Turkey sanctions over 100 doctors for Caesarean deliveries

 

By Admin

Turkey's Ministry of Health has fined more than 100 obstetrician-gynecologists for performing Caesarean Sections, suspended some from practice and ordered compulsory retraining as part of a government drive to curb the country's high caesarean birth rate.

The disciplinary action, first reported by BirGun newspaper on Friday, has sparked a backlash from healthcare professionals, who insist that punishing doctors will do little to address the deeper issues behind Turkey's widespread reliance on caesarean deliveries.

Citing data from medical associations across the country, BirGun reported that more than 100 obstetricians have been sanctioned for carrying out caesarean births.

Turkey continues to record the highest caesarean section rate among the 38 member states of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The latest available figures, for 2023, show there were about 615 caesarean deliveries for every 1,000 live births.

Medical professionals say caesarean sections are often favoured because they are far less time-consuming than vaginal deliveries. A caesarean typically takes about 30 minutes, while natural labour can last up to 12 hours. They also argue that the procedure reduces the risk of litigation arising from delivery complications, offering greater protection for both the physician and the patient.

The latest sanctions form part of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's "Decade of the Family" initiative, launched in 2025 to reverse declining birth rates and encourage natural childbirth.

As part of that campaign, the Turkish government in April banned elective caesarean sections at private healthcare facilities unless there is a medical justification for the procedure.

Medical associations say the disciplinary measures have affected obstetricians across the country.

In a statement posted on its website, the Antalya Chamber of Physicians said doctors had received formal warnings, faced disciplinary investigations, been temporarily suspended from practice and ordered to attend antenatal training programmes because of the country's high caesarean section rates.

One of the most high-profile cases involved an obstetrician at a private hospital in Sakarya, near Istanbul. According to the Diken news website, the doctor was dismissed at the request of the Health Ministry over a high caesarean rate before being suspended from practice for six months.

During the suspension, the physician must complete training at a state hospital and pass an examination before being allowed to return to medical practice.

The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) has strongly criticised the government's actions.

Dr Ayse Gultekingil, a senior official of the association, said penalising doctors would not solve Turkey's persistently high caesarean rate, arguing that the problem is rooted in the healthcare system itself.

"Turkey's caesarean birth rate exceeds 60 per cent. But the method of delivery reflects various problems within Turkey's healthcare system," she told BirGun, describing the issue as a structural challenge rather than one that can be resolved by sanctioning individual physicians.

Cancer: Nigeria eyes 30% reduction of burden by 2030

By Admin

The Nigerian government has intensified implementation of the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) 2026–2030, with the goal of reducing the country's cancer burden by 30 per cent before the end of the decade. Nigeria also called for stronger collaboration among African countries to accelerate cancer prevention, research and access to quality care.

Speaking at the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) Best of ASCO Africa 2026 conference in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the renewed drive underscores the commitment to tackling non-communicable diseases under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Describing cancer as one of Africa's biggest public health challenges, Salako said the continent recorded more than 1.18 million new cases and over 721,000 deaths in 2024, with cancer now claiming more lives across Africa than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.

Salako said Nigeria accounts for about 10.5 per cent of Africa's total cancer burden, placing it among the three worst-affected countries on the continent alongside Egypt and South Africa.

He said the National Cancer Control Plan provides a comprehensive framework for strengthening cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, research, workforce development, data systems, artificial intelligence, partnerships and resource mobilisation.

As part of efforts to drive implementation, Salako announced the inauguration of a multi-sectoral National Technical Working Group made up of clinicians, researchers, cancer survivors, civil society organisations, development partners and private sector representatives. The committee, he said, will oversee implementation of the plan using an implementation science approach designed to translate policy into measurable results.

He urged African researchers and oncology professionals to generate and validate evidence within African populations instead of depending largely on studies from other regions, stressing that locally generated research is critical to improving patient outcomes.

He advocated what he termed "Cancer Care Pan-Africanism," calling on African countries to deepen collaboration in cancer research, innovation, workforce development and access to treatment.

While Pan-African cooperation has traditionally centred on politics, trade and security, Salako argued that healthcare should now occupy a more prominent place in the continent's integration agenda.

He commended AORTIC, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and other partners for organising the conference, describing it as an important platform for adapting global advances in oncology to the realities of African health systems.

The Minister reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to providing leadership in cancer education, research, advocacy and strategic partnerships aimed at reducing cancer incidence and mortality, improving patients' quality of life and building stronger, more resilient cancer care systems across Africa.

LASHMA-AID saves unconscious pregnant woman, hands mother, baby to Plateau government

L-R: The Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba; Plateau State vulnerable rescued by LASHMA-AID, Tingni Kindness; Principal Admin Officer, Plateau State Liaison Office, Lagos, Mrs Philomena Yakubu, and Director, Clinical Services and Training, Prof. Adebowale O. Adekoya, at the handing over of Tingni Kindness and Baby to Plateau State Government held at the Conference Room, LASUTH

Permanent Secretary, LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba with Plateau State vulnerable rescued by LASHMA-AID, Tingni Kindness

By Admin

The Lagos State Government has rescued a 22-year-old pregnant woman who was found unconscious in Lagos through its emergency medical intervention programme, LASHMA Assistance in Distress (LASHMA-AID), and has formally handed her and her newborn daughter over to the Plateau State Government.

The handover took place at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, where officials said the intervention reflects the state's commitment to ensuring vulnerable residents receive emergency medical care, irrespective of where they come from.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, said the agency received an emergency alert on June 6, 2026, from the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) whose team had picked up the unconscious woman, identified as Tingni Kindness, in the Allen area of Ikeja.

Zamba said LASHMA-AID immediately secured a bed at LASUTH, where she was admitted and treatment began without delay. While receiving care, Kindness gave birth to a healthy baby girl on June 21, she added.

According to Zamba, the outcome demonstrates the value of Lagos State's emergency healthcare system and the Executive Order signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to guarantee stabilisation for residents facing life-threatening medical emergencies.

The Permanent Secretary also commended the management of LASUTH, led by its Chief Medical Director, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, for the prompt medical intervention that saved the lives of both mother and child.

Zamba explained that LASHMA-AID is funded through a portion of the Lagos State Government's Equity Fund for vulnerable residents, as well as a percentage of the premiums paid by ILERA EKO enrollees.

She urged residents to make use of the emergency service whenever the need arises, assuring them that the programme will continue to provide immediate stabilisation for indigent and non-indigent residents caught in life-threatening emergencies.

Further, she appealed to the Plateau State Government to provide accommodation and livelihood support for the young mother so she can adequately care for her baby.

Also speaking, Fabamwo the LASUTH CMD said the woman was not in labour when she arrived the hospital but was immediately stabilised after admission.

He said arrangements were being made to transfer her to a more suitable place because she had no accommodation when she unexpectedly went into labour and safely delivered her baby at the hospital. According to him, LASUTH subsequently contacted the Plateau State Liaison Office in Lagos to facilitate the safe return of the mother and her newborn.

Speaking on behalf of the Plateau State Government, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Caroline Pamglang Dafur, represented by Mrs. Philomena Yakubu of the Plateau Liaison Office, thanked the Lagos State Government, LASHMA and LASUTH for saving the life of one of the state's indigenes. She assured that both mother and child would receive the care and support they need.

An emotional Tingni Kindness thanked the Lagos State Government and the medical team, recalling that she initially thought she was being taken to the mortuary when she was rushed to the hospital. Instead, she said, she and her baby were given a second chance at life.

The emergency intervention programme, launched in December 2025 became fully operational since March 2026, saving 34 lives so far, including eight ILERA EKO enrollees and 26 vulnerable residents across Lagos State.

Angela Uzoma-Iwuchukwu bags global award as Nigeria nears a decade without executions

 *Receives prestigious Robert Badinter Grand Prix at 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris

By Admin

Nigeria's efforts to abolish the death penalty gained international recognition with Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, Country Director of Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France) in Nigeria, emerging as a finalist for the prestigious Robert Badinter Grand Prix at the 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris.

Widely regarded as one of the highest honours in the global abolition movement, the Robert Badinter Grand Prix celebrates individuals whose courage, leadership and commitment have made a significant impact in the campaign against capital punishment. Uzoma-Iwuchukwu was presented with the Robert Badinter Grand Prix Finalist Award during the closing ceremony of the congress, while the top prize went to another laureate.

The recognition highlights not only her years of advocacy but also Nigeria's gradual shift in its approach to capital punishment. 

In announcing the honour, the international jury praised her role in advancing abolition through strategic litigation, sustained engagement with lawmakers, capacity building for judges and other justice sector actors, prison monitoring, and legal representation for people on death row. Those efforts have also helped drive legislative and policy reforms aimed at reducing the use of the death penalty in Nigeria.

The award comes at a significant moment. As of December 2025, Nigeria had more than 3,742 people on death row, the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. More than 82 are women.  But irrespective of the large size of the condemned population and the continued imposition of death sentences, Nigeria has not carried out an execution in nearly a decade.

If this persists, by the end of 2026, Nigeria will mark 10 consecutive years without an execution, a milestone that would reinforce its standing as a de facto abolitionist country under international human rights standards.

Receiving the award, Uzoma-Iwuchukwu said the recognition belonged to the many Nigerians working to build a justice system that respects the right to life.

"Nigeria reaching 10 years without executions is a milestone we must protect. This award shows that courageous advocacy can change a country's direction. I accept it on behalf of all Nigerians working for a justice system that respects the right to life," she said. 

The next challenge is to convert the country's informal moratorium into law by adopting a formal suspension of executions, narrowing the scope of capital punishment and building national consensus toward its eventual abolition, she noted.

ASF France, the international human rights organisation that has worked in Nigeria for years, congratulated its Country Director on the recognition, describing it as a reflection of sustained efforts to expand access to justice and promote compliance with international human rights standards.

Over the years, the organisation has provided free legal assistance, trained judges and lawyers, monitored correctional facilities and championed reforms designed to strengthen Nigeria's justice system.

The 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty brought together jurists, policymakers, civil society organisations and human rights advocates from more than 100 countries to assess global progress and renew commitments to ending capital punishment. For Nigeria, the recognition of one of its foremost abolition advocates reflects the country's growing visibility in the international movement to end the death penalty.

Nigeria recruits 37,000 health workers, trains 70,000 as reforms gain traction

By Admin

The Federal Government of Nigeria has recruited more than 37,000 health workers into federal health institutions since 2023 and trained over 70,000 frontline health workers as part of ongoing reforms to strengthen Nigeria's healthcare system.

The government also said it had approved the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration to improve workforce planning, retain skilled personnel and promote ethical recruitment, while continuing investments in specialist training and workforce development.

The updates were contained in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, which said the measures were part of efforts to address longstanding challenges in the health sector, including workforce shortages, weak infrastructure, inadequate healthcare financing, migration of skilled professionals and limited access to quality healthcare.

In the statement, the ministry said reforms under the revised Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF 2.0) were improving service delivery, accountability and financial protection at the primary healthcare level.

It said the Federal Government had approved ₦32.9 billion under the revised framework to support more than 8,300 Primary Health Care Centres, with expansion already underway to about 13,000 facilities across the country.

According to the ministry, the reforms have contributed to more than 80 million patient visits, while over 21 million vulnerable Nigerians have accessed healthcare through the Vulnerable Groups Health Insurance Fund.

Disease surveillance and outbreak preparedness had also been strengthened through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention's Gateway under the BHCPF, as part of efforts to bolster the country's health security system.

On access to medicines, the ministry said the government was expanding local pharmaceutical manufacturing through the Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain to improve medicine security, increase local production and make essential medicines more affordable and readily available.

It added that the reform programme also includes investments in health infrastructure, maternal and newborn healthcare, emergency preparedness, digital health systems and stronger accountability across the sector.

The ministry further disclosed that, as of the 2025 Joint Annual Review, 84 per cent of the key performance indicators under the Presidential Health Sector Renewal Compact had been achieved, describing the milestone as evidence of steady progress in implementing the government's health sector reform agenda.

While acknowledging that Nigeria's health sector still faces significant challenges, the ministry said the government's focus remains on sustained reforms anchored on transparent implementation and measurable results.

"The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare remains committed to working with healthcare professionals, civil society, development partners, the private sector and all Nigerians to build a stronger, more equitable and more resilient health system," the statement said.

It added that the ministry's mandate remained to save lives, reduce the physical and financial burden of healthcare, and improve the health and wellbeing of Nigerians.

HEWAN applauds establishment of National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office

...Hails Obi Adigwe's appointment as pioneer National Coordinator 

By Admin

The Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) has commended the Federal Government for establishing the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO), describing the initiative as a landmark policy decision that will strengthen digital health governance, improve evidence-based decision-making, and accelerate the country's journey towards a technology-driven healthcare system.

The association noted that the establishment of the NHTDAO demonstrates the Federal Government's commitment to harnessing digital technologies, artificial intelligence, health information systems, and data analytics to improve healthcare planning, service delivery, disease surveillance, and health outcomes nationwide.

HEWAN also welcomed the appointment of the former Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Dr. Obi Peter Adigwe, as the pioneer National Coordinator of the new office, describing his selection as consistent with the vision behind the initiative.

According to the association, Adigwe's extensive experience in pharmaceutical research, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, translational science, and institutional reform provides a strong foundation for implementing the National Digital Health Architecture and building an integrated, secure, and interoperable health information ecosystem for Nigeria.

HEWAN stated that the creation of the NHTDAO represents a significant policy milestone capable of transforming health sector governance by promoting data-driven planning, strengthening accountability, supporting research and innovation, and improving equitable access to quality healthcare.

The association noted that the prioritisation of institutional reforms by the Tinubu administration in the health ministry, under the watch of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, place innovation and technology at the centre of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Lagos clarifies HIV figures, says 2025 report reflects diagnosed cases, not new infections

By Admin

The Lagos State Government has moved to clarify recent media reports claiming the state recorded the highest number of new HIV infections in Nigeria in 2025, stressing that the widely quoted figure refers to newly diagnosed HIV-positive cases and not new HIV infections acquired within the year.

Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Conference Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, said the figures had been widely misunderstood and required technical clarification to prevent misinformation, unnecessary public anxiety, stigma and discrimination.

She maintained that Lagos' HIV response remains robust, evidence-driven and firmly on course, noting that programme data continue to show steady progress in prevention, treatment and overall epidemic control.

Animashaun explained that the widely reported figure of 10,430 should not be interpreted as the number of people who contracted HIV in 2025.

"The figure being circulated represents newly diagnosed HIV-positive cases. These are individuals who tested positive during the reporting period, many of whom may have contracted HIV several years earlier but were only recently diagnosed," she said.

She added that the number also includes people who came into Lagos for HIV testing or treatment, referrals from other states, and individuals identified through the state's expanded HIV testing programme.

According to her, it is important to distinguish between newly diagnosed HIV-positive cases and new HIV infections because they are two entirely different epidemiological indicators.

While newly diagnosed cases indicate when a person is confirmed to be HIV positive, new HIV infections refer to individuals who actually acquired the virus within a defined period. Those figures, she explained, are estimated using epidemiological surveillance and scientific modelling.

Animashaun cautioned that treating both indicators as though they mean the same thing could create unnecessary fear, discourage people from getting tested and undermine years of progress in HIV control.

To promote transparency, she said the Lagos State Government is engaging relevant stakeholders to better understand the methodology, indicator definitions and reporting assumptions behind the published figures, with the goal of ensuring accurate interpretation and responsible public communication.

Animashaun said Lagos' status as Nigeria's most populous state, its commercial hub and one of the country's largest healthcare referral centres naturally results in high volumes of HIV testing, diagnosis and patient referrals.

She noted that stronger surveillance systems and broader access to healthcare services inevitably lead to higher case detection, adding that this should not be mistaken for evidence that the epidemic is worsening.

"The ability to identify more HIV-positive individuals is, in many respects, a reflection of the strength of our health system rather than an indication that HIV transmission is increasing," she said.

Presenting programme performance data, the LSACA chief said Lagos carried out 504,800 HIV tests in 2025, with 11,940 people testing positive, representing a positivity yield of 2.4 per cent.

She said the trend has continued to improve in 2026. During the first quarter alone, the state conducted 179,229 HIV tests, identified 3,390 HIV-positive cases, while the positivity yield dropped further to 1.9 per cent.

According to her, the declining positivity rate despite increased testing is a key epidemiological indicator that HIV control efforts are producing encouraging results.

Animashaun also disclosed that 147,904 people were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) across Lagos State as of 2025, with 97 per cent achieving viral suppression, which she described as a major public health milestone.

She further highlighted progress in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, noting that the Early Infant Diagnosis positivity rate fell from 5.1 per cent in 2020 to 1.5 per cent in 2025.

She said the figures demonstrate the significant improvements made in maternal and child HIV services.

"These indicators collectively demonstrate that Lagos has built one of Nigeria's strongest HIV surveillance, prevention, treatment and response systems," she stated.

Animashaun said Lagos has already begun implementing a comprehensive HIV Response Acceleration Plan covering July to September 2026.

The plan is designed to expand HIV testing, strengthen treatment linkage and retention, improve service quality, scale up community-based prevention, enhance data quality and accountability, and ensure long-term sustainability across all 20 Local Government Areas and 57 Local Council Development Areas.

She also disclosed that the state is expanding access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) through both oral medication and long-acting injectable PrEP administered every two months.

In what she described as a landmark achievement, Animashaun announced that Lagos has become the first sub-national government in Nigeria to independently procure antiretroviral medicines for people living with HIV.

She said the first batch of state-funded ARVs is expected to arrive before the end of August 2026, helping to guarantee uninterrupted treatment while reducing reliance on donor funding.

According to her, the initiative reflects Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu's commitment to strengthening health security, ensuring a reliable supply of HIV medicines and building a sustainable, state-owned HIV response.

She added that Lagos is also exploring opportunities for local production of HIV medicines by drawing on international best practices, including Kenya's pharmaceutical experience, while working with global partners such as UNAIDS.

The move, she said, is expected to strengthen supply chain resilience, lower long-term treatment costs and further reinforce the state's health system.

Animashaun urged residents not to panic but to know their HIV status and take advantage of available prevention, testing, treatment and care services.

She also appealed to the public to rely only on verified public health information and reject every form of stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

"HIV remains preventable and manageable. With early diagnosis and sustained treatment, people living with HIV can live long, healthy, productive and fulfilling lives," she said.

Reaffirming the state's commitment to evidence-based policies and strategic partnerships, she said Lagos would continue investing in resilient health systems to preserve the gains recorded over the past two decades.

Summing up the state's position, she said: "Lagos is not defined by the number of people it tests. Lagos is defined by the strength of its response."

She added that the true measure of any health system is not the number of challenges it encounters, but how effectively it responds to them.

According to Animashaun, Lagos has chosen to confront HIV with science, compassion, innovation and unwavering political commitment while laying the foundation for a sustainable, locally driven HIV response that protects the health and wellbeing of every resident.