By Opeyemi Gbemiro

The Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Kogi Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, Dr Oluseyi Folagbade, has announced the introduction of advanced endoscopic and reconstructive urological surgeries at the facility.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday in Lokoja, Folagbade said the initiative was part of the hospital’s efforts to enhance healthcare delivery and reduce reliance on medical tourism.

He noted that the hospital had engaged experienced specialists to perform the minimally invasive procedures.

“The keyhole surgeries target conditions affecting the bladder, prostate, ureters, and kidneys, including prostate enlargement, urethral blockages, and urinary stones,” he said.

The CMD highlighted the hospital’s commitment to offering specialised surgical care that improved outcomes and minimised the need for referrals outside the state.

He lauded the supportive environment provided by Gov. Ahmed Ododo, which he said had enabled significant progress in the state’s health sector.

Folagbade also commended the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Adeiza Abdulazeez, for his dedication to strengthening healthcare systems in Kogi.

He urged residents of Kogi and neighbouring states with urological conditions to take advantage of the new procedures, which offered safer and faster recovery through minimally invasive techniques. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Folasade Akpan

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has called on Nigerians to prioritise self-care as a vital part of their daily lives.

Pate, who was represented by the Director, Food and Drugs Services, Dr Olubunmi Aribeana, made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the commemoration of the maiden National Self-Care Day.

Marked globally on July 24, the day had the theme: “Self-care: Empowering Individuals, Families and Communities for Universal Health Coverage”, and the slogan: “Prevent, Protect, Empower.”

The day is aimed at highlighting the critical role self-care plays in maintaining overall health and well-being.

According to Pate, self-care is not a luxury but a necessity, and prioritising physical, emotional, and mental health is essential to living healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives.

“The importance of international self-care cannot be overemphasised as it promotes overall health and wellness, empowers individuals, raises awareness, reduces burnout and encourages a ripple effect.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), self-care is the ability of individuals, families, and communities to prevent illness, promote and maintain health, and cope with ill health and disability with or without the support of a health provider.

“Thus, self-care is more than taking medication or eating healthy; it is the intentional choices we make every day to protect, preserve, and promote our physical, mental, emotional, and social health.

“Self-care is not the absence of care, it is the amplification of care,” he said.

The minister noted that for Nigeria, a country of over 200 million people, many of whom live in rural and underserved areas, self-care provides a bridge between personal health and national well-being.

He added that the government recognises the importance of self-care and has taken concrete steps to promote it.

“We have developed the National Guidelines on Self-care for Sexual, Reproductive and Maternal Health, and the Demand Generation Strategy on Self-care for SRMH in Nigeria.

“This is aimed at creating an enabling environment that supports individuals, families, and communities in practising self-care.”

Dr Alex Crasarira, Acting Country Representative of WHO, said that in the African region where access to essential health services is limited and a global shortage of health workers persists, self-care interventions can significantly transform how people manage their health.

He said WHO recommends that self-care interventions be made available in all countries to improve access to services.

“Self-care, which empowers people to promote their own health, prevent disease, and manage health conditions with or without a health care provider, is a critical component in the journey toward universal health.

“We congratulate Nigeria for being one of the first countries to launch national guidelines on self-care for sexual and reproductive health in 2020, as well as a five-year strategic plan on self-care.

“I commend the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for cascading a self-care advocacy campaign to about 24 states.”

Crasarira also noted that WHO has developed a “self-care wheel”, an innovative tool to guide individuals on which health interventions they can undertake on their own, and those that require professional support.

Also speaking, Dr Anthony Nwala, Assistant Chief Programme Delivery Officer at Society for Family Health (SFH), said self-care has been recognised as a key strategy for achieving Universal Health Coverage.

“We worked with the Federal Ministry of Health to identify necessary steps for integrating self-care into the health system, looking at the policy, demand, and supply aspects,” he said.

Nwala, however, stressed the need to ensure that poor, vulnerable, and hard-to-reach populations also have access to quality health care services, including self-care.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Self-Care Month is observed from June 24 to July 24, with July 24 chosen as a symbolic date because self-care can be practised “24 hours a day, 7 days a week.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Oluwafunke Ishola

By Folasade Akpan

The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) has announced that the implementation of the 18 million euro grant from the European Union (EU) to support vaccine research in Nigeria will commence soon.

The Director-General, Dr Obi Adigwe, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

NAN reports that in 2024, the EU and the Nigerian Government signed a collaborative agreement worth 18 million euros to enhance Nigeria’s vaccine research and development ecosystem.

The grant supports the implementation of Nigeria’s National Plan for Vaccine Research, Development and Local Production 2024–2034.

This strategic 10-year blueprint is designed to enhance the country’s capacity in vaccine development and production.

It aims to strengthen vaccine sovereignty, advance research capabilities, and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported vaccines.

The director-general described the grant as a critical step towards correcting Africa’s vaccine dependency, which was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“You will remember that during COVID, it was shameful that the whole of Africa depended on the Global North and Asia to produce vaccines.

“We also witnessed vaccine nationalism, where countries hoarded vaccines though they preached equity and justice.

“That experience made it clear that we must develop our own capacity to research and produce vaccines locally.

“That is why we pursued this EU grant to build such capacity, and the result is this 18 million euro funding which I think is the largest vaccine-related grant awarded so far in Africa.”

According to Adigwe, the grant facilitated the development of a comprehensive vaccine roadmap, which was produced through NIPRD’s leadership in collaboration with relevant ministries, international partners, academic institutions, and private sector players.

The roadmap outlines a phased plan for vaccine research, development, clinical trials, technology transfer, infrastructure expansion, regulatory strengthening, and full-scale local manufacturing.

It also includes plans for training and retaining a skilled biopharmaceutical workforce to support the envisioned ecosystem.

He said the document was endorsed and signed by both the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and the Minister of State, following which the EU formally approved the grant.

“Implementation is set to begin. We already sent a team to UNICEF, which is one of the grants’s implementing partners, and we expect to announce major developments soon,” he added.

Adigwe noted that NIPRD was leveraging its mandate to build sustainable health security systems through pharmaceutical innovation.

He projected that within the next decade, based on the roadmap and current efforts under the Presidential Initiative on Vaccine Development, Nigeria could have at least three to four companies locally manufacturing vaccines.

“We are happy to share the vaccine roadmap with stakeholders and partners interested in this important journey towards vaccine self-sufficiency.

“Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in accessing lifesaving vaccines.”

He added that the grant was not just about research but about national security, economic resilience, and health equity.

NAN reports that the grant aligns with Nigeria’s broader health sector reform agenda, which emphasises local production, research advancement, and enhanced pandemic preparedness. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Ibukun Emiola

The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has earned dual international accreditation for its Department of Nuclear Medicine, positioning it as a global reference point in precision cancer care.

Dr Olumayowa Kolade, Consultant in Nuclear Medicine, Molecular Imaging & Theranostics, Department of Nuclear Medicine, UCH, stated this in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.

Kolade said that the hospital was recently named a Theranostics Centre of Excellence by EANM Research Ltd (EARL), the quality-assurance arm of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine.

He also said that it was recognised as a Clinical Theranostics Centre of Excellence by the International Centres for Precision Oncology (ICPO), a Germany-based non-profit organisation, committed to expanding global access to precision oncology.

“The dual recognitions cover treatments including: Radioactive Iodine (I-131) therapy for thyroid disorders, Lutetium-177 PSMA for advanced prostate cancer, and Lutetium-177 DOTATATE for neuroendocrine tumours,” he said.

Kolade told NAN that the certifications represent nearly two decades of effort to position Nigeria on the global cancer care map.

“It’s a big leap. We have not only met global quality standards but made it affordable and accessible to Nigerians and Africans who would otherwise need to travel abroad,” he said.

He explained that theranostics, combining therapy and diagnostics, makes it possible to directly target and treat cancer cells with minimal damage to healthy tissues, an approach critical for managing late-stage cancers.

Kolade said that beyond oncology, nuclear medicine techniques offered at UCH also aid diagnosis and treatment planning in cardiology, nephrology, hepatology, orthopaedics, and neurology.

While acknowledging logistical and financial challenges, he assured that treatment at UCH costs significantly less than abroad, with prices often five to 10 times lower.

He said that the department was working with clinicians across Nigeria to raise awareness and promote timely referrals, adding that partnerships with ICPO and EARL had helped boost international confidence in the programme.

On sustainability, Kolade said there was an urgent need for government inclusion of nuclear medicine in national health policies, private sector investments, and support from insurers and philanthropic organisations.

“There is a huge opportunity here for national development, local capacity building, and regional medical tourism,” he said.

The consultant stated that UCH was currently the only ICPO- and EARL-certified theranostics centre in the entire West, East, and Central African subregion, and serves as a training and research hub for specialists in nuclear medicine.

He urged patients, clinicians, and hospitals to take advantage of the services, adding that the department was already delivering real-life impact with advanced therapies being administered successfully.

“This is a story of vision, resilience, and hope—and proof that world-class cancer care is possible, accessible, and proudly Nigerian,” Kolade said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bayo Sekoni

By Franca Ofili

‎The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to integrating self-care into the daily lives of individuals, families, and communities across Nigeria.

Dr Samuel Oyenyi, Director and Head of the Reproductive Health Division at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said this in Abuja during a self-care awareness-building workshop for media professionals.

The workshop, themed “Media as a Catalyst for Advancing Self-care for Sexual, Reproductive, and Maternal Health (SRMH) in Nigeria,” aims to enhance media engagement in promoting self-care practices.

Oyenyi emphasised the importance of self-care, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed the vulnerability of many Nigerians who lacked access to timely healthcare.

“During the COVID-19 period, many people didn’t know what to do and couldn’t access healthcare services.

“This is why we must now look back and ask: how can we improve the quality of care, even from our homes? Self-care must become part of our lives, individually, as families, and as communities,” he said.

He described self-care as a necessary form of preparedness, not just during emergencies, but as a continuous lifestyle choice.

“As we mark International Self-Care Day, we aim to raise awareness and scale up practices that help people take control of their health.

“That includes access to accurate information, which is where the media plays a crucial role.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that International Self-Care Day is observed annually on July 24 with the global theme “Self-care for a Healthier Future.”

The day highlights the role of self-care in promoting health and well-being, particularly for marginalised and underserved populations.

Dr Nana Chidi-Emmanuel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at White Ribbon Alliance Nigeria, emphasised the call for media engagement, urging journalists to be proactive in reshaping public narratives around self-care and SRMH.

“The media can advance self-care by providing accessible and accurate information, amplifying marginalised voices, and promoting positive representations.

“Through various platforms, you can help normalise discussions around sexual and reproductive health and offer resources that empower individuals,” she said.

She added that media content should be informative, inclusive, and tailored to the needs of disadvantaged communities, helping to dismantle barriers and promote health equity.

“Your reporting has the power to shift public understanding and encourage evidence-based self-care practices, especially in a country like Nigeria where healthcare access remains a challenge,” Chidi-Emmanuel said.

Also speaking at the workshop, Dr Femi James, Technical Officer at the World Health Organisation (WHO), emphasised the importance of equipping the media with accurate and up-to-date information.

“We recognise the critical role media plays in reaching the public.

“This workshop is designed to empower journalists with the right tools to communicate self-care practices effectively,” he said.

NAN also reports that the event marked a collaborative step toward ensuring that self-care becomes a cornerstone of health delivery in Nigeria, leveraging media platforms to educate, inform, and inspire healthier behaviours nationwide. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru