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Tanzanian-German programme reduces new-born mortality in Mtwara, Lindi

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To mark World Prematurity Day 2017, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDGEC), Dr. Mpoki Ulisubisya, and the German Ambassador, Dr. Detlef Wächter, together with the Regional Medical Officers Dr. Wedson Sichalwe (Mtwara) and Dr. Makenge Gwenchele (Lindi) presented the achievements in new-born care improvement through their joint programme “Improving Maternal and Child Health” (IMCH).

Every year an estimated 15 million babies worldwide are born preterm (before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy). In Tanzania, around 236,000 babies were born preterm in 2015.

The IMCH-programme was launched in 2015 in the regions of Mtwara and Lindi. Under the stewardship of the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDGEC) and with technical support from GIZ, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, both regions introduced a comprehensive intervention package to uplift new-born health care in all their health facilities.

“990 health care workers of the 35 health centers and 160 dispensaries in Mtwara and Lindi were trained in treating new-born emergencies”

As a result, Mtwara and Lindi regions have set new standards in successful new-born care in Tanzania. The programme has proved that the right set of protocols, skill-oriented trainings and mentoring, essential equipment and basic training in maintenance and repair can make a difference. Within 2 years, both regions succeeded to substantially improve new-born care and reduced new-born mortality in hospitals by almost 38%. Furthermore, more preterm babies who survived grow into healthy children without developing long-term disabilities.

A number of low cost-effective interventions were introduced to the regional health system. Among others is the concept of Kangaroo Care, where the skin-to-skin contact between the new-born and the mother keeps the baby warm. Breastfeeding within the first hour after birth significantly improves the babies’ chances to survive due to the early intake of essential nutrients and antibodies. Frequent standardized check-ups of babies by skilled medical staff immediately after birth, 24 hours and 3 days after birth help early detection and treatment of infections and other complications.

In addition to the national standard interventions, the regions introduced medical procedures to new-born care in hospitals with technical support from Tanzanian and German GIZ specialists. This included the use of oxygen for new-borns with breathing difficulties, a protocol to prevent and treat low blood sugar and a phototherapy protocol for babies with jaundice, a very common condition in preterm babies and causing irreversible brain damages if not treated timely.

Today, all 14 regional, district and designated district hospitals in Mtwara and Lindi have a dedicated New-born Care Unit with a total of 286 skilled staff who have been trained and frequently mentored in advanced new-born care. 990 health care workers of the 35 health centers and 160 dispensaries in Mtwara and Lindi were trained in treating new-born emergencies and receive continued support through regular on-the-job mentoring visits done by experienced hospital staff. New standard treatment protocols have been introduced and all health facilities have been furnished with essential medical equipment.

The achievements of Mtwara and Lindi are an important milestone on the way forward to fight newborn mortality in the country. To support this way forward, His Excellency, the German Ambassador, handed over a set of medical training equipment including special training material to the Honourable Permanent Secretary of Health to be used for trainings of medical staff in advanced new-born care in other regions.

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Health

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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