Category: Health

  • FG commits to health sector local funding 

    FG commits to health sector local funding 

    The federal government has approved the ratification of the African Medicines Agency Treaty, positioning Nigeria to be part of a larger African market for locally produced medicines, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has said.

    Pate said the move aligns with Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its health system by leveraging domestic resources, noting that the country had anticipated a decline in global financial aid even before the United States government publicly announced cuts to funding for agencies supporting developing countries.

    Despite the anticipated funding challenges, Pate expressed gratitude to the United States for its extensive and generous support over the years. 

    He emphasized that the Nigerian government deeply appreciates the assistance received, which has played a crucial role in advancing the nation’s healthcare landscape.

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    In a statement by Tashikalmah Hallah, Special Adviser on Media and External Relations to the Minister on Thursday, Pate reiterated government commitment to prioritizing health, adding that the focus has led to significant advancements and successes in the healthcare sector, reflecting the government’s determination to improve the well-being of its citizens.

    Pate was quoted as saying, “For the past 20 years or so, thanks to the generosity of the United States government and its people, many countries around the world have benefited from lifesaving interventions that have saved billions of lives from HIV, TB, and malaria.

    “For Nigeria, we sincerely appreciate all the support received from the United States. It is unwise for any country to think it can rely entirely on another country for the health and lives of its population.

    “The direction taken by the U.S. government is understandable, given its current interests, and we respect that. Here in Nigeria, we are focused on rebuilding our health system, strengthening and increasing our domestic resources, and providing services for our citizens.

    “We aim to cooperate with other countries in Africa and around the world to enhance biosecurity and health security while opening up our economy to private-sector investments”.

    The Minister further explained that the ratification of the African Medicines Agency Treaty will enable Nigeria to participate in a broader African market for locally manufactured medical products, fostering investment and innovation in the sector.

    “There are also investment opportunities in health that Americans are welcome to participate in. We have innovations, tools, systems, and technologies that we can trade. 

    “We are very open and confident that as the direction of the U.S. government evolves, Nigeria will continue to welcome genuine partnerships with the United States and other countries that share an interest in advancing humanity while respecting each nation’s interests,” Pate added.

  • SOT 2025: Expert receives multiple awards for exceptional contribution

    SOT 2025: Expert receives multiple awards for exceptional contribution

    Kolawole Adesina, a seasoned Nigerian researcher and expert in health physics, with research spanning environmental health and toxicology, has received multiple prestigious awards for his exceptional contribution which will be presented at the 2025 Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting in Florida.

    Disclosing this in a media statement recently, he shared that the awards recognize his research on non-invasive methods to measure inhaled metals and metalloids in the airway.

    This approach has the potential to reshape environmental exposure assessments and public health monitoring.

    Adesina has been awarded the Toxicologists of African Origin (TAO) Endowment Fund Student Travel Award and the Inhalation and Respiratory Specialty Section (IRSS) emka-SCIREQ Special Award for In Vitro/Ex Vivo Exposure to Inhaled Toxicants, both from SOT.

    Adesina said: “This work is not just about advancing science; it’s about making environmental monitoring more accessible, affordable, and impactful for communities worldwide.”

    His research is part of a larger collaborative effort led by Dr. Aaron J. Specht, working alongside scientists from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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    The awards will provide critical support for Adesina to present his research at the conference, where he will engage with leading toxicologists and environmental health experts from around the world.

    Notably, this is not the first time Adesina has received recognition from SOT—he was also honoured with a Student Achievement Award by the Medical Devices and Combination Product Specialty Section (MDCPSS) in 2024, further affirming his growing influence in the field.

    Adesina’s contributions reflect a growing movement within Nigeria’s scientific community to drive global health solutions.

    His work fosters international collaboration while underscoring the vital role of African researchers in exposure science and toxicology.

    His recognition at SOT highlights the increasing influence of African scientists in shaping environmental health policies worldwide.

    With multiple peer-reviewed publications spanning X-ray fluorescence (XRF)–based elemental analysis, environmental radiation safety, and toxicological exposure, Adesina is establishing himself as a leading expert in the field.

    Expressing gratitude for this recognition, Adesina said, “This award validates the importance of our work and provides an invaluable opportunity to engage with leading scientists in toxicology. It strengthens my commitment to environmental health research and its real-world impact.”

    As he prepares to present at SOT 2025, Adesina’s work signifies innovation, collaboration, and the growing influence of Nigerian scientists on the global stage.

    Through partnerships with esteemed researchers and institutions, he is driving advancements that could transform environmental health monitoring, particularly in regions with high pollution exposure.

    Adesina is currently pursuing his PhD in Health Physics at Purdue University under the mentorship of Dr. Aaron J. Specht and has already made significant contributions through his research and publications.

  • HIV, HPV red flags fly over 2025 Valentine’s Day (1)

    HIV, HPV red flags fly over 2025 Valentine’s Day (1)

    Where would you be and what would you be doing tomorrow, February 14 , 2025  Valentine’s Day? Painting the town red or just watching the world go by?My boosts long hung and  other Valentine paraphernalia neatly wrapped and stored at the bottom of a trunk box of old vestiges of this day in history, I will be in one corner of my house fellowing the effervescence in spirit with my inner eyes.

    Valentin Day was  intentioned as a day  to show love  but is now  characterised by the hunt for company or companionship.Company hunting is the search for external  content or physical content or physical human body content with which to engage  in physical surrender. The search for  companionship is an exploration for a soul, homogeneous or not, complementary or not,for a joint task, high or low,  through marriage or plantonic friendship for example.

    I still doubt if either comes  near what St. Valentine taught us.Every February 14, reminds me of the Love of God, a split part of which each one of us is as a spark of light or of energy from out of His Radiation. We bear  this knowledge slumbering deep within us, and are meant to awaken  the memory in the course of our  germination like seeds sown in the world of matter, unite with it like flowering photosynthetic plants which, at their level,  seek the energy of sunlight for their flowering and fruiting. This idea reminds me of  Nigeria, an over-blessed nation in my view. Many countries are bombarded by snow for months every year. We are not. Many enjoy shadowy  sunlight for  about  two hours every day for months and then lapse into months of near complete darkness.We have 12  hours of sun-lit day and 12 of night fall sometimes lit by the moon’s reflection of  sunlight. The wind torments some countries, sometimes overturning motor vehicles and breaking  houses. We have  no such  thing. In some areas of the earth, earthquakes are common.We have not been visited by any since I was born 75 years ago. Recently, the air was reported  to  be catching fire in some countries. We have no such  experience.Perhaps we had  fair share of them  in the days of our ancestors  when Atlantis was smitten by a decended moon to take western parts of the American continent away from the western parts of Africa and create  an Atlantic Ocean  in between. Whatever it is, we are blessed with  huge crude oil deposit, large array of minerals resources, a fertile land for agriculture, an intelligent people who, unfortunately, have lapsed into spiritual indolence since the days of the sinking of Atlantis,forgetting  everything about their spiritual  ancestry and chained to their brains and hence their physical bodies and  their material environment!

    So, it will not be surprising that,tomorrow, the town  will be reddened, irrespective of cries of woe here and here that the economy had gone rotten.

    How much  more beautiful would it  have been if, led by the Church, the Mosque and leaders of traditional religions, we all  could take a break from bread and butter hussels and hassels on Valentine Day, to acknowledge the love of God and His Infinite Goodness, and rekindle the fire of our Spirits to live only in reverential devotion to His  Will, Honour and Glory. In this state of  being, we would desist from being a thieving people in public or private life. We would till the land  to feed ourselves and not depend on other nations for  food. We would not flee our  land, alloted to us in the wisdom of God, to be vagabonds or prodigal citizens in other lands. The strong  would not take advantage of the weak. Men would be  manly, protective of women, and women would be womanly, true or faithful guardians of the longing in us for God, and not lead the way down hill to perdition, as they do today, selling their charming bodied on the social dung hill. I sense that, tomorrow, many girls and women would parade the streets almost naked in search of body-hunting men and that true men will hiss on them or tongue lash them if they do not physically assult them.

    HIV and Trump

    As 2025  Valentine Day  approached, United States (U.S) President Donal Trump fired a policy shocker at the  global HIV community of challenged persons and their doctors and care givers. The policy  to withdrew U.S. subsidy on HIV medications was unrelated to 2025 Valentine’s Day, but I saw correlations in them, nevertheless. In 2019,  President Trump made a smaller cut than he as just done, and it was reported to cause one million HIV deaths globally. Genuinely or politically, President Trump had been challenging what many people in his country had been doing with their bodies which he considered wrong or unnatural.Unfortunately, there is little he can do about them. For they are distorted souls. As distorted souls, they are either male spirit kernels or seed germs in female human bodies, or male spirit kernelds in female human bodies or human body which are in various degrees of trans migration, that is inwardly abnormal due to their own decisions, irrespective of what, outwardly,we observe them to be. HIV disease may or may not be a consequence of any of these things, but it is sexually transmittable and U.S. money had  helped  to make  treament drugs cheap  globally and, perhaps, helped to prevent its spread  world-wide. Now with U.S. withdrawal, drugs prices may rise and become unaffordable especially in Nigeria, and the HIV population may enlarge. Nigeria has a population of about 1.5million HIV challenged persons which international data estimate at 10 million persons. Akwa Ibom State tops the table with 5.5 per cent of its population, fellowed by Benue 5.3 per cent, Rivers 3.8 per cent, Taraba 2.9 per cent, Abia 2.1 per cent e.t.c.  Congugal irreverence on a day such as tomorrow or on the aftermath days may rock the boat towards perdition where treaments of HIV disease is of limited to pharmaceutical drugs and injections rather than confronted with the right kinds of foods and drinks which alone bring lasting health. With the U.S. aid cut , the cost of drugs will escalate.Thus, the fear of HIV cannot be divorced or disengaged from tomorrow’s carnivals.

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    HIV, TOOTHLESS BULL-DOG

    Fear of HIV on a Valentine’s Day is not the heart of this column today. I am more concerned about whether HIV has not lost to plant  medicine its original all- conquering terror.  I am on the side of arguments that HIV may never have existed,  that it was the product of  power play between France and the United States to deceive poor nations that a new devastating disease had been discovered, to inform them this disease  was incurable for life, to develop new pharmaceutical drugs that will at best check its excesses, to drain the pocket of poor nations into those of rich nations. Many researchers believed  what was termed HIV was a mere  conglomerate of existing immune and  energy-sapping diseases which, individually or in their various combinations,may or does yield to existing drug medicines.These researchers are called HIV DENIALISTS. Dr F. Batmanghelidj, the Iranian who caused a paradigm shift  in medicine by making medicine accept water  not just as a solute but as medicine in its own right, theorised that the so-called HIV was an autoimmune problem which is reversible.

    Dr. Batmanghelidj, who was celebrated in this column last year under the title… 2024 World Teachers Day:Icons of  Natural Medicine, believed there was no such virus. Dr. Batmanghelidj, an Iranian whose life ambition was to make medicine as simple as possible for lay persons to understand and intelligently discuss, put so-called HIV cells in test tubes and fed them some nutritional substances. He had come to the notion that what we called HIV cells were actually fragmentations of genetic nuclei in the absence of an amino acid named CYSTEINE and ZINC, a fertility and stress mineral which serves about 200 purposes in the human body. This value range from fertility, senses of taste and smell, health of hair, nail and skin, protection of the prostate gland against the damages of Inflamation, enlargement and cancer to those of stability of the  genetic nucleus and, of course, boosting of the immune system.

    Dr. Batmanghelidj found that cysteine and Zinc caused the so- called HIV cell to evolve into normal, stable cells. This left some researchers and doctors in bewilderment.However, it strengthened belief of persons like me in the correctness  of the conception that Neither drug  nor injections but the right kinds of foods  and drinks and medicines bring lasting health. This conception became a natural personal experience for me when I succumbed to some symptoms of COVID-19 but returned to life in about two weeks. I reported my experiences on this page afterwards in the column I titled… CORONAVIRUS:LOOK-ALIKE SYMPTOM JOIN THE LEXICON, posted on FACEBOOK at (John Olufemi Kusa).

    Since Dr. Batmanghelidj work with Cysteine and Zinc, Selenium has joined the league of HIV bursters in the  hands of complementary and natural medicine physicians. It is now well suggested that a defficiency of essential amino acids and Zinc may trigger so-called HIV like symptoms.Essential and non-essential amino acids are important for the intergrity of cells at the molecular level, as are other substances as Vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, phenolic,poly phenolic compounds and, in the last few years, Quantum Energy. “ A Zinc finger” is said to hold the amino acids in place in the cell nucleus like  the “clips” which hold clothes securely from wind or storm on a clothes line. Selenium intake is critical in HIV therapy, going by several studies.More people who eat food from selenium deficient soils are said to be more HIV prone than persons who eat selenium-rich foods. Men are said to be more prone to HIV than our women  because they lose Selenium in ejaculations and may not replenish the losses while women  are  the beneficiaries and, therefore, less prone.The value of Selenium is expressed in the HIV-infected normal cell. Dr Batmanghelidj and his colleagues call the “infective viruses” fragments of genetic nuclei. By fragmentation, they mean the genetic code or the formula for maintaining the body has been broken into pieces and it is this piece that are mistaken for viruses. These HIV infected  cells are   said to reproduce their kind and not normal cells, thereby increasing the viral load. Meanwhile, there could be a disproportionate elevation of the viral load against the immune system army expected to fight the virus. The principal fighters in this army are the T-4 CELLS. The battle line  divisions are, thereby, not equally matched. Selenium changes this battle ground scenario, it is said,  by freezing the HIV cells so that they cannot reproduce. Meanwhile, Zinc encourages thymus gland  to enlarge to normal seize. In many adults, it is said to have shrunken to about one quarter of its normal size under zinc defficiency.Many persons rely on only food sources of zinc when increasing scenarios demand the consumption of alot more.Supplementation of zinc in the diet under HIV therapy causes the thymus gland to enlarge.It is inside this gland that T-4 immune cells are matured or graduate for deployment into battle. Therefore, the larger the thymus gland, the more the number of T-4 cells that should mature in it. When the therapy is running well,  and the HIV cells cannot reproduce, and more T-4 cells are being supplied, the  viral load freezes and the T-4 COUNT  increases. With the growing dimunition of the viral load,isn’t  the so-called HIV scourge conquerable?

    Dr. Roger Moore, who also featured in the aforestated icons of natural medicine, taught us about the new biologyof health.This is about acid and alkaline balances in the body. An  acidic internal hygiene or environment and  blood delimits the immune system and the organs, while  an alkaline system at about 7.34 on a one to 14 pH scale in which valued above seven are alkaline inhibits  microbial existence or growth and improves cellular health. In HIV therapy, therefore,acid-forming foods must be eliminated and alkaline- forming ones encouraged.Red meat, fried foods, poultry chicken and egg, bread(white or wheat) milk are acid forming. Alkaline foods include fruits and their peels, lightly cooked vegetables, fruit and vegetable juices e.t.c. A time table for different juice intake  may be drawn (see THE GERSON therapy on-line). For alkalising,  I like herbs such as Chlorella, Wheatgrass, Alfalfa, and Aloe Vera gel. Other herbs which fight viruses and alkalise the system include…Oregano, sage, fennel, basil, ginger, ginseng, tumeric, curcumin, Rosemary, dandelion e.t.c. Some of them may be eaten raw as salad with food. I eat orange peels and banana peels in my meal. They are more nutritious than their fruits.There are  more things to say about HIV conquering plant medicines than space will permit.Sufffice it to say that, in about 25 years,I have observed many challenged persons bounce back to life from the”death sentences” that their diagnoses once presented  to them. Their systems of opportunistic  diseases  disappeared on dietary coconut oil.They  express no skin rash or give-away cough and bear normal weight.They live normal lives.

    Jobelyn

    I write often about this Nigerian herb formula which gave the first hope, arguably, to HIV challenged persons, following a study of soldiers at the military  hospital in Ikoyi, Lagos. So  impressive were the findings that this hospital presented them  at a global military hospital conference in Bethesda, United States. Some Nigeria universities, too, have done HIV and other clinical trials with this product with exciting results.The University of Tunis, following up on Nigerian studies, reported some “cures”.

    The Cancer Cloud

    There has been so much talk about cancer at this time which makes it worthy again of attention on this page, but from a different light from previous commentaries. This time, there is a massive campaign that girls and women step forward for immunisation against HPV(Human Papillo Virus).The bottom line of the campaign  is that HPV, which may be picked up from conjugation with infected men, may cause cancer of the cervix.

    Cancer may be a difficult nut to crack, indeed. Neverthless, there have been cancer survivours who, transformed by nutrition and herbs from the scourge, have lived healthy lives. Bill Henderson reported many of such cases in his book Cancer Defected. From my experience, some cancer patients who resorted to nutrition and herbalism lived longer than their doctors thought they could. As I write, I remember a woman Aged 51 who suffered from oesophageal  cancer. Her weight collapsed to 38kg. Her abdomen and stomach were perforated for a feeding tube to be fitted in. Aloe lite was a regular feature in her liquefied meal. Her weight grew to 65kg in a few months. But she passed soon after under the ravanges of chemotherapy. A formal Special Assistant  to Governor Babatunde Fashola survived it to the amusement of Mrs Bukola Azeez, CEO of Budget travel. Too many factors that  space does not  permit mentioning here support natural  cancer therapy.One of them is occassional time spent in the HYPER BARIC OXYGEN  CHAMBER.  Cancer does  not  survive in oxygen environment.Infact, Dr.Mark Gerson believed the oxygenation was a cause of cancer.  In the extension of the knowledge of CREATION during THE COSMIC TURNING-POINT in the 1920s, mankind was afforded the opportunity to know that blood diseases would be a feature of the years ahead and that cancer could not develop in any part of the body if THE LIVER was optimally healthy.

    For this organ, this column  often suggests   CARQUEJA, MILKTHISTLE, DANDELION, JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE, CLUB MOSS, PAPAYA LEAVE, ALO VERA, NONI JUICE, MOI MOI LEAVE, GREEN TEA, CURCUMIN, TUMERIC, e.t.c.

    Girls and Women

    As I have already shown above, this part of the column is addressed exclusively to girls and women. They are the ones the international community and their country are asking to step forward for vaccination or immunisation against Human Papillo Virus (HPV) which he said to cause cancer of the cervix and, perhaps, other parts of their genitalia. They pick HPV from infected men during intercourse.Today’s woman is more sexually exposed to sex than were our mother and grandmother. Today’s man is like a butterfly which sucks nectar from any beautiful plant. Some men are so loose that they cannot hold themselves before anything in skirt. I will ever remember the lamentation of a woman that a man’s brain is now on the tip of his organ. In this scenario, every girl and woman, indeed,needs protection against HPV. In the next part of this, series, I will explain some natural forms of protection against HPV. However, this is not to encourage you to let yourself go tomorrow or on any other day, painting the town red. 

  • Group joins FG’s health workers’ retention, capacity-building drive

    Group joins FG’s health workers’ retention, capacity-building drive

    The Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP) has trained over 3,000 health workers in support of the federal government’s health sector revitalization efforts, it emerged on Wednesday.

    The initiative, whose goal was to hoi forces with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare workforce, also aims to build capacity and address the ongoing migration of critical health professionals from the country. 

    GHWP, led by Ducit Blue Solutions and supported by the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), is fostering a resilient healthcare workforce and promoting Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through strategic partnerships across Nigeria, according to Estelle Mbadiwe, the In-Country Coordinator said. 

    Speaking at the GHWP Sharing and Learning event in Abuja, Mbadiwe emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement in shaping national priorities for health workforce development.

    She highlighted the health partnership model, which has facilitated bilateral learning, allowing Nigeria to adopt global best practices while sharing its own experiences. 

    According to her, a key element of the initiative is the training-of-trainers model, ensuring that expertise is transferred across a broader network of professionals for long-term sustainability.

    “The programme has trained 2,577 healthcare workers, with 62% being female and 867 male. These workers have been equipped with skills in clinical care, gender equity, social inclusion, and leadership development.

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    “Post-training assessments show that 92% of the participants demonstrated improved knowledge and skills. 

    “Beyond training, the initiative has enhanced healthcare education through pre-training curricula focused on sexual and renal healthcare, expanded nursing training, and improved breast cancer care management through multidisciplinary team training.

    “Mentorship networks have also been established, such as the Early Childhood Development Program, which connects UK professionals with local healthcare workers at Dr. Miyamoto University Institute.

    “The Breast Cancer Care Program has trained professionals who now support a national network in cancer care. 

    “Over 1,000 healthcare workers have received specialist clinical training in areas such as emergency obstetric and rheumatology care.

    “The programme has also contributed to strengthening HIV data systems and optimizing health worker distribution strategies”.

    Noting that the GHWP is addressing the mass migration of health workers from Nigeria, she said, “One of Nigeria’s most pressing healthcare challenges is the migration of trained professionals, commonly referred to as the “Japa” syndrome.

    “That is why the programme acknowledged the issue. By working closely with regulatory bodies and the Ministry of Health, the initiative aims to create an enabling environment that enhances the well-being of medical professionals, ensuring that they remain in the country to deliver quality healthcare.

    “While the programme contributes to mitigating workforce shortages, it is not a standalone solution to the migration crisis but part of a broader strategy to improve healthcare retention. 

    “By focusing on training, knowledge-sharing, and professional development, the initiative is not only addressing immediate workforce gaps but also laying the foundation for a resilient and well-equipped healthcare system in Nigeria.”

    Toyin Saraki, Founder/President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa and former First Lady of Kwara State stressed the programme’s importance in collaboration bridging critical gaps in the healthcare sector.

    She said partnerships towards repositioning the nation’s health sector are crucial.

    According to her, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, a critical partner in the GHWP, in partnership with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, has established two national centres of excellence in Lagos and Abuja, focused on advanced obstetric and surgical training.

    The centres aim to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare workforce at a specialized level, complementing government efforts, she added. 

    “Given Nigeria’s vast population of over 220 million, all contributions toward healthcare capacity building are invaluable. 

    “The success of past training programmes, such as the emergency obstetric and newborn care training launched in 2015, underscores the potential of these interventions.

    “Previous initiatives in States like Kwara have demonstrated a tangible impact, reducing maternal and neonatal mortality while improving overall healthcare outcomes.

    “Concerns regarding healthcare worker retention remain a focal point of discussion.

    “That is the reason this programme emphasizes continuous professional development as a key factor in keeping trained professionals in Nigeria.

    “Encouragingly, none of the health workers trained under the Wellbeing Foundation Africa initiative have migrated, a testament to the program’s effectiveness in fostering career satisfaction and professional growth.

    “Also, the involvement of the Nigeria Liaison Group of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has facilitated valuable knowledge exchange, encouraging experts in the diaspora to contribute to Nigeria’s healthcare development”.

    In her remarks, Fatima Kyari, the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, (MDCN), commended the GWHP initiative for its focus on health workers’ capacity building and development.

    She emphasized the need to address the mass migration of health workers, highlighting key strategies to tackle the issue, saying, “Beyond addressing migration challenges, we must also harness our global networks, engaging Nigerian doctors and dentists abroad while supporting those who remain by enhancing their tools, research opportunities, and professional development.”

  • 160 healthcare providers receive training to improve youth-friendly services in Lagos

    160 healthcare providers receive training to improve youth-friendly services in Lagos

    No fewer than 160 healthcare service providers in Lagos have started training on how to offer better services to adolescents and young people.

    This initiative by the state aims to reduce stigma and improve access to healthcare in public hospitals.

    Organized by the Lagos State Ministry of Health in partnership with the Saving One Million Lives Programme for Results (SOMLPforR), the two-day training is designed to equip healthcare workers with the skills needed to provide inclusive and confidential care for young people.

    The training will help create a more supportive healthcare environment for adolescents, strengthen providers’ ability to handle and refer to youth-related health issues, and promote ethical standards by addressing stigma and discrimination.

    Participants, selected from secondary and tertiary health facilities across Lagos, are being trained in batches from February 11 to 20, 2025, to ensure widespread impact.

    At the event, the Program Manager of SOMLPforR, Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho, highlighted the importance of adolescent health, noting that young people make up more than 60% of the population.

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    She stressed that healthcare workers must be well-prepared to handle the unique challenges young people face during this crucial stage of life.

    “Adolescence is a delicate period that requires careful attention,” Dr. Erinosho said.

    “A teenage girl today will become a woman tomorrow, and a young boy will grow into a father. We cannot leave their care to just a few specialists—every healthcare provider must be ready to support them.”

    She encouraged participants to be open-minded and willing to learn, unlearn, and relearn best practices in adolescent healthcare.

    The training also focuses on key areas such as nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, and effective communication to help healthcare workers build trust with young patients.

    Director of Family Health and Nutrition at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Folasade Oludara explained that the training is designed to close knowledge gaps among young healthcare workers while also updating the skills of their more experienced colleagues.

    She noted that many young people avoid public hospitals because they fear being judged, stigmatized, or discriminated against by older healthcare providers.

    “Youths and adolescents should feel safe and welcomed when they visit a hospital,” Dr. Oludara said. “This training will help ensure that young people have a positive experience in our health facilities, encouraging them to take their health seriously and seek medical care without fear.”

    Participants described the training as insightful, saying it gave them a better understanding of adolescent health needs.

    A medical social welfare officer from General Hospital, Lagos, Okunmuyide Oluwakemi said the sessions helped her see the importance of social support in adolescent development.

    “This training has been an eye-opener. I plan to share what I’ve learned with my colleagues so we can work better with the medical team,” Oluwakemi said. “When doctors refer young patients to us, we will be able to provide complete care that addresses both their medical and social needs.”

    Director of Health Services at Lagos State University (LASU), Dr. Nasir Ariyibi praised the initiative, saying it would help improve healthcare services in higher institutions. “Most of our patients are young people aged 15 to 25 who need specialized care,” he said.

    “This training will help us create a more welcoming environment for them, ensuring they get the support they need during this important stage of life.”

    Lagos State is committed to providing a safe and inclusive healthcare system for young people, free from stigma and discrimination. With ongoing support from SOMLPforR, the government is focusing on training healthcare workers to better handle adolescent health challenges.

    By making healthcare services more youth-friendly, Lagos aims to improve access to essential medical care, encourage healthy habits, and ensure that young people receive the support they need as they grow into adulthood.

  • Reps task FG to provide solar power for teaching hospitals, Federal Medical Centres

    Reps task FG to provide solar power for teaching hospitals, Federal Medical Centres

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday asked the federal government, through the Federal Ministry of Health to provide solar power for all Federal Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres across the country to stall blackouts in the health facilities.

    The House also asked the government to declare a state of emergency in the health sector and specifically address the critical situation at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

    In a resolution following a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Afolabi Afuape (APC, Ogun), the House asked the Minister of Power to ensure immediate proactive steps are taken towards restoration of power to the University College Hospital to ensure its continuing functionality.

    The House also asked the Minister of Health and the Chief Medical Director of University College Hospital, Ibadan to appear before the House Committee on Health to account for the decadence in the hospital and provide a comprehensive plan to address the situation.

    Leading the debate on the motion, Afuape described the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan as the foremost, and of course, a critical healthcare institution, that provides essential medical services in Nigeria.

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    He said the institution had previously received medical tourists from abroad and had hitherto generated substantial revenue into the coffers of the nation.

    He expressed concern that this vital healthcare institution has been thrown into a persistent blackout that has lasted for almost three months by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, over a whooping electricity bill of Four Hundred and Ninety-Five Million Naira (N495,000,000.00k) slammed on the hospital;

    He said the precarious situation has severely impacted the institution’s ability to render adequate medical services to the people, resulting in avoidable loss of lives and livelihood, as well as emotional distress to Nigerians.

    He said the situation has become embarrassing to the extent that, relatives of patients now bring power generators and solar inverter appliances to the hospital. As well as a donor gifting a high power generating set to aid the hospital services;

    He also said that the situation has taken a toll on the psychological and emotional well-being of Nigerians, eroding trust in the government’s ability to provide basic services.

  • Expert seeks urgent action on nutrition, food safety education

    Expert seeks urgent action on nutrition, food safety education

    A Ross-Lynn Research Scholar and Consumer Scientist at Purdue University, Bukade Adesina has called for urgent action on nutrition and food safety education in Nigeria.

    He said Nigeria is at a crucial stage in its development, where food security, nutrition, and public health must be prioritized to unlock the nation’s full potential. 

    Speaking with journalists, Adesina lamented that despite having abundant agricultural resources, yet, malnutrition and food safety concerns remained pressing issues. 

    He warned that without immediate intervention, the nation could face severe health and economic consequences.

    According to him, Nigeria is dealing with a dual challenge, undernutrition among children and rising obesity rates in urban areas. 

    He cited the 2021 Global Nutrition Report, which highlighted that 35% of children under five suffer from stunted growth, while 19% are underweight.

    According to him: “Traditional, nutrient-rich diets are being replaced by processed foods and sugary drinks. This shift is contributing to an increase in non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension, putting further strain on Nigeria’s healthcare system. If unchecked, the trend could lead to rising healthcare costs and a lower quality of life for millions.

    “Food safety is another major challenge that requires urgent attention. Unsafe food handling, poor storage systems, and contamination from substances like aflatoxins remain widespread.

    “Foodborne illnesses kill about 200,000 Nigerians annually. Aflatoxin contamination in staple foods such as maize and groundnuts poses serious health risks, while inadequate regulation of food imports further worsens the situation.”

    Adesina stressed that these problems are not just about public health but also impact Nigeria’s food security and export potential. 

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    “To compete in the global market, we must ensure our food safety standards meet international regulations. Strengthening NAFDAC and other regulatory agencies is crucial to enforcing stricter food safety measures.

    “A major obstacle in tackling these issues is the lack of public awareness. Many Nigerians do not fully understand the nutritional value of foods, how to prepare them safely, or how to store them to prevent contamination. Without education, efforts to improve nutrition and food safety will be ineffective.”

    To address this, Adesina called for nutrition and food safety education to be integrated into school curricula, saying teaching children about balanced diets and safe food handling from an early age will create lifelong habits that improve health outcomes. 

    He also suggested community-based programmes to reach adults and marginalized groups, adding that oublic awareness campaigns, particularly through traditional and digital media, are also necessary. 

    “Messages must be culturally relevant and tailored to different communities. Community leaders, influencers, and celebrities can play a key role in spreading these messages effectively.

    “Investing in fortified foods and biofortified crops, such as orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, is another viable solution. We need to ensure that fortified foods are affordable and accessible, especially to vulnerable populations. Supporting smallholder farmers with training on safe agricultural practices and better storage technologies can also help improve food safety.

    Despite the challenges, Adesina remained optimistic, saying nutrition and food safety are investments in future of the nation’s. 

    He called for immediate action, saying the time to act is now, adding that “by addressing these challenges, we can create a healthier, more resilient Nigeria.”

  • Doctor pushes boundaries of preventive cardiology and maternal health

    Doctor pushes boundaries of preventive cardiology and maternal health

    A Nigerian physician-scientist and researcher, Dr. Toluwalase, has underscored the urgent need for a change in approach in cardiovascular disease and maternal health.

    According to him, cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death globally, yet early warning signs often go unnoticed, particularly in underrepresented populations where access to specialized healthcare is limited.

    He noted that in Africa, late diagnoses and gaps in preventive care contribute to high mortality rates, especially among women who have faced pregnancy-related complications like preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and diabetes.

    These issues, he said, are not merely short-term concerns; they signal a long-term risk for cardiovascular problems.

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    “Pregnancy is often the first stress test a woman experiences in life. If a woman develops high blood pressure during pregnancy, it’s not just a complication, it’s an indication that her cardiovascular system is at risk. However, in many instances, once the baby is born and the immediate issue is addressed, there is no follow-up to evaluate long-term heart health. This represents a significant gap in care that must be addressed,” he stated.

    His research in preventive cardiology and cardio-obstetrics aims to close this gap by identifying cardiovascular risk factors before they result in irreversible conditions.

    During his PhD at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, he identified new molecular biomarkers like COLXVIIA1 (a protein and its RNA), microRNA 9-5p, carried on extracellular vesicles (one of the body’s messaging system similar to Twitter) affect maternal and fetal cardiovascular health.

    His findings lay the groundwork for new screening tools that could identify heart disease long before symptoms appear. Now a resident physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and an incoming Cardiology fellow at Harvard/Mass General Hospital, Boston, he continues to investigate how cardiovascular diseases can be identified early with biomarkers and new imaging technologies to help predict heart disease early, particularly in women with a history of pregnancy-related complications.

    His work has important implications for Africa, where cardiovascular disease is frequently diagnosed too late and maternal health risks are not sufficiently connected to future heart conditions.

    “In many African countries, we lack widespread access to cardiologists, but we have robust maternal health systems,” Dr. Toluwalase pointed out. “By integrating cardiovascular risk screening into routine postnatal care, we could identify at-risk women early and implement interventions that could save lives.” He believes this approach could significantly alleviate the burden of heart disease on already strained healthcare systems, ensuring that more women receive the preventive care they require.

    Beyond his research and clinical practice, Toluwalase is also deeply dedicated to mentorship and education.

    With his foundation The Ganglion Initiative he has helped guide over 350 students into leading academic institutions locally and globally, understanding that sustainable change in healthcare necessitates a pipeline of well-trained medical professionals and researchers.

    His book, Letters to My Past Self, gathers reflections from Nigeria’s top graduates, providing guidance to young scholars as they navigate their academic paths. However, he emphasised that mentorship is about more than just individual success.

    “It’s about building a network of scholars and doctors who are dedicated to addressing real-world problems. For long-term progress, we need more African physicians, physician-scientists and researchers spearheading groundbreaking work in cardiology,” he said.

    As cardiovascular disease and maternal mortality rates continue to escalate worldwide, preventive cardiology and cardio-obstetrics is becoming an urgent public health priority.

    Toluwalase’s work is part of a larger initiative to shift the focus from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.

    “Heart disease doesn’t just appear suddenly in old age, it starts decades earlier. If we can identify these risks early, we have a genuine opportunity to prevent heart failure, strokes, and other complications before they even arise,” he explained.

    While there is still much to be done, his contributions to cardiovascular medicine are already shaping new conversations in public health and clinical practice.

    By pushing for earlier detection, advocating for an integrated approach to maternal and cardiovascular care, and training future leaders in medicine, Toluwalase is not only pioneering research but also ensuring that its benefits reach the people who need them the most. He attributes his inspiration to help address medical conditions from his father Dr Olatunbosun Awoyemi a well respected and acclaimed pulmonologist in Nigeria.

  • South-West MDCAN declares indefinite strike over unpaid CONMESS for clinical lecturers

    South-West MDCAN declares indefinite strike over unpaid CONMESS for clinical lecturers

    The South West zone of Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has declared indefinite withdrawal of services by clinical lecturers in universities across the region over non-payment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

    The association said the decision was reached following expiration of 21 days ultimatum on February 2.

    A statement by Southwest MDCAN Chairman, Dr. AbdulKareem Salawu and Secretary, Dr. Omotola Obajowolo, said the association agreed on the industrial action, having reviewed the expiration of an earlier ultimatum issued on January 13.

    According to the statement, the ultimatum had demanded payment of CONMESS to clinical lecturers in the region, warning that failure to comply would lead to industrial action.

    The association lamented that despite the ultimatum, no progress had been made, and the disparity in payment between clinical lecturers in the region remained unaddressed to what was obtainable in other geopolitical zones.

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    The association resolved to commence an indefinite withdrawal of services effective February 3, until the full implementation of the CONMESS salary structure for clinical lecturers in the region.

    The statement urged relevant authorities to called on the Vice-Chancellors of these Universities to urgently address the issue to prevent a prolonged disruption in medical education and healthcare delivery.

    It emphasised the need for fairness and equity in the remuneration of clinical lecturers nationwide.

  • Fidson appoints 3 new Directors

    Fidson appoints 3 new Directors

    In a move poised to enhance its governance and support continued growth, Fidson Healthcare Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading pharmaceutical companies, has appointed three new directors to its board. This decision, made during a Board meeting in December 2024, marks a significant step toward reinforcing the company’s dedication to innovation, healthcare improvement, and operational excellence. The new directors, Dr. Babatunde Kabir Ipaye, Mr. Philip Ikechi Ejiofor, and Mr. Oshoke Michael Ayebae, officially joined the board on January 1, 2025.

    Fidson’s commitment to expanding its leadership and fostering a deeper impact on healthcare is evident through these strategic appointments. The Board’s goal is to harness the experience and expertise of accomplished professionals to propel the company forward and drive long-term sustainability. Dr. Ipaye, who takes on the role of Independent Non-Executive Director, brings more than 20 years of experience in leadership, health policy development, and systems reform. His distinguished career includes significant contributions to public health programmes across malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19, both within Nigeria and internationally. Having served as the Commissioner for Health in Ogun State and as a Consultant Health Specialist with the World Bank, Ipaye’s expertise promises to enhance Fidson’s strategic focus and operational effectiveness. His leadership in healthcare delivery and policy will be invaluable in navigating the complex health landscape and aligning Fidson’s operations with global best practices.

    Mr. Ejiofor, another Independent Non-Executive Director, joins Fidson with an impressive 30-year career in senior management roles, including finance, logistics, supply chain, and IT. With experience working across multinational organisations in Nigeria and Rwanda, Ejiofor has developed deep knowledge in strategic financial planning, regulatory compliance, and organisational growth. His ability to drive operational efficiency and lead high-performing teams aligns with Fidson’s vision for a future marked by excellence and forward-thinking leadership.

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    The third appointee, Mr. Ayebae, has been with Fidson since 2011 and is now appointed Executive Director, Business Development and Marketing. His contributions to Fidson have been significant, including the establishment of the company’s herbal and nutraceutical division and leading business development since 2016. Under Ayebae’s leadership, Fidson has introduced over 40 successful new products in five years and rebranded over 80% of its product portfolio, enhancing both market presence and consumer acceptance. His deep understanding of market trends, coupled with his academic background in Marketing and Business Management, positions him well to drive Fidson’s continued growth and innovation.

    Commenting on the appointments, Fidson’s Chairman of the Board, Olusegun Adebanji, expressed his excitement about the addition of these seasoned professionals to the team. “We are pleased to welcome these accomplished individuals to the Fidson board. Their diverse expertise and strategic insights will greatly strengthen our leadership capacity, helping us achieve our mission of advancing healthcare in Africa,” he said. Adebanji reiterated Fidson’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery across the continent, emphasising that the company’s success depends not only on the expertise of its board but also on the dedication of its workforce.