Category: Health

FG pushes safe Biotechnology to boost food security, public health

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the safe use of biotechnology and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) as part of efforts to improve food security and safeguard public health.   The assurance came during a sensitization workshop in Abuja, organized by the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) in partnership with the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB). The forum brought together policymakers, scientists, regulators, and development partners.   Representing the Director of the Food and Drug Services Department, Pharmacist Olubunmi Aribeana, Mr. John Atanda, National Coordinator of…

Tinubu’s Brazil visit rekindles Nigeria-Brazil ties as State Minister for Health, Salako, pushes Five-Year Action Plan

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, was part of the Nigerian delegation that accompanied President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on his recent state visit to Brazil.   Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, hailed the visit as the “restart of Nigeria-Brazil relationship,” noting that both countries have demonstrated an inspiring brotherhood and a firm commitment to strengthening South-South cooperation. At the bilateral sessions involving ministers and senior government officials, Nigeria placed health collaboration at the forefront. Dr. Salako proposed the development of a Five-Year…

PCN seals 486 Pharmacies, Patent Stores in Niger state

Emporium Reporters

By Our Reporter The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 486 pharmacy and patent medicine premises in Niger State for failure to comply with regulatory standards. This was announced by Dr. Suleiman S. Ciroma, Head of Enforcement at the PCN headquarters, during a press briefing at the Council’s North Central Zonal office in Minna after a statewide enforcement exercise. Out of 672 premises inspected, comprising 129 pharmacies and 543 patent medicine shops across nine local government areas: Agaie, Bida, Tafa, Chanchaga, Lapai, Paikoro, Bosso, Suleja, and Gurara, a total…

FG cuts Dialysis cost to N12,000 in Federal Hospitals … Says Northwest not excluded from subsidy scheme

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has slashed the cost of kidney dialysis in federal hospitals from N50,000 to N12,000 per session under a new subsidy scheme aimed at reducing the financial burden on Nigerians battling kidney-related ailments.   Deputy Director and Head of Information & Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Alaba Balogun, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, said the intervention is part of the present administration’s efforts to save lives, ease physical and financial suffering, and expand access to universal health coverage.   Implementation of…

Niger State reduces Bed fees at Suleja General Hospital, warns staff against extortion

Emporium Reporters

The Niger State Hospital Management Board has announced a downward review of hospital bed charges at General Hospital Suleja as part of efforts to ease the financial burden on patients. In a circular titled “Reduction of Bed Fees” and dated August 11, 2025, the hospital authority directed all staff to strictly adhere to the new charges while warning against extortion. Under the new policy, general ward fees have been reduced to N2,000 for 10 days, replacing the previous N500 daily rate. Similarly, amenity ward fees are now N1,000 per day,…

FG Celebrates Retired Health Workers, Reaffirms Commitment to Their Welfare

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has honoured sixteen retired staff of the Department of Hospital Services (DHS), Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, recognisef their decades of meritorious service to the nation’s healthcare sector. The ceremony, held at Merit House, Abuja, was attended by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who commended the retirees for their dedication and professionalism. He also praised the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, mni, and the Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Salaudeen Jimoh, mni, for initiating the recognition ceremony. “It’s a…

FG inaugurates Health Sector Collective Bargaining Committee, begins talks with Unions

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has inaugurated the Committee on Collective Bargaining for the Health Sector, officially commencing negotiations with major health unions in line with Articles 1 and 2 of the Guidelines on Collective Bargaining Agreement Machinery. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who led the inauguration in Abuja on Friday, said the initiative aimed to build a fair and sustainable framework for the nation’s health workforce. “The convocation of this Committee is a milestone towards building a fair and sustainable framework for our health…

Health Ministry denies endorsing any Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe faction

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has debunked claims that it endorsed a faction of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE). In a statement signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director and Head of Information & Public Relations, the Ministry clarified that the misconception followed a meeting between the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and representatives of Nurses Across Borders (NAB), an NGO of nurses in the diaspora. According to the Ministry, NAB, which has been partnering with its Diaspora…

FG, Health Sector Unions strengthen reconciliation efforts for lasting industrial harmony

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has held a constructive engagement with leaders of all health sector unions and associations as part of ongoing reconciliation efforts aimed at sustaining industrial peace in the nation’s healthcare system. The meeting, chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of health workers, describing them as critical to the success of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the health sector. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appreciates all Nigeria’s health workers, whom he regards…

Nigeria wraps up GELA Health Initiative, unveils Evidence-Based Guidelines for Newborn and Child Care

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with global collaborators and research institutions, has successfully concluded the Global Evidence, Local Adaptation (GELA) project an ambitious, three-year health initiative aimed at improving newborn and child health outcomes by localizing evidence-based clinical guidelines to reflect Nigeria’s healthcare realities. The End-of-Project Dissemination Meeting, held at the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare Headquarters in Abuja, brought together key stakeholders from the Ministry, Cochrane Nigeria, international experts, academia, and professional bodies, including the Paediatric Association of Nigeria. In her remarks, Dr. Amina, Director…