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Tag: Health Minister

  • Nurses strike: Health minister in closed door session with nurses

    Nurses strike: Health minister in closed door session with nurses

    The Minister of Health, Prof Ali Pate, on Friday, met with the leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and representatives of the Ministry of Labour.

    The closed-door meeting was part of ongoing negotiations between the nursing association and the ministries of health and labour.

    Nurses and midwives under the association had commenced a warning strike on July 29, 2025, following what the union described as the government’s failure to respond meaningfully to its 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14, 2025.

    The ongoing warning strike involving nurses in public health institutions across the country is expected to continue till August 5, 2025.

    The strike stemmed from longstanding concerns about nurses’ welfare and poor working conditions, and the government’s reluctance to address their concerns.

    The union had demanded improved welfare, fair allowances, and better working conditions for nurses across federal health institutions.

    The union’s National Chairman, Morakinyo Rilwan, had stated that the Federal Government failed to engage meaningfully with the association during the window provided.

    “As far as we are concerned, there has been no communication from the government to this moment. That is why we are saying the strike is going on, and nothing is stopping it. Even if the government calls today or tomorrow, it won’t stop the strike. They had enough time,” Rilwan noted.

    The nurses’ demands include the upward review of shift allowance, adjustment of uniform allowance, implementation of a separate salary structure for nurses, increased core duty allowance, mass employment of nurses, and the creation of a dedicated nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health.

    Rilwan stressed that the decision to strike was not unilaterally taken by the union’s leadership, but driven by a groundswell of frustration among members over long-standing neglect.

  • Health minister cautions Nigerians against excess salt consumption

    Health minister cautions Nigerians against excess salt consumption

    Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare has cautioned Nigerians against excess intake of salt and sodium, saying it could cause hypertension and other heart diseases.

    Pate said this on Tuesday in Abuja at a news conference to commemorate the 2024 Salt Awareness Week, with the theme: ”It’s Time to Shine the Spotlight on Salt”.

    Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Ms Daju Kachollom, Pate said the Federal Government would step up public awareness on the dangers of excess intake of salt.

    The minister said that not less than 10 per cent of cardiovascular diseases deaths is attributed to the burden of excess sodium consumption in Nigeria.

    He said that there were varying estimates of the average daily intake of dietary sodium among Nigerian adults, ranging from 2.3 to 10 grams per day, while the intake of dietary salt ranged from 5.8 to 25 grams per day.

    Pate said that this figure was significantly higher than the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendations of daily intake of 2 grams of sodium and 5 grams of salt.

    He said that this figure was significantly higher than the WHO recommendations of daily intake of 2 grams of sodium and 5 grams of salt.

    Pate said that reducing sodium intake was crucial for controlling blood pressure, adding that this would help to prevent hypertension and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

    According to him, salt is a hidden adversary in people’s diets, and it contributes to the burden of cardiovascular diseases that afflict many of the loved ones.

    He said: “Nigeria is not immune to the global epidemic of hypertension and heart diseases.

    “The choices we make at our dining tables, the ingredients we stir into our pots; and the snacks we consume at a moments of leisure; all contribute to the silent escalation of health risks, associated with high salt intake.

    Citing a WHO report, Pate said that about 17.9 million lives were claimed, as salt intake had a far-reaching impact on the death, through High Blood Pressure, heart attack and stroke.

    He said that implementing sodium reduction strategies could lead to significant healthcare savings, and also prevent costly medical treatments for diseases caused by high sodium intake.

    Pate said that the federal government had embarked on several initiatives to curtail excessive salt intake and bring about healthier Nigeria.

    WHO Country Representative, Dr Walter Mulombo, also said that excess salt consumption was linked to gastric cancer and kidney disease.

    Mulombo, who was represented by National Progressional Officer on Nutrition, WHO, Dr Pindar Wakawa, said the global average intake of sodium was more than the double what WHO recommended.

    He called for urgent public health message to enable people take precaution against salt and sodium consumption.

  • Police went undercover to foil plot to kidnap health minister

    Police went undercover to foil plot to kidnap health minister

    A group that plotted to kidnap German Health Minister, Karl Lauterbach, was infiltrated by an undercover officer, a court decision revealed on Monday.

    The man was deployed immediately to the environment of the accused between November 2021 and April, according to a German Federal Supreme Court ruling.

    The agent from the Rhineland-Palatinate state criminal investigation office had attended meetings of the group, and had been involved in chats via the messenger service Telegram.

    Four men, who allegedly formed the core of the group, have been in custody since mid-April.

    The federal prosecutor’s office said that it took over the investigation a short time later.

    It, however, accused the group of planning a nationwide blackout and a political coup along side the Lauterbach kidnapping.

    The reason for the referral to Supreme Court was a regular detention review at the beginning of November.

    Meanwhile, all four of the accused men were kept in custody.

  • Health Minister tests positive for COVID-19

    Health Minister tests positive for COVID-19

    British Health Secretary Sajid Javid has tested positive for Covid-19 and is suffering “very mild” symptoms.

    Javid, who has received both vaccine doses, said on Saturday night a PCR test had confirmed a positive result he received by lateral flow test.

    He said he would continue to self-isolate and work from home.

    It is understood Javid met Boris Johnson on Friday. It is not clear yet whether the prime minister will have to isolate.

    Meanwhile, England’s deputy chief medical officer, Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, has warned of a “bumpy winter” ahead.

    It comes as the UK recorded more than 50,000 daily cases for the second day running, days before almost all legal restrictions on social contact are lifted in England on Monday.

    There were 54,674 cases – following 51,870 new cases on Friday – with 41 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test.

    The last time cases exceeded 50,000 was in mid-January.

    In a video posted earlier on his Twitter feed, Javid said he took the lateral flow test after feeling a “a bit groggy” on Friday evening.

    He said: “I’m grateful that I’ve had two jabs of the vaccine and so far my symptoms are very mild.”

    Javid later tweeted that the positive result was confirmed by a PCR test, which is checked in a laboratory.

    He urged people who had not been vaccinated yet to “get out there and get them as soon as you can”.

    Javid also said people who feel groggy or come into contact with someone who is positive should take a lateral flow test.

    Javid replaced Matt Hancock as health secretary less than three weeks ago after CCTV footage emerged showing his predecessor kissing a colleague in his office, in breach of social-distancing rules.

    Javid previously tweeted that he had received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

  • Local syringe production: Senate issues six-week ultimatum to health Minister

    Local syringe production: Senate issues six-week ultimatum to health Minister

    The Senate on Thursday directed the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire to put together a policy to compel all government hospitals to procure locally manufactured syringes.

    The Senate Committee on Health gave the Minister a six-week ultimatum to carry out the directive.

    The Committee gave the directive during an interactive meeting with local manufacturers of pharmaceutical products, the Ministers of Health and Trade and Investment as well as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

    The committee is investigating the failure of government agencies to implement the Backward Integration Policy (BIP), on local production of syringes five years after it was validated.

    Members of the committee say it is alarming that despite the capacity of local manufacturers to meet the market demands, an estimated 1 billion units of syringes and needles are imported into the country per annum.

    The Senate had earlier in April summoned the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire; Minister of Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo and the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration, NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye to appear before it over failure to implement the Backward Integration Policy (BIP), on local production of syringes five years after it was validated.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Ibrahim Oloriegbe, at the investigative hearing took a swipe at NAFDAC for licensing companies in India and China to import syringes into the country.

    “You can’t keep licensing agents outside Nigeria to import syringes, while local firms are dying,” Oloriegbe lamented.

  • President Sacks Health Minister

    President Sacks Health Minister

    Zambia’s presidency on Sunday announced the sacking of the country’s health minister, arrested for alleged graft last year but cleared of charges.

    Chitalu Chilufya, 48, was held in June following accusations he used ill-gotten gains to acquire property.

    A court cleared him of the charges in August due to lack of evidence and he resumed his duties.

    But President Edgar Lungu unexpectedly fired the minister on Sunday without given any reason.

    “President Lungu has terminated the appointment of Chitalu Chilufya as health minister with immediate effect,” presidential spokesman Isaac Chipampe said in statement.

    Chilufya’s sacking comes days after parliament quizzed officials over irregularities cited in an audit of financial statements released last year.

    The reports allege the health ministry misused $17 million of public money meant to fund rubber gloves, condoms and medical kits.

    Several opposition party leaders and civil society groups had since been calling on the president to remove him from office.

    Chilufya has not yet responded to the accusations.

    The minister is considered a potential candidate for presidential elections in August this year if Lungu is barred from running.

    The president insists he will stand for a third term despite repeatedly failing to amend the southern African country’s constitution in order to do.

  • Health minister arrested over alleged $60m COVID-19 fraud

    Health minister arrested over alleged $60m COVID-19 fraud

    Zimbabwean Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo has been arrested over the alleged irregular purchase of $60million COVID-19 medical supplies.

    The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) confirmed the arrest of the minister Friday night.

    “I can confirm that Minister Moyo is currently detained at Rhodesville Police Station and will likely appear in court today,” ZACC spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure said.

    According to Makamure, the minister was arrested over shady procurement deals worth $60 million.

    Moyo became the second minister to be arrested for alleged corruption in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.

    Last year, then tourism minister Prisca Mupfumira was also arrested.

  • Health Minister resigns over COVID-19 death toll

    Health Minister resigns over COVID-19 death toll

    Chilean health minister Jaime Manalich resigned Saturday, just after a year in office, amid a furore over the true coronavirus death toll.

    He was immediately replaced by Enrique Paris, former president of the Medical Association and an academic. , will

    Monalich got into trouble over discrepancies in the death toll.

    He was also criticised for his handling of the pandemic.

    Following a change in the methodology announced by the Chilean authorities this week, the government acknowledged that it reported a much higher number of deaths from COVID-19 to the World Health Organization than it reported to the public.

    The authorities are said to have reported more than 5,000 deaths to the WHO, as opposed to the 3,101 deaths registered in the official reports.

    In addition to the changes in the death count methodology and the criticism over the lack of speed in the delivery of data, the figure of the minister was worn down by a series of controversies during the last few months he was in charge of the ministry.

    He earned a lot of criticism for his handling of the pandemic, urging Chileans to live “with a new normality” at the beginning, but later tightening measures as there was a rise in the contagion curve.

    On Saturday morning, the leaders of the opposition parties signed a letter requesting President Sebastian Pinera to remove Manalich. The government parties had apparently already been notified of Manalich’s departure by the president.

    Enrique Paris who is taking over has defended the government’s handling of the pandemic.

    “This is not the time to attack the health authority, and even less so the President of Chile”, he said.

    With nearly half of its population in total quarantine, Chilean health authorities reported the highest daily death toll with 231 deaths, exceeding 3,000, and 6,509 new infections in the last 24 hours, totaling 167,355 cases.

  • COVID-19: Prepare for worst that can happen, Health Minister tells Nigerians

    COVID-19: Prepare for worst that can happen, Health Minister tells Nigerians

    The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, on Tuesday admonished Nigerians to prepare for the worst, even as the Federal Government assiduously work to curtail the spread of the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the country.

    He urged health workers and citizens alike to do their best to learn more about the virus.

    Speaking during the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, in Abuja, he said: “Yesterday, the President authorised extending easing of restrictions in Lagos, Ogun and FCT by another two weeks. The lockdown in Kano was also extended by two weeks, to address remaining challenges to containing the increasing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

    “It is of great importance that we – members of the health sector and citizens — endeavour to use this period to dedicate efforts to strive for the best, but also prepare for the worst.

    “As we learn more about coronavirus every day, we must be ready to adjust our strategy, based on knowledge and evidence.

    “To continue strengthening response in States, the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are assessing isolation centres all over the country, recently in Yenagoa and Osogbo. We also continue providing diagnostic commodities and facilities in collaboration with partners.

    The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said: “We are not doing community testing everywhere. In certain states like Lagos, Kano, and even in the FCT, we are taking the test a lot closer to the community because of the intensity of transmission in those states.

    “In those states, the states are identifying hotspot areas and based on these identifications, intensifying testing in those communities. We haven’t gotten to the stage of drawing community testing across the country. We are doing targeted hotspot areas identified by states.”

    He reminded Nigerians that the ravaging force of the virus does not discriminate on the basis of status, creed, political persuasion, profession or where you come from.

    “Now is the time to avoid any distraction from whatever quarters and all hands must be and remain on deck. On our part, we assure Nigerians of our commitment to accountability, diligence and probity.

    “For those who are struggling with the disease, help is available. Do not go underground. It’s important to talk about it and to seek help. Every effort spares humanity the agony of the spread of the virus,” he said.

  • Health Minister gives conditions to adopt local herbs for COVID-19 treatment

    Health Minister gives conditions to adopt local herbs for COVID-19 treatment

    Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire on Tuesday said the Federal Government has not ruled out the possibility of using local herbs to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

    But he insisted that the Nigerian Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development must first certify their efficacy.

    The Minister, who spoke when members of the Presidential Task Force on Covid 19 briefed members of the House of Representatives, reiterated that it was wrong for hospitals to turn back patients as a result of fear of COVID-19.

    He said the government was not ruling out the possibility of using local herbs for the treatment of covid 19, adding that what the government was saying is that those who claim to have found cure should subject it to test by the Nigeria Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development.

    He said local herbs can be categorised into drugs that can cure the virus or those that can reduce the symptoms, adding that the body must be able to build the required antibodies to neutralise the virus.

    Ehanire said: “Before now, it was said that Chloroquine can destroy the virus. But test are still going on in that regard. We have to test the efficacy of local drugs to see of it can kill the virus and also to find out that is in the profess of killing the virus, it can affect the body. So, the Institute will carry out the required test on the local drugs find out how it can work”.

    Describing the situation in Kano as sad, he said the Nigerian government is participating in various research to find a solution to the pandemic.

    He however dismissed claims that the mysterious deaths in Kano was caused by COVID-19 adding that the PTF was still waiting for the result of tests carried out in Kano was not in a position to attribute the cause of death in the state to the pandemic.

    He said the statement attributed to the PTF team leader in Kano was completely false, adding that the PTF will be able to make a comprehensive statement on the Kano situation once the test results are out.

    He also dismissed fears that relaxing the lockdown may lead to increased cases of the pandemic as experienced in other country, stressing that the only way to have reduced figure of COVID-19 is for people to strictly observe all measures put in place.

    He said the PTF was in talks with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and some state government on the possibility of producing protective gear locally, adding that as a result of global demand, protective equipment are scarce in the global market.

    The Minister lamented that some Nigerians were running away from isolation centres while others have refused to report themselves for isolation.

    Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajuba said African Union (AU) ministers of education were looking for alternative ways of educating children in schools so that they don’t miss much as a result of the pandemic.

    He said a decision had also been taken to postpone the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination and the National Examination Council examination.

    He also said INEC, the Ministry had introduced online learning for school children, but lamented that only 20 per cent of pupils are able to access such e leaning facilities as a result of lack of required facilities.

    He said the federal government had asked states to adopt the e-learning programme for their students, adding that 31 states have so far adapted it.

    On when schools are expected to reopen, he said that will depend on reports from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    Minister for Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama said about 4000 (Nigerians) indicated interest in returning home from different parts of the world, but said the government lack capacity to isolate them for the required period of 14 days.

    The Minister said the first batch of returnees from the United Arab Emirate (UAE) were expected in the country today.

    He said the returnees had been asked to pay to for their ticket back home and also take care of their upkeep while in isolation.

    He added that while the government was looking for a plane to bring back Nigerians in China, it was concentrating attention on areas with large population of Nigeria.

    The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Chikwe Ihekwazu said there were three goals to be achieved from carrying out regular tests which include proximity, scale and future.

    He said testing for scale and future explain why the centre has increased the number of testing centres from 5 to 21 with the aim of having one centre in each state of the federation.

    He said while there are no confirmed cases in Kogi and Cross Rivers states at the moment, the centre is encouraging states to increase the collection of sample for testing while the role of the agency is to give them the required support.

    On whether the NCDC has failed, he said “history will judge us. This is not the time to trade blames. The NCDC has a staff strength of 300 and we have been working with other agencies of government and the states to do what we have been able to do so far.

    He said: “ this pandemic will not end next week and I know that I will be criticised for this. But we need to work together to achieve results. Neither treatment or testing can get us out of this. We need your voices to get Nigerians to understand what is going on”