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Lagos Launches Public Health Campaign on Mpox

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The Lagos State Government has unveiled a series of comprehensive public health initiatives.

These are in response to the growing global concern over the Mpox virus, particularly the newly identified Clade 1B variant.

During a media briefing held at Protea Hotel, Alausa Ikeja, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, outlined the state’s multipronged strategy to shield Lagos from this emerging threat.

Prof. Abayomi announced three significant milestones as part of Lagos State’s public health strategy against Mpox.

The first is a robust stakeholder engagement involving experts from various sectors to discuss Mpox and its management, both locally and globally.

Although Lagos has no active cases at present, however, the risk posed by the more aggressive Clade 1B variant remains a significant concern due to Lagos’s extensive travel connections.

The second milestone is the activation of an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) specifically dedicated to monitoring and addressing the Mpox outbreak, with a particular focus on the Clade 1B variant.

The third milestone is the launch of a statewide public health awareness campaign aimed at educating residents about the risks associated with Mpox and preventive measures they can take.

The Commissioner emphasized the current concern over the Clade 1B variant, which is rapidly spreading across Central Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and has now reached neighboring countries like Cameroon, Rwanda, and Burundi.

“This variant is distinct from the indigenous Clade 2 variant, which has been detected sporadically in West Africa. Although Lagos has no active cases at present, however, the risk posed by the more aggressive Clade 1B variant remains a significant concern due to Lagos’s extensive travel connections.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak in the DRC a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, highlighting the need for a coordinated global response”, he said.

Prof. Abayomi noted that Lagos State is taking proactive steps, drawing on its experience with past health crises like Ebola, COVID-19, cholera, and Lassa fever. According to him, these measures aim to prevent the introduction of the Clade 1B variant into Lagos, which could have severe health and economic implications.

The Commissioner explained that Mpox, like smallpox and cowpox, is a zoonotic disease that initially spreads from animals to humans, particularly through rodents and monkeys.

Human-to-human transmission occurs through close contact, with the Clade 1B variant showing a higher transmission rate, especially through sexual contact.

Prof. Abayomi warned that while there are currently no active Mpox cases in Lagos, the state must remain vigilant against the potential importation of this aggressive variant.

He disclosed that a mini-symposium on Mpox which was held before the media briefing, featured insights from global health experts, including representatives from WHO, UNICEF, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), LUTH and LASUTH. “These experts discussed the risks posed by the Clade 1B variant to Lagos and the steps needed to create a biological shield against the virus.

The collective goal is to ensure that Lagos is fully prepared to manage any potential outbreak and minimize its impact”, Prof. Abayomi said.

While noting that Lagos State’s high population density and extensive travel links make it particularly vulnerable to the rapid spread of contagious diseases, the Commissioner urged the public and healthcare providers to be vigilant and prepared to recognize, diagnose, and manage Mpox cases effectively.

“The activation of the EOC and the launch of the public awareness campaign are critical components of this strategy.

As part of the proactive measures, a comprehensive public health awareness campaign has been rolled out across Lagos. This campaign seeks to inform the public about the symptoms of Mpox, such as fever, joint pain, body aches, and distinctive rashes.

Residents are urged to report any suspicious symptoms to the nearest health facility for prompt evaluation”, he stated.

Prof. Abayomi  noted that Lagos State is also exploring vaccine options and has established local research teams to guide government policy on Mpox. These efforts aim to bolster the state’s preparedness for a possible outbreak and ensure a swift and effective response.

The Commissioner noted that despite the absence of active Mpox cases in Lagos, the state government is committed to maintaining a high level of preparedness. Prof. Abayomi expressed gratitude to all partners and collaborators for their continued support in these efforts, stressing the importance of collective action in safeguarding Lagos from the potential dangers of Mpox.

Speaking in the same vein, the Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity, and Global Health in the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam provided detailed information on the symptoms of the Clade 1B variant.
He highlighted the severity of the rashes caused by this variant, particularly those that appear in the genital area, which are more painful and pronounced than typical Mpox rashes.

Dr. Abdus-Salam emphasized the critical need for early identification and containment of Mpox cases to prevent the spread of the Clade 1B variant within Lagos. “The state’s public health systems are on high alert, ready to act swiftly to protect residents from this virulent strain”, he said.

Lagos State’s comprehensive and proactive approach to public health sets a precedent for other regions to follow.

The state’s ongoing efforts to prevent the importation and spread of Mpox, particularly the Clade 1B variant, demonstrate its commitment to protecting the health and well-being of its residents in the face of emerging global health threats.

Health

Aliko Dangote Foundation Donates Ambulance to Mainland Hospital Yaba

The donated ambulance is expected to greatly improve the hospital’s emergency response capabilities, enabling swift mobility for critical cases and enhancing overall efficiency in disease outbreak responses.

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the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has donated a brand-new ambulance to Mainland Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.

The donated ambulance is expected to greatly improve the hospital’s emergency response capabilities, enabling swift mobility for critical cases and enhancing overall efficiency in disease outbreak responses.

The hospital’s MD/CEO, Dr. Adejumo Adedeji Olusola, said that the donation has addressed a longstanding challenge, allowing the hospital to perform tasks that were previously impossible.

“We are really grateful, and our sincere gratitude goes to Mr. Aliko Dangote. We lacked an ambulance for about 10 years, but now we have one we can boast of thanks to Mr. Aliko Dangote,” Dr. Olusola said.

The Aliko Dangote Foundation has been at the forefront of major health interventions in Nigeria, including efforts to combat malnutrition, polio, and pandemic outbreaks.

This donation reflects the foundation’s broader mission to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.

Dr. Francis Aminu, Director of Health and Nutrition at ADF, emphasized the foundation’s dedication to improving the lives of Nigerians, particularly in the health sector.

“What we do at ADF isn’t just charity, it’s a duty. We believe that every Nigerian life is valuable, and health is the foundation on which all other aspirations are built; no Nigerian should be left behind due to a lack of access to essential health resources,” he stated.

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Sufferer of Kidney Failure, Sewanu, Needs Your Help

Dialisys is 55k per session at Gbagada hospital but in some places it’s over 130k. So this is how I have been doing it since until later I was told at the hospital to go for kidney transplant but before I go for transplant, I will still be doing my dialisys twice a week.

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Shared by Dr Love , on X (Twitter):

My name is Hosu moses sewanu, a native of Ipokia local government in ogun state, was born and raised in Lagos state .

My dad is late, I still have my mum and am the second out of the family of 3.

It all started late 2023, I woke one morning and I noticed that the left side of my head was seriously pounding so I took paracetamol just like the normal thing thinking it was just an ordinary headache but after taking the paracetamol few minute later the headache started again to the extent that it was difficult for me to turn my neck so I managed it like that for about 3 days but when the aching didn’t stop I had to call my mum to tell her what I was facing so she said to me that I should try and come over to her place, on getting to my mum’s place.

She decided that I have to go to Randle general hospital that I should go and complain there about my health.

Immediately I got to Randle, checking my blood pressure level, it was very high and I was referred to the emergency department for quick response, at the emergency, I was required to do some laboratory tests which I did.

So I was admitted immediately for about 4 days, later the doctor told me to go and redo the same test again at another laboratory center outside the hospital. When the results came out, it was reading that I am having chronic kidney failure.

When I was told about the situation, my entire body was very buttered that I almost run mad.

When my mum came. She was also told the same thing then I was referred to gbagada general hospital for proper treatment and to be seeing a neufrologist that is the specialist doctor for kidney cases.

So I started visiting gbagada hospital for check ups and clinic days. By that time my body have not started noticing it like that nor until late 2024

I started feeling very weak, I don’t sleep at night, I couldn’t eat like that, my entire body was down.

So I tried going back to the hospital at Gbagada, there I was admitted instantly and they started the treatment process, later on, I was told to start dialisys, that I should do five, so I started dialisysing at Gbagada hospital at first It was five. After doing the five, I was told to start another five again .

Making it 10 sessions ater doing the 10th session I was discharged home just to be attending the clinic alone, later I was told at the clinic that I should not stop the dialisys that this time, I have to be doing it twice a week.

Dialisys is 55k per session at Gbagada hospital but in some places it’s over 130k. So this is how I have been doing it since until later I was told at the hospital to go for kidney transplant but before I go for transplant, I will still be doing my dialisys twice a week.

So far now, I have done 23 sessions of dialisys and still counting. As it is now, I don’t work again, I can’t even do anything now, even to move around like before is really difficult because the whole thing have started manifesting I mean my body can’t carry me like before.

I am in very severe pain, the drugs prescribed for me by the doctors are very expensive and they are much all are compulsory for me to buy.

Hmm I pray that God should send me help from above, a miracle is what I am expecting.

This is the little I can say about my state of health now.

0119741433 GT bank account, Hosu Moses sewanu

Or

1229255323 Zenith bank

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JUST IN: Ogun confirms Lassa fever outbreak as NYSC member dies

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A 25-year-old member of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), has reportedly died of Lassa fever at a secondary health facility in ljebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

It wwas learnt that the female corp member who fell sick while in Ondo State, was brought to the health facility last Tuesday and later died same day.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, on Wednesday.

Coker also confirmed the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.

The statement reads, “Ogun State has confirmed a case of Lassa Fever and as such declared Lassa fever outbreak.

“The index case is a 25-year-old female National Youth Corp member who fell sick while in Ondo State and was brought to on of our secondary health facility in ljebu North LGA on 18th March 2025 and later died same day.

“ Lassa fever is a viral Haemorrhagic disease that presents with High grade fever, Headache, General body weakness, Sore throat, Muscle pain, Cough, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Chest pain and Unexplained bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth and other body openings.

”Coker urged members of the community to report to the hospital if any of the listed symptoms is noticed.

“We implore members of the community to promptly report to the hospital if they notice any of these symptoms.

Any case of febrile illness that has not responded to 48 hours use of anti-malaria or antibiotics should raise an index of suspicion for Lassa fever!

“We implore all Health facilities in Ogun State, public and private, to step up Infection Prevention and Control measures and to encourage compliance by all health facility staff.“

Healthcare worker that suspects Lassa fever in a patient, are advised to call their local government disease surveillance and notification officer (LGA DSNO) whose numbers are placed in our health facilities or call State Disease surveillance and Notification Officer (0703-421-4893) or State Epidemiologist (0808-425-0881),” she added.

The commissioner, however reiterated the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s dedication to protecting the health of the citizens through continuous surveillance and prompt response to infectious diseases.

She added that the ministry in collaboration with the Rapid Response Team at ljebu North East is keeping the situation under control with enhanced surveillance and community engagement and mobilization for effective response.

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