* Patients go home same day

Eleos Specialist Hospital, Abuja, has commenced Thulium Fiber Laser Enucleation of The Prostate (ThuFLEP). The procedure involves using a special LASER technology which was recently introduced to completely remove the enlarged prostate without any surgical cuts to the body.

With this new LASER, the enlarged prostate is completely removed no matter the size. It offers the advantage of no surgical cuts, little or no blood loss, with the patient going home either same day of the procedure or just a day after the procedure. 

Other advantage of the procedure includes the fact that the procedure is done with the patient awake and there is no loss of erections following the procedure.

This new LASER technology has some modifications that have given it advantages over previous LASERS. It is also used for other medical purposes like the treatment of kidney stones, etc.

The Head of Operations of the Hospital, Mr. Joshua Amayanvbo, said that the hospital has successfully done ThuFLEP for more than 30 patients now with each going home same day or just the day after the procedure.

Also, in a recent interview on Arise Television Morning Show, Dr. Paul Ngwu, a Consultant Urologist and Laparoscopic Surgeon, underscored the importance of ThuFLEP as a new and improved LASER technology in handling cases of prostate enlargement.

While explaining the procedures of using the modern equipment and how effective they are, Dr. Ngwu said the new technology reduces to the barest minimum, some of the complications traceable to old and traditional procedures.

“We’ll finish the surgery and the urine is clear. And there is no bleeding there, even for a very big prostate.

“You will just discover that you are not seeing any bleeder at all as you are moving on. So you will discover that you have removed 300g prostate or 400g prostate and there is no need for transfusion at all,” Ngwu said.

He also emphasized that the procedure does not affect erections at all.

“The essence of this programme is for public health education. Of course, this is not advertisement, but to create an awareness for members of the public to know that there are solutions to these problems and that such technology exists. Of course, when you go on Google and search ThuFLEP, a lot of information will pop up. They’re also there in some of our hospitals,” he added.

For consultation or further details, contact the Customer Care on 07066244467, 09067768799, 09011820593

 Website: ; or social media handles – Eleos Specialist Hospital (Facebook) and Eleos Specialist Hospital (Instagram).

Health Impact for Youth (HI4Y) has launched a dual-phase social enterprise initiative, tagged “Youth Health Action Lab: Empowering Young Changemakers Through Health Literacy,” successfully transitioning 150 beneficiaries in Niger State from passive awareness into active mental health advocates and community leaders.

The project, executed with backing from Ashoka Africa and Kwanda, was divided into a school-based mental health advocacy programme and a subsequent community health engagement phase.

The initial framework engaged 50 secondary school students in interactive capacity-building sessions. Facilitated by a mental health professional, mentors, and educators, the curriculum covered mental health, emotional wellbeing, empathy, peer support, design thinking, leadership, and changemaking.

Utilizing a peer-circle model, participants analyzed localized operational risks to student well-being—including depression, low self-esteem, peer pressure, family-related difficulties, and peer conflict. This task produced 10 distinct, student-led initiatives, including anti-bullying campaigns, peer support networks, confidence-building programmes, friendship and peer-pressure awareness initiatives as well as activities promoting positive behavior and emotional wellbeing.

According to HI4Y, the initiative’s objectives stretched beyond expanding baseline mental health literacy to actively empowering young demographics to drive structural solutions, marking a operational pivot from passive learning to active leadership.

Emmanuel Anene, Headboy of one of the participating schools, Farem Grace and Mercy School, whose project ranked among the programme’s top interventions, said the sessions transformed students’ understanding of mental health.

He said, “Through the peer circles and activities, many of us grew in confidence, teamwork, and leadership. We are no longer just students listening to talks; we have become mental health advocates and changemakers within our school,” he said.

The school’s Principal, Mr. Monday Adeiza announced plans to launch a virtual mental health advocacy platform to sustain student engagement after the programme.

“We want that impact to continue spreading,”he said.

Building on the school programme, the organisation extended the initiative to the wider community, reaching and engaging 100 community members with activities focused on health literacy, malaria prevention, community participation and youth-led action.

Speaking on the initiative, Project Lead, Unique Okewoye said the programme was designed to help young people see themselves as leaders capable of driving change within their communities.

“Young people are often viewed as beneficiaries of development programmes, but through this project, we wanted them to see themselves as leaders, problem-solvers, and advocates capable of creating meaningful change in their communities,” she said.

According to her, the Youth Health Action Lab aligns with HI4Y’s mission to strengthen health literacy, promote mental wellbeing and empower young people to take ownership of challenges affecting their communities.

Chiemelie Ezeobi

The Nigerian Navy has unveiled a broad healthcare reform agenda aimed at strengthening its medical system, improving personnel welfare and enhancing operational readiness, with senior military leaders describing quality healthcare as a critical component of national security.

The push formed the centrepiece of discussions at the 2026 Nigerian Navy Annual Medical Conference in Lagos, where participants examined strategies for building a more resilient, sustainable and efficient health system capable of meeting the evolving needs of naval personnel and their families.

Speaking at the conference held at the IMION Auditorium, NNS Quorra, Lagos, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Olatunde Olodude, said the health of personnel remains fundamental to the success of naval operations.

According to him, combat readiness is inseparable from medical readiness, making a strong healthcare system an essential pillar of operational effectiveness and national security.

Vice Admiral Abbas said the conference was approved without hesitation because the wellbeing of officers, ratings and their families directly affects morale, productivity and mission effectiveness.

He noted that while the Nigerian Navy’s primary responsibility remains the protection of the nation’s maritime domain, every successful operation ultimately depends on the physical and mental resilience of its personnel.

The naval chief said the conference, themed “Strengthening the Nigerian Navy Health System for Operational Excellence, Sustainability and Force Readiness,” was specifically designed to generate practical solutions to emerging healthcare challenges within the military environment.

He highlighted ongoing investments in medical infrastructure, including the construction of the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital in Abuja and the expansion of the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital in Ojo, Lagos.

According to him, the projects will significantly improve access to specialist healthcare services for personnel and their dependants while expanding the Navy’s overall medical capacity.

Vice Admiral Abbas recalled that as the Nigerian Navy marks its 70th anniversary, it has recorded substantial progress not only in fleet expansion and maritime security operations but also in healthcare delivery and medical manpower development.

Tracing the evolution of naval healthcare, he stated that the medical service had grown from two modest sickbays established decades ago into a nationwide network of hospitals, medical centres and specialist facilities capable of handling complex medical and surgical procedures.

He added that the Nigerian Navy Medical Services had attained standards comparable to global best practices but acknowledged the need for continuous reforms to sustain progress and address existing gaps.

The Chief of Naval Staff tasked participants with developing actionable recommendations on institutional restructuring, healthcare financing, manpower retention and mental health support.

He stressed the need for innovative funding models capable of sustaining world class healthcare delivery without placing excessive financial pressure on the Service.

Particular attention, he said, should be given to reducing the growing attrition rate among medical personnel through improved career satisfaction and professional development opportunities.

He also called for the development of a comprehensive veterans and mental health policy to address operational stress, post traumatic stress disorder and burnout among healthcare professionals and serving personnel.

Earlier, the Director of Medical Services, Surgeon Commodore M.J. Salihu, described the conference as a landmark gathering of healthcare experts, military leaders, researchers and policymakers committed to advancing military medicine.

Salihu disclosed that the Nigerian Navy Medical Services had expanded from two sickbays in 1963 to a robust healthcare network comprising reference hospitals, hospitals, medical centres, a medical training school and numerous shore based and afloat medical facilities.

According to him, the medical branch currently has 356 officers, including 64 consultants, alongside 2,633 medical ratings deployed across the country.

He said the growth has enabled the Navy to provide quality healthcare not only to serving personnel and their families but also to civilians in areas of operation.

The Director of Medical Services noted that the conference would examine key issues such as institutional autonomy, sustainable health financing, workforce retention, veterans welfare, ethical leadership and psychological wellbeing.

He described a strong healthcare system as a strategic force multiplier that directly contributes to combat effectiveness, mission success and national security.

A major highlight of the conference was the debate on granting greater autonomy to the Nigerian Navy Medical Services, a proposal many participants argued would strengthen healthcare delivery across the Service.

The Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, said enhanced autonomy would improve efficiency, strengthen accountability and provide medical institutions with the resources required to meet growing demands.

He advocated legislation that would grant military medical services direct budgetary access, similar to specialised commands within the Armed Forces, while maintaining strong oversight mechanisms.

Mustapha said greater financial independence would enable hospitals to upgrade facilities, support specialist training and reduce pressures that often affect healthcare delivery.

Drawing comparisons with leading military medical institutions abroad, he maintained that autonomy remains critical to building a resilient and responsive healthcare system.

Also contributing to the discussion, the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Commodore Reginald Adoki, said the Navy’s medical branch had long surpassed the benchmarks required for institutional independence.

He observed that the expansion of facilities, specialist manpower and healthcare responsibilities over the past two decades had strengthened the case for elevating the medical service into a fully recognised branch within the Navy structure.

Adoki, however, urged stakeholders to carefully consider the nomenclature and organisational implications of such reforms to ensure alignment with naval traditions and administrative realities.

The Chief of Administration at Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Jonathan Mamman, expressed support for greater autonomy but insisted that the medical branch must first strengthen its internal structure.

He called for the establishment of specialised directorates covering aviation medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, nursing services and occupational health to support a more comprehensive institutional framework.

Mamman maintained that the medical service had reached a stage where it could evolve into a stronger and more independent professional branch capable of driving healthcare innovation across the Navy.

Participants agreed that the future effectiveness of the Nigerian Navy will depend not only on ships and weapons but also on a resilient healthcare system capable of protecting the physical and mental wellbeing of personnel.

As deliberations continue, expectations remain high that the conference will produce recommendations capable of transforming military healthcare, improving force readiness and positioning the Nigerian Navy Medical Services among Africa’s leading military health systems.

Dr. Maureen Okam Achebe is a leading haematologist, researcher and educator whose work is shaping the future of sickle cell disease care, iron deficiency treatment and health equity worldwide. She is Clinical Director of Hematology Services at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Associate Professor of Medicine and Global Health Equity at Harvard Medical School. A graduate of the University of Port Harcourt, Yale School of Medicine and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Dr. Achebe specialises in sickle cell disease, iron deficiency and equitable healthcare delivery. She directs the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centre, overseeing the care of more than 200 adults living with the condition while leading clinical research and trials. Beyond her clinical work, she collaborates with the American Society of Hematology to expand haematology care globally, supports newborn screening initiatives for sickle cell disease across seven African countries through the Consortium on Newborn Screening in Africa (CONSA), and serves as Associate Director for Sickle Cell Disease Integration in the World Health Organisation’s PEN Plus programme. In this interview, amongst other things, she shares more on the future of sickle cell care across Africa. Chiemelie Ezeobi brings excerpts 

What makes this launch a landmark moment for the future of sickle cell care across Africa?

The Africa CDC has unveiled a continental plan for sickle cell disease and other inherited disorders. And this marks a turning point in the fight against one of Africa’s most severe health challenges. It builds on work of the technical working group that was established in  in April 2025. The technical working groups had clear terms of reference and a plan for development. The idea is that this is a plan that will successfully be rolled out across Africa. This is not a new problem in Africa, but what the Africa CDC has marshaled out gives us real hope that this will be successful in conquering or at least making significant strides in the treatment or management of sickle cell disease in Africa.

CONSA has screened nearly 175,000 newborns. Are there treatment systems currently strong enough to respond to newborns who test positive for sickle cell?

I’m hoping that we’re almost there. I don’t know that it is receiving the financial support that it deserves. It is a significant health scourge in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, it should be a major priority in funding. We are hopeful that the ministries will pay more attention to it and put more money towards it. I don’t think it is receiving the funds that it needs or that it deserves at this point. Hopefully, with Africa CDC, that will also encourage countries to prioritize sickle cell disease in their healthcare plans.

How important was the evidence generated by the American Society of Hematology’s CONSA programme in helping make the case for a continent-wide strategy? 

The American Society of Haematology’s CONSA programme has worked with many partners and WHO Afro. The culmination of many partners indicating how important sickle cell disease is for sub-Saharan Africa and indicating the importance of having a solution for the disease is believed to have influenced the Africa CDC to launch this continental plan.  

CONSA has shown that large-scale newborn screening is feasible across multiple African countries. What have been the most important lessons from that experience?

Well, the most important lessons have really – first, we are proud of our work. The most important lessons have been that the screening is possible. Early intervention, identifying babies that have sickle cell disease is possible, getting them into care is possible, coordination across countries is possible in a way that it builds capacity both for clinicians and laboratory staff. We are collating data to show even more long term benefits of screening. Our CONSA is not a research study. It’s really an implementation project with the goal to integrate newborn screening into healthcare systems, specifically aligning the work of CONSA with national plans in a way that is sustainable, and in a way that significantly impacts outcomes of individuals with sickle cell disease, increasing lifespan, but also increasing workforce, and in a way that is financially viable or financially advantageous to the countries that implement screening.  

Are some countries already emerging as models for sickle cell care in Africa?

There are countries around Africa that have a higher burden for sickle cell disease. So I would say the countries that do have a higher burden of sickle cell disease are those that have paid more attention appropriately to sickle cell disease. I think the countries that we work in have all been models for what sickle cell disease care should be, and should be addressed. They are somewhat nuanced depending on where the prevalence is, whether it’s countrywide or whether it’s portions of the countries. They’ve all been models for different things – they haven’t necessarily done exactly the same thing, but have been models in ways that sickle cell disease can successfully be addressed in different countries.

How many lives could potentially be saved if early screening becomes widespread?

The goal is for screening and early intervention to save over 95% of babies, as has been achieved in high-income countries. It is estimated that there are over 300,000 babies born with sickle cell disease in sub-Saharan Africa annually. Therefore, the expectation is that over 95% of those babies will be saved from under-5 mortality with screening and early intervention.

What would success look like over the next three to five years, and what indicators should journalists and the public watch to hold stakeholders accountable?

Success could look like national plans for nationwide screening or for screening where there is definitely a high burden of sickle cell disease. And I say that because in some countries, the different portions of different parts of countries have significantly different prevalences of sickle cell disease. But success would look like all individuals with sickle cell disease being identified as newborns, and brought to care where they are afforded early intervention and a healthy life

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Merck Foundation and  the First Ladies of 12 African and Asian countries have reiterated commitment to improving health and well-being by building healthcare capacity and providing access to quality and equitable healthcare across Africa, Asia, and beyond.

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted the 13th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2026 on 18th and 19th June, through an online video conference.

Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp said, “I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the First Ladies of Africa and Asia who joined us as Guests of Honour, as well as to the ministers, healthcare experts, policymakers, government officials, academia, media representatives, and all our partners for their unwavering support and collaboration.

“At Merck Foundation, we remain committed to improving health and well-being by building healthcare capacity and providing access to quality and equitable healthcare across Africa, Asia, and beyond. Together, we will continue advancing our vision of a world where everyone can lead a healthy and happy life.”

Senator Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, President of ‘More Than a Mother’ and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, welcomed those in attendance. “Together, we exchanged valuable experiences and engaged in meaningful discussions on the impact of our programs, which are aimed at transforming patient care and raising awareness of a wide range of critical social and health issues.”

The annual conference was inaugurated by Stangenberg-Haverkamp, and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary along with the First Ladies of 12 African and Asian countries, who joined as the guests of honour and keynote speakers.

Funmi Ogundare 

No fewer than 500 residents of Agbeda and Imadin communities in Ilesa West Local Government Area of Osun State have benefited from a free eye care intervention organised by the R.E.T.I.N.A Initiative under its Vision Without Borders 2.0 programme.

The second edition of the two-day outreach  held recently, in collaboration with community stakeholders, provided free eye examinations, reading glasses, medications and referrals for advanced treatment where necessary.

Beyond direct medical services, the initiative strengthened local healthcare capacity by training community health workers at Ifesowapo Agbeda Primary Health Centre (PHC) and Imadin Primary Health Centre in basic visual acuity testing. 

Visual acuity charts were also donated to both facilities to enhance the early detection and referral of residents with vision challenges.

Speaking on the intervention, co-founder of The R.E.T.I.N.A initiative and optometrist, Dr. Babatunde Bale, noted that the programme was designed to complement existing healthcare structures in underserved communities.

According to him, “This programme is about supporting what already exists in our communities. The primary health centres, the health workers, the community leaders,  these are the foundation. We are here to add a layer of eye health support where it has been difficult to provide, and to leave tools behind that will continue to be useful.”

Findings from a post-intervention survey revealed that 56.41 per cent of beneficiaries had never used reading glasses before, while 21.61 per cent were unaware that they needed them. 

However, 83.35 per cent already understood that reading glasses could improve near vision, suggesting that lack of access rather than lack of awareness remains a major barrier to eye care.

The initiative, Bale stated, was supported through the Global Youth Mobilisation Fund, a platform backed by leading international youth organisations and partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Foundation and the European Union Youth Empowerment Fund.

Beneficiaries who received treatment expressed gratitude for the intervention and its impact on their daily lives.

One resident from Imadin community said she had repeatedly visited a health centre for eye complaints but could not afford corrective glasses until the outreach provided them free of charge alongside medications.

Similarly, another beneficiary from Agbeda community said persistent eye irritation and difficulty reading small texts had affected her ability to use her phone, adding that the reading glasses received during the programme had significantly improved her vision.

The outreach also received the endorsement of traditional leaders, including the Sapakin of Ikoti Ilesa, Chief Alonge Oludare; the Onibosini of Ibosini, Chief Olusegun Badejoko; and the Onimadin of Imadin, Chief Olamilekan Adebanji, who encouraged residents to take advantage of the free services.

Rodio Diallo

Nigeria’s National Development Plan (2021–2025) identifies the protection of women’s maternal health as a key driver of national development. Central to the plan is the goal of reducing maternal mortality from 512 deaths to 300 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2025, while also tackling malnutrition among women of reproductive age. The broader ambition aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the global “Zero Preventable Maternal Deaths” initiative, which seeks to reduce maternal mortality to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.

But behind every statistic is a person. A name. A story. When I think about what this crisis actually means, I think about pregnant women whose lives are endangered daily by lack of access to essential nutrition and healthcare. I also think about whose resilience, alongside that of the health workers and communities around them, rarely makes it into the policy conversation.

At the core of the fight to keep mothers alive is sustained financing and consistent access to lifesaving nutrition interventions, including multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS), which help address deficiencies in iron, folate and other essential nutrients. Deficiencies in these nutrients continue to fuel Nigeria’s high maternal mortality rate.

According to the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), Nigeria still records 512 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

The picture for children is equally alarming – Nigeria currently ranks second only to India among countries with the highest number of stunted children globally. UNICEF, WHO, and World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates indicate that about 32–34 per cent of Nigerian children under five, roughly 14 million children, are stunted, while about two million suffer from severe acute malnutrition.

These are not abstract figures. They represent a compounding emergency – one that demands both honesty about how much remains to be done, and recognition of the change already being built from within.

Nigerian-led solutions are gaining ground, but challenges remain

What gives me cause for optimism is the work of Nigerian-led coalitions who are building solutions from within their own communities which I witnessed firsthand during a recent visit to Kaduna State. 

The Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) is a key collaborative civil society alliance that plays a central role in strengthening coordination, advocacy and accountability across government, implementing partners and development partners in Nigeria’s nutrition sector. The alliance, made up of more than 400 civil society groups, media organisations, academics, development partners such as the Gates Foundation, and government stakeholders, has been driving efforts to strengthen nutrition policies, increase funding commitments and improve accountability systems at both national and state levels.

Through its Partnership for Improving Nigeria Nutrition Systems (PINNS) project in Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Nasarawa, and Lagos States, CS-SUNN has brought together state governments, lawmakers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and policymakers to drive reforms aimed at improving nutrition outcomes. The initiative has strengthened planning, budgeting, monitoring, and digital accountability systems, allowing progress to be tracked in real time.

One major achievement is the revival of 24 previously inactive State Committees on Food and Nutrition – realigning them with the National Multisectoral Plan of Action and improving coordination across government agencies in ways that had stalled for years.

However, stronger coordination alone will not improve nutrition outcomes. Governance structures must now be matched by predictable financing, timely budget releases and sustained implementation if progress is to be achieved at scale.

Lessons learned from Kaduna

In the Ungwan Boro community in Kaduna State, I met Martha Obiagwu, officer-in-charge of the local health centre in Sabon Tasha. She described a shift she had not anticipated: women were coming back.

“We have noticed a great increase in the number of women accessing services at the facility, because many women in the community did not know about multiple micronutrient supplements before now. But now that they see their friends or neighbours benefiting from it, they come. Even those who attend private clinics sometimes still come here specifically to request MMS. During Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, the demand becomes even higher,” Obiagwu explained.

This matters enormously. Northern Nigeria records some of the highest rates of anaemia in pregnancy nationally – majority of the cases linked to iron deficiency, compounded by poverty, food insecurity, and insecurity more broadly. Rebuilding trust in primary healthcare, one woman at a time, is part of how those numbers change.

The funding picture in Kaduna has also shifted. Ramatu Musa Haruna, the state’s Nutrition Officer, explained how CS-SUNN’s -in collaboration with UNICEF and Gates Foundation- sustained advocacy has started to be translated into concrete government commitments. “All local government chairmen have agreed to contribute N20 million each to support the Child Nutrition Fund, alongside the governor’s commitment of N500 million this year,” she said. “These funds will help sustain the procurement of multiple micronutrient supplements and other essential commodities.” Political will can move quickly.

Turning commitments into financing

That political commitment is increasingly reflected in public budgets. Health allocations have increased significantly in recent years. In 2025, N170.01 billion was allocated directly to nutrition programmes, representing a 33.7 per cent increase from the N127.24 billion allocated in 2024 and a substantial rise from the N10.8 billion allocated in 2021.

These are important signals.

Yet allocations alone do not save lives. One of the greatest challenges facing nutrition programmes in Nigeria today is ensuring that budget commitments translate into actual releases and implementation. Despite growing recognition of the importance of MMS, funding for procurement remains insufficient or uncertain in many states. As a result, access to these lifesaving supplements remains uneven, leaving many pregnant women without the support they need.

The experience of Kaduna and other states demonstrates what is possible when political commitment is matched by financing and the timely release of funds. However, these examples remain exceptions rather than the norm. Sustained progress will require more states to prioritise nutrition and convert commitments into action.

The continued rise in inflation also cannot be ignored. Budgetary increases may not fully match the scale of the crisis in real terms. This makes accountability, transparency and effective monitoring more critical than ever, as does sustained investment in primary healthcare, particularly in rural communities where the women most at risk depend on local facilities for their survival and that of their children.

Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has not minced words, describing the nutrition crisis as “a development emergency” and warning that urgent action is needed across all levels of government.

The 2023 NDHS shows that 58 per cent of women of reproductive age in Nigeria are anaemic, while 61 per cent of pregnant women suffer from anaemia. Regional disparities remain significant, with anaemia among pregnant women standing at 55.2 per cent in the South-west and 71.1 per cent in the South-east, while iron deficiency remains a dominant driver across the North.

The progress witnessed in some states is real. But it belongs, above all, to the communities, health workers, civil society organisations, and government officials who made it happen. Development partners like the Gates Foundation can play a supporting role, but the architecture of change is being built by Nigerians.

The gains achieved so far remain fragile and could easily be reversed without stronger commitment, sustained investment and consistent funding for high-impact nutrition interventions such as MMS. Global evidence suggests that every dollar invested in nutrition can generate returns of between US$16 and US$27 through improved health, productivity and economic outcomes.

Government at all levels must now protect and build on the gains achieved through years of collaboration with communities, civil society organisations and development partners.

A call to action

The commitment to funding nutrition programmes at all levels is a critical lifeline for sustainability. Policies and reforms are important first steps, but they must be accompanied by adequate financing, timely release of funds and strong accountability mechanisms.

The question is no longer whether Nigeria knows what works. The evidence is clear. The question is whether proven interventions such as MMS will receive the sustained financing required to reach every woman who needs them.

Kaduna State has demonstrated what is possible when political commitment is matched by financing and the release of funds for nutrition interventions, including MMS. Their experience should not be the exception.

During this year’s World Nutrition Day last week, we were reminded to reinvigorate our concerted efforts to tackle the burden of malnutrition in Nigeria not only through enabling policies but also through accelerate implementation of proven, high-impact nutrition intervention with sustained domestic financing by State and local governments.

Sustained financing for nutrition and MMS should remain a standing agenda item at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and across federal and state decision-making platforms.

Nigeria’s maternal health crisis demands urgency, coordination and accountability. Behind every statistic is a woman fighting to survive childbirth and a child struggling for a healthy start in life.

What Kaduna shows is that progress is possible. The challenge now is ensuring that every state follows through on its commitments so that lifesaving nutrition interventions reach the women and children who need them most.

·��        Ms Diallo is the Deputy Director, Family Health at the Gates Foundation Nigeria

Fred Ojeh

As the cost of fertility treatment continues to rise in Nigeria, putting assisted reproduction beyond the reach of many families, the Olaronke Thaddeus Foundation has expanded its intervention to support more women struggling with infertility.

The foundation, led by fertility advocate Olaronke Ugwueke-Thaddeus, announced a fresh outreach programme offering free intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment to 20 Nigerian women, as part of efforts to ease the financial burden associated with fertility care.

The latest initiative builds on the foundation’s growing fertility support programme, which has already sponsored in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment for about 50 women and couples across Nigeria between 2024 and 2025. The support has also extended to Nigerians living in the United Kingdom who face financial barriers to accessing fertility treatment.

Ugwueke-Thaddeus, who is also the founder of Meet Surrogate Mothers, one of Nigeria’s leading assisted reproductive technology agencies, said the intervention was aimed at restoring hope to women and families for whom infertility treatment remains unaffordable.

The intervention comes at a time when the cost of a single IVF cycle in Nigeria ranges between N1.7 million and N5 million, making it inaccessible to many low- and middle-income earners.

Beyond the financial burden, infertility continues to carry significant social consequences, especially for women, including stigma, emotional distress, marital pressure and economic hardship.

The foundation said its work goes beyond sponsoring treatments, noting that it has also continued to drive conversations around infertility through advocacy, awareness campaigns and support networks for women navigating reproductive health challenges.

Stakeholders say the rising demand for fertility support highlights wider concerns around access to reproductive healthcare in Nigeria, where fertility treatment remains largely dependent on private clinics and charitable intervention, with little or no public health coverage.

Unlike several countries where fertility services are publicly subsidised, many Nigerian couples still fund treatment out-of-pocket, often at great financial strain.

Observers say initiatives such as that of the Olaronke Thaddeus Foundation are helping to fill a critical gap while also drawing attention to the need for broader policy conversations around reproductive healthcare, fertility access and healthcare equity in the country.

With the foundation continuing to expand its reach, advocates say the growing impact of private interventions in the fertility space underscores the urgent need for stronger institutional support to make fertility treatment more accessible to Nigerians.

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Health stakeholders have called for urgent grassroots-driven reforms to reposition Nigeria’s primary healthcare system, warning that weak accountability structures and poor community participation are undermining healthcare delivery across the country.

The call was made during a policy dialogue with the theme: ‘The SCAPP Experience: Building Accountable PHC Systems from the Ground Up’, organised by the Health Sector Reform Coalition in collaboration with BudgIT and development partners.

Participants at the meeting stressed that Primary Health Centres (PHCs), which serve as the first point of contact for millions of Nigerians, particularly in rural communities, have continued to suffer from poor funding, inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of health workers, and irregular supply of essential drugs.

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the President on Health, Salma Ibrahim Anas, said the federal government remained committed to strengthening PHCs under the Renewed Hope health agenda.

According to her, “Primary healthcare remains the bedrock of an effective health system. If we fail at the grassroots level, the entire healthcare structure becomes overstretched.”

She noted that the federal government had increased funding support for primary healthcare through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), adding that transparency and accountability must accompany increased investments in the sector.

“We must ensure that resources allocated to healthcare directly impact communities and improve the quality of services available to ordinary Nigerians,” she stated.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Health Sector Reform Coalition, Dr. Kolawole Oluwafemi, emphasised the need for stronger citizen participation in the management of healthcare facilities.

“Communities must not be treated as passive beneficiaries. They must become active participants in monitoring healthcare delivery and demanding accountability from duty bearers,” he said.

Oluwafemi lamented that many PHCs across the country remained in deplorable conditions despite repeated budgetary allocations to the health sector.

He explained that empowering citizens with information and monitoring tools would help reduce corruption, improve service delivery, and restore public confidence in the healthcare system.

Similarly, the Country Director of BudgIT, Gabriel Okeowo, said data transparency and community engagement were critical to fixing Nigeria’s failing PHC system.

According to him, “Healthcare reforms cannot succeed without accountability. Citizens must know how public funds are spent and whether healthcare facilities are receiving what is budgeted for them.”

He added that many rural communities still lacked access to basic healthcare services despite government interventions over the years.

Representatives of civil society organisations and development partners at the meeting also expressed concern over rising maternal and child mortality rates, attributing the trend partly to the poor state of primary healthcare facilities nationwide.

They urged state and local governments to prioritise healthcare funding, recruit more frontline workers, and improve monitoring systems to ensure efficient service delivery.

The stakeholders maintained that revitalising Nigeria’s primary healthcare system was essential to achieving Universal Health Coverage and reducing pressure on secondary and tertiary health institutions across the country.

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja 

The federal government has dismissed reports that it ordered the suspension of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) with stakeholders in the health sector have been suspended until after 2027.

A statement signed by Head of Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Annah Daniel, said “The attention of the government has been drawn to reports and insinuations suggesting that Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) with stakeholders in the health sector have been suspended until after 2027.

“Government wishes to categorically state that such claims are misleading, unfounded, and do not reflect the position or commitment of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration toward workers’ welfare and industrial harmony within the health sector.”

The government said it remained committed to constructive engagement, continuous dialogue, and responsible negotiations with all health sector unions and professional bodies in line with established labour laws and international best practices.

According to the ministry, “Collective bargaining remains a vital instrument for promoting industrial peace, improving working conditions, and ensuring effective healthcare service delivery to citizens.”

He said while the government “acknowledges the prevailing economic realities and the need for prudent management of national resources, this does not translate into abandonment or suspension of agreements with health sector stakeholders.

 “Discussions and consultations with relevant unions are ongoing and will continue in good faith towards mutually beneficial outcomes.

“Furthermore, It is important to emphasize that the administration recognises the invaluable contributions of the healthcare professionals to national development and public health service delivery.”

The ministry said that the government will therefore continue to prioritise policies and interventions aimed at strengthening the health sector and improving the welfare of its workforce.

It urged members of the public and stakeholders to disregard what it described as, “misinformation capable of creating unnecessary tension within the sector.

“Government remains open to dialogue and committed to sustaining industrial harmony for the overall interest of the nation.”

Ayodeji Ake

Nigerian healthcare executive and entrepreneur Opeyemi Okunbor has led a new push to address healthcare insurance challenges faced by Nigerians in the diaspora returning home through his technology-driven startup, Healthhaven Limited.

Okunbor, a trained dental surgeon turned healthcare systems expert, said years of working within Nigeria’s healthcare and insurance sectors exposed critical gaps affecting diaspora Nigerians who visit the country without adequate medical insurance coverage.

According to him, many Nigerians living abroad often arrive in the country financially prepared but medically vulnerable, despite being accustomed to more structured healthcare systems in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

“The diaspora visitor represents a unique demographic. They expect speed, transparency, and reliability, which many traditional insurance products in Nigeria were not originally designed to provide,” Okunbor explained.

Registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in January 2025, Healthhaven is positioning itself as a short-term healthcare insurance provider tailored specifically for Nigerians visiting from overseas.

We plan to deploy flexible, technology-enabled insurance packages tailored to the duration of stay, healthcare needs, and customer expectations.

Currently, Okunbor is serving as the chief executive officer of Healthhaven and head of the Centre of Excellence for Operations at HCI Healthcare HMO, who oversees critical healthcare operations, including pharmacy benefits, concierge services, and medical contact systems.

He disclosed that one of his notable achievements involved reducing chronic medication claims costs by 80 percent through a direct-to-enrollee pharmaceutical delivery model supported by strategic wholesaler partnerships.

Okunbor also emphasised the growing role of data science and artificial intelligence in healthcare delivery, noting that technology would play a central role in Healthhaven operations.

The startup plans to introduce four insurance categories-Haven Basic, Haven Plus, Haven Premium, and Haven Elite- while also exploring blockchain-enabled health records and AI-powered triage systems aimed at improving continuity of care and patient safety.

For Okunbor, however, the mission remains straightforward. “We are building for a market that has been underserved for too long. Trust, execution, and consistency will define our future,” he said.

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

The Nigerian Hypertension Society has marked World Hypertension Day 2026 with a call for nationwide unity in the fight against high blood pressure. Under the theme “Controlling Hypertension Together: Check your blood pressure regularly and defeat the silent killer,” the Society stressed that defeating hypertension requires coordinated effort across all levels of society.

Briefing journalists by the Society President Prof Simeon Isezuo warned that hypertension remains the leading preventable cause of death and disability in Nigeria and globally.

He noted that no single group can win the battle alone, urging government, health workers, civil society, media, the private sector, spiritual and traditional leaders, and families to act together.

He said the burden in Nigeria is severe. One in every three adults lives with hypertension, yet fewer than one in five achieves target blood pressure levels. The Society described the situation as unacceptably low, especially given that the condition often shows no symptoms until it causes major complications.

Prof Isezuo explained that hypertension earns its “silent killer” label because it rarely causes noticeable symptoms until it leads to stroke, kidney failure, heart failure, heart attack, or premature death. Despite this, he said the disease is largely preventable and definitely treatable when detected early.

Progress is being slowed by several persistent challenges. Low awareness, late diagnosis, poverty, poor adherence to medicines, and a weak primary healthcare system all contribute to poor outcomes. Unhealthy lifestyles marked by high salt intake, physical inactivity, and stress are making the problem worse.

He stated that economic hardship has further strained control efforts. “Rising costs of medicines, transport to health facilities, and healthy foods have forced many people to skip doses, take under-doses, or abandon treatment altogether”. This has widened the gap between diagnosis and effective control.

To mark the day, the Nigerian Hypertension Society is rolling out free blood pressure screening nationwide through its members. Public awareness programmes will run across print and electronic media to reach communities with accurate information on prevention and treatment.

The Society is also organizing a continuing medical education webinar on hypertension and diabetes for health workers. The training aims to strengthen clinical skills and ensure more adults are screened and managed according to evidence-based guidelines.

Prof Isezuo commended the Nigerian Government’s existing efforts while calling for stronger action. He urged the government to subsidize essential hypertension medicines and expand health insurance coverage so more Nigerians can afford consistent care.

Health workers were asked to screen every adult at every opportunity, counsel patients on lifestyle changes, and follow treatment protocols closely. Families were encouraged to support relatives by ensuring medication adherence, regular clinic visits, and healthier diets at home.

He appealed to individuals: know your numbers. That means checking blood pressure, weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol regularly. According to the Society, when government, health workers, communities, and families act together, controlling hypertension in Nigeria is achievable.

Omolabake Fasogbon

Worried by the current rate of maternal deaths in Lagos State, stakeholders in the health sector recently converged for a two-day high-level meeting on strengthening maternal health systems in the state. 

The programme was organised by the Maternal and Reproductive Health Collective (MRHCollective) in collaboration with government health agencies and partners.

Participants at the meeting echoed the concerns of the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, who maintained that the state’s maternal mortality ratio, estimated at about 400 deaths per 100,000 live births, remains poor despite Lagos’ status as a model state in Nigeria and Africa.

Speaking, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health District V, Oladapo Asiyanbi, noted that although maternal deaths are reducing in the state, the pace of reduction remains below expectations.

According to him, while the expected annual reduction benchmark is between 15 and 20 points, Lagos is recording less than a two-point reduction yearly, pointing to gaps requiring urgent attention.

He explained that the reasons for the slow progress are multifaceted, stressing fragmented operations among agencies and stakeholders involved in maternal healthcare delivery as a major factor.

“The fragmentation of agencies and stakeholders in maternal healthcare has meant that government institutions, NGOs and healthcare providers often work independently, designing and implementing interventions in silos without collaboration or community input. 

“While each group may believe it is making progress, the lack of coordination has led to gaps in service delivery, duplication of efforts and interventions that do not fully reflect the realities or needs of patients,” he said.

Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Health District III, Monsurat Adeleke, added that the proliferation of unregistered traditional birth attendants and poor health-seeking behaviour among patients have continued to worsen maternal mortality in the country.

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa, said maternal mortality remains one of Lagos’ most urgent public health concerns, noting that structural gaps have continued to undermine interventions.

He said achieving the desired results would require coordinated and systemic action across the health sector.

“In pursuing our goals of increasing antenatal care attendance, facility delivery rates and health insurance coverage, we must ensure that all partner support is firmly rooted in our annual operational plan. Fragmented or uncoordinated interventions, no matter how well-intentioned, limit impact and place unnecessary strain on our system,” he said.

Executive Director of MRHCollective, Olajumoke Oke, said the meeting was convened to address identified gaps by bringing together stakeholders across the maternal healthcare chain to chart a way forward.

She noted that available data showed a wide gap between antenatal care (ANC) attendance, hospital delivery rates and child immunisation figures.

“The number of women attending antenatal care is nowhere near the number delivering in health facilities, yet many still return for immunisation afterwards. That tells us these women are accessing care at some points but dropping out at critical stages, particularly during delivery. The same disconnect exists between ANC and family planning services. 

“We are looking at how to harmonise the entire continuum of care, from ANC to safe delivery, immunisation and family planning,”she said. 

James Emejo in Abuja

A professor of public health and health systems economics, Chima Ariel Onoka, has warned that Nigeria cannot achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) without bold reforms, evidence-based policymaking and strong political commitment, amid concerns that over 200 million Nigerians still lacked reliable healthcare coverage.
Onoka, who is scheduled to deliver the 241st Inaugural Lecture of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) on May 14, 2026, said UHC remains critical to reducing poverty and building a productive society.
He cautioned that progress would remain limited if policies continued to be driven by political convenience rather than facts.
The planned lecture, titled, “Bridging the Divide: The Pracademic’s Mandate in the Quest for Universal Health Coverage,” will hold at the Enugu Campus of the ivory tower.
In a statement announcing the lecture, the health policy expert will argue that “a health system that works for the poor is the ultimate test of a nation’s conscience.”
Onoka, who holds an MBBS from UNN and a PhD in Health Systems Economics from the University of London, is also a fellow of the West African College of Physicians.
Describing himself as a “Pracademic,” Onoka said researchers and policy advocates must move beyond theoretical debates to actively influence reforms capable of improving healthcare access for ordinary Nigerians.
He stressed that advocacy must be guided by credible data and research evidence, warning that “information without advocacy is inert. Advocacy without evidence is dangerous.”
The inaugural lecture is expected to attract policy makers, healthcare administrators, academics and public health stakeholders from across the country.

By Olaronke Ugwueke-Thaddeus

Nigeria’s surrogacy sector is growing rapidly. Fertility clinics are expanding, reproductive technology is advancing, and more families — both within and outside Nigeria — are turning to surrogacy as a path to parenthood. Yet despite this growth, one critical element remains absent: a clear legal framework.

That silence in the law is no longer sustainable.

After more than a decade of working within Nigeria’s surrogacy space, facilitating gestational surrogacy arrangements and advocating for ethical reproductive practices, it has become increasingly clear that the absence of federal legislation does not create freedom or flexibility. Instead, it creates uncertainty, vulnerability, and, in some cases, coercion for everyone involved.

Surrogate mothers, intending parents, fertility practitioners, and agencies are all operating within a system where there is no comprehensive statutory protection. Agreements are governed largely by private contracts without explicit legal recognition or enforcement mechanisms under Nigerian law. In such an environment, disputes become difficult to resolve fairly, welfare standards vary widely, and vulnerable parties can easily be exposed to exploitation.

The issue is not merely about individual misconduct. The deeper problem is legislative silence.

In countries where surrogacy is properly regulated, the law clearly defines the rights and responsibilities of all parties before any arrangement begins. Compensation structures are transparent, informed consent procedures are mandatory, welfare protections are enforceable, and dispute resolution systems are established. Nigeria currently lacks these safeguards at a national level.

The consequences are serious.

A surrogate mother may enter an arrangement without independent legal representation or a full understanding of her rights. She may lack guaranteed medical, psychological, or post-birth support. At the same time, intending parents may also face uncertainty — including disputes over financial terms, medical cooperation, or legal documentation required for parental recognition.

In the absence of legislation, everyone becomes vulnerable.

This legal vacuum also raises important international human rights concerns. Nigeria ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1985, committing itself to protecting women from exploitation and ensuring equal access to healthcare, including reproductive healthcare. Yet four decades later, there is still no comprehensive legal framework governing one of the country’s fastest-growing reproductive sectors.

CEDAW requires states to take appropriate measures to prevent exploitation of women and eliminate discriminatory practices. Similarly, the UN Palermo Protocol calls for systems that distinguish ethical reproductive arrangements from exploitative ones, while protecting vulnerable persons through enforceable standards and accountability mechanisms.

Legislative silence, therefore, is not neutral. It represents a failure to provide the protections these international obligations require.

Nigeria now has an opportunity to lead rather than react.

A Nigerian Surrogacy Act should establish clear legal recognition for surrogacy agreements and define the rights and obligations of all parties involved. It should mandate psychological assessments, independent legal counsel, medical monitoring, and post-birth welfare support for surrogate mothers. Compensation structures should be transparent, agreed upon in advance, and legally protected from arbitrary changes.

Equally important is the need for proper regulation of practitioners and agencies. Licensing and accreditation systems would help eliminate unregulated operators and create a more transparent, accountable sector. Specialised reproductive law tribunals or dispute-resolution mechanisms could also provide swift and confidential handling of sensitive cases.

The law must further criminalise coercive practices in all forms — whether directed at surrogate mothers, intending parents, or facilitated by unethical intermediaries.

While awaiting legislation, many ethical practitioners have already begun implementing standards that should eventually become law. In responsible agencies, surrogate mothers undergo psychological screening before participation, parties are encouraged to obtain independent legal advice, welfare monitoring continues throughout the pregnancy, and compensation agreements are clearly documented from the outset.

However, voluntary ethical standards are not enough. Good practice should not depend solely on the integrity of individual practitioners. It should be protected and enforced by law.

Surrogacy, when properly regulated, can represent one of the most compassionate forms of human cooperation — enabling individuals and couples to build families while safeguarding the dignity and welfare of all involved. But without legislation, even the best intentions cannot guarantee protection.

Nigeria stands at a defining moment. As global conversations around reproductive rights, fertility care, and cross-border surrogacy continue to evolve, the country has an opportunity to shape a modern, ethical, and internationally aligned legal framework.

The question is no longer whether Nigeria needs a Surrogacy Act.

It does.

The real question is how long the country can afford to continue without one.

*Olaronke Ugwueke-Thaddeus writes from Lagos

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto 

Nutrition International has handed over 48,000 Zinc and ORS co-packs to the Sokoto State Drug Revolving Fund, marking another step in its push to strengthen the state’s response to childhood diarrhea and malnutrition.

The handover was made by Country Director Dr. Osita Okonkwo during a working visit to the state.

Performing the handover at the DRF facility, Dr. Okonkwo said the donation was meant to demonstrate what targeted investment in malnutrition can look like.

“We have to start from somewhere, to demonstrate to the state government what it means to invest in malnutrition,” he said. 

He stressed that Nutrition International’s role is not to replace government responsibility but to support it. The packs, he noted, will give caregivers something to administer within 24 hours when children fall ill with diarrhea, reducing the risk of severe dehydration and death. 

Okonkwo also linked the donation to the organisation’s broader training programmes for health workers across Sokoto. He said the goal is to build local capacity so that health workers and caregivers can identify and treat diarrhea early, improving outcomes for children statewide.

Receiving the supplies on behalf of the state, Commissioner for Health Dr. Umar Abubakar, represented by Director of Pharmacy Services, Pharmacist Habibu Muhammad, thanked Nutrition International for its consistent partnership. He noted that the organisation has supported Sokoto through capacity building, supervision, and the provision of DRF tools, even amid challenges.

Abubakar acknowledged that the 48,000 packs would not cover the entire state but said the support would go a long way in reaching vulnerable children. “As you remarked that this donation will not go round the state, we still appreciate your modest support, which will go a long way in providing succour especially to the vulnerable,” he said.

The Nutrition International team also met with the Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga.

Okonkwo briefed the Speaker on the organisation’s work in the state, funded solely by the Canadian government, and discussed areas for sustained collaboration.

Beyond Zinc/ORS distribution, Okonkwo outlined Nutrition International’s support for maternal health, Vitamin A supplementation, and training for health workers and caregivers. He emphasized early identification and treatment of diarrhea as key to reducing child mortality in the state.

Bodinga welcomed the briefing and pledged that the House would appropriate funds as requested by the executive to support health interventions. He added that the Assembly would maintain its oversight role to ensure transparency and accountability in health sector spending.

The visit ended at the Primary Healthcare Centre in Rumbukawa, Sokoto North LGA, where the team engaged directly with health workers. Officer-in-Charge Mustapha Umar guided Dr. Okonkwo and his team through the facility, showcasing units for consultation, family planning, immunisation, nutrition, antenatal care, pharmacy, and laboratory services.

The visit underscores a model of partnership where international support complements state systems rather than replacing them. For Sokoto, the immediate impact is 48,000 children who could receive timely treatment for diarrhea, but the longer-term goal is a stronger, better-equipped health system.

With malnutrition and diarrhea remaining leading causes of child illness in northern Nigeria, the handover adds to ongoing efforts to close the gap between policy and practice. The test now lies in how effectively the state scales up distribution and sustains the training and systems Nutrition International has helped put in place.

Dr. Kemi AILOJE 

Turner’s syndrome is a genetic condition affecting females and is characterised by the partial or total absence of one X chromosome. This usually occurs in assigned females at birth (AFAB). The condition can have several medical effects and may also affect development in various ways, including short stature, incomplete ovarian development, cardiac defects, and an increased risk of obesity.

Ovarian insufficiency is the most important infertility-related consequence of Turner’s syndrome. Reduced fertility is common because most affected women have underdeveloped ovaries and experience no menstrual periods (amenorrhoea) after puberty. While natural conception is rare, Assisted Reproductive Technologies and hormone treatments provide hope for parenthood.

The signs and symptoms of Turner’s syndrome range from prenatal diagnosis to early childhood presentation. Some patients may not show symptoms until late adolescence or even adulthood. Individuals with Turner’s syndrome should receive continuous medical care from a variety of specialists to enable them to live healthy and independent lives.

Some facts about Turner’s syndrome include:

Genetic Basis

Most times, the female infant is one of two sisters with normal XX chromosomes. In Turner’s syndrome, one of the X chromosomes is missing or structurally incomplete, resulting in a 45,X karyotype instead of the normal 46,XX.

Physical Features

Physical features commonly associated with the disorder include webbed neck (where skin folds occur on the sides of the neck), which may impair neck movement in severe cases, short stature, low-set ears, broad chest with widely spaced nipples, and a low hairline at the back of the head.

Turner’s syndrome can also cause heart defects, kidney problems, and hearing loss. Ovarian insufficiency or failure is common in girls with Turner’s syndrome, meaning many have difficulty becoming pregnant and may experience irregular menstrual cycles.

Developmental and Cognitive Features

Although intelligence is usually within the normal range, people with Turner’s syndrome may have specific learning disabilities or difficulties with spatial reasoning.

Symptoms of Turner’s Syndrome

Turner’s syndrome presents with a range of signs and symptoms that can vary widely among affected girls and women. In some cases, the disorder may not be immediately obvious, while in others, several physical features become evident early. Symptoms may be subtle and develop gradually over time, or they may be more pronounced, such as cardiac defects.

Before Birth

Turner’s syndrome may be suspected during pregnancy through prenatal testing, such as cell-free DNA screening, which detects certain chromosomal abnormalities using a blood sample from the mother, or through prenatal ultrasound. Indicators on ultrasound may include:

Heart abnormalities

Kidney dysfunction

Large fluid collection at the back of the neck

Other abnormal fluid accumulations (oedema)

At Birth or During Infancy

Signs of Turner’s syndrome at birth or during infancy may include:

Webbed neck

Cardiac defects

High or narrow palate

Receding lower jaw

Short fingers and toes

Low-set ears

Slowed growth

Low hairline at the back of the head

Arms that turn outward at the elbows

Broad chest with widely spaced nipples

Slightly smaller than average height at birth

Narrow upward-curving fingernails and toenails

Swelling of the hands and feet, especially at birth

In Childhood, Teen Years, and Adulthood

Common signs in young girls, teenagers, and young women with Turner’s syndrome include short stature and ovarian insufficiency due to ovarian failure. Ovarian failure may occur at birth or develop gradually during childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood. Associated symptoms may include:

Infertility

Slowed growth

Lack of sexual development

Absence of expected growth spurts during childhood

Early cessation of menstrual cycles not related to pregnancy

Adult height significantly shorter than expected for family members

Causes of Turner’s Syndrome

Most individuals are born with two sex chromosomes. Males inherit an X chromosome from their mother and a Y chromosome from their father, while females inherit one X chromosome from each parent. In Turner’s syndrome, one X chromosome is missing, partially missing, or altered.

The genetic abnormalities associated with Turner’s syndrome can be categorised as follows:

Monosomy

This condition occurs when one X chromosome is completely missing, usually due to an error in the sperm or egg. Consequently, every cell in the body has only a single X chromosome.

Mosaicism

This occurs when an error happens during cell division early in foetal development. As a result, some cells have two X chromosomes while others have only one.

X Chromosome Changes

This involves structural changes or partial deletion of one of the X chromosomes. Cells may have one complete X chromosome and one altered X chromosome. These changes may occur in the sperm or egg, resulting in all cells having one complete and one altered X chromosome. Alternatively, the error may occur during early foetal development, leading to mosaicism where only some cells have the altered X chromosome.

Y Chromosome Material

In a small percentage of Turner’s syndrome cases, some cells contain one X chromosome along with Y chromosome material. Individuals with this type of Turner’s syndrome develop biologically as females, but the presence of Y chromosome material increases the risk of developing a type of cancer known as gonadoblastoma.

Risk Factors

The alteration of the X chromosome occurs randomly. Sometimes it is due to a problem with the sperm or egg, while in other cases, the loss of the X chromosome occurs early in foetal development.

Family history does not appear to be a risk factor, making it unlikely that parents of one child with Turner’s syndrome will have another child with the disorder.

Effect of Turner’s Syndrome on Fertility

Turner’s syndrome significantly affects fertility due to the following factors:

Ovarian Insufficiency

The most notable effect is ovarian insufficiency or premature ovarian failure. In most individuals with Turner’s syndrome, the ovaries do not develop normally and fail to produce eggs or hormones. This usually results in the absence of menstrual periods and a reduced ability to conceive naturally.

Reduced Egg Reserve

The ovaries often contain a very limited number of eggs, leading to early depletion of the egg supply. This further impairs fertility and makes natural conception difficult.

Hormonal Imbalance

Due to underdeveloped ovaries, individuals with Turner’s syndrome often experience hormonal imbalances involving oestrogen and progesterone, which are essential for regulating the menstrual cycle and supporting pregnancy.

Infertility

As a result of these issues, most women with Turner’s syndrome are infertile. However, some may have a small number of functional follicles and could potentially conceive with medical assistance. For women with Turner’s syndrome who wish to have children, options such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) using donor eggs are available. Hormone replacement therapy can also help with secondary sexual development and overall health.

…………………………………………………………… TO BE CONTINUED

Dr. Kemi AILOJE

Reproductive Endocrinologist, Infertility / IVF Specialist

Lifelink Fertility Center

Dr. Kemi AILOJE MD, MRMed, FWAPCP, Ph.D.

⁠�

WhatsApp only: +2348033083580

 Dennis Olise

The launch of Nigeria’s National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) is more than a policy update; it signals a fundamental shift in how the country confronts cancer. For too long, cancer care in Nigeria has been largely hospital-based—often accessed only when the disease is already advanced, making treatment more difficult, more expensive, and less effective.

Unveiled on February 4, 2026 under the leadership of the Honorable Minister of State and facilitated by Dr Uchechukwu Nwokwu, National Coordinator, National Cancer Control Programme to mark World Cancer Day, the new NCCP 2026–2030 charts a different course: one that moves beyond hospitals to a whole-of-society response. 

It is a timely intervention. Cancer remains a leading cause of death globally, with about 20 million new cases and over 10 million deaths recorded in 2025.

By 2050, annual cases could exceed 30 million, with countries like Nigeria bearing a disproportionate burden. Locally, late diagnosis, limited access to care, and high treatment costs continue to define the reality for many patients—most of whom present at stages III or IV, when survival chances are significantly reduced.

The NCCP confronts this reality with a comprehensive strategy built on seven pillars: prevention, diagnosis and treatment, survivorship and palliative care, digital innovation, advocacy and financing, research and surveillance, and coordination and partnerships. Yet, what truly distinguishes the plan is its deliberate expansion beyond clinical care to address the social, economic, and behavioral factors that shape health outcomes.

As Prof. Folakemi Odedina, Chair of the NCCP Technical Working Group puts it: “Nigeria’s cancer response must move beyond hospitals into homes, communities, and systems that shape how people live, seek care, and survive.” This vision is reflected in the plan’s integration of Social Determinants of Health—income, education, nutrition, transportation, and living conditions—recognizing that cancer outcomes are not determined by biology alone.

The shift is also evident in its call for broader participation. By engaging the diaspora and inviting public input through nationwide surveys, the NCCP moves away from a purely government-led model toward a shared national responsibility. This aligns with global best practices, where effective cancer control depends on collaboration across government, private sector, civil society, and communities.

Encouragingly, implementation has already begun. Preventive oncology clinics are being established in federal tertiary institutions, while nationwide free screening programmes now target major cancers, including breast, cervical, prostate, colorectal, and liver cancers. New policies, such as the National Nuclear Medicine Policy, are strengthening diagnostic and treatment capacity, alongside efforts to introduce patient navigation systems that simplify the care journey.

Prevention remains central. With over 40% of cancer deaths linked to modifiable risk factors—smoking, alcohol, diet, obesity, and pollution—the NCCP emphasizes sustained public health action. Nigeria’s ambition to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030 underscores this focus, with clear targets: vaccinate 90% of eligible girls against HPV and screen 70% of women.

Technology is another critical enabler. The integration of artificial intelligence, precision oncology, and strengthened cancer registries promises better diagnosis, improved treatment planning, and data-driven decision-making.

Yet, the plan’s most transformative element may lie in its recognition that awareness and behavior change are as important as medical intervention. Cancer communication in Nigeria has long been inconsistent, urban-centered, and often disconnected from everyday realities. The NCCP calls for a different approach—continuous, culturally relevant, and people-centered—leveraging storytelling, survivor voices, community structures, and the media to drive action.

This is where success will ultimately be decided. Policies and infrastructure alone are not enough. Without public understanding and engagement, impact will remain limited. Awareness must evolve from occasional campaigns to sustained national consciousness—clear, relatable, and compelling across Nigeria’s diverse communities.

Partnerships will be critical. The NCCP brings together government agencies, institutions like NICRAT, civil society groups, and global partners such as the World Health Organization. This coordinated approach is essential to mobilize resources, scale interventions, and ensure inclusivity.

Nigeria’s move from hospital-centered care to a whole-of-society cancer response is both bold and necessary. It reflects a deeper understanding that defeating cancer requires more than doctors and hospitals—it demands informed citizens, supportive communities, responsive systems, and sustained political will.

The task ahead is demanding. But for the first time in years, Nigeria has a clear roadmap—and a collective call to action—to ensure that cancer is detected early, treated effectively, and no longer viewed as a death sentence.

Praise Bickersteth and Seseyon Hosea 

In the world of health and wellness, we often treat medications with the utmost care, carefully selecting the right drug to combat a specific ailment. Toothpastes deserve the same thoughtful consideration. They are unique formulations designed to address distinct oral health needs, much like prescriptions tailored to particular illnesses. Whether you see your teeth as a treasured asset or a potential threat to your well-being, caring for them is a universal priority. Yet our motivations differ: some people brush meticulously for a polished, elegant appearance, while others focus on health, actively seeking solutions to prevent or manage dental problems.

Unfortunately, many people unknowingly worsen their oral health by choosing the wrong toothpaste. It is not enough to simply grab any tube from the shelf. The key is selecting the right one, ideally with guidance from a dentist or through accurate knowledge, especially if you have conditions such as sensitivity or decay.

The wide variety of toothpastes available today exists because of their diverse compositions, each formulated to target specific concerns. Even within the same brand, different products serve different purposes. Not every toothpaste is suitable for your teeth, and using the wrong one can lead to ongoing issues. To put the global scale of this problem into perspective, oral diseases affect nearly half the world’s population, about 3.5 billion people, largely due to inadequate fluoride exposure, high sugar consumption, and poor oral hygiene practices. The World Health Organisation (WHO) emphasises preventive measures, including proper tooth brushing with appropriate toothpaste, to combat this widespread issue. Understanding the different types of toothpaste and their evidence-based benefits empowers you to prevent dental problems and maintain lasting oral health.

The history of toothpaste reflects humanity’s long-standing desire for better dental care. In ancient times, early formulations were simple mixtures of abrasives for cleaning, binding agents to create a paste-like consistency, and flavorings for better taste, often including mint for that refreshing sensation after brushing. Civilisations such as the Egyptians and Greeks used these basic mixtures. Today, scientific advancements have created a wide range of sophisticated options, incorporating active ingredients supported by research from organisations like the WHO and the American Dental Association (ADA). With this knowledge, let’s explore five key types of toothpaste, each offering proven benefits to help you make an informed choice.

Herbal toothpastes provide a natural alternative, made without synthetic chemicals and relying on ingredients such as aloe vera, neem, or tea tree oil. They are particularly helpful for managing common issues like gingivitis (a mild form of gum disease), plaque buildup, bleeding or swollen gums, bad breath, sensitive teeth, and early-stage cavities when used with proper brushing. Their gentle nature appeals to those who prefer natural products, and they are widely available. However, the WHO cautions that herbal toothpastes without fluoride may not offer full protection against tooth decay, as fluoride is essential for strengthening enamel. If you choose a herbal option, check the label to ensure it contains fluoride to maximise its protective benefits. 

Fluoride toothpastes remain the gold standard in preventive dentistry. Fluoride, the key ingredient, strengthens enamel, protects teeth from decay caused by acidic foods and bacteria, prevents cavities, and can even reverse early stages of tooth decay. The WHO strongly recommends brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste containing 1000 to 1500 parts per million (ppm) for optimal cavity prevention, a guideline backed by global data showing reduced tooth loss in communities with adequate fluoride exposure. Clinical trials from the ADA confirm that fluoride remineralises teeth and effectively combats harmful plaque. This type is suitable for all ages, though children under three should use only a rice-grain-sized amount to prevent excessive swallowing, as advised by both the ADA and WHO.

Whitening toothpastes  focus primarily on aesthetics. They use mild abrasives or agents like hydrogen peroxide to remove surface stains caused by coffee, tea, or smoking, helping teeth appear brighter. Research shows these toothpastes can effectively reduce extrinsic stains, but the ADA warns against overuse, as products with excessively high abrasiveness can damage enamel. Always choose ADA-approved whitening toothpastes with a safe Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) value, typically under 250. While they are not a replacement for professional whitening treatments, regular use can help maintain a brighter, more confident smile.

Sensitive toothpastes are specifically formulated to relieve discomfort caused by hot, cold, or sweet stimuli, often due to exposed dentin or gum recession. They contain desensitising agents such as potassium nitrate or strontium chloride, which help block nerve signals and reduce pain. Studies referenced by the ADA show that consistent use over several weeks can significantly reduce sensitivity, greatly improving quality of life for those affected. This type is especially valuable for people with enamel erosion or sensitivity following dental procedures, offering relief without sacrificing cleaning effectiveness.

Tartar control toothpastes target the buildup of calculus (hardened plaque) that can lead to gum disease if left unchecked. These formulas contain ingredients like pyrophosphates or zinc citrate to inhibit tartar formation, complementing regular professional cleanings. The ADA endorses tartar control toothpastes for reducing gingivitis risk, with clinical evidence showing decreased plaque accumulation and healthier gums. They are ideal for individuals prone to tartar buildup and help prevent progression to periodontitis, a serious condition affecting millions worldwide, according to WHO reports.

With this knowledge, you are now better equipped to choose toothpaste that matches your specific oral health needs. The WHO advocates a preventive approach that combines fluoride toothpaste with a balanced, low-sugar diet and regular dental check-ups. Always consult your dentist for personalised advice, particularly if you have existing dental conditions. By selecting the right toothpaste, you are not just brushing; you are investing in a healthier, brighter future for your smile. In the world of dental care, knowledge truly is the best medicine.

.Bickersteth and Hosea wrote from Lagos

 Dr. Kemi AILOJE

Last three weeks, we started a topic on ovarian cysts. We defined and discussed the causes and types of ovarian cysts. This week, we will conclude with the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

SYMPTOMS OF OVARIAN CYSTS

Women with ovarian cysts typically experience little to no discomfort and may go about their daily lives without interruption. Women with cancerous or large cysts, on the other hand, may experience noticeable and even life-threatening symptoms. Among the most common symptoms are:

• Lower tummy (abdomen) pain or discomfort.

• Feelings of fullness or pressure in the abdomen.

• Menstrual irregularities, such as absence of menstrual bleeding (amenorrhoea), heavy bleeding (menorrhagia), and painful periods (dysmenorrhoea).

• Pelvic pain in general.

• If a cyst twists or ruptures, it may cause severe abdominal pain, fever, and nausea.

• Lower back or thigh aches and pains.

• Painful, frequent urination or urinary retention if a cyst presses against the bladder.

Even though symptoms vary depending on the individual, women with endometriotic cysts are more likely to experience the following:

• Menstrual cramps that cause pain in the lower back or abdomen.

• Exceptionally heavy menstrual flow.

• Discomfort during intercourse.

• Painful urination or bowel movements.

Those suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which causes an abundance of small, unruptured follicles or cysts on the ovaries, may also experience the following symptoms:

• Missed or irregular periods.

• Excessive hair growth on the face and body as a result of increased production of masculinising hormones (hirsutism).

• Acne.

• Weight gain.

If you have experienced any of the above symptoms or have been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst, it may be a good time to consult a clinician to determine a diagnosis and the next line of treatment.

DIAGNOSIS OF OVARIAN CYSTS

A gynaecological examination is required to diagnose an ovarian cyst. If an ovarian lump or mass is found, additional tests are required to rule out the possibility of ovarian cancer. To diagnose a benign ovarian cyst, the clinician may use one or more of the following tests:

• Pelvic Examination: Ovarian cysts are frequently detected when symptoms suggestive of an ovarian cyst are mentioned or during a routine pelvic exam, in which the clinician examines the abdomen for abnormal swelling that may be a cyst. However, if the pelvic examination does not yield a definitive diagnosis, a vaginal sonogram is performed.

• Vaginal Sonogram: This imaging test provides the clinician with the most precise picture of the ovary and cyst. A small instrument is inserted into the vagina, and sound waves are bounced off the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, forming a picture on a monitor. This image allows the clinician to accurately determine the size of the cyst, as well as see inside it and determine whether it is solid or fluid-filled. While a vaginal sonogram may detect the presence of a cyst, it cannot determine whether it is benign or malignant. If the sonogram reveals a cyst, the next step may be surgical removal of the cyst to determine whether it is malignant or benign.

• Laparoscopy: The surgeon can see and remove the cyst with this minimally invasive surgical procedure by making a small incision in the abdomen rather than a long cut. The laparoscope, a thin, lighted telescope, is inserted into the abdomen through a small incision. The cyst is then removed using small instruments placed near the pubic bone by the surgeon.

TREATMENT OF OVARIAN CYSTS

Treatment is determined by age, size, and type of cyst. It may also depend on the symptoms. The clinician may recommend the following steps:

• Watchful Waiting: In many cases, it is preferable to wait and be re-examined to see if the cyst disappears after a few months. If you have no symptoms and an ultrasound shows a small, fluid-filled cyst, this is usually an option regardless of age. You may need several follow-up pelvic ultrasounds to see if the cyst’s size or appearance changes.

• Medication: Ovulation is prevented by hormonal contraceptives such as birth control pills. This may help prevent future ovarian cysts. However, birth control pills will not shrink an existing cyst.

• Surgery: A cyst that is large, does not appear to be a functional cyst, continues to grow, or causes pain may be removed by a surgeon. Some cysts may be removed without removing the ovary (cystectomy). In some cases, the cystic ovary is removed (oophorectomy).

 Minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy), with a laparoscope and instruments inserted through small cuts in the abdomen, may be performed. If the cyst is large or there is a risk of cancer, an open procedure with a larger cut may be required.

An ovarian cyst that appears after menopause is occasionally diagnosed as cancer. In this case, you should consult a gynaecologic cancer specialist (gynaecologic oncologist). The uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries may need to be removed surgically. You might also require chemotherapy or radiation.

CONCLUSION

Ovarian cysts are benign growths that form on or within the ovaries. Cysts come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The most common type is harmless, does not cause symptoms, and eventually goes away on its own after a few months without treatment. Regular pelvic exams can help reduce the chances of complications and help you become aware of symptoms that may indicate a serious problem requiring specialist review.

Twenty-nine women leaders across Nigeria’s health sector have completed the 2025 Nigeria Leadership Journey, a year-long leadership development programme that strengthens women’s influence and impact within the country’s healthcare system.

The initiative, delivered through a partnership between WomenLift Health and Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN), concluded with a two-day in-person “Lift-Off” event in Abuja. The gathering brought together stakeholders from government, development organisations, and the broader health ecosystem to mark the participants’ transition into a new phase of leadership.

For mid-career professionals already working within Nigeria’s health system, the programme focuses on deepening leadership capacity, strengthening participants’ voices, and expanding their professional networks to improve decision-making and health outcomes.

Although women make up a significant proportion of Nigeria’s health workforce, particularly in frontline roles, leadership positions remain disproportionately held by men. This gap is especially critical in a country that accounts for nearly 20% of global maternal deaths, underscoring the urgent need for more inclusive and representative leadership to improve maternal and broader health outcomes. The programme directly addresses this by building a pipeline of women leaders equipped to influence health systems at scale.

Speaking at the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom, emphasised the importance of inclusive leadership in transforming the health sector.

“Nigeria’s health system cannot reach its full potential without inclusive and representative leadership. When women lead, maternal mortality becomes more than a statistic. It becomes a mission. When women lead, primary healthcare is not just infrastructure. It becomes a lifeline. And when women lead, communities do not just receive services. They receive dignity.”

Over the 12-month period, participants engaged in a mix of in-person residencies, virtual learning sessions, mentorship, coaching, and leadership projects. The programme also prioritised systems thinking, influence-building, and peer support as critical components of effective leadership.

President of WomenLift Health, Amie Batson, noted that the underrepresentation of women in leadership is a global challenge.

“Across countries, we see the same pattern: women are central to healthcare delivery but underrepresented in leadership. This partnership reflects a shared conviction that the future of health in Nigeria and across Africa will be shaped by women leaders who are supported to step fully into their influence.”

Following the success of the 2025 cohort, both organisations plan to expand the Leadership Journey in 2026, with a focus on midwifery leadership, recognising the vital role of frontline health workers in improving maternal and newborn outcomes.

Founder and Executive Director of WILAN, Abosede George-Ogan, said the programme goes beyond leadership development.

“This is about amplifying the impact of women who are already shaping the system. We are building a pipeline of confident, connected leaders who are ready to drive change where it matters most,” she said.

The organisers say the initiative reflects a broader shift towards leadership models that combine technical expertise with influence, collaboration, and sustained support networks to drive systemic change in healthcare.

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Programme Director for the West and Central Africa region, at Malaria Consortium, Dr. Maxwell Kolawole, has emphasised that continuous improvement remains essential in malaria elimination efforts, noting that both the vector and the parasite are constantly evolving and must be countered with equally adaptive strategies.

Speaking at the Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) Campaign Monitoring & Evaluation and ‘Be in A Net’ Project National Dissemination Meeting in Abuja, Dr. Kolawole highlighted that the National Malaria Elimination Programme would provide updates on progress across Nigeria, including recent state-level performance data.

He also underscored the relevance of this year’s World Health Day theme, which calls for unity and a stronger commitment to science in addressing public health challenges.

He further urged stakeholders to rely on both scientific evidence and practical field experience to strengthen programme implementation, encouraging open dialogue, exchange of insights, and honest identification of knowledge gaps.

According to him, such collaboration is critical to improving malaria control outcomes across endemic communities.

Kolawole reaffirmed Malaria Consortium’s role as a trusted technical partner committed to supporting effective, forward-looking interventions.

He added that the dissemination meeting provides an important platform for informed dialogue on strengthening malaria prevention strategies and improving programme effectiveness through evidence-based approaches.

He also expressed hope that the engagement would lead to more impactful decisions and stronger collaboration among stakeholders.

The National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Nnena Ogbulafor, said the meeting focused on findings from two key initiatives: the ITN Campaign Monitoring and Evaluation project in Ondo and Anambra States, and the Behavioural Insights on ITN Use project in Osun State.

Represented by the Head of Integrated Vector Management (IVM), Mary Esema, she explained that the projects deepen understanding of insecticide-treated net distribution and utilisation while also offering insights into community behaviours and perceptions.

She noted that together, they reinforce the importance of combining effective tools with strong community engagement in malaria control.

She added that the findings highlight both progress and areas requiring further sensitisation, particularly to ensure consistent and correct use of ITNs.

In a goodwill message, the Anambra State Government commended the Malaria Consortium for its contribution to malaria control, noting significant improvements in key indicators.

Represented by Dr. Uchebo Obiageli, the state highlighted that malaria prevalence declined from 9 per cent to 5 per cent, while household ownership of insecticide-treated nets rose from 27 per cent in 2021 to 46.4 per cent in 2025, with utilisation increasing from 20 per cent to 27 per cent within the same period.

She also praised the distribution of over 3.8 million nets and the entomological studies on vector susceptibility, describing them as vital for evidence-based decision-making in future procurement.

She concluded that the results reflect clear progress in malaria control efforts in the state.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Health in Ondo State, Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka, described Malaria Consortium as almost a household name in the state, noting its long-standing contribution to the health sector.

Represented by Dr. Richard Adesoji, he recalled that even in his previous role as Director of Public Health, the organisation supported insecticide-treated net distribution while also integrating research and evaluation into programme delivery.

He noted that beyond distribution, the organisation conducted studies on coverage, usage, community behaviour, and mosquito vector patterns, including household-level entomological surveillance.

He said this evidence-based approach has significantly strengthened programme analysis and improved health outcomes in the state, while reaffirming the importance of protecting vulnerable groups such as children under five and pregnant women in the ongoing fight against malaria.

Funmi Ogundare

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s healthcare sector have identified poor leadership, governance, and management as the most critical barriers to improved health outcomes in the country.

They made this known during a series of workshops held in Yola, Sokoto, and Ilorin under the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)-led health governance strengthening initiative, in partnership with Development Governance International (DGI).

The initiative titled, ‘Enhancing Leadership, Governance and Management Capacities (ELGMC)’, targets State Primary Health Care Development Agencies (SPHCDAs) and other primary healthcare-related bodies in Adamawa, Kwara, and Sokoto states. Its goal is to enhance evidence-based policy-making, planning, financing, implementation, and monitoring of gender- and adolescent-responsive primary healthcare services, as well as Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health plus Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) services, and address gender-based violence.

Speaking at the workshops, Dr. Emmanuel Emedu, Project Lead and UNICEF Health Specialist, emphasised that effective leadership, governance and management of the health system is a must.

“A robust management system ensures seamless integration of health service delivery into the broader state health development agenda,” he stated.

Deputy Governor of Adamawa State and Chairman of the State Primary Health Care Task Force, Prof. Kaletapwa George Farauta, underscored the importance of strengthening leadership and governance to improve planning, implementation, monitoring, and accountability in the health sector. She lauded UNICEF and DGI for their commitment to building a resilient, people-oriented primary healthcare system in the state.

Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, noted that while technical skills are abundant, soft skills remain lacking.

 “We need to translate programs and policies into meaningful benefits for our people through effective leadership and governance and efficient management,” she said.

Similarly, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar Wurno, Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, commended the initiative, pledging state support to achieve its five key goals.

Dr. Gafar Alawode, Chief Executive Officer of DGI, described the ELGMC project as interactive and inclusive, involving assessments of leadership, policy development, and implementation capacities in the pilot states.

 The next stages will include focus group discussions, key informant interviews, data analysis, and the development of a draft capacity assessment report, followed by implementation of capacity strengthening plans and mentoring.

The stakeholders expressed optimism that if successfully implemented, the ELGMC project will establish effective leadership, governance, and management systems that could transform health outcomes in Nigeria, starting with the three pilot states.

In a bid to strengthen oral health awareness and build lifelong habits, Pepsodent, in collaboration with the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) and the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), recently launched the 2026 World Oral Health Day campaign, themed “Do The 2”. The initiative urges Nigerians to brush twice daily — morning and night — and to visit the dentist at least twice a year, reinforcing simple but vital practices for healthier teeth and gums. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that the campaign also underscores a broader shift toward preventive healthcare, emphasising awareness, early detection and community engagement over treatment alone

In homes across Nigeria, the nightly routine often ends with lights switched off and families settling into bed. Yet, for many, one important step is still missing — brushing their teeth before sleep. Health experts say this simple omission leaves teeth exposed to bacteria overnight, increasing the risk of cavities, plaque build-up, gum disease and bad breath.

It is this everyday habit that has inspired a renewed national conversation around oral hygiene, as stakeholders in the health sector, government and private sector unite to promote a simple but powerful message: brush twice daily.

At the heart of this movement is Unilever through its Pepsodent 2026 World Oral Health Day (WOHD) campaign, themed “Do The 2”,  is championing a call designed to be memorable, practical and capable of shaping behaviour across generations. The campaign emphasises two key actions — brushing day and night and visiting the dentist at least twice a year — as the foundation of lifelong oral health.

Through a partnership involving the Nigerian Dental Association, the Federal Ministry of Health and community stakeholders, the initiative aims to reach 500,000 Nigerians through schools, markets, neighbourhood activations and dental camps across major cities including Lagos, Ibadan, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano. Health professionals say the campaign goes beyond marketing as it represents a coordinated public health effort to close gaps in awareness and access to dental care, particularly in communities where professional services remain limited.

Oral Health as a National Priority

Delivering the keynote address at the press conference marking the 2026 World Oral Health Day, the Unilever Personal Care Research and Development Head of Africa, Nwakamma Uchenna, described the event as both a celebration of progress and a call to sustain momentum in improving oral hygiene across the country.

“It is an honour to host oral health stakeholders in commemoration of 2026 World Oral Health Day. This serves as an opportunity to commend the progress made thus far in the promotion of good oral hygiene in Nigeria, and a call to continue prioritising oral health as a key component of our well-being this year and beyond,” he said.

Uchenna stressed that oral health remains closely linked to overall wellbeing, noting that neglecting routine dental care can lead to serious health complications.

“Prevention is the most effective strategy against oral health challenge because poor dental hygiene can lead to various complications like gum disease, tooth decay, and even systemic conditions like diabetes and heart disease,” he explained.

According to him, sustained partnerships have been central to expanding dental care access across Nigeria. He revealed that joint initiatives between Pepsodent and the Nigerian Dental Association have reached hundreds of thousands of citizens over the years.

“It is amazing how in five years, these programs have reached over 700,000 Nigerians. Last year, 2025, consumers in 20 states pan Nigeria participated and benefited from the program. At a ratio of 57,000 people to one dentist, it is more than convincing that this partnership is necessary,” he added.

He also highlighted the success of school-based oral health education programmes, noting that early habits play a decisive role in preventing long-term dental problems.

“For instance, the Pepsodent Schools Program has been helpful in driving the importance of brushing day and night among pupils. Through it, they learnt the proper way to brush and as at today, it has reached 11,803,774 pupils,” he said.

Driving Awareness and Access Through Partnership

Speaking on behalf of the brand, Pepsodent Brand Manager, Lauretta Amie, emphasised that the campaign reflects years of sustained investment in oral health awareness and community outreach.

“It’s another year to celebrate the World Oral Health Day with Pepsodent and appreciate the confidence of oral hygiene in white teeth and healthier smiles,” she said.

Amie explained that the “Do The 2” campaign is designed not only to promote good habits but also to address widespread misconceptions about dental care.

“The campaign aims to inspire a conscious fight against oral health challenge by encouraging people to brush twice a day — morning and night. Brushing the teeth once a day is not enough, it leaves the teeth exposed to bacteria overnight, thereby increasing the risk of cavities, plaque build-up, gum disease, bad breath and tooth decay,” she stated.

She noted that night-time brushing is particularly critical because it removes food particles and acids accumulated during the day.

“To guard against this, the ‘Do The 2’ campaign encourages night-time brushing which will help to remove the food particles and sugar acids while offering a 24-hour protection support when paired with a morning routine,” she explained.

The campaign, she added, is structured as a week-long programme combining education, screenings and demonstrations across multiple locations.

“It will involve 50 schools, a World Oral Health Day activation led by the Nigeria Dental Association in 17 NDA chapters and the setting up of dental camps across Lagos, Ibadan, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano,” Amie said.

Government Commitment to Preventive Oral Healthcare

Representing the Federal Ministry of Health, the Head of Dentistry, Dr. Gloria Uzoigwe, underscored the importance of preventive healthcare in reducing the burden of oral diseases nationwide.

“On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health, I am honored to join you today on this occasion of joint press conference to commemorate World Oral Health Day. This annual observance is more than a symbolic occasion, it is a call to action, reminding us that oral health is integral to overall health and well-being, as it is always said that ‘the mouth is a gateway to the body’,” she said.

Uzoigwe noted that oral diseases remain among the most common health challenges in Nigeria, despite being largely preventable.

“Dental caries, gum disease, and oral cancers affect millions, often leading to pain, reduced productivity, and diminished quality of life. Yet, with proper awareness, preventive care, and access to affordable treatment, these burdens can be significantly reduced,” she explained.

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening policies that integrate dental care into primary healthcare services.

“Our partnership with Unilever demonstrates the power of public-private collaboration in advancing national health priorities,” she said.

According to her, school oral health programmes have already delivered measurable benefits across several states.

“These schools have received oral health education, free dental screenings, and oral hygiene kits. Children are learning to care for their teeth, communities are gaining access to preventive services, and families are becoming more aware of the link between oral health and general health,” she added.

A Call for Collective Responsibility

Also speaking at the event, the President of the Nigerian Dental Association, Dr. Elias Emedom Martins, described oral health as a shared responsibility requiring sustained commitment from individuals, professionals and institutions.

“Today marks yet another milestone in our effort to highlight the importance of oral health as we assemble to mark the commencement of WOHD 2026 Campaign as a global campaign that strives to emphasize the significance of oral health in our daily lives,” he said.

Martins stressed that oral health affects more than physical comfort, influencing productivity, confidence and social interaction.

“Oral health is not only about healthy clean teeth and gums but also about how oral health affects our ability to perform the task of eating, speech, learn, work and relate with others,” he explained.

He warned that limited awareness and access to dental services continue to worsen oral health challenges in many communities.

“In Nigeria, oral health challenges are made worse by decreased access to oral care majorly due to poor awareness and inadequate resources due to poor economic indices,” he said.

The association, he added, is encouraging preventive practices as the most effective solution.

“Oral diseases can be prevented through simple daily habits like twice daily tooth brushing, flossing, proper tooth brushing techniques, regular dental check-ups, and avoidance of poor oral habits,” he stated.

Taking Oral Health to Schools, Markets and Communities

Beyond speeches and policy commitments, the campaign’s strength lies in its community-based approach, driven by collaboration among key stakeholders including the NDA, FMOH, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Unilever, and other partners who came together to officially kick off WOHD 2026 activities.

Following the launch, the campaign moved swiftly from conference halls into communities through structured outreach programmes designed to reach families directly where they live, learn and work.

One key component was the Schools Engagement Programme, educating pupils on the importance of brushing twice daily through practical demonstrations and interactive sessions. Dental professionals engaged children with tooth brushing demonstrations, product sampling and free dental screening while creating fun, memorable experiences around oral care. These activities reached major urban centres including Lagos, Ibadan, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano.

In addition, NDA-led WOHD Activations took oral health education to public spaces such as open markets, schools and neighbourhood centres. Consumers were engaged through demonstrations, education sessions, product sampling and free dental checks delivered by trained professionals. Activations were conducted across 17 NDA chapters nationwide, reaching communities in 50 schools and extending preventive care to populations with limited access to dental services.

Complementing these efforts were Dental Camps, providing structured clinical support in five key locations within Oyo State. Working through five NDA state chapters, these camps delivered oral examinations, scaling and polishing, and referrals for further treatment. They served as vital access points for professional dental care, particularly where facilities are limited.

The campaign highlights a broader shift toward preventive healthcare, a model prioritising awareness, early detection and community engagement rather than treatment alone. Its simple but powerful message remains: brush twice daily, visit the dentist regularly, and protect your smile for life. For all Nigerians, the guidance is practical and clear: brush in the morning, brush at night, and see a dentist regularly. In a country where millions lack professional dental services, this routine may prove one of the most effective public health interventions of all.

(Right of Reply)

By Amina Ahmed El-Imam

The attention of the Kwara State Ministry of Health was drawn to an article published in ������Ƶ on 1st April, 2026 titled: “In Kwara, It’s One Doctor to 12,000 People.”

The Kwara State Government acknowledges challenges in the health sector but rejects the portrayal of systemic collapse. Since 2019, the administration has implemented measurable and wide-ranging reforms aimed at strengthening primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare systems, including infrastructure upgrades, workforce expansion, and health insurance coverage.

Contrary to claims of neglect, the government has undertaken renovation and equipping of 193 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across all 16 LGAs under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), 83 through the Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transformation (IMPACT) programme and multiple others from wholly state-supported initiatives. This is unprecedented. Several others are being renovated as we speak. Similarly, several general hospitals have also undergone phased infrastructural upgrades.

In further demonstration of its commitment to strengthening tertiary healthcare delivery and medical training, the State Government has converted the General Hospital Ilorin to Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH), a hospital which has recently been accredited by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). Additionally, the state has also entered into partnerships with two private universities (Thomas Adewumi University, Oko and Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin) for the conversion of two state-owned hospitals (General Hospital, Omu-Aran and Sobi Specialist Hospital) to their respective affiliated Teaching Hospitals. This unprecedented initiative is designed to bridge the gap in quality service delivery, expand training capacity for medical students, and improve the availability of skilled healthcare professionals within the state.

Regarding KWASUTH, while occasional operational challenges (such as power or water disruptions) may occur, as is common in all institutions, these are being actively addressed through budgetary provisions and release for utilities, alternative power sources, and facility maintenance. The claim that lifesaving procedures were broadly halted is misleading and not reflective of overall service delivery at the hospital.

There has been no record of a blanket suspension of Caesarean Section services for two weeks at KWASUTH. Any temporary service disruption, if they occurred, would have been due to specific technical or clinical circumstances, with contingency arrangements in place to protect patients. Contrary to claims of halted Caesarean Sections, we have verified data that shows sustained and increasing surgical activity, as expected in a tertiary facility:

January:

• Caesarean Sections: 116

• Total surgeries: 351

February:

• Caesarean Sections: 151

• Total surgeries: 379

These figures clearly refute claims of prolonged service suspension.

Comprehensive Service Delivery Data (January to February)

It is important to note that KWASUTH has a fully functional central generator capable of powering the entire facility during any outage which ensures that critical clinical services continue uninterrupted. The hospital is also equipped with fully functional water facilities and storage tank systems guaranteeing round-the-clock water supply for both clinical and non-clinical operations.

The government also notes with pride the recent accreditation of KWASUTH by the MDCN for the training of medical students. This accreditation, granted after rigorous assessment of infrastructure and requisite personnel, stands as a strong attestation and underscores the government’s commitment to sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure, human resources, and provision of quality healthcare service delivery.

In addition, the State has secured accreditation from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria to train 30 intern pharmacists, while similar accreditation has recently been received to train nurses. Similarly, efforts are on the way to get the accreditation of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) to train intern laboratory scientists in the state. While the process of the production of human resources for health is a long one, Kwara is steadily making progress in the journey, at a pace unprecedented in its history.

The specific doctor-to-patient ratio cited is a concoction. At any rate, manpower challenges are a national, even international, challenge; not one unique to Kwara State. Nigeria as a whole faces a shortage of healthcare workers due to global migration trends. Nonetheless, under the leadership of His Excellency, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the State has maintained open approval for the recruitment of doctors and other health workers across cadres, including medical officers, specialists, and other allied health professionals.

Across the three central hierarchical tiers of health service delivery, recruitments have been conducted to reduce the effects of attrition and generally improve patients to health worker ratios. Over 1000 health workers across several professions were recruited into the primary health care system in 2025. Also, 150 nurses and midwives were recently recruited by the State will resume in the coming weeks across state secondary hospitals. Lastly, dozens of health and allied staff, including medical doctors, were similarly recruited for KWASUTH in 2025.

The State Government has also consistently maintained an improved salary structure at parity with the Federal Government and ensured prompt salary payments, while also supporting training and capacity development programmes through payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and accoutrement allowances.

The tools required for doctors and other health workers to perform their duties are also crucial. To this end, the Ministry confirms the purchase and ongoing processes to install advanced diagnostic equipment, including a newly procured 1.5 Tesla MRI machine at KWASUTH. Such equipment requires specialised installation, calibration, and regulatory compliance. Additionally, the 0.3 Tesla MRI at the Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre (HADC) has now been repaired and will be available for public use in the coming days.

Also, through the Kwara State Health Insurance Agency (KWHIA), thousands of residents, especially vulnerable populations, now have improved access to affordable healthcare services, reducing out-of-pocket expenditure. The imminent onboarding of civil servants into the KwaraCare scheme will further enhance the attainment of universal health coverage in the state.

It is crucial to note that workforce mobility across states and countries is a broader global issue, not solely attributable to state-level policies. Direct comparisons with other states without full context (including federal institutions, private sector contributions, and historical baselines) can be misleading. It should be noted that Kwara State has made steady and measurable progress from its inherited structures. In fact, several Cottage and General Hospitals should soon receive new deployments of doctors, while many of them now have renewable energy sources for uninterrupted service delivery.

In conclusion, while challenges exist, Kwara State’s healthcare system is not neglected but undergoing considerable and sustained improvement. Several machines not hitherto available in any public hospitals in Kwara State are now in use. The government remains focused on strengthening the workforce, expanding training capacity, and improving service delivery, rather than the pessimistic and jaundiced narrative presented by the writer.

︎ Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam is the Commissioner for Health, Kwara State.