Zanzibar is facing a troubling rise in poor nutrition among pregnant women and children, the Director of Preventive Services and Health Education in the Ministry of Health, Dr Salim Slim, has warned. Speaking at the launch of a community health campaign in Kidimni, Central District, Unguja, Dr Slim said malnutrition has become a major driver of anaemia among pregnant women, significantly increasing the risk of maternal and child deaths during childbirth. He said that good nutrition does not require high expenses, noting that many healthy foods are easily accessible within local communities. These include, sardines, leafy vegetables, beans, grains and…
Author: Newsdesk
Premium Times, in partnership with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), will on Thursday host the 2025 National Health Dialogue in Abuja, bringing together senior government officials, global health institutions, journalists, civil society groups and health innovators for a full day of discussions on the state of Nigeria’s health system. The Dialogue will take place on Thursday, 27 November 2025, at Fraser Suites, Abuja. According to the agenda released by the organizers, the 2025 Dialogue will focus on how evidence, innovation, and sustainable financing can strengthen Nigeria’s health system, with particular attention to primary healthcare performance, health accountability,…
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has begun the training of 70 staff of the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi in organic farming techniques to encourage agricultural productivity and self-reliance. The exercise is being conducted through the fund Centre of Excellence for Integrated Farming System of the institute. Organic farming is an agricultural system that relies on ecological processes and biodiversity instead of synthetic inputs like fertilisers, pesticides, among others. It emphasised using natural inputs such as compost and green manure to build healthy soil, protect the environment, and ensure animal welfare. This holistic approach aims to create a sustainable system that…
A former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has called for increased funding to enhance the research capacity of the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR). Fashola made the appeal on Tuesday during the institute’s monthly media chat, organized to update the public on its research activities and findings. Serving as Chairman of the NIMR Foundation, Fashola noted that the institute has yet to receive sufficient attention to match other leading health research institutions globally. He emphasized that Nigeria could become a major contributor to future medical breakthroughs if NIMR receives adequate support. “Scientific discoveries through research have consistently…
The Maji Marma Foundation, based in Jigawa State, has screened 55 vulnerable residents of Kirikasamma Local Government Area for free cataract surgery. The council’s Information Officer, Mr. Muhammad Umar, disclosed this in a statement made available to reporters in Dutse on Tuesday. Umar said the foundation successfully screened 55 indigent and vulnerable residents under its free cataract surgery programme aimed at restoring their sight. He explained that the programme is being coordinated by Ibrahim Bayo-Maji, with beneficiaries selected from the 10 political wards of the council. The screened patients will later be transported to Kano State for surgery. The information…
A Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr. Lateef Akinola, on Tuesday identified the lack of regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a threat to the healthcare delivery system. Akinola, who is also a Lecturer at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, made the assertion in an interview with reporters on the sidelines of the 2nd Annual Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Memorial Lecture in Lagos. He expressed concern over the minimal regulation and control of AI use, despite its global acceptance and widespread adoption. Describing the development as a risk to healthcare delivery, Akinola emphasised the need for proper regulation and oversight…
The Nasarawa State Government says 852 cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) were reported in the state between January and September 2025. The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, Hauwa Jugbo, disclosed this on Tuesday at a news conference in Lafia as part of activities marking the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against GBV. GBV refers to any act of violence directed at an individual based on gender. It is a widespread menace affecting people of all ages and backgrounds, manifesting in forms such as physical, sexual and psychological violence, including intimate partner abuse, trafficking and forced prostitution. It is…
Value Seeds, a private agricultural organization, in partnership with the UK-funded Propcom+ programme, has unveiled new automated seed packaging lines aimed at lowering the cost of quality seeds and strengthening food security in Nigeria. President of Value Seeds, George Zangir, disclosed this on Tuesday while inaugurating the new automatic seed packaging lines and conveyor belts in Bagaddi, Kudan Local Government Area of Kaduna State. He said the partnership was designed to expand farmers’ access to certified seed varieties and accelerate the adoption of climate-smart agriculture across the country. Zangir explained that support from the Propcom+ programme aligns with efforts to…
Residents of Ikorodu and Alapere areas of Lagos State are grappling with inconsistent water supply and poor water quality, forcing many to rely on costly private sources for their daily needs. Findings by reporters show that electricity reliability has a direct impact on water access in these communities, while persistent concerns over quality continue to drive dependence on sachet and bottled water. The challenges persist despite significant investment by the Lagos State Government to improve potable water supply across the state. Residents have, therefore, appealed to the government to intervene by providing public water supply in the affected areas. Mr.…
The Federal Government has installed a solar power system to improve electricity supply and strengthen medical services at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Gusau. The Chief Medical Director, Dr. Bello Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by the hospital’s spokesperson, Naziru Tukur. Mohammed said the project, executed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare under the Renewed Hope Solarisation Project, features 144 solar panels of 585W, 24 solar batteries, a hybrid solar AIO, and a rated output of 2x30kW PV. He described the intervention as a major breakthrough in the hospital’s quest for reliable and…