Author: Helen Okechukwu

In a major step toward ending the global threat of meningitis, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first-ever global guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of meningitis disease. According to WHO it aimed at improving early detection and boosting survival rates, the guidelines offer a comprehensive, evidence-based framework to reduce the devastating toll of meningitis—particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where the burden remains highest. Despite the existence of effective treatments and vaccines for some forms of meningitis, the disease continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year. Bacterial meningitis—the deadliest form—can kill within 24…

Former senator and health advocate, Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, has called for the urgent need for Nigeria to rely on local vaccine production, which will aid in quicker distribution, reduce costs, create jobs, and ensure availability. Oloriegbe made this call on Wednesday during a press conference in Abuja, stating that vaccine financing should be substantial enough to cover logistics, cold-chain maintenance, and last-mile delivery. “Vaccines don’t walk themselves to health centers,” he noted. “The cold chain is critical. Vaccines must be stored at sub-zero temperatures and transported securely through multiple levels, from national to state, local governments, and finally to healthcare…

The Federal Government (FG) has launched a nationwide programme to train 120 young researchers under the SINCCAR programme aimed at closing critical gaps in cancer research and advanced evidence-based solutions in Nigeria. The Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Cancer Research and Implementation (SINCCAR) project is designed to enhance the capacity of researchers and improve cancer outcomes through policy reforms, sustainable institutional resources, and collaborative networks. At the opening ceremony held in Abuja on Wednesday, Prof. Usman Aliyu, Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), emphasised that the project was focused on empowering the next generation of cancer…

With a 2.9% HIV prevalence rate recorded in Taraba State, the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, has called for collaborative efforts from stakeholders, health workers, the public, and the state government. Expressing concerns over the rate, Ilori, on Tuesday, while launching the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Paediatric HIV Acceleration Committee (PPAC), called for urgent action, targeting the 2030 deadline. “We must work together to reduce this prevalence rate to zero,” she said. “The fight against HIV requires consistent, collective action.” The director dispelled claims surrounding the shortage of…

Nigeria is recording a positive turn in its battle against Lassa Fever, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirming only 14 new cases and three deaths in the 13 epidemiological week of 2025. This marks a significant decline compared to previous weeks, where 41 infections were reported. The latest cases were reported from five states—Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Nasarawa. The affected individuals range in age from age 1 to 90, with the majority falling between age 21 and 30. Meanwhile, no new infections were reported among healthcare workers during the week. In 2025, a total…

The Nigerian award-winning artist David Adeleke, widely known as Davido, has revealed that he is the most bashed artist in Nigerian music history. Davido made this revelation during a recent interview at “The Breakfast Club” show, stating that the orientation known as “OT”, taught by his mother, changed his thinking ability to adapt to life challenges. Davido also disclosed how he had helped young artists in his label to manoeuvre online trolls, as he constantly tells them to stop reading their comment sessions to avoid negative thoughts. He said, “Even the new artist, I have a label, so I have…

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has enrolled 198,810 residents into its Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) in the past year, surpassing its annual target by over 100%. Among them, 10,065 vulnerable persons, including pregnant women, were registered at no cost. According to a statement by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, the free registration allows access to services under the Basic Minimum Package of Health Services (BMPHS) through Primary Health Care (PHC) centres across the six Area Councils. These services include preventive care, antenatal consultations, routine drugs, lab tests,…

To prevent the outbreak of anthrax in the state and ensure food security, the Oyo State Government has embarked on a free vaccination exercise for over 88,000 livestock animals within the state. This vaccination exercise aims to improve livestock productivity and protect animals from being infected. At the opening campaign exercise in Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub, the Chairman of the Steering Committee of Oyo L-PRES, Dr. Debo Akande, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Agency, Mr. Badmus Kolade, charged farmers to engage in the vaccination exercise. While declaring it “not just a formal exercise,” the Chairman of Oyo L-PRES,…

To better curb the increasing rate of prostate cancer among men, Wes Streeting, the UK Health Secretary, has shown his support for a national prostate cancer screening programme, acknowledging its importance. Describing his sympathetic stance towards the argument centred around men getting screened, he noted the urgent need to offer tests due to the risk to high-risk men. Those who have a history of prostate cancer, including Black men, will not be left out. The Health Secretary gave his support following a landmark poll which showed 94 per cent of GPs back the Mail’s campaign, with an initial target on…

A Channels Television (TV) reporter has accused the Rivers State Police Command of manhandling him during a protest in the state. The protest occurred on Monday in Port Harcourt, the state capital. Charles Opurum, the reporter who was allegedly brutalized, narrated his ordeal with the “overzealous” police officers during the “Take It Back” movement protest. As the protesters converged from Isaac Boro Park and arrived at the CFC flyover, the deployed police team interrupted the peaceful protesters who were advocating for the reinstatement of elected democratic government officers. “I was covering the takeitback protest here in Port Harcourt. While they…