Author: Helen Okechukwu

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued sweeping new guidelines for the clinical management and infection prevention of mpox, as the virus, formerly known as monkeypox, continues to evolve and cross international borders. Mpox is an infectious disease that can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain and low energy. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick. It is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). The revised recommendations come in response to mounting global cases and the resurgence of new virus clades beyond Africa, prompting the WHO to declare a second public…

To prevent cholera and other waterborne disease outbreaks in flood-devastated areas of Borno State, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commissioned six solar-powered boreholes to restore access to clean water for nearly 12,000 people. The intervention, handed over on Thursday in Maiduguri, comes in response to the 2024 floods that submerged about 70 per cent of the city and surrounding areas, severely disrupting water and sanitation infrastructure. UNICEF Deputy Representative, Dr. Rownak Khan, said the agency prioritized water supply in its emergency response, as families forced into overcrowded shelters were left vulnerable to disease due to a lack of…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning about the collapse of Gaza’s already crippled healthcare system, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire as the territory’s major medical facility, Nasser Medical Complex, teeters on the brink of shutdown. Nasser Medical Complex and Al-Amal Hospital — the last two operational public hospitals in Khan Younis — are now at serious risk of becoming non-functional. This comes as Israeli authorities have informed Gaza’s Ministry of Health that access roads to both facilities will be obstructed, severely hampering the movement of patients, staff, and aid. No formal evacuation orders have…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed four rice milling facilities in Nasarawa State over concerns of food safety violations and deceptive packaging practices. The enforcement operation targeted local milling hubs located in Autabalefi, Masaka Main Market, and the Masaka Motor Park. According to NAFDAC X page on Thursday, the affected facilities were involved in the repackaging of substandard or unregistered rice into empty branded bags of popular products such as Royal Stallion, Tomato, Big Bull, and BUA Rice. “It was observed that beverages were stored outside the building and exposed to direct sunlight,…

Health officials are urging United Kingdom (UK) families to ensure they’re fully vaccinated against measles ahead of summer travel, as outbreaks intensify across Europe. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says over 127,000 measles cases were recorded in Europe last year — the highest in nearly 30 years — with recent spikes in countries like France, Spain, Italy, and Germany, says Independent report. There are fears that returning travellers may reintroduce the virus to the UK. Declining MMR vaccination rates in England have left many children at risk. The UKHSA recommends that everyone, especially those travelling abroad, check that they’ve…

SiWith high rate of children mortality faced in Nigeria, where report evidence that one in ten children dies before age five, a new initiative is showing potential to turn the tide on this long-standing public health crisis. The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has launched SARMAAN — Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin in Nigeria — to combat infant mortality using azithromycin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic. In SARMAAN’s first phase, over four million infants aged one to 11 months received the drug in six high-risk states: Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Abia, and Akwa Ibom. According to Prof.…

The United Nations (UN) and leading aid organizations have renewed urgent calls for the immediate and unconditional release of humanitarian workers detained by Houthi authorities in northern Yemen. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), this week marks one year since dozens of staff from the UN, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society, and diplomatic missions were arbitrarily arrested — with some held since as far back as 2021. Currently, 23 UN and five NGO personnel remain in detention. Tragically, two humanitarian workers — one from the UN and another from Save the Children — have died while in custody. Others have…

Bowel cancer, also called colorectal or colon cancer which usually start from the large intestine called the colon. It is the second deadliest cancer worldwide. Although the causes of bowel cancer is yet-to-be-identified, but reports evidence that lifestyle, diet, health conditions and family history could be the leading cause of bowel cancer. While it mostly affects older adults, cases are rising among younger people, particularly among people under 40. Early detection saves lives—but symptoms are often subtle or mistaken for minor issues. Here are five warning signs you shouldn’t ignore: Changes in bowel habits Persistent diarrhea, constipation, or feeling like…

The Federal Government (FG) has commenced the long-awaited payment of N44,000 minimum wage arrears to former members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), fulfilling an earlier promise made during the upward review of corps members’ allowances. The payment is directed at corps members who completed their service before the new monthly allowance of N77,000 took effect earlier this year. Prior to the adjustment, corps members were receiving N33,000 monthly. The arrears serve as a retroactive compensation aligning with the newly approved minimum wage policy. Several former corps members took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to confirm receipt…

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday honoured Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates with the national award of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR). The recognition, presented in Lagos, celebrates Gates’ contributions to global health, innovation, and development, especially in Africa. Gates met with Tinubu and other leaders to support reforms in the primary healthcare system. He will also attend the “Goalkeepers Nigeria” event focused on Africa’s innovation future and meet with scientists shaping Nigeria’s AI and health strategies. According to the Gates Foundation, its offices in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Senegal aim to strengthen local partnerships.…