Health

Pope Francis health update: Questions raised over future of his papacy

Published

2 months ago

March 10, 2025

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Pope Francis‘s recovery from double pneumonia in hospital is entering its fourth week, with questions being raised about what the future of his papacy might look like.

The pontiff followed the opening of a spiritual retreat by videoconference yesterday, but could not be seen or heard by priests, bishops and cardinals in the Vatican auditorium.

The Pope remains in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he was admitted on February 14, ahead of the 12th anniversary of his election on Thursday.

In its early update Monday, the Vatican said Francis was resting after a quiet night.

At the time of his hospitalization last month, the 88-year-old pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, had what was then just a bad case of bronchitis.

The infection progressed into a complex respiratory tract infection and double pneumonia that has sidelined Francis for the longest period of his papacy and prompted questions about the future.

He has remained in stable condition for over a week, with no fever, respiratory crises and good oxygen levels in his blood for several days, doctors reported.

The doctors said that such stability was in itself a positive thing and showed he was responding well to therapy.

But they kept his prognosis as ‘guarded,’ meaning that he’s not out of danger. Doctors were expected to provide a medical update later Monday.

The pontiff followed the opening of a spiritual retreat by videoconference yesterday, but could not be seen or heard (file image)

Faithful attend a Rosary prayer for the health of Pope Francis who is hospitalized with pneumonia, in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, March 9

A statement on the Pope’s X account yesterday read: ‘I think of the many people who find various ways to be close to the sick, becoming a sign of the Lord’s presence for them.

‘We need this ‘miracle of tenderness’ to accompany those who face adversity, in order to bring a little light into the night of pain.’

The Vatican will mark the pontiff’s election anniversary in his absence, making it the first anniversary celebration with him out of sight.

Francis was elected the 266th pope, the first Jesuit pope and first from Latin America, on March 13, 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.

On Sunday, Francis met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the chief of staff, Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, for the third time at the hospital.

Such meetings are the routine way the pope governs, and shows Francis is still keeping up with essential business.

While Francis has previously praised Benedict for his courage and humility in resigning, he has indicated more recently that he believes the job of pope is for life and said as recently as last year that he had no plans of stepping down.

The Pope remains in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he was admitted on February 14. Pictured: Faithful, priests and nuns pray outside yesterday

Francis has been using high flows of supplemental oxygen to help him breathe during the day and a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask at night.

The Vatican is currently observing a weeklong spiritual retreat, with the Pope listening to the opening by the Rev. Roberto Pasolini from his hospital room yesterday.

Pasolini delivered a meditation on ‘The hope of eternal life,’ a theme that was chosen well before Francis was admitted.

The retreat, which is an annual gathering that kicks off the Catholic Church’s solemn Lenten season leading to Easter, continues through the week.

The Vatican has said Francis would participate ‘in spiritual communion’ with the rest of the hierarchy, from afar.

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Health

Ogun unveils new strategy to fight HIV/AIDS

Published

4 hours ago

April 24, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

HIV/AIDS

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Ogun State Government has unveiled a new strategic plan aimed at achieving zero infection and ensuring sustained treatment and care for people living with HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, made this known at the opening of a three-day stakeholders’ engagement meeting towards developing the State HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan for 2025-2027 in Abeokuta on Wednesday.

Coker, represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Tayo Lawal, affirmed that the new development would play a significant role in the lives of the people living with HIV.

The Commissioner stated that, “it’s no longer news that donors are drastically withdrawing their support, unlike during the World Bank era when support was at its peak. We’re all witnesses to the current state of HIV response in the country.

“However, the fight against the disease cannot be won by the government alone; a multisectoral response to HIV must be fully activated. Every stakeholder must come together to fight this epidemic.”

In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr. Kehinde Fatungase, emphasised the need to develop a technical work plan that would guide the state’s efforts over the next two years, utilising available resources effectively, despite the existence of a National Strategic Plan.

Representatives from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, APIN Public Health Initiative, and Civil Society on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, showed commitment towards supporting the planning and implementation of the strategic plan.

Health

12,000 women diagnosed with cervical cancer annually – Minister

Published

3 days ago

April 21, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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About 12,000 Nigerian women are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually, despite the disease being largely preventable, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Mohammed Ali Pate, has disclosed.

The Minister made the disclosure during the launch of the cervical cancer vaccine campaign and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine integration sensitisation exercise held at Government Girls College, Bauchi.

According to him, “There is the need for greater awareness among stakeholders as part of efforts to eliminate cervical cancer in Bauchi State and across Nigeria.”

With the HPV vaccine, Pate stated that the disease can be prevented if vaccination is administered early to individuals who are susceptible to the virus and at risk of eventually developing cervical cancer.

He assured the commitment of the President to the cause and recalled the official flag-off of the HPV vaccination campaign in October 2023.

The Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Dr Usman Malami, in his remarks, explained that cervical cancer is one of the few cancers with a known cause.

He added that it makes it one of the most preventable forms of cancer, stressing that since they already know what causes it and what can provide lifelong immunity, vaccination becomes a critical tool.

Health

Katsina targets three million children for polio immunisation — Official

Published

1 week ago

April 16, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Polio-Victims

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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.