By Patrick Idowu

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday handed over 12 ambulances to hospitals across the territory to strengthen emergency healthcare services.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Wike said the initiative reflects the FCT Administration’s commitment to prioritising critical sectors beyond road infrastructure and education.

He explained that improved road networks are essential for the effective operation of emergency vehicles, noting that poor roads can undermine rapid response during medical emergencies.

The minister also disclosed that the administration has begun the procurement process for the rehabilitation and furnishing of 14 health centres across the FCT.

In addition, he said the FCT Head of Civil Service and relevant area council chairmen have been directed to recruit more personnel for the health sector.

Earlier, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, described the procurement of the ambulances as a major step towards improving emergency healthcare delivery in the territory.

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted 24 health sector bills to the Senate for legislative consideration in line with Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

The bills were read during Tuesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further action.

In a letter to the Senate, Tinubu said the proposed legislations followed a comprehensive review of existing health laws by the Attorney-General of the Federation in collaboration with the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and approval by the Federal Executive Council.

He explained that the bills seek to streamline governance in health institutions by reducing oversized board memberships to improve efficiency and service delivery.

The amendments cover several health institutions and regulatory bodies, including teaching and specialty hospitals, professional councils and agencies such as NAFDAC, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the National Blood Service Agency.

Other bills include the Records Officers Registration and Digital Health Bill 2025 and the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Bill 2025.

Tinubu urged the Senate to give the bills prompt and careful consideration to strengthen the health sector.

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

Africa is no longer under a public health emergency for mpox, the Director General of Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, announced on Saturday, though the disease remains endemic in parts of the continent.

Kaseya said improved detection, wider access to treatment, and the distribution of over five million vaccine doses across 16 African countries since 2024 have led to a 60 percent drop in cases and a fall in fatality rates from 2.6% to 0.6% in 2025.

The decision follows the WHO’s September announcement that mpox is no longer a global public health emergency, after its 2024 outbreak, largely in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Kaseya warned that the disease has not been eliminated, stressing that continued vigilance, targeted investment, and innovation are needed to prevent resurgence.

Africa still accounts for 78 percent of global mpox cases, with DRC, Guinea, and Madagascar the most affected.