Nigeria Health Watch
After six months of anxiety, panic and unrest as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, medical doctors at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) have treated and discharged the last patient in the hospital’s isolation centre. Records from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, as at the time of publication, show that Rivers […]
Globally, Nigeria is the second highest contributor to maternal mortality after India, contributing to 20% of maternal deaths. Between 2005 and 2015, it is estimated that over 600,000 maternal deaths and no less than 900,000 maternal near-miss cases occurred in Nigeria. Pregnant women face the risk of dying from preventable causes related to pregnancy and […]
Gabriel Oke and Omodolapo Shobowale (Lead Writers) On April 8, 2018, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of World Health Organisation (WHO) affirmed the linkage between Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and global health security as two sides of the same coin in an interview with Nigeria Health Watch. ‘‘Health Systems Strengthening and Universal Health Coverage […]
Editor’s Note: In this Thought Leadership Piece, Nigeria Health Watch Health Events Manager, Thelma Thomas highlights the breakdown of sanitation in Nigeria and how this is contributing to the country’s public health disease burden. She outlines potential measures that should help manage Nigeria’s waste crisis if taken into serious consideration by the necessary authorities. A […]
Editor’s Note: For World AIDS Day 2019, Dr. Obehioye Aimiosior, Medical Officer, Augustine University, Ilara, reflects on the importance of the theme, “Communities make a difference,” and proffers ways that we can all ensure that Nigeria reaches the important UNAIDS target of 90–90–90. World AIDS Dayis celebrated on December 1 every year and is dedicated […]
“I want everyone to remember, to reflect, that they are one fall away from being a person with a disability. How would you want to be treated?” — Dr. Stella Iwuagwu, Executive Director, Centre to the Right for Health. In January 2019, Blessing Mary Ocheido, Pharmacist and Founder of Ramp Up Nigeria wrote to a bank, sharing […]
Since the discovery of Penicillin in 1928 by Alexander Fleming, antibiotics have continued to play a critical role in healthcare. Not only are they used to treat infections caused by various strains of bacteria, they are also used to prevent bacterial infections during surgery and in the event of accidents. However, these life-saving medications are increasingly becoming […]
“When you think of Borno State, what is the first thing that comes to mind?” 31 Nigerians answered this question and their answers were – Insecurity, bombing, IDPs, Boko Haram, insurgency, tears, humanitarian crisis, war etc. Only one answer had a counter-narrative and that was ‘a land of resilience’. While it is true that Borno […]
Editor’s Note: This week’s Thought Leadership piece comes from Dr. Mike Adeyemi Lawal, he is a physician with experience in Global health, operational research and advocacy. He demystifies the misconceptions that many Nigerians have about depression through a simple question and answer format and reminds us all that depression “no dey show for face.” End […]
Breast will always be bestThe importance of breastfeeding to improve the health and nutrition of infants and young children cannot be overemphasised. Breastfeeding gives children the healthiest start in life. It is sufficient and beneficial for nutrition in a baby’s first 6 months. Breast milk stimulates brain development and functions as an infant’s first vaccine. […]
The value of vision in our daily living is tremendous. However, many of us tend to take our eyesight for granted, until we develop vision problems. Vision loss has a detrimental impact on the lives of those affected, as well as on their families, friends, and society. Whether sudden or gradual, loss of sight can […]
Editor’s Note: As Nigeria celebrates its 59th year of Independence, Dr. Ifeanyi Nsofor reflects on Nigeria’s healthcare journey through the lens of an average 59-year-old Nigerian woman. Dr. Ifeanyi Nsofor is Director of Policy and Advocacy at Nigeria Health Watch, a 2019 Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity at George Washington University and a Senior New […]
In the last three decades, the world has gone through a long and tough road in the push to eradicate the crippling wild poliovirus disease. From more than 350,000 cases across 125 countries in 1988, the disease has been reduced to 33 cases in only two countries — Afghanistan and Pakistan, by the end of 2018. Nigeria, […]