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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 National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) is in partnership with the Global Fund to launch a comprehensive three-month sensitisation programme, with a dedicated focus on tackling the prevailing gender and human rights challenges that significantly affect individuals living with or affected by HIV. The Director of NACA, Gambo Aliyu, in a statement issued on Thursday, said the collaborative effort aims to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all individuals affected by HIV, marking a significant step forward in the battle against the virus.