The World Health Organisation (WHO) has selected Nigeria and five other African countries to start their own production of mRNA vaccines.
First Woman Reported Cured Of HIV
A United States patient with leukemia has become the first woman and third person to be cured of HIV, this was made possible after receiving a stem cell transplant from a donor who was naturally resistant to the virus that causes AIDS. The case of a middle-aged woman of mixed race, is the first involving umbilical cord blood, a recent approach that may avail the treatment to more people. Since receiving the cord blood to treat her acute myeloid leukemia, the woman has been in remission and free of the virus for 14 months, without the need for antiretroviral therapy.
COVID 19: UAE Lifts Travel Ban Imposed On Nigeria, 11 Other African Countries
Authorities of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have lifted the ban it placed on flights from Nigeria and 11 other African countries.
Nigerian Senate Passes Health Emergency Bill
The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill to provide for a national framework for the control of outbreaks of infectious Diseases in Nigeria and other Events Endangering Public Health and Requiring Public Health Emergency Measures and for other Related Matters (SB.413). The passage of the bill followed the consideration of a report presented by Senator representing Enugu North and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Primary Healthcare and Communicable Diseases, Chukwuka Utazi. Senator Utazi, said the objective of the Bill was to establish an updated and comprehensive legislative framework providing for the norms, basis for the making of regulations, rules and guidelines and measures to be applied in the event of an outbreak of infectious and contagious diseases or public health event within or outside Nigeria.
President Buhari, Dangote Launch N62Bn HIV Trust Fund
President Muhammadu Buhari launched a N62 billion HIV/AIDS Trust Fund to assist Nigeria end the public health threat of AIDS and also to ensure more people living with HIV are being treated annually.
FG Activates Emergency Response, As Lassa Fever Hits 11 States
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has activated the National Multi-sectoral and Multi-disciplinary Lassa fever Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) following the outbreak of the disease in some parts of the Country. The Director-General, NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa made the announcement in a statement, on Wednesday, saying the activation of the EOC was necessary following the increase in Lassa fever cases across the country.
COVID-19: FG Commences Childhood Vaccination Exercise
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has said it has integrated childhood vaccination at the COVID-19 vaccination site for children between 0-23 months. The Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib made the disclosure at the National COVID-19 vaccines weekly briefing in Abuja, saying the childhood vaccination is to further protect children of that age from the disease. He noted that the integration of childhood COVID-19 vaccination is in line with the Federal Government's plan to involve childhood immunization to the COVID-19 vaccination campaign train.