By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A healthcare technology platform, DoorSpace, has announced its exit from all Meta platforms, citing value differences and company culture as reasons for the action.

Ahead of the inauguration of Mr Donald Trump as the President of the United States of America (USA) for a second term on tomorrow, Monday, January 20, 2025, Mr Mark Zuckerberg announced changes to his platforms’ fact-checking system.

“The only way that we can push back on this global trend is with the support of the US government, and that’s why it’s been so difficult over the past four years, when even the US government has pushed for censorship,” Mr Zuckerberg said in a video.

He said Meta was welcoming political discourse back on Facebook, Instagram and Threads with the new Community Notes system, which will enable users to write and rate notes that can be added onto posts.

Mr Zuckerberg explained that Meta would be working closely with Mr Trump’s upcoming administration by showing users more content that is politically charged and not checked by third-party fact checkers.

This decision of Meta did not go down well with DoorSpace, which said it has ceased any activity and would no longer spend marketing dollars to advertise on Meta platforms.

“Zuckerberg’s business decisions to rollback its fact checking system and to open up the platform to allow for misinformation, hate and bullying, especially against vulnerable minority groups, shows his lack of understanding on the importance of diversity and common decency.

“Incel culture will continue to grow and fester in that curated environment, leading to more violence against these groups in the real world,” the chief executive of DoorSpace, Ms Sarah M. Worthy, said.

“”I need to stand by my values and use my position as a healthcare tech leader to advocate for the individuals who are directly harmed in both their professional and personal lives by the hate and misinformation being spread on Zuckerberg’s platforms.

“The Meta that Zuckerberg has created has become a cesspool that sells its users’ data to the highest bidder while utilizing manipulative and dangerous tactics to keep people on the app as long as possible,” Ms Worthy added.

“Your data is not secure on their platforms, their algorithmic feed is designed to sow division and misinformation, and the company has announced that it does not view every American equally.

“There is no need for our business to spend money advertising there or any reason for our brand to maintain an active presence there anymore,” she said further.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A transformative webinar to raise awareness on postpartum depression (PPD) by nursing mothers has been organised by MSc Media and Communication students from the School of Media and Communications of the Pan-Atlantic University.

The programme titled Beyond Baby Blues: Understanding and Overcoming Postpartum Depression was held on January 7, 2025.

It was put together by the students under the Mums Feel Warmth initiative, with experts in the field invited to speak on the matter aimed at empowering mothers and fostering a sense of reassurance.

The webinar was to highlight the journey through postpartum depression, offering a message of hope, resilience, and the importance of mental health support for mothers everywhere.

One of the speakers, Dr Laja Odunuga, who is the Care Coordinator for AVON HMO, explained the difference between the common “baby blues” and the more severe, long-lasting PPD.

The discussion highlighted how PPD can manifest not just as sadness but through severe fatigue, disconnection from the newborn, and loss of interest in activities, which can last well beyond the typical two-week period associated with baby blues.

Another expert, Ms Otomfon Ibanga, the Assistant Lead Nurse for Q-Life Family Clinic, emphasised the role of support systems, urging families and friends to be vigilant for signs of PPD and to provide a nurturing environment.

She also discussed prevention strategies, including prenatal planning for support structures and post-delivery management through therapy or medication.

On his part, Dr Chimaraoke Obialo, who is the Medical Director of Life Amada Health Consultancy, addressed the stigma surrounding PPD, advocating for education to transform societal perceptions from judgement to support.

The webinar underscored the need for community involvement, not just in recognising symptoms but in actively participating in the healing process by offering emotional and practical support.

The Mums Feel Warmth webinar was more than just an educational session; it was a call to action for society to embrace and support new mothers dealing with PPD.

By fostering open conversations and providing platforms for sharing experiences, Mums Feel Warmth continues to lead the charge against the stigma of PPD.

The commitment shown by the panellists and attendees alike promises a future where every mother has access to the understanding and care needed to navigate through the complexities of postpartum depression, ensuring that the joy of motherhood is not overshadowed by mental health challenges.

Mums Feel Warmth, with its core values of empathy, compassion, hope, community, and education, speaks to the Sustainable Development Goal 3, advocating for good health and well-being.

The initiative is breaking the silence around PPD, a condition that can significantly impact new mothers in the critical period following childbirth.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says the country is at “moderate” risk for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a virus that leads to an upper respiratory tract infection with symptoms like cough, fever, and nasal congestion.

In a public health advisory, the Nigerian health agency said the federal government is closely monitoring the outbreak of the virus and is taking safety measures to “strengthen the country’s preparedness and response capacity”.

Recent reports indicate a significant rise in HMPV cases in China, as well as increased respiratory infections linked to HMPV in countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), France, and Germany, particularly during the winter season.

The NCDC said it conducted a risk assessment for the HMPV in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC), and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

“The assessment classified the risk of HMPV for Nigeria as moderate. This evaluation will inform and guide preparedness efforts, decision-making, and response strategies to mitigate potential impacts,” the advisory said.

It said the NCDC is working to give Nigerians “timely, accurate information and guidance to keep the Nigerian public informed and prepared”.

NCDC noted that it “in collaboration with Port Health Authorities, is taking proactive steps to ensure robust preparedness at all international points of entry (PoEs) in response to the dynamic risk assessment for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).

“These measures are designed to mitigate the potential risk of HMPV transmission through international travel.”

HMPV was first identified in the Netherlands in 2001 and the virus spreads through direct contact between people or when someone touches surfaces contaminated with it.

Children under two are most vulnerable to the virus alongside those with weakened immune systems such as the elderly and those with advanced cancer, according to medical experts.

There have also been worries that this could be like COVID-19, but experts have eased the fear as they are not similar because pandemics are typically caused by novel pathogens, which is not the case for HMPV.