The Nation Newspaper

Category: Health

  • FMC Ovwian set for take off as FG team inspects proposed site

    FMC Ovwian set for take off as FG team inspects proposed site

    A team from the Federal Ministry of Health has inspected the proposed permanent site for the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Ovwian as well as the temporary take-off site at General Hospital, Otor-Udu, assuring Deltans of a swift commencement of operations.

    During the inspection at the site, located opposite the DSC administrative building in Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, the team leader from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Jimoh Salaudeen, mni, Director of Hospital Services, congratulated the Udu community leaders and Hon. Francis Waive for their efforts in facilitating the establishment of FMC Ovwian through legislative backing.

    He stated: “Today, we are here on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, who has given a marching order to ensure the establishment of the Federal Medical Center, Ovwian. I was directed by my principal to lead this ministerial team to inspect the proposed site.”

    “Our mission in Delta State is to meet with the Governor and assess the proposed federal medical center site. The state government is expected to provide a temporary facility to enable immediate operations while the permanent site is developed. Similar FMCs in Kafanchan, Epe, and other locations have already commenced, and we want the same for Ovwian. We expect activities to begin at FMC Ovwian within three to six months.”

    “We are also inspecting the temporary structure provided by the state government to ensure it meets the required standard. Once a Medical Director is appointed and personnel support from the state government is secured, operations will begin. Subsequently, there will be an advertisement for employment opportunities.”

    Salaudeen commended the community for providing land for the project and urged them to safeguard the hospital’s infrastructure. He also assured that local contractors would be engaged in accordance with the Local Content Act.

    The President-General of Ovwian Community, Comrade Joseph Dele Okuku, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the bill establishing FMC Ovwian into law. He also acknowledged Hon. Francis Waive’s vision and efforts in originating the bill.

    He further called for patronage of local contractors, employment of skilled and unskilled labor from the host community, and other benefits that would ensure community participation in the project.

    Hon. Francis Waive, the member representing Udu/Ughelli Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, described the establishment of FMC Ovwian as a major milestone in healthcare delivery for Delta Central and Delta South.

    “I must thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for signing into law the Federal Medical Center Establishment Bill. This is a significant milestone that will improve healthcare delivery in our region,” he said.

    “Work will commence soon, with the Udu General Hospital serving as a temporary take-off site. The state government has already granted us the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the construction of essential facilities. We also anticipate strong support from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the federal government. With these collaborations in place, we are confident of rapid progress.”

    “I intend to leverage my office to attract investments from companies in the region to support this project. This will be the first federal healthcare institution in this part of the state, strategically positioned between Delta South and Delta Central. Previously, residents had to travel up to three hours to Asaba to access federal medical services. With this new FMC, healthcare will be brought closer to the people.”

    Waive emphasised that the hospital would not only save lives but also stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities, and encourage educational advancements, especially in medical fields.

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    “The population in Ovwian, covering Udu Bridge, Uvwie, Warri South, and beyond, is significant. The riverine areas also link Warri South-West and Burutu, making this one of the most densely populated regions in Delta State. Due to the lack of a medical facility of this caliber, many lives have been lost. But now, FMC Ovwian will provide top-tier healthcare services locally.”

    He urged the Udu people to ensure a peaceful and conducive atmosphere for the construction and eventual operation of the facility.

    On his developmental strides, Waive highlighted various projects he had initiated, including:

    “A complete renovation of the larger grammar school near the FMC site, with a new perimeter fence and staff quarters. Upgrades to the primary school in the area. Classroom projects across all three local government areas in his constituency. Installation of electricity transformers, classroom blocks, reconnection to the national grid, and solar-powered streetlights in all 32 wards of his constituency.

    “Since Nigeria’s return to democracy, my contributions to infrastructure surpass those of all my predecessors combined. Beyond physical projects, I have sponsored over 50 bills, including the Federal Medical Center Bill, now signed into law. For a legislator to achieve this is no small feat. This is a legacy that will stand the test of time.”

    Udu Local Government Council Chairman, Chief Vincent Oyibode, also expressed joy at attracting a federal medical facility to Udu Kingdom.

    “This hospital will serve both Delta Central and Delta South, bringing rapid development to the area. It will also inspire Udu indigenes and others to pursue careers in medicine and healthcare.”

    He praised Hon. Francis Waive for originating the bill and thanked the Governor of Delta State for his support in making FMC Ovwian a reality.

    The federal medical team was received by Delta Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, with key state health officials, including Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Philo Okewho, and State Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Paul Okubo.

    The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare team for the inspection included:

    Dr. Jimoh O. Salaudeen, mni – Director of Hospital Services (Team Leader) Dr. Abisola Adegoke, mni – Head, FMC Division

    Mr. Paul Daluba – Deputy Director, HRM, Dr. Olakunle Daramola – Technical Assistant to the Minister

    Mr. Murtala Muazu – Representative of the Office of the Permanent Secretary

    Dr. Raymond Ekhator – Coordinating Unit, DHS Office

    Ms. Tina Ugiagbe – FMC Division

    Dr. Adedeji Adesope – Team Secretary Dr. Victor Osiatuma Azubike – Chief Medical Director, FMC Asaba. With all stakeholders aligned and necessary approvals in place, the people of Udu Kingdom and beyond eagerly await the launch of FMC Ovwian, which promises to be a game-changer for healthcare in the region.

  • NACA allays fears over HIV drugs supplies

    NACA allays fears over HIV drugs supplies

    The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has assured Nigerians, especially those living with HIV, that there is no cause for concern, as the country has taken steps to maintain a steady supply of antiretroviral drugs.  

    The agency’s Director General (DG) Temitope Ilori noted that despite recent concerns raised by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Federal Government has taken proactive steps to prevent any potential shortage of HIV medication.

     She said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved $1.07 billion to finance the healthcare sector reforms under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) program.

    Additionally, she said the Federal government also approved ₦4.8 billion for HIV treatment, while the Nigerian Senate also recently allocated an additional ₦300 billion to the health sector in the 2025 budget. 

    These allocations, according to the DG in a statement on Wednesday, are part of the government’s efforts to cushion the impact of the US government’s aid pause and close the immediate funding gap.

    While acknowledging the US government’s support and partnership over the past two decades, the DG emphasized that the Nigerian government sees the funding pause as an opportunity to mobilize resources, take ownership, and ensure the sustainability of HIV response in the country.

    Read Also: NHIA, NACA partner to boost health insurance coverage for people living with HIV

    “We want to assure Nigerians, particularly those living with HIV, that there is no shortage of drugs and consumables, and no immediate stop of services for HIV treatment, testing, and prevention in Nigeria. 

    “Our treatment centers and pharmacies will continue to have sufficient anti-retroviral drugs, ensuring uninterrupted access to care.

    NACA remains committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS and ensuring that all Nigerians have access to quality HIV prevention, treatment, and care services,” Ilori said.

  • JOHESU, AHPA reject health regulatory agency, demand immediate suspension

    JOHESU, AHPA reject health regulatory agency, demand immediate suspension

    The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (AHPA) have reaffirmed their opposition to the proposed National Health Facility Regulatory Agency (NHFRA), demanding its immediate suspension. They warned that its implementation could disrupt industrial harmony in the health sector.

    JOHESU criticised the Federal Ministry of Health for pushing the initiative despite previous objections, arguing that it violates the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the union and the government, as well as the National Health Act of 2014.

    The union also raised concerns over the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) introduced by the ministry, calling for its withdrawal. 

    They insisted that implementing the SOP without a proper legal review undermines professional responsibilities.

    JOHESU emphasized that the DRF SOP must be revised in line with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Act 2022, which mandates that only registered pharmacists oversee drug procurement and management.

    These resolutions were outlined in a communique following JOHESU’s leadership meeting on March 12 and 13, 2025, at the MHWUN National Secretariat in Abuja, where the implementation of the October 29, 2024, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal government was reviewed.

    The meeting which coincided with the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Adekunle Salako’s courtesy visit, was attended by the Presidents and General Secretaries of JOHESU’s affiliate unions, including MHWUN, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutions and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).

    Also present were the pioneer national chairman of JOHESU and former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Comrade Ayuba Wabba and the pioneer chairman of AHPA, G. C. Okara.  

    Following extensive discussions, the leadership of JOHESU raised concerns over the delayed adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS). 

    They noted that while the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) had been adjusted multiple times between 2017 and 2023, CONHESS has remained unchanged since 2014. 

    JOHESU demanded an equivalent adjustment to correct what it described as years of unfair salary discrepancies.  

    Regarding the implementation of the consultant cadre for pharmacists in Federal health institutions, JOHESU acknowledged the Federal government’s directive to Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors (CMDs/MDs) to appoint consultant pharmacists. 

    However, it expressed dissatisfaction with the slow compliance by hospital executives and urged the government to enforce sanctions on non-compliant CMDs/MDs.  

    The union also welcomed the recent approval to increase the retirement age for health workers to 65 years and for consultants to 70 years. 

    However, it rejected any form of discrimination between clinical and non-clinical health workers in the policy’s implementation. 

    JOHESU insisted that the 70-year retirement age should apply to all consultants in the health sector without exceptions.  

    JOHESU called on the federal government to pay the seven-month arrears resulting from the review of CONHESS salaries. 

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    It stressed that with the passage and signing of the 2025 Appropriation Act, the government should immediately release the funds.  

    Reaffirming its commitment to ensuring the full implementation of the October 2024 MoU, JOHESU listed its demands, including the reconstitution of boards for Federal health institutions and regulatory agencies, the payment of call duty allowances, the adjustment of all allowances linked to CONHESS salaries, and the elimination of unfair labour practices against healthcare professionals. 

    It also called for continuous consultation between the government and JOHESU on policies affecting the sector.  

    While commending the Minister’s approach to addressing sectoral concerns, the union assured its members of its commitment to pushing for the full implementation of agreements reached with the federal government.

  • NHIA, NACA partner to boost health insurance coverage for people living with HIV

    NHIA, NACA partner to boost health insurance coverage for people living with HIV

    The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) have joined forces to improve healthcare access for vulnerable groups, especially People Living with HIV (PLHIV).

    The partnership was announced by NHIA Director General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, in a post on his X handle on Wednesday.

    He emphasised that the goal is to provide financial protection and better healthcare services for people living with HIV.

    “This collaboration is a major step toward ensuring financial security for vulnerable groups, improving their quality of life, and making sure they can access the healthcare they need,” Ohiri stated.

    “By strengthening health insurance, we are making progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).”

    Similarly, NACA Director General, Dr Temitope Ilori, led her team to a meeting with NHIA to discuss sustainable healthcare solutions.

    She emphasised the need to expand health insurance coverage to over 19 million Nigerians, increase support for vulnerable groups, including People Living with HIV, integrate HIV and tuberculosis treatment into NHIA’s health insurance benefits, and boost domestic funding to sustain healthcare programs for long-term impact.

    Dr. Ilori noted that these efforts would improve access to essential healthcare services and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.

    “Collaboration is key to a healthier future!” NACA posted on its official X account.

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    Nigeria currently has an HIV prevalence rate of 1.4% among people aged 15-64, with an estimated 2 million Nigerians living with the virus. Of these, about 1.6 million are on treatment.

    A 2023 UNAIDS report revealed that approximately 160,000 children under 14 are living with HIV, with 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths occurring each year.

    Despite efforts to curb the spread, Nigeria’s prevention of mother-to-child transmission remains below 33%, far from the 95% target.

    With this new collaboration, NHIA and NACA aim to close the gap in access to treatment and ensure better health outcomes for people living with HIV in Nigeria.

  • FG injects N32.8bn into basic healthcare

    FG injects N32.8bn into basic healthcare

    The federal government has approved the disbursement of N32.8 billion from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to support primary healthcare programs in the first quarter of the 2025 fiscal year.

    The funds will be distributed through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS). 

    This comes as the federal government prepares to approve a new set of governance guidelines for the BHCPF.

    This emerged on Wednesday in Abuja during the 10th BHCPF Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting, where the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s healthcare system. 

    Members of the Committee chaired by the Coordinating Minister at the meeting included the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, Chairman of the Nigeria Health Commissioner’s Forum and Ekiti State Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Oyebanji Filani, heads of the NHIA, NCDC, NPHCDA, and the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) representative among others.

    The Minister revealed that ₦32.8 billion has been allocated to strengthen over 8,000 primary healthcare centres nationwide.

    He highlighted that the funds will support the expansion of primary healthcare services, the Vulnerable Groups Fund, emergency medical treatment and ambulance services, and the NCDC’s disease outbreak prevention and response efforts.

    He said: “We have to ensure health security by preventing outbreaks, detecting them, and being able to respond to them. That is the approval.

    “The second approval was that of the revised guideline for the BHCPF, which is provided for by law.

    “While we’re waiting for a legal opinion from the Attorney General of the Federation, the MOC agreed with the thrust of the changes that were made in the guidelines, and those are very good steps forward, which has brought in the lens of equity, has also increased the resources going to primary health care centres.

    “The reality is that the BHCPF facilities all over Nigeria now are functioning at much higher levels and better levels compared to non-BHCPF facilities.

    “So the reforms that we have undertaken over the last 18 months are working, and we appreciate the President for his leadership in ensuring that we get the resources to be able to do that”.

    Pate emphasised that in addition to the funding disbursement, efforts are being made to address barriers preventing the full utilization of resources.

    He acknowledged existing challenges in fund releases to one of the BHCPF gateways but assured that the government is taking steps to resolve them.

    He stressed that ensuring smooth access to funds is crucial for achieving optimal health outcomes for Nigerians. 

    Regarding the NCDC gateway having issues accessing the funds, the Minister explained that the sub-national level with the States having issues opening their accounts and getting the signatories to their accounts.

    “But as you have heard, the issue is with the Office of the Accounting General of the Federation, and we are confident that the new Accounting General of the Federation will remove those bottlenecks so that they have access to their accounts.

    “As you know, these funds are Federal government resources, but they are channelled through State Treasury Single Account (TSA) accounts, and those have to be opened, and they are opened by the Accountant General, and we are now working to see that it’s expedited.

    Noting that the BHCPF, established to improve access to primary healthcare services, plays a critical role in financing essential health programs, Pate stressed that while the fund has significantly boosted healthcare delivery, ongoing reforms are necessary to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness. 

    He also addressed concerns about potential shortages of essential medicines, dismissing reports from international agencies suggesting imminent stockouts.

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    According to him, the government is actively procuring medical supplies through direct and emergency channels to ensure continued treatment for patients with HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.

    He reassured Nigerians that there are no immediate shortages and that the government is committed to sustaining the supply of essential health commodities. 

    As part of broader healthcare reforms, the government is also revising the BHCPF guidelines to improve equity and increase funding to primary healthcare centres.

    Reaffirming the Federal government’s dedication to healthcare improvements, he urged Nigerians to support the government’s efforts and work collaboratively with civil society organizations and development partners to strengthen the country’s health system.

    The meeting featured updates from the gateways and the ratification of memorandums presented by the Secretary of the MOC.

  • TB $300m funding gap: Rep, stakeholders push for domestic investment

    TB $300m funding gap: Rep, stakeholders push for domestic investment

    A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Amobi Ogah, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), and Malaria, alongside other stakeholders, has called for increased domestic investment in TB control to ensure sustainability. 

    Nigeria has the highest TB burden in Africa and ranks sixth globally, with 499,000 cases recorded in 2023, according to the 2024 World Health Organization Global TB Report.

    Speaking at a pre-World TB Day press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the lawmaker stressed the need for Nigeria to reduce its reliance on foreign aid by injecting more local resources into the fight against TB.  

    This year’s World TB Day, themed ‘Yes, We Can End TB – Commit, Invest, Deliver’ with the slogan ‘We Fit Do Am’, highlights the urgent need for stronger commitment and financing to eradicate TB.  

    Mayowa Joel, Executive Secretary of Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, emphasized the need for local investment to bridge the country’s TB funding gap. 

    According to him, Nigeria requires $404 million to sustain TB programs in 2025, yet only $89 million is available from the Global Fund. 

    He warned that by 2026, Global Fund allocations are projected to drop further to $16 million, worsening the crisis. 

    He said in 2024, Nigeria aimed to identify and treat 499,000 TB patients but managed 418,000 while some of the 2025 drug supply was used prematurely, further straining available resources.  

    Joel also highlighted the impact of U.S. policy shifts on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which created a $5 million funding shortfall between January and March 2025. 

    He explained that the U.S. government typically contributes $22 million annually for TB case detection across 18 states, but recent policy decisions threaten the support for those States. 

    With only $100 million secured against the $404 million needed, Joel stressed the urgency of local funding to sustain TB control efforts.  

    Hon. Oga commended the Nigerian government for allocating over ₦700 billion toward combating TB and other diseases, especially in light of declining U.S. funding. 

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    He emphasized that financial independence is critical for Nigeria to take full responsibility for its health challenges. 

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    To enhance TB funding, Oga advocated for a private sector-driven trust fund, similar to the one established for HIV programs. 

    He also called for stronger oversight to prevent mismanagement of TB intervention funds while revealing plans for legislation to protect TB patients from discrimination, which remains a significant barrier to early diagnosis and treatment. 

    The lawmaker emphasized the need for public awareness campaigns, training for healthcare workers, and outreach programs to educate vulnerable populations while stressing that strengthening healthcare systems and ensuring equitable access to TB services is key to achieving Nigeria’s goal of eliminating TB by 2030.  

    Dr. Godwin Ntadom, Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, underscored the severity of the TB crisis, noting that the disease primarily affects people aged 25 to 44, pushing many families into poverty. 

    He attributed the high burden to poverty, malnutrition, overcrowding, and limited healthcare access but acknowledged recent progress. 

    According to him, in 2024, Nigeria identified over 400,000 TB cases out of an estimated 506,000, achieving a 79 percent treatment coverage rate, the highest ever in the country.  

    To expand TB services, he said the government is intensifying screening, diagnosis, and treatment efforts in both public and private health facilities. 

    He urged stronger community engagement, calling on traditional and religious leaders to combat TB stigma.  

    Ntadom also noted that digital health solutions, including artificial intelligence and mobile technology, are being deployed to improve surveillance and treatment adherence. 

    Additionally, 370 portable digital X-ray machines are being introduced to enhance TB screening, particularly in underserved areas.  

    May Ngon, Team Lead, Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases, who represented the World Health Organisation (WHO) reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s TB response through evidence-based policies, technical guidance, and resource mobilization. 

    She noted that WHO works closely with the Ministry of Health, health insurance agencies, civil society, and the private sector to ensure coordinated TB control efforts. 

    She emphasized that technical assistance remains a key focus, with experts deployed at national and sub-national levels to support TB programs. 

    WHO will, however, continue to mobilize financial resources and foster partnerships to sustain TB interventions, ensuring effective service delivery across Nigeria, she assured.  

    Earlier, in her welcome remarks, Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, Acting Board Chair of Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, emphasized the importance of political commitment in tackling TB. She described World TB Day as a global platform to raise awareness and secure increased healthcare financing. 

    She highlighted key achievements of Stop TB Partnership Nigeria in 2024, including the investiture of Nigeria’s First Lady as the Global and National Stop TB Champion and the launch of a Private Sector Strategy to End TB. 

    She said the initiative secured commitments for a $50 million matched funding program, adding that other advocacy efforts resulted in increased government funding, such as the ₦50 million allocation for an MDR-TB ward in Kebbi State and ₦15 million in counterpart funding. 

    Noting that the organization also supported legislative initiatives to strengthen TB-related policies, Ogbuji-Ladipo stressed that in light of dwindling donor support, there is an urgent need to intensify advocacy for domestic resources to sustain the fight against TB. 

    Other panellists echoed the need for local funding of TB efforts while emphasizing the importance of a massive awareness drive, considering that many Nigerians remain unaware that TB detection and treatment are free. 

    The press conference also marked the launch of a multi-sectoral accountability framework aimed at enhancing collaboration across different sectors to help Nigeria meet its goal of eliminating TB by 2035.

  • Health Insurance: Why women are key to driving coverage, by HMO

    Health Insurance: Why women are key to driving coverage, by HMO

    A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) has emphasised the importance of empowering women in leadership as a key strategy for improving the nation’s health outcomes.

    Advocating for placing deserving women in management roles to drive optimal service delivery, the Board of Directors and shareholders of Ultimate Health Management Services appointed two women as directors to strengthen health insurance coverage in the country.  

    The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the HMO, Otunba Lekan Ewenla, stated that the appointments of Tosin Adefeko and Bolajoko Abiola-Odunowo reflect the organization’s commitment to promoting diversity and empowering women in leadership positions within the Organized Private Sector (OPS).

    Ewenla said that the appointment of the two women underscores the organization’s dedication to gender inclusivity, aligning with the global agenda for greater representation of women in corporate leadership and political appointments.

    In a statement on Tuesday, Ewenla emphasized that the board appointments were strategic, aimed at driving the organization’s growth, particularly within the OPS, the informal sector, and professional associations across the country, noting that with health insurance enrollment now mandatory for all Nigerians and legal residents, expanding the board’s expertise was essential.  

    Ewenla added that the appointments were also intended to enhance the board’s capacity and functionality in line with global corporate governance standards and best practices. 

    He highlighted Adefeko’s extensive background as a corporate executive and entrepreneur, bringing over 25 years of diverse experience across multiple industries.

    According to him, Adefeko, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of AT3 Resources, has demonstrated exceptional leadership in business, delivering outstanding results across the financial services, print and broadcast media, and marketing communications industries.  

    Her company specializes in crafting strategic communications and developing brand-driven movements that enhance consumer experience, Ewenla stressed, noting that, with a career dedicated to helping brands thrive, she has earned recognition as one of the top 50 women in marketing communications for two consecutive years. 

    Additionally, he revealed that Adefeko has been named among Africa’s leading women and was recently appointed to the 2024 jury of the International Public Relations Association, among other prestigious accolades.  

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    Adefeko is also deeply committed to gender inclusion, equity, and female empowerment, he added, noting that as an active member of Women in Managing Business, she has served on multiple committees and chaired the communications committee for the annual conference for three years.  

    Similarly, Ewenla highlighted Abiola-Odunowo as a distinguished business executive with a multifaceted career spanning over three decades in finance, law, and logistics. 

    Pointing out that with extensive experience in treasury management and financial analysis, Ewenla noted that Abiola-Odunowo possesses a deep understanding of financial operations and risk management. 

    Her career, he said also extends to the oil and gas, real estate, and environmental law sectors, where she specializes in regulatory compliance and navigating complex legal frameworks.  

    “Renowned for her ability to drive results and foster lasting business relationships, Abiola-Odunowo continues to make significant contributions to the evolution of Nigeria’s logistics landscape”, Ewenla noted.

  • Lagos unveils factory to strengthen health care

    Lagos unveils factory to strengthen health care

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has inaugurated the state’s first medical syringe manufacturing facility, O-Care Disposable Syringes.

    During the inauguration, he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promoted industrialisation and economic growth through strategic investments in infrastructure, power supply and policy reforms.

    The facility established by Transgreen Nigeria Limited, and located at Odofin Park Estate, Ijesha, Apapa-Oshodi, Lagos, has a daily production capacity of 750,000 syringes, significantly reducing the nation’s reliance on imports and ensuring a steady supply of essential health care products.

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    Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment, particularly in the health care sector.

    “Our administration remains committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses like Transgreen Nigeria Limited to thrive. Through strategic investments in infrastructure, power supply and policy reforms, we will continue to support initiatives that drive industrialisation and economic growth,” the governor said.

    Transgreen Nigeria Ltd. Managing Director, Cyprian Orakpo, pledged to expand operations and broaden the range of medical products manufactured.

  • NCDC Report: Diphtheria killed over 1,300 in three years

    NCDC Report: Diphtheria killed over 1,300 in three years

    Between April 2022 and March 9, 2025, diphtheria killed 1,319 people across the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has stated in its latest situation report.

    The report, which covered Week 19 of 2022 through Week 10 of 2025, showed that out of 42,642 suspected cases recorded in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) comprising 350 local government areas (LGAs), a total of 25,812 cases were confirmed through laboratory testing, epidemiological linkage, or clinical compatibility to have been infected with the disease.

    But in Epidemiological Week 10 of 2025, a total of 23 suspected cases were reported across two states, with Lagos accounting for 20 cases and Katsina recording three cases, identified in two LGAs. 

    Among the 23 suspected cases, none was confirmed through laboratory testing, epidemiological linkage, or clinical compatibility.

    Additionally, no cases were officially discarded, while out of the total suspected cases, 10 remain pending classification, while the status of 13 cases is currently unknown. 

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    No confirmed cases were reported during the week under review, and there were no recorded deaths, maintaining a case fatality rate of zero per cent.

    But in the cumulative period under review, most suspected cases were concentrated in Kano State which reported 24,239 suspected cases, followed by Yobe with 5,330, Katsina with 4,237, Bauchi with 3,066, Borno with 3,058, Kaduna with 777, and Jigawa with 364.

    The seven states accounted for 96.3 per cent of the total suspected cases while confirmed cases span 184 LGAs in 26 states, with Kano leading with 18,108 cases.

    Other States with notable figures include Bauchi (2,334), Yobe (2,408), Katsina (1,501), and Borno (1,161).

    Additional confirmed cases were reported in Plateau (119), Jigawa (53), Kaduna (44), Sokoto (31), Zamfara (21), and the FCT (15).

    Smaller numbers were recorded in Lagos, Gombe, Edo, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Osun, Abia, Kebbi, Niger, Taraba, Cross-River, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, and Ogun states.

    The report also stated that children between one and 14 years of age make up 16,234 of the confirmed cases, or 62.9 per cent of the total, while only 4,981 confirmed cases (19.3 per cent) had received the diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine.

    The fatality distribution shows that Kano accounted for 850 deaths, with Katsina (114), Yobe (109), Bauchi (104), and Borno (68) also reporting significant numbers.

    Additional fatalities occurred in Plateau (29), Kaduna (11), Jigawa (seven), the Federal Capital Territory (seven), Lagos (six), Sokoto (five), Adamawa (four), Edo (two), Gombe (one), Nasarawa (1one), Osun (one), and Ekiti (one).

    The NCDC report highlighted several challenges during the outbreak response, notably, test positivity rates that have been very low, with all cases in 2024 confirmed solely through clinical compatibility due to shortages of reagents and consumables necessary for direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing on clinical samples.

    In response, the NCDC said it provided extensive technical and offsite support to state authorities, focusing on improved case identification, reporting, and response efforts, especially in areas with low case reporting.

    The agency also said it has not ceased to build on efforts to continue to harmonise data between laboratory and case management teams, enhance case follow-up at designated treatment centers, and supervise state-level risk communication and community engagement activities.

    The NCDC said it is expanding its use of social media, utilising comics and survivor interview videos to raise public awareness, while whole-genome sequencing is being used to analyse confirmed isolates.

    Besides, the agency said it is working to optimise PCR protocols for direct testing on clinical samples and build capacity for the laboratory diagnosis of diphtheria.

    This, it said, includes supplying more reagents and consumables to testing sites, ensuring that diagnostic efforts are both timely and accurate.

    The comprehensive approach aims to strengthen the national response to diphtheria, reduce the spread of the disease, and ultimately lower the number of deaths, the agency added.

  • NAFDAC evacuates 107 truckloads of fake, expired drugs in 10 days

    NAFDAC evacuates 107 truckloads of fake, expired drugs in 10 days

    More than 100 truckloads of substandard, fake, expired, and banned medicines worth over a trillion naira were in six weeks evacuated from Lagos, Onitsha and Aba drug markets.

    In Lagos where officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) raided the Idumota Market, 27 truckloads of such medicines were seized and destroyed. 

    Eighty  truckloads were from Ariaria Road Warehouse and Open Drug markets in  Aba, Abia State  as well as  Onitsha, Anambra  markets.

    NAFDAC  Director –General  Mojisola Adeyeye, said yesterday that the  raids on the markets  were concluded 10 days ago.

    “What we found could ruin a nation. What we found could destabilise a government. What we found could reduce the quality of life of millions of Nigerians,” Adeyeye, a professor emeritus of Pharmaceutics and Drug Product Evaluation,  lamented.

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    Adding that narcotics seized from the markets could fuel terrorism and higher crime rates, she said that people suffering from chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension were at greater risk because their medications are usually regular.

    Her words: “The narcotics we found could fuel banditry and terrorism. They also take away life.

     “If you have diabetes or hypertension, which need daily treatment, such people could die easily with what we have found.”

      Adeyeye also narrated how NAFDAC officials have been repeatedly attacked while carrying out their duties.

    Citing their  ordeal in Onitsha seven months ago, the NAFDAC  boss, said:  ‘’Our staff members  and the police went on intelligence again and two of them were  almost killed.‘’

    She revealed that the drug trade in Onitsha extended beyond the main market to plumbing, wood/ plank, and fashion sections where hidden warehouses full of illicit medicines are stored.

    “In the plumbing section, we knew through intelligence three or four years ago that something was going on there.

    “About seven months ago at the Onitsha market, NAFDAC staff members went on intelligence again and they almost killed two of them. They bloodied them, They narrowly escaped death.”

    ‘’This is the hazard we go through every time in NAFDAC.” 

    Adeyeye said that despite the threat,  the agency evacuated 14- 40-foot  truckloads of Tramadol and banned codeine syrup from the plumbing, wood plank  and fashion lines of the market. 

    Calling for public support, she emphasised that the raids on drug markets were necessary to protect Nigerians and promote legitimate business.

    “NAFDAC is doing this first for public health, secondly to foster trade, and thirdly to reduce the scourge on our country.”

    She noted that counterfeit drugs hurt local manufacturers.

    “If it’s a counterfeited product from a local manufacturer, that manufacturer cannot get their return on investment because somebody is already counterfeiting their product and selling it cheaper,”  Adeyeye explained.