Nigeria News

Though TB control and prevention efforts in Nigeria has progressed relatively well over the almost two decades of the introduction of the DOTS Strategy, it still constitutes a public health challenge.

In this issue:

Director of Administration and Finance Visits Nigeria
The Lassa Fever Outbreak
Polio Eradication an emergency in Nigeria
Implementation Research
Staff News

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In December, 2010, WHO announced the official endorsement of the new Xpert molecular technology.

Xpert MTB/RIF has been described by many as a revolutionary breakthrough in the fight against TB. Xpert MTB/RIF detects M. tuberculosis as well as Rifampicin-conferring resistant mutations and provides results within 100 minutes. It is an automated cartridge-based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) for TB based on the GeneXpert multi-disease platform.

What: Opening of a national workshop to sharpen skills in managing Non-Communicable Diseases

Who: MoHSS, Permanent Secretary Mr K. Kahuure, MoHSS, Director: PHC Services Ms. M. Nghatanga, WHO Representative, Dr Magda Robalo among other stakeholders.

When: 21 November 2011

Time: 08H30– 10H00

Where: Protea Hotel Thuringerhof

The Kwara state government and the World Health Organisation in Nigeria are set to work together towards reducing child and maternal mortality rate.

This consensus was reached at a recent meeting between Her Excellency, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, the First Lady of Kwara state and the Representative of the World Health Organisation in Nigeria, Dr. David Okello at the United Nations House, Abuja.

In a ceremony that took place at the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja on 15th July 2011, the acting WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. David Okello, handed over a Toyota Hilux pick-up 4-WD vehicle to the Honourable Minister of Health, Professor C.O. Chukwu, ably represented by Dr. Mansur Kabir, Head of Public Health Department at the Federal Ministry of Health, to boost Guinea worm disease (GWD) surveillance activities in Nigeria. Dr.

The reappointed Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu has applauded the World Health Organisation for its technical contribution towards uplifting the health standards of Nigerians especially at community levels.

The Minister who paid a courtesy visit recently to the WHO Nigeria at the United Nations House, Abuja said that Nigeria’s achievement in both national and international fora would not have been possible without the technical support of WHO Nigeria.

Abuja, 7 April 2011 -- The Hon Minister for Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu has urged Nigerians to heed the warnings from the public health community about actions that contribute to antibiotic resistance. ‘The time to act is now to ensure a healthier and better tomorrow’, said the Minister, explaining that ‘the germs that cause disease develop a defense against our drugs because of the way we have been using them.’ This will render many of our drugs ineffective, for example those used against malaria and tuberculosis.

24th March 2011 -- At the 2011 World TB Day celebration event, The World Health Organization in Nigeria donated Digital X-ray machines procured with support of the Global Fund (GFATM), Lab equipments and reagents procured with support of USAID to the Federal Ministry of Health.

The donated items worth over $520,000 include:

Theme, ‘’TB, TB/HIV and other lung diseases: challenges to the attainment of MDGs in Africa’’

The 18th African Union conference of the international union against tuberculosis and lung disease (IUATLD) was held from 3-5th March, 2011 in Abuja Nigeria. This biennial conference brings together stakeholders on TB and Lungs Diseases and provides ample opportunity for interaction and sharing of information and best practices for the control of these diseases