Major Health Stories Across Nigeria (February 2025 Edition)

February 2025 was marked by vital coverage selections, authorities interventions, and rising well being challenges shaping Nigeria’s healthcare sector. From essential funding approvals geared toward mitigating the influence of dwindling international support to a surge in infectious ailments, the month highlighted the nation’s ongoing struggles and efforts to strengthen its well being system.

Right here’s a take a look at a number of the most vital well being tales in February.

FEC approves billions for HIV therapy, well being sector reform

In response to the continuing uncertainty surrounding US HIV funding, the Federal Government Council (FEC) accepted N4.8 billion to assist HIV therapy programmes in Nigeria.

The funds are geared toward making certain continued entry to life-saving antiretroviral remedy for folks residing with HIV, significantly because the nation works to strengthen its home response amid international funding uncertainties.

The FEC is headed by Nigeria’s president and consists of all his ministers. It additionally accepted a further N1.07 billion to finance the healthcare sector reforms beneath the Human Capital Alternatives for Prosperity and Fairness (HOPE) programme.

Well being specialists have recommended the transfer however warn that sustained monetary dedication and environment friendly useful resource allocation might be essential for its long-term influence.

Nigerian govt to soak up 28,000 well being staff previously paid by USAID

In a welcomed growth, the Nigerian authorities introduced plans to retain 28,000 well being staff whose salaries have been beforehand lined by the USAID, whose actions have been halted by US President Donald Trump.

That is a part of efforts to scale back Nigeria’s reliance on international support and take cost of its healthcare system.

Over 12 million ladies immunised towards cervical most cancers

In February, the Nigerian authorities introduced that over 12 million Nigerian ladies have been immunised towards cervical most cancers as a part of the nation’s expanded vaccination programme.

The initiative, launched in 2023, goals to guard younger ladies from Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the first reason behind cervical most cancers.

Well being officers have emphasised the necessity to maintain vaccination efforts, significantly in rural areas the place entry to immunisation stays restricted.

In Nigeria, cervical most cancers is the third commonest most cancers and the second most frequent reason behind most cancers deaths amongst ladies aged between 15 and 44 years. In line with WHO, Nigeria recorded 12,000 circumstances and eight,000 deaths from cervical most cancers in 2020.

Nigerians with Albinism Dying of Pores and skin Most cancers Resulting from Healthcare Gaps

In February, PREMIUM TIMES revealed a report highlighting the dire healthcare challenges confronted by Nigerians with albinism, a lot of whom die prematurely as a consequence of lack of entry to pores and skin most cancers therapy.

Three to 5 individuals with albinism die of pores and skin most cancers each six months, and solely two per cent survive to succeed in the age of 40.

Consultants stress the pressing want for presidency intervention and the inclusion of albinism-related care in common well being protection plans.

Retirement Age for Docs and Healthcare Employees Prolonged to 65 Years

President Bola Tinubu accepted a rise within the retirement age for medical doctors and healthcare staff from 60 to 65 years. This resolution is geared toward addressing the scarcity of medical professionals in Nigeria and retaining skilled personnel within the healthcare sector.

Well being specialists have lauded the transfer, noting that it’s going to assist curb the mass exodus of Nigerian medical doctors in search of higher alternatives overseas.

Elevated Lassa Fever circumstances

The Nigeria Centre for Illness Management and Prevention (NCDC) reported a continued surge in Lassa fever infections, with 290 confirmed circumstances and 53 deaths recorded in 4 weeks.

Lassa fever is transmitted to people by means of contact with contaminated meals or home goods which are contaminated or direct contact with its affected person.

Its signs embrace fever, headache, sore throat, basic physique weak spot, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest ache, and, in extreme circumstances, unexplainable bleeding from ears, eyes, nostril, mouth, and different physique openings.

The NCDC famous that the nationwide Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral incident administration system has been activated to coordinate response in any respect ranges on the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC).

Nigeria analysis institute warns of recurring infectious ailments

The Nigerian Institute of Medical Analysis (NIMR) has raised issues over the growing prevalence of rising and re-emerging infectious ailments in Nigeria, significantly Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs).

The institute emphasised the pressing want for enhanced illness surveillance, improved diagnostics, and elevated public consciousness to curb the unfold of those infections.

Trump to slash USAID’s international help funds by 92%

February ended with President Trump’s administration disclosing plans to slash USAID’s international help funds by 92 per cent, thus considerably lowering the company’s capability to assist growth efforts in nations like Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Main Well being Tales Throughout Nigeria (January 2025 Version)

The company mentioned that the contract and international help programmes to be eradicated whole $54 billion. It mentioned the slash within the USAID programme is a part of a overview to considerably scale back US international help to nations.

One of many areas most impacted in Nigeria by the US minimize in growth funding is HIV therapy and prevention.