Africa Health Report
The Federal Ministry of Health has issued an urgent alert regarding a newly detected XEC variant of COVID-19, urging immediate action to monitor its spread. The variant, initially identified in Australia, has already reached 29 countries globally, prompting concerns due to its potential to surpass other strains in transmissibility. In a letter dated December 5,…
A severe malnutrition crisis is gripping Nigeria’s Bauchi State, with a staggering 120% increase in cases compared to the previous year. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has warned that the situation could escalate into a catastrophic health emergency if immediate action is not taken. Between January and June 2023, MSF recorded over 23,000 cases of severe…
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has faced resistance from traders during a raid at Rumuokoro Market, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, aimed at enforcing the federal ban on alcoholic beverages below 200ml. According to a statement published on its official website on Saturday, hundreds of cartons of sachet and…
In the brightly lit corridors of Bwari General Hospital, a silent battle unfolds every day. Here, among the tired walls and neatly lined chairs, lives a young father whose hopes for medical relief have been crushed by the very system that was supposed to heal him. Adamu, a 32-year-old security guard and father of two,…
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….
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has firmly warned manufacturers, retailers, and distributors to stop the production and sale of these prohibited products right away. It highlighted the health risks, especially for children, and encouraged the public to avoid these drinks. Those who don’t comply will encounter strict penalties as…
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…
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…
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…
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…