Africa Health Data Forum pushes country-led action to close health information gaps

…WHO, UN agencies seek stronger digital systems to improve health planning, save lives

By David Comixx

African countries have been urged to strengthen their health information systems, close critical data gaps and translate health statistics into concrete action to improve healthcare delivery and save lives.

The call came as the first Africa Health Data Forum opened in Nairobi, Kenya on Tuesday bringing together the World Health Organisation (WHO), other United Nations agencies, development partners, technical institutions, academics, civil society organisations and private sector representatives.

Held under the theme, “Better Data, Better Health for All”, the inaugural forum is providing a platform for countries to examine persistent weaknesses in health data generation, management and utilisation, while identifying practical solutions to strengthen health systems across the continent.

Participants at the opening session stressed that reliable, timely and comprehensive health data are fundamental to understanding population health needs, planning effective services and ensuring that limited resources reach the communities that need them most.

Acting Director of the Health Systems and Life Course Department at the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr Arash Rashidian, said achieving health equity in Africa would depend heavily on countries' ability to generate and use reliable data.

“True health equity across Africa begins with the power of reliable, actionable data. As our health systems evolve, we must move beyond fragmented tracking and build unified, country-owned digital architectures,” Rashidian said.

The forum also highlighted progress made by seven African countries within the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Together, the countries are home to nearly 250 million people, representing about one-third of the region's population. They have made investments in strengthening health information systems through improved data generation, digitalisation, analytics and the use of information for decision-making.

However, WHO warned that progress remains uneven, with significant gaps persisting in the availability, quality, accessibility and utilisation of health data.

The weaknesses are particularly pronounced in conflict-affected and emergency settings, where inadequate information can leave entire communities invisible to health authorities, making it difficult to identify their needs, track disease outbreaks and ensure access to essential services.

Officer-in-Charge of the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr Adham Ismail, who addressed the opening session virtually, said effective disease surveillance remained critical even when health facilities were no longer operational.

“Even when health facilities are no longer functioning, effective surveillance tells us where diseases are spreading, which threats are emerging and where every dose and every dollar must go,” Ismail said.

He stressed that closing health data gaps must begin with ensuring that every person is counted, particularly through accurate registration of births, deaths and causes of death.

The forum also called for stronger disease surveillance systems, better integration of health information platforms within and across national borders, and improved capacity among health workers to detect emerging threats early.

According to WHO, the ability to convert collected information into timely decisions is essential to directing healthcare services towards underserved populations, responding to emerging health threats and making better use of available resources.

Ismail challenged participants to move beyond discussions and return to their respective countries with measurable commitments to strengthen health data systems.

“Let us leave Nairobi with concrete, country-led commitments: to detect threats earlier, count every person, reach those left behind, and use every available resource to save more lives,” he said.

Nigerian journalists shine at global AMR media awards

… As top winners emerge at inaugural NAMA awards

…Account for 96 entries, one-quarter of global submissions

By Admin

Nigerian journalists have earned international recognition for their reporting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with several emerging among winners of the Global AMR Media Awards (GAMA) and the inaugural Nigeria AMR Media Awards (NAMA).

At the national level, Kazeem Biriowo of Nigerian Tribune emerged first-prize winner of the maiden NAMA Awards, while Julian Adetinuyo of News Scope Africa came second and Mariam Ile-yemi of Premium Times took third place.

The awards, announced Thursday, November 11, at the 6th Annual Global Media Forum on AMR, recognised journalists whose work has helped bring public attention to antimicrobial resistance, an escalating threat to human and animal health, food security and healthcare systems.

Nigeria's strong showing was reflected in the 96 entries submitted from the country for the GAMA and inaugural NAMA awards, representing one-quarter of all submissions. Organisers also commended NAMA for its performance across the award categories.

Other Nigerian journalists recognised in the NAMA special mention category include Folashade Akpan of the News Agency of Nigeria; Chioma Obinna of Vanguard; Helen Oji Emmanuel of Blueprint; Fatima Saka of DistinctNews; Chinyere Okorafor of Nigeria Health Times; Laide Akinboade of Daily Asset; and Odimmegwa John Peter of New Africa Horizon.

The three top NAMA winners will receive certificates and cash prizes, with financial support from Art for Health Initiative, a Nigerian non-profit organisation.

Nigeria also recorded notable successes in the global competition. In the category for reporting on the 5th High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR, Annabel Nwachukwu of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria emerged first-prize winner, followed by Edward Samuel Ikpete of Voice of Nigeria in second place and Doris Obinna of The Sun in third place. Alice Etuka of The Fact Daily received a special mention.

In the People's Reporting category, Isioma Appiah-Yeboah of Clean Beat Radio won first prize, while Princess Ekwi-Ajide of Anambra Broadcasting Service, Smith Nwokocha of Port Harcourt Wakawaka Blog and Chioma Vivian James of True Verdict received special mentions.

Patience Ihejirika of Leadership newspaper and Benedict Ifeanyi Chukwu of Kaftan TV also earned special mentions in the Africa category of the GAMA awards.

Speaking after the announcement, Founding Chairperson of the Nigeria AMR Media Alliance, Ojoma Akor, described the inaugural NAMA awards as a significant milestone for health and science journalism in Nigeria, noting that antimicrobial resistance had not received the sustained newsroom attention its public health implications demanded.

She said the awards went beyond celebrating individual journalists to demonstrate how reporting could make an often-invisible public health threat visible, translate complex scientific evidence into accessible information, amplify affected communities and hold institutions accountable.

“For too long, antimicrobial resistance has received insufficient attention in our newsrooms, despite its enormous implications for public health, healthcare delivery, food security and national development,” Akor said.

She congratulated the winners and nominees, saying their work demonstrated the capacity of Nigerian journalists to shape public understanding and strengthen the country's response to drug-resistant infections.

Akor said NAMA would continue to build journalists' capacity, encourage investigative and solutions-oriented reporting and ensure that AMR remained a sustained public interest issue.

Also speaking, Founder of Art for Health Initiative, Chidera Rosecamille Aneke, said the organisation supported the awards because antimicrobial resistance was one of its focal areas.

She said the initiative works at the intersection of storytelling, media and the arts to improve public understanding and encourage action on critical health challenges.

She said the partnership was intended to promote innovative storytelling and elevate impactful, solutions-driven journalism that communicates AMR in ways ordinary audiences can understand.

At the global level, Chairperson of the Global AMR Media Alliance, Shobha Shukla, congratulated Nigerian journalists and credited Akor, as founding chairperson of the Nigerian chapter, with helping to draw attention to the dangers of antimicrobial resistance and strengthen media engagement in the country's response.

Shukla stressed that AMR was not merely a medical or scientific problem but a broader societal and development challenge requiring action beyond laboratories and hospitals.

“We cannot win the fight against AMR in laboratories and hospitals alone. We need an informed public, accountable governments, and responsible practices across human, animal, and environmental health,” she said.

She urged journalists to move beyond treating AMR as another health news subject and help build a wider public movement for responsible antimicrobial use and stronger health systems.

The recognition comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenge of drug-resistant infections, which threaten the effectiveness of medicines used to treat common illnesses and complicate routine medical procedures, surgery and other essential healthcare interventions.

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites develop the ability to withstand medicines that previously killed them or stopped their growth, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of severe illness and death.

Nigeria has taken steps to address the threat through its National Action Plan on AMR, surveillance programmes, antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention and control measures, and collaboration across human, animal and environmental health under the One Health approach.

However, gaps in public awareness, policy implementation, financing, research and communication continue to pose challenges to an effective national response.

Akor urged government agencies, development partners, health professionals, researchers and civil society organisations to strengthen engagement with journalists and support independent, evidence-based reporting on AMR.

She said NAMA would continue working with government institutions, research organisations, professional associations, development partners and media organisations to improve journalists' capacity to explain the threat and hold relevant institutions accountable.

The inaugural NAMA awards provide a national platform for recognising Nigerian journalists while linking their work to the wider international movement for stronger media engagement against antimicrobial resistance.

Lagos is 28th most dangerous city -- Survey

 

By Precious Dipe

Lagos, Nigeria's commercial nerve centre and one of Africa's busiest megacities, has been ranked among the world's 50 most dangerous cities in 2026, placing 28th on a global crime index that raises fresh questions about urban safety, insecurity and the growing pressure on law enforcement.

Lagos is the only Nigerian city on the ranking published by the “Numbeo Crime Index by City 2026”  - a Serbia-based global data platform that compiles crowd-sourced information on crime safety, cost of living and quality of life across cities and countries.

The list records Lagos with a crime index of 68.8, placing it in the high crime category under Numbeo's classification. The index ranges from zero to 100, with scores above 60 classified as high and those above 80 as very high.

Nigeria's commercial capital is placed ahead of major cities, including Damascus in Syria, New Orleans in the United States, San Juan in Puerto Rico and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

According to the survey, five South African cities occupy positions among the top eight, with Pietermaritzburg taking the first position, followed by Pretoria in second place, Johannesburg in fifth, Durban in sixth and Port Elizabeth in eighth. Caracas, Venezuela, and Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, occupy third and fourth positions respectively.  Windhoek, Namibia, comes in at number 30.

The figures also point to persistent safety concerns across the Americas. Brazil has five cities among the top 25, while the United States has several, including Memphis, Detroit, Baltimore, Albuquerque and St. Louis. Other cities featured in the top 50 include Kingston in Jamaica, Mexico City, Marseille in France, Manila in the Philippines, Birmingham in the United Kingdom and Houston in the United States.

Numbeo's Crime Index draws on several indicators, among them residents' perceptions of crime, how safe they feel walking alone during the day or at night, and their experiences or concerns about robbery, mugging, car theft, burglary, physical attacks and harassment. It also considers drug-related problems, property crime, violent crime and corruption.

The ranking reflects perceptions captured by Numbeo's survey, rather than a verified ranking of reported criminal offences. It is based on surveys completed by Numbeo website visitors and not a direct count of police-recorded offences, reported criminal incidents or official national crime statistics.

Numbeo processes the responses into scores ranging from zero to 100 to make comparisons between cities possible. The organisation also acknowledges that public perceptions of crime may not always correspond with official crime figures.

For Lagos, it notes that the 28th position adds to the concerns surrounding safety in one of Africa's most populous urban centres. It also brings renewed attention to the need for more effective policing, stronger intelligence gathering, safer public spaces and a more decisive response to robbery, theft and other security threats.

Nigeria screens 659,429 travellers at 16 points of entry amid Ebola surveillance

By Admin

Nigeria has screened 659,429 travellers at 16 designated points of entry since June 5, 2026, as the country intensifies health surveillance to prevent the importation and spread of infectious diseases.

Data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) Ebola microsite showed that 5,907 travellers were screened in the 24 hours to November 9, bringing the cumulative number of Health Declaration Forms recorded to 659,429.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, accounted for the highest number of screenings, with 42,422, followed by Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, with 18,057.

Port Harcourt International Airport recorded 1,311 screenings, while Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, accounted for 1,310. Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, recorded 402.

At the seaports and land borders, 169 travellers were screened at Apapa Seaport, Lagos, 123 at Seme Border, Lagos, and 31 at Tin-Can Island Port, Lagos.

Other locations included Maiduguri International Airport with 11 screenings, Mfun Border in Cross River State with eight, Kaduna International Airport with six, and Idi-Iroko Border in Ogun State with five.

Jibia Border in Katsina State recorded two screenings, while Illela Border in Sokoto State recorded one.

The NCDC microsite stated that the cumulative figure covers all Health Declaration Forms recorded up to November 9, 2026, while daily figures and breakdowns by point of entry are based on uploads since June 5, 2026.

Health insurance: 24m Nigerians covered in three years - FG

…N249.5bn disbursed to basic healthcare fund

…3,526 PHCs revitalised, 78,054 frontline workers trained

…Maternal deaths fall 60% in supported facilities

By Precious Dipe

The number of Nigerians covered by health insurance has increased from about 16 million to nearly 24 million in three years, the Federal Government has said, highlighting the expansion of financial protection as one of the major gains of its ongoing health sector reforms.

The government also disclosed that it had disbursed N249.5 billion to the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, compared with less than N80 billion released during the fund's preceding 10 years.

The figures were presented at the 2026 Joint Annual Review (JAR) in Abuja, where the Federal Government reviewed three years of implementation of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the reforms were designed to save lives, reduce the physical and financial burden of illness and ensure that more Nigerians could access affordable, quality healthcare.

He said the reforms were anchored on the 2023 Health Sector Compact and the Sector-Wide Approach, which align government and development partner investments around common health sector priorities.

Beyond expanding insurance coverage, Pate said the government had introduced measures to reduce the cost of treating some of the country's most expensive medical conditions.

He disclosed that dialysis costs had fallen by up to 80 per cent for 5,106 patients, while selected cancer medicines were being subsidised. Free emergency medical care within 48 hours was also available across 507 facilities.

On primary healthcare financing, the minister said N249.5 billion had been disbursed to BHCPF gateways, with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission supporting accountability in the utilisation of funds.

He described the disbursement as a significant increase over the less than N80 billion released throughout the fund's preceding decade.

On maternal and newborn health, Pate said the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), implemented through facilities empanelled by the National Health Insurance Authority, had linked 750,000 pregnant women to healthcare facilities.

Emergency transportation services had also conveyed 104,566 women and newborns requiring urgent medical attention.

Under the government's free maternal, newborn and fistula care programmes, almost 100,000 beneficiaries had received services in two years. Of this number, 80,906 accessed emergency obstetric care, while 6,059 received fistula treatment.

The government further reported a 22 per cent reduction in obstetric emergency deaths in participating facilities, while maternal case fatality rates in BHCPF-supported facilities declined by 60 per cent between 2024 and 2026.

On primary healthcare delivery, the minister said 3,526 primary healthcare centres had been revitalised in collaboration with state governments and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, with work ongoing at another 900 facilities.

He added that 78,054 frontline health workers had been trained, while 19,758 skilled birth attendants had been recruited across 22 states and 4,747 community health workers engaged in 10 states.

The government had also doubled pre-service admission quotas for health worker training and selected 1,548 National Health Fellows in two cohorts to support health system development across local government areas.

In immunisation, measles and rubella vaccination had reached 100 million children, while more than 19 million adolescent girls had received the HPV vaccine.

Pate also highlighted investments in specialist healthcare, saying three of the six planned cancer centres in Enugu, Benin and Katsina were operational, alongside 10 diagnostic and specialist centres, through collaboration with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority.

More than 500 infrastructure and equipment projects had also been completed across 60 federal tertiary hospitals within three years.

On local pharmaceutical manufacturing, he said the 2024 Executive Order on pharmaceutical development had supported N24 billion in tax waivers for the sector in 2025 and 2026.

Through the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, 10 factories or manufacturing lines had been commissioned, six of them in 2026. Twelve technology transfer agreements had also been secured, with a prospective investment pipeline exceeding $5 billion.

He said the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control was intensifying efforts against falsified medicines, while the proposed Medipool initiative was expected to aggregate demand and improve access to essential medical products.

On health security, Pate cited Nigeria's recent containment of an imported Ebola case as evidence of the country's public health preparedness and response capacity.

Despite the reported gains, the minister acknowledged that significant challenges remained. He said 12 of 13 assessed health sector indicators had improved, but stunting remained a major concern.

Findings from the People's Voice Surveys showed that the proportion of Nigerians who believed the health system was improving increased from 47 per cent in 2024 to 57 per cent in 2026, while patient-perceived quality of care stood at 71 per cent.

However, affordability, inadequate staffing, remuneration, working conditions and patient safety remained major concerns requiring sustained attention.

Pate said the next phase of reforms would prioritise hospital modernisation, digital health, timely release of healthcare funds and more effective utilisation of available resources.

He called for an increase in the BHCPF allocation to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund and reforms to excise duties on sugar-sweetened beverages, with proceeds earmarked for healthcare financing.

He also highlighted the 2026–2030 Nigeria–United States health partnership, which envisages nearly $2 billion in grants and an additional $3 billion in Nigerian financing, as part of efforts to strengthen domestic health financing and end dependence on external health assistance by 2030.

The minister said the ultimate test of the reforms would be their ability to translate increased investment into timely, dependable, affordable and quality healthcare for Nigerians.

Editorial consideration: The insurance figure is the strongest lead because it speaks directly to the number of Nigerians gaining financial protection. However, the story should ideally establish whether the increase from 16 million to 24 million represents active enrollees across NHIA and state schemes, or cumulative registrations. That distinction matters when reporting actual insurance coverage.

Nigeria's population hits 244m as fertility remains high despite decades of decline

…Country adds over 200m people in 70 years 

…Average births per woman falls from 6.85 to 4.94 

…Population surge raises pressure on healthcare, jobs, housing

By Seun Greeners 

Nigeria's population has exploded to more than 244 million, nearly six times its size 70 years ago, even as the average number of children born to a woman has declined over the decades, presenting the country with a growing demographic and development challenge.

From about 41 million people in 1955, Nigeria's population has climbed to an estimated 244.3 million, according to Worldometer, reflecting one of the most dramatic demographic expansions in the country's history.

The figures show that Nigeria added more than 203 million people between 1955 and 2026. Yet, behind this remarkable growth is a gradual change in the country's fertility pattern, with the average number of children per woman falling from 6.36 in 1960 to 4.94 in 2025, according to data from Macrotrends.

The decline, however, has not been sufficient to slow population expansion significantly, as Nigeria continues to record high fertility alongside a large and growing population of young people entering their reproductive years.

Macrotrends data show that Nigeria's fertility rate actually increased from 6.36 children per woman in 1960 to a peak of 6.85 in 1980, before beginning a prolonged decline.

It fell to 6.46 in 1990, 6.12 in 2000 and 5.95 in 2010. The decline became more pronounced in the following decade, dropping from 5.50 in 2015 to 4.70 in 2020 and 4.48 in 2023.

However, the figures recorded a reversal, rising to 5.01 in 2024 before settling at 4.94 in 2025. The movement raises questions about the pace and consistency of fertility decline, although the figures alone do not establish the reasons for the change.

Meanwhile, Nigeria's population has continued to climb. From 45 million in 1960, it rose to 73.8 million in 1980, crossed the 100 million mark in the early 1990s and reached 126.4 million in 2000.

The growth accelerated further, with the population increasing to 145 million in 2005, 166.6 million in 2010, 190.7 million in 2015 and nearly 214 million in 2020.

By 2025, it had reached 237.5 million, while the latest Worldometer estimate puts the figure at 244,292,365.

The contrast between declining fertility and continuing population growth is important. Population momentum means that even when women have fewer children on average, a large number of people entering reproductive age can sustain rapid population growth for decades.

The demographic expansion presents enormous opportunities, particularly if the growing population is healthy, educated, skilled and productively engaged. But it also raises difficult questions about the country's capacity to provide adequate healthcare, quality education, decent housing, jobs, food, water and other basic necessities.

For the health sector, the implications are particularly significant. A rapidly expanding population means greater demand for maternal and child healthcare, family planning, immunisation, reproductive health services, disease prevention, hospitals, medical personnel and essential medicines.

The persistently high fertility rate also means that millions of Nigerian women will continue to require access to quality antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric services and postpartum care.

Without corresponding investments in health infrastructure and workforce development, population growth could deepen existing inequalities in access to healthcare, particularly for women, children and vulnerable communities.

The figures also bring renewed attention to reproductive health and family planning. Improving access to voluntary family planning services, reliable contraceptive information and quality reproductive healthcare will be important in enabling individuals and couples to make informed decisions about the timing and number of children they have.

Beyond healthcare, the pressure is evident in expanding urban centres, rising demand for affordable housing, overcrowded schools, unemployment and the need to create opportunities for millions of young Nigerians.

Nigeria's demographic trajectory therefore presents a critical question: can the country expand its investments in health, education, infrastructure and economic opportunities fast enough to match the needs of its growing population?

The answer could determine whether its demographic expansion becomes an economic advantage or a growing burden on already stretched public services.

Ebola: 28 contacts under watch as Nigeria battles multiple disease threats

…No new infection 21 days after imported case …Dengue, chikungunya confirmed in two northern states …NCDC steps up alert over meningitis, Lassa fever

By David Comixx

Three weeks after Nigeria confirmed an imported case of the deadly Bundibugyo strain of Ebola Virus Disease, the country has recorded no new infection. But the reprieve has not eased the pressure on its disease surveillance system, with 28 contacts of the index case still under monitoring and other infectious disease threats emerging across the country.

As health authorities sustain the Ebola response, dengue fever has been confirmed in Sokoto and Zamfara states, while chikungunya has also been detected in Sokoto. The approaching dry season is raising further concerns over meningitis and the seasonal surge in Lassa fever.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, which disclosed this yesterday, said 34 of the 62 contacts identified following the October 20 Ebola confirmation had completed their individual 21-day monitoring period, while the remaining 28 were still under surveillance as of November 9.

Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, said Nigeria had confirmed only one imported case of Bundibugyo Virus Disease, with no additional confirmed infections.

He, however, warned against complacency, insisting that the absence of new Ebola cases must not distract attention from other disease threats requiring urgent surveillance and preparedness.

Idris said NCDC, working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, state governments and partners, had sustained contact tracing, investigation of alerts, laboratory testing, infection prevention measures, safe clinical care and surveillance at points of entry.

He clarified that being identified as an Ebola contact did not mean a person had contracted the disease, explaining that the individual 21-day monitoring period was designed to ensure early identification of symptoms and prompt intervention.

He urged healthcare workers in public and private facilities to remain alert, particularly when attending to patients with fever and other symptoms who have a history of travel or possible exposure.

According to him, Ebola can initially present with symptoms similar to those of common illnesses, making early recognition and prompt reporting critical.

Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is ill, or contaminated materials.

Idris advised anyone developing symptoms after possible exposure to avoid contact with others and call the NCDC toll-free line, 6232, for guidance before travelling to a health facility.

Beyond Ebola, he expressed concern over the spread of dengue fever and chikungunya, warning Nigerians against assuming that every fever was malaria.

He said NCDC had deployed National Rapid Response Teams, including entomologists from the National Arbovirus Research Centre, Enugu, to support Sokoto and Zamfara states with case finding, laboratory investigations, clinical preparedness, community engagement and mosquito control.

Both infections can cause fever, headache, body pains and joint pains, while dengue can become life-threatening when warning signs are missed, he said.

He urged residents to seek medical attention for persistent fever, particularly when accompanied by rash, vomiting or severe joint pains. Severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding and difficulty breathing, he warned, required urgent medical attention.

The NCDC boss also called for intensified environmental sanitation, urging households to drain stagnant water, cover water storage containers, clear discarded tyres and take measures to prevent mosquito bites. He noted that the mosquitoes responsible for transmitting the infections often bite during the day.

On cerebrospinal meningitis, Idris said the agency was strengthening preparedness as the country entered the dry season, when the risk of the disease increases in parts of the meningitis belt.

He called on states to improve disease surveillance, access to diagnostic services, clinical preparedness and vaccination responses where indicated.

Sudden fever accompanied by severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion or altered consciousness, he said, required immediate medical attention.

Diphtheria also remains a public health concern, particularly among children who have missed routine immunisation, Idris said.

He disclosed that NCDC was supporting states with surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, case management and outbreak response, urging parents and caregivers to check their children's vaccination status and obtain guidance on missed doses.

He warned that fever accompanied by sore throat, neck swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing required prompt medical assessment, stressing that vaccination and early treatment were essential.

On Lassa fever, the NCDC chief said the agency was preparing for the seasonal increase in cases historically associated with the period, rather than waiting until health facilities became overwhelmed.

He said NCDC was working with states to strengthen surveillance, testing, treatment readiness, infection prevention and protection of frontline health workers.

Idris urged households to protect food from rodents, store food in covered containers and maintain clean surroundings. He also advised people with persistent fever to seek medical attention early and share relevant exposure information with healthcare providers.

With the festive season approaching, he warned that increased travel, concerts, religious gatherings, festivals and other mass events could create additional public health demands.

He urged state governments, event organisers and healthcare providers to plan ahead by ensuring access to basic medical assistance, maintaining proper hygiene and sanitation, and establishing clear arrangements for recognising and reporting suspected infectious diseases.

Travellers and participants at large gatherings were also advised to follow public health guidance, seek medical attention when unwell and avoid crowded events if experiencing symptoms.

Idris called on state governments to sustain investments in disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, treatment facilities and community engagement, stressing that frontline health workers needed adequate funding, equipment, supplies and logistical support.

He also urged public and private health facilities to report suspected cases promptly and protect their personnel through appropriate infection prevention measures.

For Nigerians, he advised early medical attention, full childhood vaccination, protection against mosquitoes and rodents, cooperation with public health response teams and avoidance of unverified information about disease outbreaks.

For guidance or to report suspected cases, members of the public were advised to contact NCDC on 6232 or their respective state public health authorities.

"Early detection saves lives. Preparedness protects communities. Everyone has a role," Idris said.