The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have agreed to deepen their cooperation in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking. This was the key highlight of a meeting held on 23 May, at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja between NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), and the new US DEA Country Attaché to Nigeria, Ms. Daphne Morrison. Femi Babafemi,…

In Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, a silent war is being waged—not just against cancer, but also against the soaring costs and systemic challenges that threaten the lives of those battling the disease. In 2020, Nigeria recorded 124,815 new cancer cases, with 51,398 in males and 73,417 in females. By 2022, the country recorded an average of 127,000 new cases and 79,000 cancer-related deaths. Breast cancer represents 27% of all…

Over 10,000 residents of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area (LGA) have been educated on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) following the awareness campaign conducted by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) and the Ford Foundation. Both partners conducted this engagement through a door-to-door sensitization campaign to aid in halting the high rate of domestic and gender violence recorded, urging residents to report promptly. The campaign exercise cut across…

There is a strong link between the common herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, study shared. The research suggests that antiviral medication might slightly reduce the chances of developing the condition in those infected. Scientists from Gilead Sciences and the University of Washington in Seattle analysed health records of nearly 690,000 people aged over 50, comparing those with and without Alzheimer’s between 2006…

World Health Organisation (WHO) Member States have approved a 20 per cent increase in assessed contributions and endorsed the organisation’s 4.2 billion dollar budget for 2026 to 2027. In a statement, the WHO said that the 20 per cent increase comes as governments face financial constraints and economic headwinds and demonstrates Member States’ fundamental support for global health solidarity and the WHO’s critical role. WHO Director-General,  Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, and…

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has included five new hospitals in Lagos State in preparation for the full rollout of its Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care (CEmOC) programme. This development was made known through their X page on Tuesday. This move follows a service level agreement signed between NHIA Director General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, and the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Akin Abayomi, to ensure smooth implementation of the…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised four countries – Austria, Norway, Oman, and Singapore – for successfully removing industrially produced trans fats from their food supplies. These countries were awarded validation certificates for their strong policies, effective monitoring, and enforcement systems during the 78th World Health Assembly. WHO made this announcement on 19 May. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus said that removing trans fats is one of the cheapest…

To ensure access to quality Primary Healthcare (PHC) systems, the Sokoto State Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) and supported by the Society for Family Health (SFH), has joined forces to prioritise healthcare services within the state. At a meeting led by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, a State Steering Committee for Community Pharmacists (CPs) and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs)…

Nurses and midwives in Lagos State have received new professional kits, including scrubs and Crocs, under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) led by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. The kits were officially presented on Monday by the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Claudiana Sanwo-Olu, during a ceremony at the Banquet Hall of the Office of the First Lady in Alausa, Ikeja. The event was also attended by the…

Mauritania has achieved a major public health victory with the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced. The certificate of validation was presented during the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly in Geneva to Health Minister Abdallahi Sidi Mohamed Wedih and Ambassador Aïcha Vall Vergès. Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, praised the country’s milestone, calling it a sign of hope for other nations still battling…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has explained its standpoint on the nationwide ban on sachet alcohol. Mr. Kenneth Azikiwe, Director of the FCT Directorate of the agency, while addressing the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday stated that the temporary lifting of the ban is only valid until December 31, 2025. He shared that the contemporary ministerial lifting of the sachet alcohol ban…

The Kano State Government, in partnership with the GAMMUN Centre for Care and Development, has reaffirmed its commitment to preventing and managing hypertension through public awareness and advocacy.