Health
Cholera Vaccine: GTFCC Approves 9m Doses, as Nigeria Records over 100,000 Cases in 2021

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC), said it has approved about 9million doses of oral cholera vaccine (OCV) for Nigeria to implement two campaigns in 14 LGAs in 9 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, to mitigate the risk of an upsurge of cholera cases during rain season.
The World Health Organisation, WHO, country representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Molumbo, disclosed this at the WHO training on the integration of the OCV in emergency and preventative contexts observed that Nigeria degraded its biggest cholera outbreak which commenced in 2021 with over 100,000 suspected cases reported, stressed the need for the early allocation and shipment of the vaccines to ensure vaccinations are administered sooner than later to stop the outbreak from becoming big epidemic.
Molumbo stated that the challenges identified during 2021 annual GTFCC stakeholder meeting, including poor quality reactive and preventative OCV campaign requests, lack of OCV use as an outbreak response in some settings, inadequate monitoring and evaluation of OCV campaigns need to be urgently addressed.
“WHO is cognizant of the need to implement quality campaigns and the operational challenges in different contexts. Nigeria has demonstrated capacity to implement campaigns in difficult settings, including security challenges as experienced in the 2 LGAs in Zamfara as well as addressed and improved Campaign data quality, through the use of real-time reporting by vaccination teams using hand mobile phones,” Molumbo said.
“We believe that the vast experience built in Nigeria over the years in implementing mass vaccination campaigns, will come to bear, as we prepare for these preventive campaigns.
“We are confident that the opportunity of this training for knowledge sharing from the three levels of the organization and the multiple country participants, will not only help improve on the gaps identified but also ensure that countries are better prepared to request, plan and implement quality campaigns with OCV as part of their national Cholera control plans and further contribute the long-term goal of Ending Cholera by 2030”.
According to Molumbo, “Cholera control efforts is a holistic one including more than just vaccination and the need to address issues around WASH remains critical in the long term.
“This brings to bear the need to improved coordination of cholera control efforts and ensure that clean and safe water as well as improve hygienic practices as highlighted in the Cholera control plans are implemented in a sustainable manner to ensure we achieve the desired goal.”
Also speaking, Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire recalled that the first recorded appearance of cholera at epidemic level in Nigeria was in 1972, with gradually increasing numbers of outbreaks over the years, along with marked mortality and morbidity, and expenses associated with treatment and management.
He noted that the traditional measures for cholera prevention and control have been to provide potable water and improve hygiene and sanitation adding that science has however, over the years, risen to the task, with the development of oral cholera vaccine, now certified as effective enough to be recommended for disease prevention and control.
The minister pointed out that the availability of the vaccine has unfortunately been limited, which has restricted its use and the much-expected impact.
Health
Stakeholders Call for Better Menstrual Hygiene To Boost Health

Stakeholders have stressed the need for increased awareness and improved practices around menstrual hygiene, particularly to support better health outcomes and dignity for girls in underserved communities.
They made the call on Wednesday in Abuja ahead of the 2025 Menstrual Hygiene Day, commemorated globally every May 28 to address inequalities in menstrual health and hygiene.
The event was organised by Tabitha Cumi Foundation (TCF) under its Always Keeping Girls in School (AKGIS) project, with support from Charities Aid Foundation (CAF America).
Mrs Tayo Erinle, Executive Director of TCF, said menstrual hygiene remained a critical yet often overlooked aspect of reproductive health, especially among adolescent girls.
“Many girls live in households where no one provides sanitary pads or pays attention to that part of their lives.
“It happens monthly, and every girl deserves dignity and support,” she said.
Erinle added that more than 1,600 marginalised girls across 32 junior secondary schools in the FCT, Lagos, and Benue states were empowered through puberty education and menstrual hygiene management under the AKGIS project.
She said beneficiaries also received a one-year supply of Always sanitary pads and emergency kits.
“The project has boosted the girls’ confidence.
“Menstruation was once shrouded in secrecy, stigma, and confusion for many. Now, with access to correct information and education, they feel empowered,” she added.
Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary for the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, emphasised the importance of educating youths on reproductive health.
Represented by Dr Ruqayya Wamakko, Executive Secretary of the FCT Primary Health Care Board, she called for more sensitisation efforts to encourage young people to use health services in primary health centres.
“We give health talks, visit schools, form school clubs, and teach students how to care for themselves, maintain personal and menstrual hygiene, and stay safe,” she noted.
Mrs Nwakonye Onyirechi, Assistant Chief Investigative Officer in the Women and Children Department of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), reiterated the commission’s commitment to protecting the rights of the girl child.
“We go to schools to sensitise girls to their rights and encourage them to speak up when their rights are violated,” she said.
Dr Safiya Tamanuwa, Deputy Director of the Placement and Gender Unit at the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), commended TCF for its support toward improving the health and well-being of schoolgirls.
Highlights of the event included the distribution of sanitary pads and kits, a literary presentation, and expert-led health talks.(NAN)
Health
Group urges Nigerians to embrace healthy habits to prevent diseases

The Society of Lifestyle Medicine of Nigeria (SOLONg) has advised Nigerians to embrace healthy preventive lifestyle habits to prevent the root causes of chronic and lifestyle-related diseases.
The President of SOLONg, Dr Moyosore Makinde, gave the advice in an interview in commemoration of the “Global Lifestyle Medicine Week” on Tuesday in Lagos.
NAN reports that the Global Lifestyle Medicine Week, taking place from May 18 to May 24, 2025, has the theme “Celebrating Healthy Habits: Inspire Change with D.
R.E.A.M.S.”Makinde, also an International Board-certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician, said the week was dedicated to raising awareness about the transformative power of lifestyle medicine in improving health outcomes and reducing the burden of chronic diseases worldwide.
According to her, lifestyle medicine empowers people to live healthier, happier and longer lives.
She explained that the D.R.E.A.M.S. acronym highlighted the six key pillars of lifestyle medicine that guide individuals toward healthier lives namely: Predominantly plant-based Diets, positive Relationships or social connections, Exercise, Avoidance of toxic substances, Mental wellness and stress management, and restorative Sleep.
She said that these pillars had been proven by scientific research to not only manage and prevent chronic diseases like coronary heart disease, diabetes, dementia and Alzheimer’s but also to promote a more sustainable and harmonious relationship with ourselves and with our planet.
Makinde added that it contributed to planetary health and the stability of our ecosystem.
“SOLONg is proud to announce its participation in Global Lifestyle Medicine Week, taking place from May 18 to May 24, 2025.
“Scientific studies, including numerous randomised clinical trials and longitudinal studies, have consistently shown the remarkable benefits of lifestyle interventions in reducing the incidence of chronic conditions.
“Additionally, these healthy habits play a pivotal role in strengthening resilience against infectious diseases.
“The ongoing impact of several pandemics has underscored the importance of adopting healthy behaviours, as poor lifestyle choices have been associated with worse disease severity and slower recovery times,” she said.
Contributing, the General Secretary of SOLONg, Dr Chika Anozie, said that Global Lifestyle Medicine Week aimed to foster a community of like-minded individuals and healthcare professionals committed to lifestyle medicine.
Anozie, also a Family Physician, said that SOLONg would organise various activities to mark the week, including a Webinars and educational workshops on lifestyle medicine topics.
She added that there would be courtesy visits and community outreach programmes promoting healthy habits, as well as social media campaigns sharing lifestyle medicine tips and resources.
“As we observe Global Lifestyle Medicine Week, it is clear that the need for Lifestyle Medicine is greater than ever.
“This is a clarion call for the government to create policies that promote healthy lifestyle practices while restricting behaviours that contribute to disease.
“We urge medical institutions to prioritise the accreditation of Lifestyle Medicine programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
“It is equally important that health professionals receive the proper training to effectively communicate these life-saving messages to the public.
“The Society encourages individuals to embrace the principles of healthy living, which are not only lifechanging but also long-lasting,” she said.(NAN)
Health
NAFDAC Clarifies Sachet Alcohol Ban Timeline

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified its stance regarding the nationwide ban on sachet alcohol.
Mr Kenneth Azikiwe, Director of the FCT Directorate of the agency, in an interview on Monday in Abuja that the temporary lifting of the ban was only valid until Dec.
31, 2025.He emphasised that the recent ministerial lifting of the ban was not permanent and urged the public to disregard misinformation suggesting that the government had permanently lifted the restriction.
“There is a ministerial lifting on the ban of sachet alcohol, but it is only temporary and will be reviewed by Dec. 31, 2025.
“After this date, the full enforcement of the ban will commence.
“The minister granted this temporary relief to allow manufacturers and regulators time to collaborate and ensure a more structured and effective implementation of the ban,” Azikiwe stated.”
He highlighted NAFDAC’s ongoing efforts to sensitise the public across the country, noting that awareness campaigns had reached every state.
“We have sensitised distributors, and we’ve emphasised that alcohol should not be sold to individuals under the age of 18, which is also clearly indicated on product labels,” he added.
Azikiwe also commended the Distillers and Beverages Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) for supporting the awareness drive.
He reassured the public that NAFDAC remained fully committed to regulating alcohol consumption and reiterated that sachet alcohol products containing less than 200 milliliters would be phased out after Dec. 2025.(NAN)