•Prof Muhammad Pate

The amounts of money spent by Nigerians travelling abroad for medical treatments surged to $549.29 million in the first nine months of 2025, a 17.96 percent increase from $465.67 million in the same period of 2024.

This is despite repeated pledges by the federal government to improve local healthcare infrastructure and reduce dependence on treatments abroad.

The figure, stated in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) quarterly statistical bulletin for Q3 2025 , shows sustained growth in medical-related travel expenses.

In the breakdown, Nigerians spent $151.53 million in Q1 2025, $189.41million in Q2, and $208.35 million in Q3, bringing the nine-month total to $549.29 million. By comparison, the same period in 2024 recorded $142.95 million, $153.67 million, and $169.04 million, respectively.

The increase underscores persistent demand for healthcare abroad, particularly for critical treatments such as cardiovascular procedures and other specialised care.

In August 2023, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, pledged to prioritise health security and reduce outward medical travels.

The Federal Ministry of Health has directed the immediate retirement of all directors who have served at least eight years in the directorate cadre, effective from December 31, 2025.

The directive, outlined in a memo signed by Tetshoma Dafeta, Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, enforces the eight-year tenure policy for directors as stipulated in Section 020909 of the Revised Public Service Rules 2021.

It applies to directors across the ministry, federal hospitals, agencies, and parastatals under its supervision.

The move aligns with a broader Federal Government circular from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, which reiterated the compulsory retirement rule for directors (Grade Level 17 or equivalent) after eight years in the position, as part of efforts to ensure compliance across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

The policy has sparked concerns from the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), which has criticized what it describes as selective implementation of retirement age reviews in the health sector.

JOHESU argues that such policies favor certain cadres over others, potentially undermining equity, teamwork, morale, and overall efficiency in healthcare delivery.

The ministry’s action follows recent government-wide enforcement of tenure limits for senior civil servants, including permanent secretaries. Affected directors are to be disengaged immediately, with institutions required to implement the directive without delay.

World Health Organization (WHO) data reported that more than 95,000 people have died by suicide globally since the start of 2026.

According to Worldometer, the figure as of the time of this report, stands at 95, 406 so far in 2026.

The early-year toll highlights the continuing scale of suicide as a major global public health challenge.

WHO estimates show that about 727, 000 people die by suicide every year worldwide, with millions more attempting to take their own lives.

Health experts note that while annual suicide figures are usually released with a reporting delay, real-time counters help illustrate how frequently lives are lost to a largely preventable cause.

Suicide occurs across all regions and age groups, but WHO data indicate that it remains one of the leading causes of death among young people aged 15 to 29, ranking third globally in that age group in 2021.

The impact extends far beyond individuals, leaving long-lasting emotional, social and economic consequences for families, communities and entire nations.

Contrary to common assumptions, suicide is not limited to high-income countries.

WHO reports that nearly three-quarters (73%) of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries, where access to mental health care and social support services is often limited.

While suicide is closely linked to mental health conditions such as depression and alcohol use disorders, particularly in high-income countries,WHO notes that many suicides occur impulsively during moments of acute crisis.

These crises may stem from financial stress, relationship conflicts, chronic pain, illness, exposure to violence, displacement, or a profound sense of isolation.

Certain vulnerable populations face disproportionately higher risks, including refugees and migrants, indigenous peoples, LGBTI persons, prisoners, and others who experience discrimination, social exclusion or limited access to support services.

WHO stresses that suicide is preventable and requires a coordinated public health response rather than isolated interventions.

Evidence-based and often low-cost measures, such as restricting access to lethal means, promoting responsible media reporting, strengthening life skills among adolescents, and ensuring early identification and follow-up care for those at risk, have been shown to save