The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) says the continent achieved improved control of infectious disease outbreaks in 2025, despite rising public health threats. Prof. Yap Boum, Incident Manager for Health Emergencies at Africa CDC, made the remarks on Thursday during the continent’s virtual weekly press briefing. Boum noted that coordinated responses, strengthened surveillance, and expanded vaccination efforts enabled African countries to contain several high-risk outbreaks compared to 2024. He highlighted that major Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda were successfully controlled in 2025. The 16th Ebola outbreak in the DRC…
Author: Newsdesk
The Abia State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on Thursday inaugurated Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) for all 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to enhance disaster preparedness and response. Speaking at the event in Umuahia, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, urged committee members to take their responsibilities seriously while pledging the government’s support. The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Dr. Sunday Jackson, said the committees, chaired by the LGA Mayors, would serve as first responders in their respective areas. He noted that the Federal Government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), had directed all states to establish LEMCs…
The Zamfara State Ministry of Health on Thursday launched the Safe Delivery Initiative to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare services across the state. The event took place at the Unguwar Dallatu Primary Healthcare Centre in Gusau. Speaking at the launch, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nafisa Maradun, said the initiative aims to upgrade delivery rooms, improve antenatal and postnatal care, equip facilities with essential drugs, and provide skilled birth attendants. Maradun, represented by the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Hussaini Yakubu, noted that the initiative aligns with Governor Dauda Lawal’s Rescue Mission Agenda, which prioritize health…
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Plateau Specialist Hospital, Prof. Christopher Yilgwan, has disclosed that a bill seeking to upgrade the hospital to a teaching hospital has been submitted to the Plateau State House of Assembly. Yilgwan made the announcement on Thursday in Jos during the hospital’s 2025 end-of-year get-together and retirees’ award night. He described the move as a major step toward strengthening medical education, research, and healthcare delivery in Plateau State. According to him, the proposed upgrade would enable the hospital to train medical students and other health professionals while improving specialist services and partnerships. “The upgrade is…
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) on Thursday assured residents of Alimosho Local Government Area of its readiness to respond swiftly to emergencies during the yuletide season. Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, made the assurance during a stakeholders’ engagement on emergency preparedness in the council area. Oke-Osanyintolu said that, following directives from the Chief Incident Commander of Lagos State, Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, all first responders have been placed on red alert to protect lives and property during the festive period. “We want to assure the good people of Lagos State, particularly residents of Alimosho, that we…
The Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Prof. Bob Ukonu, on Thursday emphasized the urgent need to bridge the gap in cancer treatment outcomes in Nigeria. Ukonu made the remarks during the “Mural of Hope: Unveiling Inspiration for Pediatric Cancer Patients” event in Gwagwalada. He was represented by the Acting Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Joseph Obande. The CMD explained that the Mural of Hope was created through a collaboration of foundations, including BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH), Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF), Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF), and Burkitt’s Lymphoma…
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has inaugurated the vaccination of 2,500 livestock against Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in Yobe State. The Director of Animal Health and Reproductive Services at the ministry, Dr Mitchell Alao, inaugurated the vaccination campaign in Damaturu on Thursday. The programme was facilitated by Messrs Astute Synergy Limited. Alao said CBPP remains one of the most economically damaging transboundary animal diseases affecting Nigeria’s cattle population. “For years, the disease has posed a persistent threat to sustainable livestock development and market opportunities for pastoralists and cattle farmers. “Its impact—marked by reduced productivity, high mortality and severe economic…
The National Economic Council (NEC) has appointed the Governor of Kebbi State, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, as Chairman of a newly constituted committee on livestock development, aimed at fast-tracking reforms in Nigeria’s livestock sector. The decision was taken on Wednesday at the 155th meeting of NEC, which was held virtually and chaired by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima. Speaking at the meeting, the Vice President said the appointment reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to finding a practical, enduring and nationally accepted solution to the long-standing farmer -herder crisis, which he described as central to achieving food security.…
As the world increasingly becomes a digital community, internet access has shifted from a luxury to a necessity. Rights activists insist that access to the internet should be recognized as a basic human right, noting that without it, other rights are weakened. Internet access underpins freedom of expression, education, economic and political participation, and democratic accountability. Its absence risks marginalizing vulnerable groups and excluding them from critical societal functions. “The internet is the backbone of modern communication, enabling citizens to exercise rights such as freedom of expression, access to information, and participation in public life,” experts say. “Denying or limiting…
The Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors (GMLD), Lagos State Chapter, has appealed to the Lagos State Government to intervene and resolve the ongoing industrial action by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU). The appeal was made in a statement jointly signed by the Guild’s Chairman, Mr. Adekoya Julius, and Secretary-General, Dr. Leo Aniakor, on Thursday in Lagos. The Guild expressed concern over the growing impact of the strike on healthcare delivery across the state. “The withdrawal of services at screening centres has significantly constrained critical laboratory testing required for safe blood transfusion and effective patient management,” the statement said. “These…