Lassa Fever Confirmed in Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Rivers
Five confirmed cases of Lassa fever were reported from four states of Nigeria within the ending of August and early September, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, said. The agency said two cases were reported in Plateau State, one each in Rivers, Bauchi and Gombe states.WHO Links Eight More Cancers to Obesity
Eight more cancers have been linked to obesity. Being overweight raises one’s risk of being diagnosed with cancers of the stomach, digestive tract, liver, and ovary – among others – international researchers said.Nigeria and seven other countries at risk of Zika virus spread
The Acting Executive Director of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Regional Surveillance and Disease Control Centre, RCDC, Prof. Abdulsalami Nasidi has cautioned Nigerians against home management of any type of fever, particularly in women of child bearing age.
His warning is coming on the heels of a prediction by The Lancet, an American scientific journal that Nigeria and seven other countries are potentially at risk of Zika virus spread. Reacting to The Lancet prediction in a telephone chat, Nasidi, who was former Director General of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, urged all Nigerians to abide by the World Health Organisation, WHO, recommendation for management of fevers.
Third polio case, Nigeria declares national public health emergency
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is on alert after a polio outbreak in Nigeria. The body says three cases in children have been identified in the Borno region. It says there is also a high risk of the virus spreading in the Lake Chad area.
The WHO says a polio response is ongoing, adding: "Immediate vaccination took place in mid-August, subsequent large-scale immunization to follow". The country has declared the polio outbreak a national public health emergency.
Heath Minister inaugurates N350m Virology Centre in Ebonyi
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, on Monday inaugurated the ultra-modern Lassa Fever Virology Centre constructed by the Ebonyi Government at the cost of N350 million.
Inaugurating the project situated at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA) premises, Adewole said that the Federal Government would partner with Ebonyi to deliver adequate healthcare to the people.
Saudi-German Hospital Seeks Partnership To Improve Nigeria’s Health Care
Saudi Arabia-based Saudi German Hospital is seeking partnership with some Nigerian private hospitals in order to improve efficiency and create access to better health care delivery for Nigerians at affordable rate.
This is even as the federal government and stakeholders have been clamouring and canvassing attitudinal change from health -seeking Nigerians to patronize hospitals in the country.
Cross Rivers state introduces compulsory health tax for every resident
Cross Rivers state governor has signed a new health insurance bill into law. The bill signed by Governor Ben Ayade will require citizens of Cross River State to pay at least, mandatory N1000 every month. Tagged “Ayadecare”, the law seeks to provide medical insurance cover at primary, secondary and tertiary levels for all citizens of the state.
Commenting at the signing ceremony, held in Calabar, the governor disclosed that the intent of the bill will ensure that “the strong pays for those who are medically challenged”.
Antibiotics for babies cause eczema, allergies later in life
• Children given drugs before two years increase chance by 41%
• Vitamin D pill cuts asthma attack threat by half
Experts have found that children given antibiotics before the age of two are more likely to develop eczema in later life and taking vitamin D supplements can slash the risk of severe asthma attacks by half. Also, a new study has revealed that children who eat oily fish may be better readers than their peers. Researchers discovered that young people’s reading ability significantly improved following the consumption of Omega 3.
Why Late Treatment of Malaria Causes Brain Damage
It is usual for Africans, especially Nigerians, to ignore certain signals their body gives them when it’s infected. It is not uncommon to see someone in this part of the world claim that we has malaria even when it is cancer. Most of us see Malaria as a mild sickness that we can claim illogically.Doctors Hold Health Exhibition September 19
The Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria and the Guild of Medical Directors are holding an exhibition and conference to showcase what is happening in the Nigerian health sector.
The exhibition which will take place on Monday 19th to Tuesday 20th of September, has its theme, “All Things Medical” (ATM).
