Category: Health

Okpebholo Intervenes in UBTH Detention Case, Clears Family’s Medical Bills ■ Edo Govt to Roll Out State-Wide Health Intervention Programme

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has intervened in the case of a family detained at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) over unpaid medical bills by offsetting the outstanding charges and facilitating their discharge.   The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Health Matters, Precious Ogboru, and Executive Assistant, James Iorkusah, visited the mother and her newborn at UBTH on Friday. He emphasized the state government’s unwavering commitment to the health and welfare of its people, particularly vulnerable groups.   “This intervention is part of…

NNPC Foundation offers 1,000 free Cataract surgeries across South-East Nigeria

Lukman Laleye Babalola

As part of its ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the NNPC Foundation Ltd/Gte., the CSR arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), has commenced a free cataract extraction surgery program across the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The initiative, which targeted 1,000 beneficiaries, is aimed at restoring sight and preventing avoidable blindness, particularly among indigent Nigerians. The medical outreach followed the remarkable success of the South-West phase of the program, which saw over 1,002 successful surgeries, including among children born blind.   In the South-East, the…

NNPC Foundation to restore vision for 6,000 Nigerians, donate 25,000 STEM Books, train farmers nationwide

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a bid to enhance healthcare, education, and agriculture across Nigeria, the NNPC Foundation Ltd/Gte, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of NNPC Ltd., has launched three transformative programs targeting thousands of Nigerians.   According to a statement signed by Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd., the initiatives included free cataract surgeries, the donation of 25,000 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) textbooks, and agricultural training for 6,000 vulnerable farmers. These efforts reflected NNPC Ltd.’s commitment to improving the quality of life and creating sustainable opportunities for…

NYSC partners NHIA to enhance Corps members’ healthcare services

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring Corps Members receive quality healthcare services throughout their service year.   He made this known during his courtesy visit to the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja. General Nafiu emphasized that Corps Members face various risks and health hazards during their national service, making it imperative to provide a comprehensive healthcare package. He described…

Gov. Alia commissions Agila Comprehensive Medical Centre, pledges State Takeover

Emporium Reporters

Agila, Benue State – Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, on Saturday, March 22, 2025, commissioned the 56-bed Agila Comprehensive Medical Centre, pledged the state government’s commitment to taking over the facility for effective management.   The Governor, represented by his deputy, Chief Dr. Sam Ode, described the centre as a “gigantic edifice” and urged residents of Ado and its environs to utilize it as a medical healthcare hub. The hospital, built and donated by renowned banker Chief John Otse Aboh, is equipped with state-of-the-art medical…

Sen Haruna Manu advocates establishment of FMC Gembu to enhance healthcare Access

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja   The Senator representing Taraba Central Senatorial District, Haruna Manu, has called for the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Gembu in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State to improve healthcare delivery and accessibility for residents.   The lawmaker made the appeal during a one-day public hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) at the National Assembly. He presented a memorandum supporting the amendment of the Federal Medical Centres Act 2022, which seeks to provide a legal framework for the…

Sen Maidoki seeks establishment of FMC Zuru to enhance healthcare access in Kebbi South

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja   The Senator representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, Garba Musa Maidoki, has called for the establishment of a Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Zuru to address the rising healthcare demands of the people in the region.   Presenting his submission during a public hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Maidoki highlighted that the proposed medical center would cater to over one million residents of Zuru Emirate, which comprises four Local Government Areas (LGAs), as well as the larger Kebbi South Senatorial District with…

NYSC, National Blood Service Agency strengthen partnership to save lives

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its collaboration with the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA) to help reduce infant and maternal mortality and address other critical health challenges through safe blood donation.   NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, made this known today when he received the Director General of the National Blood Service Agency, Professor Saleh Yuguda, and his team on a courtesy visit to the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.   General Ahmed emphasized that the NYSC remained a…

Sakinah Medical Outreach, Medics Across Continents perform 160 free surgeries at National Hospital

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a historic medical intervention, Sakinah Medical Outreach, in collaboration with Medics Across Continents, successfully conducted 160 free surgical procedures at the National Hospital, Abuja. The week-long mission, which ran from Sunday, 16th February to Friday, 21st February 2025, provided life-changing treatments to 94 beneficiaries, many of whom had long-awaited these critical procedures.   The initiative featured a range of advanced and minimally invasive surgeries, including:   Transurethral resection of the prostate   Laparoscopic cholecystectomy   Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)   Laparoscopic and open varicocelectomy   Endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery  …

St. Charles Borromeo Onitsha: A Stellar Example of Modern Evangelism in Practice By Chisom J. Mefor

Emporium Reporters

Healthcare is the backbone of any thriving society—yet, for many, it remains just of reach. Health influences not only individual well-being but also economic stability, national development, and overall quality of life. When people can’t access the care needed, the consequences ripple far beyond personal health—productivity declines, industries falter, and entire families and communities suffer. Yet in Nigeria today, where the cost of basic necessities has skyrocketed, quality healthcare is slipping even further beyond reach. A simple hospital visit now feels like a huge financial burden. As food, transportation, and…