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February 4, 2025 FEC Approves N4.8bn for HIV Treatment Following US Policy Change
IFMNEWS

FEC Approves N4.8bn for HIV Treatment Following US Policy Change

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N4.8 billion for the procurement of 150,000 HIV treatment packs, ensuring uninterrupted care for people living with the virus. This decision, announced after the FEC meeting on Monday, reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening domestic funding for HIV treatment amid shifting global aid policies.

The move comes in response to concerns over recent US policy changes affecting the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a key source of HIV funding in Nigeria. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, emphasized the importance of sustaining HIV treatment efforts as international funding dynamics evolve.

Pate noted that while global partners have long supported HIV treatment, the federal government is now prioritizing direct investments in life-saving interventions for People Living with HIV (PLHIV). “This is an important signal that the federal government is committed to ensuring that life-saving treatments remain accessible, despite the changing dynamics in external support,” he stated.

Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS response has benefited significantly from international donors, particularly PEPFAR, which has provided billions of dollars in funding over the past two decades. However, a temporary suspension of PEPFAR funding followed an executive order by former US President Donald Trump, which paused multiple foreign aid programs and put millions of beneficiaries at risk.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has since granted an “emergency humanitarian waiver,” allowing PEPFAR to resume operations in 55 countries, including Nigeria. Despite this, the uncertainty surrounding global aid prompted the Nigerian government to develop a sustainability plan to safeguard HIV treatment programs.

Pate disclosed that the FEC discussed the implications of US policy changes on health initiatives, particularly those addressing HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. In response, the government has formed a committee comprising representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Health, Defense, and Environment, alongside the Governors’ Forum, to develop a transition and sustainability plan.

“This is to ensure that Nigerians receiving treatment do not face disruptions,” Pate explained, adding that the committee will assess the impact of US policy shifts and devise strategies to maintain critical health programs.

While acknowledging the significant contributions of the US over the past two decades, Pate stressed that Nigeria is preparing to reduce its reliance on foreign aid. “While we greatly appreciate the support of the US government and look forward to continued collaboration, Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu is focused on transforming the health sector through national systems and domestic financing,” he said.

The ultimate goal, according to Pate, is to ensure that no patient currently receiving HIV treatment is left without care as the country strengthens its healthcare system through sustainable local funding.

January 9, 2025 HMPV: NCDC Assures Nigerians of No Immediate Threat
IFMNEWS

HMPV: NCDC Assures Nigerians of No Immediate Threat

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has assured Nigerians that the country is not under any immediate threat from the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).

Addressing concerns about the virus, which has caused outbreaks in some parts of the world, NCDC Director-General Dr. Jide Idris explained that the situation in Nigeria remains stable.

“Let me emphasize, there’s no serious threat for now,” Idris said on Thursday. “HMPV is not a new virus. It’s just less known, but it has been associated with respiratory infections, particularly in children and the elderly, over the years.”

The NCDC chief likened HMPV to other common respiratory viruses like influenza and reassured the public that the virus is not an immediate danger in Nigeria.

“We are actively monitoring the situation. So far, there have been no reported cases in Nigeria, and we are in a preparedness phase,” he said. “We take directives from the World Health Organization (WHO), which ensures countries report potential threats to prepare globally. That’s precisely what we’re doing here.”

Dr. Idris highlighted that the country’s public health infrastructure, strengthened by previous responses to Ebola and COVID-19, is well-positioned to address any potential outbreak.

To reduce the risk of respiratory infections, including HMPV, the NCDC recommended avoiding crowded spaces, frequent handwashing, and maintaining good personal hygiene.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health and urged citizens to remain vigilant but not alarmed.

August 16, 2024 NCDC Reports 39 Mpox Cases in Nigeria, No Deaths
IFMNEWS

NCDC Reports 39 Mpox Cases in Nigeria, No Deaths

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 39 confirmed cases of mpox with no deaths across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory. NCDC Director General, Jide Idris, disclosed this during a press briefing on Thursday, following the declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern.

Idris stated that the NCDC is intensifying its surveillance efforts nationwide to quickly identify and respond to any new cases. All port health services at Nigeria’s five international airports, ten seaports, and 51 land and foot crossing borders have been placed on high alert. Additionally, certain states, including Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have been prioritized for heightened vigilance.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox outbreak in Africa a global public health emergency due to the rising number of cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its spread to neighboring countries. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that an emergency committee had met and advised that the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, a recommendation he accepted.

Tedros emphasized that the situation requires global attention, and WHO is committed to coordinating a global response, working closely with affected countries to prevent transmission, treat those infected, and save lives.

The decision follows the African Union’s health watchdog’s declaration of a public health emergency over the growing outbreak. Mpox, which was first identified in humans in the DRC in 1970, has now spread to other countries. Tedros noted that the more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths reported this year in the DRC alone have already surpassed last year's total.

August 14, 2024 Resident Doctors Threaten Strike Over Colleague’s Prolonged Abduction
IFMNEWS

Resident Doctors Threaten Strike Over Colleague’s Prolonged Abduction

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has warned that they will initiate a nationwide strike if their abducted colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, is not released by August 26. NARD President, Dr. Dele Abdullahi, made this announcement during a press briefing in Abuja, expressing the association's frustration with the government's inaction regarding the abduction.

Dr. Ganiyat, a registrar at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, was kidnapped on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew. Although her husband was released in March, Dr. Ganiyat and her nephew remain in captivity.

Abdullahi explained that NARD had promptly informed all relevant security agencies and government bodies, including the Nigerian Medical Association and the Ministries of Health and Labour, urging them to act swiftly for her rescue. Despite these efforts, there has been little progress.

Abdullahi emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of healthcare workers in Nigeria, especially given the critical need for their presence in the country. He noted that the association has repeatedly reached out to security agencies and government officials but has yet to engage directly with them about the situation.

NARD plans to hold a national press conference and organize protests at tertiary hospitals across the country to demand Dr. Ganiyat's release. The association has also stated that they will begin industrial action on August 26 if she is not freed by that date.

While acknowledging the efforts of concerned Nigerians and security forces, NARD urged the government to take more decisive action to secure Dr. Ganiyat’s release. Abdullahi expressed dismay that a healthcare provider has been held captive for over seven months without any clear plan for her rescue.

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