The Disease of Violence: Police brutality as a public health emergency in Nigeria

Protesting Nigerian youths have alleged that the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, popularly known as SARS, indiscriminately harass young people. Photo source: zikoko.com

Editor’s Note: In the wake of the #EndSARS protests that have rocked several Nigerian cities in the last week, we at Nigeria Health Watch take a look at some of the ways in which police brutality affects the mental, physical and emotional health of young people, and reflect on the conversations we must begin to […]

Categories
Thought Leadership Series

The NURHI Project: 10 Years of Impact in Nigeria’s Family Planning Space

The impact created by the NURHI project leaves a legacy in the family planning space in Nigeria. Photo source: NURHI

By Kenneth Ibe & Olubunmi Oyebanji (Lead Writers) The availability of family planning services, enables girls and women to make informed choices about birth spacing and their desired family size. It also contributes to improved sexual and reproductive health and the wellbeing of children, women, and families. Many sexually active women are still not empowered […]

Categories
Thought Leadership Series

Noma: A neglected oral disease affecting Nigeria’s children

Image credit: Nigeria Health Watch

Five-year-old Fatima was brought to the clinic by her parents. She was tired and weak with her head properly covered in clothes. When unwrapped, there was a massive darkened area on the left side of her face involving her cheek, nose and the lower eyelid with a horrible odour pervading the whole clinic. Fatima has […]

Categories
Thought Leadership Series

The community, health insurance and advocacy: Plateau and Nasarawa States

Image credit: Nigeria Health Watch

Until the day he fell from a palm tree, Mr. Paulinus, a yam farmer in Adikpo community of Benue State never had reason to spend much on health care. Although he suffered a fracture from the fall, he was confident that it would not cost much to receive treatment at the hospital. However, it soon […]

Categories
Thought Leadership Series

Lessons from Pathfinder Nigeria’s five decades of breaking boundaries in sexual and reproductive health

Pathfinder International is committed to breaking boundaries and saving lives in Nigeria therefore bringing succor to women, girls, boys and men through various sustainable health interventions and community collaborations. Photo source: Pathfinder International Nigeria

By Thelma Chioma Thomas and Onyinye Oranezi (Lead Writers) Pathfinder International started in Nigeria in 1965 when Dr. Clarence Gamble and his wife Sarah Gamble came to Nigeria in the hopes of laying a foundation for his work. Fifty-five years later, their journey has transformed lives and led to significant changes in Nigeria’s sexual and […]

Categories
Thought Leadership Series

Who to trust and how to overcome COVID-19 misinformation in Nigeria

Despite several attempts to address COVID-19 misinformation in Nigeria, a wide gap still exists in knowledge and understanding. Photo source: NCDC

If there is a lesson that COVID-19 has taught stakeholders about public health misinformation in Nigeria and probably elsewhere, it is that a sentiment-laden blend of distrust and religion, and a number of traditional beliefs could get people who are expected to know better, to jettison commonsense, temporarily or permanently, and consider or fully embrace […]

Categories
Thought Leadership Series

#PreventEpidemicsNaija: Improving public health and social measures through risk communications

Wearing of face masks in public places is one of the public health and social measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Photo credit: Nigeria Health Watch

By Chibuike Alagboso and Patience Adejo (Lead Writers) “I don’t believe there’s COVID-19.” “I can’t be infected by COVID-19 because I’m young and have a strong immune system.”  “I follow the safety guidelines by NCDC such as wearing of face masks and frequent hand washing with soap and water because I believe they will protect […]

Categories
Thought Leadership Series

Better Breastfeeding for a Healthier Nigeria: 2020 World Breastfeeding Week

Image credit: Nigeria Health Watch

Every year from August 1–7, Nigeria joins over 170 countries globally to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week. This is one of the greatest outreach vehicles for the promotion of optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. The event, formally endorsed by the 1990 WHO Innocenti Declaration and policymakers across the globe, reaffirms commitment to breastfeeding […]

Categories
Thought Leadership Series

Halting future pandemics: A call for a strong government preparedness plan

Health workers are critical in detection, prevention, and response to infectious diseases. Photo source: 54gene

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in partnership with the Ministry of Health has been leading the response against COVID-19 with the support of other stakeholders. As of 9th August 2020, Nigeria had recorded 46,577 confirmed cases, 33,186 discharged cases, and 945 deaths from COVID-19. Government agencies are implementing different facets of the response with the Presidential […]

Categories
Covid19 Thought Leadership Series

A tale of two diseases: COVID-19 and Lassa fever in Nigeria

COVID-19 and Lassa fever could be deadly. Both deserve adequate attention by the government. Image credit: Nigeria Health Watch

Two hundred and nineteen (219) – That is the number of lives lost to Lassa fever between January and June 2020, according to the latest data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Nigeria has been experiencing a yearly outbreak of the viral haemorrhagic fever since it was first identified in Borno state in […]

Categories
Covid19 Thought Leadership Series

Psychosocial Support a Priority for COVID-19 Survivors in Nigeria: OpEd

In order to ensure that COVID-19 survivors and family members overcome challenges to their mental and emotional health, strong psychosocial support systems must be put in place. Photo source: Nigeria Health Watch

By Dr. Obehioye Aimiosior (Guest Writer) Amaka’s husband died from COVID-19. It was a rainy Tuesday afternoon and she was still dealing with the reality of not being there during his last moments. It was barely five days after his death when she received her COVID-19 result. She was dealing with the overwhelming sadness that […]

Categories
Thought Leadership Series

“He was generous to a fault” - Nigeria’s TB Community remembers the late Prof. Lovett Lawson

Prof. Lovett Lawson was an avid advocate for Nigeria's TB community and the Patron of the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria. Photo source: Stop TB

Editor’s Note: On Monday, July 13, 2020, Nigeria’s health community was saddened by the news of the passing of Professor Lovett Lawson, Chairman, Board of Directors, Zankli Medical Centre, Abuja. Lawson, a professor of infectious diseases and a passionate advocate for Nigeria’s Tuberculosis community, was 72, and was the Patron of the Stop TB Partnership […]

Categories
Covid19 Thought Leadership Series

What religious leaders can learn from Reverend Canon Wainaina’s COVID-19 experience and leadership

Religious leaders have a huge responsibility to their followers and congregation. Photo source: Reverend Canon Sammy Wainaina

By Atinuke Akande-Alegbe and Vivianne Ihekweazu (Lead writers) Since the first confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Nigeria on the 27th of February, 2020, the political, economic and health establishment has focused on the response. It was clear that Nigeria like the rest of the African continent was about to face a major […]

Categories
Covid19 Thought Leadership Series

Fragile progress at the brink - COVID-19 and the Nigerian health sector

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, health facilities continued to offer routine health care services. Photo source: NCDC

“Waves keep coming, that’s the one thing you can count on in life” — Gerry Lopez Following the easing of the lockdown restrictions, it is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has created the perfect storm that runs the risk of worsening many of the already poor health indicators in Nigeria. From transport restrictions, to anxiety among health care […]