AHR’s Top 10 Health & Development News for the Week, December 1– 7th December 2025
Mirian Gom 
EDITOR’S NOTE
This week’s top health and development stories paint a stark picture of contrasts across Nigeria’s health landscape — where policy ambition and scientific progress sit alongside preventable deaths, unaffordable care, and deepening humanitarian crises.
From the rollout of new HIV prevention tools and vaccine research breakthroughs to warnings over soaring medicine prices, environmental poisoning, and maternal deaths, the week underscores how access, affordability, and system accountability remain decisive factors in who lives and who dies.
At the same time, longer-term investments in education, research, and global health security offer cautious optimism. This edition prioritises stories with the greatest public health impact, policy relevance, and implications for vulnerable populations, reflecting African Health Report’s commitment to evidence-based health and development journalism.
🔟 Top 10 Health & Development Stories This Week
🔟 UNDP, TETFund Partner to Transform Nigerian Universities into Innovation Hubs
The partnership between UNDP and TETFund aims to reposition Nigerian universities as centres of innovation, research and skills development. While the initiative could strengthen long-term health and technology outcomes, its impact will unfold gradually, placing it at the base of this week’s ranking…
9️⃣ WHO Launches Global Strategy to Prevent Future Coronavirus Threats
The World Health Organisation has unveiled a new strategy to strengthen preparedness against future coronavirus outbreaks. The plan reflects lessons from COVID-19 and promotes global cooperation, though its effectiveness will depend on how quickly countries translate the framework into action…
8️⃣ FG Expands Immunisation, Moves to Revitalise 8,000 Primary Health Centres
The federal government’s plan to revitalise thousands of primary health centres and expand immunisation coverage could significantly reduce preventable deaths. Success will hinge on financing, workforce availability and sustained monitoring across states…
7️⃣ Nigeria to Roll Out Affordable Twice-Yearly HIV Prevention Injection
Nigeria’s planned rollout of a long-acting HIV prevention injection could transform HIV control by improving adherence and reducing stigma. Access, cost and equitable distribution will be critical in determining its national impact…
6️⃣ Oxford Begins First Human Trial of Lassa Fever Vaccine
Oxford University’s launch of the first human trial of a Lassa fever vaccine marks a breakthrough for a disease that disproportionately affects West Africa. While the development is scientifically significant, widespread benefits remain dependent on trial outcomes and future deployment…
5️⃣ Soaring Medicine Costs Threaten Universal Health Coverage – Global Report
A new global report warns that rising medicine prices are undermining universal health coverage worldwide. The findings highlight widening inequities and mounting pressure on governments to reform drug pricing and procurement systems…
4️⃣ Senate Declares Emergency Over Lead Poisoning in Lagos–Ogun Border Communities
Nigeria’s Senate has declared an emergency over lead poisoning affecting border communities in Lagos and Ogun states. The crisis exposes serious regulatory failures and long-term risks to children’s neurological development…
3️⃣ Pregnant Woman Dies After Hospital Rejects Transfer Payment
The death of a pregnant woman following a hospital’s refusal to accept transfer payment lays bare the consequences of weak emergency funding systems and unethical healthcare practices, reinforcing concerns over Nigeria’s high maternal mortality rate…
2️⃣ Nigeria’s Cholesterol Crisis: Young Lives Lost Before Warning Signs Appear
An in-depth investigation reveals how undetected high cholesterol is contributing to rising deaths among young Nigerians. The story highlights gaps in screening, public awareness and non-communicable disease prevention strategies…
1️⃣ Inside the Fight to Save Northern Children from a Deepening Malnutrition Crisis
Topping this week’s ranking is a powerful investigation into the worsening child malnutrition crisis in northern Nigeria. Driven by conflict, diversion of aid and weak systems, the crisis threatens millions of children and represents one of the country’s most urgent public health emergencies…
About the Author
Otamere Gladness 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Oluwatobi Adu