Bauchi to shut down health centres during nationwide protest

The Bauchi State Government has announced plans to close all Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) on the day of the proposed nationwide anti-government protest. The decision aims to protect the lives of healthcare staff and patients amidst potential security threats.

Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, made this announcement at the opening of the bi-annual media engagement on PHC Services Reporting Techniques held in Bauchi on Tuesday.

“Security reports have indicated that our PHCs may be targeted during the protest. We are not willing to risk the lives of our staff and patients. So, we will be closing these facilities,” Dr. Mohammed said.

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He added that healthcare staff would be on holiday during the protest to avoid potential attacks. “Normal services will resume after the protest concludes. The board has informed security agencies to protect healthcare facilities across the state,” he added.

HIV prevention: Experts excited about trial results of injectable Lenacapavir

Experts attending the ongoing 25th International AIDS Conference in Germany have commended the results from the PURPOSE 1 trial of twice-yearly injectable Lenacapavir for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention. An expert, Gail Bekker, who presented the results of the trial, confirmed that Lenacapavir demonstrated 100 per cent efficacy for HIV prevention in cisgender women – denoting or relating to a woman, whose gender identity corresponds with the sex registered for them at birth.

The conference is holding physically and virtually in Munich, Germany, this week. Over 10,000 participants from around the world are attending the event. A statement by Sharon Lewin, who is the President of International AIDS Society, AIDS 2024 International Co-Chair and Director of the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity at the University of Melbourne in Australia, confirmed the results from the trial. The statement reads: “These data confirm that twice-yearly Lenacapavir for HIV prevention is a breakthrough advance with huge public health potential. If approved and delivered – rapidly, affordably, and equitably – to those who need or want it, this long-acting tool could help accelerate global progress in HIV prevention.

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“We all owe a debt of gratitude to the thousands of young women in South Africa and Uganda who volunteered to be part of this study. Now we eagerly await results from PURPOSE 2, which is assessing twice-yearly Lenacapavir for HIV prevention in other populations and countries. In the meantime, all stakeholders must work together to accelerate equitable delivery of existing HIV prevention options, and do more to prepare for future options, such as lenacapavir for PrEP.

“Much of this work is underway this week at AIDS 2024, and will continue at HIVR4P 2024, the 5th HIV Research for Prevention Conference, which will take place in Lima, Peru, and virtually from 6 to 10 October 2024.”

The AIDS conference is the premier global platform to advance the HIV response. As the world’s largest conference on HIV and AIDS, it sits at the intersection of science, advocacy and human rights, bringing together scientists, policy-makers, healthcare professionals, people living with HIV, funders, media and communities. Since its start in 1985, the conference has served as an opportunity to strengthen policies and programmes that ensure an evidence-based response to HIV and related epidemics. HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) occurs at the most advanced stage of infection. HIV targets the body’s white blood cells, weakening the immune system.

HIV prevention: Experts excited about trial results of injectable Lenacapavir

Lagos doctors plan indefinite strike over allowance, others

Medical doctors in Lagos State have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over poor working conditions and non-implementation of ‘CONMESS allowance,’ among others.

In a petition to the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday, the doctors under the aegis of the Medical Guild, called on him to quickly intervene and prevent a breakdown in healthcare services.

Part of the demands of the doctors, include immediate payment of the reviewed CONMESS allowance, appropriate entry levels for specialists, the implementation of pension deductions for resident doctors, and the recruitment of more medical personnel to bridge manpower shortage.

The Chairman of the Medical Guild, Dr. Moruf Abdulsalam, disclosed that the Guild will be holding a congress in the next couple of days to decide on the next line of action.

He noted, according to report, that the demotion of specialist consultants has led to loss of income, low morale, and lack of interest from prospective specialists in joining the state health service. Another disincentive, Abdulsalam pointed out, is non-deduction of contributory pension and NHF deductions for resident doctors in Lagos.

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He said: “The globally recognised JAPA syndrome remains an inadequately recognised crisis, and the apparent lukewarm approach of the state government towards the above-highlighted issues only serves to tilt the Lagos doctors’ endurance to the breakpoint.

“An average of two to three doctors resign from our primary and secondary facilities every month without commensurate replacement. This has led to overwork, chronic fatigue, burnout, and strained family relationships for the remaining doctors with many grappling with chronic medical conditions from the stress and overwork.”

The Medical Guild chairman noted that the current economic challenges have worsened the situation.

“These factors are currently heightening the tension and fuelling the haemorrhage of doctors from the state to private establishments and then outside of the country.

“Nigeria and Lagos state in particular is plagued with human resource migration for greener pastures which has led to a frightening reduction in the number of doctors left in the state to manage the ever-growing population of a mega city like Lagos. This fact was corroborated recently by the remarks of the Honourable Commissioner for Health in Lagos State where he alluded to the reality that Lagos needs about 30,000 medical practitioners to fill this personnel gap,” Abdulsalam added.

The Medical Guild is the association of doctors under the employment of the Lagos State Government.

Lagos doctors plan indefinite strike over allowance, others