The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 98 fatalities from Lassa fever disease since the beginning of 2025. The NCDC epidemiological report for week nine (February 24–March 2, 2025) revealed that the country has recorded 2,728 suspected cases, out of which 535 have been confirmed with 98 deaths across 14 States. The case fatality rate stands at 18.3 per cent, with five States; Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi accounting for...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the employment of 774 National Health Fellows, a pivotal initiative led by the Federal Ministry of Health to foster sustained improvements within Nigeria’s healthcare system. The President announced the fellows ‘ employment on Thursday during the programme’s launch at the State House in Abuja. Nigeria’s development partners, senior government officials, and traditional leaders, including the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III attended the ceremony. According to reports, the employment...

Jigawa State has made significant strides in child health, reducing the Under-5 mortality rate from 213 to 161 per 1,000 live births between 2018 and 2023, UNICEF said. The United Nations Children Emergency Fund, Nigeria’s Chief of Health, Dr. Shyam Sharan Pathak, disclosed this at the closeout ceremony of the Jigawa State Government/Gavi PHC-MoU at the Government House, Dutse. UNICEF Nigeria’s Chief of Health, who represented the UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Cristian Munduate, said the...

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, has applauded President Bola Tinubu for approving an increment in the retirement age for medical consultants from 65 to 70 years and other core skilled/clinical healthcare workers. Prof. Mohammad Aminu, MDCAN President made the position of the Association while speaking with journalists in Jos, the Plateau State capital. According to him, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, who played the critical...

…Launches $1bn HOPE Programme for Healthcare Reform The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved ₦4.5 billion for the purchase of HIV treatment packs to support Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS. This approval comes after the United States government granted an emergency humanitarian waiver, reversing an earlier decision to pause funding for HIV treatment in developing countries, including Nigeria. The funding freeze had been introduced under US President Donald Trump as part of a broader review of...

Following confirmation of an Ebola outbreak in Uganda, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention NCDC has intensified surveillance at Nigeria’s entry points, including airports. The agency has also advised Nigerians to avoid non-essential travel to affected countries. Dr. Jide Idris, NCDC Director-General in a public health advisory confirmed that there are no reported cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria. The agency, according to him, has updated its emergency contingency plan, strengthened...

Clinical staff at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, OAUTHC, in Ile-Ife, Osun State has threatened to commence industrial action on February 3, 2025 over unpaid salaries. The strike is expected to impact medical services at OAUTHC, potentially disrupting healthcare delivery in the region. In a statement jointly signed by its chairman, Dr Olufemi Ogundipe, and the general secretary, Dr Tajudin Adetunji, MDCAN, said the decision follows a directive from the southwest zone of...