Connect with us

Health

India donates essential medicines to combat COVID-19 as Nigeria seeks collaboration to produce vaccines

Published

on

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has described the gesture of donation of medicinal items by India to Nigeria as “gracious and touching” as the global plague affects all countries, and India has its own problems just as Nigeria has hers, in spite of which India still tried to find the resources to donate to Nigeria and other countries.

The Minister said this when the High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, Shri Abhay Thakur came to deliver 586 Cartons of medicines meant to combat COVID-19, a gift from the Government and People of India to Nigeria.

The donated medicines are Hydroxychloroquine and antibiotics which the High Commissioner, Thakur stated was “sent to Nigeria in line with the commitment made in the conversation between H.E, Dr. S. Jaisankar, and the Minister for External Affairs of India and his Nigerian Counterpart, H.E. Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Foreign Affairs on 24th April, 2020.”

In a statement at the occasion, the High Commissioner of India to Nigeria said “the donation underscores the special and unique ties between India and Nigeria.”

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire also revealed that “Nigeria and India share information management protocols and tactical advice and long interactions between our countries” which he said, “is almost legendary.” Ehanire said “relationship between the two countries spanned Defense, Science, Research and very many other spheres and Education, particularly.”

Osagie also said “perhaps the most poignant of the relationship” between India and Nigeria is “pharmaceutical.” He said India is a hub of pharmaceutical industry and all countries look forward to India in that respect.” He added that “We look forward to collaboration with you as we thank you for the donated products because of our position in Africa as the most populous country, a distinction that we share with you in Asia, and also that Nigeria is a hub with other West Africa Countries; the market here is huge and opportunity for collaboration are endless. We have mentioned your distinction in the production of APIs which to us here in Nigeria are extremely important.”

The Minister further revealed “an area of interest” which he said need to be stressed: Vaccine production revealing that Nigeria “is an aspiring vaccine production country” which he said has “gone into a partnership with a private company to produce vaccine for the use of our citizens.” He requested to collaborate with India for the production of vaccine for the use of Nigerians, revealing further that the aspiration of the whole world now is the development of vaccine for COVID-19.” Nigeria, the Minister said is most interested in seeing a way to connect with the outside world to share knowledge, to share experience and advances for the production of a useable vaccine against COVID-19.”

The list of the donated medicines from India to Nigeria include: Azithromycin 250 MG Tab; Hydroxychloroquine 200 MG Tab; Hydroxychloroquine 250 MG Tab; Cefotaxime Sodium 1000 MG Inj; Metronidazole5 MG/ML 100 MLIV; Ceftiaxone1 MG Injection; Ceftiaxone1 500MG Injection; Chloroquine 250 MG Tab; Levocetrizine5 MG; Ibuprofeen 400 MG Tab; Paracetamol 500 MG Tab; and Montelukast10MG Tab all packaged in 589 Cartons.

Comments

Health

Trump cleared for office, doctor orders weight loss ahead of 80th birthday

Published

on

By

United States President Donald Trump has been declared medically fit to continue in office, with his physician describing him as being in “excellent health” while recommending weight loss and increased physical activity weeks before his 80th birthday.

The White House disclosed on Friday that Trump underwent his annual medical and dental examination on Tuesday at Walter Reed Military Hospital near Washington, amid growing scrutiny over his health and fitness for office.

In a three-page medical memo released by the White House, Trump’s physician, US Navy Captain Sean Barbabella, said the president demonstrated strong overall physical and mental capacity.

“President Trump remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall physical function,” Barbabella stated, adding that the president was “fully fit to carry out all duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State.”

However, the physician advised Trump to adopt healthier lifestyle measures, including dietary adjustments, increased physical activity, continued weight loss and low-dose aspirin therapy for cardiovascular prevention.

According to the report, Trump, who will turn 80 on June 14, stands at 6ft 3in tall and weighs 238 pounds (108 kilograms), about 14 pounds more than he weighed during his last full annual medical check-up in April last year.

Despite concerns surrounding his age, the report noted that Trump’s cardiac health reflected an estimated age roughly 14 years younger than his chronological age.

The president also reportedly scored a perfect “30 out of 30” in a cognitive assessment, a result Trump has repeatedly cited in public while contrasting himself with his Democratic predecessor, former President Joe Biden.

The medical report further addressed concerns over bruising frequently seen on Trump’s right hand, attributing it to “minor soft tissue irritation” caused by repeated handshaking and aspirin use.

The memo also referenced scarring on Trump’s right ear linked to the assassination attempt against him during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024, when a gunman opened fire, killing a supporter and slightly wounding the president.

Trump’s latest health evaluation comes amid public concerns after he was occasionally seen appearing drowsy during White House meetings and events. He had also previously been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that affects blood circulation in the veins and can lead to swelling in the legs.

Reacting shortly after Tuesday’s examination, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the medical exercise had gone “PERFECTLY,” while the White House later shared his photograph online with the caption, “PERFECT BILL OF HEALTH!”

The release of the report also sparked debate in the United States after the White House initially delayed making the medical details public, breaking with the traditional practice of releasing presidential health summaries shortly after such examinations.

Trump has long faced criticism over transparency regarding his health records, with questions also raised over the scheduling and description of his medical evaluations since returning to office.

Continue Reading

Health

Oyo confirms Lassa fever death in Ibadan, activates emergency response, traces contacts

Published

on

The Oyo State Government has confirmed a Lassa fever case at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, where a 44-year-old woman died, prompting the activation of emergency response measures and immediate contact tracing to contain the disease.

The state Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying, “The patient died on April 11, 2026, while receiving treatment, while laboratory confirmation of Lassa fever was received on April 13.”

She added that the Ministry of Health had swiftly activated its emergency response system, including the establishment of an Incident Management System to coordinate response activities across the state.

According to her, “All identified contacts of the deceased are being closely monitored, while necessary measures have been taken to ensure a safe and dignified burial in line with public health protocols.”

Ajetunmobi urged residents to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as persistent fever, weakness, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding, chest pain or difficulty breathing.

She stressed, “Early presentation at health facilities significantly improves the chances of survival.”

The commissioner explained that Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by urine or faeces of infected rodents.

“It can also spread from person to person through contact with bodily fluids, especially in healthcare settings where infection prevention measures are not strictly observed,” she said.

She advised residents to maintain strict environmental hygiene, including proper waste disposal, safe storage of food in rodent-proof containers and avoiding drying food items on bare ground or roadsides.

Ajetunmobi also urged households to seal holes and entry points to prevent rodent access, while emphasising regular handwashing and good personal hygiene.

Residents, she said, should report suspected cases through designated emergency lines, while health workers must strictly adhere to infection prevention and control protocols.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the commissioner said surveillance had been intensified across the state, with all health facilities placed on alert.

“There is no cause for panic. The situation is under control, and Lassa fever is both preventable and treatable when detected early,” she assured.

Continue Reading

Health

Rep Oseni Backs Ajimobi Widow’s Cancer Fight, Vows More Health Projects

Published

on

The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Aderemi Oseni, has pledged to support the breast cancer awareness programme of the ABC Foundation founded by former Oyo First Lady, Dr. Florence Ajimobi.

Oseni, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), made the commitment on Thursday in Ibadan at the flag-off of Pink Month 2025, an initiative of the foundation.

Contained in a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker described the campaign as a “lifesaving mission” given the rising burden of breast cancer in Nigeria, with over 28,000 new cases and thousands of deaths reported annually.

The APC chieftain said the free screening of 1,000 women planned by the foundation was timely, stressing that early detection remained the strongest weapon in the fight against cancer.

Hon. Aderemi Oseni exchanging pleasantries with former Oyo State First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi, at the event.

“Health is life. Only this June, I moved a motion at the National Assembly which led to the Federal Government subsidising dialysis treatment nationwide. Today, dialysis is either free or heavily discounted in federal health facilities,” Oseni said.

He listed his personal interventions to include funding hospital bills of indigent patients, construction of hospitals in Ido and Ibarapa East, establishment of primary health centres, and organisation of medical outreaches. He also disclosed plans to deploy mobile clinics to rural areas.

Commending Mrs. Ajimobi for sustaining her late husband’s legacy through humanitarian service, Oseni assured of partnership with the foundation, saying women’s wellbeing and empowerment remained central to his vision for Oyo State.

In her remarks, Mrs. Ajimobi said the foundation had offered medical care to over 85,000 patients and conducted more than 100,000 investigations since its inception. She added that the campaign was not just corporate social responsibility but “a moral duty and sacred trust.”

The former first lady, who lost her daughter Abisola to breast cancer earlier this year, said the experience had strengthened her resolve to save other families from such tragedy. She appealed to women to take advantage of the free screening and called on partners and development agencies to support the fight.

Continue Reading

Advertisement

Entertainment

Advertisement

MegaIcon Magazine Facebook Page

Advertisement

MEGAICON TV

Advertisement

Trending