The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecasted dust mist from Friday to Sunday across the country. NiMet’s weather outlook released on Thursday in Abuja anticipated dust haze with localized visibility of less than or equal to 1000m over the northern states.

Taking 8,000 plus steps, the equivalent of walking approximately 6.4 km a day, can help reduce the risk of dying early, according to the study that provides the first scientific proof for an optimal number of steps to be taken daily. The new study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, identifies for the first time the optimal number of steps at which most people obtain the greatest benefits, and also shows that the pace at which you walk provides additional benefits.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has hailed the Federal Government’s efforts at reducing the incidence and deaths from malaria. The global health body noted that between Years 2000 and 2021, malaria incidence and deaths reduced by 26 per cent and 55 per cent in the country.

Federal Government has appointed 11 new Medical Directors for the Federal Government established Medical Facilities in the Country. In a statement assigned by Director Press & Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health, Patricia Deworitshe made the discourse.

The National Administration of Food and drug Control (NAFDAC) has decried the growing menace of drug hawking which poses serious challenge to the healthcare delivery system in the country and stating that the development underscores the agencies unwavering determination to totally eradicate the illicit trade.  The observation was contained in a keynote address of the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Christianah Adeyeye delivered at the North-East Zonal NAFDAC media sensitisation workshop on ‘Dangers of Drug hawking and Ripening of Fruits with Calcium Carbide’ held at the Conference Hall of Federal Secretariat, Bauchi on Monday.

UNICEF’s Communication Officer in Nigeria, Safiya Akau, on Thursday, affirmed that diphtheria has claimed the lives of 122 children in Nigeria as at July 2023. Accordingly, UNICEF is amplifying its efforts to counter the growing outbreak of diphtheria that has affected children in 27 States of Nigeria.

A variant of the flu strain H1N2, similar to one that is currently circulating in pigs, has been detected in a human for the first time in the UK, according to public health officials. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the disease has not previously been detected in humans in the country. The person reportedly experienced a mild illness and has since fully recovered. However, the UKHSA mentioned that they have not yet worked out how the person became infected and the case remains under investigation. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a strong warning cautioning against the abuse and misuse of antibiotics stressing that same is denting their efficacy and contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The warning came on Thursday following a survey conducted by the WHO’s European chapter on antibiotic usage patterns. The study, carried out in 14 countries mostly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia revealed concerning trends, indicating that antibiotics were frequently prescribed for conditions such as the common cold (24 per cent), flu-like symptoms (16 per cent), sore throat (21 per cent), and cough (18 per cent).

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public, especially healthcare providers, regarding the circulation one batch of fake Meronem 1g injection, which is an antibiotic used to treat skin and abdominal infections caused by meningitis and bacteria.

The Federal Government through the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, has met with heads of Pharmaceutical companies over the recent surge in the prices of medicines in Nigeria. According to the coordinating Minister, the federal government, as part of its agenda, is keen to find ways to ease and if possible reverse this hardship on Nigerians.

The Kaduna State Government has kick-started the mass vaccination against Yellow Fever in the state; this was revealed by the Director, of Public Health, Kaduna State Primary HealthCare Development Agency, Hamza Ikara- Ibrahim on Monday during a meeting with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He stated that the exercise would run from Oct. 30 to Nov. 10 in the 23 local government areas of the state. Ibrahim added that the vaccination, which aimed at providing preventive measures against Yellow Fever, would be conducted at health facilities and temporary fixed posts located within the communities.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has approved the use of HPV vaccine as single dose in the routine immunization against cervical cancer, beginning from the last quarter of 2023 with the national launch on 24th October. During a joint meeting alongside the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the agencies agreed that the deployment of HPV vaccine can provide solid protection against cervical cancer caused by the human papillomavirus. The HPV vaccine which is giving in two or three doses is recommended for girls and boys within 11 and 12 years but can be administered as early as 9 years or as late as 26 years.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed in its safety audit report, incidences of sexual violence against children living in some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Benue State.

The Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Enugu State Chapter has threatened an industrial action over abduction of members in the state and the need for the State Government and security agencies to emplace measures to safeguard Medical and Dental Council workers in the State.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced the Human Papilloma Virus, HPV, vaccine into its routine immunization system, to protect over 7.7 million girls between aged 9 to 14 years as part of Renewed Health Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) has disclosed that the agency new policy contains cancer survivors for adequate care. The NICRAT Director General, Dr Usman Aliyu, stated that the plan is contained in one of the three cancer policies aimed at aiding cancer prevention and treatment in Nigeria, which the Federal Government will inaugurate soon.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has suspended all unlicensed colleges of health technology around the state. The proscription of the affected colleges, all private, takes immediate effect. The governor after a meeting in Yola on Tuesday, gave the directive for the closure of the “unregistered and unaccredited” private colleges of health.

The Chairman, Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Health Care, His Royal Highness, Samaila Mera, has stated that, Zamfara State has recorded twenty-one (21) cases of Poliovirus Type-2 (CVDPV2) from January, 2023 to date, due to the security challenges affecting the State; which has made it quite difficult for health personnel to access the State.