Author: Helen Okechukwu

A dramatic rise in bedbug populations over the centuries can be traced back to a pivotal shift in human behaviour, leaving caves to build cities, new scientific research said. Published in the journal Biology Letters, the study reveals that bedbugs have been parasitising humans for more than 50,000 years, but it wasn’t until the rise of early urban settlements around 12,000 years ago that their numbers began to soar. The Independent report noted that researchers found that bedbugs split into two distinct genetic lineages thousands of years ago: one that remained on bats and another that adapted to human hosts.…

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish eight advanced medical simulation centres across Nigeria to improve medical training and healthcare delivery. Speaking in Abuja during the inauguration of a 19-member Implementation and Monitoring Committee, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the centres would address the lack of simulation facilities in medical institutions. The committee is tasked with finalizing the project proposal, ensuring compliance with objectives, developing quality assurance measures, and working with selected institutions on implementation. Alausa said the initiative supports our vision to make Nigeria a hub of medical excellence. He also emphasized financial sustainability through inclusive…

In a major breakthrough, police operatives from the Rumuji Division of the Rivers State Police Command have neutralized a notorious kidnapper and murderer, David Kamalu, popularly known as M-Kaze. The police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko in a document shared on Thursday said the operation took place in the early hours of 25 May, at a suspected criminal hideout in Rumuodogu 1 Community, Emohua Local Government Area (LGA). The operation, which began at about 1:00 am, followed days of intelligence gathering. It was part of ongoing efforts by the police to dismantle criminal gangs in the state. According to police reports, officers…

Global COVID-19 activity is on the rise once more, reaching levels not seen since July 2024, according to recent data from sentinel surveillance sites. This was contained in the World Health Organisation (WHO) situational report shared to journalists on Thursday. The WHO reports that since mid-February 2025, the SARS-CoV-2 test positivity rate has climbed to 11 per cent, underscoring the need for continued vigilance. The increase in cases is being primarily observed in countries across the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific regions. This trend coincides with a shift in global variant patterns. While the prevalence of the LP.8.1…

20 million Nigerians, representing 20 per cent of the country’s population, live with mental health conditions. A report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicates. According to the WHO, mental health problem is a disorder characterised by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behaviour.  It is usually associated with distress or impairment in important areas of functioning. There are many different types of mental disorders.  It may also be referred to as mental health conditions. The Secretary, Board of Trustees of the Nigeria-American Institute for Mental Health, Dr Azubike Aliche, said this at a mental health…

A fast-spreading cholera outbreak in Sudan has left at least 172 people dead and over 2,500 infected within just one week, according to the country’s health authorities. The epicentre of the outbreak is Khartoum and its twin city, Omdurman, although infections have been reported in several provinces nationwide. The spike in cases, which began in mid-May, is overwhelming a healthcare system already stretched thin by ongoing conflict and severe resource shortages. International medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has reported treating nearly 2,000 suspected cases in the past week alone. Joyce Bakker, Sudan coordinator for MSF, said the situation in…

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Fagbemi, SAN, and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Chairman, Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), have expressed confidence that the amended NDLEA Act will boost Nigeria’s fight against drug abuse and trafficking once signed by President Bola Tinubu. Speaking at the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Drug Control meeting in Abuja, Fagbemi, represented by the Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, said the amendment will enhance NDLEA’s legal and operational powers. He praised NDLEA’s achievements in arrests, convictions, and public awareness through its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign. “The…

Doctors in England are demanding a 29% pay increase to restore real-terms earnings to 2008 levels, warning that failure to act now would deepen NHS challenges and worsen staff retention.  The British Medical Association (BMA), which represents resident doctors (formerly junior doctors), began balloting its members this week for potential industrial action. The move follows widespread criticism of the government’s latest pay offer—a 4% increase plus a £750 one-off payment for resident doctors. The BMA insists this falls far short of reversing years of pay erosion, claiming doctors have lost 23% of their earnings in real terms since 2008. If…

About 20 newly built and upgraded Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) of Level Two have been commissioned across 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Niger State. For quality and easy access to health facilities in the state, Governor Umaru Bago, at the commissioning ceremony held in Minna, Niger State, vowed to construct an additional 40 health facilities in the coming months. Describing the project as a significant milestone initiated by his administration, Governor Bago said this initiative aims to transform the health sector and ensure rural areas, along with underserved communities, have access to quality healthcare. According to the governor, the…

NACA has urged healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to work closely together to eliminate pediatric HIV and ensure an HIV-free generation for Nigerian children as the world marks Children’s Day