Category: Health and Environment

By Taiye Olayemi

AXA Mansard Health has strengthened its commitment to community well-being with a free medical outreach to residents of Iwaya, Yaba, Lagos, offering vital health services to hundreds of people.

The initiative, held at the end of August, formed part of the company’s flagship “AXA Hearts in Action” programme a cornerstone of its corporate social responsibility strategy aimed at bridging gaps in healthcare access.

During the exercise, AXA Mansard Health’s medical team and volunteers delivered on-the-spot consultations, blood pressure checks, malaria testing, and other diagnostic services.

Essential medications were dispensed, while patients received guidance on disease management and maintaining healthier lifestyles.

Chief Executive Officer of the company, Tope Adeniyi said the outreach reflects the firm’s mission to extend care beyond policy documents and into communities most in need.

“Bringing healthcare services directly to people like those in Iwaya allows us to make a real difference where it matters most.

“This is not just CSR for us; it’s embedded in our DNA as a company determined to help people live better lives and build lasting relationships with communities,” he said.

The leadership team including Dr Jadesola Idowu, Chief Operating Officer; Olamide Lawal, Head of Medical Services; and Adebola Surakat, Chief Marketing Officer joined staff and volunteers in delivering care, underscoring the insurer’s hands-on approach to social impact.

Dr Idowu stressed that the project aligns with AXA Mansard’s wider ambition to close healthcare gaps for underserved groups.

“Healthcare should be accessible to everyone, regardless of socio-economic status.

“By reaching communities like Iwaya, we empower people with tools to thrive,” she said.

Surakat added that the outreach is helping nurture a culture of empathy within the organisation.

“This is more than a CSR exercise; it’s a movement. Our people are inspired to step forward, give their time, and support those who need it most,” he said.

Residents and community leaders expressed appreciation for the effort, noting its value at a time when economic pressures make access to quality healthcare difficult.

Beyond addressing immediate health needs, the programme strengthened trust and created a sense of solidarity between the insurer and the community.

AXA Mansard Health says the Iwaya initiative is part of a wider effort to deliver sustainable impact across Nigeria through consistent engagement and strategic partnerships.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to protecting what matters most by building healthier, more resilient communities nationwide.

Prof. Uba laments soaring cost of drugs, dearth of specialised doctors for asthma treatment

The Amaka Chiwuike-Uba Foundation (ACUF) has decried the soaring cost of drugs for management and dearth of specialised doctors for asthma treatment in Nigeria.

Asthma, which is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, is one of the most common non-communicable diseases worldwide and a leading cause of avoidable suffering and death.

The Chairman of the Foundation, Prof. Chiwuike Uba, told newsmen in a press briefing on Friday in Enugu that in Nigeria, “the scale of the problem is sobering”.

Uba noted that with an estimated between 15 million and 20 million patients, the country carries one of the heaviest national burdens of asthma globally.

According to him, urban prevalence rates range from 10 to 13 per cent among children and young adults, while rural communities record slightly lower but still significant figures.

He said, “Yet, Nigeria has fewer than 80 registered respiratory physicians — equivalent to just one specialist for every 2.3 million citizens.

“Most patients are therefore managed by general health practitioners who often lack access to spirometry, the diagnostic gold standard.

“A national audit revealed that only a handful of hospitals and private centers own functional spirometers, and even fewer employ staff trained to use them effectively.

“The consequences are tragic: thousands of avoidable deaths each year, particularly among the young.

“In schools asthma remains one of the leading causes of absenteeism, undermining educational attainment and limiting opportunities for millions of children.”

Uba said that the economic burden of asthma is staggering, adding that average direct treatment costs range from US$309 to US$368 per patient annually, with medicines accounting for nearly 90 per cent of the expense.

He noted that for households living below the poverty line, asthma treatment consumes more than 30 per cent of annual income, forcing families to ration inhalers, skip doses or abandon treatment altogether.

“Indirect costs further compound the problem; missed school days, lost work productivity and premature deaths.

“Drug affordability remains a central challenge.

“In Nigeria, the cost of a salbutamol (Ventolin) inhaler has surged from around ₦3,500 to more than ₦7,500 in just two years, with some brands priced as high as between ₦15,000 and N20,000.

“Long-term controller inhalers often exceed ₦25,000 — far beyond the reach of most citizens who pay out-of-pocket,” Uba, who is a Professor of Developmental Economy and Health Financing Expert, said.

He urged the Federal and state governments as well as health partners to collaborate to reduce the financial burden of asthma and promote specialised studies and research into the ailment.

Flowerbud News/ National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Thursday said the agency seized 277 cartoons of fake and unregistered Malamal Fort malaria drugs worth over 1.2 billion in Lagos.

NAFDAC’s  Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr Martins Iluyomade, disclosed this to newsmen.

He said the drug was discovered inside a container alleged  to contain only spare-parts at a warehouse along Ilasa-Oshodi.

Iluyomade said the drug was concealed in a cartoon of Diclofenac Potassium enteric coated 50mg and was manufactured by Shanxi Tianyuan Pharmaceuticals Group in China.

He explained that the recent discovery by the agency was part of its ongoing nationwide efforts to rid the country of fake and unregistered drugs.

Iluyomade said NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, with support from the Presidency and Health Ministry, was committed to reducing fake and substandard medicines to the barest minimum.

The director, who noted that the seizure had prevented 500,000 Nigerians from taking the counterfeit anti-malaria medicine, added that the drugs would be tested to ascertain the actual content.

“This enforcement action started before today. It’s a follow-up of enforcement operations launched early this year by NAFDAC in Lagos, Aba and Onitsha.

“The container that concealed this unregistered drugs was trailed from Apapa, where it was declared to contain spare parts but our operation team lead by Mrs Florence Uba, a Deputy Director tracked container to a warehouse.

“A carton of the concealed malaria drugs contain 18 packs, with 100 sachets in each of the packs.

“Ordinarily, you will think what is inside the pack is Diclofenac, a pain killer but opening the pack, we saw something else and this raised their curiosity.

“Imagine the number of doses we have here, and how many households would have taken these doses, thinking they are taking malaria tablets in this country,” he said.

Iluyomade said that further investigation revealed that the person behind the importation had relocated from Onitsha to China after NAFDAC clampdown at the Onitsha drug market.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the agency to safeguard the health and well being of Nigerians in its fight against the sale and distribution of unregistered and counterfeit medicines in the country.

“The NAFDAC Director-General is leaving no stone unturned in uncovering the root causes and providing answers to the questions Nigerians have been asking”.

NAN

Gov. Mbah says Enugu is open for healthcare collaboration, support

Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State says the state is open for collaboration and support in healthcare to complement the government’s efforts to revamp all levels of healthcare.

Mbah made the appeal on Saturday during the Officially Launching of Free Hospital Equipment and Medical Supplies to Enugu State Teaching Hospital by Shola Agboola Goodwill Ambassador (SAGA) Foundation.

The medical equipment and supplies included: medical beds, consumables, theatre tables, mattresses, all sorts of medical items used in hospitals, machines, tools, equipment, scanners and ultra-sound machines among others.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the governor said that his administration had invested hugely in rebuilding, revamping and total overhaul of the state’s healthcare system.

According to him, the state government is constructing 260 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across the 260 political wards and some of them are completed; while secondary healthcare (General and Cottage Hospitals) are given a facelift.

“The state’s two teaching hospitals’ facilities have been upgraded and expanded; while our 300-bedded Quaternary International Hospital, meant to attract international medical tourism, is near completion.

“The government has set out plans to bring in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment for the game-changing first-grade healthcare facilities; however, there is room for collaboration and more support to the facilities,” he said.

Mbah urged foundations, corporate organisations and philanthropists to collaborate with the state government to ensure that the residents, indeed Nigerians, could seek qualitative and satisfactory healthcare in the state at any level of healthcare.

“The people and government of Enugu State are appreciative of SAGA Foundation for the medical equipment donated to the state worth over N430 million. We call for more, seeing the vesting number of our facilities,” he said.

The Founder of SAGA Foundation, Dr Shola Agboola, said that he started the foundation to uplift health in Nigeria and Africa after losing his father to tetanus in an ill-equipped health facility at the age of 13.

Agboola said that the Foundation had donated health equipment to over 10 states in Nigeria as well as three other countries in Africa within its10-year existence.

“I must commend the state government for a well-planned and well-invested healthcare system, which is a testament of the premium and quality of healthcare the government envisioned for her people,” he said.

Earlier, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, appreciated Gov. Mbah for using his international connections and extraordinary capacity to attract medical equipment and supplies from SAGA Foundation, Canada.

Ugwu said that the medical equipment and supplies were coming at a critical time as the government had already embarked on retooling and revamping all levels of healthcare to make the state a healthcare destination.

He said, “we are going to deploy these medical equipment and supplies to areas of greatest needs in general and teaching hospitals and we are assuring everyone to put them to judicious and protective use.

“The current retooling and revamping of all levels of healthcare facilities have opened up space and we call for more collaboration and support in medical equipment and supplies to filling them up.”

Flowerbud News/ The International Research Centre of Excellence (IRCE) at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), will host its third annual scientific symposium on Sept. 8 and 9, 2025.

Prof. Alash’le Abimiku, Executive Director of IRCE, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja, noting that the event would focus on addressing viral threats through research and public health response.

Abimiku said that the symposium, themed, “Combating Viral Threats through Public Health Response and Research”, would feature plenary and roundtable sessions alongside research presentations that highlight Nigeria’s pressing health challenges.

She said that the two-day event in Abuja would bring together scientists, researchers, policymakers, healthcare providers, and students from within and outside Nigeria.

She said that they would share knowledge and explore innovative approaches to combating diseases such as Lassa fever, Mpox, Hepatitis and emerging threats like dengue fever.

Dr Patrick Dakum, IHVN Chief Executive Officer, said that the timeliness of the symposium, noting that Nigeria continues to grapple with HIV, the aftermath of COVID-19 and the risk of new and re-emerging viral diseases.

Dakum emphasised that sustained research and surveillance were crucial to enhancing the nation’s preparedness for public health emergencies.

Also speaking, Dr Charles Mensah, IHVN’s Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director, urged broad participation, stating that the lessons from the symposium would not only advance scientific knowledge but also strengthen Nigeria’s health system.

Mensah said that registration and abstract submissions for the symposium were open at www.ihvn-irce.org and www.ihvnigeria.org.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that since 2023, IRCE has convened annual symposiums focused on critical health issues, including research in sickle cell disease, cancer, and local health challenges.

The centre, established to foster public-private partnerships, is committed to excellence in research, capacity building and collaboration with government, healthcare providers and communities across West Africa.

NAN

By Mohammed Baba Busu

Gov. Mohammed Umaru-Bago of Niger, has hailed the appointment of Dr Ndagi Alhassan as the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).

Umaru-Bago, who expressed the gratitude of the state, noted that the appointment marked the second time an indigene of the state would hold the prestigious national position.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor spoke at a civic reception organised in honour of the appointee on Saturday in Minna.

The governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Alhaji Abdullahi Mamagi, described the development as a significant milestone, assuring that the state remained committed to supporting the new registrar in every possible way.

“Whatever kind of support he expects, we are ready to provide, be it moral, financial, or otherwise. We are fully behind him,” Bago assured.

On efforts to strengthen the health sector and the nursing profession in the state, the governor said his administration had granted permanent appointments to casual health workers and placed them on the approved state minimum wage of ₦80,000.

He reaffirmed government commitment to regulating schools of health to ensure high standards in training health professionals, adding that a task force, comprising the Ministries of Health, Tertiary Education, Basic and Secondary Education, and the Internal Revenue Service “is actively monitoring health institutions across the state.”

Umar-Bago emphasised his administration’s dedication to supporting the younger generation by ensuring that schools of health and nursing in the state maintain the highest level of professionalism, thereby contributing to the broader improvement of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the occasion and immediate past Registrar of the council, who is also the Sokoto State Commissioner for health, Dr Faruk Umar-Abubakar, said the task of regulating the profession was very difficult, but expressed optimism that his successor with the support of all stakeholders would succeed.

He described the relationship between the council and the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives as cordial, saying that the presence of the national president of the association and representatives of the 36 states and FCT, was a testament to the cordial relationship.

Umar-Abubakar appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, for allowing continuity of leadership succession within the council, assuring that the appointee “is qualified and fit for the position, though, leadership of the profession is difficult in the country.”

In his goodwill message, the State Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr Bello Tukur, observed that there would be no healthcare system without the nurses and promised to continue to improve on the welfare of the nurses.

He said the Bago-led administration was poised on providing quality healthcare services and other sectors development, adding that detractors would not be allowed to draw them back.

The National President, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Mr Haruna Mamman, showered encomium on the new registrar, pledging the support of the association to facilitate his success.

In his keynote address, the Guest Speaker and Pro-Chancellor, Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna (AKUM), Prof. Mohammed Kuta-Yahaya, described the nursing profession as one of the most acclaimed and sort for globally, while urging the new registrar to expand the scope of the profession in the country.

NAN reports that the Guest Speaker, who spoke on the theme: ‘Leadership, Healthcare and Future of Nigeria’s Youth’, said: “Sustainable development is rooted in the quality of leadership we nature today.

“These leaders exemplify service-driven leadership, vision and measurable impact.”

He also recommended for policy reform to strengthen enforcement of ethical and professional standards in nursing and midwifery, investment in health education, and youths inclusivity in policy making for health.

Kuta-Yahaya observed that true leadership transcend titles, saying: “With collaboration among stakeholders, we can together build a Nigeria where quality healthcare, education, and opportunity are rights, not privileges.”

He, however, commended Gov. Umaru-Bago for his laudable transformation projects, adding that the state had made a remarkable progress in infrastructure, education, youth development, public health and governance.

Responding, the appointee, who described his appointment as a rare privilege and a call to greater responsibility, pledged his unwavering dedication to advancing nursing and midwifery practice in the country.

Alhassan expressed profound gratitude to Tinubu and Pate for the confidence reposed in him.

“I am well aware of the responsibilities that come with this great position, and I pledge to discharge my duties with diligence, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to the growth and professional excellence of nursing and midwifery in Nigeria,” he affirmed.

Alhassan acknowledged the support of his professional mentors, colleagues, and the nursing community nationwide, stressing that the recognition was not just personal but a reflection of collective progress in the health sector.

The new registrar also expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah and renewed his determination to strengthen nursing and midwifery education, regulation, and practice in Nigeria for improved healthcare delivery.