Nigeria Health Watch
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 […]
For several weeks, sixty-year-old Musa Danyadikko had been grappling with a strange fever and cough that had defied all known treatment. One day in June, sitting in his home in Gwarzo town, 75 kilometers north-west of Kano metropolis, he heard that public health officials from Kano had arrived at the palace of the District Head […]
Our attention has been drawn to a report published by the Daily Independent newspaper on the 14th of September 2020, with the title: “Fraud Rocks NCDC COVID-19 Tests For Air Travellers” This report is simply incorrect and based on information that is inconsistent with the truth. In addition, no attempt was made to contact the […]
By Adaobi Ezeokoli & Chibuike Alagboso (Lead Writers) Professor Chris Bode, Chief Medical Director at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), is sitting at a conference table in his spacious office. A colourful artwork frame takes up the wall behind him, and files and papers are arranged on the table, remains of a meeting he […]
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 […]
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 […]
By Dara Ajala-Damisa & Chibuike Alagboso (Lead Writers) The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way people work in Nigeria and the response has required a multi-sectoral approach with all arms of the government keyed into the response. This led to the setting up of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 which brought together the Ministers from […]
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 […]
On April 11, 2020, exactly one month after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic, Kano State confirmed its first positive COVID-19 case. In the same month, the state witnessed what was described as “mysterious” deaths, claiming hundreds of lives including the Emir of Rano and seven professors from Bayero University Kano (BUK). […]
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 […]
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Kenya, the government has taken strict preventive measures to contain its spread. Some of these measures include compulsory wearing of masks all the time while in public places, washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds several times a day, maintaining a distance of at […]
By Elfredah Kevin-Alerechi (Lead Writer) Queen Wisdom is a petty trader who had come to buy some food items for her business at the Rumuokoro Market in Port Harcourt. She was seen wearing a face mask. When she heard of the coronavirus outbreak from international news channels, she was skeptical, and she felt coronavirus won’t […]
“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 […]
By Mike Lawal (Guest Writer) She was only nine years old when she walked into the consultation room with her outraged mother, a neighbour and a police officer. With eyes filled with tears, her mother muttered, “My daughter was raped yesterday”. Her daughter was sexually assaulted by a close relative, and the police needed a […]