Author: Helen Okechukwu

For the first time in over three years, global health agencies have restarted preventive cholera vaccination campaigns, after a significant boost in vaccine supply. The World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, announced the move on Wednesday through a shared document, signalling a major step in the fight against the deadly waterborne disease. Mozambique is leading the comeback, launching the first preventive campaign since 2022, when global shortages forced authorities to halt vaccinations. The country’s efforts come amid ongoing cholera outbreaks and the aftermath of floods that affected more than 700,000 people, damaging…

The Bayelsa State Government has taken a major step towards improving safety and emergency healthcare delivery on its waterways with the deployment of newly acquired water ambulances by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. The Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. (Mrs.) Faith Zibs-Godwin, made this known while addressing journalists in Yenagoa, shortly after the arrival of the specialised marine vessels. She explained that the introduction of water ambulances is aimed at strengthening rapid medical response across riverine and coastal communities where access to health facilities is often limited by difficult terrain. The initiative according to commissioner reflects…

The Rivers State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing fight against kidnapping and violent crime with the arrest of two suspected members of a kidnap syndicate operating within the state, leading to the recovery of N2.38 million believed to be part of ransom proceeds. The arrest followed credible intelligence received by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annex, who intercepted the suspects along the Ozuzu/Apara Link Road in Etche Local Government Area (LGA) on 22 January, 2026, at about 8:49pm. The suspects, identified as Abdullahi Ibrahim, 23, from Avara LGA of Nasarawa State, and Mohammed…

The Bayelsa State Police Command has intensified its investigation into the death of Patrick Peresoudei by interrogating four personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and declaring a manhunt for the prime suspect, Bodmas Kemepadei, who is currently at large. The move follows growing public concern over the circumstances surrounding Peresoudei’s death on January 30, which his family and human rights advocates have linked to alleged torture during detention. Peresoudei, identified as a traditional worshipper, was reportedly involved in a social media dispute with Kemepadei, during which he allegedly made comments interpreted by authorities as a threat…

The Rivers State Government has reiterated its resolve to drastically reduce maternal and newborn deaths, declaring full commitment to the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Initiative (MAMII) as a strategic pathway to safer childbirth and healthier beginnings for babies. This assurance was given during the MAMII engagement in Bonny, where government officials, traditional institutions, health professionals and community representatives converged to strengthen collaboration around maternal and child health. The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, said the initiative reflects the state’s determination to place women and children at the centre of healthcare planning. According to her, pregnancy and…

Tobacco use and cancer-causing infections remain the biggest drivers of preventable cancer worldwide, according to a new global report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) ahead of World Cancer Day on 4 February. The analysis estimates that 37% of all new cancer cases are recorded in 2022, about 7.1 million cases, were linked to preventable risk factors, with smoking alone accounting for 15% and infections for 10% of the global cancer burden. Alcohol consumption was identified as the third leading preventable cause, responsible for 3% of new cases. Drawing on…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that 4.6 billion people worldwide still do not have access to essential health services, underscoring major gaps in global progress towards universal health coverage. The revelation is contained in the latest Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Global Monitoring Report, highlighted by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus during his opening remarks at the 158th session of the WHO Executive Board in Geneva on Monday. According to the report, nearly two-thirds of the global population are unable to access basic health care services such as maternal care, immunisation, treatment for infectious diseases and noncommunicable conditions. In…

With notable cases of mental health crisis, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that people living with neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) suffers deeply from mental health crisis. While raising the alarm, the health organisation warned that more than one billion individuals worldwide endure depression, anxiety and social exclusion alongside their physical illness. Marking World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day 2026, WHO said stigma, discrimination and limited access to mental health services continue to compound the suffering of people affected by NTDs, particularly those that cause visible disfigurement or long-term disability. These include leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, cutaneous leishmaniasis, mycetoma and noma.…

The Rivers State Police Command has warned members of the public that no police officer has the legal authority to search personal devices such as mobile phones or laptops on the road or at checkpoints. This was made known following the Command moves to curb a rising trend of extortion by impostors posing as security operatives. In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed that the Command’s attention had been drawn to the activities of individuals wearing black attire and falsely presenting themselves as police officers to harass and extort unsuspecting citizens across the…

In the bold step to reduce the increasing rate of neonatal and maternal death in the state, the Rivers State Government has vowed to upscale its services to zero reoccurrence. Out of 172 Local Government Areas (LGAs) nationwide, over six LGAs were said to have witnessed the cases of increments, says the publication shared on Tuesday. The affected LGAs include Etche, Akuku-Toru, Andoni, Ahoada West, Bonny, and Emohua. The Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, made this disclosure during a 5-day maternal and neonatal mortality reduction workshop scheduled from 26 to 30 January, conducted in Port Harcourt, the state capital.…