Category Archives: Health

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Cabo Verde, Mauritius, Seychelles become first Sub-Saharan countries to eliminate measles, rubella

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Cabo Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles have achieved a major public health milestone, becoming the first sub-Saharan African countries to eliminate both measles and rubella. The achievement was confirmed by the African Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination, a body established by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The three island nations now join 94 countries that have eliminated measles and 133 that have eliminated rubella worldwide. Both diseases are highly infectious airborne viruses that can lead to severe complications, especially in children, while rubella poses serious risks during pregnancy. They are, however, preventable through vaccination.

The verification follows a detailed review in Johannesburg in October 2025, where the commission confirmed that the countries had interrupted endemic transmission for over 36 months and maintained strong surveillance systems capable of detecting and containing any imported cases.

Read Also: Sri Lanka showcases culture at UN Day celebration in Seychelles

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, described the achievement as “a major public health milestone,” urging other African countries to strengthen vaccination systems so “every child can grow up healthy and protected.”

Cabo Verde’s long-standing investment in immunization has been central to its success, with coverage consistently above 90% for more than 20 years. Mauritius recorded no measles cases after 2019 and boosted vaccination to reach 98% coverage for the first dose. Seychelles maintained above 95% coverage for two decades, backed by strict surveillance and laboratory confirmation.

Health ministers from all three countries hailed the achievement as the result of sustained political commitment, strong health systems and community cooperation.

Across Africa, measles vaccination efforts have saved an estimated 21 million lives between 2000 and 2023. Regional immunization coverage is also rising, with five countries—including Cabo Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles—now meeting the 95% benchmark required to stop transmission.

The milestone brings Africa a step closer to the global goal of eliminating measles and rubella, driven by the WHO-led Measles and Rubella Partnership.

Africa moves to harmonise veterinary product regulation as stakeholders meet in Nairobi

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African Union institutions and key partners have opened a high-level consultative meeting in Nairobi aimed at strengthening veterinary product regulation across the continent. The three-day session, held from 17 to 19 November 2025, brings together AU-IBAR, AU-PANVAC, GALVmed, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, national regulators, Chief Veterinary Officers, regional bodies and industry representatives.

The gathering seeks to address long-standing barriers to accessing quality veterinary medicines and vaccines—an issue that contributes heavily to Africa’s annual loss of more than USD 4 billion to preventable animal diseases.

In her opening remarks, AU-IBAR Director Dr. Huyam Salih emphasised the critical role of livestock in food security and livelihoods. She identified fragmented regulatory systems, slow product approvals, weak enforcement, counterfeit medicines and poor cold-chain infrastructure as major constraints. She called for urgent reforms to ensure that veterinary products are safe, affordable and reliably available across Africa.

A key agenda item is the review of the draft Terms of Reference (TORs) for the proposed Pan-African Regulatory Authorities Network on Veterinary Products (PARAN-VPs), developed by AU-IBAR and AU-PANVAC. The Network aims to harmonise regulatory standards, boost information sharing, strengthen national and regional capacity, improve emergency authorisation processes and increase transparency between regulators, manufacturers and other stakeholders.

Under the TORs, PARAN-VPs would operate through a Steering Committee, a Secretariat hosted at AU-IBAR and a continent-wide membership of national regulatory authorities.

Breakout sessions during the meeting will focus on accelerating registration timelines, tackling counterfeit products, improving alignment with One Health and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) priorities, and expanding public–private collaboration.

By the end of the meeting, participants aim to agree on priority elements of the Network’s TORs, a governance framework, an implementation roadmap and a joint communiqué outlining next steps. Future actions include securing political endorsement through AU structures, mobilising resources and establishing the Network’s Secretariat.

Beyond harmonisation, the Nairobi meeting addresses broader issues of governance, technical capacity, vaccine standards, mutual recognition processes and coordination among AU institutions, regional communities, national regulators and the private sector.

The initiative reinforces AU-IBAR’s commitment—alongside AU-PANVAC and partners—to modernising veterinary governance systems and advancing preventative animal health measures across Africa’s livestock sector.

Open access to surgery key to achieving universal health coverage, say experts

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The Pan-African Surgical Healthcare Forum (PASHeF 2025) has reaffirmed its role as a major continental platform empowering African nations to design and implement homegrown solutions that strengthen surgical healthcare systems.

Now in its third year, the forum brought together representatives from the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO), WHO Ethiopia Country Office, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the African Union (AU), as well as delegates from 42 African Ministries of Health and Finance. This year’s theme, “From Policy to Practice – Expanding Africa’s Multidisciplinary Surgical Workforce: What Works for Africa?” underscored the forum’s commitment to turning policy commitments into real-world results.

PASHeF 2025 focused on showcasing scalable innovations, sharing successful national models, and presenting sustainable financing mechanisms to strengthen surgical, obstetric, and anesthesia care across the continent.

One of the key moments of the event was the presentation of Sierra Leone’s newly launched National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anaesthesia Plan (NSOAP) 2026–2030 by Dr. med. Mustapha Kabba, the country’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Services. Developed in partnership with national institutions and international organizations, including Mercy Ships, the plan outlines a strategic, costed roadmap for expanding safe, affordable, and timely surgical care nationwide.

Mercy Ships was represented at the forum by Dr. Walt Johnson, the organisation’s Director of Strategic Partnerships and former WHO lead for Emergency and Essential Surgical Care. He reiterated the group’s longstanding commitment to supporting Africa’s surgical capacity.

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“Africa is driving its own way towards creating its own solutions,” Dr. Johnson said. “The launch of Sierra Leone’s NSOAP demonstrates how political commitment and strong partnerships can translate into real improvements in access to surgical care. PASHeF provides exactly the platform needed to move these ambitions into concrete action at the continental level.”

Across Africa, more countries—including Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Madagascar, and Tanzania—are developing their own NSOAPs at various stages. This trend, stakeholders say, positions PASHeF as a central force for coordinated regional progress.

NSOAPs were developed in line with recommendations from the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery (LCoGS) and the UN General Assembly Resolution 68.15, which call for essential surgery to be integrated into national health systems as a critical part of advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

According to LCoGS, an estimated 5 billion people globally do not have access to safe and timely surgical care. This includes 1.7 billion children living with treatable conditions such as cleft lip and palate, hernia, club foot, injuries, and congenital anomalies. Experts emphasize that early surgical intervention saves lives and contributes significantly to social and economic development.

Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba, an Obstetrician/Gynecologist, stressed that surgical care must remain central to Africa’s pursuit of UHC. She called for bold, government-driven strategies to transform surgical systems across the continent.

A major outcome of the meeting was the unanimous adoption of two resolutions by all participating governments. In addition, the forum cemented a strengthened partnership with the Africa CDC. As the African Union’s health technical agency, Africa CDC is expected to champion the integration of PASHeF resolutions into AU agendas and drive their implementation across member states.

Anambra NMA decries harassment, intimidation of members

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The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Anambra Branch, has condemned what it considered the “incessant harassment and intimidation” of doctors in the line of duty in the state.

The association’s position is contained in a communique issued in the wake of the police detention of a consultant obstetrician with Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Dr Chidiebere Ikeotunye, following the death of a patient he was handling.

The communique, signed by Dr Princeston Okam and Dr Obiaeli Ifeanyi, Chairman and Secretary of the body, after a virtual emergency general meeting, on Thursday, stated that Ikeotuonye was detained at Zone 13, Ukpo after honouring an invitation.

“Our colleague, Dr Ikeotuonye Chidiebere, was detained and refused bail yesterday, Wednesday, Nov. 12 by the Nigerian Police, Zone 13, following the unfortunate demise of a patient he attended to.

“Ikeotuonye was detained and refused bail after interrogation and interaction with the AIG,” it added

The body expressed its sympathy with the family of the deceased over the unfortunate incident and condemned the “incessant police attacks and harassment” of members in the course of discharging their duties.

Read Also: Abducted doctor Nwachukwu regains freedom after three weeks in captivity – NMA

The communique also added that the index case “did not in any way translate to murder or conspiracy to murder”.

The association threatened to withdraw its services, “If within 24 hours our colleague is not released on bail or charged to court.

“⁠NMA Anambra will explore all legitimate and legal means at her disposal to stop the incessant harassment of her members in their line of duty,” it said.

Speaking on the development, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Josephine Ihunwo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka that “the doctor had been released and matter resolved”.

Meanwhile, NMA has congratulated Gov. Chukwuma Soludo on his re-election and urged him to use his good offices to protect the healthcare system “from unwarranted attacks and imminent collapse”.

It also called on members to continue to provide quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services to Anambra people, in spite of the challenges.
(NAN)

Eswatini boosts Healthcare worker capacity to accelerate cervical cancer elimination

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Eswatini, facing one of the world’s highest cervical cancer burdens, has intensified efforts to eliminate the disease through capacity building for healthcare workers. In support of this, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office collaborated with Eswatini’s Ministry of Health (MOH) and the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) to implement the Cervical Cancer Elimination Acceleration Plan (2024–2028), aiming to achieve the WHO 90–70–90 targets by 2030.

“The Ministry of Health has embarked on a task-sharing initiative, training nurses to perform LEEP procedures while doctors provide ongoing mentorship at hospital and primary care levels. HPV testing and Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) services have also been decentralized,” said Ms. Xolisile Dlamini, National Cancer Control Unit Program Manager – MOH.

From 6 to 17 October 2025, a 10-day Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) training was held for 31 healthcare workers—8 doctors and 23 nurses—across three clinical sites: Phocweni Clinic, AHF Clinic, and Chakaza Clinic. The training combined theoretical sessions with supervised hands-on practice, covering modules on anatomy, screening, pre-cancer treatment (LEEP and thermal ablation), infection prevention, pathology, and data management.

Dr. Dille, Surgical Oncologist and Regional Advisor on Cancer for WHO AFRO, explained, “The training equipped healthcare workers with technical skills and decision-making capacity for appropriate lesion assessment, treatment indication, referral, and integration of cervical cancer services within primary health care.”

Over 80 procedures were performed during the training, including 33 LEEPs, one thermal ablation, and three biopsies, addressing a pre-existing treatment backlog. Only one minor complication occurred and was managed per WHO protocols.

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Dr. Teluleko Maseko, National Cervical Cancer Coordinator – MOH, highlighted the impact, saying, “Clinical decision-making, coordination between screening, treatment, and pathology services, and referral practices have all significantly improved.”

Key outcomes of the training included discussions on establishing a National Cervical Cancer Task Force and revising national screening and treatment guidelines to align with WHO standards, critical steps for sustaining elimination efforts.

Next steps include participants conducting a total of 30 LEEP cases for certification by March 2026, integrating data into DHIS2, and setting up mentorship and quality assurance frameworks.

Dr. Susan Tembo, WHO Eswatini Representative, lauded the initiative, stating, “The LEEP training exemplifies how national and regional collaboration, evidence-based training, and government ownership can turn the Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination into action. Even high-burden countries like Eswatini can make measurable progress toward elimination with partnership, commitment, and technical excellence.”

Enugu scheme records 220,000 enrollees

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The Enugu State Universal Health Coverage (ESA-UHC) says it has enrolled 220,000 residents since the programme began in 2020, aimed at providing affordable and quality healthcare for all citizens.

Dr Edith Okolo, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of ESA-UHC, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Enugu, highlighting significant progress.

She said the number of enrollees, which had remained static for some time, began to rise in 2025 as more residents registered through intensified sensitisation and rural mobilisation by council chairmen.

Okolo urged residents to register for the scheme by paying a reduced annual premium of N12,000 to access essential healthcare services that would otherwise cost them significantly more privately.

She explained that the agency’s mandate was to ensure every Enugu resident enjoyed access to quality, affordable healthcare through a basic minimum package covering preventive, curative, and maternal health services.

“The N12,000 annual premium provides treatments including hospital admissions for surgical cases up to 20 days and medical cases up to 15 days cumulatively each year.

“It also covers cesarean sections, which have saved the lives of many women and newborns by enabling them to deliver safely at accredited healthcare facilities,” she added.

Okolo noted that ESA-UHC continuously expanded its hospital network, engaging state-owned, faith-based, and private facilities to provide quality services, with all registered primary healthcare centres eligible to participate.

“Patients choose their preferred hospitals; we do not assign them anywhere. There is no third party between the agency and healthcare providers,” she stressed.

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She said ESA-UHC had intensified awareness campaigns to encourage more enrolment, adding that the registration process had been simplified for easy access across the state’s local government areas.

According to her, the state operates two health insurance schemes, the ESA-UHC and the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), funded jointly by federal and state health authorities.

She explained that BHCPF targeted vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, children under five, persons with disabilities, and elderly residents aged 85 and above across Enugu communities.

“These programmes are meant for the poor in our communities. Currently, about 54,000 vulnerable persons are receiving care under the BHCPF programme,” Okolo disclosed.

She added that registration often took place through community outreaches and the state’s social register, which identified vulnerable residents needing healthcare support under the scheme.

Okolo emphasised that the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2021 made health insurance mandatory for all Nigerians, while the agency continued sensitising residents about its long-term benefits.

She noted that some residents were initially skeptical about accessing quality healthcare with a N12,000 premium, but growing success stories had built public confidence in the programme.

Okolo revealed that ESA-UHC would use its forthcoming Universal Health Coverage Summit, scheduled for Dec. 8 to 12, to further promote enrolment and create greater awareness of the scheme.

(NAN)

NAFDAC to enforce alcohol sachet ban by 2026

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) announced in Abuja on Tuesday that enforcement of the total ban on sachet and small PET bottle alcohol will begin January 2026.

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said this at a press conference, reaffirming the agency’s unflinching commitment to protecting public health and emphasising that its responsibility to safeguard the nation’s wellbeing remained sacrosanct.

Adeyeye said the enforcement would ensure full compliance with the total ban on production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml by December 2025.

She explained that the move aligned with the recent Senate directive and was fully supported by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to protect Nigerians from harmful alcohol consumption.

According to Adeyeye, the measure underscores NAFDAC’s statutory duty to safeguard public health and shield vulnerable groups, especially children and young adults, from the harmful consequences of excessive alcohol consumption.

She warned that proliferation of high-alcohol-content beverages in sachets and small containers made them affordable and concealable, contributing to addiction, misuse, and reckless behaviour among minors and commercial drivers.

Adeyeye added that the menace had been linked to increased domestic violence, road crashes, school dropouts, and several social vices, which had continued to destabilise families and communities nationwide.

Read Also: Unmasking Nigeria’s Food Safety Crisis: A Dual Pathway to Public Health and Global Competitiveness

“In December 2018, NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN).

 “The agreement initially set Jan. 31, 2024, as the deadline but was later extended to December 2025 to allow manufacturers reconfigure facilities and exhaust existing stock, Adeyeye explained.

She said the new Senate resolution aligned with that agreement and Nigeria’s commitment to the World Health Organisation’s Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol, adopted in 2010.

“This ban is not punitive but protective. It aims to secure the health and future of our children and youth, based on scientific evidence and global public health standards.”

She stressed that NAFDAC could not continue to compromise Nigerians’ wellbeing for short-term economic gains, emphasising that a nation’s true wealth lied in the health of its people.

Adeyeye clarified that only spirit drinks packaged in sachets and small PET or glass bottles below 200ml were affected by the regulation to be enforced by January 2026.

She urged all stakeholders, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, to comply fully with the December 2025 phase-out deadline, warning that no further extension would be granted by the agency.

She said NAFDAC would collaborate with the Ministry of Health, FCCPC, and National Orientation Agency to intensify national sensitisation campaigns on the social and health risks linked to alcohol misuse.

Adeyeye reaffirmed that NAFDAC remained resolute in ensuring that only safe, wholesome, and properly regulated products were available to Nigerians in line with its mandate to protect public health. (NAN)

Liberia launches national workshop to tackle maternal, newborn deaths

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The Ministry of Health (MOH) of Liberia has launched a three-day national consultative workshop aimed at reducing maternal and newborn deaths across the country.

Organized in partnership with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and other development agencies, the workshop—taking place from November 10 to 13, 2025, in Monrovia—brings together County Health Teams from all 15 counties, alongside representatives from UN bodies, NGOs, civil society groups, professional associations, and frontline health workers.

Health Minister Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto said the initiative forms part of the government’s renewed commitment to ensure that “every mother survives childbirth and every child survives delivery.”

“We must act with urgency,” Dr. Kpoto stressed. “Understanding the data helps us confront the realities and design evidence-based solutions.”

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She highlighted recent improvements in staffing and service delivery, attributing them to enhanced support systems and stronger partnerships. The minister also commended President Joseph N. Boakai and Liberia’s development partners for their continued investment in the health sector.

Speaking on behalf of UNFPA, Deputy Representative Leonard Kamugisha urged faster progress toward Liberia’s target of a 40% reduction in maternal deaths by 2029, calling for “high-impact interventions, stronger domestic funding, and cross-sector collaboration.”

Kamugisha expressed concern over the 2026 draft national budget, which allocates only US$40,000 for family planning and US$30,000 for maternal and child health programmes, appealing to lawmakers to increase funding.

“This roadmap should not be just another document,” he emphasized. “It must be a covenant with Liberia’s women and girls, that every mother matters and every birth counts.”

Dr. Nuntia Gbalon, Director of the MOH’s Family Health Division, urged participants to hold open discussions to ensure the new roadmap aligns with the realities of Liberia’s healthcare system at both national and community levels.

Representatives from professional bodies, UN agencies, and NGOs pledged continued support through funding, technical assistance, and capacity building to help cut maternal and newborn deaths nationwide.

Abducted doctor Nwachukwu regains freedom after three weeks in captivity – NMA

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The Nigerian Medical Association, Federal Capital Territory (NMA-FCT), has announced the release of Dr Chinonye Nwachukwu, who regained her freedom after spending three harrowing weeks in kidnappers’ captivity.

Nwachukwu, a Ukraine-trained physician, was reportedly abducted on Oct. 21 while commuting to Garki Hospital, Abuja.

Her disappearance sparked widespread concern among colleagues, family members, and the broader medical community across the territory.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NMA-FCT, during a Nov. 7 news conference, had appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts toward securing the young doctor’s safe and timely release.

The association confirmed her freedom in a Monday statement signed by its Chairman, Dr Emeka Ayogu, in Abuja.

Read Also: Nigerian Army rescues 21 kidnapped victims in Kwara, Kogi 

He disclosed that Nwachukwu was found in Gwagwalada late Sunday night.

“After almost three weeks in captivity, Nwachukwu has been freed by her abductors.

“She was rescued safely in Gwagwalada and is currently receiving adequate medical attention,” Ayogu stated.

He added that Nwachukwu would soon be reunited with her family and thanked everyone who supported the association through prayers, patience, and solidarity during the distressing period of uncertainty.

Ayogu expressed gratitude to security agencies and all stakeholders who contributed to the successful rescue, describing the development as a collective victory for the NMA-FCT and Nigeria’s entire medical community.

He further prayed for continued divine protection over medical practitioners, emphasising that “affliction shall not rise again the second time” for the association, its members, and their families within the FCT.

(NAN)

Dr. Leo Cheng restores hope with lifesaving surgery aboard Mercy Ships’ Global Mercy

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Freetown, Sierra Leone – When 10-month-old Memunatu arrived at Global Mercy™, the world’s largest civilian hospital ship operated by Mercy Ships, she was fighting for her life. A massive tumor on her neck made it nearly impossible for her to eat, swallow, or breathe. After months of searching for help, her mother, Aminata, finally found hope through volunteer surgeon Dr. Leo Cheng.

Dr. Cheng, a maxillofacial surgeon from the United Kingdom who has served with Mercy Ships for two decades, immediately recognized the urgency of Memunatu’s case. Although the tumor was not cancerous, it posed a life-threatening risk if left untreated.

“Without surgery, her condition would have continued to worsen,” Dr. Cheng explained. “It could have become life-threatening.”

Working with a skilled team aboard Global Mercy, Dr. Cheng performed a complex operation to remove the tumor and restore Memunatu’s ability to breathe and eat. The procedure required extraordinary precision due to her delicate airway and young age.

“With every single millimeter, I was estimating, calculating, and trying to prevent any bleeding,” Dr. Cheng recalled. “It went very slowly, but very positively.”

When the swelling subsided, Memunatu’s transformation was remarkable — her face was free, her smile radiant, and her future bright once again.

Dr. Cheng reflected on the deeper meaning of his work:
“Every surgery like this reminds us that access to safe surgery is not a luxury, but essential. When we restore someone’s face, we restore their humanity, their acceptance, and their hope.”

Globally, an estimated 5 billion people lack access to safe, affordable, and timely surgical care. For families like Memunatu’s, Mercy Ships continues to bridge that gap — delivering hope and healing to those who need it most.