Author: Helen Okechukwu

In a major feat aimed at improving lives and checking medical tourism, the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) in Zaria will begin kidney transplants in 2025. The hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Ahmed Umdagas, disclosed this development yesterday in an interview with NAN He attributed the delay in the operations of the Urology Centre of Excellence where kidney transplants will be carried out ,to lack of equipment.However, he announced that the centre would begin high-quality operations in the first quarter of 2025. He added that with trained personnel and most of the necessary equipment now available, the centre…

In a major clamp down,, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raided a warehouse in Lagos and seized fake products valued at N3.8 billion. Following a tip off about the fake food products, a team from NAFDAC’s Investigation & Enforcement Directorate raided the storehouse located at Apongbon Oke Arin Market and recovered various food items. This raid and seizure was disclosed today, on NAFDAC”s social media page ,which stated that the warehouse was sealed pending further investigation. Also, the agency revealed that the management of the sealed warehouse have been summoned. It added that…

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has set up a Special Task Force (STF) to control noise pollution which poses health and environmental risk to citizens. The setting up of task force aims to curb excessive noise and safeguard public health, especially during and after the yuletide season. The State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab disclosed during a press conference. Wahab who spoke in the presence of LASEPA’sGeneral Manager, Dr Babatunde Ajayi, said that the state government was committed to a zero-tolerance policy on noise pollution.Wahab further urged the public to prioritise the health…

No fewer than 3,441 Nigerians who recently participated at the NNPC Foundation Cancer Awareness programme,were screened at no cost over the deadly disease . The health initiatives titled “Cancer Awareness and ZSX Screening”, focussed on combating late-stage cancer diagnoses resulting from cultural barriers, poor access to healthcare, and others. The campaign cut across six geo-political zones, with respective centres at Kaduna, Rivers, Ondo, Benue, Imo, and Gombe States. During the campaign, participants underwent breast, cervical, and prostate cancer screenings, including some health teachings, among others. Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation , explained that “early detection significantly…

A call has been made by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) to Nigerians to always be conscious of their Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) status. The NACA made the appeal in a statement signed by its the Director General,Dr. Temitope Ilori.According to agency’s Head of Public Relations and Protocol, Toyin Aderibigbe,Ilori advised citizens to visit the nearest health facility located in their communities ,adding that the festive seasons were the right period to take such action. Ilori also charged members of the public to prioritise their health and protect others via safe sex…

To reduce maternal and infant mortality, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and a health organisation, DKT International, have donated family planning kits to the Rivers State Ministry of Health The State Ministry of Health disclosed yesterday through the X Page, and noted that the handover of kits took place yesterday. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, said this initiative aligns with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s vision and commitment to delivering a quality healthcare system that ensures equity, resilience, and accessibility for all. Oreh commended the health bodies for their efforts in sustaining and reproductive health, She further noted, “It underscores…

The Katsina State First Lady, Zulaihat Radda, has revealed that cultural norms and lack of support pose barriers to low state immunisation. Mrs. Radda made this disclosure at the health exercise initiated by her in collaboration with UNICEF to ensure immunisation coverage in the state. UNICEF revealed their expected target for immunisation of children in the state should exceed above 45 per cent coverage in 2024, acknowledging the aid of Majalisan Rigakafi men groups. The UNICEF’s Kano Field Office Chief, Mr. Rahama Farah, noted this on Wednesday at the programme launch, titled “Male Involvement in Polio and Routine Immunisation,’ at…

As the battle to check drug trafficking continues, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested four suspects for cultivatingg an Indian hemp farm in Alaka village, Ogun State. A six-hectare hemp farm was destroyed as NDLEA operatives stormed the farm.According to NDLEA State Command, investigations are ongoing over the clampdown The agency’s state commandant, Tijani Rabe yesterday disclosed this to journalists at a press conference in Abeokuta. Based on their performance this year, Rabe further disclosed that about 675 drug offenders were apprehended in 2024. Moreover, he added that 9.7 tonnes of solid drugs and 537.81 litres of…

In a major crackdown, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down 150 shops and destroyed fake and expired products worth N5 billion at Eziukwu Market, Aba, Abia State. The agency disclosed this via its social media page yesterday, stating that the operation was carried out from December 16 to 17,2024. According to the anti-drug agency, its team discovered large-scale production and distribution of fake and expired goods, terming the market as a hub for counterfeit and substandard products. The uncovered items are beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, vegetable oils, and revalidated food items…

A Nigerian virologist and Chairman of the Expert Review Committee on COVID-19, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, has alerted that out of the 100 laboratories set up in Nigeria during the COVID 19 scourge ,that over 60 of them are presently non functionalHe, therefore ,doubted Nigeria’ s preparedness to tackle the disease despite the newly detected XEC COVID-19 variant in some other countries.the country.Tomori disclosed this at the 10th Annual International Bioethics Forum held recently at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research in Yaba, Lagos State. “…They have a page where they list over 60 laboratories that are not functioning anymore. So,…