By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Some medical items worth about N1.6 billion have been donated by MultiChoice Nigeria to the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN) located in Lagos.

The medical supplies were given by the leading pay TV provider as part of its commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the country.

This initiative underscores the dedication of MultiChoice, which operates the popular DStv and GOtv, to making a meaningful impact through strategic partnerships that address critical healthcare challenges and enriching lives of vulnerable populations across Africa.

“We remain dedicated to improving the well-being of our communities through strategic interventions that create a lasting impact.

“The Sickle Cell Foundation plays a crucial role in advancing healthcare for individuals living with sickle cell disorder, and we are proud to support their important mission with this donation,” the chief executive of MultiChoice West Africa, Mr John Ugbe, said.

It was gathered that the vital medical items donated included personal protective equipment (PPE) isolation gowns, test kits, and medical infrared thermometers.

They are aimed at supporting the foundation’s ongoing efforts to provide healthcare services to individuals living with sickle cell disorder and enhancing preparedness for medical emergencies across their nationwide partner hospital network.

The chief executive of SCFN, Dr Annette Akinsete, while receiving the items, commended MultiChoice for its continued support to the organisation.

“On behalf of the foundation, I appreciate MultiChoice for this gesture. This is a big deal to us. MultiChoice has always been a huge supporter of the Foundation, and we appreciate what you have done and are still doing.

“A bulk of these items will go to Massey Street Children’s Hospital and some will be sent to our partner hospitals across the country,” the medical practitioner said.

Recall that in 2009, MultiChoice Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the SCFN. It has continued to support the foundation through various interventions including donation of vehicles, partnership on counselling workshops, fundraising and broadcast of awareness documentaries on key facts about sickle cell disease on its DStv and GOtv platforms.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN) has intensified its call for swift actions by government and policymakers over the escalating health crisis facing persons with albinism (PWAs) in Nigeria.

The call came as the world marked World Cancer Day on February 4, 2025 under the theme United by Unique.

In a statement signed by the president of the association, Mrs Bisi Bamishe, the group said, “Our people are dying in silence, with little to no awareness of the immense health challenges we endure, particularly the devastating impact of skin cancer.

“Despite our continuous advocacy efforts, the plight of persons with albinism remains largely unaddressed, and the consequences are dire. Within just a few days, we have lost three of our beloved members to this ravaging disease.”

The group highlighted the graveness of the issue, adding that, many others are battling for their lives without access to proper medical care.

“The grim reality is that the community of persons with albinism in Nigeria is under siege, and urgent action is required to prevent further loss of lives.”

AAN used the calender event to call on the government across several tiers to join the fight and improve their inputs.

“The absence of structured government interventions, including access to free or subsidized skin cancer treatments, preventive measures such as sunscreen distribution, and specialized dermatological care, has left our community in a state of despair. Without immediate action, we will continue to witness the preventable deaths of our members,” the group lamented.

“We call on the federal, state, and local governments, the legislative arms at all levels, well-meaning individuals, local and international donors, and relevant stakeholders to stand with us in the fight against this dreaded disease,” it added.

It also noted that it has not rested on its oars with it’s multiple approach to raise awareness about the pressing health needs of persons with albinism.

“We have engaged policymakers, health authorities, and legislators, urging them to implement sustainable policies that will ensure access to affordable healthcare, routine skin cancer screening, and the provision of lifesaving treatments for affected persons.

“However, the time for mere discussions has passed. We need tangible, swift, and decisive actions to save lives,” the group added.

The association lauded the efforts and responsiveness of the Lagos State government and called on other states to follow in its footsteps.

“We must acknowledge the efforts of some state governors, development partners and NGOs that have done a lot for us. Special appreciation goes to Lagos State Government that has spent over N20 million on skin cancer patients in the last two years as well as provision of sunscreen, hats and umbrellas. We hope other states can follow suit as much as possible.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria has tightened surveillance measures at entry points in the country owing to a fresh outbreak of Ebola disease in Uganda.

Last week, the Ugandan Ministry of Health confirmed the outbreak of the disease with one death and has now followed up with forty-four contacts.

With the latest development, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Mr Jide Idris, in an advisory said although Nigeria has not recorded any outbreak of the disease, it is putting in place preventive measures.

“There are no cases of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria. However, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), in collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Partners through the National Emerging Viral Hemorrhagic Diseases (EVHD) Technical Working Group, continues to monitor disease occurrence and has initiated measures to strengthen our preparedness in the country.

“These include the update of our EVD emergency contingency plan, heightened surveillance especially at the points of entry, and optimizing diagnostic capacity for EVD testing in designated laboratories in cities with international airports of entry and the National Reference Laboratory. In addition, all Lassa Fever testing laboratories can be activated to scale up testing if the need arises.”

According to the NCDC DG, there are no Ebola vaccines in Nigeria at the moment.

“There are vaccines and therapeutics available for some strains of the Ebola virus. The approved vaccine for the Zaire species (EBV) is not currently available in the country but can be obtained from the WHO Afro and does not protect against the Sudan virus,” he said.

However, the NCDC boss said, “Early recognition, isolation of patients, and initiation of supportive treatment, implementing infection and control measures in health facilities and homes, tracing and monitoring of contacts, and safe burial practices, significantly reduce morbidity and the probability of death.”

Ebola disease is a severe, and often fatal disease caused by the Ebola virus. It is transmitted to humans via contact with wild animals and spreads through human-to-human transmission via direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces.

Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, internal and external bleeding. It may appear 2 to 21 days after infection. Medical expertise are advised by the NCDC, in regard to this disease.