The minister of health, Professor Isaac Adewole, has called on stakeholders in the health sector to scale up the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Africa.

Adewole made the plea at the ‎ one billion celebration of the treatment for blindness and other neglected tropical diseases organized by the Sightsavers Nigeria. The minister who was represented by Dr Evelyn Ngige said many are still exposed to the diseases in Africa. Adewole implored the non-governmental development organisations to continue on the path of excellence in the ontrol and eradication of NTDs globally.

The United Nation Children Fund (UNICEF) said it has expended about two hundred million naira (N200, 000, 000) in its effort towards addressing cases of HIV/AIDs among adolescents in Kaduna State.

The officer in-charge of UNICEF Field Office, Kaduna, Dr Idris Baba, who disclosed this also informed that the organisation has equally scaled up support to tackle high HIV prevalence among adolescents in seven local government areas of Kaduna State.

Barely few weeks after the State House Clinic shot into limelight over lack of drugs, similar allegation is rocking the National Assembly Clinic. The National Assembly Clinic caters for lawmakers, their aides and families.

Checks revealed that the hospital has recorded malfeasance, including scarcity of drugs, disappearance of medical items which are allegedly diverted to private pharmacies.

Up to 650 000 deaths annually are associated with respiratory diseases from seasonal influenza, according to new estimates by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC), the World Health Organization and global health partners.

This marks an increase on the previous global estimate of 250 000 – 500 000, which dates from over ten years ago and covered all influenza-related deaths, including cardiovascular disease or diabetes. The new figures of 290 000 – 650 000 deaths are based on more recent data from a larger, more diverse group of countries, including lower middle income countries, and exclude deaths from non-respiratory diseases.

The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has performed the  foundation laying ceremony of its proposed  300 bed specialist hospital  estimated to cost  N1.2 billion in Abuja.

The NLC president, Ayuba Wabba,   performed the foundation laying of the 150-bed space first phase of the hospital in Dakibiyu District Abuja. Wabba commended the health workers for the investment while urging other unions to emulate it in contributing to the development of its members and the nation in general.

Three hundred Nigerian doctors left the country in 2016,  the national president also of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Mike Ogirima, has revealed.

He said more doctors have joined the migration train this year. He did not give any statistics, although NAN learnt that 500 doctors sat for qualifying foreign medical examination preparing to move out.