Author: Helen Okechukwu

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged African governments to step up efforts in tackling preventable blindness and visual impairment, warning that millions across the continent are living with avoidable sight loss due to poor access to basic eye care. World Sight Day, observed every second Thursday of October, seeks to draw global attention to the importance of vision health. But this year, WHO is raising concern that Africa is falling behind in addressing common eye problems such as cataracts and refractive errors, which remain the leading causes of blindness in the region. Read Also: Olusosun residents get free eye care…

The Chairman of the National Eye Health Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof Afekhide Omoti, has emphasised that prioritising vision care is crucial to improving public health and driving national development. Prof Omoti stated this during activities marking the 2025 World Sight Day, themed “Love Your Eyes,” “Love Your Eyes at Work,” “Love Your Eyes Kids,” and “Love Your Eyes – Protect the Future.” He revealed that about 80% of blindness cases in Nigeria are preventable or treatable, yet millions of citizens continue to suffer from various forms of visual impairment. Read Also: Olusosun residents get free eye care…

The Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF), Nigeria, has renewed calls for increased investment in adolescent girls’ health as part of efforts to address the rising rate of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young women across sub-Saharan Africa. The organisation raised the concern while commemorating the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, stressing that gender inequality, poor access to healthcare, and inadequate education continue to expose young girls—especially those aged 15 to 24—to HIV and other reproductive health challenges. In a statement issued to journalists, AHF revealed that an estimated 4,000 young women within that age bracket become infected…

India has reasserted its leadership in global vaccine supply following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) re-approval of Shanchol, the country’s only WHO-prequalified oral cholera vaccine. Originally developed by Hyderabad-based Shantha Biotechnics, Shanchol was designed as a cost-effective and accessible solution for nations struggling with recurring cholera outbreaks. With production now resumed under GCBC Vaccines Pvt. Ltd. (formerly Shantha Biotechnics), the vaccine has regained WHO prequalification, paving the way for its continued global distribution. The renewed certification enables international agencies such as UNICEF and Gavi to procure Shanchol for cholera prevention and outbreak response in vulnerable countries. Read Also: WHO: Hypertension, autism,…

A Nigerian scientist, Gideon Gyebi, has highlighted how the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning could accelerate the discovery of new antibiotics and help counter the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Gyebi, a researcher in computational and systems biology, shared insights from his recent study during a presentation in Abuja on Tuesday. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microbes like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites found in the body resist drugs designed to kill them. According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report, his work, titled “Computational profiling of terpenoids for putative dual-target leads against Staphylococcus aureus…

The Ondo State Government has reiterated its dedication to the health and welfare of residents through continuous medical support and access to affordable care. This assurance was given by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka during the supervision of the distribution of health relief funds to citizens with varying medical needs across the state. Addressing the beneficiaries, the Commissioner said the initiative reflects the government’s compassion and readiness to support citizens during difficult health situations. He urged recipients to use the financial assistance solely for their treatment and recovery, describing the gesture as an investment in their wellbeing. Read…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has unveiled a new national framework to strengthen emergency preparedness and response across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Speaking at the launch of the State Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Plan in Abuja on Monday, according to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, urged state governments to make strategic investments in health security, workforce retention, and climate-resilient systems to enhance readiness for disease outbreaks and other public health threats. Dr Idris described the EPR Plan, developed under the Federal Ministry of Health, as…

The Delta Central Diabetes Sensitization and Testing Outreach extended its free medical services to residents of Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, marking another step in Senator Ede Dafinone’s ongoing effort to curb diabetes and promote preventive healthcare across Delta Central. In a document shared to News Daily Prime on Monday, disclosed that the event was held on 4 October with the aim at delivering free testing, sensitization, and medical consultations across the eight LGAs of Delta Central. Meanwhile the outreach formed part of a larger health intervention series sponsored by Senator Dafinone in partnership with the National…

The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, has witnessed a surge in the number of kidney patients accessing dialysis services following the introduction of the Federal Government’s (FG) dialysis subsidy scheme. Hamamatu Haruna, manager of the hospital’s renal centre, disclosed on Monday that the facility had recorded 1,162 patients for dialysis between January and September 2025. She attributed the increase in patient turnout to the government’s intervention, which slashed the cost of each dialysis session from about N50,000 to N12,000. The subsidy scheme, implemented in 12 federal tertiary health institutions nationwide, is part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s…

The veterinary community in Abuja has been thrown into mourning following the death of Dr Ifeanyi Ogbu, a former chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Federal Capital Territory chapter, who was reportedly abducted along with his three children in Kubwa, Abuja. Confirmation of his death came from the Administrative Secretary of the NVMA FCT chapter, Mr Joshua Katkyes, who told Punch correspondent on Sunday that the association received the sad news on Saturday. “That is true (Ogbu death story). We received the information yesterday,” Katkyes said briefly. Although details surrounding the incident remain sketchy, reports suggest that Ogbu…