News
95% Of Fever Cases In Lagos Not Malaria – Commissioner
Published
1 month agoon
By
Editor
Data now shows an astounding 95 out of every 100 fevers experienced in Lagos are not caused by malaria, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi says.
The critical finding is at the heart of a new, multi-pronged approach to fever management, designed to combat misdiagnosis and, crucially, to avert a looming crisis of antimicrobial resistance.
Abayomi said this at a three-day Study Kick-Off of Pathway to Pre-Elimination and Digitization Project in Lagos state.
The focus was Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test and Microscopy Comparative Study & Assessment of PPMVS’ Capacity to Manage Malaria and Febrile Illnesses.
Abayomi said: “We need to get malaria out of the region.
“It is very, very important that we do that once and for all, perform the mind shift in our healthcare providers that on average, 95 out of every 100 fevers that you may see are not caused by malaria.”
“For too long, the default response to fever in Lagos, and indeed nationwide, had been to administer anti-malarial drugs, often without proper diagnostic testing.”
READ ALSO:Worshippers Escape Death As Building Collapses On Church In Lagos
This practice, the commissioner warned, was not only wasteful but dangerous.
According to him, the widespread, often unnecessary use of anti-malarials and antibiotics is accelerating Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), a global threat where common infections become untreatable.
“We are really sitting on a very major problem of microbial resistance. And we have to be careful how we dispense antimicrobials and how we dispense antibiotics.”
He cited recent research indicating significant AMR in animals, with 60 per cent of human infections originating from them, stressing the interconnectedness of the problem.
Under the new “test, treat, and track” pathway/strategy, he said that Lagos residents presenting with fever will first undergo a Rapid Diagnostic Test for malaria.
“ If the result is negative, which is anticipated for the vast majority, healthcare providers will then conduct thorough examinations and investigations to pinpoint the true cause of the fever, be it pneumonia, gastroenteritis, or other infections.’
“The ministry is also tightening regulations on pharmacies.
READ ALSO:Tinubu Hosts Gov Adeleke, Deji Adeleke, Davido In Lagos
“It is illegal to walk into a pharmacy and say, give me an antimalarial, or give me an antibiotic without a doctor’s, or healthcare practitioner’s, accredited healthcare practitioner’s certificate.”
Underscoring the urgency of the situation, he urged the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria to enforce this, stressing, “If we don’t stop that practice, we are going to be the capital of antimicrobial resistance”.
To combat this, the ministry, with support from a World Bank grant, and in collaboration with the Prof. Wellington Oyibo’s Research Team, is instituting an evidence-based “test, treat, and track” pathway for fever management.
“The cornerstone of this approach is rigorous testing for malaria first.
“If negative—which is expected for over 90 per cent of cases in Lagos—healthcare providers are then mandated to investigate other potential causes of the fever, ranging from common colds to more serious bacterial or viral infections like E. coli, salmonella, or dengue.”
Oyibo, Director of the Centre for Transdisciplinary Research for Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases, who explained to the News Agency of Nigeria the grave consequences of not testing, also underscored the severity of misdiagnosis.
READ ALSO:From 158 To 351: Lagos Teen Excels In UTME After Initial Glitch
Oyibo, the study Coordinator, said: “If it’s a child that has pneumonia, pneumonia will present just the way you see some symptoms of malaria presenting.
“And you now give anti-malaria medicine without a test. What will happen to that child? That child will die quickly of pneumonia.”
According to Oyibo, key strategy to eliminating malaria in the state also includes a policy shift toward Rapid Diagnostic Tests over traditional microscopy due to RDTs’ proven accuracy and operational feasibility in low-resource settings.
He noted that Lagos state was the only state that epidemiological parameters qualified as a state at pre-elimination.
“This is significant milestone in the history of Nigeria but fever and other malaria-like symptoms, which are non-specific to malaria, are still diagnosed as malaria. this forms a significant contribution to high malaria burden reporting.
“This bold initiative aims to usher in an era of evidence-based medicine, where intellectual capacity and accurate diagnosis protect society from the cascading harms of incorrect treatment and drug resistance.”
(NAN)
You may like
Man Arrested For Dumping Refuse On Lagos Road Median
BREAKING: Protest rocks Lagos Assembly As APC Members Demand Chairman’s Removal
Lagos Govt Warns Against False Oba-elect Claims In Epe
Bariga LCDA Renames Charly Boy Bus Stop After Olamide
LASG Lists Five Council Roads For Completion By Year-end
Rampaging Cultists Hack Three To Death In Lagos
News
NAS Offers Free Medical Services To Over 800 Residents In Imo Community
Published
1 hour agoon
August 3, 2025By
Editor
National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has provided free medical services to more than 800 residents of the Orogwe community in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State as part of the association’s humanitarian service.
The medical mission, held at the National Primary Healthcare Centre, was part of the association’s 49th National Konverge and Annual General Meeting in Owerri.
The event offered diagnosis, treatment, and essential medications to hundreds of community members, many of whom had been unable to access healthcare due to financial hardship.
NAS Cap’n, Dr Joseph Oteri, said the initiative was part of the confraternity’s broader vision to support vulnerable communities and bring healthcare directly to those most in need.
“This programme targets those who ordinarily cannot afford basic healthcare, especially treatment for non-communicable diseases,” Oteri said.
READ ALSO: Seadogs Champions Social Justice Through Inaugural Art Exhibition In Owerri
“Today, we attended to a child with a serious condition. Thankfully, we had a paediatrician on the ground who stabilised her and referred her to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri. We’ve also identified a few cases that will require surgery, and we plan to support their hospital bills.”
He emphasised that NAS, formed in 1952 by seven young idealists including Imo-born Ralph Opara, has evolved into a formidable force for social advocacy, committed to humanitarian and civic interventions.
Dispelling common misconceptions about the association, Oteri said: “We are not a cult group. We exist to protect the downtrodden and drive positive societal change.”
The association’s Chief Programme Officer, Chief Bart Akelemor, echoed this commitment, stressing that the NAS legacy is one of access, equity, and community service.
“Our mission is to promote a just society where citizens can access resources such as healthcare, education, and employment,” Akelemor said.
READ ALSO: Seadogs Want FG Declares State Of Emergency On Kidnapping As Insecurity Worsens Nationwide
“With Nigeria’s growing population and the acute shortage of doctors and functioning medical facilities in rural areas, bringing this medical outreach to Orogwe is both timely and necessary.”
According to him, 41 volunteer doctors, drawn from across Nigeria and the diaspora, participated in the programme, attending to hundreds of patients with ailments ranging from malaria and hypertension to vision and dental issues.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Chizoba Igwe, who received treatment for malaria, described the initiative as a “life-saving intervention.”
“With the way things are in the country now, I couldn’t afford hospital bills or medication,” she said.
“This free treatment is a big relief. Many people here share the same feeling.”
READ ALSO: Seadogs Pyrates Provide Free Medical Services To Benin Residents
Another resident, Mrs Mmesoma Njoku, received medicated glasses after undergoing an eye test.
“I’ve been struggling with my sight for a while, but couldn’t go to the hospital because of money. Today, I not only got tested, but they gave me glasses that now help me read tiny print. I am truly grateful,” she said.
NAS Medical Pyrate, Dr Chiazor Odoemene, confirmed that over 800 residents were treated during the outreach, with critical cases referred to public hospitals for further management.
Beyond healthcare, the association also launched an arts exhibition aimed at promoting awareness around good governance, security, poverty alleviation, and Nigeria’s path to a more prosperous future.
The medical outreach has been lauded as a meaningful complement to the efforts of the Imo State Government in improving healthcare access and delivery, particularly in underserved areas.
News
2027: Otuaro Urges N’Delta Youth To Resist Politicians’ Ploy To Destabilise Region
Published
2 hours agoon
August 3, 2025By
Editor
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has warned ex-agitators in the Niger Delta to resist being manipulated by desperate politicians plotting to destabilise peace in the Niger Delta, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of a three-day strategic Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation training organised by the PAP in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, Otuaro expressed concern over the recent rise in politically-charged rhetoric and some politicians’ coordinated attempt to pit ex-agitators and beneficiaries of the programme against the Federal Government.
In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Igoniko Oduma, on Sunday, he added that such moves were “reckless and unnecessary,” especially in light of President Bola Tinubu’s demonstrable commitment to the region.
READ ALSO:Otuaro Lauds President Yar’Adua For Establishing Presidential Amnesty Programme
“There is no basis for anyone to cause destabilisation. We can all see the commitment of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to the Presidential Amnesty Programme. Ex-agitators and beneficiaries in general should not be deceived and distracted by some politicians,” Otuaro told the ex-agitators and stakeholders.
He cautioned that any calls for confrontation or disaffection at this time were “not only misplaced but also harmful to the gains we have recorded,” urging stakeholders to focus on peace, stability, and progress in the region.
According to Otuaro, the Tinubu administration has backed its support with tangible action.
“Be assured that nobody will do it better than President Tinubu. As Niger Delta people, we have to thank the President for his genuine love for the Presidential Amnesty Programme and our region as a whole.
READ ALSO:Group Urges Public To Disregard Reports Of Rift Between Otuaro And King Ateke
“The President has expanded the budget of the programme, allowing us to reach more beneficiaries and strengthen our reintegration and rehabilitation initiatives,” he stated.
He also pointed out that the inclusion of Niger Delta citizens in key federal positions was further evidence of Tinubu’s goodwill.
“Furthermore, Niger Deltans have been appointed to strategic positions in key ministries and agencies. This level of inclusion is unprecedented and deserves acknowledgement. All we need to do is to be united for the President,” Otuaro declared.
The PAP boss, who presented certificates to participants of the training and later hosted them at a reception at the PAP headquarters, reiterated his commitment to sustaining peace and building human capital in the region.
He further called on traditional rulers, community leaders, and other stakeholders to keep sensitising the youth to reject political manipulation, stating that “Lasting progress can only be achieved through cooperation, not conflict.”
News
Afenifere Hails UN For Declaring July 7 World Amotekun Day
Published
3 hours agoon
August 3, 2025By
Editor
The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on Sunday, commended the United Nations following its declaration of July 7 of every year as “World Amotekun Day.”
Afenifere’s position was contained in a statement released by its national publicity secretary, Jare Ajayi, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
It would be recalled that Amotekun’s formal recognition by the UN was made public last week by the President of the World Peace, Ambassador Peer Stafsen, while presenting the certificate of affiliation to the Commandant of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, in Akure, the state capital.
Represented by the Director of Information and Communications of the association, Ambassador Markwili Mgbara, Stafsen said the recognition was due to the activities of Amotekun corps in “promoting safety and protecting lives and property across Nigeria’s South-West region.”
The affiliation certificate was issued under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the International Association of World Peace Advocacy.
READ ALSO:Osun Amotekun Arrest Three Over ₦4.5m Steel Theft, Others For Burglary
Afenifere’s statement said the recognition of Amotekun by the UN was unprecedented in this part of the globe.
“Amotekun’s invitation to attend meetings of the body’s affiliates on security and human rights is a big morale booster.
“It is also a testament that those who brought it about and have been sustaining it were exemplary, as further attested to by some states in Nigeria who have shown interest in replicating the concept in their respective areas.
“The World Peace is part of the global body, the UN. Ondo State is significant on the issue of Amotekun as its former Governor, late Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), was pivotal in the establishment of the corps.
READ ALSO: Amotekun Arrests Suspected Drug Kingpin In Ogun
“With this recognition, the South-West Security Network (Amotekun) will now be officially attending the United Nations’ annual general meeting starting with the one coming up in New York, United States of America, on September 22, 2025, which will mark the 80th anniversary of the global body,” the statement partly read.
Afenifere said the certification of the security outfit confirmed the affiliation of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps as a trained security unit recognised by the UN.
Ajayi also lauded the late former Governor Akeredolu, who, along with his fellow governors in the South-West, then were steadfast in ensuring that the security outfit took off and was sustained, in spite of the obstacles placed on its ways in various guises.
“Amotekun was launched on January 9, 2020, in Ibadan, Oyo State, by the governors of the South West, i.e. Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo States.
READ ALSO:My Wife Arrested Me With Amotekun ‘For Owing Bank N500,000’ —Husband
“The establishment of the security outfit emanated from the regional security summit that took place in Ibadan in June 2019 under the auspices of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission,” Ajayi stated.
Afenifere’s spokesperson submitted that the formal invitation to attend annual security meeting is a clear indication that the establishment of the outfit was a very good step to take.
He recalled that Amotekun, in its early formation, faced a lot of avoidable challenges, especially from the Federal Government then led by the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
READ ALSO:Protest In Osun Over Alleged Amotekun’s Arrest, Detention Of Community Chiefs
Ajayi praised the governors in the region for not succumbing to intimidation then.
In his words, “Their not succumbing to intimidation has helped greatly in checking crimes in the region and in reducing the menace of armed bandits, including unscrupulous Fulani herders who are making going to farms perilous.”
The national publicity secretary then called on the governments of the southwestern states to leverage on the latest international recognition.
“We seize this opportunity to also call for an expeditious action on the establishment of state police and the provision of all that is needed to ensure that crime and banditry are reduced to the barest minimum,” he added.
- NAS Offers Free Medical Services To Over 800 Residents In Imo Community
- We May Not Have A Country If APC Retains Power In 2027 – El-Rufa’i Warns
- 2027: Otuaro Urges N’Delta Youth To Resist Politicians’ Ploy To Destabilise Region
- Opposition Will Collapse In Edo Before 2027, Says Okpebholo
- Afenifere Hails UN For Declaring July 7 World Amotekun Day
- Seadogs Champions Social Justice Through Inaugural Art Exhibition In Owerri
- UNICEF, U-Report Build Capacity Of Youth Advocates On Child-Friendly Budgeting
- Hotel Under Construction Collapses In Edo Kills Owner
- Anambra guber: Soludo Raises Alarm, Alledges Plot By APC To Manipulate Election
- 7 Essential Blood Tests Every Adult Should Take Regularly
Trending
- Entertainment5 days ago
Reactions As 2Face Idibia Weds New Lover, Natasha Osawaru [VIDEO]
- Entertainment5 days ago
BBNaija 10: We Were Close To Having Sex – Isabella Breaks Down In Tears Over Love Interest, Kayikunmi
- Entertainment5 days ago
‘I Have Nothing Left,’ Actor Don Richard Solicits Financial Help Amid Battle With Kidney Disease [VIDEO]
- News4 days ago
BREAKING: Tinubu Appoints New Federal Fire Service Boss
- News5 days ago
‘Too Extravagant,’ US Embassy Knocks Nigerian Govs For Lavish Spending
- News3 days ago
[OPINION] The Gaffe And The Uproar: Okpebholo In The Public Eye
- News1 day ago
JUST IN: NNPCL Boss, Ojulari Allegedly Forced To Resign
- News2 days ago
Group Rejects Bill Seeking To Install Ooni, Sultan As Permanent Co-chairmen, Council Of Traditional Rulers
- Entertainment5 days ago
Burna Boy Performs During England Women’s Euro Trophy Parade [VIDEO]
- Metro2 days ago
How We Killed Nurse, Child In Abuja School After Collecting Ransom – Suspect