Nigerian health authorities have intensified screening and surveillance measures following a confirmed Ebola case in Abuja, as the patient shows signs of recovery. Contacts have been traced and quarantined, while investigations continue into the source of the infection amid efforts to prevent further transmission.
Showing posts with label health care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health care. Show all posts
Monday, October 26, 2026
Video - Nigeria tightens Ebola measures as patient recovers
Nigerian health authorities have intensified screening and surveillance measures following a confirmed Ebola case in Abuja, as the patient shows signs of recovery. Contacts have been traced and quarantined, while investigations continue into the source of the infection amid efforts to prevent further transmission.
Nigeria's Ebola patient on medical evacuation flight to Switzerland, condition stable
Nigeria's Ebola patient left the country on a medical evacuation flight to Switzerland on Monday morning, the health minister said, adding that her clinical condition was much improved.
The patient, the Ugandan-born wife of a Swiss diplomat based in Abuja, is Nigeria's first Ebola case in more than a decade.
The outbreak, which started in Democratic Republic of Congo, has now been reported in four countries in East, Central and West Africa, giving it the widest geographic spread of any Ebola outbreak on the continent to date.
The possibility that the Nigerian patient became infected in Uganda, where officials say she spent a two-week holiday before returning to Abuja, has fuelled concerns about undetected transmission in a country where the outbreak had appeared to be under control.
Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate said in a post on X that the woman was "stable, conscious, communicating, and her clinical laboratory test results closing towards baseline" before her evacuation flight departed.
Her spouse has remained asymptomatic and left Nigeria on the same flight, Pate added.
The Swiss foreign ministry and Uganda's health ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
SCIENTISTS INVESTIGATING HOW PATIENT CAUGHT RARE STRAIN
A team of leading Ebola scientists will travel to Nigeria to help investigate how the patient caught the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya told Reuters in an interview.
Switzerland said last week that she had not travelled to Congo, contradicting statements from Ugandan officials.
Her travel documents show she had not visited Congo, Kaseya said.
There are no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo species, which has now caused almost 10,000 cases and more than 4,800 deaths in Congo, and spread to three other countries in Africa – Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda.
Kenya has reported nine cases and two deaths, all linked to a man who had travelled from Congo via Uganda's Entebbe airport.
Uganda reported 20 cases in May and June but has not recorded any since and was declared free of the virus by the World Health Organization in August.
The WHO's Africa director congratulated Nigeria's government and health workers for stabilising the patient's condition, allowing her to be evacuated.
"The Nigerian medical team successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilized her condition," Mohamed Janabi said on X.
The patient, the Ugandan-born wife of a Swiss diplomat based in Abuja, is Nigeria's first Ebola case in more than a decade.
The outbreak, which started in Democratic Republic of Congo, has now been reported in four countries in East, Central and West Africa, giving it the widest geographic spread of any Ebola outbreak on the continent to date.
The possibility that the Nigerian patient became infected in Uganda, where officials say she spent a two-week holiday before returning to Abuja, has fuelled concerns about undetected transmission in a country where the outbreak had appeared to be under control.
Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate said in a post on X that the woman was "stable, conscious, communicating, and her clinical laboratory test results closing towards baseline" before her evacuation flight departed.
Her spouse has remained asymptomatic and left Nigeria on the same flight, Pate added.
The Swiss foreign ministry and Uganda's health ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
SCIENTISTS INVESTIGATING HOW PATIENT CAUGHT RARE STRAIN
A team of leading Ebola scientists will travel to Nigeria to help investigate how the patient caught the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya told Reuters in an interview.
Switzerland said last week that she had not travelled to Congo, contradicting statements from Ugandan officials.
Her travel documents show she had not visited Congo, Kaseya said.
There are no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo species, which has now caused almost 10,000 cases and more than 4,800 deaths in Congo, and spread to three other countries in Africa – Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda.
Kenya has reported nine cases and two deaths, all linked to a man who had travelled from Congo via Uganda's Entebbe airport.
Uganda reported 20 cases in May and June but has not recorded any since and was declared free of the virus by the World Health Organization in August.
The WHO's Africa director congratulated Nigeria's government and health workers for stabilising the patient's condition, allowing her to be evacuated.
"The Nigerian medical team successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilized her condition," Mohamed Janabi said on X.
Friday, October 23, 2026
Woman with Ebola in Nigeria confirmed as wife of Swiss diplomat
Switzerland's foreign ministry has confirmed that the woman who has tested positive for Ebola in Nigeria is the wife of a Swiss diplomat.
The woman, a 42-year-old Ugandan-born national who lives in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, tested positive for the virus on 20 October, becoming the country's first confirmed Ebola patient in more than a decade.
They both travelled to Uganda earlier this month. Her husband is currently in isolation but has not developed any symptoms, according to the Swiss foreign ministry.
The ministry told the BBC that all 25 staff at its embassy in Nigeria were in good health and did not need to isolate.
The ministry said the woman had spent about a week at a private clinic in Abuja with symptoms before her diagnosis.
It believes she contracted the virus while travelling in Uganda, although health authorities have yet to establish the source of her infection.
Uganda borders Democratic Republic of Congo, where some 4,600 have died in the country's most deadly outbreak of Ebola. Two people died in Uganda shortly after the outbreak began in May but it has been declared free of Ebola since August.
The ministry said the decision not to isolate the embassy's eight Swiss and 17 local employees was taken in consultation with Nigeria's Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO).
It added that the embassy remained open and operational, with health and safety measures in place.
The woman is receiving treatment in isolation and is showing signs of improvement, according to the WHO.
She returned to Nigeria on 3 October after spending about two and a half weeks in Uganda.
The patient did not travel to DR Congo, the Swiss government told Reuters news agency on Friday, contradicting accounts from Uganda.
She developed symptoms four days after arriving in Abuja and sought treatment at two private health facilities before testing positive for Ebola on 20 October.
Health officials are now investigating whether she may have crossed paths with a Kenyan man who died from Ebola and had travelled through Uganda's main airport on the same day.
Investigators are examining whether they could have been exposed through shared equipment or other contact, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Thursday.
Dr Wessam Mankoula, the agency's head of emergency preparedness and response, said this was "one of the possible scenarios", but stressed that no link had been established.
"One of the issues we are currently investigating has been some sort of interaction between the two cases at the airport," he told journalists.
The Kenyan man had travelled from DR Congo through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi on 3 October. He died shortly afterwards, becoming Kenya's first recorded Ebola death.
Kenya has since confirmed nine infections, including the fatal case.
Although both patients passed through Entebbe airport on the same day, health officials have not established whether they met, used the same facilities or had any other contact.
Investigators are also examining whether the two infections could have a common source.
The WHO said it was too early to determine where the woman in Nigeria became infected.
"The source of exposure is still not known. The travel history of the patient is still being pieced together," said Dr Patrick Otim, a WHO emergency response official.
He said investigators had struggled to obtain a complete account of her movements because opportunities to interview her were limited while she remained in hospital.
Nigeria's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said it was carrying out genomic sequencing, which could help establish whether her infection is linked to other cases.
"The investigation is reconstructing the full travel and exposure history. Genomic sequencing is given a high priority," said Dr Pavel Ursu, the WHO's representative in Nigeria.
Ugandan health officials previously said the woman had travelled to eastern DR Congo for business.
However, the WHO, Africa CDC and Nigeria's health ministry said they had not received verified information confirming that she had visited the country.
Uganda has maintained that it has no confirmed active Ebola cases and says the woman's travel through the country does not necessarily mean she contracted the virus there.
Meanwhile, Nigerian authorities are tracing more people who may have been exposed to the woman, beyond the 44 contacts initially identified.
Kenya's Health Director-General Dr Patrick Amoth said all nine confirmed infections were linked to the first patient, with no evidence of wider community transmission.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and not panic but warned: "We are not out of the woods".
He said the remaining eight patients were still in isolation and responding well to treatment.
The developments have renewed concerns about the movement of infected people across international borders, particularly between DR Congo and neighbouring Uganda, where thousands cross daily for trade, work and family visits.
Dr Otim warned that the long and porous border between the two countries made it difficult to screen everyone entering or leaving, as many people used unofficial crossing points.
The WHO's regional director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, called for "regional vigilance" and urged countries to strengthen surveillance, investigate infections and protect frontline health workers.
Ebola is a serious viral disease that spreads through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person, or with contaminated objects. It does not spread through the air like flu.
The virus can cause fever, severe weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea, and can be fatal. People are not considered infectious before they develop symptoms.
Health authorities say tracing contacts quickly, isolating suspected cases and providing early treatment are crucial to preventing further transmission.
The woman, a 42-year-old Ugandan-born national who lives in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, tested positive for the virus on 20 October, becoming the country's first confirmed Ebola patient in more than a decade.
They both travelled to Uganda earlier this month. Her husband is currently in isolation but has not developed any symptoms, according to the Swiss foreign ministry.
The ministry told the BBC that all 25 staff at its embassy in Nigeria were in good health and did not need to isolate.
The ministry said the woman had spent about a week at a private clinic in Abuja with symptoms before her diagnosis.
It believes she contracted the virus while travelling in Uganda, although health authorities have yet to establish the source of her infection.
Uganda borders Democratic Republic of Congo, where some 4,600 have died in the country's most deadly outbreak of Ebola. Two people died in Uganda shortly after the outbreak began in May but it has been declared free of Ebola since August.
The ministry said the decision not to isolate the embassy's eight Swiss and 17 local employees was taken in consultation with Nigeria's Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO).
It added that the embassy remained open and operational, with health and safety measures in place.
The woman is receiving treatment in isolation and is showing signs of improvement, according to the WHO.
She returned to Nigeria on 3 October after spending about two and a half weeks in Uganda.
The patient did not travel to DR Congo, the Swiss government told Reuters news agency on Friday, contradicting accounts from Uganda.
She developed symptoms four days after arriving in Abuja and sought treatment at two private health facilities before testing positive for Ebola on 20 October.
Health officials are now investigating whether she may have crossed paths with a Kenyan man who died from Ebola and had travelled through Uganda's main airport on the same day.
Investigators are examining whether they could have been exposed through shared equipment or other contact, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Thursday.
Dr Wessam Mankoula, the agency's head of emergency preparedness and response, said this was "one of the possible scenarios", but stressed that no link had been established.
"One of the issues we are currently investigating has been some sort of interaction between the two cases at the airport," he told journalists.
The Kenyan man had travelled from DR Congo through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi on 3 October. He died shortly afterwards, becoming Kenya's first recorded Ebola death.
Kenya has since confirmed nine infections, including the fatal case.
Although both patients passed through Entebbe airport on the same day, health officials have not established whether they met, used the same facilities or had any other contact.
Investigators are also examining whether the two infections could have a common source.
The WHO said it was too early to determine where the woman in Nigeria became infected.
"The source of exposure is still not known. The travel history of the patient is still being pieced together," said Dr Patrick Otim, a WHO emergency response official.
He said investigators had struggled to obtain a complete account of her movements because opportunities to interview her were limited while she remained in hospital.
Nigeria's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said it was carrying out genomic sequencing, which could help establish whether her infection is linked to other cases.
"The investigation is reconstructing the full travel and exposure history. Genomic sequencing is given a high priority," said Dr Pavel Ursu, the WHO's representative in Nigeria.
Ugandan health officials previously said the woman had travelled to eastern DR Congo for business.
However, the WHO, Africa CDC and Nigeria's health ministry said they had not received verified information confirming that she had visited the country.
Uganda has maintained that it has no confirmed active Ebola cases and says the woman's travel through the country does not necessarily mean she contracted the virus there.
Meanwhile, Nigerian authorities are tracing more people who may have been exposed to the woman, beyond the 44 contacts initially identified.
Kenya's Health Director-General Dr Patrick Amoth said all nine confirmed infections were linked to the first patient, with no evidence of wider community transmission.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and not panic but warned: "We are not out of the woods".
He said the remaining eight patients were still in isolation and responding well to treatment.
The developments have renewed concerns about the movement of infected people across international borders, particularly between DR Congo and neighbouring Uganda, where thousands cross daily for trade, work and family visits.
Dr Otim warned that the long and porous border between the two countries made it difficult to screen everyone entering or leaving, as many people used unofficial crossing points.
The WHO's regional director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, called for "regional vigilance" and urged countries to strengthen surveillance, investigate infections and protect frontline health workers.
Ebola is a serious viral disease that spreads through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person, or with contaminated objects. It does not spread through the air like flu.
The virus can cause fever, severe weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea, and can be fatal. People are not considered infectious before they develop symptoms.
Health authorities say tracing contacts quickly, isolating suspected cases and providing early treatment are crucial to preventing further transmission.
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Video - Nigeria confirms first Ebola case amid regional outbreak
Nigeria has confirmed its first Ebola case since 2014. The patient is a woman who recently travelled from Uganda and later tested positive in Abuja. Health authorities have begun contact tracing, identified 44 contacts for monitoring, and urged healthcare facilities nationwide to strengthen surveillance and infection-control measures as the outbreak spreads across Africa.
Related story: Nigeria’s first Ebola case matches DR Congo strain
Nigeria’s first Ebola case matches DR Congo strain
Nigerian health officials say test results have confirmed the country’s first case of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is behind a major outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking the disease’s first spread to West Africa in the current outbreak.
The case involves a woman who travelled from Uganda to the capital, Abuja, on October 3, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said.
She was tested for Ebola on October 19 after health officials learned she had recently travelled to Uganda, one of the countries affected by the current outbreak. Officials confirmed the positive result on Tuesday.
“We did three levels of tests, but all molecular. The strain was Bundibugyo,” Olajumoke Babatunde, director of the public health laboratory service at the NCDC, said on Wednesday.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also confirmed the strain, for which there is neither a vaccine nor a specific treatment.
The case involves a woman who travelled from Uganda to the capital, Abuja, on October 3, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said.
She was tested for Ebola on October 19 after health officials learned she had recently travelled to Uganda, one of the countries affected by the current outbreak. Officials confirmed the positive result on Tuesday.
“We did three levels of tests, but all molecular. The strain was Bundibugyo,” Olajumoke Babatunde, director of the public health laboratory service at the NCDC, said on Wednesday.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also confirmed the strain, for which there is neither a vaccine nor a specific treatment.
‘Multi-organ failure’
An unnamed official told the AFP news agency that the woman is a diplomat whose condition has deteriorated into “multi-organ failure”.
Ayoade Alakija, a Nigerian physician who co-chairs a G7 committee for investment in global health, said that it had taken 12 days since the woman fell sick for her to be tested for Ebola, potentially exposing many other people to the infection.
Nigerian authorities have identified 44 contacts, most of them healthcare workers. They include the patient’s husband, a Swiss national, who lives with her in Abuja.
Officials are also tracing passengers who travelled with her from Uganda to Nigeria but do not believe she was symptomatic during the flight.
Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate told public broadcaster NTA that the woman was in isolation and receiving treatment.
An unnamed official told the AFP news agency that the woman is a diplomat whose condition has deteriorated into “multi-organ failure”.
Ayoade Alakija, a Nigerian physician who co-chairs a G7 committee for investment in global health, said that it had taken 12 days since the woman fell sick for her to be tested for Ebola, potentially exposing many other people to the infection.
Nigerian authorities have identified 44 contacts, most of them healthcare workers. They include the patient’s husband, a Swiss national, who lives with her in Abuja.
Officials are also tracing passengers who travelled with her from Uganda to Nigeria but do not believe she was symptomatic during the flight.
Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate told public broadcaster NTA that the woman was in isolation and receiving treatment.
Earlier cases
In 2014, the first Nigerian case, detected in Lagos, raised fears the virus would spread rapidly, but it was brought under control within three months, resulting in 20 infections and eight deaths.
That epidemic killed more than 11,000 people across West Africa between late 2013 and 2016.
The WHO says Nigeria is the fifth country to detect the virus in the outbreak, which this past week widened across the continent, with Kenya in the east reporting nine cases since October 6.
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Director-General Jean Kaseya said on X on Wednesday that the outbreak was “no longer one country’s fight”, and that he would hold a meeting of Africa’s health ministers next week to strengthen the cross-border response and review hospital capacity.
The DRC is the epicentre of the outbreak, its deadliest on record.
There have been more than 9,000 Ebola cases and more than 4,000 deaths there since mid-May.
In 2014, the first Nigerian case, detected in Lagos, raised fears the virus would spread rapidly, but it was brought under control within three months, resulting in 20 infections and eight deaths.
That epidemic killed more than 11,000 people across West Africa between late 2013 and 2016.
The WHO says Nigeria is the fifth country to detect the virus in the outbreak, which this past week widened across the continent, with Kenya in the east reporting nine cases since October 6.
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Director-General Jean Kaseya said on X on Wednesday that the outbreak was “no longer one country’s fight”, and that he would hold a meeting of Africa’s health ministers next week to strengthen the cross-border response and review hospital capacity.
The DRC is the epicentre of the outbreak, its deadliest on record.
There have been more than 9,000 Ebola cases and more than 4,000 deaths there since mid-May.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Nigeria confirms Ebola case in Abuja, begins contact tracing
Nigeria is on high alert after the federal government confirmed one case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
The patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, is currently in isolation and receiving medical care at a private hospital in the FCT, according to a statement signed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate.
Contact tracing has commenced, with 44 close contacts identified so far, according to the statement. The contacts include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers, and travel contacts, while public health teams identify and monitor people who may have been exposed.
“The FG calls on all public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to be on high alert. Healthcare workers must maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control measures, and immediately report suspected cases to public health authorities,” it noted.
By Mariam Ileyemi, Premium Times
The patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, is currently in isolation and receiving medical care at a private hospital in the FCT, according to a statement signed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate.
Contact tracing has commenced, with 44 close contacts identified so far, according to the statement. The contacts include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers, and travel contacts, while public health teams identify and monitor people who may have been exposed.
“The FG calls on all public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to be on high alert. Healthcare workers must maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control measures, and immediately report suspected cases to public health authorities,” it noted.
Public urged to stay alert
The statement urged Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant, advising people to maintain hand hygiene and avoid direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of people suspected to have Ebola.
Symptoms to watch for include severe weakness, headache, vomiting, and diarrhoea, particularly among people who may have been exposed.
“Report any possible exposure immediately, even if you feel well. If you develop symptoms, avoid close contact with others and call public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility,” it noted.
The government also urged people contacted during the tracing exercise, including potentially exposed airline passengers, to provide the required information and comply with public health instructions.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person, or through contaminated materials.
The statement urged Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant, advising people to maintain hand hygiene and avoid direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of people suspected to have Ebola.
Symptoms to watch for include severe weakness, headache, vomiting, and diarrhoea, particularly among people who may have been exposed.
“Report any possible exposure immediately, even if you feel well. If you develop symptoms, avoid close contact with others and call public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility,” it noted.
The government also urged people contacted during the tracing exercise, including potentially exposed airline passengers, to provide the required information and comply with public health instructions.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person, or through contaminated materials.
Nigeria had raised surveillance
The confirmation comes weeks after the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) raised the country’s preparedness level following the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
In a 22 September advisory, the agency said travellers from countries with active or relevant Ebola transmission could be required to complete a Health Declaration Form as part of enhanced surveillance and follow-up measures. The form captures travel history, countries visited in the previous 21 days and health information.
It is not yet clear whether the Health Declaration Form or other entry-point surveillance measures helped identify the woman now receiving treatment in Abuja.
The confirmation comes weeks after the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) raised the country’s preparedness level following the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
In a 22 September advisory, the agency said travellers from countries with active or relevant Ebola transmission could be required to complete a Health Declaration Form as part of enhanced surveillance and follow-up measures. The form captures travel history, countries visited in the previous 21 days and health information.
It is not yet clear whether the Health Declaration Form or other entry-point surveillance measures helped identify the woman now receiving treatment in Abuja.
Nigeria’s Ebola experience
Nigeria recorded an outbreak in 2014 after an infected traveller from Liberia arrived in Lagos. WHO later declared Nigeria free of Ebola transmission on 20 October 2014, after 42 days without a new case.
WHO records show that Nigeria’s 2014 response involved rapid case detection, isolation and extensive contact tracing. Nineteen confirmed cases and one probable case were recorded, with eight deaths.
“Nigeria successfully contained Ebola in 2014, and we have the experience and public health systems to respond to this case. However, containing Ebola requires everyone to play their part,” the federal government noted.
“The federal government, FCT authorities and other partners are working together to protect healthcare workers, patients and the wider public. Investigations are ongoing, and we will continue to provide accurate and timely information.”
The government said investigations are ongoing and that the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease and NCDC will continue to provide updates.
It added that “NCDC free call centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For information or to report a suspected case, please call NCDC toll-free number 6232.”
Nigeria recorded an outbreak in 2014 after an infected traveller from Liberia arrived in Lagos. WHO later declared Nigeria free of Ebola transmission on 20 October 2014, after 42 days without a new case.
WHO records show that Nigeria’s 2014 response involved rapid case detection, isolation and extensive contact tracing. Nineteen confirmed cases and one probable case were recorded, with eight deaths.
“Nigeria successfully contained Ebola in 2014, and we have the experience and public health systems to respond to this case. However, containing Ebola requires everyone to play their part,” the federal government noted.
“The federal government, FCT authorities and other partners are working together to protect healthcare workers, patients and the wider public. Investigations are ongoing, and we will continue to provide accurate and timely information.”
The government said investigations are ongoing and that the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease and NCDC will continue to provide updates.
It added that “NCDC free call centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For information or to report a suspected case, please call NCDC toll-free number 6232.”
Regional outbreak continues
The Nigerian case comes amid an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the DRC, where the disease has spread across several provinces.
WHO reported more than 8,700 confirmed cases and more than 4,200 deaths in the DRC as of 6 October, with transmission continuing across dozens of health zones. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
Kenya reported its first imported case on 6 October: a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC and travelled to Kenya via Uganda.
On 20 October, Kenyan authorities confirmed a ninth case involving a close family member of the first patient.
Uganda, from which the Nigerian patient recently travelled, recorded 20 cases between May and June 2026. The country subsequently ended its outbreak after completing the required 42-day period without a new confirmed case.
The Nigerian case comes amid an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the DRC, where the disease has spread across several provinces.
WHO reported more than 8,700 confirmed cases and more than 4,200 deaths in the DRC as of 6 October, with transmission continuing across dozens of health zones. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
Kenya reported its first imported case on 6 October: a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC and travelled to Kenya via Uganda.
On 20 October, Kenyan authorities confirmed a ninth case involving a close family member of the first patient.
Uganda, from which the Nigerian patient recently travelled, recorded 20 cases between May and June 2026. The country subsequently ended its outbreak after completing the required 42-day period without a new confirmed case.
By Mariam Ileyemi, Premium Times
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Video - Why millions in Nigeria are risking cancer
On this week's DW News Africa: Why millions in Nigeria are risking cancer and other health issues to put food on the table, as more people turn to spoiled produce amid rising costs.
Thursday, September 17, 2026
At least 48 dead in Nigeria after consuming drink suspected to contain methanol
At least 48 people have died and around 100 others are receiving treatment in southern Nigeria after consuming a drink suspected to contain methanol, officials said on Thursday.
Banji Ajaka, Ondo state’s commissioner for health, said the cases had been reported in the Odigbo and Irele local government areas. A total of 182 people are believed to have been affected, he said.
“This thing happened rapidly. Once they consume, depending on the quantity, the kidneys will pack up, the eyes will go, the brain will be damaged,” Ajaka told The Associated Press.
Some of those who became ill after consuming the liquid have since been discharged from hospital, he added.
Ondo state police spokesman Abayomi Jimoh said one of 15 people who have been arrested in connection with the incident had been producing drink “suspected to contain methanol and is currently assisting the police with investigations.”
Local media reports said the first death was reported nearly two weeks ago.
Banji Ajaka, Ondo state’s commissioner for health, said the cases had been reported in the Odigbo and Irele local government areas. A total of 182 people are believed to have been affected, he said.
“This thing happened rapidly. Once they consume, depending on the quantity, the kidneys will pack up, the eyes will go, the brain will be damaged,” Ajaka told The Associated Press.
Some of those who became ill after consuming the liquid have since been discharged from hospital, he added.
Ondo state police spokesman Abayomi Jimoh said one of 15 people who have been arrested in connection with the incident had been producing drink “suspected to contain methanol and is currently assisting the police with investigations.”
Local media reports said the first death was reported nearly two weeks ago.
By Dyepkazah Shibayan, AP
Friday, September 11, 2026
Nigeria begins local production of insecticide-treated mosquito nets
Nigeria has commenced local production of insecticide-treated mosquito nets as part of efforts to strengthen malaria prevention and reduce reliance on imported health products.
The new facility, Health Textiles Nigeria FZE, is the first in the country to manufacture dual-active ingredient insecticide-treated nets, according to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The ministry announced the development in a press release posted on its X account on Thursday and signed by its Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako.
The facility, owned by Vestergaard Sarl, will produce “PermaNet® Dual,” a mosquito net designed to address the growing challenge of insecticide resistance and prequalified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2023.
The health ministry noted that at full capacity, the facility is expected to produce about 10 million nets annually and create more than 600 jobs.
The new facility, Health Textiles Nigeria FZE, is the first in the country to manufacture dual-active ingredient insecticide-treated nets, according to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The ministry announced the development in a press release posted on its X account on Thursday and signed by its Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako.
The facility, owned by Vestergaard Sarl, will produce “PermaNet® Dual,” a mosquito net designed to address the growing challenge of insecticide resistance and prequalified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2023.
The health ministry noted that at full capacity, the facility is expected to produce about 10 million nets annually and create more than 600 jobs.
Malaria burden
The development comes as Nigeria continues to bear a substantial share of the global malaria burden.
WHO estimates that 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths occurred globally in 2024, with the African Region accounting for about 95 per cent of cases and deaths.
Nigeria accounted for 31.9 per cent of malaria deaths in the African Region in 2024, according to WHO.
Malaria is transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes and remains preventable and curable. WHO identifies insecticide-treated mosquito nets as one of the key tools for preventing mosquito bites and reducing malaria transmission.
The development comes as Nigeria continues to bear a substantial share of the global malaria burden.
WHO estimates that 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths occurred globally in 2024, with the African Region accounting for about 95 per cent of cases and deaths.
Nigeria accounted for 31.9 per cent of malaria deaths in the African Region in 2024, according to WHO.
Malaria is transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes and remains preventable and curable. WHO identifies insecticide-treated mosquito nets as one of the key tools for preventing mosquito bites and reducing malaria transmission.
New facility targets resistance
According to the ministry, the new facility is intended to strengthen Nigeria’s ability to produce essential malaria prevention commodities locally while addressing the growing challenge of resistance to insecticides.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said the investment aligns with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), particularly its focus on strengthening the country’s healthcare value chain through investment, local production and domestic capacity.
“This investment demonstrates what is possible when government policy, private-sector investment and technology transfer come together to unlock Nigeria’s healthcare value chain,” Mr Pate said.
He said the commencement of local production would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to manufacture essential health products and contribute to a more resilient health system.
“About 80 employees have already been recruited and are undergoing training in manufacturing excellence, product quality, occupational health and safety, and regulatory compliance,” the ministry added.
According to the ministry, the establishment of the facility follows a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding between Vestergaard and the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), aimed at strengthening local production capacity for essential health products.
According to the ministry, the new facility is intended to strengthen Nigeria’s ability to produce essential malaria prevention commodities locally while addressing the growing challenge of resistance to insecticides.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said the investment aligns with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), particularly its focus on strengthening the country’s healthcare value chain through investment, local production and domestic capacity.
“This investment demonstrates what is possible when government policy, private-sector investment and technology transfer come together to unlock Nigeria’s healthcare value chain,” Mr Pate said.
He said the commencement of local production would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to manufacture essential health products and contribute to a more resilient health system.
“About 80 employees have already been recruited and are undergoing training in manufacturing excellence, product quality, occupational health and safety, and regulatory compliance,” the ministry added.
According to the ministry, the establishment of the facility follows a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding between Vestergaard and the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), aimed at strengthening local production capacity for essential health products.
Benefits of facility
The National Coordinator of PVAC, Abdu Mukhtar, said the development demonstrates how investment, technology transfer and government policy can translate into productive capacity and skills development.
He said the training of Nigerian professionals and commencement of production represented the kind of outcome the initiative seeks to replicate across other areas of the healthcare value chain.
Vestergaard’s Chief Executive Officer, Amar Ali, said the company was pleased to commence production in Nigeria and thanked the federal government for its support.
Mr Ali said the facility would combine Vestergaard’s manufacturing expertise with “Nigerian talent to produce dual-active ingredient insecticide-treated nets locally.”
The ministry said the first commercial orders from the facility are expected to be fulfilled in the coming months.
It said domestic production would help expand Nigeria’s capacity to manufacture a critical malaria prevention commodity while strengthening the country’s healthcare value chain.
The National Coordinator of PVAC, Abdu Mukhtar, said the development demonstrates how investment, technology transfer and government policy can translate into productive capacity and skills development.
He said the training of Nigerian professionals and commencement of production represented the kind of outcome the initiative seeks to replicate across other areas of the healthcare value chain.
Vestergaard’s Chief Executive Officer, Amar Ali, said the company was pleased to commence production in Nigeria and thanked the federal government for its support.
Mr Ali said the facility would combine Vestergaard’s manufacturing expertise with “Nigerian talent to produce dual-active ingredient insecticide-treated nets locally.”
The ministry said the first commercial orders from the facility are expected to be fulfilled in the coming months.
It said domestic production would help expand Nigeria’s capacity to manufacture a critical malaria prevention commodity while strengthening the country’s healthcare value chain.
By Mariam Ileyemi, Premium Times
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Israel donates first batch of ambulances, medical equipment to Nigeria
The Israeli government has donated the first batch of ambulances, medical equipment, and wheelchairs to Nigeria at the Port of Ashdod.
A statement issued Tuesday by Nigerian Ambassador to Israel, Nkechi Ufochukwu, read that the donation was made by Israel’s national emergency medical service, Magen David Adom, on behalf of the Israeli Government and received by Nigeria’s Ambassador.
Speaking during the handover, Ambassador Ufochukwu expressed Nigeria’s gratitude for the timely intervention, stressing that the equipment will significantly strengthen the country’s healthcare delivery system and improve emergency response capacity, especially in underserved communities.
The consignment includes fully equipped ambulances, modern medical devices, and mobility aids such as wheelchairs, which are expected to be deployed to hospitals and emergency centers across Nigeria to support patient care and disaster response efforts.
The gesture, according to the ambassador, underscores the growing partnership between Nigeria and Israel in health, humanitarian aid, and technology transfer.
“The ambulances, for instance, represent more than vehicles or medical equipment; they represent time saved in critical moments of medical emergency. These gifts will support families and save lives. As they begin their journey from Israel to Nigeria, they carry with them a shared commitment to save lives irrespective of race or religion.
“It also reflects Israel’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to achieve universal health coverage and build a more resilient health system.
“We deeply appreciate Israel’s commitment to saving lives and deepening bilateral ties. This donation is a clear demonstration of friendship and solidarity between our two nations”, Ufochukwu stated.
A statement issued Tuesday by Nigerian Ambassador to Israel, Nkechi Ufochukwu, read that the donation was made by Israel’s national emergency medical service, Magen David Adom, on behalf of the Israeli Government and received by Nigeria’s Ambassador.
Speaking during the handover, Ambassador Ufochukwu expressed Nigeria’s gratitude for the timely intervention, stressing that the equipment will significantly strengthen the country’s healthcare delivery system and improve emergency response capacity, especially in underserved communities.
The consignment includes fully equipped ambulances, modern medical devices, and mobility aids such as wheelchairs, which are expected to be deployed to hospitals and emergency centers across Nigeria to support patient care and disaster response efforts.
The gesture, according to the ambassador, underscores the growing partnership between Nigeria and Israel in health, humanitarian aid, and technology transfer.
“The ambulances, for instance, represent more than vehicles or medical equipment; they represent time saved in critical moments of medical emergency. These gifts will support families and save lives. As they begin their journey from Israel to Nigeria, they carry with them a shared commitment to save lives irrespective of race or religion.
“It also reflects Israel’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to achieve universal health coverage and build a more resilient health system.
“We deeply appreciate Israel’s commitment to saving lives and deepening bilateral ties. This donation is a clear demonstration of friendship and solidarity between our two nations”, Ufochukwu stated.
By Bridget Chiedu Onochie, The Guardian
More than 50 children die in diphtheria outbreak in northwestern Nigeria
More than 50 children have died from a diphtheria outbreak in Rano Local Government Area of Nigeria’s northwestern Kano state, a state lawmaker said Tuesday, urging authorities to step up efforts to contain the disease.
Ibrahim Malami, who represents Rano Constituency in the Kano State House of Assembly, raised the alarm during a motion of urgent public importance, saying the outbreak had severely affected communities in Rurum Ward, including Rurum A, Rurum B and Sabuwar Kaura.
He said the local government’s medical department had launched emergency measures, while his office had provided medicines to support the response.
Malami called on Kano Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf and state health authorities to deploy additional medical personnel, medicines and other emergency assistance to the affected communities.
“We want to inform the Governor and the Commissioner for Health to send further emergency aid to the region because the disease has spread heavily in that area,” Malami said.
Another lawmaker, Usman Abubakar Tasiu, representing Kiru Constituency, warned that the outbreak had spread beyond Rano, with cases also reported in Kwanar Dangora, Garin Dangora and Yelwa communities in neighboring Kiru Local Government Area.
The state Assembly subsequently adopted a resolution urging immediate government intervention and tasked its health committee with coordinating with the state Health Ministry to ensure emergency measures are implemented in the affected areas.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can cause severe illness and death, particularly among unvaccinated children. Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention advises parents to ensure children receive the recommended three doses of the pentavalent vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age.
Nigeria has faced recurring diphtheria outbreaks in recent years, with Kano among the states hardest hit. The World Health Organization said Kano accounted for the majority of suspected cases during a major nationwide outbreak in 2023.
The latest deaths underscore ongoing challenges in vaccination coverage, disease surveillance and access to timely treatment as Nigerian authorities work to contain diphtheria outbreaks.
Ibrahim Malami, who represents Rano Constituency in the Kano State House of Assembly, raised the alarm during a motion of urgent public importance, saying the outbreak had severely affected communities in Rurum Ward, including Rurum A, Rurum B and Sabuwar Kaura.
He said the local government’s medical department had launched emergency measures, while his office had provided medicines to support the response.
Malami called on Kano Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf and state health authorities to deploy additional medical personnel, medicines and other emergency assistance to the affected communities.
“We want to inform the Governor and the Commissioner for Health to send further emergency aid to the region because the disease has spread heavily in that area,” Malami said.
Another lawmaker, Usman Abubakar Tasiu, representing Kiru Constituency, warned that the outbreak had spread beyond Rano, with cases also reported in Kwanar Dangora, Garin Dangora and Yelwa communities in neighboring Kiru Local Government Area.
The state Assembly subsequently adopted a resolution urging immediate government intervention and tasked its health committee with coordinating with the state Health Ministry to ensure emergency measures are implemented in the affected areas.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can cause severe illness and death, particularly among unvaccinated children. Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention advises parents to ensure children receive the recommended three doses of the pentavalent vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age.
Nigeria has faced recurring diphtheria outbreaks in recent years, with Kano among the states hardest hit. The World Health Organization said Kano accounted for the majority of suspected cases during a major nationwide outbreak in 2023.
The latest deaths underscore ongoing challenges in vaccination coverage, disease surveillance and access to timely treatment as Nigerian authorities work to contain diphtheria outbreaks.
By Kabir Adeniyi, AA
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Nigeria faces $159m humanitarian funding gap as needs worsen
The United Nations has warned that hundreds of thousands of vulnerable Nigerians could be left without life-saving assistance as the country’s humanitarian response faces a $159 million funding gap for the remainder of 2026.
The warning was issued in a statement on Wednesday by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, as the world marked World Humanitarian Day.
“Nigeria’s already hyper prioritised Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan still faces a $159 million funding gap for the remainder of the year, meaning that hundreds of thousands of people risk missing out on the lifesaving support they need,” he said.
Fall said millions of Nigerians are confronting worsening food insecurity, malnutrition and disease outbreaks, particularly during the current lean and rainy seasons, while humanitarian organisations are struggling with dwindling resources.
“Behind every statistic is a family struggling to survive, a child battling malnutrition, a mother seeking treatment for cholera, or a community trying to rebuild after years of crisis. On this World Humanitarian Day, let us #ActForHumanity and reaffirm our shared responsibility to protect those supporting the most vulnerable,” he added.
The Humanitarian Coordinator made the disclosure after leading members of the United Nations and Humanitarian Country Teams on a visit to nutrition and cholera treatment centres in Maiduguri, Borno State.
“I met humanitarian workers who continue to serve communities with extraordinary courage, dedication and compassion despite difficult and often dangerous conditions. We call for greater protection for these brave personnel so that they can do their critical work in safety,” he said.
According to Fall, the humanitarian response in the region reached almost 900,000 people in the first half of 2026, despite declining funding, as he said that the joint response has so far treated more than 55,000 cholera patients, while hygiene promotion activities have reached over one million people.
“Together, the government, health workers and humanitarian partners have treated more than 55,000 cholera patients, providing hygiene promotion services to over one million people and chlorinating in excess of 500 water points, giving communities access to safe drinking water. This collective work has helped drive the cholera case fatality rate down below emergency levels,” he said.
Fall, however, warned that humanitarian workers and critical infrastructure must be protected as the crisis continues.
“Humanitarian workers are not targets. hospitals, treatment centres, relief supplies, assistance convoys and civilian infrastructure must be protected,” he said, stressing that international humanitarian law must be respected by all parties at all times.
He added that when aid workers cannot safely reach communities, vulnerable women, men and children bear the consequences.
He disclosed that $135.5 million has already been distributed in 2026 through the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund and the Central Emergency Response Fund to respond to humanitarian emergencies, noting that additional funding was urgently required, with Nigeria’s already prioritised Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan still facing a $159 million shortfall.
The funding crisis comes amid a broader decline in international humanitarian financing, with the UN warning that current funding levels are only a fraction of what was available a few years ago.
He urged international donors, the Nigerian government, civil society organisations and the private sector to increase support to humanitarian operations, particularly as the country prepares to move towards a more locally led humanitarian response in 2027.
The ICIR reports that the World Humanitarian Day is observed annually on August 19 to honour humanitarian workers and raise awareness of the risks they face while providing life-saving assistance to people affected by conflict, disasters, disease outbreaks and other crises, highlighting the rights, dignity and survival of people caught up in humanitarian emergencies.
By Nanji Nandang, ICIR
The warning was issued in a statement on Wednesday by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, as the world marked World Humanitarian Day.
“Nigeria’s already hyper prioritised Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan still faces a $159 million funding gap for the remainder of the year, meaning that hundreds of thousands of people risk missing out on the lifesaving support they need,” he said.
Fall said millions of Nigerians are confronting worsening food insecurity, malnutrition and disease outbreaks, particularly during the current lean and rainy seasons, while humanitarian organisations are struggling with dwindling resources.
“Behind every statistic is a family struggling to survive, a child battling malnutrition, a mother seeking treatment for cholera, or a community trying to rebuild after years of crisis. On this World Humanitarian Day, let us #ActForHumanity and reaffirm our shared responsibility to protect those supporting the most vulnerable,” he added.
The Humanitarian Coordinator made the disclosure after leading members of the United Nations and Humanitarian Country Teams on a visit to nutrition and cholera treatment centres in Maiduguri, Borno State.
“I met humanitarian workers who continue to serve communities with extraordinary courage, dedication and compassion despite difficult and often dangerous conditions. We call for greater protection for these brave personnel so that they can do their critical work in safety,” he said.
According to Fall, the humanitarian response in the region reached almost 900,000 people in the first half of 2026, despite declining funding, as he said that the joint response has so far treated more than 55,000 cholera patients, while hygiene promotion activities have reached over one million people.
“Together, the government, health workers and humanitarian partners have treated more than 55,000 cholera patients, providing hygiene promotion services to over one million people and chlorinating in excess of 500 water points, giving communities access to safe drinking water. This collective work has helped drive the cholera case fatality rate down below emergency levels,” he said.
Fall, however, warned that humanitarian workers and critical infrastructure must be protected as the crisis continues.
“Humanitarian workers are not targets. hospitals, treatment centres, relief supplies, assistance convoys and civilian infrastructure must be protected,” he said, stressing that international humanitarian law must be respected by all parties at all times.
He added that when aid workers cannot safely reach communities, vulnerable women, men and children bear the consequences.
He disclosed that $135.5 million has already been distributed in 2026 through the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund and the Central Emergency Response Fund to respond to humanitarian emergencies, noting that additional funding was urgently required, with Nigeria’s already prioritised Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan still facing a $159 million shortfall.
The funding crisis comes amid a broader decline in international humanitarian financing, with the UN warning that current funding levels are only a fraction of what was available a few years ago.
He urged international donors, the Nigerian government, civil society organisations and the private sector to increase support to humanitarian operations, particularly as the country prepares to move towards a more locally led humanitarian response in 2027.
The ICIR reports that the World Humanitarian Day is observed annually on August 19 to honour humanitarian workers and raise awareness of the risks they face while providing life-saving assistance to people affected by conflict, disasters, disease outbreaks and other crises, highlighting the rights, dignity and survival of people caught up in humanitarian emergencies.
By Nanji Nandang, ICIR
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Nigeria launches first mental health policy tracker to monitor implementation of reforms
Nigeria has launched its first public-facing Mental Health Policy Commitment Tracker, a digital platform designed to independently monitor implementation of the country’s mental health laws and policies amid concerns over slow progress in carrying out key reforms.
Developed by advocacy organisation Nigerian Mental Health (NMH), the tracker was officially launched virtually on Monday after an initial public unveiling in May.
NMH announced the launch in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES.
According to the organisation, the platform enables policymakers, researchers, civil society organisations and members of the public to monitor progress on commitments under the National Mental Health Act and related policies, including mental health financing, workforce development, treatment access and state-level reforms.
By Fortune Eromonsele, Premium Times
Developed by advocacy organisation Nigerian Mental Health (NMH), the tracker was officially launched virtually on Monday after an initial public unveiling in May.
NMH announced the launch in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES.
According to the organisation, the platform enables policymakers, researchers, civil society organisations and members of the public to monitor progress on commitments under the National Mental Health Act and related policies, including mental health financing, workforce development, treatment access and state-level reforms.
Why the tracker matters
Late President Muhammadu Buhari signed the National Mental Health Bill into law in January 2023 after two failed legislative attempts dating back to 2003.
The legislation replaced the outdated Lunacy Act and marked a major shift in Nigeria’s approach to mental healthcare by strengthening the rights of people living with mental health conditions and providing for institutions such as a Department of Mental Health Services and a Mental Health Fund.
However, more than three years later, implementation of several provisions of the law has remained slow.
According to NMH, key institutional structures required under the Act, including the Department of Mental Health, have yet to be fully established.
The organisation also said the federal government missed its December 2025 target to fully decriminalise attempted suicide, while implementation of the 2023 National Mental Health Policy and the country’s first Suicide Prevention Policy Framework has been limited.
It said these implementation gaps informed the development of the tracker, which is intended to independently verify whether mental health commitments are being translated into concrete action.
Speaking at the launch, NMH founder Chime Asonye said policy commitments should be accompanied by measurable implementation.
“Visibility must be matched by measurable execution,” he said, adding that the platform is designed to ensure commitments lead to tangible legal, institutional and service delivery outcomes.
According to NMH, the tracker serves as a public dashboard that aggregates government data, legislative updates, budget documents, verified stakeholder submissions and community-reported evidence.
Each policy commitment is assigned an implementation status, such as “Not Started, In Progress, Delayed or Completed”, allowing users to monitor progress across the federal and state levels.
The platform tracks regulatory milestones under the National Mental Health Act, as well as governance structures, budget allocations, workforce capacity, access to treatment, affordability and broader rights-based reforms.
Late President Muhammadu Buhari signed the National Mental Health Bill into law in January 2023 after two failed legislative attempts dating back to 2003.
The legislation replaced the outdated Lunacy Act and marked a major shift in Nigeria’s approach to mental healthcare by strengthening the rights of people living with mental health conditions and providing for institutions such as a Department of Mental Health Services and a Mental Health Fund.
However, more than three years later, implementation of several provisions of the law has remained slow.
According to NMH, key institutional structures required under the Act, including the Department of Mental Health, have yet to be fully established.
The organisation also said the federal government missed its December 2025 target to fully decriminalise attempted suicide, while implementation of the 2023 National Mental Health Policy and the country’s first Suicide Prevention Policy Framework has been limited.
It said these implementation gaps informed the development of the tracker, which is intended to independently verify whether mental health commitments are being translated into concrete action.
Speaking at the launch, NMH founder Chime Asonye said policy commitments should be accompanied by measurable implementation.
“Visibility must be matched by measurable execution,” he said, adding that the platform is designed to ensure commitments lead to tangible legal, institutional and service delivery outcomes.
According to NMH, the tracker serves as a public dashboard that aggregates government data, legislative updates, budget documents, verified stakeholder submissions and community-reported evidence.
Each policy commitment is assigned an implementation status, such as “Not Started, In Progress, Delayed or Completed”, allowing users to monitor progress across the federal and state levels.
The platform tracks regulatory milestones under the National Mental Health Act, as well as governance structures, budget allocations, workforce capacity, access to treatment, affordability and broader rights-based reforms.
Stakeholders back initiative
The launch brought together government officials, policymakers, researchers, civil society organisations, development partners, media practitioners and representatives of the creative industry.
Among the organisations supporting the initiative are Lagos Mind, Mind Over Matters NG, Stilt NG, Our Beta Life, the Mental Health Transformation Organisation (MHT) and Hevolve Foundation.
Mental health advocate and musician Hadiza Blell-Olo, popularly known as Di’ja, urged public figures to move beyond raising awareness by supporting partnerships that strengthen mental health reforms, noting that the tracker provides a framework for improving policy accountability.
Also speaking, the National Mental Health Coordinator at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Tunde Ojo, said independent accountability mechanisms can help strengthen implementation and improve service delivery.
NMH said the platform is open to policymakers, practitioners, researchers and members of the public, who can submit verified implementation updates and feedback to improve transparency and support mental health reforms across the country.
The launch brought together government officials, policymakers, researchers, civil society organisations, development partners, media practitioners and representatives of the creative industry.
Among the organisations supporting the initiative are Lagos Mind, Mind Over Matters NG, Stilt NG, Our Beta Life, the Mental Health Transformation Organisation (MHT) and Hevolve Foundation.
Mental health advocate and musician Hadiza Blell-Olo, popularly known as Di’ja, urged public figures to move beyond raising awareness by supporting partnerships that strengthen mental health reforms, noting that the tracker provides a framework for improving policy accountability.
Also speaking, the National Mental Health Coordinator at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Tunde Ojo, said independent accountability mechanisms can help strengthen implementation and improve service delivery.
NMH said the platform is open to policymakers, practitioners, researchers and members of the public, who can submit verified implementation updates and feedback to improve transparency and support mental health reforms across the country.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Video - AI startup in Nigeria works to preserve memories amid rising dementia cases
Across Africa, rising cases of dementia linked to aging populations and other factors are becoming a growing concern. In Nigeria, a startup is using artificial intelligence to help families preserve memories and cognitive patterns before they are lost, offering a new way to support people affected by memory decline.
Friday, June 19, 2026
Cholera death toll in northeast Nigeria rises to 90
At least 90 people have died and more than 12,000 others have been infected in a fast-spreading cholera outbreak in Nigeria's conflict-hit Borno state, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Thursday.
OCHA said aid agencies were scaling up treatment, surveillance and access to clean water to support government efforts to contain the outbreak.
A $4 million injection from OCHA-managed funds was bolstering the emergency response, but more resources were urgently needed to strengthen prevention and treatment, OCHA said.
By Ahmed Kingimi, Reuters
Death toll from the outbreak that began in early May rose from 74, with about 7,800 infections reported.
OCHA said aid agencies were scaling up treatment, surveillance and access to clean water to support government efforts to contain the outbreak.
A $4 million injection from OCHA-managed funds was bolstering the emergency response, but more resources were urgently needed to strengthen prevention and treatment, OCHA said.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Nigeria Lassa Fever Crisis Kills 191 Across 23 States
A severe and rapidly escalating outbreak of Lassa fever has claimed 191 lives across Nigeria since the start of the year, overwhelming regional treatment centers and exposing critical vulnerabilities in the nation's infectious disease surveillance networks. The surging death toll highlights a systemic failure to contain a preventable virus that continues to decimate rural and urban communities alike.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed on Wednesday that the viral hemorrhagic illness has now infiltrated 23 states across 106 local government areas. With the median age of victims hovering at 30, the epidemic is systematically striking down the nation's most productive demographic, triggering urgent calls for international medical intervention and sweeping structural reforms.
A Structural Healthcare Deficit
The primary driver of the soaring fatality rate is the late presentation of cases at medical facilities. Early symptoms of Lassa fever—including fever, general weakness, headache, and muscle pain—are frequently misdiagnosed as malaria or typhoid. By the time patients exhibit the definitive hemorrhagic symptoms, such as bleeding from the mouth, the virus has often caused irreversible organ damage.
Dr. Jide Idris, Director General of the NCDC, emphasized the lethal consequences of these diagnostic delays. Experts warn that the high cost of treatment and the sheer geographic distance to specialized clinical management centers deter impoverished citizens from seeking immediate care. The financial burden of intensive antiviral therapy can exceed KES 150,000 equivalent per patient, a catastrophic out-of-pocket expense for rural farming families.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed on Wednesday that the viral hemorrhagic illness has now infiltrated 23 states across 106 local government areas. With the median age of victims hovering at 30, the epidemic is systematically striking down the nation's most productive demographic, triggering urgent calls for international medical intervention and sweeping structural reforms.
The Numbers Behind the Crisis
The epidemiological data paints a grim picture of a public health apparatus under siege. In its latest situational report covering Epidemiological Week 18, the NCDC revealed that the case fatality rate has skyrocketed to 24.6 percent, a terrifying increase from the 19.2 percent recorded during the same period in 2025.
The geographic concentration of the virus is equally alarming. A staggering 84 percent of all confirmed infections are isolated within just five states: Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Benue. Bauchi and Ondo alone account for 52 percent of the national caseload, transforming local hospitals into overwhelmed triage centers.
. Total Fatalities: 191 recorded deaths across 23 states in 2026.
. Case Fatality Rate: Surged to 24.6 percent, up from 19.2 percent the previous year.
. Demographic Impact: The 21–30 age group is the most heavily affected, with a median victim age of 30.
. Hotspot Zones: Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Benue account for 84 percent of all infections.
The epidemiological data paints a grim picture of a public health apparatus under siege. In its latest situational report covering Epidemiological Week 18, the NCDC revealed that the case fatality rate has skyrocketed to 24.6 percent, a terrifying increase from the 19.2 percent recorded during the same period in 2025.
The geographic concentration of the virus is equally alarming. A staggering 84 percent of all confirmed infections are isolated within just five states: Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Benue. Bauchi and Ondo alone account for 52 percent of the national caseload, transforming local hospitals into overwhelmed triage centers.
. Total Fatalities: 191 recorded deaths across 23 states in 2026.
. Case Fatality Rate: Surged to 24.6 percent, up from 19.2 percent the previous year.
. Demographic Impact: The 21–30 age group is the most heavily affected, with a median victim age of 30.
. Hotspot Zones: Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Benue account for 84 percent of all infections.
The primary driver of the soaring fatality rate is the late presentation of cases at medical facilities. Early symptoms of Lassa fever—including fever, general weakness, headache, and muscle pain—are frequently misdiagnosed as malaria or typhoid. By the time patients exhibit the definitive hemorrhagic symptoms, such as bleeding from the mouth, the virus has often caused irreversible organ damage.
Dr. Jide Idris, Director General of the NCDC, emphasized the lethal consequences of these diagnostic delays. Experts warn that the high cost of treatment and the sheer geographic distance to specialized clinical management centers deter impoverished citizens from seeking immediate care. The financial burden of intensive antiviral therapy can exceed KES 150,000 equivalent per patient, a catastrophic out-of-pocket expense for rural farming families.
The Agricultural Vector
Lassa fever is primarily transmitted to humans through direct contact with the urine or feces of the infected multimammate rat. The deeply entrenched agricultural practices in Nigeria's middle belt and northern regions inadvertently create perfect breeding grounds for the rodents. Poor post-harvest storage allows rats to contaminate food supplies, bridging the species barrier.
Furthermore, climate change and erratic rainfall patterns are forcing rodent populations closer to human settlements in search of food. Without comprehensive environmental sanitation protocols and aggressive community education regarding safe grain storage, medical interventions remain purely reactive.
Voices From the Frontline
The crisis is taking a severe psychological and physical toll on healthcare professionals. The NCDC report confirmed that an additional healthcare worker contracted the disease during the latest reporting week, underscoring the lethal risks faced by frontline responders operating in under-equipped facilities.
Treatment centers in Owo and Irrua are stretched beyond capacity. Medical personnel report dire shortages of personal protective equipment and ribavirin, the primary antiviral drug used to treat the infection. The constant exposure to highly contagious bodily fluids without adequate biomedical safeguards threatens to precipitate an exodus of specialized infectious disease clinicians.
Lassa fever is primarily transmitted to humans through direct contact with the urine or feces of the infected multimammate rat. The deeply entrenched agricultural practices in Nigeria's middle belt and northern regions inadvertently create perfect breeding grounds for the rodents. Poor post-harvest storage allows rats to contaminate food supplies, bridging the species barrier.
Furthermore, climate change and erratic rainfall patterns are forcing rodent populations closer to human settlements in search of food. Without comprehensive environmental sanitation protocols and aggressive community education regarding safe grain storage, medical interventions remain purely reactive.
Voices From the Frontline
The crisis is taking a severe psychological and physical toll on healthcare professionals. The NCDC report confirmed that an additional healthcare worker contracted the disease during the latest reporting week, underscoring the lethal risks faced by frontline responders operating in under-equipped facilities.
Treatment centers in Owo and Irrua are stretched beyond capacity. Medical personnel report dire shortages of personal protective equipment and ribavirin, the primary antiviral drug used to treat the infection. The constant exposure to highly contagious bodily fluids without adequate biomedical safeguards threatens to precipitate an exodus of specialized infectious disease clinicians.
Global Implications
The Nigerian epidemic reverberates beyond West Africa. Lassa fever is classified by the World Health Organization as a priority pathogen with pandemic potential. The absence of a licensed vaccine means that containment relies entirely on isolation and rigorous contact tracing.
Global health organizations, including the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Médecins Sans Frontières, have deployed tactical teams to assist Nigerian authorities. However, relying on foreign medical non-governmental organizations to patch structural deficits in a sovereign nation's healthcare grid is ultimately unsustainable.
As the death toll approaches 200, the Nigerian government faces a stark imperative. Without immediate capital deployment to decentralize testing laboratories and subsidize antiviral treatments, Lassa fever will continue its silent, annual massacre of the nation's youth.
The Nigerian epidemic reverberates beyond West Africa. Lassa fever is classified by the World Health Organization as a priority pathogen with pandemic potential. The absence of a licensed vaccine means that containment relies entirely on isolation and rigorous contact tracing.
Global health organizations, including the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Médecins Sans Frontières, have deployed tactical teams to assist Nigerian authorities. However, relying on foreign medical non-governmental organizations to patch structural deficits in a sovereign nation's healthcare grid is ultimately unsustainable.
As the death toll approaches 200, the Nigerian government faces a stark imperative. Without immediate capital deployment to decentralize testing laboratories and subsidize antiviral treatments, Lassa fever will continue its silent, annual massacre of the nation's youth.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Nigeria intensifies surveillance as Ebola outbreak spreads in Central Africa
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has stepped up surveillance and emergency response following an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a confirmed imported case in Uganda.
Although Nigeria has recorded no confirmed case of Ebola, NCDC emphasised that it is maintaining heightened vigilance due to increasing regional mobility and the risk of cross-border transmission.
In a public health advisory signed by NCDC Director-General Jide Idris, the agency said it is closely monitoring developments in affected countries and coordinating preparedness efforts with the Port Health Services and other stakeholders.
“Response activities are ongoing in affected areas, and we are ensuring continued vigilance within Nigeria’s public health system,” Mr Idris said.
Highlighting preparedness measures that have been activated, Mr Idris said NCDC had strengthened nationwide surveillance systems for Ebola and other epidemic-prone diseases, while intensifying event-based monitoring and coordination with state health authorities.
Other measures include enhancing laboratory and diagnostic readiness, strengthening infection prevention and control awareness in healthcare settings, and expanding community engagement and public risk communication.
He further said the agency is closely tracking global and regional developments to ensure a rapid response if the situation changes.
Although Nigeria has recorded no confirmed case of Ebola, NCDC emphasised that it is maintaining heightened vigilance due to increasing regional mobility and the risk of cross-border transmission.
In a public health advisory signed by NCDC Director-General Jide Idris, the agency said it is closely monitoring developments in affected countries and coordinating preparedness efforts with the Port Health Services and other stakeholders.
“Response activities are ongoing in affected areas, and we are ensuring continued vigilance within Nigeria’s public health system,” Mr Idris said.
Highlighting preparedness measures that have been activated, Mr Idris said NCDC had strengthened nationwide surveillance systems for Ebola and other epidemic-prone diseases, while intensifying event-based monitoring and coordination with state health authorities.
Other measures include enhancing laboratory and diagnostic readiness, strengthening infection prevention and control awareness in healthcare settings, and expanding community engagement and public risk communication.
He further said the agency is closely tracking global and regional developments to ensure a rapid response if the situation changes.
Ebola Virus Disease
Ebola Virus Disease is a severe and often fatal viral infection transmitted through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids or contaminated materials of infected persons or animals.
According to the NCDC, the disease has an incubation period ranging from two to 21 days.
It typically begins with symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain and sore throat before progressing to vomiting, diarrhoea and, in severe cases, unexplained bleeding.
The director-general warned that early detection and isolation are critical in preventing outbreaks from escalating.
Mr Idris advised healthcare workers across the country to maintain a high index of suspicion for Ebola in patients presenting symptoms consistent with the disease, particularly those with recent travel or exposure history linked to affected areas.
He urged medical personnel to strictly adhere to infection prevention protocols, including hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, early isolation of suspected cases and prompt reporting through established surveillance channels.
Mr Idris appealed to Nigerians to avoid panic or the spread of misinformation, stressing that there is currently no confirmed Ebola case in the country.
“Residents are advised to maintain regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with bodily fluids of sick persons and refrain from handling dead animals or bushmeat from unknown sources.”
He also encouraged members of the public to promptly report unusual illnesses to health facilities and rely only on verified information from official public health authorities.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the latest alert has renewed concerns about the potential regional spread, particularly in countries with high levels of border movement and trade.
Nigeria’s extensive travel connections and large population make preparedness essential, especially given the country’s previous experience managing Ebola outbreaks.
Nigeria was internationally praised for containing the 2014 Ebola outbreak after swift tracing and isolation measures prevented widespread transmission following the arrival of an infected traveller from Liberia.
NAN reports that the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo virus in the DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), warning of significant regional and global risks.
The decision, announced on 16 May by the WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus under the International Health Regulations (2005), follows rising infections and deaths, alongside evidence of cross-border transmission.
However, the organisation clarified that the situation did not yet meet the threshold for a pandemic emergency.
Data from WHO showed that as of 16 May, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected infections, and 80 suspected deaths have been recorded in Ituri Province in eastern DR Congo.
The affected areas include Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu, where clusters of unexplained community deaths have raised alarm.
In Uganda, two confirmed cases, including one fatality, were reported in the capital, Kampala, within 24 hours of each other.
Both individuals had recently travelled from DR Congo, marking a confirmed international spread of the virus.
Unlike other strains of Ebola, there are currently no approved vaccines or targeted treatments for the Bundibugyo variant, raising concerns among global health authorities.
Ebola Virus Disease is a severe and often fatal viral infection transmitted through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids or contaminated materials of infected persons or animals.
According to the NCDC, the disease has an incubation period ranging from two to 21 days.
It typically begins with symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain and sore throat before progressing to vomiting, diarrhoea and, in severe cases, unexplained bleeding.
The director-general warned that early detection and isolation are critical in preventing outbreaks from escalating.
Mr Idris advised healthcare workers across the country to maintain a high index of suspicion for Ebola in patients presenting symptoms consistent with the disease, particularly those with recent travel or exposure history linked to affected areas.
He urged medical personnel to strictly adhere to infection prevention protocols, including hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, early isolation of suspected cases and prompt reporting through established surveillance channels.
Mr Idris appealed to Nigerians to avoid panic or the spread of misinformation, stressing that there is currently no confirmed Ebola case in the country.
“Residents are advised to maintain regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with bodily fluids of sick persons and refrain from handling dead animals or bushmeat from unknown sources.”
He also encouraged members of the public to promptly report unusual illnesses to health facilities and rely only on verified information from official public health authorities.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the latest alert has renewed concerns about the potential regional spread, particularly in countries with high levels of border movement and trade.
Nigeria’s extensive travel connections and large population make preparedness essential, especially given the country’s previous experience managing Ebola outbreaks.
Nigeria was internationally praised for containing the 2014 Ebola outbreak after swift tracing and isolation measures prevented widespread transmission following the arrival of an infected traveller from Liberia.
NAN reports that the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo virus in the DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), warning of significant regional and global risks.
The decision, announced on 16 May by the WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus under the International Health Regulations (2005), follows rising infections and deaths, alongside evidence of cross-border transmission.
However, the organisation clarified that the situation did not yet meet the threshold for a pandemic emergency.
Data from WHO showed that as of 16 May, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected infections, and 80 suspected deaths have been recorded in Ituri Province in eastern DR Congo.
The affected areas include Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu, where clusters of unexplained community deaths have raised alarm.
In Uganda, two confirmed cases, including one fatality, were reported in the capital, Kampala, within 24 hours of each other.
Both individuals had recently travelled from DR Congo, marking a confirmed international spread of the virus.
Unlike other strains of Ebola, there are currently no approved vaccines or targeted treatments for the Bundibugyo variant, raising concerns among global health authorities.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Why condoms, safe sex may soon cost more in Nigeria
Karex BhD, the Malaysian company described as the world’s largest condom maker, announced plans to raise condom prices. The company’s chief executive officer, Goh Miah Kiat, stated that the hike, between 20% and 30%, is in response to rising production and logistics costs caused by the Iran conflict.
The war between the United States (US), Israel and Iran, which came to a head in February 2026, has affected the global supply and transport of basic goods for the manufacturing sector, among other impacts.
The geopolitical instability in the Persian Gulf has gone beyond dominating international news, with several basic essentials in the manufacturing sector becoming luxury items.
Nigerian retailers and buyers, unaware of the war’s impact on the global economy, will largely blame local inflation, which stood at 15.38% as of March 2026, up from 15.06% the previous month.
Advocates of safe sex and healthcare should brace for a slight hit in their mission as condoms, one of the most common contraceptives, are about to experience a price hike. The expected development threatens a drop in usage rates, likely leading to unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
DUBAWA, in this explainer, analysed the direct link between instability in the Middle East and local healthcare costs in Nigeria, showing how a distant conflict threatens Nigerians’ health security.
By Amarachi Onwuzulike and Phillip Anjorin, dubawa
The war between the United States (US), Israel and Iran, which came to a head in February 2026, has affected the global supply and transport of basic goods for the manufacturing sector, among other impacts.
The geopolitical instability in the Persian Gulf has gone beyond dominating international news, with several basic essentials in the manufacturing sector becoming luxury items.
Nigerian retailers and buyers, unaware of the war’s impact on the global economy, will largely blame local inflation, which stood at 15.38% as of March 2026, up from 15.06% the previous month.
Advocates of safe sex and healthcare should brace for a slight hit in their mission as condoms, one of the most common contraceptives, are about to experience a price hike. The expected development threatens a drop in usage rates, likely leading to unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
DUBAWA, in this explainer, analysed the direct link between instability in the Middle East and local healthcare costs in Nigeria, showing how a distant conflict threatens Nigerians’ health security.
The Nigerian dilemma
Structural dependence on the outside world had already weakened the nation’s sexual healthcare efforts even before the Iran war.
The foreign exchange market’s volatility and the donor support system, which had started to fade as early as 2025, made the looming condom price increase hit harder. The January 2025 executive order signed by Donald Trump, America’s current president, was intended to reevaluate US foreign aid.
However, it led to a massive pause and eventual cut of over $40 billion in support for the global healthcare landscape. The US Agency for International Development (USAID), which used to be a primary supplier of contraceptives in Nigeria, had ceased to exist as an active funding entity. The Global Fund, which also provides grants and support for national responses to HIV, malaria and tuberculosis (TB) in low- and middle-income countries, reduced its 2024-2026 grant cycle by $1.4 billion. The drop forced many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the affected countries, including Nigeria, to pause the distribution of contraceptives.
Condoms, in the production process, require petroleum derivatives like dimethicone, BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), and naphthalene, among others, to lubricate and preserve the product’s lifespan. The ongoing Iran war, which led to the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupted the steady flow of crude oil and liquified natural gas (LNG) globally. The logistical hurdles of these petrochemical products complicated the manufacturing dilemma faced by condom-making companies.
As a non-manufacturing country, Nigerians bear the brunt of the landing costs and other related expenses associated with imported products. Any factory price increase from manufacturing countries affects costs in the Nigerian market. Considering the unstable exchange rates and the healthcare inflation, which jumped to 30.35% in January 2026, safe sex may end up becoming a luxury too high for a youth population facing a high unemployment rate.
Structural dependence on the outside world had already weakened the nation’s sexual healthcare efforts even before the Iran war.
The foreign exchange market’s volatility and the donor support system, which had started to fade as early as 2025, made the looming condom price increase hit harder. The January 2025 executive order signed by Donald Trump, America’s current president, was intended to reevaluate US foreign aid.
However, it led to a massive pause and eventual cut of over $40 billion in support for the global healthcare landscape. The US Agency for International Development (USAID), which used to be a primary supplier of contraceptives in Nigeria, had ceased to exist as an active funding entity. The Global Fund, which also provides grants and support for national responses to HIV, malaria and tuberculosis (TB) in low- and middle-income countries, reduced its 2024-2026 grant cycle by $1.4 billion. The drop forced many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the affected countries, including Nigeria, to pause the distribution of contraceptives.
Condoms, in the production process, require petroleum derivatives like dimethicone, BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), and naphthalene, among others, to lubricate and preserve the product’s lifespan. The ongoing Iran war, which led to the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupted the steady flow of crude oil and liquified natural gas (LNG) globally. The logistical hurdles of these petrochemical products complicated the manufacturing dilemma faced by condom-making companies.
As a non-manufacturing country, Nigerians bear the brunt of the landing costs and other related expenses associated with imported products. Any factory price increase from manufacturing countries affects costs in the Nigerian market. Considering the unstable exchange rates and the healthcare inflation, which jumped to 30.35% in January 2026, safe sex may end up becoming a luxury too high for a youth population facing a high unemployment rate.
Risk to public health
To further assess the potential risks to public health, DUBAWA sought the opinions of medical experts on how rising condom prices and reduced access could affect disease prevention, sexual health behaviours, and the capacity of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
We spoke to Okolo Patrick, a clinical microbiologist at Edo State University Iyamho Teaching Hospital, on the potential impact of rising condom prices and reduced access. He explained that, from a clinical and public health perspective, such changes would likely lead to a measurable increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, as well as unintended pregnancies in Nigeria.
According to him, condoms remain a primary and affordable prevention tool. When they become less accessible due to higher costs or limited supply, individuals are more likely to engage in unprotected sex, increasing the risk of transmitting infections such as HIV, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia. He added that even a slight decline in condom use across a population can significantly raise transmission rates over time, particularly in communities where infection rates are already high.
He noted that young people and low-income populations are especially vulnerable, as they often depend on free or subsidised condoms and may struggle to afford alternatives. This, combined with limited access to sexual health information and services, can worsen outcomes and lead to delayed treatment.
On how cost barriers affect behaviour, Okolo stated that rising prices influence not just access but also usage patterns. He explained that higher costs can reduce demand and even affect supply, while also pushing individuals toward risky practices such as reusing condoms or abandoning protection altogether.
DUBAWA also spoke with Andrew Edo, a Professor of Medicine and Consultant Endocrinologist at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, on the broader health system implications.
Responding to concerns about Nigeria’s healthcare capacity, he noted that a decline in condom use could place significant strain on the system. According to him, condoms remain one of the most affordable and widely accessible forms of protection, and any reduction in their availability or use would likely lead to an increase in cases of STIs and unplanned pregnancies.
He explained that such a rise would not only increase the burden on already stretched health facilities but could also undermine the effectiveness of ongoing public health interventions. More patients would require testing, treatment, and long-term care, particularly in the case of HIV, which demands sustained medical support.
Edo added that this trend could reverse the progress made over the years in HIV prevention, STI control, and reproductive health, especially if preventive measures become less accessible to vulnerable populations.
To further assess the potential risks to public health, DUBAWA sought the opinions of medical experts on how rising condom prices and reduced access could affect disease prevention, sexual health behaviours, and the capacity of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
We spoke to Okolo Patrick, a clinical microbiologist at Edo State University Iyamho Teaching Hospital, on the potential impact of rising condom prices and reduced access. He explained that, from a clinical and public health perspective, such changes would likely lead to a measurable increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, as well as unintended pregnancies in Nigeria.
According to him, condoms remain a primary and affordable prevention tool. When they become less accessible due to higher costs or limited supply, individuals are more likely to engage in unprotected sex, increasing the risk of transmitting infections such as HIV, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia. He added that even a slight decline in condom use across a population can significantly raise transmission rates over time, particularly in communities where infection rates are already high.
He noted that young people and low-income populations are especially vulnerable, as they often depend on free or subsidised condoms and may struggle to afford alternatives. This, combined with limited access to sexual health information and services, can worsen outcomes and lead to delayed treatment.
On how cost barriers affect behaviour, Okolo stated that rising prices influence not just access but also usage patterns. He explained that higher costs can reduce demand and even affect supply, while also pushing individuals toward risky practices such as reusing condoms or abandoning protection altogether.
DUBAWA also spoke with Andrew Edo, a Professor of Medicine and Consultant Endocrinologist at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, on the broader health system implications.
Responding to concerns about Nigeria’s healthcare capacity, he noted that a decline in condom use could place significant strain on the system. According to him, condoms remain one of the most affordable and widely accessible forms of protection, and any reduction in their availability or use would likely lead to an increase in cases of STIs and unplanned pregnancies.
He explained that such a rise would not only increase the burden on already stretched health facilities but could also undermine the effectiveness of ongoing public health interventions. More patients would require testing, treatment, and long-term care, particularly in the case of HIV, which demands sustained medical support.
Edo added that this trend could reverse the progress made over the years in HIV prevention, STI control, and reproductive health, especially if preventive measures become less accessible to vulnerable populations.
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Nigeria races to contain deadly meningitis outbreak
As Nigeria’s dry season peaks, health authorities have placed 11 states on high alert. Despite years of vaccination campaigns, meningitis continues to claim lives. A new vaccine offers hope — but is it enough to finally break the cycle?
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Fresh COVID-19 case reported in Nigeria
The Government of Cross River State has reported an occurrence of COVID-19 in the state, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
Henry Ayuk, the state’s Commissioner for Health, made the announcement at a news conference on Tuesday in Calabar.
According to him, the fresh case involved a Chinese national, who worked with Lafarge and flew into the country on 17 March, before taking ill.
The commissioner stated that the Chinese’ case became worse at the medical facility of his office and had to be taken to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).
He explained that at the UCTH, his samples were taken and all protocols followed; it was subsequently confirmed that he had symptoms of COVID-19.
“We are, however, happy to report that he is doing well,” the commissioner said.
Mr Ayuk, a medical doctor, asserted that the Ministry of Health had, however, been repositioned by the current administration, to handle and manage any situation – diseases or epidemic outbreaks.
According to him, unfortunately, there have been silent infections and clear cases from time to time.
“But we are determined that for every ailment, every disease or outbreak, if it is identified here in the state, there should be no alarm.
“The state will do well in terms of surveillance or containment of an outbreak. Whatever it is, we will do our best to contain it. So, there is no alarm.
“When this case was reported in about three or four days ago, we decided to be careful to confirm and ensure that the processes involved with identifying and confirming every case of COVID-19, are duly followed.
“The protocols have been followed and confirmed that a 53-year-old Chinese who work in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state has COVID-19,” he said.
On her part, Inyang Ekpenyong, the state epidemiologist, announced that in response to the case, the state emergency response unit had been activated.
She, however, noted that there was currently an ongoing contact tracing and line listing of those the Chinese may have been in contact with.
While noting the last case of confirmed case of COVID-19 in Cross River to be in 2022, the epidemiologist, however, feared that the Chinese may have contacted the virus here in Nigeria.
“The incubation period for this virus is usually between two to 14 days, but the Chinese flew into Nigeria from China on 17 March and started developing the symptoms on 10 April.
“This is well beyond the 14 days incubation period. Like I said, we are doing the line listing of those he may have come in contact with, as part of our containment efforts.
“We have also activated the emergency response center and deployed rapid response teams to Akamkpa, where the victim works.
“There is no way we can stop this disease, but we can stop the disease outbreak.
“It will be wrong not to contain or manage it by ensuring that people do not die,” she stated.
Similarly, Yewande Olatunde, a medical doctor and the World Health Organisation coordinator in Cross River, stated that the disease was still around.
“We must explore all preventive measures to protect ourselves.” she stressed.
Henry Ayuk, the state’s Commissioner for Health, made the announcement at a news conference on Tuesday in Calabar.
According to him, the fresh case involved a Chinese national, who worked with Lafarge and flew into the country on 17 March, before taking ill.
The commissioner stated that the Chinese’ case became worse at the medical facility of his office and had to be taken to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).
He explained that at the UCTH, his samples were taken and all protocols followed; it was subsequently confirmed that he had symptoms of COVID-19.
“We are, however, happy to report that he is doing well,” the commissioner said.
Mr Ayuk, a medical doctor, asserted that the Ministry of Health had, however, been repositioned by the current administration, to handle and manage any situation – diseases or epidemic outbreaks.
According to him, unfortunately, there have been silent infections and clear cases from time to time.
“But we are determined that for every ailment, every disease or outbreak, if it is identified here in the state, there should be no alarm.
“The state will do well in terms of surveillance or containment of an outbreak. Whatever it is, we will do our best to contain it. So, there is no alarm.
“When this case was reported in about three or four days ago, we decided to be careful to confirm and ensure that the processes involved with identifying and confirming every case of COVID-19, are duly followed.
“The protocols have been followed and confirmed that a 53-year-old Chinese who work in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state has COVID-19,” he said.
On her part, Inyang Ekpenyong, the state epidemiologist, announced that in response to the case, the state emergency response unit had been activated.
She, however, noted that there was currently an ongoing contact tracing and line listing of those the Chinese may have been in contact with.
While noting the last case of confirmed case of COVID-19 in Cross River to be in 2022, the epidemiologist, however, feared that the Chinese may have contacted the virus here in Nigeria.
“The incubation period for this virus is usually between two to 14 days, but the Chinese flew into Nigeria from China on 17 March and started developing the symptoms on 10 April.
“This is well beyond the 14 days incubation period. Like I said, we are doing the line listing of those he may have come in contact with, as part of our containment efforts.
“We have also activated the emergency response center and deployed rapid response teams to Akamkpa, where the victim works.
“There is no way we can stop this disease, but we can stop the disease outbreak.
“It will be wrong not to contain or manage it by ensuring that people do not die,” she stated.
Similarly, Yewande Olatunde, a medical doctor and the World Health Organisation coordinator in Cross River, stated that the disease was still around.
“We must explore all preventive measures to protect ourselves.” she stressed.
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