Commonwealth names Nigeria top country progressing in cervical cancer elimination

L-R: Chair, Commonwealth International Cervical Cancer Taskforce, Dr Miriam Mutebi; Ms Sofiat Akinola, Director, Health Policy & External Affairs, Roche Diagnostics; Health Adviser, Commonwealth Secretariat, Dr Janneth Mghamba; Acting Senior Director, Social Development Youth and Gender Directorate, Commonwealth Secretariat, Jennifer Namgyal; Chair of the CHCF,  Leslie Ramsammy, former Guyana Minister of Health and Permanent Representative of Guyana to the UN Office in Geneva, during the launch of a new “Compendium of Case Studies on Cervical Cancer Elimination” by the Commonwealth Secretariat at the inaugural Commonwealth Health Coordination Forum that held in Geneva, Switzerland.

By Admin

Nigeria’s efforts to reduce cervical cancer cases have drawn attention at the Commonwealth level, with the country listed among 12 member nations making progress in vaccination, screening and treatment.

Nigeria was singled out for her nationwide rollout of the single dose HPV vaccine campaign introduced in October 2023 under the leadership of First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu. Officials at the meeting said nearly 17 million girls had been vaccinated by early 2026.

The recognition came during the launch of a new “Compendium of Case Studies on Cervical Cancer Elimination” by the Commonwealth Secretariat at the inaugural Commonwealth Health Coordination Forum that held in Geneva, Switzerland.

The activity was held ahead of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) under the theme “Shaping the Future of Cancer Across the Commonwealth”.

The new report, produced with support from member states and Roche Diagnostics, was presented before health ministers, policy experts and development partners concerned about the growing burden of cervical cancer across Commonwealth countries.

Across much of the developing world, cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths among women, largely because many cases are detected late and access to screening remains limited.

Discussions at the forum focused heavily on financing. Countries shared concerns over shrinking donor support and rising healthcare costs, while calling for stronger domestic funding mechanisms to sustain cancer prevention and treatment.

During a session on cancer financing co-chaired by the Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Aliyu Malami, who represented the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, participants argued that cancer services must remain part of Universal Health Coverage despite economic pressures facing health systems.

Alongside the report, the Secretariat also introduced a Cervical Cancer Advocacy Toolkit aimed at helping First Ladies and spouses of Heads of Government drive awareness campaigns in their countries.

In a message contained in the foreword, Commonwealth Secretary General Shirley Botchwey said women’s health should occupy a more central place in public policy discussions across member states.

"First Ladies have a unique capacity to mobilise public attention, influence national dialogue, and inspire action on issues of profound social importance,” she said.

“This toolkit has been developed to support First Ladies, Spouses and partners of Heads of Government in leading informed, strategic, and impactful advocacy for cervical cancer elimination across Commonwealth countries.”

She said by placing women's health, equity, and dignity at the centre of national priorities, progress can be accelerated towards a future where no woman dies from a preventable disease.

Former Guyana Minister of Health and Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Leslie Ramsammy, who chaired  the forum,  said: "Our purpose today is to identify where Commonwealth co-operation can add practical value. This includes strengthening national cancer control plans, improving early detection and diagnosis, expanding access to treatment and palliative care, and improving data systems for better planning and accountability."

In the view of the Assistant Director-General, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care, World Health Organisation, Dr Jeremy Farrar, "We need to address cancer initiatives in a continuum, by examining three strategic areas: promotion, prevention and treatment.

“The best way of connecting is to make sure that our health systems work for everybody in an equitable and accessible way. We have to reconnect our politics and our policies with communities and health.  This health forum could help us push that forward."

Discussions on cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and care were informed by the findings of the Lancet Oncology Commission on Cancer in the Commonwealth.

Chairman of the forum and former Guyanese Health Minister, Leslie Ramsammy, said the Commonwealth must focus less on broad declarations and more on practical support in areas such as diagnosis, treatment access, palliative care and health data systems.

Also speaking, Jeremy Farrar of the World Health Organisation said stronger health systems are essential if cancer prevention programmes are to succeed.

He said prevention, screening and treatment must work together rather than operate separately.

Countries highlighted for notable interventions included Australia, which combined HPV vaccination with organised screening and self collection methods, and Bangladesh, which carried out a large scale HPV vaccination campaign backed by digital tracking systems.

Kenya was recognised for using multi sector partnerships to implement its national cancer strategy, while Zambia was cited for integrating cervical cancer screening into HIV care services through a single visit screen and treat approach.

In a recorded message to delegates, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali urged deeper collaboration across the Commonwealth, saying no country could eliminate cervical cancer alone.

Recommendations from the forum are expected to feed into future Commonwealth health meetings as member states pursue the long term target of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat by 2050.

100,000 zero-dose children vaccinated in Lagos

 

By Admin

More than 100,000 previously unreached children have now been identified and vaccinated under a targeted campaign aimed at reducing the growing burden of zero dose children in Lagos State.

The campaign, known as the Better Opportunities for Optimised Targeted Intervention (BOOST) project for Zero-Dose and Unimmunised Children in Nigeria, is being implemented in Lagos by Save The Children International, Nigeria, in collaboration with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Development Board (PHCB), with support from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

The intervention is focusing on hard-to-reach communities in Ikorodu and Alimosho Local Government Areas.

Speaking during a courtesy call to the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State PHCB, Dr. Ibrahim Mustapha, the Chief of Party for the Immunisation Programme at Save The Children International, Dr. Olatunde Adesoro, said, “Lagos accounts for the largest share in absolute numbers because of its huge population and expanding informal settlements.

"In Lagos, particularly in Alimosho and Ikorodu local governments where we are working, we are targeting about 140,000 zero dose children," Adesoro said.

"Out of that target, our last count showed we had already reached over 100,000 children, that means we are on track."

Adesoro said many of the children are concentrated in migrant settlements, riverine areas, slums and densely populated informal communities where access to healthcare services remains poor.

"They are in migrant communities, hard to reach communities, informal settlements and slums."

Further, he said a major breakthrough of the project is the deliberate mapping of neglected communities and the use of outreach services to take vaccines directly to families unable to access health facilities because of distance or economic hardship.

"The first thing we did was identify where these zero dose children are and work with community people to reach them and ensure immunisation services get to them.  

“One of the things we do is take services directly to them because many of them find it difficult to come to facilities," Adesoro said.

He emphasised that reducing the number of unreached children was critical to preventing future disease outbreaks in Lagos and across Nigeria.

"The risk is not just for them, it is also for the community as a whole," he noted.The current intervention is being used as a pilot model that could eventually be scaled up by the Lagos State Government across other local government areas.

Midwife investment is non-negotiable for mother, child survival -- NANNM

 By Admin

As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark the 2026 International Day of the Midwife with the theme “One Million More Midwives”, key health stakeholders have demanded for increased investment in the training, retention and welfare of midwives, warning that the country cannot reduce maternal and newborn deaths without rapidly expanding its skilled birth workforce.

Making the call in Lagos during a symposium organised by the Directorate of Nursing Services, Lagos State Ministry of Health, the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Comrade Christiana Adeboboye, decried the shortage of midwives, saying it has become a major threat to safe pregnancy, safe delivery and postnatal care.

Adeboboye, who said midwives remain central to maternal and child survival, called for greater investment in midwifery education, improved infrastructure and stronger welfare packages to make the profession more attractive.

“We are short of midwives, we need more midwives because they are critical to safe pregnancy, safe delivery, and the postpartum period. This is why we are advocating, locally and globally, for greater investment in midwifery. 

“We need more midwifery colleges, and more training institutions. We need to produce more midwives at university level and at every level where midwives can be trained. We are advocating for more midwives, better empowerment for midwives, and better infrastructure,” she said. 

Adeboboye argued that achieving the maternal and child health targets under the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 would require stronger partnerships between government, professional bodies and development partners.

On the challenge of brain drain, she called for urgent expansion of training opportunities through more midwifery colleges and increased production of midwives at both university and professional levels, focusing on retaining those already in the system.

“When we train people, we are not training them to leave, although it is a free world and people can go wherever they choose, but there must be retention strategies that make them feel they can stay and contribute to their country.

“Midwives are specialists, yet there is no specialist allowance for them. If specialists are paid according to their expertise, then midwives should also be properly compensated for the specialised work they do.

“Midwives working in rural and riverine communities should have access to good housing, accommodation, and transportation. We have communities behind the waterways, and people there still need skilled birth attendants. We must think beyond incentives. We must create conditions that attract, retain, and encourage midwives,” she said.

The Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ismail Abdulsalam, who represented the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Oladipo Oluwaloni, the call for one million more midwives could not have come at a better time.

“Nigeria, as one of Africa’s most populous countries, still faces a high maternal mortality rate. The Federal Government and Lagos State Government are making efforts to reduce this. Lagos State has been proactive over the years through maternal and child health centres across the state, as well as through the general hospitals. We also advocate greater investment in the education and training of more midwives.

“The Governor of Lagos State, together with the Ministry of Health and the House of Assembly, has approved the Lagos State University of Medicine and Health Sciences, aimed at producing more doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health professionals.

 “The Lagos State government is also trying to encourage workers. Recently, the Governor approved a ₦50,000 wage award for civil servants, but beyond remuneration, we must also provide an enabling environment for midwives to work.

“We want to reduce maternal mortality, perinatal mortality, infant mortality, and deaths related to childbirth; we also need stronger public-private partnerships. Through corporate social responsibility, the private sector can support government efforts because the government cannot do everything.

The Policy and Advocacy Coordinator on the BOOST Project with Save the Children International, Dr. Itunu Dave-Agboola, remarked that Lagos State was reducing maternal and child mortality over the years.

“But there is still much more to do. We continue to experience serious brain drain in the health sector, and we appeal to the government to do more to attract and retain skilled professionals. Inadequate human resources make the work overwhelming for nurses and midwives. They are overworked and under pressure,” she said.

Urging government to take stronger action against quackery she lamented that quacks continue to deceive mothers and families, and lives are being lost because of it.

“We appeal for increased domestic resource mobilization for routine immunisation and maternal and child health. Many children are still dying from preventable diseases, especially in hard-to-reach and riverine communities, we must ensure that they too have access to quality healthcare services,” she said. 

Nigeria targets breakthrough therapies in push for medicine security

By Sola Charles 

Nigeria has launched a new push to expand access to advanced medical treatments positioning gene therapy and other frontier technologies as central to the country’s long-term medicine security strategy.

Outlining the development in Abuja during a high-level engagement involving the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, global non-profit Caring Cross, and key research and industry partners, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said Nigeria is moving deliberately to close the gap between scientific discovery and patient access, particularly in areas where life-saving treatments remain out of reach for many.

Salako said the Tinubu led administration is prioritising health innovation as part of its broader efforts to strengthen national resilience, drive local production, and reduce dependence on external supply chains.

At the centre of the discussions was the potential introduction of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, an advanced form of treatment showing promise in managing conditions such as sickle cell disease and certain blood cancers.

While widely explored in other regions, CAR-T therapy remains largely inaccessible across Africa, and changing this reality requires deliberate investment in research, partnerships, and the systems needed to translate innovation into real-world care.

“Our goal is clear, to ensure that breakthroughs in science are not distant concepts, but accessible solutions for Nigerians,” he said.

The engagement also highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing pharmaceutical and research reforms, anchored by the Presidential Initiative on Vaccine and Biologicals Production (PVAC), aimed at strengthening local manufacturing, expanding vaccine and biological production, and building a more coordinated innovation ecosystem.

The Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom  represented by the Director, Health Planning, Research & Statistics, described the meeting as a convergence of science, policy, and opportunity.

Kaxhollom noted that emerging fields such as gene therapy and regenerative medicine are redefining modern healthcare and present an important opportunity for Nigeria to leapfrog traditional limitations in access to treatment.

 “Partnerships like this are critical to ensuring that innovation translates into sustainable improvements in our health system,” she said.

Caring Cross CEO, Dr. Boro Dropulic, highlighted the organisation’s work in expanding access to cellular and gene therapies globally, with a focus on affordability and scalability in low- and middle-income countries. 

He pointed to the rising burden of genetic and blood-related diseases in Nigeria, particularly among children, as a compelling case for accelerating access to next-generation treatments.

The Director-General of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NOPRID),  Dr. Obi Adigwe, outlined steps already taken to position Nigeria as a leader in pharmaceutical research and development on the continent.

 These include securing major international research funding, strengthening regional collaboration, and advancing infrastructure for local production of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Asigwe noted that Nigeria is increasingly adopting a coordinated, multi-sector approach that brings together government institutions, research bodies, and global partners to drive innovation at scale.

Scientists find cancer-linked chemicals in popular hair extensions

By Sola Charles 

A new investigation  has found dozens of potentially harmful chemicals in widely sold hair extensions, including those made from human hair. The findings represent the most detailed chemical review so far of this largely unregulated beauty product category. 

Researchers say the results add strong evidence that hair extensions may pose health risks, particularly for black women, who use these products at much higher rates.

The study published in the American Chemical Society journal Environment & Health comes at a time of growing concern about the long term health effects of hair extensions. 

More than 70 percent of black women report wearing hair extensions at least once in the past year, compared with fewer than 10 percent of women from other racial and ethnic groups. Extensions are often worn for cultural expression, personal style, and convenience.

"While prior reports have found some chemicals of concern in hair extensions, there's still much we don't know about their overall chemical makeup. We wanted to get a better picture of the extent of the problem. This is an industry that has long overlooked the health of black women, who should not have to choose between cultural expression, convenience, and their health," says lead author Dr. Elissia Franklin, a research scientist at Silent Spring Institute.

Hair extensions are produced from synthetic fibers or bio-based materials, including human hair. Manufacturers frequently treat these fibers with chemicals to make them flame resistant, waterproof, or antimicrobial.

"Yet, companies rarely disclose the chemicals used to achieve these properties, leaving consumers in the dark about the health risks from prolonged wear," says Franklin. 

Because the fibers rest directly against the scalp and neck, wearers may experience extended skin contact. When extensions are heated during styling, they can also release chemicals into the air that users may inhale.

To better understand what these products contain, Franklin purchased 43 popular hair extension brands from online retailers and local beauty supply stores. The team grouped the products by fiber type, synthetic (mostly plastic polymers) or bio-based (including human, banana or silk), and documented the claims listed on their packaging. 

Among the synthetic products, 19 claimed to be flame retardant, three were labeled water resistant, nine advertised heat resistance, and three promoted "green" claims such as "no PVC" or "non-toxic."

Researchers then applied a method known as non-targeted analysis to search for a broad array of chemicals, including substances not typically screened in consumer goods. 

Using two-dimensional gas chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry, they detected more than 900 chemical signatures, representing both known and previously unidentified compounds. Machine-learning tools compared those signatures with an extensive chemical database, allowing the team to identify 169 chemicals spanning nine major structural classes.

The testing uncovered numerous substances associated with cancer, hormone disruption, developmental harm, and immune system effects. These included flame retardants, phthalates, pesticides, styrene, tetrachloroethane, and organotins.

All but two of the 43 samples contained hazardous chemicals. The only two without detected hazards were labeled as "non-toxic" or "toxic-free."

A total of 48 identified chemicals appear on major hazard lists, including 12 listed under California's Proposition 65 for causing cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. Four different flame retardants were detected in both synthetic and bio-based products.

No less than 17 chemicals connected to breast cancer were found in 36 samples, including compounds known to disrupt hormones in ways that may increase risk. Nearly 10 percent of products contained toxic organotins, in some cases at levels exceeding health-based limits set in the European Union, where these chemicals are regulated.

"We were especially surprised to find organotins. These are commonly used as heat stabilizers in PVC and have been linked with skin irritation, which is a common complaint among hair extension users." 

Organotins have also been linked with cancer and hormone disruption. The global hair extension market is projected to surpass $14 billion by 2028, with the United States leading in global imports. Given the size of the market and the chemicals detected, 

Franklin argues that more oversight is needed. "These findings make clear that stronger oversight is urgently needed to protect consumers and push companies to invest in making safer products," she says.

Why 1 in 3 early-stage kidney cancer patients show no symptoms

By Sola Charles 

The UK's leading kidney cancer charity has warned that 'highly restrictive' health guidelines mean a fifth of patients are getting diagnosed at the most advanced stage of the disease.

New data from Kidney Cancer UK found that one in five kidney cancer patients are being diagnosed at stage 4, when life expectancy past five years drops significantly.

In Kidney Cancer UK's 12th annual patient survey, the report found that approximately three-quarters of people diagnosed with stage 3 kidney cancer survive for at least five years.

But for those diagnosed at stage 4, when the cancer has spread to other organs, five-year survival falls significantly to around 10–15 per cent. 

New data from Kidney Cancer UK found that one in five kidney cancer patients are being diagnosed at stage 4, the most advanced stage of the disease

People born in 1990 are up to three times more likely to develop the disease than those born in the 1950s - a trend doctors say is partly driven by rising obesity and high blood pressure.   

One of the biggest challenges with kidney cancer is that early-stage disease (stages one and two) is almost entirely symptom-free. As a result, there are often no warning signs to indicate cancer is present unless investigations are carried out for an unrelated reason.

When looking at the time from first feeling unwell and seeking medical advice to receiving a diagnosis, the survey results show that almost a third of patients waited more than three months.

In the period before referral for diagnosis, more than one in four patients are initially diagnosed with a different condition, adding to the overall time it takes for a diagnosis to be made.

The survey also found that in patients diagnosed at stages 1-3, the most common symptoms reported were pain in the back/flank/side, blood in urine and fatigue. However, notably, 29 per cent reported no symptoms at all.

In patients diagnosed at stage 4, the most common symptoms reported were pain in the back/flank/side, fatigue, blood in urine and weight loss. Of these patients, 15 per cent still reported no symptoms at all.

While the survey reveals the high percentage of kidney cancer patients diagnosed at stage 4, it also reveals that over a quarter are diagnosed at stage 3. The charity is calling for a clear and government-funded research strategy to develop a simple, inexpensive test for use in primary care. Currently, there is no simple blood test or easy method of early detection. 

Prof. Grant Stewart, Professor of Surgical Oncology at the University of Cambridge and Consultant Urologist at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, says: “The finding that just over 20 per cent of patients are now being diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer represents a concerning year-on-year increase.”

Men suffer critical heart disease earlier than women – Study

By Sola Charles 

Heart disease risk begins to climb for men in their mid-30s, years before it rises for women, a decades-long study tracking people from young adulthood has uncovered.

From the study titled "Sex Differences in Age of Onset of Premature Cardiovascular Disease and Subtypes: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study," men reached a 5 percent risk of cardiovascular disease roughly seven years earlier than women, revealing a clear and early gap in heart health.

The study was published in the Journal of The American Heart Association. The research team analysed data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. The project enrolled more than 5,100 Black and white adults between ages 18 and 30 in the mid-1980s and followed them through 2020.

Because participants were healthy at the start, the researchers were able to identify when cardiovascular disease risk first began to separate between men and women. Men reached a 5 percent rate of cardiovascular disease, defined broadly to include heart attack, stroke and heart failure, about seven years earlier than women (50.5 versus 57.5 years).

Coronary heart disease accounted for most of this difference, driving the earlier rise in risk among men. Heart disease risk looked similar for men and women until about age 35, when men's risk began to increase more quickly.

According to the long-term study led by Northwestern Medicine, based on more than 30 years of follow-up, the findings suggest that heart disease screening and prevention may need to begin earlier in adulthood, especially for men.

"That timing may seem early, but heart disease develops over decades, with early markers detectable in young adulthood," said study senior author Alexa Freedman, assistant professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

"Screening at an earlier age can help identify risk factors sooner, enabling preventive strategies that reduce long-term risk."

Previous research has long shown that men tend to develop heart disease earlier than women. Over time, however, common risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes have become more alike between the sexes. Because of this, researchers expected the difference in heart disease timing to shrink. Instead, the gap remained. That result was unexpected, Freedman said.

To better explain why these differences continue, Freedman and her colleagues say researchers need to look beyond standard measures like cholesterol and blood pressure and consider a wider range of biological and social influences.

Most of this difference was due to coronary heart disease. Men reached a 2 percent incidence of coronary heart disease more than 10 years earlier than women. Stroke rates were similar for both sexes, and differences in heart failure appeared later in life. 

"This was still a relatively young sample -- everyone was under 65 at last follow-up -- and stroke and heart failure tend to develop later in life," Freedman explained.

One of the most notable findings was when the risk gap began. Men and women had similar cardiovascular risk through their early 30s. Around age 35, men's risk increased more quickly and remained higher through midlife.

Many heart disease prevention and screening efforts focus on adults older than 40. 

The new results suggest this approach may miss an important early window for action.

"Our findings suggest that encouraging preventive care visits among young men could be an important opportunity to improve heart health and lower cardiovascular disease risk," Freedman said.