In a landmark effort to improve healthcare delivery in Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has launched a free medical outreach aimed at catering to at least 1,000 constituents across the senatorial district.
Chief Press Secretary to the senator, Arogbonlo Israel in a statement issued on Tuesday indicated that the four-day programme, which commenced on Monday, is being held simultaneously at Obeiba Cottage Hospital Ihima, Okehi LGA, and Ebiye, Eganyi Cottage Hospital, Ajaokuta LGA.
“It is designed to provide accessible healthcare services to underserved communities.
With a goal to impact 1,000 lives, the outreach offers free consultations, medications, and a range of medical services, including:
According to the statement
Maternal Care being part of the outreach consists of ANC screenings, scans, delivery services, postpartum care, and emergency management
Other areas according to the statement include Family planning, reproductive health, gynecological services
The statement indicated that
Chronic Diseases such as Management of hypertension, diabetes, and eye care are also inclusive.
The initiative is spearheaded by Pharm. Aliu Ibrahim and supported by a skilled team of doctors and healthcare professionals who are dedicated to providing high-quality care to those in need.

The senator emphasized the importance of improving healthcare accessibility in Kogi Central, noting that the outreach is part of her broader agenda to uplift her constituents’ quality of life.

In a fresh wave of panic, Nigeria’s Federal Government has raised a national alert over the newly discovered XEC COVID-19 variant, which has rapidly spread to 29 countries since its first detection in Australia.
The Federal Ministry of Health has urged immediate action to activate heightened surveillance and monitoring systems across hospitals nationwide.
The XEC strain, with its potential to outpace other circulating variants, has sparked widespread concern over its impact on public health. As health authorities scramble to respond, the nation braces for another chapter in the ongoing battle against COVID-19.
According to a letter dated December 5, issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the variant, initially identified in Australia, has now been confirmed in 29 countries.
The letter, signed by Dr. O.N. Anuma, the Permanent Secretary and Head of the Teaching Hospital Division, urged health authorities in Nigeria to activate heightened alert systems across hospitals. Medical professionals are advised to maintain a high level of suspicion for COVID-like symptoms in patients and take immediate action for detection and containment. The XEC variant is of particular concern due to its growth advantage over other circulating strains, which raises public health alarms.
The directive stresses the importance of collaboration and timely information-sharing among health institutions and the Ministry to ensure an effective national response to the new variant.
This development has caused a wave of panic across the country, as it highlights the continuing evolution of the COVID-19 virus.

In a groundbreaking move to reshape Sokoto State’s healthcare sector, the State Commissioner for Health, Hon. Asabe Balarabe on Friday, convened a high-level annual Oversight Committee meeting with key stakeholders.

The stakeholders were drawn from SOCHEMA, Primary Health Care, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the Emergency Response Team.
The meeting, which was centered on improving the state’s healthcare delivery, focused on critical areas such as updates on the implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, financial reports and fund utilization, and the assessment of health initiatives’ impact.
Hon. Balarabe outlined the key objectives of the meeting to include reviewing operational achievements and challenges in SOCHEMA, evaluating the status of Primary Health Care gateway implementation, and discussing NCDC’s disease surveillance and control measures.
The Emergency Response Team’s preparedness and interventions were also discussed as part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare response in the state.

“We must be bold and collaborative in addressing the challenges within each gateway,” the Commissioner emphasized. “Our collective decisions today will have a direct and lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of Sokoto State’s citizens, as outlined by Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto.”
According to her, the meeting’s agenda was designed to encourage open dialogue and collaboration, with each gateway providing a detailed account of their specific challenges.
“The goal was to identify practical solutions and actionable resolutions for the implementation of necessary reforms and improvements in the healthcare sector.
In her closing remarks, Hon. Balarabe pledged to submit a comprehensive report of the meeting’s discussions and resolutions to Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto for further consideration.
She also took a moment to commend the governor for his steadfast dedication to the health sector, which has resulted in significant strides in revitalizing healthcare services across the state.

This critical meeting represented a significant step toward strengthening Sokoto State’s healthcare system, ensuring that it meets the growing needs of its population and providing the foundation for a healthier future for all residents.