The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a sharp rise in yellow fever cases in South America. According to the report from 29 December 2024 to 26 April 2025 (with Ecuador’s data updated to 2 May), 212 confirmed cases of yellow fever have been recorded in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Sadly, 85 people have died, giving a high fatality rate of 40%. This year’s number is three times higher than the 61 confirmed cases reported in 2024, raising serious concern among health officials. Yellow fever is a serious viral disease spread by mosquitoes. It can cause fever, chills, vomiting,…
Author: Helen Okechukwu
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two octogenarians—80-year-old Ayuba Ashiru and 82-year-old Uloma Uchechi Sunday—alongside her 32-year-old daughter, Chisom, in a nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking. Ayuba, a convicted ex-drug dealer, was arrested in Sabon Gari, Kaduna, with 2.3kg of skunk. He admitted to peddling drugs for 46 years. In Abia, NDLEA operatives raided Uloma’s home in Umuaguma Ntigha Uzor village, recovering methamphetamine, tramadol, skunk, and N130,600 cash. She confessed to running the trade with her daughter after her son’s death. Read also: NDLEA arrests woman concealing 2.5kg of cocaine in private parts, handbag At Port Harcourt Onne…
Nigeria Customs Service has hand over large consignment of smuggled and unregistered pharmaceutical products worth N24.6 million to the NAFDAC.
Health experts have called for urgent intervention from governments globally due to the growing number and implications of obesity, stating that 2 in 3 adults aged above 25 may become obese by 2030 if nothing is done. One of the researchers who compiled the World Heart Federation report, Mariachiara Di Cesare, a Professor of Population Studies and Global Health, emphasized the need for health systems to strengthen and provide affordable healthcare access for obesity and cardiovascular disease patients. However, the World Heart Report attributed green spaces, access to affordable food, a shift towards desk jobs, and longer working hours to…
Health officials in the United Kingdom (UK) have issued a warning to the public about unregulated nasal tanning sprays being sold online.
The Enugu State Government has announced plans to upgrade secondary healthcare facilities across all 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state. The goal is to reduce maternal and newborn deaths by strengthening emergency care services. This was made known by the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Emmanuel Obi, during a health meeting in Enugu on Friday. The meeting focused on the findings of a health facility assessment for Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC). Prof. Obi said the upgrades are part of efforts to build a healthcare system capable of handling emergencies during childbirth. Read Also: NGO calls for…
The Global Affairs Canada Initiative has committed 15 million Canadian dollars (equivalent to $10.7 million) to support three northern states—Kebbi, Kaduna, and Bauchi. The initiative aims to strengthen Gender-Responsive Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and Nutrition Services, with a strong emphasis on women, adolescents, and children. According to PUNCH Healthwise, UNICEF is providing technical assistance for the programme, while state governments will oversee its implementation through Primary Health Centres (PHCs). Speaking at a training workshop in Birnin Kebbi, UNICEF Chief Field Officer in Sokoto, Mr. Michael Juma, highlighted the goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage and ensuring that no child is…
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, has called for increased use of locally sourced materials in orthodontic care to reduce the high cost of treatment for patients. According to the post shared on Friday, the CMD appealed during a courtesy visit by members of the Child Dental Health Unit to the hospital’s top management committee. The visit was part of activities marking World Orthodontic Health Day, celebrated on 15 May, under the theme “Building Beautiful Smiles.” Prof. Fabamwo noted that nearly all orthodontic materials used in Nigeria are imported, which significantly…
An 11-month-old baby named Theo Taylor-Maloney drowned in a bath in Manchester after being left alone for 12 minutes. An investigation found that social services failed to respond to many warnings about neglect in the family. Theo died in October 2020, just two days before his first birthday. His parents, Jessica Taylor and Michael Maloney, were in another room using their phones while Theo was in the bath, says BBC report. Read Also: 9 MERS-Cov cases reported in Saudi Arabia, 2 dead Both parents were later convicted of neglect and given suspended prison sentences in July 2023. The family lived in…
In a historic move to combat Hepatitis C and other bloodborne diseases among People Who Inject Drugs (PWID), the Society for Family Health (SFH), in partnership with the Oyo State Ministry of Health, has created the first set of harm reduction Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials in the state. These new materials were developed under the HEPC3P project through a community-centered workshop that included public and private harm reduction partners, communication experts, and members of the PWID community. Together, they reviewed old materials, found messaging gaps, and created eleven new tools designed to educate and protect drug users. The…
