Health
NCDC reports 3,623 cholera cases, 103 deaths in 34 states
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has reported, on June 16 2024, that there were 3,623 potential cholera cases and 103 fatalities in 34 states and the Federal Capital territory (FCT) as at Monday this week.
The Director General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, disclosed this information at a news conference in Abuja.
The purpose of the news conference was to present current developments of the cholera epidemic situation in Nigeria.
They discussed the prevention and response efforts at both national and sub-national levels at the event.
Idris stated that the epidemic was detected in 187 local government areas across the 34 states.
This resulted in a total mortality rate of 2.8% since the year started.
In his statement, Idris said:
“As of July 15, 2024, we have recorded 3,623 suspected cases and, unfortunately, 103 deaths across 34 states plus the Federal Capital Territory and 187 Local Government Areas…
“With a cumulative case fatality rate of 2.8% since the beginning of the year.
“The predominant age affected is 5 years old while males account for 52% of cases and females account for the rest.
“Furthermore, there was a 5.6% decline in the number of cases in this reporting week (8th -14th July) as compared to the preceding week.
“We also recorded a drop in the case fatality rate from 2.9% to 2.8%.
“Definitely, there is a decline in case fatality rate from week 24 when the spike started to the present week.
“Whereas ongoing current efforts at the national and some state levels might have been yielding some results and are largely responsible for the decline being reported…
“However, given the trend from previous years, we know it is not Uhuru yet”, he added.
NCDC ‘s role in curbing cholera
Cholera is a bacterial infection caused by Vibrio cholerae.
It typically results in severe diarrhea and dehydration if untreated, and can be fatal in severe cases.
It experiences periodic outbreaks affecting various regions, including Nigeria.
According to the NCDC, recent reports indicate a concerning rise in cholera cases across multiple states.
As of the latest update, NCDC has documented thousands of cases, underscoring the urgent need for heightened awareness and response measures to curb its spread.
NCDC continues to monitor and manage outbreaks, emphasizing on comprehensive cholera control strategies, which include:
Clean water access, sanitation improvements, and timely medical intervention to mitigate the impact of cholera on affected communities.
NCDC ‘s approach to cholera outbreak management strategy
NCDC has been actively managing the current outbreak of cholera through several strategic approaches.
However, these approaches are classified under two distinct groups: preventive measures and public engagement, and operational response and clinical management.
Preventative measures and public engagement
Surveillance and Monitoring: NCDC employs a robust surveillance system to track and monitor cholera cases across Nigeria.
Additionally, this includes timely reporting and analysis of data to detect outbreaks early and implement targeted interventions.
Public awareness and education: The organization conducts public awareness campaigns to educate communities about cholera prevention and control measures.
This involves encouraging hygiene practices such as washing hands with soap and water and handling food safely.
It also includes promoting the use of clean water sources.
Capacity building: It collaborates with healthcare workers and local health authorities.
This collaboration enhances their capacity in diagnosing, treating, and reporting cholera cases promptly.
Training programs and workshops are also conducted to strengthen local response capabilities.
Operational response and clinical management
Response Coordination: It coordinates response efforts at national and state levels.
The entity works closely with relevant government agencies, international partners, and non-governmental organizations.
This ensures a unified and effective response to cholera outbreaks.
Clinical management: NCDC provides guidelines and protocols for the clinical management of cholera cases.
It emphasizes early diagnosis, re-hydration therapy, and the use of appropriate antibiotics to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions: The institution advocates for and supports WASH interventions.
This includes improving access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities in affected communities.
It is crucial in preventing the transmission of cholera through contaminated water and food.
Vaccination campaigns: During outbreaks or in high-risk areas, NCDC organizes cholera vaccination campaigns.
These campaigns aim to safeguard vulnerable populations and halt the disease’s further spread.
Looking forward, the organisation continues to refine and adapt its strategies based on ongoing epidemiological data and lessons learned from past outbreaks.
This proactive approach aims to mitigate the impact of cholera outbreaks and strengthen Nigeria’s overall public health response capabilities.
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Detectives from the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a man posing as a medical doctor following the death of a 35-year-old woman, Blessing Sunday Etim, during an alleged illegal abortion.
The suspect, identified as Sunday Okon Akpan, reportedly owns and operates the Full Life Medical Centre (FLMC) in Ikot Obio Odongo, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Timfon John, the spokesperson for the Akwa Ibom Police Command, revealed that police launched a search for the victim after receiving a distress call from her mother.
DSP John stated that operatives acted quickly following the report, which indicated that Blessing had gone to work at the FLMC and never returned.
According to police reports, the suspect attempted to secretly dispose of the victim’s body in her room.
A co-tenant, who witnessed the act, raised an alarm, forcing the suspect to abandon the corpse and flee the scene.
Police quickly arrived at the scene, where detectives discovered a premature foetus, confirming the occurrence of an illegal abortion.
Police traced and arrested Sunday Okon Akpan, a resident of Afaha Offiong village, Nsit Ibom LGA.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect is not a licensed medical doctor or nurse but a community health practitioner who allegedly used his clinic to perform illegal medical procedures, including abortions.
The health centre has since been found abandoned.
DSP John confirmed that the victim’s body has been deposited at a morgue for preservation and autopsy, while investigations continue to uncover more details surrounding the incident.
She also promised to update the public as the probe progresses.
This shocking incident highlights the dangers of unlicensed medical practitioners operating clinics and offering illegal procedures.
Police authorities are warning residents to verify the credentials of anyone offering medical services and to report suspicious activities to prevent similar tragedies.
As the investigation unfolds, Akwa Ibom police have vowed to ensure that justice is served, and the public remains safe from unqualified medical practitioners operating in the state.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised alarm over the circulation of fake Cowbell “Our Milk” 12g sachets in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Friday, August 22, 2025, the agency explained that the counterfeit milk is packaged to look like the discontinued Cowbell “Our Milk,” but it is unauthorised and unsafe for consumption.
NAFDAC clarified that Promasidor Nigeria Ltd, the authentic manufacturer, stopped producing Cowbell “Our Milk” in September 2023.
The product was replaced with Cowbell “Our Creamy Goodness.” Despite this, fake versions of the old product have found their way into Nigerian markets.
Picture of Fake cowbell milk.
The counterfeit sachets bear the brand name, NAFDAC registration number, and familiar packaging design, making them difficult for unsuspecting buyers to identify as fake.
Health Dangers of Fake Cowbell Milk
NAFDAC warned that the consumption of these counterfeit products poses serious health risks.
Fake milk could contain toxic chemicals, harmful additives, or diluted ingredients that endanger human health.
Infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are the most vulnerable. Possible dangers include:
- Foodborne illnesses
- Allergic reactions
- Organ damage
- Long-term health complications
- In extreme cases, death
Counterfeit Product Details
- Product Name: Cowbell “Our Milk” 12g sachet
- Purported Manufacturer: Promasidor Nigeria Ltd
- Production Date: 04/2025
- Expiry Date: 12/2028
Picture of original cowbell milk.
NAFDAC Issues Strong Warning
The agency urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and avoid purchasing the counterfeit milk.
Healthcare professionals, distributors, and consumers have been advised to report suspicious sales of substandard or fake products immediately.
Reports can be made through:
The nearest NAFDAC office
Toll-free line: 0800-162-3322
Email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng
NAFDAC also called on traders and retailers to stop selling the fake sachets.
The agency assured the public that strict enforcement measures are being taken to remove the counterfeit products from circulation.
This is not the first time Nigerians have faced risks from fake food and beverages.
Experts warn that counterfeit consumables are becoming more sophisticated, often making them difficult to spot.
Consumers are advised to always check product details, expiry dates, and packaging changes announced by manufacturers.
By highlighting the dangers and raising awareness, NAFDAC says it hopes to protect Nigerians from avoidable health crises linked to fake milk products
Men planning to father children have been strongly advised to marry and start a family before turning 40.
Medical experts warn that delayed fatherhood increases the risk of weak sperm and genetic disorders in children.
In an exclusive interview with PUNCH Healthwise, the President of the Nigerian Association of Urological Surgeons, Professor Nuhu Dakum, explained that male fertility sharply declines with age.
He stressed that sperm quality begins to deteriorate after 40, leaving children more vulnerable to inherited health conditions.
According to him, “Sperm quality reduces with age. The count, motility, and morphology are all affected. There is also an increase in DNA damage, which predisposes babies to genetic diseases.”
Why Men Over 40 Face Higher Risks
Professor Dakum revealed that several factors contribute to poor sperm quality as men grow older.
These include natural biological changes, smoking, alcohol abuse, poor nutrition, and exposure to toxins at work or in the environment.
He emphasized that while sperm decline can vary from man to man, the drop becomes significant around 40.
This means men who delay starting families until middle age could struggle with infertility and pass on genetic risks.
The concern gained fresh attention after a viral post on X (formerly Twitter) sparked a heated debate.
The post claimed that older men produce weak sperm that increases the chances of children developing genetic mutations such as autism, Down syndrome, schizophrenia, and dwarfism.
Medical experts say these claims have some truth.
The Texas Fertility Centre has confirmed that sperm quality and quantity decline with age, leading to age-related male infertility.
Similarly, Healthline, a trusted medical portal, reports that men over 50 experience a significant drop in sperm quality, with sperm count and unhealthy lifestyle habits playing key roles in the decline.
Healthy Living Can Improve Sperm Strength
Professor Dakum, however, clarified that older men can still father healthy children if they maintain good sperm health.
He stressed that healthy living benefits both general well-being and sperm quality.
He said, “There may not be much to prevent if the man is already old, but living healthy improves general health and sperm health.
Options like embryo genetic selection or sperm DNA testing can reduce risks, though these are costly and not widely available. Donor sperm is also an option for couples facing such challenges.”
What This Means for Nigerian Men
The warning is clear: delaying fatherhood comes with health risks for both fathers and children.
Men who prioritize career or wealth before family may unknowingly endanger their future children’s health.
Medical experts now urge Nigerian men to plan early, get married before 40, and adopt a healthier lifestyle to protect their fertility.
With infertility cases rising in Nigeria, the advice serves as a wake-up call.
Alcohol consumption, smoking, poor diets, and late marriages are becoming common among Nigerian men. But experts insist that fertility should not be left to chance.
Starting a family earlier in life, avoiding harmful habits, eating well, and reducing exposure to toxins remain the most effective ways to preserve fertility.
For men who are already older, fertility specialists recommend medical consultations, sperm analysis, and lifestyle changes.
Genetic testing may also help reduce risks when planning for children.
Conclusion
Professor Dakum’s advice highlights an often-overlooked issue in male health. Sperm quality is not permanent, and time works against men just as it does against women.
Nigerian men now face a crucial decision: delay marriage and risk weak sperm, or act early and secure a healthier future for their children.
President Bola Tinubu has approved a major reduction in the cost of kidney dialysis in federal hospitals. The price has dropped from ₦50,000 to ₦12,000.
This move comes as part of his administration’s push to make healthcare more affordable for ordinary Nigerians.
The announcement came on Monday through Daniel Bwala, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Information.
He revealed the development in a post on his official X, formerly Twitter handle.
According to him, the subsidy already covers several federal medical centres and teaching hospitals across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Bwala explained that this policy has started running in major health institutions, ensuring that kidney patients now pay less for treatment.
He also noted that more hospitals will join the scheme before the year ends, giving broader access to citizens.
Currently, patients can access the reduced dialysis service at these hospitals:
1. Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute-Metta, Lagos
2. Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja
3. University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State
4. Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, Imo State
5. University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Maiduguri, Borno State
6. Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State
7. Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos
8. Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Azare, Bauchi State
9. University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State
10. University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar, Cross River State.
More hospitals will be added as the program expands, Bwala confirmed. He stressed that Tinubu’s decision reflects his promise to put citizens’ welfare first.
By cutting costs, the government wants to ease the financial pain that families face while battling chronic illnesses.
Furthermore, this step is not an isolated policy. It fits into the Tinubu administration’s wider healthcare reforms.
Alongside dialysis subsidies, the government is rolling out oncology and diagnostic facilities to improve cancer and disease detection.
In addition, about 120,000 frontline health workers will undergo retraining to boost the quality of care across the country.
The President has also redesigned the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to make primary healthcare more accessible in rural and urban areas.
Another key reform is the approval of free Caesarean sections for vulnerable pregnant women in federal hospitals, further showing the government’s focus on saving lives.
With these reforms, Tinubu aims to rebuild trust in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The reduction in dialysis cost, in particular, gives hope to thousands of kidney patients who have long struggled with overwhelming medical bills.
Featured
Nigerian scientist Dr. Samuel Achilefu invents infrared goggles to detect cancer cells in real time
DDM News
(DDM) – Nigerian-born scientist Dr. Samuel Achilefu has developed groundbreaking infrared goggles that allow surgeons to see cancer cells while operating.
The revolutionary technology makes cancer cells glow in real time, enabling surgeons to identify and remove tumors with higher accuracy.
Before this invention, doctors struggled to confirm complete tumor removal during surgery and often relied on lab results afterward.
Dr. Achilefu’s fluorescence-guided goggles eliminate that delay, improving precision and significantly reducing patient trauma.
The innovation also reduces the likelihood of repeat operations, giving patients a better chance at faster recovery.
DDM gathered that Dr. Achilefu, a distinguished radiologist, has published more than 300 scientific papers.
He also holds over 70 medical patents in the United States, cementing his place among the world’s leading innovators in medical science.
Born in Obingwa, Abia State, Nigeria, his academic journey took him across continents.
He earned a PhD in molecular physical and materials chemistry before completing postdoctoral training at Oxford University, focusing on oxygen transport systems.
Today, his work blends chemistry, engineering, and medicine to transform cancer treatment globally.
Surgeons using his device no longer have to rely solely on touch or sight to trace tumors.
Instead, the glowing effect of cancer cells under infrared light allows for precise cutting with minimal risk.
Medical experts say this innovation could revolutionize cancer surgeries worldwide.
Dr. Achilefu’s achievements are celebrated not only in the U.S. but across Africa, where he remains a source of inspiration.
He has received international awards for innovation, including recognition for improving global healthcare outcomes.
His invention underscores the power of African excellence in science and technology.
#TheAfricanDream continues to spotlight innovators shaping the world from humble beginnings.
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