Health - NewsNow Nigeria

Edo State Government Reports 30% Malaria Prevalence

25Apr

By Linda IfeomaNo Comments

Health

Edo State Government Reports 30% Malaria Prevalence

According to a 2020 report, the Edo State Government has informed that the malaria prevalence rate in the state stands at 30 percent. Dr. Williams Iyekekpolor, the manager of the Edo Malaria Elimination Programme, revealed this information during a press briefing in Benin on the occasion of the 2024 World Malaria Day. He highlighted that the state is striving to reach the World Health Organization's target of zero malaria by 2030 and mentioned the progress made in reducing malaria rates from 50 percent to 30 percent within two years. "The global aim is to eliminate malaria by 2030, with Nigeria expected to achieve zero malaria by then. Despite Nigeria still representing 25 percent of malaria cases nationally, Edo's prevalence has been recorded at 30 percent as per the 2020 data,"...

Experts Warn of Impending Decrease in Life Expectancy in Nigeria Due to Soaring Drug Prices

23Apr

By Linda IfeomaNo Comments

Health

Experts Warn of Impending Decrease in Life Expectancy in Nigeria Due to Soaring Drug Prices

Nigerians are facing a looming threat to their health as the cost of essential pharmaceutical products, including malaria, antibiotics, anti-diabetes, and hypertension drugs, continues to rise. This worrying trend has raised concerns about a potential increase in mortality rates and a decrease in life expectancy. The escalation in drug prices has been unprecedented, with retail prices skyrocketing by as much as 300% on a daily basis. This surge in pharmaceutical inflation is exacerbating the existing challenges posed by food inflation, which spiked to 40.01% in March. Recent market surveys have revealed staggering price hikes in commonly used drugs across Nigeria. For instance, the prices of antibiotics and malaria medications like Tavernic have surged from N11,370 to N25,735 since Jan...

Oncologist, Prof. Okoye: Nigeria Requires 250 Radiotherapy Machines to Combat Cancer

22Apr

By Linda IfeomaNo Comments

Health

Oncologist, Prof. Okoye: Nigeria Requires 250 Radiotherapy Machines to Combat Cancer

Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, a respected oncologist and Director of Clinical Trials at the University of Nigeria, Nsuka, stated that Nigeria needs a total of 250 radiotherapy machines to effectively address the issue of cancer in the country. Addressing journalists in Abuja, she commended the Federal Government for establishing six cancer centers across the nation's six geo-political zones, viewing this initiative as a significant step towards eradicating cancer in Nigeria. She highlighted the government's efforts to expand the number of cancer centers, emphasizing that a commitment has been made to equip the six geo-political zones with cutting-edge cancer treatment facilities. Considering Nigeria's population of approximately 250 million, the recommendation stands at one radiotherapy machine...

Investigation Launched by NCDC after Mysterious Illness Outbreak in Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara

20Apr

By Linda IfeomaNo Comments

Health

Investigation Launched by NCDC after Mysterious Illness Outbreak in Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara

Concerns are mounting as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) is currently looking into a mysterious illness that has surfaced in Kaduna, Sokoto, and Zamfara states. An official update on the NCDC website reveals that samples from affected individuals are being analyzed to identify the root cause of this perplexing disease. As per the NCDC, there have been approximately 196 reported cases in Sokoto State, specifically in Isa, Sabon Birni, and Ilella local government areas, leading to the unfortunate demise of at least seven individuals. The NCDC mentioned that they have sent samples to other laboratories for further examination. In response to similar cases in Zamfara, a National Rapid Response Team (NRRT) has been dispatched to evaluate the situation and provi...

CS-SUNN Warns: Child Survival and Growth in Nigeria Under Threat Due to Malnutrition

18Apr

By Linda IfeomaNo Comments

Health

CS-SUNN Warns: Child Survival and Growth in Nigeria Under Threat Due to Malnutrition

In Bauchi State, the Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), comprising a coalition of non-profit NGOs, has raised alarm over the persistent risk malnutrition poses to child survival in Nigeria. During a media briefing in Bauchi, Secretary of CS-SUNN, Dabis Mwaike, highlighted the ongoing challenges stemming from malnutrition in the country. Reflecting on a decade of existence, CS-SUNN has been active in combating malnutrition through collaborative efforts with government bodies, development partners, the media, and local communities. Despite the collaborative initiatives, Mwaike emphasized that malnutrition continues to pose a significant public health concern, jeopardizing child well-being, growth, and overall development. Citing statistics from the 2018 National Dem...

Report Shows One Fatality and 15 New Lassa Fever Cases in a Week

13Apr

By Linda IfeomaNo Comments

Health

Report Shows One Fatality and 15 New Lassa Fever Cases in a Week

Within a span of one week, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, has confirmed one death and 15 new cases of Lassa fever nationwide. Published on Friday, the Week 13 situation report revealed this data. The number of confirmed cases dropped from 25 in Week 12 to 15 cases in the recent reporting period. From the first to the thirteenth week, the country documented 806 confirmed cases and 150 deaths, leading to a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.6%, which is higher than the CFR during the same period in 2023 (17.5%). According to the report, 25 states have reported at least one confirmed case in 125 local government areas in 2024. The report highlighted, “Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi accounted for 62% of all confirmed cases, with Ondo State representing 24%, Edo 22%, and B...

NCDC Investigates as Sokoto Records 164 Cases of Mysterious Illness

10Apr

By Linda IfeomaNo Comments

Health

NCDC Investigates as Sokoto Records 164 Cases of Mysterious Illness

In Sokoto State's Isa Local Government Area, a mysterious illness has sparked an investigation by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Director-General of NCDC, Jide Idris, revealed that the agency received reports of the strange illness on March 21, 2024. This illness, affecting mainly children aged four to 13 and some adults, is characterized by symptoms including abdominal distension, fever, vomiting, and weight loss. The NCDC has deployed a national rapid response team (NRRT) to work with the state Ministry of Health in addressing the situation. Currently, 164 suspected cases have been identified across six wards in Isa Local Government, resulting in four fatalities. Idris noted a similar incident in 2023 that lacked a definitive diagnosis, prompting ongoing investi...

9Apr

By Linda IfeomaNo Comments

Health

Warning from WHO: Hepatitis virus claims the lives of 3,500 individuals daily worldwide

Every day, approximately 3,500 individuals succumb to the hepatitis virus globally, with the World Health Organization (WHO) noting a continuous increase in the global death toll. Urgent action is being urged by WHO to combat this second-largest infectious killer on a daily basis. Data revealed from 187 countries has shown a rise in the number of deaths from viral hepatitis, reaching 1.3 million in 2022 compared to 1.1 million in 2019, as indicated in a WHO report unveiled during the World Hepatitis Summit held in Portugal this week. During a press conference, Meg Doherty, who heads the WHO’s global HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infection programs, expressed deep concern about the alarming situation. The report highlights that globally there are 3,500 daily deaths from hepati...

The Federal Government Establishes Committee to Supervise the Health and Well-being of Civil Servants

5Apr

By Linda IfeomaNo Comments

Health

The Federal Government Establishes Committee to Supervise the Health and Well-being of Civil Servants

A 12-member committee has been set up by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, OHCSF, to enhance the health and overall well-being of its workforce. During the inauguration, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, represented by Dr. Comfort Adeosun, Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, SWO, in the OHCSF, conducted the ceremony. This initiative aligns with pillar 6 of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025, FCSSIP-25, aimed at enhancing the value proposition of staff by continually improving the work environment, well-being, and basic support services for Civil Servants through various initiatives. The Committee's establishment signifies a significant st...

The first patient who received a pig kidney transplant has been released from the hospital

4Apr

By Linda IfeomaNo Comments

Health

The first patient who received a pig kidney transplant has been released from the hospital

After undergoing a genetically modified pig kidney transplant, Rick Slayman, the first person in the world to receive such a transplant while alive, has been discharged from the medical facility. According to a report by CNN, Slayman left the hospital on Wednesday, exactly two weeks post his surgery, as confirmed by Massachusetts General Hospital in a formal statement. In a message issued by the hospital, it was stated, "He is making a good recovery and will be continuing his recuperation in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family." Expressing his emotions, Slayman shared, "Leaving the hospital today with one of the best health reports I’ve received in a long time is a moment I have hoped for, for so many years. Now, it is a reality and one of the happiest instances in my lif...