Health
Group Advocates Extension of Recovery Plan for Mothers, Children, Elderly
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has been advised to extend the life span of the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent, and Elderly Health Plus Nutrition (RMNCAEH+N) recovery plan so that it can achieve its objectives.
This call was made by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working in the health sector under the aegis of the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) in a statement signed by its coordinator, Dr Aminu Magashi.
The group said this is premised on the fact that the RMNCAEH+N recovery plan has the potential to improve and transform the health of Nigerians, including children, mothers, and the elderly, and also improve the nutrition of many if executed further.
It would be recalled that the RMNCAEH+N plan was developed in 2020 with an estimated cost of N12.19 billion with the aim of mitigating the indirect impact of COVID- 19, as well as prioritise and maintaining the provision of RMNCAEH+N services such as routine immunisation, reproductive health services, care during pregnancy and childbirth, essential care for new-born, young infants and under-five children, adolescents, older adults and the elderly.
The RMNCAEH+N COVID-19 response continuity plan was put together to ensure uninterrupted health services, including family planning, adolescents and youth health, and other essential health services to all Nigerians, in order to avert the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CSOs, however, called for more efforts on the part of the federal government to ensure that more is achieved within the next two months before the expiration of the first phase of the plan.
“The federal government has done well in its efforts to ensure that the plan achieves its targets. Even though 2 months to the expiration of the Plan, we have to remain optimistic that more will be achieved if the government puts in more effort.
Dr Magashi said, “I, therefore, call on the federal government to consider extending the plan considering its importance to the health sector and the health of Nigerians. The plan, if executed to the letter, will bring dramatic change and improvement to our health sector. The government should not make the mistake of discarding the plan. This administration may not achieve the RMNCAEH+N target 100 per cent, however, since the government is a continuum, I suggest that the plan should be sustained so that the next administration can continue with it.
“It is, however, important to stress here that the government needs to increase its momentum in the implementation of the RMNCAEH+N plan so that we can achieve like 80 per cent of the target before the expiration of this first phase,”
The CSOs further expressed deep concern that the execution of the plan may be affected by the electioneering campaign running towards the 2023 election, which has since begun.
The statement, however, quoted the Chairman of National Advocates for Health (NA4H), Mohammed Usman, as advising lawmakers at all levels to show interest in the plan, as it has the capacity to improve the lives of their constituents.
“The legislators should be interested in the 100 per cent implementation of the RMNCAEH+N plan because it concerns the people across board, including the poor and the rich in rural and urban areas.
“I, therefore, call on the legislators to join in mounting pressure on the government to allow for the continuation of the RMNCAEH+N plan after its expiration in the next 2 months,” Mr Usman stressed.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has commenced the vaccination against Monkeypox, now known as Mpox.
Business Post reports that Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory, were selected as pilot states for the vaccination.
An average of 631 persons are expected to be vaccinated across the seven states with two doses of the Mpox vaccine. A buffer for 50 persons will be kept at the national in case of an upsurge in other states.
NPHCDA in a statement posted on its verified X account confirmed the exercise, stressing that the vaccination will help to protect communities and safeguarding health of the people.
In a related development, according to the latest update by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), there are 1,442 suspected cases of Mpox from 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, while the number of confirmed cases of the infection was 118 from 28 states and the FCT.
“To prevent the spread of Mpox, we strongly advise the public to avoid contact with animals that may carry the virus, including sick or dead animals in affected areas, avoid handling materials that have been in contact with infected animals, limit unnecessary physical contact with individuals who are infected, practice frequent handwashing with soap and water, and ensure that animal food products are thoroughly cooked before eating.
“It’s also important to use protective clothing and gloves when handling sick animals or their tissues. Similarly, health workers are advised to follow standard safety protocols including droplet precautions when treating patients, use protective equipment including masks, gloves, and gowns, during patient care, and be vigilant for symptoms of Mpox, especially fever and rash, among other measures.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Over 250 pints of blood have been donated by AXA Mansard Health to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba.
The blood was donated by more than 100 employees of the leading health insurance company in Nigeria through its volunteering programme tagged AXA Hearts in Action.
The initiative is part of the company’s blood donation drive aimed at contributing to positive societal and environmental impacts through employee volunteering, and expertise related financial support and in-kind donations.
According to the Chief Client Officer of AXA Mansard, Ms Rashidat Adebisi, “Through the AHIA, our employees do not just give time to great causes; we work together for a better future.”
“We share our time, knowledge and expertise as a people with a shared purpose of acting for human progress by protecting what matters through initiatives like this,” she added.
Ms Adebisi said the blood drive is a shining example of the philosophy in action, where collective contributions serve as a reminder that true impact often involves giving more than just money. It’s about putting one’s heart in action – an idea embedded in AXA’s corporate culture.
On his part, the chief executive of AXA Mansard Health Limited, Mr Tope Adeniyi, said with hospitals frequently experiencing blood shortages, events like these serve as a lifeline for patients in need.
“We are proud to contribute to the local healthcare sector and provide much-needed support to hospitals such as LUTH, ensuring that they have resources essential to saving lives,” he added.
Also commenting, the Head of Corporate Services and Public Relations at LUTH, Omolola Olubukunola Fakeye, thanked the firm for the “generous support,” which has made a “meaningful difference to our blood bank and ultimately to the lives of patients.”
“Blood donations are invaluable in many critical treatments, and initiatives like AXA Mansard’s blood drive bring immense relief to healthcare system.
“We are sincerely grateful for this partnership and the dedication of AXA Mansard’s employees,” Fakeye stated.
AXA Hearts in Action operates globally, she urging AXA employees everywhere to engage with and give back to their communities.
Through diverse projects – from health initiatives like this blood drive and medical outreaches to environmental efforts like the AXA Week for Good “Trash-to-Treasure” waste management project – AXA staff have opportunities to make a lasting difference on issues that matter.
For AXA Mansard, every act of social service brings them closer to the communities they serve, helping build a world where giving back is not only about charity but about lasting, positive change.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed $2.3 million to procure 4.8 million doses of life-saving malaria tablets from Swiss Pharma (Swipha) in a landmark partnership that will expand access to essential medicines in Nigeria and West Africa.
This procurement, to be facilitated through the U.S. Government’s President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), underscores the United States’ dedication to advancing Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure and ensuring life-saving treatments reach vulnerable communities.
For years, Nigeria has faced significant challenges in procuring affordable, high-quality medicines due to the high cost of production and the inability of many local pharmaceutical companies to meet international quality standards.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), fewer than 10 per cent of medicines manufactured in sub-Saharan Africa meet global standards, limiting local companies’ ability to supply essential drugs and meet healthcare needs.
These barriers have particularly affected access to medicines for malaria and child health, as local production has often fallen short of both quality and quantity requirements.
In response, USAID partnered with Swipha in their efforts to attain World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification for sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) tablets, a vital medicine for malaria prevention during pregnancy.
Swipha is now the first pharmaceutical company in Nigeria and in West Africa to achieve this WHO certification, marking a critical step forward for the region’s pharmaceutical capacity.
“USAID’s support was pivotal in helping us reach this milestone,” said Swipha Managing Director, Mr Frederic Lieutaud.
“The WHO prequalification not only validates our commitment to producing high-quality medicines but also enhances our capacity to scale production and serve both local and international markets with trusted, essential medicines.”
With the WHO prequalification, Swipha is well-positioned to expand its reach, supplying these essential medicines to international donors and procurement agencies, ultimately strengthening healthcare delivery across Nigeria and the broader West African region.
This achievement also represents a significant boost to Nigeria’s healthcare system by enhancing local manufacturing capacity and contributing to public health efforts to combat preventable diseases.
During her visit to Swipha’s facility in Lagos, USAID Mission Director to Nigeria, Ms Melissa Jones, commented “This achievement is a testament to the power of collaboration in improving healthcare in Nigeria.
“We are proud to have supported Swipha in reaching this milestone and look forward to continuing our partnership to ensure more quality medicines reach those who need them most. Together, we are building a healthier future for Nigeria.”
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