Health

2025 WORLD HEALTH DAY: FG COMMITS TO REDUCING MATERNAL & INFANT MORTALITY -Targets Training 120,000 Frontline Health Workers

Published

2 weeks ago

April 7, 2025

Spread the love

The Federal Government through Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare has reiterated its commitment to reducing maternal and newborn mortality, emphasizing the urgent significance of retraining of frontline health workers.

Speaking in a Radio Nigeria Network news programme today; Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako stated that the theme for this year’s Commemoration of World Health Day “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” aligns perfectly with the manifesto agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

Dr. Salako said the commitment of the government to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths in the country is receiving urgent attention.

“And to achieve that, the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative was developed as a mechanism to ensure that universal health coverage is achieved.

We are able to save lives. We are able to prevent physical and financial pains”, he added.

Elaborating on some of the maternal and new born initiatives of the Ministry, the Minister highlighted the critical importance of training and retraining of health workers. There is a target to train at least 120,000 frontline workers, he stated. About 50 percent of them have already been trained.

“If you look at one of the key deliverables of the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare within the Presidential Priorities is to ensure that by 2027, we reduce maternal mortality by at least 20 percent and reduce infant mortality by at least 15 percent.

In order to ensure we do that, the professional delivering the service must be well trained”, Dr. Salako further emphasized.

Taking capacity building a notch higher, the Minister pointed out that a practitioner must show evidence of continued professional development on annual basis; besides renewal of practising licence.

Speaking on ensuring equitable access to maternal and newborn care across the country, Dr. Salako informed Nigerians that the present administration is intentional on expansion and development of primary healthcare centres.

He further said: ” We are developing such initiatives like MAMI (Maternal & Neo-Natal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative) which is specifically targeting high-budget local government with respect to maternal mortality rates.

So you will see that with all this put together, we are taking maternal and child healthcare closer to the people at the grassroots.”

Health

Katsina targets three million children for polio immunisation — Official

Published

3 days ago

April 16, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Polio-Victims

Spread the love

The Katsina State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHCA) says it is targeting not less than three million children during the polio immunisation campaign scheduled for 26 -29 April.

Its Executive Secretary, Shamsudeen Yahaya, made the disclosure on Tuesday at a media dialogue with UNICEF, Katsina State Government officials and partners on polio and routine immunisation in the state.

Mr Yahaya said the exercise was aimed at creating awareness of the importance of immunisation in saving children from preventable deaths.

He, therefore, urged the media to continue to enlighten caregivers and other stakeholders on the importance of immunisation.

He revealed that the state has 1,636 health facilities providing routine immunisation services for children.

Mr Yahaya said the government would engage 3,700 independent monitors to ensure that each eligible child is reached during the campaign.

In his remarks, the Officer-in-Charge (OIC), also the Nutrition Manager of UNICEF Kano Field Office, Karanveer Singh, stressed the need to immunise every child against polio and other deadly diseases.

Mr Singh revealed that polio is highly infectious, warning, “Once a child is infected with the virus, he or she is permanently paralysed.”

The officer explained that every round of immunisation is important, as is immunising every child until the virus is completely eradicated.

He added that immunisation is the backbone of any eradication programme, hence the need for caregivers and other stakeholders to intensify efforts in ensuring that all children below five years are fully immunised.

Health

We must stop contaminating our rivers and streams in the name of ‘odinani’ (tradition)—- Gov Chukwuma Soludo ‎

Published

6 days ago

April 13, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Spread the love

‎
‎In a recent address to All Progressives Grand Alliance supporters in Awka, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo raised concerns about pollution of local streams and rivers by native doctors during rituals. He stated, “We must stop contaminating our rivers and streams in the name of ‘odinani’ (tradition). Many depend on that water for drinking and cooking.”
‎
‎According to Daily Trust, Governor Soludo urged practitioners to be responsible, saying, “If you must perform rituals, use a container—like a bucket—and carry out your practices there. Do not pollute our public water sources.” He emphasized that polluted water can lead to serious health issues, declaring that “we do not want that for our communities.”
‎
‎He addressed the backlash from a crackdown on native doctors suspected of criminal behavior: “I am not targeting legitimate traditional worshipers but those who defraud and deceive people.” His aim is to eliminate fraudulent actors while respecting cultural practices.
‎
‎He highlighted the need for balance: “We can embrace our traditions while ensuring the safety and health of our communities.”
‎
‎

Health

NAFDAC Begins Gradual Reopening of Shops at Ogbo-Ogwu Drug Market in Onitsha

Published

1 week ago

April 11, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Spread the love

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced the gradual reopening of shops at the Ogbo-Ogwu drug market in Onitsha.

This development follows the agency’s closure of the market on February 10, 2025, due to concerns over the sale and distribution of counterfeit, unregistered, and substandard drugs.

The unsealing exercise is being led by a Deputy Director of NAFDAC, Mr. Tunji Omoyemi.

According to NAFDAC, traders whose shops meet the required safety and documentation standards are being cleared to resume business operations.

Addressing the traders, the market chairman, Mr. Ndubuisi Chukwulota, urged full cooperation with the agency to facilitate the swift resumption of commercial activities.