Africa Health Report: Top 10 Health Stories of the Week, 29 September – 5 October 2025

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Nigeria and Africa’s defining health and development stories for the week of December 8–14, 2025.

📝 Editor’s Note

From global health innovation to grassroots mobilisation, this week’s stories reveal how African nations are tackling old and emerging public health threats with renewed urgency.

Across Nigeria and beyond, the fight against malaria, Lassa fever, and fake pharmaceuticals remains fierce. The Africa CDC’s malaria warning underscores how fragile recent gains are, while NAFDAC’s crackdown on counterfeit drugs shows a system fighting to protect citizens despite mounting challenges.

There’s also a reason for optimism: Ghana’s nationwide HPV vaccination drive, AI breakthroughs in epilepsy detection, and Gavi’s vaccines saving 1.7 million lives globally showcase how science and strategy are aligning to improve outcomes.

This week’s top 10 reflect the balance between innovation, vigilance, and accountability that defines Africa’s health progress. As the continent faces rising noncommunicable diseases, environmental hazards, and persistent epidemics, one message echoes loudly — health security is everyone’s business.

🔟 Top 10 Health Stories This Week

Kano State expands hypertension treatment services across 208 PHC facilities

10.  Kano Expands Hypertension Care to 208 Health Centres

 In a push to tackle rising non-communicable diseases, Kano State has extended hypertension diagnosis and treatment services to 208 primary health centres…

🔗 Read the full story

9. FG Launches Cancer Awareness Fiesta, Screens 1,000 Civil Servants Free

The Federal Government marked Breast Cancer Awareness Month by screening over 1,000 civil servants in Abuja, promoting early detection and prevention….

🔗 Read the full story

Health officials launch measles-rubella vaccination campaign in Nasarawa State Nigeria

8.  Nasarawa to Vaccinate 1.3m Children Against Measles, Rubella

Nasarawa State has announced plans to vaccinate 1.3 million children against measles and rubella as part of a national campaign to curb preventable diseases….

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Gombe education officials announce ban on customised notebooks in schools

7. Gombe Governor Uncovers 440 Ghost Health Workers, Saves Billions

A major payroll audit in Gombe State has revealed 440 ghost workers in the health sector, saving the government billions and paving the way for reform…

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Ghana health officials and community leaders at HPV vaccination campaign launch
6. Ghana Engages Leaders to Champion Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive

Ghana’s Ministry of Health is mobilising community leaders to champion HPV vaccination across all regions to prevent cervical cancer in girls and women…

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Africa CDC Director-General warns about rising malaria crisis across Africa

5. Africa CDC Warns Malaria Threatens Continent’s Health Progress

The Africa CDC has raised alarm over surging malaria cases, warning that funding gaps and climate change could reverse years of public health progress…

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NAFDAC officials displaying banned pharmaceutical drugs at media briefing

4.  NAFDAC Destroys ₦15bn Worth of Fake, Expired Drugs in Ibadan

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit and expired drugs worth ₦15 billion to safeguard public health…

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Brain scan image showing AI-highlighted lesion in a child with epilepsy

3. AI Detects Tiny Brain Lesions in Children with Epilepsy

Scientists have developed artificial intelligence capable of detecting microscopic brain lesions in children with epilepsy, improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes….

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Health worker prepares protective gear during Lassa fever response in Nigeria
2.  Nigeria’s Lassa Fever Death Toll Hits 168 in 2025

Nigeria’s Lassa fever death toll has risen to 168 this year, with an 18.5% fatality rate—raising serious concerns about surveillance and response capacity.

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  1. Mpox, Cholera, Ebola Strain Africa Amid Worsening Health Crises

Multiple outbreaks—including Mpox, cholera, and Ebola—are straining health systems across Africa, exposing critical funding and emergency response gaps….

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