Nigeria's hospitality industry is making a recovery following major setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The trend has been holding since 2021 when the sector's contribution to Nigeria's economy grew to 3.6 percent, an increase from the 2.8 percent recorded in 2020. Experts say the country's tourism and hospitality industry could reach its full potential if the government implements policies to improve the sector.
Friday, April 14, 2023
Video - Hospitality industry in Nigeria continues to recover after pandemic setbacks
Over 4,000 suspected lassa fever infections recorded in Nigeria this year
Nigeria has continued to experience a spread of Lassa fever, with an increase in the number of suspected cases recorded as of 2 April compared to that reported for the same period in 2022.
The latest situation report released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Thursday shows that Nigeria has recorded 4,338 suspected cases in 2023.
According to the NCDC, from week 1 to week 13 2023, 846 confirmed infections and 148 deaths were reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 17.5 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022 (19.1 per cent).
The week 13 report, spanning 27 March to 2 April also revealed that the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 39 infections in week 12 of 2023 to 23, while the number of fatalities increased from two to four.
NCDC stated in the report that in total for 2023, “25 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 99 Local Government Areas”, of which 72 per cent of all confirmed cases were reported from Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states.
Of the 72 per cent recorded, NCDC noted that Ondo State accounted for 32 per cent, while Edo and Bauchi states reported 29 and 11 per cent respectively.
NCDC added that one new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 13.
Lassa fever
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic (excessive bleeding) illness transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents or contaminated persons.
Its symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, and in severe cases, unexplainable bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings.
The NCDC noted in the report that the challenges with response to Lassa fever in the country include late presentation of cases leading to an increase in CFR, poor health-seeking behaviour due to the high cost of treatment and clinical management of the infection, poor environmental sanitation conditions, and poor awareness observed in high-burden communities.
By Mariam Ileyemi, Premium Times
Related story: The deadly virus Nigerians fear more than COVID-19: Lassa fever
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Video - Bug infestation devastating Tomato businesses in Nigeria
A tomato bug infestation has devastated thousands of farms in Nigeria. Tomato is a key ingredient in West African cuisine. But as prices rise, the quality of one of the region's best-known dishes is being affected. Al Jazeera's Ahmed Idris has more from Kano, Nigeria.
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Video - 74 people killed in two separate attacks in Nigeria
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered security forces in Benue State to increase their surveillance of violence-prone areas following the killing of at least 74 people in the region. The latest clashes occurred in an area where violence between pastoralists and farmers is common. Investigations are underway to establish a motive.
Nigeria placed on UK's red list due to health workers' recruitment
The United Kingdom has put Nigeria on the red list of countries that should not be actively considered for recruitment by health and social care employers.
This review came after the World Health Organisation (WHO) listed 55 countries, including Nigeria facing the most pressing health workforce challenges related to Universal Health Coverage.
In a report by UK Home Office, the UK Government disclosed that Nigeria and other countries on the red list should not be actively targeted for recruitment by health and social care employers except if there was a government-to-government arrangement.
It was contained from the website of the UK government titled, ‘Code of Practice for the international recruitment of Health and social care personnel in England.’
The information said country identification follows the methodology contained in the 10-year review of the relevance and effectiveness of the WHO global code of practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel.
It read, “Consistent with the WHO Global Code of Practice principles and articles, and as explicitly called for by the WHO Global Code of Practice 10-year review, the listed countries should be prioritised for health personnel development and health system-related support, provided with safeguards that discourage active international recruitment of health personnel.
“Countries on the list should not be actively targeted for recruitment by health and social care employers, recruitment organisations, agencies, collaborations, or contracting bodies unless there is a government-to-government agreement in place to allow managed recruitment undertaken strictly in compliance with the terms of that agreement.
“Countries on the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards list are graded red in the code. If a government-to-government agreement is put in place between a partner country, which restricts recruiting organisations to the terms of the agreement, the country is added to the amber list.”
It specified if a country was not on the red or amber list, then it is green.
The amber countries where international recruitment is only allowed in compliance with the terms of the government-to-government agreement are Kenya and Nepal.
It added that active recruitment is permitted from green-graded countries where there is a government-to-government agreement with the UK in place for international health and care workforce recruitment.
“Green-graded countries without a government-to-government agreement with the UK are not published in the code of practice for England.
“The government-to-government agreement may set parameters, implemented by the country of origin, for how UK employers, contracting bodies, recruitment organisations, agencies, and collaborations recruit. These organisations are encouraged to recruit on the terms of the government-to-government agreement.
“The green country list will be updated as new government-to-government agreements are signed with the UK. It is recommended employers, contracting bodies, recruitment organisations, agencies, and collaborations regularly check the list for updates prior to embarking on any recruitment campaign.
“Green-graded countries with a government-to-government agreement for managing international health and care workforce recruitment are India, Malaysia, Philippines, and Sri Lanka,” it added.
Related stories: Doctors are leaving Nigeria in droves
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)