A study has associated COVID-19 with life-threatening blood clots in the arteries of the legs, otherwise known as lower extremity arterial thrombosis. The findings revealed that COVID-19 patients that present with the condition are more likely to have limb amputation or in extremities, death.

The researchers noted that it is important that health care providers are aware of lower extremity arterial thrombosis as a possible complication of COVID-19 infection, as early diagnosis is usually crucial for limb preservation.

Medical experts have warned women against applying tobacco powder to their genitals. Women who indulge in the practice claim that it boosts sexual pleasure and helps their fertility. There is no scientific proof for either, physicians say.

Rather, experts warn, tobacco powder has the potential to cause cancer, difficulties during delivery, and it is capable of affecting the normal flow of menstruation. A researcher and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Dr. Gregory Ohihoin, said tobacco has a lot of side effects and its use should be discouraged among women.

As Nigeria gets ready for delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, scheduled for this month end according to the Federal Government, experts have proferred warning concerning public attitude to the vaccines. 

The United States Centres for Disease Control warn that when a vaccine requires two doses, patients must submit to the two doses within the specified timeframe. “The first dosage helps your body to recognise the virus and gets your immune system ready, while the second injection strengthens that immune response.

A Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Ilorin, Olugbenga Mokuolu, says elimination of malaria in the country will require sustained efforts of stakeholders. Mokuolu stated this at a webinar series on “Monitor Your Health” organised by Monitor Healthcare Limited, a medical telecommunications company, in partnership with AreaDoc Nigeria Limited in Lagos on Tuesday.

The professor is also the National Technical Director of the National Malaria Elimination Programme. “Actions against malaria must be sustained, concerted, strategic, which must also be in available quantity to bring about the desired impact.

Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has advised residents of the state to consider and treat any malaria symptom as COVID-19 until proven otherwise. Sanwo-Olu, at a briefing on Tuesday, also raised the alarm that the oxygen demands for COVID-19 patients at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, had increased to 350 six-litre cylinders daily from 70 six-litre cylinders.

He said, “In this second wave of the current pandemic, any malaria-like symptoms should be considered as COVID-19 virus infection unless and until otherwise proven.

Head of the Department of Surgery at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State, Prof. Lukman Abdur-Rahman, says a set of twins joined in the chest and abdomen were successfully separated by a 66-member team at the hospital.

Prof. Abdur-Rahman, who led the team that performed the surgery, said it took about seven hours for the Siamese twins to be successfully separated. He said the two girls — Habiba and Mahabuba Ahmed — are doing well after the surgery.

The Federal Ministry of Health says people above 50 years are coming down with more severe COVID-19 infections. The ministry urged Nigerians in this category to take better precaution to prevent getting infected with the viral infection.

The ministry made the call via its official Twitter handle @Fmohnigeria on Wednesday. “COVID-19 is severe in persons who are 50 years and above, especially those that live with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer,” it tweeted.

The United States on Thursday said it would resume its funding of the UN’s health agency as President Joe Biden shifts towards greater international cooperation in the fight against COVID-19. On his first day in the job, Biden despatched his top expert Anthony Fauci to Switzerland and confirmed he had reversed the decision of former president Donald Trump to quit the World Health Organisation. 

“Under trying circumstances, this organisation has rallied the scientific and research and development community to accelerate vaccines, therapies and diagnostics,” Fauci told a WHO meeting in Geneva, confirming that the US would continue to pay its dues to the organisation.

The Nigeria Governors Forum has dissociated itself from a statement by a member and Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, about coronavirus conspiracy theories. 

It also set up a committee of experts headed by Prof. Oyewole Tomori to advise members on the procurement and administration of coronavirus vaccines expected to arrive in Nigeria in February. 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that Africa is in danger of being left behind in COVID-19 vaccination as prices spike due to competition in other regions. Matshidiso Moeti, the agency’s Regional Director for Africa, gave the warning during a briefing on Thursday.

Moeti stated that Guinea was the only low-income country on the continent to have received doses, with only 25 people vaccinated so far. According to her, Seychelles is the only country on the continent where a national COVID-19 vaccination campaign has started.