Health

SDGs Boss Advocates Better Care For Sickle Cell Patients

Published

11 months ago

June 20, 2024

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has called for concerted efforts to improve the country’s care for patients with Sickle Cell Disease.

Orelope-Adefulire explained that with Sickle Cell contributing to approximately 376,000 under-5 deaths annually, compared to 34,400 deaths from other causes, there is a pressing need for stakeholders to intensify efforts to reverse the trend.

In a statement issued by her media aide, Desmond Utomwen, she made this call to commemorate World Sickle Cell Day, with the theme: “Hope Through Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally.” World Sickle Cell Day is observed on June 19 every year. It is an annual event to raise awareness about sickle cell disease globally.

According to her, a Lancet Haematology publication in August 2023 revealed that globally, between 2000 and 2021, the rate of children born with sickle cell disease increased by 13.7 percent, reaching an average of up to 515,000 babies per annum.

“The study also found that sickle cell-specific under-5 mortality was 11 times higher than deaths due to other causes, amounting to approximately 376,000 deaths from sickle cell disease annually compared to 34,400 deaths from other causes.
“In Nigeria, approximately one in four, or 25 percent, of Nigerians carries a sickle cell gene, meaning about 50 million people can transmit it to their children. We must act now to reverse this trend,” she stated.

Orelope-Adefulire further noted that the OSSAP-SDGs had demonstrated commitment by delivering a fully equipped, state-of-the-art Sickle Cell Care Centre at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

She expressed confidence that the Sickle Cell Centre, which was recently commissioned by Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other related interventions by OSSAP-SDGs, will contribute to achieving SDG 3.2 on reducing under-five mortality to 25 per 1,000 live births or less by 2030, as well as other cross-cutting SDGs, as it aligns with the cardinal pillars on healthcare and empowerment in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.

Health

FG Unveils Zinc Rich Rice to Combat Malnutrition

Published

3 weeks ago

April 30, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

The Federal Government has launched two new rice varieties, FARO 71 and FARO 72, in a bold move to fight malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies among vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, unveiled the fortified rice in Abuja, highlighting its potential to improve health outcomes while boosting food security.

Developed in collaboration with HarvestPlus and the National Cereals Research Institute, the rice varieties are enriched with zinc, supplying up to 40 percent of the daily recommended intake.

Aside from their nutritional benefits, FARO 71 and FARO 72 are designed to deliver high yields, resist pests, and withstand drought — qualities expected to appeal to farmers and improve national productivity.

With Nigeria reportedly losing $1.5 billion annually to nutrient deficiencies, the government hopes these fortified staples will play a critical role in reversing the trend and promoting public health through agriculture.

Health

FG Boosts Nursing Enrollment to 115,000 to Bridge Healthcare Gap

Published

3 weeks ago

April 28, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

In a major move to tackle Nigeria’s growing healthcare workforce shortage, the Federal Government has increased the annual enrollment of nursing students from 28,000 to 115,000.

The announcement was made on April 28, 2025, by the Federal Ministry of Education, highlighting the government’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare and education sectors under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The surge, surpassing the original target of 110,000 students, is the result of collaboration between the Ministries of Education and Health & Social Welfare.

The milestone was achieved thanks to the leadership of Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and support from industry experts, the Nigerian Council of Nurses and Midwifery, and teaching hospitals.

Health

Battle Against Malaria Gains New Fire

Published

3 weeks ago

April 28, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Oso Abidemi

Determined to stamp out malaria, major health organizations stormed the University of Lagos with a sweeping campaign of education, free testing, and drug distribution.

Themed “Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” the outreach united Green Life Pharmaceuticals, Green Life Hospital, Seagreen Pharmaceutical, and Clearline HMO in a powerful push to fight the disease that continues to ravage communities across Nigeria.

Hundreds of students and residents turned up for free malaria tests, prevention kits, and vital health education. Organizers stressed the urgent need for community action, with a special focus on empowering young people to drive change.

Peter Nwosu, Executive Director of Green Life Pharmaceuticals, described the campaign as more than a symbolic gesture.

“We are here not just to mark a day but to make a real difference,” he declared, calling for sustained efforts against the deadly scourge.

Speaking for Clearline HMO, Dr. Oghenerukevwe Peretomode warned that climate change is fueling malaria through flooding and rising temperatures.

She called for stronger government support, innovation, and personal responsibility, urging Nigerians to use treated nets and maintain clean surroundings.

Chris Ikeagu, General Manager of Green Life Hospital, said the choice of UNILAG was deliberate.

“Youth are the key to this battle. They will take the message home,” he said, stressing that early detection and treatment remain vital weapons in the fight.

The event stood as a fresh rallying call for Nigerians to take the malaria fight personally, seriously, and urgently.