Health
Nigerian Govt To Meet With Health Workers Over Payment Of Hazard Allowances
The Federal Government has disclosed that it will meet with representatives of health sector workers in a fortnight to harmonise their proposals on new hazard allowance for workers in government health establishments.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, said this while addressing newsmen at the end of a meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.
The meeting was between the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS) relevant Federal Government stakeholders and health sector professional associations and trade unions to discuss the proposed new hazard allowance for health workers in government establishments.
According to Ngige, progress has been made in the discussions between the government and the two umbrella bodies of the health workers — the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
He added that “the meeting succeeded in making the health workers to appreciate the plight of the government, caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country’s crude oil-based mono economy.
“We are making progress. At least one of the parties has agreed to the government recommendation. We urged the other party to go and dot the i’s, and cross the t’s in their own recommendation.
“Government will also go back and see what we can do within the ambit of the proposals being given by them. We have agreed to reconvene in a fortnight to harmonise the proposals.”
He explained that even those in agreement with the government proposal, still had a little problem with compartmentalisation of their health workers into junior and senior workers.
“We need to leave them to get back to their constituents and agree on that one, so that we can harmonise our proposals. We are discussing two associations.
“So, in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), you allow them to give their own position as it suits their members. The members are not the same. The only thing is that you have both workers in the hospital,” he said.
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.
-
News4 days ago
Flight operations begin at Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport
-
Education3 days ago
YABATECH student shot dead by suspected cultists
-
Politics3 days ago
I commend Okowa, Oborevwori for defecting – Wike
-
News5 days ago
Delta Governor’s aide, Shimitte Winifred Bello is dead
-
Politics3 days ago
Now that you have defected to APC, resign as Delta Gov-Bode George to Oborevwori:
-
News5 days ago
Pope Francis’ final funeral rites to hold on Saturday
-
Business3 days ago
NNDC nets N3.24bn profit, unveils bold vision for growth
-
Business3 days ago
BREAKING: Air Peace suspends flight operations nationwide
-
News3 days ago
Enough! Killing of Nigerians must end now- Tinubu to NSA, service chiefs
-
News5 days ago
Plateau under siege, terrorists take over forests reserves – Gov Mutfwang
-
News3 days ago
FRSC: SGF approves appointment of three Deputy Corps Marshals