Expert advocates citizen-focused new health system for Nigeria

Emeritus Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe has called for a new health system that is tailored to the needs of the ordinary man in the street

Why Nigerians defecate publicly

Special report on why improved public awareness is not enough to reduce public defecation in Nigeria

First aid tips to save accident victims

The first few minutes of a medical emergency are always critical, but nearly two thirds of us admit we wouldn’t know what to do

Study identifies risk factors associated with neonatal deaths in Nigeria

A new study has identified risk factors associated with neonatal deaths in Nigeria using the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey

Doctors call for Lassa fever treatment centers in south east Nigeria

The South East zonal caucus of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has enjoined the Nigerian government to establish health centres and facilities where Lassa fever patients could be treated and managed

New study links stress at work to old age illness


A new study carried out in Finland has concluded that more strain at work might mean more illness in old age. Researchers said physical and mental job strain were tied to hospital stays later in life.

Surgeon suspended for signing initials on a patient's internal organ



A British surgeon is currently under investigation after his suspension over allegations that he “branded” his initials onto a patient’s liver, media reported on Tuesday.

Strike paralysed activities in Nigerian hospitals


The five-day warning strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) paralysed activities in the nation's various government-owned hospitals.

Tomato-rich diet protects postmenopausal women from breast cancer

Scientists have announced that diet rich in tomato could help protect at-risk postmenopausal women from breast cancer. The study has been accepted for publication in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism published by The Endocrine Society.

Bauchi state government built 550 health centres in 3 years

Isa Yuguda, governor of Bauchi state, northern Nigeria has revealed that between 2011 and 2013, the state government  built 550 healthcare centers with the goal of increasing access to healthcare facilities.

Why we went on strike - Nigerian doctors

The president of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said the warning strike embarked upon by the nation's doctors warning strike was aimed at drawing the attention of the state government to the problems in the nation's health sector.

Nigerian state sacks nurses en masse

The government of Zamfara state in northern Nigeria has sacked all its 400 health staff comprising of Nurses and Midwives.

CDC raises awareness over mosquito-borne viral disease

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued warning for the French Caribbean dependency of St. Martin over the locally spreading mosquito-borne viral disease.

I am not responsible for doctors' strike - minister

Nigeria's minister of health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu has said he is not responsible for the strike embarked upon by member of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). 

Medical students develop Smartphone Physical examination technology

Medical students at the John Hopkins University in Baltimore and the University of Pennsylvania have developed an innovation that could give users a 10 minute physical examination. The technology can check user's heart rate and blood pressure, as well as test for sexually transmitted infections.

Organizers drive PharmaTech Africa 2014 dialogue forward with HealthNewsNG partnership

PharmaAfrica, organizers of PharmaTech Africa Exhibition and Conference have partnered with HealthNewsNG.com, Africa's leading online health news platform, with the goal of driving the dialogue forward.

Nigerian doctors begin 5-day nationwide strike

Nigerian doctors under the umbrella body of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) will today begin a five-day nationwide strike to protest the inability of the federal government to meet the demands of the association.

How to lose weight quickly

Male or female, old or young, no one wants to become or remain overweight. This is why "How to lose weight" is one of the most Googled health queries of all time.

Nigerian government urged to establish more water quality monitoring labs

The Nigerian government has been advised to establish more laboratories and centers to monitor quality of water supplied to citizens in the country. The advice was given by Prof. Yohanna Lohdip of the department of Chemistry, University of Jos, Plateau state.

A physiotherapist does more for a stroke patient than a physician, says expert

Stroke is an ailment that has become quite common in Nigeria, especially among individuals who are older than 50 years.

Rotary International honors Queen Elizabeth II for supporting polio eradication

Rotary International today (Monday) recognized and honored Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II with the Rotary International Award of Honor to celebrate the 60th anniversary of her Coronation. 

Nigerian govt and ARFH train community health extension workers on birth control

Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), through the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), has commenced a national training of community health extension workers (CHEWs) on boosting access to long lasting contraceptives in the country. 

Nigerian Medical Association to embark on nationwide strike this weekend

The umbrella body of Nigerian doctors, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike on Saturday December 14, 2013 due to the inability of the federal government to meet the demands of the association.

GE Healthcare and Phillips unveiled as sponsors for Africa Healthcare Summit 2014

Organizers of the Africa Healthcare Summit 2014, Oliver Kinross Ltd, have revealed that GE Healthcare is the platinum sponsor for the London event.

Nigerian city sets new world record for longest breakfast table

Ibadan, a major city in southwestern Nigeria has set a world record for longest breakfast table. The successful attempt was put together by international company, Nestlé.

Africa's health ministers to speak at Africa Healthcare Summit 2014

Organizers of the Africa Healthcare Summit 2014, Oliver Kinross Ltd, have released the list of confirmed speakers for the summit holding next year in London. 

Nigeria, others increase health funding - The Global Fund

The concerted efforts of governments in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria is manifesting in the increase in country investment on health, according to the Global Fund.

UNFPA donates equipment and commodities to Nigeria's National Primary Health Care Development Agency

The United Nations' Population Fund (UNFPA) has announced the donation of equipments and commodities worth about $6.2 million to Nigeria's National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

Largest mobile health event in the world underway in Washington, DC

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This year's edition of the annual mHealth Summit is currently underway at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, Washington, DC Area, USA. In its 5th year, the summit according to organizers delivers value for stakeholders across the mobile health ecosystem.   

"The event uniquely gathers healthcare and technology leaders in government, the private sector, industry, academia, providers and not-for-profit organizations from across the mobile health continuum to advance collaboration in the use of wireless technology to improve health outcomes, reduce costs and create a new paradigm in health care delivery both in the United States and abroad," organizers said.

The focus of this year's edition is the capacity of mobile health to provide health care at the right time and the right place. 
"This channel is fundamental in transforming the way health is managed and health care is delivered. It has the potential to save time and energy through every facet of the health care ecosystem- improving communications and opportunities for changes in how health and chronic conditions are managed, and providing better care with better outcomes," organizers said.
 
It added that "The mHealth Summit, the largest mobile health event in the world, brings together providers, leaders, influencers and visionaries in wireless and mobile health technologies and integration as well as those in different stages of this transition to discuss hands-on strategies, examine success stories, and explore challenges and innovations."
This year, organizers said the general program is providing the broadest and deepest coverage of the ecosystem in the world under one roof.  

A total of 6 keynotes would be delivered, in addition to 100 educational sessions, over 4000 exhibitors, and about 5,500 conference attendees.

There are so a number of exclusive co-located events this year.

Nigeria records reduction in infant and maternal mortality rates

Infant mortality rate in Nigeria has reduced to 65 per 1,000 live births while maternal mortality rate has reduced to 224 deaths per 100,000 live births according to the the Nigerian minister of health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu.

Economic boom in Africa is fuelling demand for improved healthcare – Oliver Kinross

Oliver Kinross Ltd, organizers of the Africa Health Care Summit, said there is an increasing demand for improved healthcare in Africa as a result of the economic boom the continent is recording. It added that the health industry across the world is poised for huge growth over the new years. 

Contract doctors are insecure and poorly motivated


An expert has revealed that Nigerian doctors who are employed on contract basis are contending with job security and lack dedication. 

Novartis marks first-ever Africa Day

Novartis senior executives gathered in Basel, Switzerland for the first-ever Novartis Africa Day to review the company’s innovative work in Africa, including growing commercial activity, novel approaches to expand access to high-quality, affordable medicines, local talent development and the company’s Malaria Initiative.

Actress pledges support to fight against child abuse

Nigerian actress and talk show host, Tricia Esiegbe-Kerry, has made public her decision to join the battle against child sexual abuse in Nigeria

She said she will join the fight through her foundation, Bold Faces International, through public enlightenment on the dangers of paedophilia and child abuse.
One of the strategies to be deployed is The Psychologist, a public awareness programme run by Bold Faces International, has been released.


According to the media personality, The Psychologist is aimed at "preventing the sexual abuse of children and to encourage victims of child sexual abuse to come out and tell their stories via our television talk-show programme. 

"We intend to use the platform of ‘The Psychologist” to address child sexual molestation in our society, to expose sexual predators and create a support platform for victims of child molestation, and to get the authorities to do more to support our children."


A 30 minute talk show programme has also been designed for television viewers and would feature a segment titled "Brave Seat of Change" where stories by real life people who have gone through the trauma of child molestation whilst growing up in Nigeria would be shared.

Nelson Mandela Dies at 95

The president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma has announced the demise of the nation's apartheid warrior and former president, Nelson Mandela at the age of 95.

Nigerian doctors suspend two-month old strike action

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, have announced a suspension of the strike its members embarked upon on Independence Day, October 1, 2013. 

Nigerian state tackles HIV/AIDS stigmatization with new electronic record

The government of Gombe state in northern Nigeria has announced its readiness to produce electronic medical records for people living with HIV/AIDS in the state.

Mental healthcare service is inadequate in Nigeria - psychiatrists

The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) has decried the shortage of mental healthcare facilities in Nigeria. 

Commissioners, special advisers suspended over World AIDS Day Walk

The governor of Cross River state of Nigeria, Liyel Amoke, has suspended 20 members of the state's executive council for failing to participate in the 4km walk organized by the state government to mark the 2013 World AIDS Day in the state.

Concerted efforts can lower HIV prevalence in Nigeria - NMA

The umbrella body of Nigerian doctors, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has described concerted efforts as the potent tool in tackling the high prevalence of HIV in Nigeria.

US committed to prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Nigeria

The government of the United States of America has promised to support Nigeria in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of the HIV virus.

African nations tackle HIV/AIDS with non-surgical bloodless circumcision

Several African nations including Rwanda, Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe are tackling the spread of HIV virus with non-surgical male circumcision.

Scientists identify a more aggressive HIV strain in West Africa

A team of HIV researchers from Sweden have identified a new HIV strain that progresses to AIDS more than 2 years faster than previously identified strains.

[GUEST POST] In the fight against HIV and AIDS, Compassion is Vital



This past summer, in a small village outside of Phnom Penh, not far from the Mekong River, I met an 8-year-old boy named Basil. He couldn't stop laughing, playing, racing around the village like any boy his age.