News Agency of Nigeria
NIMR’s GMTP, homegrown solution to solving Nigeria’s health challenges
Health

NIMR’s GMTP, homegrown solution to solving Nigeria’s health challenges

 

 

 

By Kemi Akintokun

 

Capacity building for researchers specialising in health-related issues has been identified as a critical step in addressing Nigeria’s many health challenges.

 

These challenges include endemic infectious diseases such as malaria, Lassa fever, yellow fever, cholera, and meningitis, as well as rising rates of maternal and child mortality and non-communicable diseases like kidney and cancer-related ailments.

 

In spite various international interventions, these issues persist, renewing the call for Nigeria to develop its own homegrown solutions.

 

To bridge this gap, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) established the NIMR Foundation in 2021

 

The foundation’s mission is to build research capacity among early-career investigators, foster innovation, and promote the development of local medicines, vaccines, and technologies.

 

Its pilot programme, the Grantsmanship and Mentorship Training Programmes (GMTP) has been a “game-changer” for researchers since it began in 2022, providing them with the skills needed to tackle the nation’s unique health problems.

 

For Dr Ijeoma Ifeorah, a Virologist at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), she said her career experienced a 360 degrees turn-around after participating in the 2023 edition of the GMTP programme.

 

According to her, the programme has shaped her skills in grant writing, systematic reviews and analysis, expanded her research network and also helped her to win four major grants.

 

She said the grants included the American Association for Cancer Research and Beginner Investigation Grant for Catalytic Research, the African Research Excellence Fund Development and Fellowship Team,

 

Others were the institutional seed award from the Northwestern University, U.S. and the World Academy of Science (TWAS) in collaboration with the government of Germany awarded Ifeorah a cooperative skills that availed her the opportunity of attending a three months training in Germany.

 

“The GMTP organised by the NIMR Foundation has really helped me to not just improve my grant writing skills ability, but it has supported me in winning some grants of my own.

 

“Apart from winning these grants, I have also gained access to mentors who have impacted my career positively and access to peer mentors that I have collaborated with,” she said.

 

A Neonatologist, Dr Victor Ayeni, who participated at the 2024 edition of NIMR Foundation GMTP, said the quest to carry out top notch research that would have positive impact propelled him to apply for the programme.

 

Ayeni, who works at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital in Ogun state, said the knowledge he acquired at the GMTP helped him to secure a grant four months after participating in the programme.

 

He said the grant, funded by Grand Challenges Nigeria, was the 2025/2026 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Seed Grant Funding, awarded to carry out research aimed at reducing disabilities associated with birth asphyxia.

 

Birth asphyxia is a lack of blood flow or gas exchange to or from the fetus in the period immediately before, during, or after the birth process.

 

“I knew that I needed to do high-quality research to achieve a better outcome for what I have always looked forward to for children in the country. But to do that, it will require funding that is not personally available.

 

“I applied for the NIMR foundation programme; the training helped me to refine my thoughts and how best to compose the thoughts in a way to win funding for research.

 

“Part of what I also learnt was personal development goals and this prepared me ahead when the call for the grant was announced and I got the grant,” he said.

 

A participant at the just concluded 2025 edition of the GMTP, Dr Chioma Tolulope, a Research Fellow at NIMR, said the programme was an eye opener for her.

 

Tolulope said that testimonies from previous participants on how the programme impacted their research skills made her apply for the GMTP.

 

“This programme gave me great insight and the opportunity I needed to enhance my skills especially in the area of systematic reviews and manuscript writing.

 

“I am glad I was among the few selected out of the hundreds of applicants across the country and I look forward to research that will have positive and direct impact,” she said.

 

As the foundation continues to engage researchers on capacity building, the government must also ensure a sustained investment to strengthen the nation’s capacity for homegrown solutions to address the health challenges of Nigerians. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

 

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

FG, stakeholders sign Compact to power health sector in Nigeria
Health

FG, stakeholders sign Compact to power health sector in Nigeria

By Folasade Akpan

The Federal Government and stakeholders have signed a compact to improve power supply in health institutions by at least 50 per cent within two years.

The compact was signed on Wednesday in Abuja at the closing of the first National Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Power in the Health Sector.

The two-day meeting had the theme: “Powering Health through Public-Private Synergy: Energising Nigeria’s Health Sector for the Future.”

Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Salako, who led the signing, said the compact was a commitment to action, not just dialogue.

“Our vision is that when we meet again in two years, we will have improved power in the health sector by at least 50 per cent,” he said.

Salako added that the dialogue helped to properly diagnose challenges in powering health facilities, while also creating a platform for collaboration and advocacy.

“Yes, the upfront cost of energy projects is high, whether thermal, hydro, or wind, but we must frontload investments to avoid high long-term costs,” he said.

Reading the communiqué that was drafted after the dialogue, Technical Adviser to the Minister, Dr Olakunle Daramola, said there was need for immediate steps to ease the power challenge.

The steps, he said, included establishing a national coordination framework to drive implementation and encourage states to hold similar dialogues.

He added that medium-term plans included embedding energy into national and state development strategies, strengthening rural access, and scaling public-private partnerships.

“A monitoring unit will also track implementation against clear performance indicators.”

NAN reports that the compact was signed by representatives of the Ministries of Health and Power, civil society, academia, private healthcare providers, Chief Medical Directors, and Commissioners of Health.

The compact serves as a commitment by all the undersigned to ensure that all health facilities in Nigeria, public and private, have access to sustained, reliable, affordable, and clean energy.

This is to enhance the quality, accessibility, and reliability of health services and contribute to a healthier, more productive population. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Nwokwu urges regular cancer screening for early detection
Health

Nwokwu urges regular cancer screening for early detection

By Fortune Abang

Dr Uche Nwokwu, National Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has called for regular cancer screening to enable early detection and treatment.

He gave the advice during a cancer awareness programme organised by the Health and Gender Desk of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) for staff of the agency on Monday in Abuja.

Nwokwu emphasised the importance of awareness, particularly about prostate and cervical cancers, stating that such programmes were essential in helping people make informed decisions about their health.

Explaining prostate cancer, he noted that the prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system and only found in men, just as women have the cervix.

“The prostate adds semen to sperm during ejaculation, which is its only known function. When prostate cancer occurs, concerns often arise around sexual function,” he said.

He added that older men were at higher risk of developing prostate cancer, especially those above 40, and highlighted the role of genetics in cancer risk.

“If someone in your family has had cancer, the best thing you can do is getting screened. Screening is vital for early detection,” he said.

Nwokwu explained that cancer occurred when the body, during cell regeneration, failed to correct abnormal cell growth.

“These cells then grow uncontrollably and invade healthy tissue.”

He said prostate cancer could spread quickly, especially to the spinal cord, affecting nerves and mobility.

He advised the public to eat healthy and live naturally to reduce risk.

In his remarks, NAN Editor-in-Chief, Mr Muftau Ojo, thanked Nwokwu for educating staff, stating that increased awareness would encourage early screening and treatment across the country.

“I recall that this conversation was first initiated during our editorial meeting, where the Head of the Health Desk, Mrs Abiewense Moru, made meaningful contributions.

”I am delighted that it has now come to fruition.

“Like Oliver Twist, we pray and appeal that we may have cause to invite you again in the near future, to once more draw from your fountain of knowledge,” Ojo said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

IHS, UNICEF partners donate Oxygen plant to Kano Govt
Health

IHS, UNICEF partners donate Oxygen plant to Kano Govt

Plant

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with IHS Nigeria, Canada and Norway Governments on Tuesday inaugurated and handed over a medical Oxygen plant to the Kano State Government at the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital.

Mr Dapo Otunla, Vice President of IHS Nigeria, who represented the Chief Executive Officer of the company, said the facility was part of a nationwide project to strengthen oxygen supply for hospitals.

He said the plant, equipped with an advanced pressure swing absorption system, would provide critical life-saving interventions for newborns and children suffering from respiratory illnesses.

“What we witnessed today is the product of a partnership we announced with UNICEF in 2022 to strengthen oxygen supply for the treatment of pneumonia, COVID-19, and other hypoxia disorders, particularly among newborns and pregnant women.

“The programme has seen to the installation of nine oxygen plants across Nigeria in Rivers, Bauchi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Cross River, Yobe and Kano States,” Otunla said.

According to him, the plants became operational in March 2024 and have so far produced more than 103,000 litres of medical oxygen, serving an estimated 1,500 to 2,500 patients monthly.

He explained that beyond the infrastructure, the programme also built capacity by training healthcare workers to administer oxygen therapy safely and efficiently.

“For us at IHS Nigeria, sustainability and societal impact are at the very core of our DNA.

“This initiative not only strengthens healthcare systems but also demonstrates the power of collaboration in advancing SDG 3 – good health and wellbeing,” Otunla said.

He also recalled that IHS Nigeria had recently refurbished the vandalised Digital Park in Kano, describing the oxygen plant project as another testament to the company’s commitment to improving lives.

Earlier, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Mrs Wafaa Sa’eed, commended IHS Nigeria, the Governments of Canada and Norway, and other partners for their support.

Saeed described oxygen as “a life-saving matter” and said the project would greatly benefit children and patients in need of critical care.

“This project is fantastic, not only because of its health impact, but also because it runs on solar energy.

“At a time when climate change and high fuel costs are challenges, the solarisation makes it more sustainable,” she said.

The UNICEF representative lauded the Kano State Government for its leadership and commitment to health and education, stressing that human capital development remained the foundation of prosperity.

She assured that UNICEF and its partners would continue to work with governments to expand the initiative to more states.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran,  commended UNICEF and partners for the gesture.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Aminu Bashir, he also restated the commitment of the state government to improving healthcare delivery.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

ECOWAS must match words with action to defeat Lassa Fever – Tomori
Health

ECOWAS must match words with action to defeat Lassa Fever – Tomori

ECOWAS

By Racheal Abujah

A renowned virologist, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, has called on West African governments to take concrete steps to defeat Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic disease that continues to ravage the region.

Tomori, a former President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, made the call in his keynote address at the 2nd International Lassa Fever Conference on Monday in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

According to him, although progress has been made since the first conference in 2019, many of the challenges identified then still persist.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases”.

It seeks to reaffirm regional commitment, mobilise political will, and drive collective action against Lassa fever and other emerging infectious diseases.

Tomori said that Lassa fever still recorded an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 cases annually, with about 5,000 deaths, mostly in West Africa, despite decades of research and intervention efforts.

“ECOWAS must match words with action. Without genuine political will and government ownership, we will continue to recycle the same promises and hold meetings without meaningful action,” he said.

Highlighting the achievements since 2019, he cited the establishment of five major laboratories capable of testing epidemic-prone diseases and conducting genomic sequencing.

The virologist also cited the expansion of field epidemiology training programmes and the deployment of community-level surveillance platforms across ministries.

He,however, complained that several gaps remained, including the absence of a licensed vaccine, uneven access to diagnostics, donor-dependent funding, weak cross-border coordination, and persistent stigma that delays patients from seeking care.

He urged ECOWAS member states to invest more resources, strengthen regional surveillance systems and accelerate vaccine research and community-led interventions.

“The 2025 conference is a wake-up call for us to take bold and coordinated steps.

“We cannot continue to rely on donors while our people remain at risk of repeated outbreaks,” he said.

NAN reports that the four-day meeting is convened by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) in collaboration with Nigeria’s Ministry of Health and Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Health.

It brings together scientists, policymakers, and development partners to review progress and chart the way forward in the fight against Lassa fever. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

FOM trains 4,000 optometrists, equips 1,000 students
Health

FOM trains 4,000 optometrists, equips 1,000 students

By Aderogba George

The Family of Optometric Mentors (FOM) has trained no fewer than 4,000 optometrists over the past 10 years and equipped 1,000 students with advanced clinical skills aligned with global best practices.

This is revealed in a communiqué issued to journalists on Saturday in Abuja, following the group’s 10th anniversary celebration and 9th Annual General Meeting (AGM), which highlighted a decade of mentorship and professional development.

FOM, established on Oct. 4, 2014, began with five mentors in Abuja and has grown into a nationally recognised non-profit with chapters in more than 25 states and 100 trained mentors.

More than 50 aspiring mentors are currently undergoing certification, receiving training through hands-on mentoring, CPD workshops, internship programmes, and the “FOM Goes to School” outreach across optometry institutions nationwide.

The group’s mission of “making practice better” has led to measurable improvements in clinical competency and the standard of patient care delivered by optometrists across Nigeria.

Speaking at the AGM, FOM National Coordinator Dr Alwell Maduakolam, said mentorship was a powerful tool in reducing preventable blindness, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria.

He cited global data showing that 2.2 billion people were visually impaired, nearly half from preventable causes, stressing the impact of training optometrists at the primary eye care level.

Maduakolam said FOM’s mentorship framework covered 46 areas in optometric care, including advanced diagnostics like OCT, visual field analysis, binocular vision, ocular therapeutics, and low vision rehabilitation.

“These free training sessions are delivered by expert mentors through experiential learning, many of whom are now internationally recognised for their excellence in clinical practice and education.

“FOM has received strong institutional support from the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) and the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN).”

He said the leadership of past and present NOA Presidents and ODORBN Registrar Dr Obinna Awiaka, had played a key role in supporting the organisation’s growth and impact.

The 10th anniversary also honoured FOM’s founding members, including Dr Felix Olafisoye, known as the “Great Grand Mentor,” and Dr Damian Echendu, a former NOA President.

FOM hailed the dedication of volunteer mentors who had contributed their time, expertise, and resources to produce skilled and globally mobile optometrists, with more than 20 now practising abroad.

Looking ahead, the group unveiled a bold vision for its second decade, including launching the FOM Online Academy offering virtual Africa-focused optometry modules for continuous learning and development.

Plans also include establishing a state-of-the-art FOM clinical training academy, publishing a bi-monthly journal, and expanding its outreach to more optometry institutions nationwide.

FOM aims to become a fellowship-awarding institution in key subspecialties such as paediatric optometry, contact lens practice, and glaucoma care, among others.

With a clear mission to drive professional development and raise clinical standards, FOM sees itself as a movement shaping the future of inclusive, high-quality optometric care in Nigeria. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

FG begins distribution of N2.9bn free maternal, neonatal health commodities
Health

FG begins distribution of N2.9bn free maternal, neonatal health commodities

By Tolu Aiyegbusi

The Federal Government has begun distributing free Maternal and Neonatal Health (MNH) commodities worth N2.9 billion nationwide, aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Abuja on Monday, Dr Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), said the interventions target preventable deaths.

Aina stressed that the initiative forms part of government’s commitment to improving access to quality healthcare for women and children, and reducing maternal mortality nationwide.

He explained that the commodities are designed to deliver high-impact interventions across Primary Health Care facilities in selected states, starting with ten states facing the highest mortality burden.

“The initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of safeguarding the lives of women and children,” Aina stated.

He said the intervention aims to bridge critical healthcare gaps, adding that states are encouraged to sustain and expand the initiative in their operational frameworks.

Aina explained that the programme initially targets 80 Local Government Areas with the highest maternal health risks, while commodities will be provided to mothers and children free of charge.

According to him, distribution is zonal, with 60 per cent allocated to the Northwest, 34 per cent to the Northeast, while North Central and Southeast share the remainder.

He added that the intervention includes strengthening PHC facilities, upgrading infrastructure, and training health workers alongside commodity distribution.

National Coordinator of the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII), Dr Dayo Adeyanju, said the intervention would bolster PHC service delivery and reduce preventable deaths.

Adeyanju emphasised that the campaign highlights the importance of MNH, fostering collaboration between national, state, and local health authorities, alongside support from development partners.

He applauded the FG’s interventions in maternal and child health, urging state governments to commit resources and integrate MNH programmes into their annual operational plans for sustainability.

“Too many women die needlessly from preventable causes. Even one avoidable death is too many,” Adeyanju declared.

He said the distribution officially marks government’s renewed commitment to drastically cut maternal and neonatal mortality across Nigeria.

World Health Organisation (WHO) representative, Dr Mary Brantwo, reaffirmed WHO’s support for Nigeria’s healthcare delivery, stressing that maternal health data will now be tracked annually to measure progress.

Representatives of UNICEF, UNFPA, and the Gates Foundation also pledged continued support, commending government’s efforts towards improving maternal health nationwide.

The distributed items include delivery packs, antenatal drugs, supplements, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, family planning materials, and essential medicines for maternal and neonatal care. (NAN)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

FG disburses N192bn to strengthen primary healthcare
Health

FG disburses N192bn to strengthen primary healthcare

By Abujah Racheal

The Federal Government says it has disbursed more than N192 billion to strengthen primary healthcare facilities across Nigeria since the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) began disbursements in 2019.

Dr Muyi Aina, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Aina spoke against the backdrop of the recent National Health Financing Policy Dialogue.

NAN reports that the dialogue, with the theme, “Reimagining the Future of Health Financing in Nigeria” was organised by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and partners.

It sought to reimagine financing models that make healthcare more equitable, sustainable, and accessible for all Nigerians.

Aina said that currency fluctuations and rising service costs continued to strain Nigeria’s health system, even as budget allocations are increasing at both federal and state levels.

He said that out-of-pocket expenditure still accounted for a disproportionate share of healthcare spending, with the public sector’s contribution at just 14 per cent.

According to him, the government has mobilised N3.5 billion, 60 per cent of which is pooled from mechanisms such as the BHCPF, Global Fund, Gavi, and PEPFAR.

He said that the fund was mobilised through the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) and the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.

Aina said that 8,309 facilities nationwide now received quarterly funds under the BHCPF.

“Allocations were recently scaled up from an average of N300,000 to between N600,000 and N800,000 per quarter, depending on facility size and patient volume.

“The reform, dubbed BHCPF 2.0, is designed to address real operational costs at the facility level, supporting human resources, essential commodities and infrastructure.

“Even though budget allocations are growing, the cost of healthcare delivery, vaccines, TB medicines, malaria commodities, and operational programmes is rising even faster,” he said.

He expressed government’s commitment to closing existing financing gaps through stronger co-financing at the federal, state and local government levels, coupled with performance-based accountability measures.

He said that the Federal Government was set to roll out a direct funding mechanism across the country to improve accountability in healthcare spending.

“The model, already piloted in four to five states, allows payments for commodities and health worker salaries to be made directly into designated accounts, making the process transparent and traceable.

“These are the sorts of things we are trying to do to ensure that funds reach their targets without leakages,” he said.

The NPHCDA boss also said that government’s analysis showed that between 15 per cent and 25 per cent of non-campaign vaccines in Nigeria cannot be accounted for.

He said that the losses could stem from wastage, inaccurate population estimates, procurement inefficiencies or weaknesses in vaccine management systems.

He said that further state-level analysis was underway to close the accountability gap.

Aina said that the Federal Government was investigating discrepancies in vaccine utilisation across several sub-national units, with some reportedly consuming up to four times more vaccines than their recorded coverage rates.

He said that while border states may vaccinate non-Nigerian citizens, the scale of discrepancies points to deeper issues of accountability, wastage or faulty forecasting.

“We are now telling states to go down to the local government level, identify where the problems are and fix them,” he said.

He said that through efficiency measures, the government had reduced projected vaccine procurement costs for the next five years from 1.5 billion dollars to one billion dollars, ensuring smarter spending of limited resources. (NAN)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Kadiri Abdulrahman

Nigeria boosts Ebola alert as outbreak hits DRC
Health

Nigeria boosts Ebola alert as outbreak hits DRC

Ebola

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has assured Nigerians that there are no confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country.

This statement comes amid reports of a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Dr Jide Idris, Director-General of the NCDC, said in a public health advisory issued Saturday in Abuja that Nigeria was on high alert, enhancing surveillance at entry points, healthcare facilities, and communities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria’s only Ebola outbreak occurred in 2014, when the virus was imported from Liberia by a traveler, resulting in 20 cases and eight deaths before successful containment.

The DRC Ministry of Health confirmed 28 suspected Ebola cases and 15 deaths on Sept. 4 in Kasai Province, including four health workers, identifying the Ebola Zaire strain as the outbreak’s cause.

The outbreak has spread across Bulape and Mweka health zones and recorded a mortality rate of 57 per cent, raising concerns over the disease’s high fatality and potential for further spread.

According to Idris, there are currently no cases of Ebola in Nigeria, but preparedness has been intensified with infection control, border checks, and community risk communication to prevent importation and transmission.

He noted the DRC activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and deployed a rapid response team, receiving support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to contain the outbreak effectively.

Idris said the Ebola Zaire strain identified had an approved vaccine, Ervebo, which had been proven effective in controlling outbreaks and protecting vulnerable populations in affected regions.

To protect Nigerians, he urged frequent handwashing with soap and water as regular hygiene, a key preventive measure to reduce transmission risk from contact with infected surfaces or individuals.

He advised avoiding physical contact with anyone showing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding, which were common signs of Ebola infection and warranted immediate medical attention.

Idris warned against consuming raw or undercooked bushmeat and cautioned against contact with fruit bats, monkeys, and apes, which were known reservoirs for the Ebola virus in wildlife.

He encouraged Nigerians to report suspected Ebola cases or unusual illnesses, especially among those with recent travel to affected areas, by calling the NCDC toll-free line 6232 for prompt response.

Healthcare workers were advised to maintain a high index of suspicion, strictly follow infection prevention protocols, and report any suspected cases immediately to aid rapid containment and treatment efforts.

Idris further issued travel advice, urging Nigerians to avoid all but essential trips to countries currently experiencing Ebola outbreaks to minimise the risk of exposure and disease importation.

He assured the public that NCDC would provide timely updates while collaborating with international partners to monitor the evolving situation in the DRC and other affected African regions.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

AMAC conducts free diabetes, hypertension screening
Health

AMAC conducts free diabetes, hypertension screening

By Philomina Attah

The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) on Saturday provided free medical screening for diabetes and hypertension to residents at the Garki Village Primary Health Centre, Abuja.

Dr Anthony Orji, Chief Medical Officer, Pharma Healthcare Department, AMAC, said the exercise, sponsored by AMAC Chairman, Mr Christopher Maikalangu, was impactful and received positive feedback from patients.

He noted that free screening is part of AMAC’s efforts to enhance healthcare delivery and promote healthy living across the council’s communities.

By detecting diabetes and hypertension early, AMAC aims to reduce complications and improve the overall well-being of its citizens.

“The screening identifies people with diabetes and hypertension, offers counselling, and refers diagnosed patients to Primary Health Care Centres for treatment,” Orji told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The exercise featured random and fasting blood sugar tests, blood pressure checks, and BMI measurements to assess risk factors among residents.

Orji said AMAC operates 15 centres for treating uncomplicated hypertension and five centres dedicated to diabetes care.

He emphasised the need for more health workers to manage AMAC’s growing population and urged upgrades of additional facilities into treatment centres.

“Preliminary results reveal a high prevalence of diabetes (40 per cent) and hypertension (50 per cent) among participants. Final figures will be released later,” he said.

Follow-up treatment for hypertension will be free, while diabetes treatment will receive subsidies, according to Orji.

Mrs Monica Jacob, Officer-in-Charge of the facility, praised the outreach, saying it encouraged people who rarely visit hospitals to discover hidden health problems like high blood pressure.

She added that the facility had recently benefited from an NGO outreach, which provided health talks on nutrition and pregnancy, well-received by the community.

Jacob cited irregular water and power supply as major challenges, noting that solar power does not provide 24-hour electricity.

She appealed for a generator or larger solar system.

She also called on donors and partners to continue their support, stressing that their contributions have significantly helped both the facility and the community.

Mr Emeka Mbanusi, Head of Information and Public Relations, AMAC, said the outreach reflected the Chairman’s campaign pledge to deliver healthcare services at the grassroots level.

He urged Garki residents and surrounding communities to utilise the free medical programme to monitor their health status and seek early treatment where necessary.

Mbanusi recalled that similar outreaches had been conducted in Kurudu, Jiwa, Gidan Mangoro, Apo Resettlement, Lugbe, Kar, and Kabusa communities since Maikalangu assumed office.

He assured residents that the Chairman planned to extend the programme to all 12 political wards of the council, with continued support for healthcare initiatives.

Some beneficiaries said the screening brought hope to Garki Village and urged sustained support for essential healthcare services through the facility.

Malam Abubakar Umaru, a 60-year-old retiree, thanked AMAC for the screening. After being diagnosed with high blood pressure, he stressed the importance of regular medical checks.

He appealed for monthly screenings, describing the programme as life-saving and crucial for preventing sudden deaths caused by undetected conditions. (NAN)

Edited by Remi Koleoso/ Kamal Tayo Oropo

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