Health

Matt Hancock will hope new job can help restore career and public image

Matt Hancock ’s turbulent time working at the heart of the UK’s biggest public health crisis in living memory cost him many allies in the party and his affair caught on camera cost him his dignity and public image.

But his new job as a UN special representative focused on economic development in Africa could be the start of his attempts to rebuild his career. The grand announcement, which included the tweet of his invitation to take up the role, suggests he is keen to turn attention to his new direction.

One senior diplomat with experience of the UN suggested, with raised eyebrows, that the announcement of Hancock’s UN job had evoked rather grander headlines than it deserved. They pointed to others, such as Gordon Brown and the former Bank of England governor Mark Carney, who have “special envoy” roles appointed by the secretary general. Hancock will report to a UN agency, the Economic Commission for Africa.

No 10 and the Cabinet Office said the government did not nominate Hancock for the role but that permission had been sought from the ministerial watchdog.

Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, said it was poor timing to announce the appointment on the day of a damning report by the health and science select committee into the pandemic. “Apparently, the one British export the Tories are successfully promoting is their own disgraced former cabinet ministers,” she said. “Right now, the only role that Matt Hancock should have is answering questions to the ongoing ICO investigation into his own conduct, and the promised public inquiry which the government continues to delay.”

The former health secretary’s stock was very low by the time of his departure, especially with MPs on the right of the party, because of discontent with lockdown rules, of which he was seen as the main proponent.

Some critics in the party attempted to spread mischievous rumours about a return at the last reshuffle, but Hancock looks likely to remain a backbencher for some time.

Allies of the former health secretary have said since his departure that he will remain deeply loyal to Boris Johnson in hope of a comeback, and feels he has much more to give in government. “I don’t think his career is over,” one former cabinet colleague said. “His delivery skills are extraordinary.”

He still has high-profile friends in government and outside. The Guardian understands it was the campaigner Nimco Ali who introduced Hancock to Dr Vera Songwe, the UN undersecretary general, who made the appointment. Ali, a leading anti-FGM and women’s rights activist, is a Home Office adviser on violence against women and a close personal friend of Carrie Johnson, the prime minister’s wife.

Cabinet ministers and senior MPs were quick to show public support, with tweets from Michael Gove, Sajid Javid and Damian Green congratulating Hancock on the move.

Hancock had told allies he was interested in taking up an international role and indicated his interest at a fringe event at the Conservative conference – the only one he attended. He told the audience at the panel on Africa investment, which included Ali and the Kenyan ambassador, that he wanted to turn his focus to bringing private investment to Africa.

The job description will have little to do with Hancock’s expertise in health. He will work to develop policy on new financial markets on the continent and develop green investment facilities. Nick Dearden, the director of Global Justice Now, said the appointment was “sickening” because of the UK’s poor record on vaccine access in developing countries.

Health

Wike approves recruitment of 34 resident doctors for FCT hospitals

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has approved the recruitment of 34 resident doctors for a seven-year residency training to enhance health-care delivery in FCT.

Mr Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the minister on Public Communications and Social Media, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

Olayinka explained that the 34 doctors would be the first batch of 60 medical doctors approved for residency training in eight specialities in FCT Administration hospitals.

He said that five out of the 34 doctors would work in the psychiatric department, four in internal medicine and one in general surgery.

Others, he said would comprise one in anesthesiology, eight in family medicine, six in ophthalmology and nine in obstetrics and gynaecology.

“This is the first time this is being done outside employees of the Health Management Board, thereby, giving doctors more opportunity and bringing more competent hands into healthcare delivery in the FCT,” he said.

The spokesman added that the remaining 26 doctors would be recruited in due course by the FCTA Civil Service Commission.

He said that the 26 doctors would comprise one for psychiatry department, four for internal medicine, eight for general surgery, five in anesthesiology, and eight paediatrics.

Health

Ogun Govt confirms Lassa fever outbreak as NYSC member dies

A 25-year-old member of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), has reportedly died of Lassa fever at a secondary health facility in ljebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

It was gathered that the female corp member who fell sick while in Ondo State, was brought to the health facility last Tuesday and later died same day.

This was contained in a statement made available to DAILY POST and signed by the Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, on Wednesday.

Coker also confirmed the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.

The statement reads, “Ogun State has confirmed a case of Lassa Fever and as such declared Lassa fever outbreak.

“The index case is a 25-year-old female National Youth Corp member who fell sick while in Ondo State and was brought to on of our secondary health facility in ljebu North LGA on 18th March 2025 and later died same day.

“ Lassa fever is a viral Haemorrhagic disease that presents with High grade fever, Headache, General body weakness, Sore throat, Muscle pain, Cough, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Chest pain and Unexplained bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth and other body openings.”

Coker urged members of the community to report to the hospital if any of the listed symptoms is noticed.

“We implore members of the community to promptly report to the hospital if they notice any of these symptoms. Any case of febrile illness that has not responded to 48 hours use of anti-malaria or antibiotics should raise an index of suspicion for Lassa fever!

“We implore all Health facilities in Ogun State, public and private, to step up Infection Prevention and Control measures and to encourage compliance by all health facility staff.

“ Healthcare worker that suspects Lassa fever in a patient, are advised to call their local government disease surveillance and notification officer (LGA DSNO) whose numbers are placed in our health facilities or call State Disease surveillance and Notification Officer (0703-421-4893) or State Epidemiologist (0808-425-0881),” she added.

The commissioner, however reiterated the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s dedication to protecting the health of the citizens through continuous surveillance and prompt response to infectious diseases.

She added that the ministry in collaboration with the Rapid Response Team at ljebu North East is keeping the situation under control with enhanced surveillance and community engagement and mobilization for effective response.

Health

Lassa Fever: Death toll rises to 15 in Edo

The Edo Government has confirmed 15 deaths from Lassa fever since the outbreak of the disease in the state in December 2024.

The Director of Public Health, Edo State Ministry of Health, Dr Stephenson Ojeifo, disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin while responding to concerns on social media regarding the government’s efforts in tackling the outbreak.

“As of today, Edo State has recorded over 1,000 suspected cases of Lassa fever. Out of these, 103 have tested positive

“From the 103 confirmed cases, we have recorded 15 deaths, while others have been treated and discharged,” he said.

Ojeifo asserted that Gov. Monday Okpebholo had strengthened surveillance and contact tracing efforts, ensuring that all necessary resources were available to contain the outbreak.

He, however, attributed the high mortality rate to late referrals, noting that many patients arrive at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) in critical condition.

“The problem is that patients are only referred to ISTH when their condition has deteriorated.

“We have been sensitising residents to seek medical attention if they experience persistent fever that does not resolve, so that samples can be tested and treatment can commence early if needed,” he said.

The director urged healthcare providers to avoid delays in referring suspected cases to designated treatment centres.

He warned that any hospital found treating Lassa fever patients without proper authorisation would face sanctions.

In addition to the Lassa fever outbreak, Ojeifo disclosed that the state had recorded 11 suspected cases of Mpox, with five confirmed positives.

He, however, said that no deaths were recorded, as all affected individuals received timely medical attention.