Health

Nigeria Worst Hit by Cholera – WHO

Published

1 year ago

October 22, 2024

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), report, Nigeria is now recorded as one of the hardest-hit countries with over 10,000 cholera cases in the first nine months of the year, representing a decrease from last year.

The country’s cholera fatality rate remains concerning at 3.3%, as it has recorded about 359 deaths which is significantly higher than the global average.

The global cholera crisis has also taken a devastating turn, with deaths spiking significantly despite a decrease in reported cases.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), while the number of cholera cases has dropped by 16% globally compared to last year, deaths have surged by an alarming 126%.

From January to September 2024, there were 439,724 reported cholera cases worldwide. However, the 3,432 recorded deaths signal a growing severity of the outbreaks.

The surge in cholera deaths can be linked to where outbreaks are concentrated. The WHO has highlighted that many of the worst-hit countries, including Nigeria, Afghanistan, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), face significant challenges that contribute to the rising death toll.

According to the report, in September 2024 (epidemiological weeks 36 to 39), the African Region reported 5710 new cholera cases across seven countries, marking a 26% increase compared to the previous month.

During this period, the highest numbers of cases were from Nigeria (1938), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1738) and the United Republic of Tanzania (1168).

“Additionally, there were 165 cholera-related deaths, with no significant change compared to the previous month.

“The highest numbers of deaths were reported from Nigeria (87), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (39), and the United Republic of Tanzania (18).

“In conflict zones, healthcare systems are often decimated, making it difficult for patients to access life-saving treatment. Cholera is a highly treatable disease, but if patients cannot reach medical facilities quickly, it can become fatal within hours,” the WHO report stated.

Additionally, the report emphasized that many of these regions have faced extreme weather conditions in 2024. “In Nigeria, northern states such as Adamawa and Jigawa experienced severe flooding, which likely contributed to the surge in cases by contaminating water supplies.

“Flooding damages infrastructure, making it harder for people to access clean water and healthcare, thus increasing the likelihood of fatal outcomes when cholera strikes, “It stated.

In September 2024 alone, Nigeria saw a sharp 42% increase in new cholera cases, recording 1,938 cases and 87 deaths. While there was a 15% reduction in deaths from August, Nigeria’s case fatality rate remains alarmingly high.

The country’s overstretched healthcare system, particularly in rural and flood-affected areas, has contributed to the high mortality rate as people struggle to get medical help in time.

Health

Alakija Donates Medical Research Hospital to Osun University

Published

1 day ago

November 6, 2025

Admin

By Huldah Shado

Business mogul and philanthropist, Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, has handed over the Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital to Osun State University, Osogbo.

According to a statement by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, the ceremony took place at Famfa Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, with the institution’s Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Wale Oladipo, and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Clement Adebooye, in attendance.

Representing the donor, Famfa Oil Managing Director, Mr. Dele Alakija, expressed the family’s gratitude to God and praised the university for its commitment to advancing medical education and healthcare in Nigeria.

He said the vision of Modupe and Folorunso Alakija was to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system through education, innovation, and community service, pledging continued support for similar initiatives.

Prof. Adebooye described the donation as a timeless legacy that would benefit generations to come, thanking Mrs. Alakija for her generosity and acknowledging former Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Ponnle, for facilitating the partnership that birthed the project.

Health

Lassa Fever Death Toll Rises to 176 -NCDC

Published

1 day ago

November 6, 2025

By Huldah Shado

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), says the Lassa fever death toll in the country has risen to 176, with 955 confirmed cases recorded as of epidemiological Week 43, 2025.

According to the latest NCDC report, the Case Fatality Rate now stands at 18.4 per cent, up from 16.6 per cent during the same period in 2024.

The agency said 21 states across 102 Local Government Areas have reported at least one confirmed case, with Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Taraba accounting for 88 per cent of infections.

Ondo reported 37 per cent of the total cases, Bauchi 21 per cent, Edo 17 per cent, and Taraba 13 per cent.

The NCDC noted that most cases occurred among people aged 21 to 30 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8. No new healthcare worker infection was reported in Week 43.

Lassa fever, an acute viral haemorrhagic illness endemic in parts of West Africa, is transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats.

Health

FCTA Doctors Insist on Strike Despite Partial Payment

Published

2 days ago

November 5, 2025

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA), has vowed to continue its indefinite strike despite the partial payment of salary arrears and the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), by the FCT Administration.

In a statement signed by its President, Dr. George Ebong, the association confirmed that 28 doctors recently received arrears ranging from one month to one year, while 103 out of 150 doctors got their MRTF entitlements. However, 47 doctors remain unpaid.

The group appreciated FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for initiating the payments but maintained that “partial compliance will not end the strike.”

It demanded full settlement of all outstanding arrears, including unpaid MRTF, six to seven months’ salary backlog for external resident doctors, promotion and skipping arrears, 13 months’ hazard allowance since 2021, and implementation of the 25-35% CONMESS salary adjustment.

The ARD-FCTA, representing doctors in 14 FCT hospitals, began the strike on Saturday, joining the nationwide action by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

“The indefinite strike continues until all our demands are met,” the statement said.