Health
Russian COVID-19 Vaccines Disappear from Africa’s Radar
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
Until recently, Africa has not been high on Russia’s policy agenda. African leaders have to understand that Russia, for the past three decades, Africa was at the bottom of its policy agenda. After the end of the Soviet era, Russia has focused broadly on the United States and Europe, dreaming of becoming part of Europe, part of the configuration of the Global North. The low economic presence of Russia from 1991 until 2019 was a testament to the fact that Africa was at the bottom of its priority list. Of course, the October 2019 summit was symbolic, but after that, Russia has left most of the bilateral agreements undelivered across Africa.
With its “special military operation” on Ukraine that necessitated the imposition of stringent sanctions from the United States, European Union and their allies, the United Nations Security Council, mounting pressure on Russia since February 24 2022, pushes Russia to begin soliciting aggressively for support in Africa. Last July, in an article posted to its official website, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov wrote: “The development of a comprehensive partnership with African countries remains among top priorities of Russia’s foreign policy; Moscow is open to its further build-up multifaceted relations with Africa.”
In his Op-Ed article, Lavrov argues: “We have been rebuilding our positions for many years now. The Africans are reciprocating. They are interested in having us. It is good to see that our African friends have a similar understanding with Russia.” Lavrov, however, informed about broadening African issues “in the new version of Russia’s Foreign Policy Concept against the background of the waning of the Western direction” and this will objectively increase the share of the African direction in the work of the Foreign Ministry.
Lavrov consistently displays his passion for historical references. Soviet support for struggles for political independence and against colonialism should be laid to rest in the archives. The best way to fight neo-colonialism is to demonstrate by investing in those competitive sectors and depart away from hyperbolic rhetoric on an endless list of sectors. In practical terms, we rather face today’s development challenges and what is in store for the future generation. Africa today does not need anti-Western slogans; Africa simply needs external players who would passionately and genuinely invest in the critical economic sectors. The fundamental fact is that Africa is making efforts to transform its economy to create employment, modern agriculture, and industrialize the continent, especially with the introduction of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Despite criticisms, China has built an exemplary distinctive economic power in Africa. Besides China, Africa is largely benefiting from the European Union and Western aid flows and economic and trade ties. Compared, Russia plays very little role in Africa’s infrastructure, agriculture and industry and makes little effort to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Our monitoring shows that the Russian business community hardly pays attention to the significance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which provides a unique and valuable platform for businesses to access an integrated African market of over 1.3 billion people.
Lavrov’s efforts toward building non-Western ties in these crucial times are highly commendable, especially with Africa. But, the highly respected Minister easily and most times forgot the fact that during these two-three years of a global pandemic, the coronavirus that engulfed the planet, in every corner of the world, Africa was desperately looking for vaccines. Health authorities are still warning that Covid-19 has not been completely faced throughout the world.
Quartz, a reputable global media, reported early this year that “as of the end of 2022, about a quarter of the population of African countries has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to the latest figures shared by Africa CDC. The coverage varies drastically depending on the country. In Liberia, for instance, nearly 80% of the population is fully vaccinated, while only 34% is in neighbouring Sierra Leone. Congo, Sudan, Senegal, and Madagascar all have vaccination rates below 10%.
In his briefing, Ouma said the target for Africa remains to vaccinate 70% of the population. That goal, however, was set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the overall population. These numbers are about to change – and not because of an increase in vaccinations. Africa CDC acting director Ahmed Ogwell Ouma announced in a video briefing on December 22 that it will modify the way it reports vaccination rates. Rather than reporting coverage of the overall population, it will only report vaccinations of the eligible populations aged 12 or more.
Due to delays in international vaccine deliveries, Africa lags behind the rest of the world in Covid vaccination rates and is the only continent where less than 50% of the population is fully vaccinated. Currently, just more than 800 million doses of vaccines have been administered in Africa, or 80% of the total received. About a third of the vaccinations have been made with Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine, followed by Pfizer (22%), AstraZeneca (17%), China’s Sinopharm (15%) and Sinovac (7%).
Several reports monitored by this author show that Russia has played a minimal role in the entire health sector in Africa. With the Covid-19 vaccination, Russia randomly sprinkled a few thousand as humanitarian assistance among its “Soviet friends”, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Guinea, Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Nevertheless, the worse was Russia’s sudden failure to supply the 300 million vaccines through the African Union (AU), especially during the times of health crisis.
An authoritative policy report presented in November 2021 titled ‘Situation Analytical Report’ and prepared by 25 Russian policy experts headed by Sergei A. Karaganov noted explicitly the failure to supply Sputnik vaccines to the African Union. The report criticized Russia’s current policy and lukewarm approach towards Africa.
“In several ways, Russia’s possibilities are overestimated both publicly and in closed negotiations. The supply of Russian-made vaccines to Africa is an example. Having concluded contracts for the supply of Sputnik V to a number of African states, Russian suppliers failed to meet contractual obligations on time,” says the report in part.
The coronavirus outbreak a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Worth noting that Russia claims that it was the first to find a coronavirus cure. The World Health Organization (WHO), until today, has not certified Russia’s vaccines, though. On the other hand, all the vaccines that have been registered in Russia – Sputnik V, Sputnik Light, CoviVac and EpiVacCorona – are produced in large quantities by Russian pharmaceutical companies and are currently used for vaccination.
Director of the Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Gintsburg has several times highlighted aspects of vaccine production and marketing. He noted to raise the attractiveness of the vaccines on foreign markets, including countries in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund, tasked to engage in marketing the vaccines abroad, got messed up, especially in Africa. Of course, it took steps and speedily registered the vaccines in more than 20 African countries but terribly failed on delivery deadlines. Worse was the Russian Direct Investment Fund supplied, at exorbitant prices, through middlemen in the Arab Emirates to a number of African countries. Russia’s Foreign Ministry has, however, held a series of African Foreign Ministers during this Covid-19 period and desperate moment reiterated to assist with direct supplies to Africa. That is Russia, considered a reliable partner for Africa.
The above thoughts on the part of the Covid-19 business offered the reasons why Russia absolutely refused to join and be part of the Covax facility, which acts as a global collective bargaining initiative to secure vaccine doses for countries who signed up, including those are self-financing their purchases, as well as assistance from donors for poorer developing countries. The first vaccines purchased through Covax were indeed destined to reach Africa. That was, monitored by this author, some 88.7 million doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines distributed to 47 countries, including Africa, during the first half of 2021. This same year, during the virtual meeting of G7 leaders, the European Union announced it had donated a further 500 million euros to the COVAX program. The World Bank also committed $12 billion as concessional loans to assist African countries in accessing foreign vaccines.
That is not all from several reports monitored. In April 2022, writing under the headline: “How Russia’s Hollow Humanitarian Hurt Its Vaccine Diplomacy in Africa,” – the co-authors, Matthew T. Page and Paul Stronski, both noted in 2020 that Russia touted deliveries of medical and protective supplies to several African countries, while the Russian-developed Sputnik V vaccine offered hopes that African countries would soon be able to launch large-scale immunization drives. Russian efforts to promote Sputnik V in Africa have floundered for a variety of reasons, including regulatory worries, production and logistical shortfalls, bureaucratic inertia, and even sticker shock. There is, however, another key factor behind Moscow’s failed vaccine diplomacy: its traditionally diminutive post-Soviet development presence on the continent.
Compared to Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and even many foundations, Russia has provided a tiny share of international development assistance to African countries since the end of the Cold War. Unlike India and Cuba, it has provided scanty medical assistance to – or investment in – African countries.
Suppose Russia wants to be influential on the continent. In that case, African political and economic leaders should demand more of Moscow, not simply settle for the symbolic diplomatic engagements or agreements at which the Russian leadership excels. Indeed, Africa has not ranked high on the Russian foreign policy agenda for much of the past three decades, getting barely a mention in the country’s key security documents except as either a partner in an emerging multipolar world or a source of instability.
Indeed the time has come for African leaders to rally together to ensure that no effort is spared in facilitating and supporting the building of large-scale vaccine manufacturing capacity on the continent. The African Vaccine Manufacturing Summit held in April 2021 was an encouraging start. Focus needs to be on developing real vaccine R&D capacity, which must necessarily lead to health products. This requires substantial investment and a long-term commitment. In a similar vein, under the aegis of the African Union, leaders have to begin looking for inside solutions rather than base hopes on these geopolitical games, great external powers seeking only support for their peculiar or parochial interests.
Understandably, while making efforts to maintain and expand its presence in Africa, Russia simply lacks the capability to deliver on its various promises in Africa. Surely, African countries have to begin to re-evaluate their relationship with Russia. African leaders should not expect anything tangible from meetings, conferences and summits. Since the first Russia-Africa summit held in 2019, very little has been achieved. Given the stringent sanctions imposed following Putin’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, it is even more improbable that Moscow would commit adequate financial resources to invest in economic sectors.
In stark contrast to key global players, for instance, the United States, China and the European Union and many others, Russia obviously has limitations. Notwithstanding that, for Russia to regain a part of its Soviet-era influence, it has to address its policy approach, this time trying to shift towards new paradigms – implementing some of the decade-old pledges and promises, and those bilateral agreements; secondly to promote development-oriented policies and how to make these strategic efforts more practical, more consistent, more effective and most admirably result-oriented with African countries.
By Timi Olubiyi, PhD
It is safe to say Nigeria’s economy has undergone transformations in recent times, characterised by overambitious reforms aimed at stabilising the macroeconomic environment.
However, these changes have also introduced challenges that directly affect the daily lives of Nigerians.
As of March 2025, Nigeria’s annual inflation rate rose again to 24.23%, up from 23.18% in February 2025, even though it had reached a high of 34.8% in December 2024. Higher food prices and the cost of living primarily contribute to this increase.
Additionally, petrol price has experienced a 488% increase from N175 in May 2023 at the resumption of the current administration to N1,030 in October 2024, even though it currently trades around N950.
The removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira have further exacerbated inflationary pressures, leading to increased costs for imported goods and services. The removal of the fuel subsidies has significantly increased operational expenses for businesses, leading to higher prices for goods and services. This situation has led to significant hardship, and it has also made it difficult for many Nigerians to sustain livelihoods, especially those in low-income brackets.
No doubt, the economic challenges continue to have profound effects on mental health, livelihood and well-being. This is in a country where the cost of medicines, in some cases, has risen significantly, with a more than tenfold increase in price.
Mental health is a big issue in all of this, and it is largely disregarded—it is the core of how we experience and navigate our daily activities. Whether in the workplace, market, family, or among friends, the current economic woes do affect our emotional and psychological well-being regardless.
Mental health issues can affect anyone regardless of your age, gender, geography, income, social status, race, ethnicity, or religion. Mental illnesses are health disorders characterised by changes in feelings, thinking, or behaviour, or a combination thereof.
Mental health issues may be linked to discomfort and/or difficulties in professional, social, or family functioning. It determines the quality of overall health, relationships, decisions, security and well-being. The influence of mental health has become undeniably clear in the realms of business, family, and social life in Nigeria.
In Lagos State, for instance, it is a high-pressured environment; many spend long hours to get to work, employers give unrealistic expectations, and job insecurity can create chronic stress, mental health issues and physical illness.
Many can still remember the recent occurrence where some employees in Lagos State who work on the island and live on the mainland of the state experienced long hours in traffic that kept some in Lagos Island at 2am in traffic due to road closures and road maintenance. Such employees are more likely to experience depression or burnout, which can make them underperform. It may even lead to having some chronic issues around their mental health, even though many hardly accept this fact.
In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy a lot. For employees, records have shown that symptoms of mental illness may include difficulty concentrating, absenteeism, emotional exhaustion, or a lack of motivation to even socialize. For entrepreneurs and executives, the stakes are different but equally significant.
The loneliness at the top, coupled with financial and operational pressures, can lead to decision fatigue and emotional instability.
At home, mental health is deeply integrated in attitudes of married couples and families it often leads to strain in communication and tension in the household, and it can lead to emotional withdrawal or even manifest in conflicts.
The high rate of unemployment and joblessness in our country can also contribute to mental health issues in households. However, a parent’s mental health condition significantly shapes the emotional environment in the home and how children grow up.
Humans are social beings, and decent work can contribute to recovery, even though in Nigeria, like many parts in Africa, we fail to recognise the significant impact of mental health on businesses, families and social lives.
More so our need for connection, acceptance, and belonging is deeply rooted in our psychological recognition that mental health is real. Mental health shapes how we interact with others, and our social interactions, in turn, influence our mental health.
So, when mental health is compromised, therefore the ability to form and maintain healthy relationships are also compromised. Depression can result in social withdrawal, anxiety can lead someone to avoid gatherings or become overly self-conscious, and trauma can lead to difficulty trusting others. As a result, people often find themselves isolated during their most vulnerable moments—when support is most needed.
In all, a supportive family can be a powerful buffer against mental health struggles.Therefore, in my opinion, it is crucial to normalise mental health discussions in workplaces, families, and friendship groups to promote understanding and encourage self-care.
In the professional world, success is often measured by tangible outcomes: revenue, promotions, deadlines met, and goals achieved. But beneath the surface of performance metrics lies a crucial, often invisible factor—mental health. Because we are in a world that often prioritises and celebrates output over well-being, re-centering mental health is not just an act of care—it is more than important in the current dispensation for more work-life balance, longevity and a successful life. Good luck!
How may you obtain advice or further information on the article?
Dr Timi Olubiyi is an entrepreneurship and business management expert with a PhD in Business Administration from Babcock University, Nigeria. He is a prolific investment coach, author, seasoned scholar, chartered member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI), and a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-registered capital market operator. He can be reached on the Twitter handle @drtimiolubiyi and via email: drtimiolubiyi@gmail.com, for any questions, reactions, and comments.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, Dr Timi Olubiyi, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of others.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A team from IHS Nigeria recently visited the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu, Ogun State, to evaluate the operational status and impact of the oxygen plant it donated to the health facility in 2023.
The subsidiary of IHS Holding Limited donated the life-saving oxygen plant to OOUTH in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Canadian government as part of a collaborative health infrastructure intervention initiative.
It was part of IHS Nigeria’s commitment to improving Nigeria’s healthcare system through sustainable, impactful initiatives is designed to serve not only the teaching hospital, but also other health facilities in the region.
The oxygen plant is equipped with 50 units of 6-cubic-meter cylinders and 150 units of 3 cubic meter cylinders that currently supplies critical departments across the teaching hospital including Anesthesia, the ICU, Pediatrics, Accident and Emergency, Labour, and Surgery departments.
The hospital management acknowledged the difference the plant has made in ensuring prompt availability of oxygen even for patients who are unable to pay and in improving the medical outcomes for many patients who need oxygen as part of their management.
Accompanying the team on the visit was the Commissioner for Environment in Ogun State, Mr Ola Oresanya, who was invited to witness the outcome of the partnership and its alignment with the state’s public health and environmental objectives.
He lauded the initiative for its timeliness and noted that the impact of the donation could not be easily quantified in terms of its relevance to healthcare delivery and its sustainable energy and environmental management which supports the state government’s vision for a healthier and more resilient Ogun State.
Speaking during the visit, the Director for Sustainability at IHS Nigeria, Titilope Oguntuga, said, “As a responsible organization, we find ways to impact communities in the markets we serve. In demonstrating our commitment, we also ensure that our investments are running smoothly, which is why we visited OOUTH.
“This is the first institution we donated an oxygen plant to and is also the first we are visiting to assess its impact and operational status.
“We are humbled by the acknowledgment and testimonies from the OOUTH management. This increases our resolve to continue to create meaningful and sustainable impact through infrastructure that saves lives and strengthens communities.”
Also, the Chief of Field Office for UNICEF, Celine Lafoucriere, said, “We cannot overemphasise the power of partnerships in achieving health equity. This is what building resilience in health systems entails: combining expertise, funding, and a shared goal.”
The Chairman of Medical Advisory Committee, Dr Oluseun Adeko, who represented the Chief Medical Director of OOUTH, said, “This oxygen plant has not only enhanced our ability to manage emergencies and respiratory cases, but it has also saved lives beyond our hospital, as it serves as a source of oxygen for other hospitals. We deeply appreciate IHS Nigeria and UNICEF for their foresight and generosity.”
IHS Holding Limited is one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by tower count.
Health
Medical Negligence in Nigeria: A Critical Examination of the Legal Remedies Available to Patients
By Ewajesu Akinola
Medical negligence refers to a situation in which a healthcare provider deviates from the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm or injury to a patient. It is the failure of a medical practitioner to exercise the degree of care and skill that a physician or surgeon of the same medical specialty would employ under similar circumstances. In Nigeria, medical negligence is a significant issue affecting patient safety, with legal mechanisms in place to address and remedy such violations. However, challenges in both the legal system and the healthcare sector often make it difficult for patients to access justice. This article critically examines medical negligence in Nigeria and the legal remedies available to affected patients.
The Concept of Medical Negligence in Nigeria
Medical negligence is a form of tort—a civil wrong that causes harm or injury to a patient. Such harm can result from errors in diagnosis, treatment, surgical procedures, medication, or patient management. The foundation for establishing a claim of medical negligence is rooted in the principles established in the landmark case of Donoghue v. Stevenson, which include the duty of care, breach of that duty, and causation. To succeed in a claim of medical negligence, the patient must prove that:
- The healthcare provider owed a duty of care to the patient.
- The healthcare provider breached that duty.
- The breach of duty caused harm or injury to the patient.
This principle was applied in the landmark Nigerian case of Okeke v. Hope Medical Centre, where the court held that a healthcare provider owes a duty of care to the patient and that a breach of this duty may result in liability for damages.
Legal Framework Governing Medical Negligence in Nigeria
The legal framework for addressing medical negligence in Nigeria is derived from both statutory provisions and common law principles. Key statutes include:
- The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)
- The Medical and Dental Practitioners Act (2004)
- The National Health Act (2014)
Legal Remedies Available to Patients
- Damages:
The primary legal remedy available to patients is to file a civil lawsuit for damages. This may include compensation for:- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income or earning capacity
- Psychological trauma
- Criminal Prosecution:
In cases involving gross negligence or recklessness, criminal charges may also be brought. Under Nigerian law, where negligence results in significant harm or death, charges such as manslaughter or reckless endangerment may be pursued, potentially leading to imprisonment or fines. - Disciplinary Action by Professional Bodies:
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has the authority to investigate allegations of medical negligence and impose disciplinary measures. Sanctions may include suspension, revocation of a medical license, or other professional penalties. - Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR):
ADR mechanisms, such as mediation or arbitration, are increasingly being adopted in Nigeria as efficient means of resolving disputes outside the formal court system. ADR can offer quicker resolution and reduce the time and cost associated with litigation. Some healthcare institutions also operate internal grievance redress systems.
Conclusion
Medical negligence remains a pressing concern in Nigeria, with many patients struggling to obtain justice when harmed. Although the legal system has seen improvements, significant gaps persist in protecting patients and holding healthcare professionals accountable. To establish a case of negligence, it must be proven that the healthcare provider owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused injury as a result. However, legal doctrines such as res ipsa loquiturwhere the burden shifts to the doctor to prove they were not at faultcan support claims even when direct evidence is limited. A more robust and accessible legal and healthcare system is needed to both prevent negligence and ensure justice for affected patients.
EwajesuAkinola is a legal professional at Olives and Candles – Legal Practitioners and she can be contacted via ewajesuakinola@gmail.com or ewajesu@olivesandcandles.com.ng
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