Author: Helen Okechukwu

Concerning the rise in cancer cases, the Rivers State chapter of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) has called for collective approaches to tackle the leading cause of death globally. Marking the 2025 World Cancer Day, themed “United by Unique,” the state APHPN Chairman, Dr. Aloni Alali, through a statement signed by the Assistant Secretary, Dr. Siene Orogun, highlighted the need to provide essential healthcare services to cancer patients as the fight continues. In a call for partnership among healthcare providers, researchers, policymakers, and communities, he noted that cancer, being a complex disease, can be tackled when…

Following the confirmation of an Ebola outbreak in Uganda, the nation has begun its first-ever vaccine trial after one person died and 40 contacts were placed under surveillance. It was reported by New Daily Prime that a 34-year-old nurse died from the Sudan species of the virus last week. The virus was detected on January 30. The vaccine, donated by the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), a global non-profit organization, was administered to isolated individuals on Monday. Working tirelessly for four-day, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, principal investigators from Makerere University and the Uganda…

A non-profit organisation, Health Emergency Initiative (HEI), in partnership with the United States (U.S.) Diplomatic Mission, has commenced the first phase of training secondary school teachers across various school districts. The training, which commenced on Monday at the America Corners, Ikeja, Lagos State, has a five-year approval from the state Ministry of Education to integrate emergency response skills into the secondary school curriculum. Targeting over 1,000 teachers within 90 days, the organisation seeks to train 50 teachers across six education districts, respectively, with the basic skills on emergency response skills under the Train-the-Trainer (TOT) model to ensure community and student…

Marking World Cancer Day 2025 today and the loss of three albinos a few days ago, the Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN) has urged the Federal Government (FG) to include free skin cancer treatment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to prevent a high mortality rate. Appealing to the FG, the President of AAN, Dr. Bisi Bamishe, explained the impact of this crisis on the community of persons with albinism and called for adequate access to medical attention and preventive measures, including the incorporation of dermatological check-ups into the health insurance scheme. The call to action aligns with the…

The planned strike that was scheduled to take place on 4 February has been suspended after the leadership of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and joint agency-based unions reached an agreement. The unions comprise the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), and Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE). The union representatives made this announcement during a media briefing in Abuja on Monday following an agreement reached between national and branch officers of the unions and…

Effort to traffic arms and initiate some new members into a cult group known as Aye Confraternity, the security operative in the Anambra State Police Command has apprehended three suspected gang members. At around 8 pm, the police operative attached to Anaku Divisional Headquarters during a stop-and-search operation along Anaku/Omor Junction on Sunday intercepted eight suspects riding on motorcycles. As the search continued, they all took to their heels. Immediately, the police swung into action and went after eight of them. After a long chase, out of the eight suspects, three were apprehended. The three male suspects are Okafor Chibike,…

The Nigerian Government has taken proactive measures and increased surveillance to prevent the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country following the confirmation of the virus outbreak in Uganda. Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Abuja, disclosed that the airport and other entry points are under surveillance. Idris revealed that there is no case recorded in the country, urging citizens to restrict inessential travels to the affected regions as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). While…

Francis Van-Lare, the father of Suzzette Chibuogu, whose ex-husband, Ikenna Erinne, a United States (US)-based Nigerian doctor allegedly committed suicide, has debunked the claim surrounding his death. Erinne, a 36-year-old cardiologist doctor from Anambra State, was said to have shot himself to death on 26 January, 2025. Meanwhile, multiple claims have been unveiled on the circumstances that led to the death of the 36-year-old cardiologist. Van-Lare, a popular businessman, shared on his Facebook page on Sunday that on that day of the tragic incident, late Dr. Erinne had gone to his daughter’s house and held her and her children hostage…

Eunice Edonkumoh, the Chief Matron of Kpakiama Primary Healthcare Centre, Delta State, has urged citizens to take proactive measures to prevent the outbreak of cholera in the state. She made this call on Friday during the distribution of free drugs to all the primary health centres across the Bomadi Local Government Area, courtesy of the council boss, Rawlings Andaye. Expressing gratitude to the LG chairman, she explained the importance of preventive measures. “Cholera is a communicable disease mostly caused by contaminated water and food, and there are some recorded cases in various communities such as Esanma, Ogriagbene, Akugbene, Kpakiama and…

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on child trafficking, warning that the buying and selling of children will not be condoned under any circumstances. In a post shared on the government Facebook page today, it acknowledged that at a press briefing on Friday, Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, praised the Nigeria Police Force for successfully rescuing five children from a notorious trafficking syndicate. The operation, led by CSP Ngozi Braide, was based on intelligence received on January 8, 2025. The rescued children—Marvelous Obi aged 1, Promise Ifekwuna aged 3, Somtochukwu Onyemaechi…