Author: Helen Okechukwu

The Kenya government has underscored the central role of nutrition in achieving Vision 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union Agenda 2063, stressing that proper nutrition is essential for health, productivity and economic growth. This was disclosed via the Kenya Ministry of Health social media page on Friday. Speaking during a Media Roundtable Breakfast on Nutrition Advocacy in Nairobi, Veronica Kirogo, Head of the Division of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Ministry of Health, said that nutrition must be fully embedded in the country’s development plans. The meeting, organised in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved…

The Child Protection Network (CPN) has taken a major step toward safeguarding vulnerable children in Sokoto State with the inauguration of a technical working committee to drive the implementation of an alternative child care policy. State Coordinator of CPN, Mr. Usman Ahmad-Suka, said the initiative targets children in orphanages, shelters and other homes outside their immediate families, many of whom face neglect, poor feeding, inadequate schooling and lack of essential support. He explained that the committee would champion the policy already drafted by the organisation, which is awaiting the governor’s approval, and expressed confidence that it would improve the welfare…

The Rivers State Anti-Quackery Committee has intensified its clampdown on unlicensed medical operators, sealing no fewer than 72 health facilities and arresting 12 individuals since it commenced operations. Committee chairman and Director of Medical Services, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, told journalists in Port Harcourt recently that the arrests have led to ongoing investigations and, in some cases, prosecutions. According to him, quackery remains widespread despite repeated raids by the state government. “We have sealed about 72 hospitals and arrested 12 persons in connection with quackery. If you also recall there was a hospital that was sealed sometime ago in Oyigbo that…

Children in England will, for the first time, be offered a free vaccine against chickenpox from January 2026, in what ministers are calling a major step to strengthen childhood immunisation. The move means the varicella jab, currently available only privately at around £150, will be included in the NHS childhood vaccination programme and given as part of a new four-in-one injection protecting against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (MMRV). The combined shot will be administered at 12 and 18 months, replacing the existing MMR schedule. Health officials expect the rollout to cover about half a million children annually, sparing families…

A new global assessment by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has found that one in four people worldwide remain without access to safe drinking water, despite progress in recent years. This was contained in documents shared to press men on Tuesday while nothing that the report, Progress on Household Drinking Water and Sanitation 2000–2024: special focus on inequalities, was launched to coincide with World Water Week 2025. It highlights that 2.1 billion people continue to rely on unsafe sources, with 106 million drawing directly from rivers, lakes, and other untreated surface water. Sanitation…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alarm over the circulation of falsified batches of Postinor-2, a popular emergency contraceptive pill. In a public notice released on Friday, 22 August, the agency confirmed receiving a report from the Society for Family Health (SFH), the authorised marketing company, disowning the affected batches. According to NAFDAC, the counterfeit products were identified after a careful review of packaging details which revealed spelling errors and discrepancies in the verification stickers. While the original pack carries the correct spelling and a visibly larger font on its verification sticker,…

More than half a million people in England are now living with a confirmed dementia diagnosis, the highest number on record, as the NHS rolls out new home monitoring technology to help patients stay safe and supported. Figures released by NHS England show that 506,549 people are now living with a confirmed diagnosis, up from 490,163 recorded at the same point last year. Health leaders say the milestone reflects growing awareness, earlier detection, and more families seeking medical support. In response to the rising demand, NHS hospitals are increasingly turning to new technologies designed to help patients remain at home…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a criminal network at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, after uncovering how its members planted illicit substances on unsuspecting Nigerian pilgrims who later faced detention in Saudi Arabia. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, flanked by the Director of Assets and Financial Investigation, Dr Abdul Ibrahim, and the Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Theresa Asuquo, confirmed that six members of the syndicate, including its ringleader, 55-year-old Mohammed Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama, were in…

Tragedy struck in Borno State on Monday when a boat ferrying farmers across the River Kubo in Shani Local Government Area (LGA) capsized, claiming three lives. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the day, involved about 20 farmers who were heading to their farmlands with harvested yams. According to the North-East zonal office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), 17 passengers were rescued, while three bodies were retrieved from the water. The Chairman of Shani LGA, Abdu Labaki, NEMA disclosed that the mishap was caused by overloading. “Honourable Chairman of Shani LGA said the incident occurred…

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has highlighted the value of art in promoting recovery, mental wellbeing and public health, stressing that creative expression is increasingly being recognised as a catalyst for positive change in healthcare. In a document shared on Monday, it was noted that the health commissioner underscored this on Sunday during the  opening of the inaugural Lagos Arts and Health Festival, held at the Soto Art Gallery in Ikoyi. Read Also: Diri calls on politicians to improve Nigeria’s healthcare According to him, the state is taking a holistic approach to healthcare by weaving art into…