Author: Helen Okechukwu

Resident doctors at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Yaba have vowed to begin a one-week warning strike starting Monday, July 7, citing non-payment of salaries and persistent neglect of their welfare by hospital management. In a communiqué released on Friday, the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the hospital expressed deep dissatisfaction with the continued delay in salaries for newly employed medical staff. According to the statement signed by ARD President Dr Babarinsa O. A. and Secretary Dr Disu K. B., many of the affected doctors have been working for five to six months without pay. Read Also: Senior Gaza cardiologist…

To better understand the health implications resulting from exposure to oil pollution in Ogoniland, Rivers State, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), in collaboration with the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the World Health Organisation (IARC-WHO), has embarked on a health study. The health study, a Human Biomonitoring (HBM) project to be conducted in the affected area, was recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report. HBM is a scientific technique that helps to ascertain the levels of chemical components located in the human body. The procedure provides advanced information regarding the health risks associated with chemical…

In a move to prevent 50 million premature deaths over the next five decades, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is urging countries to increase one-off health taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks by 50%, targeting 2035. While unveiling the global campaign, WHO stated that the initiative, “3 by 35,” aims to curb chronic and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which currently account for over 75% of global deaths, while also boosting public revenues. The initiative also targets the generation of $1 trillion in revenue within 10 years, to be reinvested into healthcare, education, and social protection. “Health taxes are one of…

A group of researchers has urged the public to reconsider following anti-inflammatory food trends aimed at slowing down the ageing process. Anti-inflammatory foods are specific diets believed to reduce inflammation in the body, promote good health, and help prevent chronic diseases. “Inflammaging” refers to a chronic, low-grade form of inflammation commonly associated with ageing, while inflammation itself is the body’s natural response to infection and injury. Some researchers believe that chronic inflammation accelerates ageing and contributes to health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, cancer, and heart disease, noting that many older individuals are prone to inflammation. However, a new…

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…

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…