Health
Kaduna considers another lockdown as COVID-19 cases rise
The Kaduna State Government says it may close down schools, markets, offices and places of worship and other public areas should the current rate of COVID-19 infection persists.
A statement by the state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Amina Mohammed-Baloni on Saturday gave the warning, following the rise in cases of coronavirus.
The commissioner said, “If the rate of spread retains or exceeds the current pace, then we will have no option than to recommend the temporary closure of public spaces, including schools, markets, offices and places of worship.
She appealed the residents to help stop the spread of the disease and save lives.
He said, “In absolute and relative terms, Kaduna State is now recording high infection figures reminiscent of the first wave of Covid-19 spread in April, May and June 2020.
“The lowering of the infection rate following the first wave encouraged the government to approve the recommendation of the state COVID-19 task force for a significant reopening of the state.
“However, we are saddened to report that the conditions that compelled the 75 day lockdown of the state are now being replicated.”
She recalled that the state on November 26 recorded 74 positive results from 531 samples.
“The quantum of infections since then suggests both high infection rates and the reality that a new wave of infections is spreading across the state,” she added.
The commissioner also said on Friday 11th December, the state recorded 117 positive cases from 518 samples, which she noted amounted to almost one in four samples testing positive.
She stated that the ministry of health expected some increase in infections after the reopening of schools, markets, places of worship and recreational centres, noting however, that the figures easily outstripped estimated projection.
The commissioner said, “While infections cut across age groups, this new wave especially affects those aged between 10 and 35. There is now a veritable danger to lives and livelihoods with the renewed COVID-19 infections.
“If the spread continues at the current rate, it may challenge and overwhelm the health system despite our efforts to improve the resilience of that sector.
“We cannot allow this to happen. Kaduna State contained the first wave because, among other measures, most citizens observed and practised the COVID-19 prevention protocols.”
She urged the people to adopt behaviour that would protect themselves and their families from the infection by voluntarily complying with the COVID-19 protocols.
Health
Nigeria confirms 660 lassa fever cases, 122 die
Nigeria confirms 660 lassa fever cases, 122 die
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has identified Ondo, Bauchi and Edo states as the epicentres of the Lassa fever outbreak in the country.
Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, during a media briefing, yesterday, in Abuja, said that those states accounted for over 70 per cent of confirmed lassa fever cases reported so far in 2025.
Idris said that the three states contributed 71 per cent of the 660 confirmed Lassa fever cases recorded between January and the end of March 2025, with Ondo accounting for 30 per cent, Bauchi, 25 per cent, and Edo, 16 per cent.
The director general said that the NCDC had intensified a nationwide multi-sectoral response through its activated incident management system at the national level to coordinate the public health emergency across affected states.
READ ALSO:
- 17 kidnapped victims rescued from Niger, 21 rifles seized in Kaduna
- Sanwo-Olu gifts LASU best graduating student N10m
- NRC suspends Warri-Itakpe train after multiple engine failure
He said, “As the cases surge in these epicentre states, our response is focused on early detection, case management, risk communication, and community engagement. The transmission remains active in multiple local councils, with 28 states and 125 councils affected this year.”
Idris also said that 122 deaths had so far been recorded, resulting in a case fatality rate of 18.5 per cent—higher than the 17.5 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.
He said that to combat the spread, the NCDC had deployed national rapid response teams to hotspot areas, trained healthcare workers on infection prevention and control, and scaled up community sensitisation.
The DG, therefore, stressed the importance of early presentation to health facilities to reduce fatalities.
Idris, who disclosed ongoing collaborations with key partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), to support surveillance, clinical care, and public awareness, said that the agency was also supporting research efforts to improve outbreak preparedness and response.
Nigeria confirms 660 lassa fever cases, 122 die
Health
Poisonous fluorides in toothpaste: Pharmacists counter televangelist’s claims
Poisonous fluorides in toothpaste: Pharmacists counter televangelist’s claims
Pharmacists have refuted recent claims made by a popular pastor that fluorides in food, toothpaste, and pharmaceutical products are poisonous and carcinogenic.
While acknowledging the pastor’s spiritual influence, the pharmacists provided crucial scientific clarity, asserting that fluoride, when used in approved quantities by regulatory bodies, is safe and beneficial for public health.
The pharmacists, on the platform of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, made the clarifications, weekend.
Their intervention comes in response to trending videos where the religious leader vehemently condemned the pharmaceutical industry over the inclusion of fluorides in various consumer products.
Scientific facts
In a statement by the National Chairman, Ambrose Ezeh, and Secretary, Omokhafe Ashore, the pharmacists said: “We at ACPN will not attempt to tackle the pastor’s anointing in God’s word.
“But (we) will clarify with some scientific insight and background that the pastor’s exposition on fluorides was not totally in alignment with scientific facts.
“The ‘Use of Fluorides in Pharmaceutical Preparations and Foods’ declared: ‘Fluorides used in approved quantities by the relevant and appropriate food and drug regulatory agencies are safe’.
READ ALSO:
- Police raid criminal camps, recover food items in Anambra
- Oba Owoade crowned Alaafin of Oyo
- A colleague raped me, Actress Lolo 1 alleges
“In strictly public health interest, the ACPN wishes to posit as follows: Fluoride used in approved quantities by the relevant and appropriate Food and Drug regulatory agencies are safe.
“While some researchers have indeed linked Fluoride with some cancers, oftentimes such incidences have been proven to be in instances where excessive amounts beyond the approved limits were used.”
Health
Drug prices may drop as FG implements zero VAT, duties
Drug prices may drop as FG implements zero VAT, duties
Experts say prices of drugs are likely to drop following the implementation of the federal government’s executive order on zero VAT and excise duties on pharmaceutical products and medical devices.
The Nigeria Customs Service yesterday said it had commenced the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) and import duty exemption on raw materials essential for the production of pharmaceutical products.
The National Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, in a statement on Wednesday, said the decision was in line with the presidential order to boost local production of healthcare products
President Bola Tinubu had, in June last year, signed the Executive Order to increase local production of pharmaceutical, diagnostics and medical devices.
The NCS’ spokesman said: “Critical raw materials essential for the production of pharmaceutical products will be exempted from import duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) for a period of two years.”
The statement added that the exemption covers Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), excipients and other vital raw materials required for manufacturing essential medicines, Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs), Rapid Diagnostic Kits, reagents and packaging materials.
READ ALSO:
- Ex-Kano emir Bayero cancels Sallah durbar amid tension
- Poland suspends migrants’ right to apply for asylum
- Trump slaps 25% tariffs on car imports to US
- Reps pass bill to strip Vice President, governors, deputies of immunity
Maiwada said to ensure that these fiscal incentives are fully utilised, eligibility is limited to manufacturers of pharmaceutical products recognised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, provided they possess a valid Tax Identification Number (TIN).
Experts speak
Experts said the implementation of the Executive Order would address the skyrocketing cost of medicines.
A former National Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Iyiola Gbolagade, in a chat with our correspondent, described the implementation of the Executive Order as commendable, saying it would lead to reduction of prices some locally manufactured medicines like antibiotics and antimalarial drugs.
A former chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) FCT chapter, Pharmacist Eneojo Made, said the implementation of Zero VAT and exercise duties on Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), which are used to produce medicines, would boost the production of essential medicines for various categories of diseases thereby enhancing availability and access to them in the country.
A former National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Kenneth Edeh Ujah, said, “When the cost of production of medicines at various stages is lower, of course, it is going to have that direct impact on the eventual cost of the medicine when people visit the pharmacy to buy their drugs.”
Also, Prof Cyril Odianose Usifoh, the immediate past president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), said the potential for success in the order was boosted because specified items include Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), excipients, essential raw materials required for manufacturing of crucial products, including drugs, long lasting insecticidal bed nets, rapid diagnostic kits and others.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had, in a statement, said the Executive Order is a significant milestone, as it opens the door for local pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers to begin fully benefiting from the relief measures outlined by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the Executive Order
Drug prices may drop as FG implements zero VAT, duties
-
metro1 day agoWhy Obi’s 15-year-old supporter is in prison — Lawyer
-
metro2 days agoNigerian woman admires polygamy, seeks co-wife for husband
-
Entertainment3 days agoGospel singer Kekere Jesu, fiancée, two others confirmed dead in Ogun accident
-
metro23 hours agoINEC names Sam Olumekun as acting chairman
-
Education19 hours agoEasiest way to pass UTME, by JAMB registrar Oloyede
-
metro3 days agoNational grid: FG officially splits TCN, inaugurates NISO
-
News3 days agoAli Baba spills what Obasanjo told him on how to become Nigeria’s President
-
Sports2 days agoChampions League: Arsenal stun Real Madrid 3-0 as Rice delivers free-kick masterclass
You must be logged in to post a comment Login