Nordica donates Nigeria's first public sector HIFU machine to FCTA, strengthens cervical cancer care

 

By Admin

 Nigeria's drive to expand access to advanced reproductive healthcare gained fresh momentum on Thursday as Nordica Fertility Centre donated a state-of-the-art High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) machine to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), making it the first and only HIFU system in the country's public health sector.

The donation was announced during the second edition of the Abuja Reproductive Health Week 2026, hosted by Nordica Fertility Centre. The initiative is designed to promote innovation, encourage collaboration and widen access to quality reproductive healthcare for women across Nigeria.

Presented through the FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), the HIFU machine is expected to change the way pre-malignant cervical lesions are treated by providing a non-invasive alternative to conventional surgery.

The equipment will be installed at Wuse District Hospital, where it will work alongside the colposcopy machine Nordica previously donated to the facility. While the colposcopy unit is used to detect abnormal changes in the cervix, the newly installed HIFU system will treat eligible patients whose lesions are identified during screening.

Together, the two technologies provide what health experts describe as a complete continuum of care, from early detection and diagnosis to timely treatment within Nigeria's public healthcare system.

Officials at the event described the donation as a landmark investment in women's health and a significant boost to efforts aimed at strengthening cervical cancer prevention and treatment services across the Federal Capital Territory.

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound is an advanced medical technology that uses concentrated ultrasound waves to destroy abnormal tissue without making surgical incisions. Compared with many conventional procedures, it offers shorter recovery periods, fewer complications and greater comfort for patients.

For women diagnosed with pre-malignant cervical lesions, prompt treatment can prevent the condition from progressing to invasive cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among Nigerian women.

Nordica Fertility Centre said the donation underscores its commitment to supporting public health institutions with modern medical technology that improves patient outcomes and broadens access to quality reproductive healthcare.

According to the fertility centre, the HIFU machine builds on its earlier investment in cervical cancer prevention through the donation of a colposcopy machine to Wuse District Hospital, creating an integrated pathway for the detection and treatment of cervical abnormalities.

Stakeholders said introducing HIFU technology into Nigeria's public health system marks an important milestone, particularly as the country continues to strengthen efforts to reduce the burden of cervical cancer through expanded screening, earlier diagnosis and prompt treatment.

The second Abuja Reproductive Health Week brought together healthcare professionals, policymakers, development partners and reproductive health advocates to explore new innovations and practical strategies for improving reproductive health outcomes nationwide.

Discussions also underscored the need for stronger public-private partnerships to bridge persistent gaps in access to quality reproductive healthcare, especially for women who may not be able to afford advanced medical procedures in private hospitals.

With the latest donation, Nordica Fertility Centre has deepened its support for Nigeria's public health sector while reinforcing the role private healthcare providers can play in complementing government efforts to strengthen specialist services and expand access to life-saving medical technologies.

Health experts believe the introduction of the HIFU system into the FCTA public health network will improve access to timely treatment, reduce the need for referrals outside the territory and ultimately enhance the quality of care available to women at risk of developing cervical cancer.

Beyond taboos: Young Nigerians turn Art into powerful voice for SRHR

By Admin

 Paint took the place of protest placards. Music carried messages that words alone often struggle to convey. And for one day at least, young people spoke openly about issues that are too often pushed into the shadows.

That was the atmosphere as Vision Spring Initiatives staged its maiden Art and Advocacy Festival on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), turning creativity into a powerful tool for challenging long-held taboos around the health and rights of women and girls.

Held at Ndubuisi Kanu Park in Ikeja, the festival drew artists, students, advocates and members of the public into a space where conversations many consider uncomfortable unfolded naturally through paintings, spoken word, live music and honest dialogue.

The weather threatened to interrupt the programme. Dark clouds gathered and a brief drizzle fell, but the crowd stayed. If anything, the enthusiasm only grew, reflecting the determination of many young people to speak openly about issues affecting their health, dignity and future.

Welcoming participants, the Project Director of Vision Spring Initiatives, Ngozi Nwosu-Juba, said the festival was created to give young people something society rarely offers them: a safe, creative space where they can express themselves, question harmful norms and engage honestly with issues that shape their lives.

Introducing the organisation, Titilopemi Oriye reaffirmed Vision Spring Initiatives' commitment to putting young people at the centre of advocacy for gender equality, social justice and sexual and reproductive health and rights. That commitment was visible from the moment activities began.

A guided exhibition invited participants to interact directly with artists whose works explored body shaming, menstrual stigma, consent, access to accurate information and reproductive choice. The artwork wasn't dealing in abstract ideas. Instead, it reflected experiences many young people recognised from their own lives, prompting conversations that continued long after visitors moved from one canvas to the next.

From there, the festival shifted into an afternoon of performances. A soulful saxophone rendition set the mood before musicians Lummie and L.I.M brought energy to the stage with performances that blended entertainment and advocacy. A spoken word presentation followed, celebrating young people who are bold enough to tell their stories and challenge society's expectations.

There were quieter moments too. A documentary on sexual and reproductive health and rights highlighted the realities many young people continue to face, creating the perfect transition into an interactive panel discussion moderated by Oriye.

Panelists, including Barrister Chizelu Emejulu, artist George Adjete and monitoring and evaluation expert Adetutu Soneye, urged participants to question harmful cultural practices, defend their rights and recognise art as a powerful vehicle for social change.

What set the festival apart was its approach. Young people weren't simply invited to listen. They shaped the conversations, shared their experiences and became active participants throughout the programme.

They expressed themselves through collaborative art installations, face and body painting, and a large public mural that slowly transformed into a colourful reflection of shared experiences and collective hope as dozens of participants added their own creative touch.

Perhaps the day's most memorable moment came at the SRHR Commitment Board. One after another, participants stepped forward to publicly pledge that they would learn more about sexual and reproductive health and rights, speak out against stigma and discrimination, and continue the conversation in their schools, places of worship and across their social media platforms.

For Vision Spring Initiatives, a youth-focused, women-led organisation, the festival underscored what can happen when young people are given both the platform and the confidence to tell their own stories.

As the event drew to a close, participants left with far more than memories of music and performances. They walked away with renewed confidence, stronger connections and a shared resolve to keep challenging the silence surrounding sexual and reproductive health and rights long after the festival had ended.

GIFSHIP opens health insurance access to families, SMEs, informal workers

L-R: Immediate Past President, Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN), Dr. Arigbabuwo Jimmy; MD/CEO, Ultimate Health Management Services, Otunba Lekan Ewenla; Independent Non-Executive Director, Ultimate Health Management Services, Mrs. Bolajoko Odunwo; MD/CEO, Olaniba Memorial Specialist Hospital and Ebenezer Specialist Clinic & Maternity, Dr. Adenike Olaniba and CMD/Founder, Subol Hospital Limited, Dr. Olayiwola Bello, during the official launch of U-Health GIFSHIP  for the informal sector and small and medium-sized business owners, held in Lagos recently.

By Admin

Nigeria's drive towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) received a boost with the official introduction of the Group, Individual and Family Social Health Insurance Product (GIFSHIP), a scheme designed to extend affordable healthcare to millions of Nigerians in the informal sector and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

At the launch in Lagos, the Managing Director and CEO of Ultimate Health HMO, Otunba Lekan Ewenla, described the initiative as a significant milestone in broadening access to quality healthcare beyond the formal workforce.

“The formal launch of U- Health GIFSHIP today marks a bold step towards setting the right agenda for the gradual attainment of Universal Health Coverage for the country. 

“Only about 15 percent of Nigeria's population works in the formal sector, while approximately 85 percent earns a living in the informal economy, making expansion of health insurance beyond government employees critical to improving national health outcomes.”

Ewenla explained that while health insurance for federal workers has grown to become one of the country's most widely utilised benefit packages across nearly 10,000 NHIA-accredited healthcare facilities, the vast majority of Nigerians remain outside the formal sector and require a structured pathway to affordable healthcare.

“The GIFSHIP is the sole actuarially developed benefit package for the Federal Civil Servants across the country and it was made mandatory for the all the federal civil servants which makes it to be a social programme,” he said.

Ewenla said the scheme which operates under strict regulation by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has an annual premium fixed at ₦38,718 per person and is non-negotiable under NHIA operational guidelines.

“ Ultimate Health HMO would implement the programme in full compliance with NHIA regulations, including a monthly capitation payment of ₦1,450 per enrollee and ₦700 per enrollee for fee-for-service, alongside other prescribed operational standards.

 “Our objective is simple: to penetrate the informal sector and make health insurance available to millions of Nigerians who have previously remained outside the system,” Ewenla stated.

According to him, demand for health insurance coverage outside the public sector began shortly after the federal civil servants' programme took off, prompting calls for similar protection for traders, artisans, transport workers, market associations and other informal sector operators which informed the development and “unpacking of the federal civil servants' benefit package into GIFSHIP, making it suitable for groups, individuals and families.

Ewenla explained that the initiative aligns with the National Health Insurance Authority's (NHIA) drive to achieve universal health coverage by providing a standardised benefit package that makes healthcare more affordable, accessible and equitable.

He stressed that the product would particularly target organised groups within the informal economy, including market associations, transport unions, chambers of commerce, mechanics, furniture makers, beauticians, spare parts dealers, healthcare workers and other professional associations.

"The adoption of GIFSHIP is intended to strengthen healthcare delivery through systematic pooling of enrollees to accredited healthcare facilities, thereby ensuring adequate patient volumes that support quality service delivery while improving relationships between HMOs and healthcare providers.

Highlighting the evolution of health insurance in Nigeria, Ewenla recalled that the federal government's health insurance programme for civil servants effectively transformed the former 10 per cent medical allowance into health insurance premiums, a shift that improved access to organised healthcare instead of direct cash payments.

He argued that previous arrangements, including payment of medical allowances and retainership agreements between employers and hospitals, failed to produce measurable improvements in health outcomes.

He expressed confidence that wider adoption of GIFSHIP would improve public perception of health insurance, strengthen collaboration between HMOs and healthcare providers, and bring Nigeria closer to achieving equitable access to quality healthcare.

Routine immunisation: SCI, LASAM task Nigeria on strengthening domestic health financing

...As international donor support  declines  

By Admin

Health advocates have called on the Nigerian government to urgently strengthen domestic financing for healthcare, warning that continued dependence on foreign donors could leave millions of Nigerians without access to lifesaving services if external funding continues to shrink.

The warning came during the quarterly review meeting of the Lagos Accountability Mechanism for Maternal Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Coalition (LASAM) where government officials, civil society groups and development partners examined progress in expanding routine immunisation and discussed strategies for sustaining health programmes through increased local funding.

Speaking at the meeting, Advocacy Coordinator for Save the Children International's Better Opportunity to Optimize Routine Immunization for Zero-Dose and Under-Immunized Children (BOOST) Project in Lagos, Dr. Itunu Dave-Agboola, said recent global funding uncertainties have exposed the vulnerability of Nigeria's health system and underscored the need to mobilise more domestic resources.

"If foreign aid were to stop today, can we sustain the health of our people? That is the question we must answer," she said.

Dave-Agboola noted that donor agencies have played a critical role in financing vaccines, HIV programmes, maternal and child health services and other essential interventions for decades, noting that recent disruptions to international development assistance demonstrate why Nigeria can no longer rely primarily on external funding.

“Routine immunisation remains one of the areas most vulnerable to funding shocks. Gavi has contributed immensely to vaccine procurement and logistics. We have to ask ourselves whether routine immunisation can survive if that support is reduced or withdrawn. That is why domestic resource mobilisation is no longer optional. It is essential," she said.

The BOOST Project supported by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) targets zero-dose children who have never received a single vaccine, and under-immunised children who began vaccination but failed to complete the recommended schedule. The programme is currently being implemented in Alimosho and Ikorodu Local Government Areas of Lagos State.

Beyond expanding immunisation coverage, the project is also supporting advocacy efforts aimed at increasing government investment in primary healthcare.

Working through LASAM, health advocates have engaged the Lagos State Ministries of Health and Economic Planning & Budget, the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, local government authorities and other policymakers to push for improved funding for routine immunisation and child health services.

As part of those efforts, LASAM has undertaken budget tracking and political economy analyses to assess health sector allocations, releases and utilisation.

The findings have been compiled into advocacy scorecards used during meetings with government officials to encourage greater investment and accountability.

Dave-Agoola said evidence-based advocacy has become an effective tool for securing commitments from decision-makers because it presents clear data on funding gaps and implementation challenges.

She expressed concern that although the 2026 health budget had been approved, releases had yet to commence, making it impossible to assess implementation.

"When funds are not released, programmes suffer. You cannot talk about effective utilisation when there is nothing to utilise," she said.

The meeting also explored ways to diversify health financing beyond government budgets by engaging the private sector.

Participants said businesses should view investments in public health as part of their corporate social responsibility, particularly in supporting immunisation programmes that protect children against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Chairperson of LASAM's Advocacy Subcommittee, Mrs. Shola Hassan, said LASAM has intensified engagements with political office holders and local government authorities to improve support for primary healthcare.

She said recent advocacy visits focused not only on routine immunisation but also on the rehabilitation of dilapidated primary healthcare centres and improving welfare for community volunteers who conduct house-to-house immunisation campaigns.

"Poor remuneration of frontline volunteers affects motivation and can compromise data quality, making stronger government support essential," she noted.

She disclosed that the Vice Chairman of Alimosho Local Government pledged to engage chairmen of the area's six Local Council Development Areas after receiving the group's recommendations.

Hassan described journalists as "the megaphone" that amplifies evidence and advocacy beyond meeting rooms and into public discourse, noting that media reports have previously prompted swift government action on health issues.

"The broader message, beyond vaccines, is that as development assistance becomes increasingly uncertain,  Nigeria faces a defining choice: continue relying on external partners to finance essential health services or build a resilient health system supported by predictable domestic resources."

Health advocates also urged politicians to make healthcare a central campaign issue rather than an afterthought. They argued that investments in routine immunisation, maternal health and child survival should become measurable commitments that elected leaders can be held accountable for before and after elections.

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.