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.
Nigeria’s leading insurance company, AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, has announced the release of the AXA Mind Health Report 2025. This comprehensive study underscores the critical importance of mental health in the workplace and among young people.
According to Omowunmi Mabel Adewusi, General Counsel and Human Resource Director of AXA Mansard, the Mind Health Report is part of AXA’s ongoing commitment to promoting positive mental well-being and reducing stigma through holistic approaches.
She said, “The state of mind health in the world continues to give cause for concern, with a lot of people currently experiencing a mental health condition. This fifth edition of the report shows a worrying trend among our youth.
“We also observe an interesting trend in the workplace that reveals work impacts employees’ mental health either as a source of support or a source of issues.”
The AXA Mind Health Report 2025 reveals significant insights into the mental health landscape, highlighting the challenges that young adults and employees face.
According to the report, 44% of young adults (18-24) currently suffer from mental health conditions, with excessive use of social media and financial instability being major contributing factors.
Additionally, work-related stress, including excessive workload, tight deadlines, and a lack of work-life balance, remains a significant concern for employees.
Adewusi further emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health in the workplace, explaining that mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being. Organizations must implement policies that support their employees.
“For us at AXA, this realization is at the heart of our We Care Programme, which affords our employees benefits such as flexible working hours, access to professional counselling services, monthly health workshops, a supportive work environment, menstrual, extended paternity, and caregiver leave benefits.
“The findings of the AXA Mind Health Report 2025 highlight the urgent need for proactive measures to address mental health issues in the workplace and among the youth. We are calling on business leaders, government agencies, and other stakeholders to foster a wellness culture that promotes positive mental health and supports individuals in reaching their full potential.”
The 2025 study, conducted in collaboration with IPSOS, aims to identify mental health and wellness issues in global society to build solutions to mitigate them. A total of 17,000 respondents from 16 countries participated in the survey.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The entry grade level for nurses in the Oyo State civil service with university degree has been reviewed, the Provost of the Oyo State College of Nursing Sciences, Ibadan, Dr Gbonjubola Owolabi, has revealed.
The review was done by the state government through the Oyo State Civil Service Commission.
Recall that the National Council of Establishment (NCE) at its 43rd meeting in 2022 approved the placement of university graduate nurses on grade level 10.
At a meeting with 21 Nursing Tutors on Wednesday in Ibadan, Dr Owolabi said the state government has moved the category of nurses from grade 8, charging nursing tutors of the institution to be diligent in their duties and imbibe integrity and quality.
“The institution is out to train nursing and health practitioners and churn out quality manpower who can function effectively in community, primary, secondary, tertiary, and industrial health settings.
“I urge you to key into this vision, even as the present administration will not deprive you of your rights,” the provost stated.
Dr Owolabi, who said that the Oyo State government placed priority on integrity and quality, disclosed that “the institution has received necessary accreditations from the regulatory bodies for some courses.”
She lauded Governor Seyi Makinde for approving the promotion of the 21 tutors, saying such a gesture should be reciprocated with dedication to service.
In her vote of thanks, one of the lecturers, Mrs Abiola Elizabeth, lauded the management of the institution, saying the approval from the civil service had further accentuated the priority placed on the health sector by Oyo State government.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The government of Burundi has taken a critical step towards reducing malaria cases and saving thousands of children’s lives with the introduction of the malaria vaccine into its routine immunization programme.
This followed the arrival of 544,000 doses of malaria vaccines in Burundi in January and the approval of the RTS,S malaria vaccine by ABREMA (Autorité Burundaise de Régulation des Médicaments à usage humain et des Aliments).
The inclusion of the vaccine was made possible with the collaborations of the Ministry of Health, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Dalberg.
At a ceremony on Monday to announce this development, the First Lady of Burundi, Mrs Angeline Ndayishimiye, commended the organisations for supporting her husband’s government to fight malaria in the country.
Malaria remains a major public health concern in Burundi and one of the country’s top health priorities. Malaria is endemic, with two annual peaks (April-May and June) resulting in high transmission levels in some districts.
The latest data from the National Health Information System (SNIS) showed that malaria remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, with an incidence of 399.1 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2023.
Data analysis revealed that malaria accounted for 20.9 per cent of consultations in 2023 and 59.4 per cent of hospital deaths in 2021.
In Burundi, children under the age of five are the population category most vulnerable to malaria. Of the 4,857,556 malaria cases reported in 2023, children under five accounted for 2,235,481 cases, representing 46 per cent of malaria morbidity.
For this reason, as a key partner, UNICEF is committed to ensuring that every child, especially the most vulnerable, has access to this critical vaccine, alongside other essential health services, to give them a healthier start in life.
“Today marks a significant milestone as we introduce the malaria vaccine in Burundi. This initiative reflects our strong and unwavering commitment to malaria control by combining high-impact strategic interventions and our collective determination to protect our children’s lives.
“By focusing on reducing malaria mortality in children under five, we are taking a critical step towards ensuring a healthier and brighter future for the next generation. This vaccine introduction also brings us closer to a future where no child is lost to this preventable disease. We are paving the way for a malaria-free Burundi,” said Dr Lydwine Baradahana, Minister of Public Health and AIDS Prevention.
“Today, Burundi joins the list of 17 other countries on the African continent to have introduced malaria vaccine into routine immunization with Gavi support.
“Given the devastating impact of malaria, this is a development that will save thousands of young lives, offer relief to families and lessen the burden currently placed on the country’s health system,” the Senior Country Manager for Burundi at Gavi, Mario Jimenez, stated.
UNICEF Representative in Burundi, France Bégin, said, “Every child has the right to grow up healthy and protected from preventable diseases like malaria. The introduction of the malaria vaccine is a historic step, bringing new hope to families in Burundi.”
WHO representative in Burundi, Dr Xavier Crespin, remarked that, “Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Burundi, especially among children.
“With the measures already taken by the government such as Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine chemoprevention, the distribution of impregnated mosquito nets and indoor spraying, and now the introduction of malaria vaccination in children aged 6 to 18 months as recommended by the WHO,
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