How Nigeria’s children bear the brunt of a nation’s struggles—and the path to a brighter future In the crowded slums of Lagos, Adaoma’s laugh pierces the chaos. She’s two years old, her world a patchwork of mismatched toys, a threadbare mat, and her mother’s love. As she toddles after her older brother, oblivious to the […] The post Nigeria’s Silent Crisis: Why So Many Children Are Dying Before Their Fifth Birthday appeared first on healthnews.ng.

On November 27, the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa Region officially expressed profound sorrow over the sudden passing of Dr. Faustine Ndugulile, the Regional Director-elect for the African region. The news of his death, described as both shocking and untimely, the regional office said has left a void in the global and regional health community. […] The post Africa’s public health experts mourned Faustine Ndugulile appeared first on healthnews.ng.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has introduced a new strategy to address endemic and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that continue to affect millions across the continent. This initiative represents a coordinated effort to strengthen health systems, improve disease surveillance, and promote effective interventions. NTDs, such as schistosomiasis, river blindness, and […] The post Comprehensive Strategy to Tackle Neglected Tropical Diseases in Africa appeared first on healthnews.ng.

Rwanda’s Marburg response earns U.S. recognition and restored travel confidence The U.S. government has lifted its Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Rwanda, citing the country’s successful containment of a Marburg virus outbreak. The decision, applauded by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), underscores Rwanda’s effective public health response and the […] The post U.S. Lifts Travel Health Notice on Rwanda, Recognizing Marburg Outbreak Control Success appeared first on healthnews.ng.

WHO Maintains Global Alert as Mpox Cases Surge Across Borders The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General has upheld the declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), following advice from the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) Emergency Committee. The decision was made during the Committee’s second meeting on the ongoing mpox […] The post Mpox continues to be a public health emergency of international concern appeared first on healthnews.ng.

Natural disasters and conflict-driven displacement exacerbate cholera’s spread, exposing millions to preventable disease and death. Flooding and displacement are emerging as critical drivers of cholera outbreaks in Africa, compounding the region’s public health challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these factors have intensified cholera transmission in countries like Sudan, Nigeria, and the Democratic […] The post Flooding and Displacement Fuel Cholera Outbreaks Across Africa appeared first on healthnews.ng.

Despite a decline in cholera cases in Nigeria this year, the country’s persistently high fatality rate—3.5%—underscores critical gaps in healthcare access, sanitation infrastructure, and vaccine availability. With hotspots like Lagos, Borno, and Katsina bearing the brunt, systemic challenges and delayed responses continue to hinder outbreak control and expose millions to preventable deaths. Nigeria remains at […] The post Nigeria at the center of Africa’s ongoing cholera crisis appeared first on healthnews.ng.

At the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, leaders pledged billions to fund WHO’s core programs from 2025 to 2028. This historic move aims to save 40 million lives, tackle global health challenges, and strengthen health systems, marking a bold step toward health equity and resilience worldwide. At the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, […] The post Global Leaders Pledge Billions to WHO at G20 Summit for a Healthier Future appeared first on healthnews.ng.

Measles cases surged by 20% in 2023, infecting 10.3 million people. Vaccine gaps, worsened by the pandemic, left millions vulnerable. Deaths in Africa rose by 37%, and Europe saw a 200% spike in cases. Experts urge 95% vaccination coverage to prevent further outbreaks. In a concerning development, global health organizations have reported a significant increase […] The post Measles Resurgence: A Crisis in Numbers appeared first on healthnews.ng.

A troubling surge of Mpox cases is sweeping across Africa, posing yet another test for the continent’s already strained health systems. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported that 19 African Union member states have been affected by the outbreak this year, with cases soaring to levels unprecedented in recent history. […] The post Africa Grapples With Mpox Surge Amid Rising Health System Strains appeared first on healthnews.ng.

The World Health Organization (WHO) today officially certified Egypt as malaria-free, a monumental achievement for the nation of over 100 million people. This declaration concludes nearly a century of dedicated efforts by the Egyptian government and its citizens to eradicate a disease that has been a part of the country’s history since ancient times. “Malaria […] The post Egypt officially eliminates malaria appeared first on healthnews.ng.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised against imposing any travel and trade restrictions on Rwanda as the country battles its first confirmed outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD). The outbreak, reported on September 27, has mainly affected healthcare workers in Kigali, with no evidence of community transmission so far. The WHO warned that restricting […] The post WHO Advises Against Travel Restrictions Amid Marburg Outbreak in Rwanda appeared first on healthnews.ng.

The Ministry of Health in Zambia, through the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), has confirmed the country’s first case of Mpox. The announcement came as the nation braces for potential local transmission and cross-border spread, following a confirmed positive test on October 8. The patient, a 32-year-old Tanzanian national, was initially treated at Mukando […] The post Zambia Confirms First Case of Mpox appeared first on healthnews.ng.

As the world’s attention drifts from the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa finds itself grappling with a new wave of health crises that threaten to overwhelm fragile health systems. The latest report from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) paints a sobering picture of an increasingly complex epidemic landscape across […] The post A Continent on Alert: Africa’s Struggle Against Emerging Epidemics appeared first on healthnews.ng.

In a bustling metropolis like Lagos, where the healthcare system is often stretched to its limits, there is an urgent need for innovation. But there’s good news on the horizon. Thanks to the Lagos State Health Information Platform (Lagos SHIP), a revolutionary initiative developed in partnership between Interswitch Group and the Lagos State Government. Designed […] The post Bridging the Healthcare Gap: How Interswitch and Lagos State are Transforming Patient Care with Lagos SHIP appeared first on healthnews.ng.

In a significant move to curb the ongoing mpox outbreak, 15,460 doses of mpox vaccine donated by Bavarian Nordic have arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking a crucial addition to the global response effort. The doses landed in Kinshasa, the nation’s capital, and will bolster the 215,000 vaccine doses donated by […] The post DRC gets over 15,000 doses of mpox vaccine appeared first on healthnews.ng.

A catastrophic malnutrition crisis is unfolding in northwest Nigeria, with alarming rates of child malnutrition revealed by recent screening data. The dire situation is exacerbated by persistent poverty, food shortages, and insecurity, pushing the number of malnourished children in the region to unprecedented levels. In June, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Zamfara […] The post Malnutrition hits catastrophic heights in Zamfara — MSF appeared first on healthnews.ng.

Dr Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile has been nominated as the next Regional Director for the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region, taking the reins from Dr Matshidiso Moeti, who has served two five-year terms at the helm. African Member States voted to nominate Dr Ndugulile during the Seventy-fourth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, […] The post Meet the next director for WHO African Region appeared first on healthnews.ng.

Nigeria has become the first country in Africa to receive mpox vaccines outside of clinical trials, marking a significant milestone in the fight against the viral disease that has affected several countries on the continent. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern earlier this year. The shipment of […] The post Nigeria becomes Africa’s first country to receive mpox vaccine shipment appeared first on healthnews.ng.

In what it described as its decisive move to tackle the growing mpox crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) today announced the launch of a Global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP). This extensive strategy, set to unfold from September 2024 to February 2025, aims to halt human-to-human transmission of mpox through a coordinated global, […] The post WHO unveils plan to combat mpox appeared first on healthnews.ng.

Africa’s public health landscape is again at the centre of global health attention with a series of actions now in play to stem the spread of mpox. Last week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention officially declared mpox a public health emergency of continental security. This was […] The post Rethinking Global Health Cooperation for Equitable Access and Support appeared first on healthnews.ng.

The post Wide testing gap masks true state of mpox in Africa appeared first on healthnews.ng.

The Mpox virus is a serious health threat…We cannot afford to take this outbreak lightly. The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has raised alarms after confirming an outbreak of the Monkeypox virus (Mpox) in several countries within the WHO African Region, primarily in Central and West Africa. The outbreak has escalated to the […] The post Liberians warned not to take mpox outbreak lightly appeared first on healthnews.ng.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced the country’s mpox strategy entails prioritising surveillance. Dr Jide Idris, Director-General of the centre, while addressing a press briefing said the aim of the nationwide intensified surveillance is to swiftly detect and respond to any new cases. Coordinated by the National Mpox Technical Working Group, NCDC […] The post Nigeria puts 9 states on high alert for mpox, unveils vaccination strategy appeared first on healthnews.ng.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has become the focal point of the global mpox outbreak, with the majority of cases reported from this region. The situation in the DRC has escalated due to a combination of factors, including the endemic presence of the virus, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, socio-political challenges, and the subsequent regional spread […] The post How DR Congo became mpox outbreak’s epicentre appeared first on healthnews.ng.

In response to the escalating mpox crisis across Africa, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has unveiled several new initiatives designed to bolster the continent’s fight against the disease. These measures come as the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have both declared the outbreak a significant public […] The post Gavi to establish a global stockpile of mpox vaccines appeared first on healthnews.ng.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), following a sharp increase in cases reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other African nations. This declaration aligns with a similar announcement made yesterday by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), […] The post Breaking: WHO declares mpox a public health emergency of international concern appeared first on healthnews.ng.

WHO’s regional response plan requires an initial US$ 15 million to support surveillance, preparedness and response activities, the global body revealed. It also noted that the clade 1b of mpox that emerged last year and is rapidly spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but it is not the only driver of the mpox outbreak. […] The post $15 million required for initial response to mpox — WHO DG appeared first on healthnews.ng.

Global health authorities have updated their risk assessment concerning the Avian Influenza A(H3N8) virus, following recent developments in its spread among animals and limited human infections. The joint report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) highlights that, despite ongoing animal-to-animal transmission, […] The post New Bird Flu Strain Raises Global Concerns: What You Need to Know appeared first on healthnews.ng.

Within one week, the number of mpox cases in Africa increased by over 2,000 but the number of countries affected remains 13, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Addressing a press briefing today, Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, Chief of Staff and Head of Executive Office at the Africa CDC, said […] The post Over 2,000 cases of mpox reported in Africa in one week appeared first on healthnews.ng.

Africa CDC did not sit in its office and make a declaration. No, it was a consultative process. Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), has officially declared mpox a public health emergency of continental concern. “We have faced pandemics, various outbreaks, natural disasters and conflict. Yet […] The post Mpox officially declared public health emergency of continental security appeared first on healthnews.ng.

In what Muhammad Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, described as a bold move that could redefine the future of healthcare in Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration. This initiative seeks to address one of the most pressing challenges facing the country’s health […] The post What you need to know about Nigeria’s ambitious plan to tackle brain drain of health workers appeared first on healthnews.ng.

On Saturday morning a local boy’s football team was playing at a UNICEF Child-Friendly Space in Khartoum State when a shell hit the football field. Two boys were killed; almost the entire team was injured. I met these children, both in hospital, and at UNICEF’s Child Friendly Space. They are distraught. These were the words […] The post The world’s biggest humanitarian crisis for children continues to be underreported appeared first on healthnews.ng.

Nigeria is one of the two countries in Africa that have granted regulatory approval to enable the use of vaccine candidates for mpox, this was recently revealed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). According to Dr Rosamund Lewis, Emergency Manager and Technical Lead for the global mpox response at the WHO, the emergency listing process […] The post Nigeria approves Mpox vaccine appeared first on healthnews.ng.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has released its latest cholera situation report, revealing a sharp increase in suspected cases and fatalities as the country grapples with the outbreak. The report, covering the epidemiological week 29 (July 15-21, 2024), shows that Lagos State remains the epicenter of the epidemic, contributing significantly to […] The post Cholera Outbreak Worsens in Nigeria, Lagos Hit Hardest appeared first on healthnews.ng.

The 77th World Health Assembly opened with a focus on global health security and access to healthcare. At the opening session, Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, presented his nation’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program as a successful model for other countries. The program, which covers all aspects of healthcare from prevention to treatment, was lauded for its positive impact on Thailand’s […] The post 77th World Health Assembly gets underway in Geneva appeared first on healthnews.ng.