The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, expressed the commitment in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, emphasising the agency’s readiness to address potential threats.

HMPV outbreak has overwhelmed hospitals in China, sparking global concern.

Videos circulating on social media depict overcrowded waiting rooms and strained healthcare systems, raising alarm in parts of Asia and beyond.

Idris said that the NCDC was collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to monitor global developments and take proactive measures to ensure that Nigeria remained prepared.

Dispelling public concern, he said that the World Health Organization, WHO, had not declared HMPV a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, PHEIC.

He said that Nigeria’s National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance, NISS, system had not detected any unusual increase in respiratory infections locally.

Although no cases of HMPV have been reported in Nigeria, Idris said that the NCDC had ramped up surveillance efforts nationwide.

The DG said that the agency had enhanced monitoring for respiratory infections, including HMPV, at sentinel sites across the country.

He also urged healthcare providers to report any unusual spikes in respiratory illnesses,  while stressing the importance of preventive measures, such as regular handwashing, mask-wearing in crowded spaces, and staying home when unwell.

The WHO has acknowledged the rise in acute respiratory infections in China, particularly among children, as reported by China’s National Health Commission.

However, the UN Health Organisation has not released specific data on HMPV.

Health experts describe HMPV as a known virus with established immunity in the population.

While it can cause severe illness in vulnerable groups, it does not pose the same global threat as COVID-19.

Meanwhile, India’s Health Ministry held an emergency meeting to review the rising cases of HMPV, reassuring the public that there is no immediate cause for alarm.

Similarly, Malaysia has reported a notable increase in cases and is stepping up monitoring efforts.

China, on the other hand, has downplayed the outbreak, describing it as less severe than in previous years and attributing the rise in infections to the winter season.

Despite reassurances, concerns persist over China’s transparency, drawing comparisons to the initial handling of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2019.

Dr Sanjaya Senanayake, an infectious disease expert from the Australian National University, underscored the need for data sharing.

“It is vital for China to share its data on this outbreak in a timely manner.

“We need genomic data confirming that HMPV is the culprit and that there are no significant mutations of concern. Such data will also guide vaccine development,” Senanayake said.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, reported a rise in HMPV cases, with positive test rates doubling in December.

Nearly 300 cases were recorded in the last week of the month.

The USCDC, however, said that the outbreak in China was not a cause for concern, but confirmed ongoing monitoring of developments.

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NAN recalls that HMPV, first identified in 2001, is part of the Pneumoviridae family, which also includes respiratory syncytial virus, RSV.

The virus causes upper and lower respiratory infections with symptoms similar to a cold or flu, such as coughing, fever, sore throat, and in severe cases, wheezing or difficult breathing.

The virus poses the highest risk to young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems or chronic respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD.

HMPV spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, close contact such as handshakes, and touching contaminated surfaces before touching the face.

Meanwhile, the USCDC advised the public to adopt certain measures to reduce the risk of HMPV and other respiratory infections.

“Wash hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching the face with unwashed hands. Wear masks in crowded areas during outbreaks. Stay home when unwell to prevent spreading the virus,” it said.

The NCDC has joined international calls for transparency and collaboration to mitigate potential health threats posed by HMPV.

As global health agencies monitor developments, the emphasis remains on preventive measures and vigilance to protect vulnerable populations.

While HMPV is not a new virus, its potential to cause severe illness in at-risk groups underscores the importance of public health preparedness and international cooperation.

Source: NAN

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The announcement was made on Thursday in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale.

NACA was domiciled in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

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He explained that the relocation of NACA to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is to foster synergy and enhance collaboration in pursuit of the nation’s goal to achieve the 95-95-95 pathway for ending the AIDS epidemic.

Ngelale said in line with his topmost priority of manifesting the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration across sectors, the president was determined to consistently harmonize institutions within and between the different sectors in the country, ensuring improved coordination and synergy among agencies for efficient and qualitative service delivery to all Nigerians.

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The association gave the notice on Saturday in a letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, FMOH.

The letter which has “Notice of Nationwide Mass Protests and Picketing” as its title by NARD was signed by its president, Dr. Emeka Orji and  Secretary-General, Dr Chikezie Kelechi.

According to the doctors, it was the decision of the National Executive Council of NARD to embark on such action.

“We wish to bring to your notice, the decision of the National Executive Council of NARD to embark on daily peaceful protests and picketing of FMOH, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.”

It added that all federal and state tertiary health institutions nationwide, would be affected by the strike which takes effect from August 9 at 10.00 a.m.

“This has become necessary to press home our demands which have been largely neglected by our parent ministry and the federal government.

“We are pained that rather than make genuine and concerted efforts to resolve the challenges that led to the industrial action in spite of repeated ultimatums, our parent ministry and the federal government have chosen to demonise Nigerian resident doctors instead, after all their sacrifices and patriotism.

“We therefore resolved that it is time the whole world hears our side of the story, the decay and corruption in the health sector as well as the neglect, the public health institutions have suffered all these years that led to repeated industrial actions,” it stated.

READ ALSO: Doctor’s death: Police confirm arrest of three persons in Lagos

The association, however, said that it believed that the government still had time to genuinely address the issues at stake before August 9, or leave it with no other option.

The resident doctors embarked on indefinite strike on July 26.

The major demands of the association are immediate payment of 2023 Medical  Residency Training Fund, MRTF, immediate release of the circular on one-for-one replacement and payment of skipping arrears.

Others are the upward review of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS, in line with full salary restoration to the 2014 value of CONMESS and payment of the arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum wage to the omitted doctors.

Also demanded is reversal of the downgrading of the membership certificate by Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN.

Other demands include the payment of MRTF, new hazard allowance, skipping and implementation of corrected CONMESS in State Tertiary Health Institutions and payment of omitted hazard allowance arrears.

Meanwhile, the federal government had on Tuesday through a letter to all concerned issued a ‘no work, no pay’ policy following the doctors’ on-going strike.

The action is to serve as deterrent to other health workers.

Source: NAN

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Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, gave the warning on Tuesday in Abuja, shortly after receiving a letter of notification from the NARD executive on the planned strike.

Ngige said this in a statement signed by Mr Olajide Oshundun, Director, Press and Public Relations in the  ministry while the planned strike as illegal.

The impending industrial action is billed to begin by midnight of May 16.

Ngige who was reacting to the letter, delivered to his office at about 5 p.m. same day, said he contacted the Minister of Health, who informed him that a meeting had been scheduled with the resident doctors on Wednesday.

He therefore advised the doctors to avail themselves of the  opportunity for social dialogue with their employer, rather than embark on warning strike, which is unknown to the law.

According to him, “I will advise them to attend the meeting with the Minister of Health tomorrow.  I will also advise them very strongly not to go on five-day warning strike.

“There is nothing like warning strike. A strike is a strike. If they want to take that risk, the options are there. It is their decision. They have the right to strike. You cannot deny them that right.

“But their employer has another right under Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act, to withhold their pay for those five days. So, if the NARD has strike funds to pay their members for those five days, no problem.

“The Health Minister will instruct the teaching hospitals to employ adhoc people for those five days and they will use the money of the people who went on strike to pay the adhoc doctors.

“That is the ILO principles at decent work, especially for those rendering essential services. Lives should be protected. One of my sons is a resident doctor, I will advise him to go to work and sign the attendance register,” he said.

He added that the people seen at work are the ones to receive their pay.

“If you don’t work, there will be no pay,” he said.

On the five demands of the doctors, Ngige said the federal government lacked the powers to compel the states to domesticate the Medical Residency Training Fund, MRTF.

He added that health is in the residual list, where both the federal and state governments have the powers to legislate.

The minister also stated that the job of the federal government was to make policy and where the states disagree, they were at liberty to make their own policy.

He noted that the federal government could not bully the states into domesticating the MRTF if they did not want to.

Regarding the issue of immediate payment of the MRTF to their members, he said it was appropriated in the 2023 budget, but had not been released, as the 2022 budget was still running.

He added that those in 2022 had all been paid.

Ngige denied the claim by NARD that the federal government did not pay minimum wage consequential adjustment arrears to their members.

He added that, all workers in the Education and Health Sectors,  and even the defense agencies benefitted from the adjustment.

He noted that the doctors could not declare nationwide strike because some states were owing their members, pointing out that the federal government could not also dabble into the issue, being a state matter.

Ngige also said the federal government as the Executive arm of government could not intervene in the bill at the National Assembly to bond doctors for five years, as it was a private member’s bill.

According to him, any intervention by the executive on the matter impinges on the autonomy and independence of the legislative arm of government.

Ngige noted that the bill had passed through first and second reading, adding that he was sure it would be shot down at the public hearing, since the law prohibits forced labour.

He advised the doctors not to talk about 200 per cent pay rise, as it was not feasible.

“Besides all the government has done for doctors and other workers in the health sector, such as upward review of hazard allowances, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) was already negotiating with the Federal Ministry of Health, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and the Presidential Committee on Salaries on pay rise for doctors.

“It is incongruous for  student doctors to embark on strike when consultants training them were already negotiating with the federal government,” he said.

Source: NAN

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The NCDC said this via its verified website on Tuesday morning, adding that Kaduna reported 199 cases and Abuja 120.

It said Kwara recorded 20; Abia-14; Rivers-11; Gombe-9; Katsina-9; Bauchi-6; Edo-3 and Cross River-2.

The NCDC added that three reporting centres accounted for 596 cases, 89 per cent of the total number of cases for January 3.

The Nigerian public health agency added that 19 of the 199 confirmed cases reported for Kaduna State were logged this year, while 180 cases were for some days in December 2021.

According to NCDC, Kaduna recorded additional 65 cases on December 20, 2021, 70 cases on December 22, 2021 and 45 cases on December 23, 2021.

It explained that 109 of the 120 cases in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, were recorded on January 2.

Only 11 cases were reported on January 3.

It added that Abia confirmed 14 cases for January 2.

There was no data from the state for Monday.

“175 Discharged cases reported for Kaduna State were for January 1 (45), January 2 (60) and January 3 (70).

“Also 52 discharged cases reported for Abia State were for January 2, 163 discharged cases reported for FCT were for January 2 (4) and January 3 (159) with 150 community discharges,” the NCDC stated.

It said six persons were said to have died from COVID-19 complications.

It added that the country had registered 3,045 deaths since the pandemic started in February 2020.

It noted that the country had recorded a total of 244,120 confirmed cases in the 36 states and the FCT.

The agency said 828 persons were discharged on Thursday, raising the recovery figure in the country to 216,180.

The NCDC said as of Monday, the number of active cases in the country had decreased to 24,895 from 25,111, on Sunday.

It said 3,823,309 people had been tested for the virus.

Source: NAN

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It also reported one COVID-19-related death.

The centre said that Lagos State, the epicentre of the disease, ranked first on the log with 550 cases.

The agency noted that with the new cases registered , the infection toll from the virus rose to 242,341 while the death toll now stands at 3,031 cases.

It added that 214,296 Nigerians had been successfully treated and discharged nationwide, while over 24,000 people were still down with the virus.

The centre said Oyo State recorded 87 cases while the federal Capital Territory, FCT, recorded 69 cases.

Others are Kwara, 31; Akwa Ibom, 22; Bauchi, 19; Ekiti, 16; Delta  11 cases.

The centre said Kaduna State reported 10 cases while Ogun and Anambra reported three cases each.

Plateau and Bayelsa states recorded two cases each and Nasarawa, Katsina and Jigawa states reported one case each.

The NCDC that 3,823,309 people had been tested for the virus.

Source: NAN

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Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of health, said this in a statement in Abuja.

According to him, with short shelf lives of only few months it leaves the country very short time and some weeks to use them.

He said that donors often give away unused vaccines before they expire in their own stock.

Ehanire added that at times, logistic bottlenecks in the country could make some of them to expire before usage.

“Nigeria has of late enjoyed the generosity of several, mainly European countries, who have offered us doses of COVID-19 vaccines out of their stockpiles, free of charge, through COVAX or AVAT facility.

“These donations are always acknowledged and thankfully received.

“However, some of them have residual shelf lives of only few months that left us very short time, some just weeks, to use them, after deduction of time to transport, clear, distribute and deliver to users.

“If such vaccines arrive back-to-back or are many, logistic bottlenecks occasionally arise.

“We appreciate the kind gesture of donors, but we also communicate the challenge of short shelf lives,” he said.

Ehanire said that some manufacturers offered to extend the vaccine shelf life by three months.

He said the practice, though accepted by experts, was declined by the Federal Ministry of Health, because it was not accommodated in its standards.

The minister said that the donation of surplus COVID-19 vaccines with expiring shelf lives to developing countries had been a matter of international discussion.

He said that developing countries like Nigeria accepted the vaccines because of vaccine supply gaps and, being free, save scarce foreign exchange procurement cost.

“This dilemma is not typical to Nigeria, but a situation in which many low- and medium-income countries find themselves,” he added.

According to him, donors also recognise a need to give away unused vaccines, before they expire in their own stock.

Ehanire said the donors needed to begin the process early enough and create a well-oiled pathway for prompt shipment and distribution through the COVAX and AVAT facilities, to reduce the risk of expiration.

He said that with better coordination, vaccines needed not expire in the stock of donors or recipients.

The minister, however, assured that Nigeria did not dispense vaccines with a validity extended beyond labelled expiry date, but continued to adhere to rigorous standards.

He said that Nigeria had utilised most of the over 10 million short-shelf-life doses of COVID-19 vaccines so far supplied, in good time, and saved N16.4 billion or more than US$40 million in foreign exchange.

“The vaccines that expired had been withdrawn before then, and will be destroyed accordingly, by the National Agency for Food, Drug  Administration and Control (NAFDAC ),” he said.

Ehanire stated that FMOH shared its experience with partners regularly and now politely declined all vaccine donations with short shelf life or those that could not be delivered on time.

He said that the long-term measure to prevent such incident was for Nigeria to produce its own vaccines, so that vaccines produced had at least 12 months of expiration date.

“This is why the FMOH is collaborating with stakeholders to fast-track establishment of indigenous vaccine manufacturing capacity.

Ehanire said that was a goal the ministry was pursuing with dedication.

Source: NAN

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The 74 new cases reported on Sunday indicated a decrease of 14 from the 89 cases reported nationwide on Saturday.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, said on Monday that the 74 new infections were recorded in eight states of the federation.

It said also that one new death was recorded.

It stated that Benue reported the highest number of new infections with 49 cases, followed by Enugu and Osun states with six cases each.

Kano State reported five new infections; Oyo reported four infections; FCT had two infections, while Bayelsa and Ogun States had one each.

Out of the 211,961 infections, 203,121 cases have been treated and discharged.

Total death toll nationwide stands at 2,896.

The NCDC added that currently, there were 5,817 active Coronavirus cases in the country.

It stated also that 3,298,966 blood samples had been tested since the pandemic began in 2020.

Source: NAN

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The NCDC disclosed this in its daily COVID-19 report on Sunday  morning.

The 89 cases reported on Saturday indicate a decrease from the 120 cases reported on October 29.

The agency said the number of confirmed cases had reached 211,887, with 203,080 discharged and 2,895 deaths in the 36 states and FCT.

The NCDC data showed that Bauchi topped the list of infections with 22 new cases, followed by Edo and the FCT with 17 cases respectively.

Other states with new infections are Lagos 15, Plateau 10, Kaduna 4, Taraba 2, Bayelsa and Delta 1 each.

NCDC said report from Taraba State for October 28 showed two confirmed cases and 46 discharged while on October 29, there were 28 confirmed and 18 discharged cases.

It said that the report from Bauchi State indicated 22 confirmed cases, one on October 29 and 21 on October 30, 10 discharged cases confirmed, five each on October 29 and October 30 respectively.

It said that only one discharged case was reported from Lagos State on October 29.

The NCDC stated that Sokoto reported zero case on Saturday.

The public health agency noted that a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 2, continued to coordinate the national response activities.

“There are currently 5,814 active coronavirus cases in the country while a total of 3,298,966 blood samples have been tested since the pandemic began across the country,” the agency said.

In week  42, the number of new confirmed cases decreased to 1,162 from 1,604 reported in week 41.

These were reported in 28 states and the FCT.

In week 42, the number of discharged cases increased to 5,236 from 1,869 in week 41.

These were also reported in 18 states and the FCT.

They include community discharges reported from Edo and Lagos states.

There were 45 deaths reported in the last one week.

Cumulatively since the outbreak began in Week 9, 2020, there have been 210,460 cases and 2,882 deaths reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 1.4 per cent.

In week 42, the number of in-bound international travellers tested was 2,894 of which 25 were positive compared to 34 (out of 3,673 tested) in week 41.

In the same week, the number of out-bound international travellers tested was 4,541 of which 65 were positive compared to 77 (out of 5,923 tested) in week 41.

Source: NAN

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As the globe celebrates World Stroke Day on October 29, annually marked to raise awareness on the health challenge, there is the need to note the risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes, among others, and know the symptoms so as to act fast, as experts emphasise the essence of prompt intervention to tackle the condition.

Also called Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), there are three types of stroke, namely — Ischemic Stroke, where part of the body loses blood flow, Hemorrhagic stroke, where bleeding occurs in the brain, or Mini-Stroke, where symptoms resolve within minutes or take up to 24 hours to clear.

The symptoms of stroke include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.

Some other symptoms are: sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, or sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.

From the onset of stroke symptoms, also known as “Brain Attack’’, there is only a three to four-and half hour window to use clot-busting drugs (thrombolytics) to try to restore blood supply to affected part of the brain.

People at risk for stroke include those who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and those who smoke.

Others are people with heart rhythm disturbances, especially atrial fibrillation.

Stroke is diagnosed through the patient’s symptoms, history, blood and imaging tests.

Depending on the situation, including the patient’s neurologic examination and severity of stroke, mechanical thrombectomy to remove a blood clot in a brain artery may occur up to 24 hours after onset of symptoms, a procedure that is not available at all hospitals and not appropriate for all stroke patients.

Consequently, one can quit smoking to prevent stroke, control blood pressure, maintain healthy weight, eat healthy diet and exercise regularly.

This is because recovery for a person that has suffered a stroke depends on the location of the injury to the brain, therefore, always remember the acronym  — FAST — if you think someone is having a stroke: F for Face drooping, A for Arm weakness, S for speech difficulty and T for Time to call 911.

Source: NAN

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