Health

Health

Ebola: NCDC Identifies 62 Contacts, Extends Monitoring to November 13

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has identified 62 individuals who had contact with confirmed Ebola cases and is monitoring them until November 13, 2026. With two healthcare workers among the confirmed cases and the Democratic Republic of Congo's outbreak continuing to spread, Nigeria remains on high alert, intensifying surveillance at points of entry and urging citizens to report symptoms and travel history promptly.

Nov 2, 2026 56

Health

Beyond Charity: The Push for Sustainable Cleft Care in Nigeria

Nigeria faces a backlog of over 200,000 untreated cleft cases, with only about 750 specialists available to perform the 7,000 surgeries needed annually. As Smile Train and the Federal Ministry of Health launch a five-year, $10 million initiative to integrate cleft care into the national health system, experts warn that charity missions alone cannot solve a crisis rooted in limited surgical capacity, prohibitive costs, and a severe shortage of trained professionals.

Nov 2, 2026 28

Health

Blood Crisis: Nigeria's Supply Falls Short as NBSA Warns of Rising Risks

The National Blood Service Agency has warned that Nigeria's blood supply remains critically below national requirements, with only about 500,000 units collected annually against an estimated need of two million units. Executive Secretary Dr. Saleh Yuguda says voluntary donation stands at just 15 per cent, warning that commercial and family replacement donations are fuelling unsafe practices and putting patients at risk.

Nov 2, 2026 27

Health

Adamawa Targets 130,000 Children in Polio Vaccination Drive

Adamawa State will run a special polio vaccination exercise from November 5 to 12 in Gombi and Fufore local government areas, targeting 130,000 children under five as part of the November National Plus Days campaign.

Nov 2, 2026 29

Health

Borno Hires 2,000 Health Workers, Still Faces Staff Shortage

Borno State has recruited nearly 2,000 doctors, nurses and other health professionals in two years, but the head of its contributory health agency says manpower gaps persist as demand grows under the state health insurance scheme.

Oct 14, 2026 131

Health

Lassa Fever Kills 268 in Nigeria as Cases Hit 1,138

Nigeria has recorded 1,138 confirmed Lassa fever cases and 268 deaths across 24 states in 2026, with the case fatality rate rising to 23.6 per cent—significantly higher than the 18.6 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025. The NCDC has identified five states accounting for 88 per cent of all confirmed cases, as it intensifies preparedness efforts ahead of the peak transmission season.

Oct 14, 2026 347

Health

MSF Calls for Routine Noma Surveillance in Nigeria

Doctors Without Borders says noma, a fast-moving and often fatal facial infection linked to malnutrition and poverty, remains largely missing from Nigeria's routine child health programmes despite its 2023 recognition as a neglected tropical disease.

Oct 14, 2026 200

Health

Oyo Rejects Diphtheria Outbreak Claims, Accuses APC

The Oyo State Government has dismissed claims by the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation that diphtheria has affected 16 local government areas, describing the allegation as false and politically motivated. Commissioner for Health Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi confirmed that while suspected cases have been recorded in 10 LGAs, none have been confirmed, and accused the APC campaign group of distorting immunisation data to score political points.

Oct 14, 2026 182

Health

Dementia Crisis: Global New Cases to Hit 24.7 Million Annually by 2050

A landmark Australian-led study published in JAMA Neurology has revealed that global dementia cases will more than double by 2050, rising from 11.4 million new diagnoses in 2023 to a staggering 24.7 million annually. With women and low- and middle-income countries bearing the heaviest burden, experts warn that health systems—particularly in Africa and Nigeria—are dangerously unprepared for the coming surge.

Oct 13, 2026 195

Health

Gbenga Daniel Sponsors Free Surgeries for 754 Ogun Residents

Senator Gbenga Daniel's Gateway Front Foundation, working with a US-based medical mission and Redeemer's Health Village, is providing free surgeries to at least 754 Ogun residents as part of a wider outreach for Ogun East.

Oct 13, 2026 189

Health

Nigeria to Host First Global AMR Conference in Africa

Nigeria is set to make history by hosting the 5th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance in Abuja from December 6 to 8, 2026—the first time the global gathering will be held in Africa. Coordinating Minister of Health Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate has described AMR as a "silent pandemic" that kills quietly, as four federal ministries commit to a unified One Health strategy to combat a crisis linked to 1.3 million deaths annually worldwide.

Oct 13, 2026 129

Health

Diri Orders Free Quarterly Health Checks for All Bayelsa Residents at Secondary Facilities

Governor Douye Diri has directed Bayelsa's Ministry of Health to begin free quarterly medical check-ups across all eight local government areas, aimed at helping residents who cannot afford routine screening and promoting early detection of diseases.

Oct 12, 2026 255