Health
WHO announces outbreak of cholera in 23 countries
The World Health Organisation (WHO), on Friday, announced the outbreak of cholera in 23 countries, warning that 20 more countries sharing land borders with the affected countries are at risk.
Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated this during the bloc’s online media conference.
Ghebreyesus further said that a total of more than one billion people globally were at risk of cholera.
“Cholera spreads through contaminated water, so clean water is needed urgently wherever there is an acute outbreak, to prevent transmission,” he said.
According to him, WHO also strongly recommends countries at risk of cholera outbreaks scale up surveillance so cases can be identified and managed as quickly as possible.
The WHO boss noted that though there were effective vaccines for cholera, the supply, however, was very limited.
According to Ghebreyesus, the International Coordinating Group that manages the global cholera vaccine stockpile 2022 suspended the standard two-dose regimen, recommending instead a single-dose approach to extend the supply.
He, however, said in the medium-to-long-term, it remained important that global vaccine production was increased.
“In the meantime, we must rely on other measures to stop outbreaks and save lives,” he said.
According to him, over the past few weeks, there have been many reports of mammals, including minks, otters, foxes and sea lions, being infected with H5N1 avian influenza.
He noted that the H5N1 had spread widely in wild birds and poultry for 25 years, but the recent spillover to mammals needed to be monitored closely.
Ghebreyesus, however, disclosed that at the moment, WHO had assessed the risk to humans as low.
He said that since H5N1 first emerged in 1996, they had only seen rare and non-sustained transmission of H5N1 to and between humans.
“But we cannot assume that will remain the case, and we must prepare for any change in the status quo.
“As always, people are advised not to touch or collect dead or sick wild animals, but to report to local authorities.
“WHO is working with national authorities and partners to monitor the situation closely, and to study cases of H5N1 infection in humans when they occur,” he said.
WHO’s global laboratory network, the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System, identifies and monitors strains of circulating influenza viruses, and provides advice to countries on their risk to human health and available treatment or control measures.
WHO recommends countries strengthen surveillance in settings where humans and farmed or wild animals interact.
“WHO is also continuing to engage with manufacturers to make sure that if needed, supplies of vaccines and antivirals would be available for global use.”
On the issue of breastfeeding, the WHO helmsman disclosed that new research had found that less than half of babies born globally, were being breastfed exclusively for the first six months of life.
Ghebreyesus noted that this was because women lacked the support they needed to breastfeed, with more than half a billion working-class women globally, lacking adequate maternity protections.
“Meanwhile, misleading formula milk marketing claims, undermine breastfeeding at every turn.
“Almost every country has signed the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, which restricts the marketing of formula milk.
“However, regulations are largely unenforced,” he said.
Ghebreyesus called on governments and policymakers, to promote breastfeeding by ensuring all women had adequate maternity protections.
He recommended at least six months of maternity leave with full pay for nursing mothers, as well as time off for breastfeeding when they resumed work.
He also reiterated WHO’s call for governments to end the exploitative marketing of artificial milk, and increase health sector support for breastfeeding. (NAN)
The First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, has directed Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, to oversee the establishment of a Primary Healthcare Centre in Sauka, FCT.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Secretary, Bola Ajao, on Wednesday highlighted that the initiative aimed to strengthen healthcare services in the region.
It also emphasised the goal of combating tuberculosis (TB), with support from FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.
According to the statement, Mrs Tinubu, who also serves as the Global and National Stop TB Champion, made the announcement at an event in Sauka, FCT, to commemorate World Tuberculosis Day 2025.
The event was organised by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the FCT Health Services Secretariat, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and other partners.
During her speech, the First Lady emphasised the importance of grassroots interventions in the fight against TB.
She noted that the event themed, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” had been locally translated to “We Fit Run Am; A Collective Call for Action Against TB” to better resonate with the community.
“To support the fight against this communicable disease, I will not only donate N1 billion but also approve the establishment of a Primary Healthcare Centre in Sauka Community.
“This initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for an efficient healthcare system,” the First lady stated.
The First Lady added that Fasawe would oversee the project’s implementation with the backing of the dedicated FCT Minister, Wike.
She further explained that the new facility would serve as a critical hub for TB detection, treatment, and general healthcare services, ensuring that residents received timely and quality medical care.
In spite of TB being preventable and treatable, the First Lady pointed out that it remained a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, which ranked among the countries with the highest TB burden globally.
“This underscores the urgent need for improved healthcare services and stronger community-based interventions.”
In her response, Fasawe commended the First Lady for her unwavering dedication and strong support in the fight against TB elimination.
She also acknowledged the efforts of FCT healthcare workers, whose hard work had contributed to significant improvements in the health system.
“The establishment of the new Primary Healthcare Centre in Sauka is a significant step toward enhancing healthcare services, improving TB control, and ensuring accessible healthcare for all in the FCT,” Fasawe affirmed.
The event also featured an exhibition stand by the Public Health Department of the FCT, where attendees were provided with free TB testing.
Key stakeholders in attendance included Hajiya Nana Shettima, Wife of the Vice President; Members of the National Assembly; Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health; and Mrs Adekemi Nanpad, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Also present were wives of the Federal Executive Council members, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Country Representative, and many others.
The Kano State Government has pledged its commitment to quality healthcare services for inmates in custodial centres across the state.
The Executive Secretary of the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA), Dr Rahila Aliyu-Mukhtar, made the pledge while presenting the allocation of a monthly capitation of N852, 400 to support medical services for inmates in custodial centres.
She lauded Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf, for supporting vulnerable individuals and prioritising healthcare for inmates.
The executive secretary also commended the Kano command of the Nigerian Correctional Service for its support and cooperation.
She commended Kano for being one of the first states to enrol inmates in a structured healthcare scheme.
Responding, the Controller of Corrections, Kano State Command, Ado Inuwa expressed appreciation to the state government for its unwavering support in the enrollment of inmates under the healthcare services scheme.
He assured that the allocated funds would be utilised judiciously to cover essential medical treatments and emergency care for inmates.
Inuwa lauded Aliyu-Mukhtar for her zeal, determination and commitment to humanity, particularly in ensuring that inmates have access to healthcare services.
NAN reports that on Dec. 31, 2024, the state government approved the enrolment of inmates in custodial facilities into the State’s Health Contributory Scheme, ensuring they now enjoy health insurance coverage.The scheme provides inmates with access to basic and comprehensive healthcare services while in custody.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified its efforts to combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Nigeria by implementing stricter regulations and surveillance measures.
Dr Tunde Sigbeku, Deputy Director and AMR-OH Focal Person at NAFDAC, said this on Thursday in Lagos.
Sigbeku spoke during a five-day training session for journalists, civil society organisations (CSOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs) focused on AMR.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the training was organised by the Fleming Fund Country Grant (FFCG II).
The project is supported by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Sigbeku highlighted the dangers of AMR, emphasising that it poses a severe threat to human, animal, and environmental health.
He said that NAFDAC had implemented several policies, including banning the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in livestock and fish production.
“AMR is real and with us in Nigeria. We have cases in hospitals, including babies born with colistin resistance, and it is also present on farms.
“We are taking steps like prohibiting the sale of branded medicated feed in open markets.
We are also restricting the use of certain veterinary drugs in food-producing animals, such as Carbadox, Nitrofural, and Olaquindox.
“We are strengthening port inspections to detect substandard and falsified antibiotics using advanced technologies like TRUSCAN and the Mobile Authentication Service (MAS),” he said l.
According to him, recognising that AMR requires a multi-sectoral approach.
He said that the agency had established collaborations with international and national stakeholders.
He listed such stakeholders to include the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and the Fleming Fund.
“NAFDAC is also monitoring the importation and use of human and veterinary antibiotics to ensure compliance with national regulations,” he said.
Sigbeku stressed the need for continuous public awareness and collaboration with research institutions.
“We must educate, advocate, and act now.
“Increased surveillance, research, and policy enforcement are crucial to preventing a post-antibiotic era where common infections become deadly,” he said.
As Nigeria joins the global fight against AMR, he urged healthcare providers, farmers, and the general public to use antibiotics responsibly to preserve their effectiveness for future generations.
NAN recalls that the FFCG II has been instrumental in Nigeria’s fight against AMR.
Managed by Management Sciences for Health (MSH), the project collaborates with the One Health Ministries.
They are the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), as well as the Federal Ministry of Environment.
The aim is to implement a coordinated, multisectoral approach addressing AMR across human, animal, and environmental health.
Aligned with Nigeria’s FFCG Phase 2 Country Investment Strategy (CIS), the project focuses on four priority areas:
Producing quality AMR data, analysing data effectively, sharing analysis with decision-makers and promoting sustainable investment to counter AMR.
Through these efforts, the project plays a crucial role in strengthening Nigeria’s response to AMR, a growing public health concern.
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