Nigeria News

Abuja, 12 March, 2021 - As the second wave of COVID-19 affects the global health and economic community, the World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting government to engage strategic stakeholders as part of concerted efforts to reverse the trend of the pandemic. This engagement builds on the lessons learned from the critical role played by traditional and religious leaders in the achievement of a polio-free status in Nigeria. 

Lagos, 10 March, 2021 - In Lagos, the Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and World Health Organization Representative (WR) in Nigeria agreed to leverage on Polio resources to strengthen continuity of quality essential health services. The goal is to provide integrated people-centered health services across the state for Universal Health Coverage and health security.

Asaba, 25 February 2021 - “I was really worried for the life of my daughter when she became weak after several episodes of watery stooling and vomiting, but now I can relax because she is getting the treatment she needs at the hospital, says Mrs Erekake, the mother of Tamara, a four-year-old female patient who is being treated at the Bomadi General Hospital in Delta state. 

Abuja, 2 March 2021 - Today, Nigeria received nearly 4 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, shipped via the COVAX Facility, a partnership between CEPI, Gavi, UNICEF and WHO. 

The arrival marked a historic step towards the goal to ensure equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally, in what will be the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history. The delivery is part of a first wave of arrivals in Nigeria that will continue in the coming days and weeks.

Abuja, 25 February, 2021 - The World Health Organization is strengthening collaboration with the office of Kebbi State Governor’s wife to champion early cancer detection, improvement of the chances of successful treatment and create awareness for the purpose of eliminating the deadly disease.

Kano, 25 February 2021- With the second wave of COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria, WHO is supporting government to leverage on the existing   Auto-Visual Acute Flaccid Paralysis Detection and Reporting (AVADAR) system to strengthen community-based surveillance for the disease. In 731 wards across eleven (11) COVID-19 high risk states, WHO is supporting engagement of more than 670 AVADAR informants to conduct house-to-house COVID-19 surveillance and reporting of suspected COVID-19 cases, sensitize and support contact tracing in the communities.

Benin City, 24 February 2021 - Things have changed for the better in Jattu town of Edo State, says Osumah Kassim Inusa, a community leader in the area. Since health officials implemented a robust community sensitisation and vector control project in 2020, there has been a significant reduction in the numbers of Lassa fever infections recorded. 

Lagos, 24 February 2021 - For Ade Ogunsanya, a resident of Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos, a lapse in following the recommended COVID-19 preventive measures proved costly. Fortunately, he is a survivor who lived to tell his story.

Being asthmatic, Ade knew he had to be extra careful and adhere to necessary precautions such as properly wearing his mask in public places, sanitizing his hands regularly and maintaining social distancing. For a while he was too cautious that his friends made fun of him.

As part of the nationwide response to contain the spread of COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria, the Government with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a sensitization meeting with journalists; charging them with the responsibility of producing impactful stories to ensure information sharing that can drive home the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 Already, WHO has supported the training of over 500 journalists in selected high-risk states, including Kano, Kaduna, Borno, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Sokoto. 

Abuja, 11 February, 2021 - “When I tested positive for COVID-19, so many thoughts came into my mind, says Usman Sadiq, FCT-based COVID-19 survivor. Firstly, I thought life has ended for me. Secondly, I thought I had brought shame upon my family. I started planning how to escape from the isolation centre. My greatest worry was not the test result or even my health but how people will look at me, relate with me or even share things with me.