Multi-specialist Hospital, Victoria Island, Lagos, and the Iruland community are exploring avenues for collaboration aimed at delivering affordable, high-quality, community-based healthcare services. The proposed partnership seeks to cater to residents of Iruland who may have limited access to conventional medical facilities due to socio-economic challenges or geographical distance.

    The initiative was discussed during a courtesy visit by His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, the Oniru of Iruland, to the management of Reddington Hospital as part of activities marking his fifth anniversary on the throne. The monarch, accompanied by his wife, Olori Mariam Lawal, and palace chiefs, praised the hospital’s cutting-edge medical technology, highly skilled specialist doctors, and exceptional patient care. Oba Lawal expressed his readiness to enter into a partnership with Reddington Hospital to establish community-based healthcare services in Iruland, noting that many residents would benefit from affordable and quality care close to home. He also called for periodic medical outreaches within his domain and pledged to provide the necessary support, including financial backing, to ensure the success of such interventions.

    READ ALSO: Oloyede: Beyond the glitch

    In his remarks, the monarch highlighted what he termed the “Theory of Brain Circulation,” commending Reddington Hospital Group for its policy of attracting experienced Nigerian medical professionals from the diaspora to return and serve in the country. He noted that such initiatives are critical to reducing medical tourism and curbing the massive capital flight associated with overseas healthcare.

    Responding to the Oniru’s address, the Group Medical Director of Reddington Hospital, Dr. Olatunde Lalude, expressed strong alignment with the monarch’s vision. He affirmed the hospital’s commitment to working closely with the Palace to bring the initiative to life, emphasizing that it reflects Reddington’s mission to make quality healthcare more accessible to Nigerians. Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer of Reddington Hospital, Mr. Emmanuel Matthews, welcomed Oba Lawal and reaffirmed the hospital’s support for the monarch’s “Let’s Grow Iruland Together” vision. The royal delegation was later taken on a guided tour of the hospital’s state-of-the-art facilities.

  • By-pass electricity, runaway plant medicine prices, Nigeria first

    By-pass electricity, runaway plant medicine prices, Nigeria first

    What has bypass electricity and “Nigeria First”, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s new slogan, got to do with the prices of plant medicines that are so high that even apostles of natural medicine cannot afford them? What can Nigeria First do about it?

    I am not speaking in parables when I talk about by-pass electricity, rising prices of food supplements and “Nigeria First”. For two weeks running, importers of food supplements for the Nigerianmarket have been falling over one another, as it were, and trailing one another’s footsteps to announce new and unbelievable prices. Even Nigerian or semi Nigerian companies which have been capitalising on the high prices of foreign products have begun to also raise their prices. I am a “family member”, so to say, in some of these companies. That means I regularly patronise them because I know the value of natural food supplements, and I have been adding them to my meals for more than thirty-five years. As a testimonial, I have not been to hospital, except to the opthalmologist, nor have I had to run any medical test nor use any pharmaceutical drugs for any health challege in the last thirty-years. So, you may imagine how raw I felt when I received the first notices of price hikes about two weeks ago from three of the companies which stock some of my favorite food supplements. Below, I mention some of the products and their new prices in retailer stores. They are designed for consumption within one month.

    1. Spirulina Capsules…N36,000, 2. Coral Calcium…N106,000, 3. Leaky Defence Incontinence…B68,000, 4. Asthma Breath Free…N68,000, 5.Neurobooster…N40,000, 6. Coq10…N69,000, 7. Evening Prime Rose Oil…N89,000, 8. Milkthistle…N79,000 9, Daily Build…N68,000 e.t.c.

    Please note that these are shelf prices which may have rocketed from soaring company prices by between 25%-30% to recoup the overheads of retailers.

    We cannot blame anyone for this. Minimum wage has gone up. Prices must bear the burden. The economy is fraught with fraud. Prices must absorb the wastage. The cost of doing business is high. If NAFDAC charges up to five million to license a single product for market appearance over one or two years, shelf prices will have to reflect it. Electricity cost is rising by the day. Importing and retailing companies use electricity in their offices, but they are over billed. The electricity producing company sells electricity to the electricity transmission company. The transmission companies sell electricity to the electricity distribution company ( DISCos). The DISCos sell electricity to all of us electricity users in homes, offices, schools, cold rooms, food stores, factories e.t.c. However, not all of us pay for electricity and that is one of the major causes of escalating shelf prices in the natural medicine market.

    READ ALSO: Oloyede: Beyond the glitch

    Disco marketers and pole men, that is the technical staff, of the DISCos sell electricity to official customers of the DISCos and to their own private customers. The electricity they sell to their own customers is called ByPass Electricity, because the cable connection, the supply to the customers and the returns by-pass the DISCos for the private pockets of the marketers and pool men. This by-pass income is mountainous.

    When the DISCos do not have enough returns to settle the bills with the electricity transmitting company and the electricity producing company, they share the shortfall and their expected profit among law-abiding or straight forward customers. We all call such electricity bills “crazy bills”. We demand meters, but we are not given. When the government comes to our rescue by importing meters and compelling the DISCos to give us, they grudgingly do so but not before they had engineered the meters to run and to read faster than they should. On top of that, they raise the tariff. And, once again, prices escalate.

    To underscore the challenges this has created in the plant medicine industry and market, we only need to be advised on the prescriptions of Dr. Robert Atkins for two common diseases in Nigeria…Hypertension and Diabetes, and then deduce the monthly cost of treating them from the new prices of some of his prescription. Dr. Atkins was a renowned orthodox medical practitioner in the United States, and one of the first generation of doctors in that country who recognised the dangerous side effects some pharmaceutical drugs posed to health and began to explore the safer and better healing potentials of natural medicines.

    For Hypertension and Diabetes, his prescriptions, offered free in his book, Dr. Atkins Vita Nutrient Solution and sub titled…Nature’s Answer to Drugs, include but are not limited to the following remedies. He classifies these remedies as “essential “ and “moderately essential”. My report below excludes the daily dosages he assigns to them.

    Hypertension (Essential)

    Magnesium, CoQ10, L-carnitine,Taurine, Vitamin E , Vitamin C, Essential Oils formulas, Mixed Tocotrienols, Chromium, Pantethine, Natural-source Beta-carotene, Ginkgo Biloba extracts, Hawthorn and B complex

    Moderately (Essential)

    Garlic, Bromelain, Gamma Oryzanol, Acety L- carnitine, Selenium, Vitamin B, Folic Acids, Quercetin, Lipoic Acids, Grape Seed/Pycnogenol, Calcium, Cayenne and Coleus Forskohlii

    Diabetes

    Dr Atkins classify diabetes under Blood Sugar Imbalance Diabetes and Hypoglycemia

    Essential

    Chromium, Zinc, Magnesium, Lipoic Acids, CoQ10, Biotin, Essential Oils, Selenium and B6.

    Moderately (Essential)

    Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Carnitine, Vitamin A, Siberian Ginseng, Manganese, Mixed Fibre Blend, Calcium, Licorice, Curcuminoids and Copper Sebacate.

    Dr. Atkins wrote: “When your objective is to elevate blood sugar to normal levels or reduce your dosage of antidiabetes medication, the following list should prove helpful… Chromium, Lipoic Acids, CoQ10, Biotin, Inositol, Zinc, Niacinamide and DHEA

    Moderately (Essential)

    Fenugreek, Taurine, Folic Acids, Benefical Bacteria, Lysine, Milk Thistle, Garlic and Calcium”.

    If we go by the new retail prices above, Hypertension or Diabetes good medicine may cost about N200,000 every month for an average of three or four good medicines for the ailment. In Hypertension, for example, my first four favourite or herbal medicines are Hawthorn Berries, CoQ10, Vitamin E (Mixed Tocopherols and Mixed Tocotrinols), Magnesium. There is no space here for me to explain the chemistry of their actions. However, as for the tocopherol and tocotrinols, I obtain them dietarily from boiled palmfruit. If the budget permits me, I may add mega dosage Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin E and Omega-3 Fatty Acids. As for blood sugar balance, my preferences nowadays are wholesome diet with raw, edible leaves and small plants such as pawpaw leaf, nettle, chanka piedra, ressurection plants, vervain, oregano, scent leaf, bitter leaf, and karella (ejirin in Yoruba), among others. A diabetic may grow all of these in his or her home garden.

    What is going on? Everyone is asking. Nigeria Info 99.3 FM radio station in Lagos, asked this question last week, giving me the idea for this column. The presenter was Marian. In my view, her presentation was unbalanced, almost, as always, inciting something often like The government versus the rest of us… What are we doing? Why are we docile?

    In this mood last week, she played a 2023 clip of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign promises on electricity supply if he became President. Tinubu’s bottomline was that, as President, if he did not provide electricity 24 hours a day year round, and he could not explain why, no one should vote for him in 2027. Many callers on the programme berated the President. I hold no brief for him. He has said no one should pity him. However, journalism is all about holding the balance in the society. Hasn’t Marian heard about Bypass Electricity? I wondered! Could she not educate her listeners and callers?

    A Solution

    Bypass Electricity is pervasive. I understand the fine is N1 million and that marketers and pole men who discover it take about N100,000 and look the other way. A solution of the problem is a meticulously planned crackdown using honest task forces. Housing estates and other residential neighbourhoods may be targeted and ransacked at different times. So can markets, offices, factories e.t.c. It is a pity Nigeria’s property market has not been digitalised and private sector workers do not declare their assets when they are employed. Were these in place, it should be easier to handle DISCo marketers and pole men.

    Meanwhile, their activities have put the natural medicines market in jeopardy and is hurting the health of many Nigerians who sustain their health on nutritional food supplements.

    If today’s shalf prices are beyond my reach, what will tomorrow’s be? Could I be shocked any more when my step mother said she was now buying her choice Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar with mother for almost N50,000. That is even when you see a bottle on the shelf. Last week, someone published in my health chat group, Kusa Green Pastures Herbs useful information on Lycopene for prostate gland health. Many men were excited and bombarded me with questions about where they could get it to buy. I knew they were on a wild goose chase. In the best of times, Lycopene hardly came to the market as a single product. In several men’s virility formulas, it came combined with such other prostate gland health nutrients as Stingy Nettle Root, African Black Ant extracts, Saw Palmetto Berries, Pumpkin Seeds, Zinc, Vitamin E and Omega-3 Fatty Acids, among others.

    One of the previous regular stockists of Lycopene told me she tried to import one kilogramme powder of Lycopene recently but gave it up when she received a bill of about $450. Next, she ordered one kilogramme of Tomato Paste extracts which offers good amounts of Lycopene, but the powder caked and no one would buy it. Apparently, her supplier may have been watching costs and did not protect the powder with anti-caking agents which may be unnatural ingredients, anyway. One other source of Lycopene last week was a product offered to Nigeria by now Ghana-based PURE Company in its product named Daily Build. This product is now going for about N60,0000. It is a compendium of about 60 or more nutrients of which Lycopene was just one infitesimal part. So, it offered no appeal to the Lycopene enquirers.

    They realise they could obtain a lot of Lycopene from their house back garden by growing tomatoes in sacs or plastic buckets. You do not get Lycopene from tomato by eating it raw or consuming it in juice form but by cooking it. Cooking breaks the cell wall to enable it release a maximum yield of Lycopene. Raw tomato gives plenty of Vitamin C. In the days when tomato was cheap, I ate no fewer than four every day with a meal…corn pap, rice, beans, yam porridge, two parboiled tomatoes for their Lycopene and two raw ones for Vitamin C. The parboiled tomato is sweet, almost sugary!.

    The mother of one of my former health food store acquaintances passed about two weeks ago of Hypertension-related causes. She must have bottled it up for years, and went over to her daughter’s when death approached. The doctor advised about six laboratory tests. There was hardly money for any. Two days later, a stroke paralysed the old woman’s right arm and right leg. Still, there was no money for the hospital or any of those tests. Being a fresh stroke, the young woman gave her mother some Jobelyn Capsules, as it had been reported in some studies that this blood formula could help. The following day, this old woman rose to her feet. There was jubilation. Some money was found for a test. The creatine and urea levels were abnormally high. The kidney may have been impaired or damaged. Two days later, she passed. Could her life have been extended if the prices or food supplements had been avoidable and the economy was not fraught with business misbehaviour?

    Nigeria First

    Earlier, I wondered what “Nigeria First” had to with all of this. A lot, indeed. “Nigeria First” is the new slogan of President Tinubu, after “Renewed Hope Agenda”. In Nigeria First, ctizens are encouraged to make Nigerian products their preferences over foreign ones. The Nigerian plant medicine industry visualised Nigeria First before the President. For months, this column has been reporting local efforts which are struggling to compete with and to displace foreign products that were becoming very expensive and unavoidable. Please recall the presentation on this page of the Bayelsa State-based Millenium Nature Pathway (MILNAPATH) and, later, of Edible Herbs.

    Before I proceed, I would like to say MILNAPATH, Edible Herbs and other local efforts are personal victory for me and others like me who midwifed network marketing of nutritional supplements in the 1990s. At that time, our critics said I was using The Guardian newspapper on which I was Director of Publications and Editor-in-Chief to promote influx of foreign plant medicines. They were not persuaded that the influx would open their eye to better ways of plant medicine packaging and marketing. We have been proven right. Jobelyn and other medicines came up in the twinkle of am eye. So did Carrot beauty product. Can we forget Friends of Nature? Many persons in my generstion still owe their health to Mrs. Elizabeth Kafaru. Who is a Catholic who has not heard of Pax Herbal Centre of Rev. Father AnselmAdodo? For years now, Fr. Adodo has been running a natural medicines hospital at the GRA in Ikeja, Lagos. These are offshoots of our “Nigeria First” efforts of those days.

    Co-incidentally, both MILNAPATH and Edible Herbs, grandchildren offshoots of those efforts, launched new products into the market last week. That reaches health challenges in mental acuity, vision, pain, malaria and typhoid fever, digestion, arthritis, Female reproductive health needs, male reproductive health matters, blood circulation and hypertension, diabetes e.t.c. The field is widening.

    Edible Herbs has about 40 or 50 products now, including the currently roaring Sagbadewe Bath Soap. Sagbadewe Soap and Sagbadewe Syrup are made wholly from Nigerian ingredients. In Yoruba Language, Sagbadewe means anti-aging or age reversing. The ingredients of Sagbadewe Soap are transdermally invaginated into the body through nerves endings in the skin. The soap, should, therefore, be benefical in reflex zoon therapy of the foot and, especially, in pedicure, as all organs of the body are believed by reflex zoon therapists to be connected to the feet through nerves endings. Stimulating these nerves endings, therefore, awaken from slumber various organs that are “sleepy” and inefficient. The primary target of the ingredients is the Central Nervous System ( CNS) which is anything but calm in many persons. Thus, Sagbadewe Soap is indicated for pain, restful sleep, calm composure outside sleep, apart from cleaning skin blemishes, healing atlethe’s foot and stopping convulsion, among several other benefits.

    Another local company I am watching is coming up. It has many products in the market already. However, its toothpaste has put me off. I try some of these products before I announce them. My favourite toothpaste for years have been the Chlorophy -based one from EDMARK, which has been out of business for some years due to a court case, and the Aloe vera-based one from Forever Living Products (FLP). Both being not readily accessible, I have been using my own formulation for about two years. Last month, a distributor from a new company introduced me to a toothpaste. In my opinion, too, high sounding claims were made. I was not disappointed. I stopped using the product after about three days because I suspected Morphine to be one of its ingredients. Was this why it was claimed that it would block tooth pain and cause cavities to fill up on their own? I wondered! Morphine is opium derived, and used in hospitals when other pain relief medications seem not to work. It can be a dangerous medication as it may affect the brain. Could it not kill an exposed tooth nerve and, thereby, give a sense of well-being, whereas, when the tooth pulp is dead, microforms take it over, sometimes warranting root canal surgeries which are expensive?

    The long and short of it is that, irrespective of Bypass Electricity, Nigeria First was already fruiting in the local plant medicine community long before the President saw the vision. What the sector needs are machines. About three years ago, I thought of freeze-drying internationally well researched medicinal plants which grow luxuriantly in Nigeria but which we import from Europe and China every day. The cheapest freeze drying machine in the United Kingdom cost about 5 million Pounds Sterling. Who, in old age, would take a loan for that in a country where the ease of doing business is internationally poorly rated, where fraud is rife, where electricity is so expensive because marketers and pole men have constituted themselves into a new mafia in the energy sector, selling their company’s electricity to unscrupulous consumers, milking law-abiding consumers and walking free because it is not easy to go after them?

  • Experts seek better healthcare for OI sufferers

    Experts seek better healthcare for OI sufferers

    Experts and stakeholders have urged governments and policymakers in Africa to make better investments in healthcare for people with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) – a brittle bone disease.

    They made the call at the inaugural International Conference of the OIF Network in Hemel Hempstead, UK.

    Founder/President of OIFN (Nigeria & UK), Tarela Aghanti, called for the development of advocacy plans and joint action strategies for inclusivity.

    “Encourage collaboration between OI organisations, stakeholders, and governments and strengthen commitment to OI/disability-inclusive initiatives in Africa,” he said.

    Aghanti, also the Deputy Governor of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (Europe Chapter), presented a research paper at the event titled: “Breaking barriers and enhancing inclusion among disabled children.”

    According to him, one of the core objectives of the research is to call stakeholders, policymakers, non-governmental organisations, and community leaders to collaborate in mitigating barriers and to foster “an inclusive environment for disabled children in rural Africa”.

    The research, which was conducted by Aghanti alongside Bishop Davis Gatua from Kenya, is intended to contribute to global disability discourse, offering scalable solutions for marginalised populations.

    Aghanti said: “By breaking these barriers, we aim to create dignified, sustainable, and impactful inclusion practices for future generations.”

    Read Also: Minister pushes for more investments in primary healthcare

    The conference, he added, was to raise awareness about OI in underrepresented ethnic minority communities in the UK and Africa.

    Prof Maryann Ibekwe of the Department of Paediatrics, Ebonyi State University in Nigeria, said OI management has to go with orthopaedic surgery, physical/occupational therapy, nutrition, psychology, social services and audiology.

    She said it was important to ensure a definitive diagnosis, which should include skin biopsy, gene investigation, and collagen pattern using a multidisciplinary approach.

    “One of the challenges of the undiagnosed is the lack of facility for prenatal diagnosis, which can be done clinically,” Ibekwe said.

    This, she said, can be used for diagnosis through ultrasound as early as the second trimester.

    According to her, bisphosphonate treatment is the mainstay of treatment for OI in Africa.

    She added: “Impact on health and quality of life for the individuals with OI remains a critical issue.

    “Healthcare affordability is another key matter impacting treatment and quality of life for persons with OI in Africa.”

    The OIF Network said, aside from what has been done in the past years, it would continue supporting OI sufferers in Africa, raising funds for corrective surgeries while seeking ways to expand partnerships and membership within its network.

    It plans an event in Nigeria for next year.

  • Health Insurance: Farmer governor enrolls in NiCare

    Health Insurance: Farmer governor enrolls in NiCare

    Niger State Governor, Farmer Dr. Mohammed Bago, has publicly and officially enrolled in his State’s health insurance scheme, Niger State Contributory Health Scheme (NiCare), reaffirming his administration’s commitment to accessible and quality healthcare for all residents.

    Nearly all 36 State governments, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have launched their health insurance schemes, bringing national enrollment figures to over 19 million as of February 2025.

    Bago was formally enrolled into the NiCare by the Executive Secretary (ES) of the agency, Sulayman Abu-Bakr, at the Government House in Minna on Monday, during the launch of the NiCare’s Revised Operational Guideline and Health Equity Fund.

    The Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abubakar Usman, also joined the governor in registering in a symbolic demonstration of leadership by example.

    Highlighting the importance of adopting the health insurance scheme, the Governor urged residents to take advantage of the scheme to ease the financial burden of healthcare, noting that NiCare is a key part of his administration’s strategy to improve health outcomes and promote inclusive access to medical services across the state.

    Reiterating the government’s broader health agenda, Bago said, “Our goal is simple: no one in Niger State should be left behind when it comes to accessing quality healthcare.”

    While highlighting the multiple benefits of NiCare, the governor encouraged the formal sector workers, in particular, to leverage the scheme to minimize out-of-pocket health expenses and improve overall health outcomes.

    He commended the Executive Secretary for the transformation taking place within NiCare and the impressive increase in enrolment, while calling on the stakeholders to rally behind the program.

    Read Also: 1,000 women to enjoy health insurance

    “Public trust is public wealth,” he added, emphasizing the importance of shared responsibility in sustaining the scheme.

    He further underscored his administration’s resolve to reform healthcare delivery, citing the approval and launch of the Revised Operational Guideline and Health Equity Fund.

    The development, he said, represents a major shift in the administration’s approach to health governance, adding, “These revised guidelines are more than policy, they represent a cultural shift toward accountability, performance, and inclusivity”.

    He also commended the NiCare team for their commitment, innovation, and results-driven approach, describing the progress made under their leadership as tangible evidence of effective governance.

    “We are not just expanding directorates—we are expanding possibilities. From our civil servants to market women and the vulnerable, everyone deserves access to the dignity of care,” he added.

    Earlier, NiCare’s ES, Abu-Bakr, detailed the agency’s recent reforms and milestones, highlighting the expansion of directorates from five to six, the establishment of a Health Equity Fund, the introduction of a Private Sector Health Plan, and a new Incentive System aimed at rewarding outstanding staff.

    Abu-Bakr described the developments as a turning point for NiCare, noting a 160% growth in enrolment from 53,000 to 139,000, attributing it to the governor’s strong political will.

    He emphasized the significance of the governor’s formal launch of NiCare’s revised documents, saying, “These reforms are not just structural, they are strategic steps toward optimizing our service delivery model.

    “They reflect the vision of Governor Umaru Bago, whose Livelihood Improvement Agenda places health at the heart of development.

    “These revised guidelines will strengthen our operational efficiency and provide a robust framework for institutionalized rewards and sanctions, ensuring that our health facilities under the scheme are more accountable and effective.

    “We are proud to have the Farmer Governor, the Deputy Governor, and the SSG officially enrolled into NiCare, that is a powerful display of leadership by example.”

    He assured that the agency would remain a critical pillar in advancing the Governor’s Livelihood Improvement Agenda and committed to building a healthier and more productive Niger State.

  • Hypertension: Experts decry poor awareness, treatment gaps in Nigeria

    Hypertension: Experts decry poor awareness, treatment gaps in Nigeria

    The Nigerian Hypertension Society (NHS) has expressed concern over the prevailing attitudes and low awareness levels among Nigerians, noting that only about 10 percent of those living with hypertension are currently receiving treatment.

    NHS President, Simeon Isezuo, noted that less than 2.5 per cent of Nigerians with hypertension achieve blood pressure control or normal blood pressure. 

    In a statement on Wednesday in commemoration of this year’s World Hypertension Day (WHD), Isezuo lamented that despite hypertension affecting nearly one in three adults in urban areas and one in four in rural communities, awareness and management remain critically low, putting millions at risk of serious complications like stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure.

    WHD, observed annually on 17 May, marks its 20th anniversary this year with the theme “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer! aimed at raising awareness and promoting the prevention, detection, and control of hypertension.

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hypertension affects about 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 years globally, with two-thirds living in low and middle income countries (LMICs). 

    The number of adults with hypertension has nearly doubled from 594 million in 1975 to 1.13 billion in 2015, mainly due to rising risk factors in the LMICs.

    It was also noted that the WHO African Region has the highest prevalence at 27 percent, with the Region of the Americas having the lowest at 18 percent, while an estimated 46 percent of adults with hypertension are unaware they have the condition, as it often presents no symptoms.

    According to Isezuo, hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is diagnosed when a person consistently records systolic readings of 140 mm Hg or higher, or diastolic readings of 90 mm Hg or higher.

    Read Also: Lagos extends free hypertension, diabetes screening

    Noting that hypertension is a silent but widespread health threat, he pointed out that in Nigeria, about one in every three adults in urban areas and one in every four adults in rural areas live with hypertension. 

    “Hypertension can only be detected through blood pressure measurement by health personnel. Unfortunately, many Nigerians have never measured their blood pressure or have access to accurate blood pressure measurement,” Isezuo noted.

    He urged Nigerians to regularly check their blood pressure during every healthcare visit, at home, or in nearby health facilities.

    To prevent and manage hypertension, he recommended adopting a healthy lifestyle, including low salt, sugar, and fat intake; high consumption of fruits and vegetables; regular physical activity; quitting smoking; and moderating alcohol consumption.

    However, the NHS is launching the May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign to coincide with this year’s World Hypertension Day, as part of its advocacy efforts to raise awareness and curb the growing menace of hypertension.

    According to MMM National Coordinator, Dr. Oladipupo Fasan, the nationwide initiative, which runs from May to July, will see NHS members visit local communities to conduct free blood pressure screenings.