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Foundation Urges African Leaders to Sustain Demand for Equity in WHO Pandemic Agreement

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From Attah Ede, Makurdi

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has called on African leaders to seize the opportunity to shape the continent’s future in global health security by demanding an equitable agreement that works for all nations, particularly those in the Global South.

AHF further stated the COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep inequalities, with 85% of African countries unable to vaccinate their populations while wealthier nations hoarded vaccines.

It maintained the upcoming Pandemic Agreement talks are Africa’s chance to ensure these disparities are never repeated.

This call was contained in the AHF’s Save Our Society (SOS) campaign, leading up to the next round of World Health Organization Pandemic Agreement negotiations held on Nov.

4-15.

AHF Nigeria Country Program Director, Dr. Echey Ijezie in a statement that was issued and made available to newsmen in Makurdi, stated  that for a Pandemic Agreement to truly serve Africa’s needs, leaders across the continent must demand equity at its core.

“This should include; ensuring fair and timely access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments through the establishment of regional manufacturing hubs and binding commitments on technology transfer across Africa

“The pandemic has shown us that the health of one nation affects the health of all. Africans cannot wait for handouts in times of crisis, as was the case with COVID-19 and what is currently happening with insufficient access to vaccines in response to the Mpox outbreak. We must demand the tools, knowledge, and capacity to protect ourselves and ensure no country is left behind”, he stated.

Dr. Echey Ijezie equally said that African nations must be able to secure the knowledge and resources necessary to produce vaccines and other critical health commodities independently, reducing reliance on external suppliers and empowering the continent to respond to future pandemics with greater resilience.

“Sustainable financing is another vital component that African leaders must push for to support pandemic preparedness and health infrastructure. Because voluntary contributions have proven insufficient – guaranteed, binding financial support is essential to strengthen Africa’s health systems and safeguard against future crises.

“Africa’s leaders have an essential opportunity to influence the final terms of the WHO Pandemic Agreement. By standing firm on these issues—equity, regional production, technology transfer, and sustainable financing—African nations can secure a fairer and more resilient future for the continent. The time to act is now.”

For emphasis, AHF also urged the leaders on the following key areas;

“Regional Production Capacity: Concrete mechanisms to facilitate the local production of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics in the Global South. This requires a binding roadmap for the transfer of knowledge, technology, and long-term sustainable financing, as outlined in Articles 9, 10, and 11 of the draft agreement.

“Technology Transfer: Enforceable provisions that ensure technology transfer is not restricted to voluntary and mutually agreed terms, but allows low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) the same flexibilities that rich nations like the United States have to use non-voluntary means and ancillary measures to address public health emergencies and other crises.

“Sustainable Financing: The agreement must secure long-term, binding financial commitments from high-income countries to support pandemic preparedness and response in LMICs. Voluntary contributions alone will not suffice, as outlined in Article 20.

“Civil Society Participation: Effective global health governance now recognizes the crucial role of civil society and other non-state actors in decision-making processes. Embracing a governance model that includes their meaningful participation can enhance legitimacy, bolster accountability, and transform the global health security architecture into a more equitable and effective system to better prevent, prepare for, and respond to global health threats”.

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Benue Govt Approves Lydia Memorial Hospital as Focal Center for Infectious Disease Treatment

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By David Torough, Abuja

The Benue State Government has officially approved Lydia Memorial Hospital, Ugbokolo, as a focal hospital for the treatment of infectious diseases, making it the first private hospital in the state to receive such recognition.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr.
Yanmar Ortese, announced the approval while receiving the hospital’s management team, led by its Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director, Dr.
Mark Ogbodo, during a courtesy visit to his office on Tuesday.Dr. Ortese commended Dr. Ogbodo for maintaining high professional standards and delivering quality healthcare services.”I was very impressed with the report from the supervision team I sent to your hospital.
Based on their positive assessment, I had no option but to approve Lydia Memorial Hospital as a focal hospital for infectious disease treatment. This makes it the first private hospital in Benue State to achieve this status,” he stated.He encouraged Dr. Ogbodo to continue upholding professional ethics, assuring that the government remains committed to combating medical quackery and promoting quality healthcare services.”I urge you to remain dedicated to the ethics of the medical profession, as the sky will only be your lower limit,” Ortese added.The Commissioner emphasized the importance of partnerships between the government and private health institutions to improve healthcare delivery, especially in rural areas.”This award will spur me to do even more for both the private health sector and the state’s healthcare system at large. We are committed to sustaining high standards and will continue to foster collaborations that enhance healthcare delivery across Benue State,” Dr. Ortese remarked.He also expressed optimism that the government would provide more support to private hospitals to ease their operational burdens and improve service delivery.In his remarks, Dr. Mark Ogbodo praised Dr. Ortese for his exceptional leadership and unwavering support for private healthcare providers.”Your leadership is a source of inspiration, and your kindness to Lydia Memorial Hospital will always be remembered and cherished,” Dr. Ogbodo said.Dr. Ogbodo particularly thanked the Commissioner for approving Lydia Memorial Hospital as a focal center for infectious disease treatment, describing the approval as a historic milestone for private healthcare in Benue State.”This approval is not just a recognition of our efforts but also a motivation to continue striving for excellence in healthcare delivery,” he added.As part of the visit, Dr. Ogbodo on behalf of the management team, presented an Award of Excellence to Dr. Ortese in recognition of his outstanding contributions to healthcare in Benue State and Nigeria.”This award is a token of our appreciation for your exceptional leadership, your commitment to medical excellence, and the many courtesies extended to Lydia Memorial Hospital,” Dr. Ogbodo stated.There was a renewed commitment from both parties to strengthen public-private partnerships and improve healthcare access and quality across the state.

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Katsina Hisbah Bans Nightclubs

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The Katsina State Hisbah Board has banned all nightclub activities across the state, citing Islamic principles and the need to uphold moral values.

The Hisbah Commander-General, Dr Aminu Usman (Abu Ammar), announced this in a statement issued in Katsina on Wednesday. He stated that nightclub owners must shut down their establishments to curb immoral practices, protect societal values, and address security concerns in the state.
“The board warned that violators would face strict penalties.
Security agencies have been instructed to ensure full compliance with the order. “We are committed to building a morally upright society and ensuring peace and security in Katsina State,” Usman said.
He confirmed that the board has informed relevant security agencies, including the state Commissioner for Internal Security, to enforce the directive effectively. “This move aligns with Hisbah’s broader efforts to ensure residents continue their lives in line with religious and moral standards,” he stated. (NAN)

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Senate Begins Public Hearing on Tax Reform Bills Feb. 24

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The Senate will begin a two-day public hearing on the four tax reform bills presented by President Bola Tinubu to improve the nation’s tax administration.

Chairman of Senate Committee on Finance, Sen. Sani Musa, said this at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday.Sani after a closed session with members of the committee said that the public hearing would hold on Feb.
24 and Feb.
25.
“We intend to take on two of the bills on each day of the session for the press to be fully abreast with what we intend to do.“The bills are: Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024; Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.The bills, according to him, will overhaul the tax administration and revenue generation in the country, as many of the provisions contained in them are landmark in nature.
This, he said, would put Nigeria on the same pedestal with advanced economies, saying that infrastructure, education, agriculture and other sectors of the economy would be adequately taken care of with enough funds.Sani said that the committee members had studied the bills and had a robust engagement with several stakeholders before deciding to hold the public hearing.He expressed the belief that the public hearing would go on well, adding that President Bola Tinubu had repeatedly assured that he would not interfere in any of the processes on the tax reform bills.“It is our duty as legislators to do the needful for the good of this country. We are all representatives of different tribes, religions, geography and we are Nigerians.“What we will work towards giving Nigerians are laws that will put us on track economically. And by the grace of God, we will succeed,” he said.He listed those invited to the public hearing to include: the Federal Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, the Minister of Trade and Investment and the Attorney-General of the Federation.“We have also invited the Minister of Petroleum Resources, the Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Services and the Statistician-General of the Federation so that he will be able to come and give us his own submission,” he said.Sani assured that the National Assembly would, at the end of the day, produce legislations on tax administration that would be acceptable to Nigerians. (NAN)

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