History, as Nigerian Researcher Breaks Record in US Patent for Modified Cassava Starch

Korede Abdullah in Lagos A Nigerian researcher based in the United States, Patrick Chukwuemeka Okoye, PhD, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first person to receive a US patent for Modified Cassava Starch for Pharmaceutical Use in medicines. The patent, numbered 12,133,918 B2, is titled “Partially Pre-gelatinized Cassava Starch as Pharmaceutical Excipient”. Dr….

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100,000 Malnourished Katsina Children Treated in 9 Months – Doctors Without Borders

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has revealed a severe malnutrition crisis in Katsina State, Northern Nigeria, where over 100,000 malnourished children have received treatment between January and September 2024. In a report released Friday, MSF disclosed that admissions to its therapeutic treatment centres in Katsina have surged by 20% compared…

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Universal Health Coverage: Lagos Records Increase in Ilera Eko Enrolees, as Govt Renews Compulsory Health Insurance Drive

Korede Abdullah in Lagos The Lagos State Government has announced a significant milestone in its efforts to provide universal health coverage to its residents. As of Thursday, 5th of November, 1.3 million residents have enrolled on Ilera-Eko health insurance scheme, representing a 229,455 increase from the 923,000 enrolees recorded in December 2023. The Permanent Secretary…

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NEMA Unveils Nigerian Hazard Risk Analysis 2024

The National Emergency Management (NEMA) has unveiled a Nigerian hazard risk analysis to enhance disaster preparedness and response across the country. Speaking at the event on Wednesday, the Director-General of NEMA, Hajia Zubaida Umar, emphasized the importance of the document, which was developed in collaboration with UNICEF. She expressed gratitude to all contributors, highlighting the…

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WHO Grants Prequalification to Tuberculosis Test, Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has granted prequalification to Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra, a pioneering molecular diagnostic test for tuberculosis (TB). This makes it the first TB diagnostic tool to meet WHO’s rigorous standards for quality, safety, and performance. Tuberculosis remains a major global health threat, claiming over a million lives annually, with drug-resistant strains posing…

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Conjunctivitis, ‘Apollo’ Threat to Public Health, Human Capital Development

  Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an eye condition that causes inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, clear tissue that covers the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelid. In recent weeks, health authorities and concerned citizens across Northern Nigeria have been grappling with a growing health scare: the resurgence…

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Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir Injections Show 96% Effectiveness in HIV Prevention – Study

A study has revealed that twice-yearly injections of lenacapavir, an antiretroviral drug, could reduce the risk of HIV infection by 96%. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the research shows that this injection regimen outperforms the daily oral PrEP option, Truvada, in preventing HIV among at-risk individuals. The Phase 3 trial involved 3,265…

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Lagos Govt Seals Supermarket for Selling Expired Products

Korede Abdullah in Lagos The Lagos State Government has sealed Blessed Happy Homes Superstore in FESTAC Town for selling expired Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) products and violating health and safety regulations. The action was carried out by the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) as part of the government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring consumer safety…

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