Health
JUST IN: Suspected measles outbreak kills 10 children in FCT
No fewer than ten children have died due to suspected measles outbreak in Damangaza community, Lokogoma District, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
Head of the Damangaza community, Mr James Budebo, disclosed this during a one-day outreach programme on Friday in Abuja.
The programme was organized by Primary Health Care, Damangaza and the Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC), a grassroots organisation dedicated to health interventions in underserved communities.
Suspected measles outbreak kills 10 children in FCTPublished on July 13, 2024By Matthew Atungwu.
No fewer than ten children have died due to suspected measles outbreak in Damangaza community, Lokogoma District, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
Head of the Damangaza community, Mr James Budebo, disclosed this during a one-day outreach programme on Friday in Abuja.
The programme was organized by Primary Health Care, Damangaza and the Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC), a grassroots organisation dedicated to health interventions in underserved communities.
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection characterized by fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a distinctive rash.
It can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis, especially in young children and those with weak immune systems.
Budebo said vaccination was important in preventing measles and its complications, hence the need for widespread immunisation to protect the community.
He said the recent deaths were due to the suspected measles outbreak, adding that there have been challenges to vaccine acceptance within the community.
Mrs Chika Offor, CEO of VNDC, said the one-day outreach programme was a crucial . to the health crisis in Damangaza.
She said it was aimed at providing immediate assistance and laying the groundwork for long-term community resilience.
Offor said efforts were on to promote vaccine accessibility and provide clear, accurate information to address community concerns and misconceptions.
She said the deaths due to measles were preventable, adding that the organisation was committed to supporting community dialogue on vaccination and public health measures.
Ms Longtang Shawen, a Health Worker at PHC, Damangaza, said the outbreak exacerbated the community’s ongoing challenges with limited healthcare access.
She said education was important in empowering the community about vaccine-preventable diseases, sanitation and hygiene.
Shawen said vaccination was critical in preventing measles outbreaks, protecting individuals and ensuring community-wide immunity.
She urged the residents of the community to accept vaccination to guard against such preventable diseases and protect the vulnerable populations.
Chief Bello Musa, the Head of Damangaza Hausawa, said that the Public Health Department, FCT, had been notified of the situation, with previous visits made two weeks ago.Responding, Dr Teresa Nwachukwu, FCT Epidemiologist, said in an interview that she would investigate the current situation.
NAN recalls that data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) revealed that Abia, Anambra, Jigawa, Edo, Lagos and Bauchi accounted for a significant portion of reported measles cases by December 2023.
As of December 2023, specific states such as Abia (46), Anambra (23), Jigawa (21), Edo (18), Lagos (17), and Bauchi (14) collectively accounted for 64.6% of the 215 suspected measles cases reported.
Among these, 33 cases (15.4%) were confirmed, with no clinically compatible cases, while 43 cases (20%) were discarded and 139 cases (64.6%) were pending classification.
During the period from January to December 2023, major contributors to the 19,470 suspected measles cases included Borno (7,635), Yobe (1,325), Ogun (611), and Zamfara (601), with Lagos also significant at 563 cases, making up 52.2 per cent of the total.Of these suspected cases, 11,433 (58.72%) were confirmed, comprising 1,861 lab-confirmed, 3,120 epi-linked, and 6,452 clinically compatible cases.
The age group 9 – 59 months accounted for 7,317 (64%) of all confirmed cases.
A total of 89 deaths (CFR = 1.1%) were reported among confirmed cases, with 8,380 (73%) of these cases being individuals who had not received any measles vaccine (‘zero dose’).
By December 31, 2023, outbreaks were reported in 8 LGAs across 7 states, bringing the cumulative number of affected LGAs to 184 across 35 states for the year, with only FCT and Osun States not reporting any confirmed measles outbreaks,” it stated.
NAN also reports that NCDC data underscore the need for vaccination campaigns and public health interventions to curb measles outbreaks across Nigeria.
Health
Senate passes bill to establish Malaria Elimination Agency
The bill, sponsored by Ned Nwoko, scaled third reading on Wednesday after the Senate considered and adopted the report of its Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), chaired by Ipalibo Banigo.
The Senate has passed a bill seeking to establish a National Agency for Malaria Elimination saddled with the responsibility of preventing, controlling and ultimately eliminating malaria in Nigeria.
The bill, sponsored by Ned Nwoko, scaled third reading on Wednesday after the Senate considered and adopted the report of its Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), chaired by Ipalibo Banigo.
Presenting the report on behalf of Banigo, Sampson Ekong said the proposed agency would serve as the central body responsible for coordinating national efforts aimed at preventing, controlling and ultimately eliminating malaria in Nigeria.
The Senate said the agency seeks to mark a shift in the country’s approach to malaria management from treatment-focused interventions to preventive and elimination strategies.
“The agency, when established, will help shift the country’s approach from curative measures to prevention and eventual elimination of malaria,” it stated.
(Source: The SUN)
Health
Cross River restores molecular laboratoy for TB, HIV, Mpox testing
This place is arranged to address issues of TB, HIV and other outbreaks. Mpox, Lassa fever and even Ebola-related surveillance can be handled here. Most of the essential services have now been restored,” he said.
Photo : Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State
The Cross River State Government has announced that the molecular laboratory services at Dr. Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital now conducts molecular testing for tuberculosis, HIV and Mpox while retaining the capacity to support surveillance and response efforts for emerging public health threats..
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Egbe Ayuk, disclosed this on Tuesday during an inspection tour of the hospital alongside journalists in Calabar.
Ayuk said that the molecular laboratory, which serves as one of the state’s key public health surveillance centres, has resumed most of its essential functions following rehabilitation efforts supported by the state government and development partners.
“This place is arranged to address issues of TB, HIV and other outbreaks. Mpox, Lassa fever and even Ebola-related surveillance can be handled here. Most of the essential services have now been restored,” he said.
The commissioner explained that although the facility suffered extensive damage during the EndSARS unrest, significant progress has been made in rebuilding critical infrastructure and restoring laboratory operations.
The Niger State Branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has directed doctors at Jummai Babangida Aliyu Maternal and Neonatal Hospital, Minna, to withdraw their services following the alleged assault of a house officer while on duty.
In a letter dated June 1, 2026, the association said the affected doctor, Joanne Husseini, was allegedly assaulted during official duty at the hospital.
The NMA condemned the incident, stating that healthcare workers should not be subjected to intimidation or assault while carrying out their professional responsibilities.
The association further noted that the incident was not the first of its kind at the facility and announced the immediate withdrawal of clinical services by doctors until concerns raised by the house officers are addressed.
Recall also that a particular incident occurred at the Federal Medical Centre, Bida where a nurse on duty was molested by some youths alleging that the nurse criticised the leadership nature of the present administration.
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