Patient care at 13 government hospitals across the region is sharply declining as private outsourcing firms managing them have not received payments since July due to ongoing technical upgrades at the accountant general’s office. According to a report by Dawn, the health department released PKR 413 million intended for these entities under public-private partnership agreements, yet the funds remain stuck and have not been transferred, leaving hospitals struggling to operate. Such facilities were earlier outsourced by the government through the Health Foundation (HF), keeping in view the need to improve services. However, the financial bottleneck is negatively affecting the operations.…
Author: Newsdesk
Former French Culture Minister Jack Lang has stepped down from his role leading a prominent Paris cultural centre following allegations of past financial ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which have triggered a tax investigation. At 86, Lang is the most high-profile French figure impacted by the recent release of Epstein files by the US Department of Justice. He is best known for his influential tenure as culture minister under Socialist President François Mitterrand in the 1980s and 1990s. Lang, who had overseen the Arab World Institute since 2013, was summoned to the French Foreign Ministry on Sunday but…
Some health practitioners have urged the Federal Government to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system for effective service delivery, particularly in managing snakebites and other critical health emergencies. The experts spoke with reporters on Sunday in Lagos, following the death of Abuja-based music talent Ifunanya Nwangene, who reportedly visited two hospitals unable to administer antivenom before she passed away. The 1st Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State, Dr Ewonowo Temidire, said primary and secondary healthcare facilities should be equipped and repositioned to effectively treat snakebites. Temidire stressed the need to provide rural and community facilities with the requisites for…
Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), has attributed the agency’s success in disaster management to skilled human resources. He stated this during a courtesy visit to reporters in Lagos on Sunday. According to Oke-Osanyintolu, effective disaster response relies on trained personnel working alongside modern technology. He stressed the importance of continuous human capital development in emergency management institutions. “Technology alone cannot deliver results without capable and well-prepared personnel. “At LASEMA, we deliberately combine advanced technology with strong human capacity development,” he said. He explained that this approach has improved efficiency, coordination, and overall…
A healthcare stakeholder, Mr Shem Adah, says recent industrial actions by health unions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have created opportunities for healthcare system reforms. Adah told reporters on Sunday that repeated strikes by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and others disrupted services across the FCT. He noted that the actions further strained an already fragile system challenged by inadequate funding, manpower shortages, and weak infrastructure. Adah said the strike period highlighted the need for stronger contingency planning, sustainable workforce development, and improved health financing to prevent service disruptions during industrial disputes. He commended the FCT Health Services…
The Tomatoes Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (TGPMAN) has allayed fears of the usual annual price hike for tomatoes and other vegetables during the upcoming Ramadan fast. Kaduna State Chairman of the association, Mr Rabiu Zuntu, disclosed this in an interview with reporters on Sunday in Lagos. Zuntu explained that, unlike previous years, this Ramadan would see lower prices due to a bountiful harvest and the timing of the fast. “Last year’s planting and harvest season was not beneficial for farmers due to low produce prices and high input costs. “This year, vegetable production may increase because many…
Prof. Eguakhide Oaikhinan, a Professor of Ceramic Engineering since 1994, says Nigeria’s solid minerals sector could significantly boost GDP through accurate data, value-driven processing, and skilled manpower. He made the remarks in an interview with reporters on Sunday in Lagos. Oaikhinan noted that ceramics and solid minerals are inseparable in driving industrial growth. Although the government often highlights about 44 different solid minerals in Nigeria, he said the sector has yet to realize its economic potential due to inadequate data on mineral locations, characteristics, and value chains. “Where are these solid minerals located? What are their characteristics that make them…
The Jigawa State Government has reassured residents of the safety of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Dr Shehu Sambo, Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, gave the assurance in an interview with reporters in Dutse on Sunday. He said the HPV vaccine is safe, harmless, and highly protective, stressing that administering it to girls would significantly improve maternal health outcomes in the state. Sambo noted that the vaccine has been integrated into the state’s routine immunization programme, targeting girls aged 9–14. READ ALSO: Kwara govt warns healthcare workers against falsification of data “We are assuring the…
Armenia will establish a ‘Ministry of Sex’ to ensure there are “no unsatisfied women” in the country, under plans proposed by an insurgent political party. Sargis Karapetyan, who helped form the Strong Armenia party ahead of this summer’s elections, suggested a rise in political activism by middle-aged white women was the result of sexual dissatisfaction. When pressed if a ministry should be created to tackle that apparent issue, Mr Karapetyan said it should, and that it could also help tackle Armenia’s declining birth rate. The idea behind a Ministry of Sex was initially raised by Armenian sociologist Armen Khachikyan, who…
European nations are now gearing up to impose a total ban on social media for children, officials said, with European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, expressing support for an EU-wide age limit to be imposed on social media access. The move, initiated by Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez on Friday, has encouraged other countries in the bloc to consider an Australia-style social media ban for children aged 15 and less. Vowing to protect Spain’s children “from the digital Wild West”, the Spanish PM said, “Scrolling over harmful content, pornography, leads to exploitation and leaves unintended consequences on underage children.”…