The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State Chapter, has strongly condemned the stigmatisation of a deaf and mute child by women, particularly mothers, at the Azikiwe Police Division in Port Harcourt, where the child was taken for safety. In a statement jointly signed by Chairperson Susan Serekara-Nwikhana and Secretary Precious Ahiakwo-Ovie, NAWOJ expressed deep disappointment over reports that some mothers at the station mocked the child and referred…

In a major step toward making healthcare more affordable, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has endorsed a new group purchasing scheme, Medipool. Medipool is aimed at reducing the cost of medicines and essential medical supplies across Nigeria. The announcement followed Monday’s FEC meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and chaired by President Bola Tinubu. READ ALSO: Cyber slavery on rise: FG issues fresh warning to Nigerians The Coordinating Minister…

To improve healthcare access and provide quality service delivery for citizens, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Health, Umma Kaltum-Ahmed, has charged newly elected members of the Expanded State Oversight Committee of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to partner and ensure funds are well managed. According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the newly elected members of the committee were inaugurated on Monday by Kaltum-Ahmed in Kaduna. Kaltum-Ahmed described…

The United Kingdom (UK) government has announced it will no longer allow care workers to be recruited from overseas, in a move aimed at reducing low-skilled migration. Care providers have warned that the decision could worsen the country’s social care crisis. Recent figures show a sharp drop in the number of overseas care workers, from 143,900 in 2023 to just 26,100 this year, following earlier visa restrictions that banned workers…

A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that the global nursing workforce has grown to 29.8 million in 2023, up from 27.9 million in 2018. However, the report shared on Monday warns that serious gaps remain between countries and regions, putting global health goals at risk. While the global shortage of nurses has reduced from 6.2 million in 2020 to 5.8 million in 2023, most nurses (78%)…

The Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has called on Nigerian universities and pharmaceutical companies to work together to create new medicines and vaccines. Speaking at the 38th Prof. Victor Olufemi Marquis Memorial Lecture at Obafemi Awolowo University, she said President Bola Tinubu’s ban on importing easily available products would help grow local drug production. Adeyeye stressed that strong ties…

 What does it take to live to 117? For Maria Branyas Morera, the answer may lie in a diet rich in yogurt, daily walks, and an intentional life free of alcohol, cigarettes—and toxic people. Until her peaceful passing in August 2024, Morera held the title of the world’s oldest living person. Born in San Francisco in 1907 to Catalan parents and a resident of Spain since childhood, her remarkable longevity…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a woman, Ihensekhien Miracle Obehi, at the Port Harcourt International Airport of Rivers State while trying to smuggle 2.5kg of cocaine to Iran. She was caught on Sunday, 3 May, disguised in a hijab to avoid detection. According to NDLEA release on Sunday, Obehi had concealed three wraps of cocaine in her private part, two large parcels in her handbag, and…

The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs La (LASODA) has partnered with the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Agency (LASPPPA) to promote inclusivity of People Living with Disability (PWDs) in infrastructure development across the state. This collaborative discussion was held at the LASPPPA headquarters located in Ikeja during an official visit led by the General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, recently. The aim of the visit was to discuss…

The United Nations World Food Programme (UN-WFP) has issued a stark warning that over 52 million people across West and Central Africa are at risk of acute hunger between June and August, marking one of the most severe food crises in the region’s recent history. In its latest regional assessment, WFP reports that 36 million people are already struggling to meet basic food needs. The crisis is being driven by…

Nigeria has restated its commitment to improving healthcare across West Africa during the 26th Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Health Ministers’ Meeting in Praia, Cape Verde. Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziak Salako, praised Cape Verde’s hospitality and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) for its efforts in health security and regional coordination. Dr. Salako emphasized…

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has criticized the National Universities Commission (NUC) over its recent decision to upgrade Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, and Optometry from bachelor’s degrees to doctor’s status. In a press release shared on their X page recently, NARD explained that the decision to change the degree status across Nigerian universities may have unintended consequences, despite seeking improved welfare and a stronger health system. NARD, through the executive…