By Ibrahim Kado

The Adamawa Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ADPHCDA) has launched a polio vaccination campaign targeting no fewer than 1.4 million children, with support from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Speaking at the 2025 National Immunisation Day celebration in Malkohi, Yola South LGA, on Saturday, the State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, said the aim of the exercise is to protect the lives and future of children.

Fintiri, who was represented by Mr Ibrahim Mijinyawa, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, said healthcare is one of the priorities of his administration.

He called on traditional leaders to encourage parents and caregivers to present their children for vaccination during the campaign to eradicate polio from the state.

Fintiri urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure the campaign’s success.

In her address, UNICEF Chief of the Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, also appealed to parents and caregivers to take advantage of the campaign as a final opportunity to eradicate polio.

She said UNICEF is working closely with the state government to improve the wellbeing of children in the state and the country at large.

She stressed that the vaccine is safe and effective, and called for the support and acceptance of the people.

Dr Yusuf Abdulkareem, Coordinator of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Adamawa, urged parents to take every immunisation exercise seriously to boost the immunity of children, who are the leaders of tomorrow.

Abdulkareem also called on the government to intensify efforts in the fight against malaria in the state.

Alhaji Zubairu Mustapha, District Head of Yola South LGA, appreciated the contributions of partners in the health sector and assured full loyalty to the state government in efforts to improve healthcare.

He further pledged to intensify efforts in sensitising their subjects towards promoting the wellbeing of their children. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

By Aderogba George

Health experts in Abuja have called for intensified preventive measures against malaria as the best option to eliminate it.

The experts spoke at a malaria outreach organised by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), FCT Branch, in collaboration with Gwagwalada Area Council.

The call came as the world celebrated the 2025 World Malaria Day (WMD).

The WMD, held annually on April 25, is used to raise awareness on malaria as a major health challenge, particularly in Africa. In Nigeria it is one of the leading causes of death.

Salamatu Orakwelu, Chairman, FCT Branch of PSN, stressed the importance of grassroots education in the efforts to eradicate malaria.

“Most times, the first thing that comes to our mind once we have fever is malaria. People should ensure proper testing and avoid abusing antimalarial drugs,” she said.

She further called on the authorities to invest more in research and local production of antimalarial medications to strengthen the drug supply chain.

Dr Adeyemi Adeniran, Director, Primary Health Care at Gwagwalada Area Council, said that although malaria was preventable, it continued to claim millions of lives due to poor perception and weak health systems.

“In Nigeria, more than 66 million people come down with malaria every year. One out of three deaths is attributed to malaria.

“People still believe malaria is just a minor disease, yet we record malaria-related deaths daily, especially among children and pregnant women. It is 100 per cent preventable,” he said.

Adeniran also said that the solution was in taking health services to the grassroots, which he said, were often underserved due to shortage of personnel.

“We take the health system down to their doorstep this is because we are closer to the people. But we need more human resources for healthcare at the community level.” he said.

Aloba Isaac, Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), FCT Chapter, said that malaria vaccine was a promising development, adding that some of them were already undergoing trials.

“In Nigeria, there are malaria vaccines available. But you must ensure that there is no trace of malaria parasite in your system before taking them.

“Malaria is a deadly disease that many ignore because it’s so common. Yet it kills easily, especially among infants and pregnant women,” she said.

Isaac urged the government to foster continuity in malaria intervention programmes and build partnerships with relevant agencies to sustain the fight.

Some of the beneficiaries at the event expressed gratitude for the free services.

A beneficiary, Adisatu Isa, appreciated the organisers for testing her and providing her with medication.

Another beneficiary, Mr Johah Utah, said that the initiative would be more beneficial to people in the rural areas if the government could organise it more often. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Uche Anunne

By Aderogba George

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) FCT has announced plans to form a strong alliance with its regulatory bodies to identify and eliminate quacks and charlatans from the profession.

The newly elected Chairman of the chapter, Mr Aloba Isaac, made this known on Saturday in Abuja during the inauguration of the new executive committee, which will lead the branch for the next three years.

Speaking with journalists at the event, Isaac also stated that his administration would enforce strict penalties against anyone found engaging in quackery within the community pharmacy sector.

“We are regulated by established bodies. To eliminate quacks and charlatans in community pharmacy, we must continue to strengthen these regulatory bodies and build strong alliances with them and other relevant agencies.

“We will ensure severe penalties are enforced against offenders. If you pay a penalty the first time and again the second time, by the third time, you will have no choice but to leave the profession once the system catches up with you.

“In this situation, it becomes a case of survival of the fittest. We will pursue this vigorously and ensure that charlatans are brought to justice,” Isaac emphasised.

He further pledged the association’s commitment to empowering young people with employment opportunities, rather than leaving them idle on the streets.

The chairman noted that his administration would work towards encouraging members to serve as mentors to the next generation of pharmacists, helping young professionals to set the pace for future contributions to society.

He also disclosed that the new leadership would seek to create sustainable financial empowerment for members, including providing loans, and would focus on fostering unity, love, and a strong collective voice within the association.

According to him, loans would be disbursed as part of an investment policy for the association, aiming to benefit members and prioritise their welfare.

“If our members are not sound mentally, physically, and financially, they will not be in the best position to serve their communities. Community pharmacy is ultimately about serving society,” he said.

Isaac called on the government to formulate policies that would offer community pharmacists better financial support, including access to loans, enabling them to grow their businesses and contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.

“There is an initiative currently being championed by President Bola Tinubu known as the Policy Harmonisation Drive, which aims to strengthen local production of medicines, drugs, and vaccines. We strongly support this initiative,” he said.

He added that for the harmonisation policy to succeed, loans must be made available to help businesses grow the economy.

He urged the government to direct financial institutions to align with this goal by providing accessible loans to the people.

In his valedictory speech, the immediate past Chairman of the branch thanked members for the opportunity to serve.

While noting that his administration achieved some milestones, he urged the incoming leadership to surpass these achievements.

The keynote speaker at the event, Dr Yusuf Dantalle, also addressed members, urging them to prioritise patient safety, stressing that health and wellbeing must always come first as the profession involves human lives.

He further urged members to refrain from the sale of fake and substandard drugs, emphasising that the Community Pharmacists Association must continue to uphold its respected reputation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

By Folasade Akpan

Radiographers have identified quackery, lack of modern equipment and the high cost of equipment as key challenges facing the profession.

They made this known on Saturday in Abuja at a free radiology workshop themed “The Future of Radiology”, organised by Cassona Global Imaging and Neusoft Medical Systems.

Mr Ebere Onwuegbuutu, a radiographer with the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria, described quackery as a major challenge confronting the profession.

According to him, many individuals who are neither professionally trained, registered, nor licensed are practising radiology.

“They see it as an opportunity to make quick money, without considering the dangers they pose to human beings exposed to these substandard diagnoses.

“As a regulatory body, we seek a situation where the standard of practice is upheld across the board,” he said.

Onwuegbuutu added that although there had been major technological advancements to enhance patient care, such equipment was often unavailable for public use in Nigeria due to the high cost, making it difficult for hospitals to acquire them.

“It would be highly beneficial if collaborations could help reduce the cost of this equipment, making it more affordable and accessible across the country,” he stated.

Speaking on the impact of the workshop, he said it was timely, as the profession was evolving and technological advancement was key to achieving accurate and timely diagnoses.

“Image acquisition must have clinical relevance, and the images should be capable of being stored, retrieved, and transmitted to clinicians,” he explained.

Mr Isaac Pada, a Clinical Medical Physicist at the National Hospital, Abuja, also highlighted the impact of the ongoing brain drain, popularly referred to as ‘Japa’ on the healthcare sector.

According to him, a huge number of radiographers and medical physicians have left the country in search of better remuneration abroad.

“My advice to the government is to critically assess the welfare of healthcare professionals, improve their remuneration packages, and create a more conducive environment for practice.

“They should also consider providing incentives to encourage professionals to remain and serve their fatherland,” he said.

Pada further noted that the absence of a structured training programme was adversely affecting the development of the profession.

However, he expressed optimism that the workshop would broaden the knowledge base of radiographers, medical physicians, and radiologists, as well as provide insight into operating state-of-the-art equipment.

He added that it would enhance patient service delivery and strengthen the handling of radiation medicine.

One of the facilitators, Mr Samer Noureldine, a Senior Clinical Application Specialist at Neusoft Medical Systems, said the workshop, which involved training radiologists on a new CT scanning device, would improve diagnostic capabilities.

According to him, the device can perform all types of CT examinations except cardiac imaging.

“This is an intermediate-level device that greatly facilitates diagnosis and helps radiologists and radiographers obtain the best images, information, and diagnostic outcomes for effective patient care,” he explained.

Mr Nketiah Suphianuh, Sales Lead and Branch Manager of Cassona, said that Africa was lagging behind in technological advancement, particularly in the field of medical imaging.

“If you go to China, the United States, and other countries, you see advanced technologies. However, in Africa, these technologies are largely absent.

“Cassona is working to bring such advanced technologies to the African continent,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

By Olaide Ayinde

The Bauchi State Government, with support from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other development partners, on Friday launched the 2025 polio immunisation campaign in the state.

Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Chairman of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, at the campaign inauguration in Tirwun, Bauchi, stated that the exercise aims to vaccinate all children under the age of five across the state.

According to him, attention will be given to “zero-dose” children, who have never received any form of vaccination.

Mohammed disclosed the state had received a total of 2.5 million doses of the Novel Oral Polio Vaccine (NOPV) for the campaign.

He added that 160 monitors, including representatives from civil society organisations (CSOs), have been engaged to ensure a smooth and effective exercise.

He also said that the State Commissioner for Health, the Emir of Dass, himself, and UNICEF’s Chief of Bauchi Field Office would be conducting special monitoring in three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ganjuwa, Bauchi, and Ningi.

This, he said, where locations with huge population of zero-dose children, aimed to ensure full compliance.

“We are moving with security personnel from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police, equipped with armoured vehicles, to ensure adequate security and cooperation.

“This campaign will not be conducted as it was in the past, where we had to beg and plead. This time, it is compulsory. All children must be vaccinated, and anyone who refuses to cooperate will be arrested”.

Mohammed commended UNICEF, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the state government for their substantial efforts and counterpart funding to support the campaign and broader social mobilisation.

“We are concerned about non-compliance in some areas because we do not want to miss a single child. Even in insecure areas, we will deploy security to ensure that every child is reached”.

Also speaking at the event, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the state in its efforts to ensure every child is immunised.

Represented by Mr Eki George, UNICEF’s Head of Social Behaviour Change, Rafique said that more development partners were involved in this year’s campaign to guarantee total compliance.

“As part of our preparations, we supported the state to ensure the smooth rollout of this campaign, particularly here in Bauchi, which is our focus,” she said.

“We are working closely with the government to reach every parent, regardless of location, to ensure every eligible child is vaccinated.”

The District Head of Tirwun, Alhaji Muhammad Tirwun, commended UNICEF and its partners for their support.

He also urged traditional rulers to take an active role in monitoring the campaign to ensure full participation and compliance across communities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu/Tosin Kolade