Zika Virus Vaccine Underway
The World Health Organization says possible Zika vaccines are at least 18 months away from large-scale trials, the Associated Press reports.
WHO assistant director-general for health systems and innovation Marie-Paule Kieny says the U.N. health agency’s response is “proceeding very quickly” and 15 companies or groups have been identified as possible participants in the hunt for vaccines.
She told reporters in Geneva Friday that WHO also believes the link between the mosquito-borne virus and abnormally small heads in some newborn children is “more and more probable.”
Adequate Budgeting Can Cut Down HIV/AIDS Spread, Health Experts Say
Health experts have said the spread of HIV/AIDS from the present generation to the next generation in Nigeria can be cut down through adequate and proper budgeting that will finance the programme that will ensure and sustain the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of the ailment.
The health experts recently played host to the NACA/SURE-P media team at their respective hospitals in Taraba state.
The NACA/SURE-P team, after visiting 62 health facilities in the 16 local government areas of Taraba, became optimistic that HIV/AIDS can be controlled only if PMTCT is given due consideration by the affected persons and all the tiers of government.
Federal Hospital Workers To Commence Strike on 17th February, 2016
Public health workers have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike beginning on Wednesday over alleged breach of agreements by the Federal Government.
The workers, under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations, had earlier handed the government a 15-day ultimatum with effect from February 3 to accede to their 10-point demands or risk a nationwide strike.
Among their demands, the workers called for the heads of federal health institutions to be designated “Chief Executive Officers, against the present Chief Medical Directors.”
HFN PARTAKES IN BUDGET ADVOCACY MEETING
Following reactions to the current budget process, various groups under the auspices of Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PAFaH) gathered for a one-day meeting to discuss issues pertaining to the Healthcare aspects of the Budget with the view to advocate for a more transparent and efficient budgeting process.
The objective of the meeting was to collaborate with the government to identify gaps in the budget and budget process in order to improve the process and ensure a holistic, efficient and value-driven budget that can potentially address priority areas.
The meeting brought together various groups, civil society organizations, and associations within the Health sector to discuss various issues and come up with key priorities for the 2016 Health budget.
Kwara Launches Health Workforce Registry
The Kwara State government in collaboration with Management Sciences for Health (MSH) on Wednesday launched the health workforce registry in the state.Osun Assembly Passes Primary Healthcare Board Bill
The Osun House of Assembly on Wednesday passed the State Primary Health Care Development Board Establishment Bill 2016. JOHESU suspends strike, gives 21 day ultimatum
The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) on Thursday suspended its planned nationwide strike to press home improved working conditions. The union also gave the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum, effective from Feb. 18, to meet its demands.
Mr Biobellemoye Josiah, the National Chairman of the union, announced this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of JOHESU’s meeting with some government officials in Abuja.
Josiah said the union met with the Ministers of State for Health and Labour, respectively, as well as the Chairman, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.Others government representatives were the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health; and Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
Osun ‘Sacks’ Striking Doctors
Osun State Government has technically sacked the doctors in its employ who have been on strike since September 28th 2015. The Chairman, Special Committee on Health, DEATH OF 25 CHILDREN: Lagos confirms outbreak of killer disease in Lekki
The Lagos State Government yesterday confirmed the outbreak of a strange disease in Otodo-Gbame Community in Ikate, Lekki, alleged to have killed 25 children saying it has despatched a team of medical experts to unravel the mysterious disease.
Confirming this in a telephone chat with Vanguard in Lagos, the the spokesman for the State Ministry of Health, Mrs Adeola Salako, however said no further death has been recorded since Feb. 10, when the epidemiological investigation team led by epidemiologists from the state Ministry of Health commenced investigation.
Salako claimed that the ministry responded immediately news about the strange disease was received, adding that the team was despatched to the community on Feb. 10.
Tinubu: Poor Health Indexes, a Challenge for Buhari
The Senator representing Lagos Central senatorial district and wife of the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Tuesday said the current poor indexes in child and maternal health in the country is a challenge to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
She stated this at a three-day summit on reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH) in Abuja. She said: “When my husband was the governor, I worked on health-related issues on women and children.
Up till now, I’m still working with my non-governmental organisation, still advocating for youth, still advocating for the rights of women. Coincidentally, in my second senate, I have been appointed to chair the Committee on Women.
