AHR | 15–21 September 2025
📝 Editor’s Note
This week’s health landscape across Nigeria paints a stark picture of both persistent challenges and emerging threats. From the silent but deadly rise of hypertension and air pollution, to promising advances like AI-powered tuberculosis screening and Lagos’ vaccination and sickle cell initiatives, the nation continues to wrestle with balancing prevention, innovation, and response.
Yet, outbreaks remain a pressing danger: fake malaria drugs in circulation, a cholera surge in Bauchi, and the growing toll of Lassa fever underline the fragility of Nigeria’s health systems. The most alarming development came at the weekend with news of a suspected flesh-eating Buruli ulcer outbreak in Adamawa State, a stark reminder of how quickly neglected diseases can spiral.
Together, these stories highlight the urgent need for stronger health governance, community resilience, and sustained investment to safeguard lives.
🔟 Top 10 Health Stories This Week
10. Hypertension Crisis: Four in Ten Nigerian Adults Affected
Medical experts warn that hypertension has reached alarming levels in Nigeria, with four in ten adults now living with the condition.
The warning comes as the Nigerian Cardiac Society opens its 54th annual general meeting in Abuja in partnership with the Pan-African ….
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9. Air Pollution Deadlier than Malaria and HIV – Minister
Nigeria’s Environment Minister, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has warned that air pollution now poses a greater global health threat than malaria and HIV/AIDS combined, describing it as a “silent killer” that claims over seven million lives every year.
Lawal issued the warning on Monday in Abuja during the ….
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8. AI X-Rays Boost Nigeria’s Tuberculosis Fight – US CDC
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is backing Nigeria with AI-powered X-ray machines to boost tuberculosis (TB) detection in HIV patients.
Announcing the initiative on Monday, the CDC said portable digital X-rays with artificial intelligence will “bridge diagnostic gaps” in underserved communities….
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7. Nigeria Launches National Cancer Prevention and Research Strategy
Nigeria is shifting towards a prevention-first approach in cancer care, with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW) announcing a new partnership with the Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium (CaPTC).
The talks, held in Abuja on Tuesday and led by CaPTC Founder Professor….
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6. New Sickle Cell Daycare Centres Open Across Lagos Councils
The Lagos State government has announced plans to establish haematology daycare centres in every local government, ensuring sickle cell patients access timely, specialised care during crises.
Health Commissioner, Akin Abayomi disclosed this on Thursday during a harmonisation meeting with NGOs working in the sickle cell sector….
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5. Lagos Kicks Off Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign
The wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has launched the Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign, urging parents and guardians to immunise all eligible children.
The campaign was flagged off on Thursday after an awareness walk from Alausa Secretariat to Allen Roundabout……
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4. Fake Malaria, Antibiotic Drugs Flood Nigerian Market – NAFDAC
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised alarm over the circulation of falsified malaria and antibiotic medicines in Nigeria, warning that the products pose a “grave threat” to public health….
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3. Cholera Kills 58, Infects 250 in Bauchi State Outbreak
A cholera outbreak has killed 58 people and infected more than 250 others across Bauchi State, officials confirmed on Friday.
Deputy Governor, Auwal Mohammed Jatau, while inaugurating emergency response and prevention committees…
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2. Lassa Fever Kills 162 Nigerians in 2025, Fatality Soars – NCDC
Lassa fever has killed 162 Nigerians in 2025, with the fatality rate soaring to 18.6%, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The agency’s latest situation reports for week 35 released Tuesday shows a grim contrast: while confirmed cases dropped to 871 this year….
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1. Nigeria Investigates Deadly Flesh-Eating Outbreak Suspected as Buruli Ulcer
Federal authorities have begun investigations into a deadly flesh-eating outbreak in Malabu, Adamawa State, which has killed seven people and infected dozens.
Acting National Coordinator of the National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme, Dr Adesigbin Olufemi, confirmed on Sunday that 67 cases had been identified……
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