Health

Three persons have lost their lives in what appears to be a reemergence of Lassa fever epidemic. The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) and the Ministry of Health, have confirmed all three cases of the deadly disease in Montserrado and Nimba counties.

According to a release by the Ministry of Health, the victims were given a safe and dignified interment. The county health teams are now doing contact tracing on both community members and healthcare workers who came into contact with the patients during their symptomatic period and are considered to be at risk.

Nigeria needs at least $1.6bn over the next ten years to support the purchase of vaccines and immunization activities if it hopes to drastically reduce child-killer diseases. This was made known to senators by a delegation from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), World Health Organisation and other international donors.

According to a study which found that infants living with single mothers who have similar facial features to their fathers tend to be healthier after one year, dad’s looks are best. For a baby’s health, that is. That’s because a youngster who closely resembles his or her dad is more likely to spend time with him, a factor that can improve a child’s well-being.

UNAIDS is ecstatic with mid-way results from two studies that show a vaginal ring releasing long-acting antiretroviral medicine to prevent HIV infection in women.

According to reports, the results show that the process is up to 54 percent effective in preventing HIV.

The Jigawa Government Commissioner for Health, Dr Abba Zakari, says meningitis has killed 14 persons as 51 suspected cases were recorded in 10 local government areas of the state. Zakari who disclosed this to Newsmen in Dutse on Wednesday said that 51 suspected cases of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) had so far been reported to the ministry since November 2017.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday, revealed that it plans to spend up to $178 million between 2018 and 2019, on solving health related problems in Nigeria.

The WHO Country Representative, Wondimagegnehu Alemu, revealed this at the joint approval of the Biennium WHO Programme Budget of 2018 to 2019, in Abuja, with the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole in attendance.

According to Mr. Alemu $127 million, representing 66 per cent of the budget, would be channeled towards polio eradication programmes.