Health
New COVID-19 variant XEC is not in Nigeria, FG allays citizens’ fears

Published
4 months agoon
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Ekwutos BlogNew COVID-19 variant XEC is not in Nigeria, FG allays citizens’ fears
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has dismissed reports of the presence of the COVID-19 variant known as XEC in Nigeria, urging citizens to disregard misinformation circulating on social media.
The ministry said this in a statement signed byAlaba Balogun, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations on Saturday in Abuja.
Balogun reassured the public that no evidence supported the detection of the XEC variant within the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the XEC variant of COVID-19, first identified in Australia, has reportedly spread to 29 countries.
It is noted for its increased virulence. While the global spread has raised concerns, the ministry clarified that Nigeria remained unaffected.
“We urge the public to stay calm and maintain universal health precautions, including regular hand washing,” he said.
To strengthen preparedness, he said that the ministry was taking measures to safeguard public health:
He listed the measures as enhanced through intensified monitoring efforts, improved healthcare facilities, and public resources.
Balogun also addressed a letter with reference number DHS/INSPDIV/017/VOL.1/46, dated Dec. 5, which has been widely shared online.
He described the letter as fake and urged the public to disregard its content.
“As part of our responsibility to coordinate, monitor and evaluate response activities, the Federal Ministry of Health remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services in the event of any outbreak,” he said.
He emphasised the ministry’s proactive approach to monitoring emerging infectious diseases and reaffirmed its dedication to protecting public health. Regular updates will be provided to keep Nigerians informed of any developments.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the XEC variant of COVID-19 is a recombinant strain.
It results from the combination of genetic material from two or more existing variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Recombinant variants can emerge when different strains infect the same individual and exchange genetic material during replication.
This process may lead to new variants with unique properties, such as increased transmissibility, virulence, or resistance to immunity.
In the case of XEC, it was reportedly first detected in Australia and has been identified in multiple countries globally.
According to experts, it has raised concerns due to its potentially increased virulence, which could strain healthcare systems if not managed effectively.
Although it has spread to 29 countries, there is no evidence of its presence in Nigeria, as confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Health.
Authorities globally are monitoring the variant closely to assess its impact and ensure that public health measures remain effective.
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Health
NAFDAC Begins Gradual Reopening of Shops at Ogbo-Ogwu Drug Market in Onitsha

Published
17 hours agoon
April 11, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
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.
Credit: Anambra Broadcasting Service
Health
“We don’t train you and after spending all that money you leave our healthcare facilities” Gov Mbah begs nurses not to Japa

Published
22 hours agoon
April 11, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah has appealed to nursing students in the state not to leave the state after graduation to curb brain drain in the state’s health sector.
The governor made the appeal during the 2024/ 2025 Maiden Matriculation Ceremony of the Nursing College, Enugu on Thursday, April 10.
He urged the students to consider the huge resources the state was committing in training nursing and midwifery students in the state and give back to the state after graduation.
Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said “japa syndrome” was completely against the policy of the state, who had been spending reasonable amount in training them.
“We don’t train you and after spending all that money in infrastructure and the first opportunity you get you leave our healthcare facilities.
“One thing we are very particular is how we improve the service conditions so that when you go through the effort of getting your certificate, you don’t leave our state.
“That is why we are training beyond just academics so that you see that this is service and if any of you can go back to our budget in 2024 and 2025, the highest investment is in education and health,” Mbah said.
Health
2025 RETREAT FOR HEALTH DIRECTORS’: PS URGES DIRECTORS’ TO UPHOLD TENETS OF EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY & SUCCESSION PLANNING

Published
2 days agoon
April 10, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
Directors’ in the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare have been urged to ensure effective delivery of services within the Health Sector to the Nigerian populace.
This is considered very critical to achieving the mandate of the Ministry, as well as ensuring purposeful succession planning to sustain the Ministry’s current achievements.
Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom mni, stated during the retreat for Directors’ in the Ministry held at the Carlton Swiss Hotel Enugu, Enugu State.
The theme is ” Strengthening Leadership for Effective and Efficient Health and Social Welfare Governance.
Addressing Directors, Daju Kachollom highlighted the importannce and objectives of the retreat for effective and efficient provision of healthcare services.
The retreat, she stated, will involve strategic planning to assess the Ministry’s current position, set long-term goals and, outline the steps required to achieve them.
Additionally, it will also foster team building, strengthen interpersonal relationships among participants, improve communication and, encourage a collaborative environment.
While defining Leadership as a driving force behind organisations, the Permanent Secretary implores the Directors’ to prioritise transparency, embrace innovation, foster partnerships and, build empowered, sustainable teams to ensure an efficient and effective system that meets its goals.
“In this regard, we must fully embrace the on-going reforms and take ownership of them.
We must adopt the principles of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025, with particular focus on the new Performance Management System (PMS), which is designed to track both individual performance and our collective contributions to ministerial and national development goals.
At its core, performance management aligns individual goals with Organizational objectives, ensuring a unifieɗ direction “; the Permanent Secretary added.
Additionally, Daju Kachollom urged Directors’ present at the retreat to prioritize mentoring and succession planning.
Mentoring and succession planning, according to her, are key initiatives to strengthen and sustain the progress achieved by the Ministry.
Major highlights of the retreat include power point presentations by the participating Directors’ in the Ministry, further affirming a deliberate intent of the top management
on enhancing leadership skills and, addressing challenges facing the Ministry while offering solutions to overcome them.

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