A newly emerging Covid variant, NB.1.8.1—commonly referred to as the Nimbus strain—is rapidly gaining ground in the United Kingdom (UK), sparking concern among health experts due to a particularly painful symptom. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reports a near 10% surge in Covid-related hospital admissions, with 947 patients hospitalised in the week ending 31 May. Confirmed cases have also increased by 6.9%, reaching 1,211 infections in the week to 4 June. What sets the Nimbus variant apart is a striking symptom described by doctors as a “razor blade sensation” in the throat. Read Also: Rishi Sunak urges nationwide prostate cancer…
Author: Helen Okechukwu
The management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Medical Centre has praised Attack Against Asthma, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for donating 79 inhalers to their health facility. According to the founder of the NGO, Temitope Omosebi, the initiative aims to improve asthma care, promote asthma awareness, and reduce asthma-related mortality in Nigeria. In a document shared recently with New Daily Prime, it was noted that the donation would be used responsibly for eligible students. “Your generosity is deeply appreciated and reflects a commendable commitment to the well-being of young people in our academic community. “We are truly grateful for your…
The Jigawa State Government has begun enrolling 400 political appointees into its health insurance scheme to strengthen healthcare delivery and promote universal health coverage. This was announced by Ismail Ibrahim, spokesperson to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), in a statement on Friday. SSG Bala Ibrahim-Mamsa launched the exercise in his office, Dutse, stating it follows the State Executive Council’s approval and a recent amendment to the law establishing the Jigawa State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (JICHMA). Read Also: Lagos advances EMR rollout in primary healthcare centres The SSG and Chief of Staff to Governor Umar Namadi, Mujitaba Muhammad, were…
A new blood test may soon allow people with coeliac disease to get a diagnosis without eating gluten – a major breakthrough for sufferers of the condition. Researchers from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) in Australia have developed a test that can detect coeliac disease using a simple blood sample, even if the person is on a strict gluten-free diet. Their findings were published in the journal Gastroenterology. At present, individuals with suspected coeliac disease must undergo a gluten challenge – eating foods containing gluten for several weeks – before testing can confirm the diagnosis. This often leads…
The President of the Read and Earn Federation for United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO REF), Abdulsalami Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, has urged President chilBola Tinubu to step up efforts to eliminate child labour in Nigeria, calling it a pressing moral and national responsibility. In a statement issued to mark both the International Day Against Child Labour and Nigeria’s Democracy Day, Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan emphasised that the protection of children must be central to the President’s Renewed Hope vision, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDG)—particularly Goal 8.7, which calls for the global abolition of child labour. He stressed that child…
In a continued effort to strengthen public safety and curb criminal activities in Delta State, the state’s Police Command has apprehended a 40-year-old man and his wife (name withheld) in connection with alleged cultism and armed robbery in the state capital, Asaba. This announcement was made available on Wednesday via the Delta police command spokesperson, Bright Edafe. The arrest, which took place on 9 June, followed a strategic intelligence-led operation conducted by officers of the Command’s DOPS Buffalo Team, under the leadership of Deputy Superintendent (DSP) Charles Evboifo. Acting on credible information, the team stormed a local food canteen known…
Health experts in the United Kingdom (UK) are urging cancer patients and their families to undergo genetic testing following a new study that highlights serious gaps in the detection of Lynch syndrome, a rare inherited condition linked to several types of cancer. The research, carried out by the University of Edinburgh, shows that although most womb cancer patients had their tumours tested for Lynch syndrome markers, many were not referred for further genetic testing. This means that patients who could be at risk of developing more cancers, as well as their family members, may be left unaware of the condition.…
Scotland researchers have made a major breakthrough in the fight against bowel cancer, especially in young people. A new study has found that bowel cancer cells can “shapeshift” into skin or muscle cells, helping them spread more easily around the body. The study, led by experts from the University of Edinburgh and the Cancer Research United Kingdom (UK) Scotland Centre, found that bowel cancer cells can change their form. These cells can start acting like skin or muscle cells, which helps them survive and move to other parts of the body. This change in cell type is known as cellular…
Nipah virus vaccine developed by researchers at the University of Oxford has received a major boost with the backing of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) under its PRIME scheme
The Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency (PS-DMCMA) has established a Drug Information Centre (DIC) to monitor adverse drug reactions reported by hospitals and individuals. PS-DMCMA is a Nigerian government agency responsible for managing and distributing essential drugs and medical supplies across the state’s public health facilities. Executive Secretary of the agency, Mr Kim Bot, made this known during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Jos. Mr Bot, a pharmacist, said the centre was part of efforts to improve healthcare outcomes and ensure the safe use of medicines across the state. He…
