Health

WHO Partners TikTok to Fight Social Media Misinformation on Health

Published

5 months ago

September 30, 2024

editor

By Emmanuel Ogbodo

The World Health Organization (WHO) has initiated a year-long collaboration with TikTok to improve health literacy, promote healthier lifestyle choices, and tackle misinformation on the platform.

Given TikTok’s popularity among younger audiences, this partnership is significant. Research indicates that around 25% of young adults turn to social media for news and information, making platforms like TikTok influential in shaping health-related choices.

Acknowledging the impact of social media on health decisions, especially among youth, WHO aims to counter misinformation with this collaboration by providing evidence-based content.

Dr. Jeremy Farrar, WHO’s Chief Scientist, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “This collaboration can prove to be an inflection point in how platforms can be more socially responsible.” He highlighted that through this partnership, WHO aims to offer credible health information and encourage constructive scientific discussions to build a healthier future.

Valiant Richey, TikTok’s Global Head of Trust and Safety Outreach, reiterated the platform’s dedication to mental health awareness, saying, “We are delighted to collaborate with WHO’s Fides network of health influencers, bringing engaging and authoritative mental well-being content to our community.”

As part of the collaboration, TikTok will join forces with WHO’s Fides network, a group of health content creators established in 2020, to expand the reach of trustworthy health information. TikTok also plans to support influencers via its creator training programs, assisting them in transforming scientific data into engaging, easy-to-understand videos. The initiative will place a strong emphasis on content addressing key health topics, especially mental well-being.

Dr. Alain Labrique, WHO’s Director of Digital Health and Innovation, stressed the role of influencers in making health science more relatable. He stated, “Creators who understand their audience’s needs have a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between science and everyday life. This is where WHO can step in to support influencers in delivering evidence-based information, ensuring that health conversations on platforms like TikTok are both impactful and informed.”

Health

FG Approves $1.7 Billion for Healthcare Reforms

Published

2 days ago

February 11, 2025

ADMIN

By Adenike Lawal

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a $1.7 billion investment to strengthen the nation’s healthcare system through two major initiatives: the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity – Governance (HOPE-GOVERNANCE) project and the Primary Health Care Provision Strengthening (HOPE-PHC) project.

The approval was announced during a recent Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

The HOPE-PHC project aims to improve access to essential healthcare services while enhancing the resilience of health systems nationwide.

Its primary goal is to ensure quality healthcare is accessible to all Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the HOPE-GOVERNANCE project focuses on healthcare financing reforms, improving transparency and accountability, and strengthening human resource management at the federal, state, and local levels.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will oversee the HOPE-PHC project, while the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning will implement the HOPE-GOVERNANCE project.

These initiatives are expected to drive significant improvements in healthcare service delivery across the country.

Health

FCTA Seals Illegal Hospital in Kuje Over Patient Deaths

Published

1 week ago

February 3, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Alexis Uchendu

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has shut down Dada’s Clinic & Maternity Limited in Kapwa, Gaube community, Kuje Area Council, over illegal operations and alleged patient deaths.

The closure, carried out by the Private Health Establishments Registration and Monitoring Committee under Ahmadu Abubakar, Director of the Medical and Diagnostics Department, followed reports of fatalities and unsafe medical practices.

The facility was sealed on Sunday, and a staff member, Mr. Sabiu, who falsely posed as a health worker, was arrested and handed over to the police for further investigation.

According to a statement from the FCTA, issued via the media aide of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the clinic was unregistered and operated in a rented apartment unfit for healthcare services. It allegedly disguised its operations as a medical outreach program.

The statement further revealed that a community elder recently died after undergoing a hernia operation at the clinic, with additional reports of patients requiring emergency care elsewhere after surviving unsafe procedures.

The FCT Minister investigations his administration’s zero tolerance for illegal health facilities, stressing the need for safe and regulated healthcare services.

An investigation into the clinic’s activities is ongoing.

Abuja Reports

FG to Slash Dialysis Costs by 80% at FMC Abuja

Published

4 weeks ago

January 14, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Patrick Idowu

In a major relief for kidney disease patients, the Federal Government has announced an 80% subsidy on dialysis treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Tuesday during the commissioning of a new clinic service building and ward centre at the hospital.

He emphasized that the initiative aims to make dialysis more accessible and affordable, aligning with the government’s broader healthcare reforms.

“This subsidy program, launched in 2024, is already in place in 10 selected federal tertiary health institutions, and FMC Jabi is now a strong candidate to join,” Salako stated.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring quality healthcare, a key pillar of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (HSRII), which supports President Bola Tinubu’s vision of healthcare as a fundamental right.

Salako further highlighted the administration’s investments in strengthening tertiary healthcare, reducing the need for Nigerians to seek critical medical procedures, such as kidney transplants, abroad.

Meanwhile, FMC Abuja’s Chief Medical Director, Saad Ahmed, revealed that the newly inaugurated facility will enhance healthcare delivery, housing a dialysis and transplantation centre, pathology laboratories, and additional patient wards to ease hospital congestion.

He also announced the acquisition of a neurosurgical operating microscope to improve brain surgery services.

The subsidy initiative marks a significant step toward easing the financial burden of chronic kidney disease patients while bolstering Nigeria’s healthcare capacity.