Crunch Times News

PRESS STATEMENT 

 1st February 2026

CLARIFICATION ON RECENT EVENTS REGARDING THE CASE OF LATE IFUNANYA LUCY NWANGENE

We wish to address the circulating discussion on social media concerning the unfortunate case of Ms. Ifunanya Lucy Nwagene, who tragically passed away due to neurotoxic complications following a snake bite on January 31, 2026.

First and foremost, we express our deepest condolences to the Nwagene family during this incredibly difficult time. The loss of a loved one is never easy, and our thoughts are with them.

We want to clarify that the management team at Federal Medical Centre, Abuja acted promptly and with the utmost care upon Ms. Nwagene's arrival. Our medical staff provided immediate and appropriate treatment, including resuscitation efforts, intravenous fluids, intranasal oxygen, and the administration of polyvalent snake antivenom.

After a thorough but quick evaluation, it was clear that Ms. Nwagene suffered severe neurotoxic complications from the snake bite. Despite all efforts to stabilize her condition and transfer her to the Intensive Care Unit for further treatment, she experienced a sudden deterioration just before the transfer. Our team of professionals worked diligently to provide CPR and other life-saving measures; however, despite these efforts, we were unable to revive her.

We stand by the quality of care and dedication our team demonstrates daily. The claims of non-availability of anti-snake venom and inadequate response are unfounded and do not reflect the reality of the situation. We are committed to transparency and integrity in our practices and will continue to pursue excellence in patient care.

In light of these events, we encourage our community to engage with credible sources for information and updates rather than relying on social media speculation. We remain available for any further inquiries or clarifications.

Thank you for your understanding.

Management 

Federal Medical Centre, Abuja.

The Federal Government has called on state governments to increase domestic funding for the control and elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), warning that sustained local investment is critical to reducing dependence on donor support and achieving long-term public health goals across the country.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, who represented the Minister of State for Health, Salako made the call at a media conference ahead of the 2026 NTDs day celebration in Abuja.

The theme for the 2025 celebration is ”Unite, Act and Eliminate NTDs towards achievements of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).”

Salako said that the control and elimination of NTDs remained an important element in Nigeria’s drive towards attaining UHC by 2030, achieving a disease-free SDG, and eradicating poverty.

He, therefore, urged states to create budget lines to mobilise the needed domestic funding.

"The control and elimination of NTDs in Nigeria remains an important element in our drive towards the attainment of the UHC by 2030, the achievement of SDG three, as well as the eradication of poverty.

” States should ensure the creation of budget lines to mobilise the needed domestic funding and also integrate NTDs elimination activities with other disease entities to leverage the economies of scale in their states,” he stressed.

He cautioned against allowing NTDs to translate into neglected people, emphasising the need for inclusion in efforts aimed at addressing the burden of NTDs.

The minister noted that NTDs thrive in silence and neglect, calling for collective voice, action and determination to confront the challenge.

The Director and National Coordinator NTDs Unit, Department of Public Health, Mr Fatai Oyediran said NTDs affects mostly the rural poor and few urban centres caused by poor hygiene, ventilation, water sources and lack of access to health facility care.

Oyediran explained that the federal government has implemented strategies, which has enabled the country record progress in eliminating NTDs.

He however called for more support towards the elimination of Schistosomiasis (bilharzia); and other case management NTDs like snake bites, rabies, guinea worm.

He also encouraged citizens to improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) practices and create more sensitisation to reduce the menace of NTDs.

The Federal Government, in collaboration with development partners, has taken a decisive step to protect Nigerians from the growing public health risks posed by unsafe cosmetic products with the inauguration of the National Cosmetics Safety Management Technical Working Group (NCSM-TWG).

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom mni; Dr. Dogara Okara, Senior Technical Assistant to the Permanent Secretary; said the initiative signals the current Federal Government’s resolve to confront cosmetic-related health hazards that have long been underestimated.

The Permanent Secretary warned that unsafe cosmetic products have become one of the most serious yet overlooked public health threats of the 21st century, with consequences ranging from skin disorders and discoloration to hormonal disruption, kidney failure and cancer.

“Cosmetic products containing toxic substances such as formaldehyde and heavy metals can damage vital organs, including the kidneys, eyes and heart,” he said. “These dangers informed the Federal Ministry of Health’s decision to put in place a clear national policy to safeguard the health of Nigerians.”

She explained that the National Policy on Cosmetics Safety and Health, approved and launched during the 66th National Council on Health meeting in Calabar in November 2025, provided the legal and policy framework for the establishment of the Technical Working Group.

According to her, the NCSM-TWG is mandated to provide strategic and technical guidance for policy implementation, coordinate cosmetic safety initiatives across sectors, translate directives from the National Multi-Sectoral Ministerial Advisory Committee on Cosmetics into action, and support the review and enforcement of safety standards.

“The calibre of professionals assembled here, from government, regulatory agencies, academia, development partners and civil society shows that this assignment was carefully thought out. You are expected to deploy your expertise to ensure that cosmetics used in Nigeria are safe,” the Permanent Secretary emphasized; adding that the committee will serve a five-year term.

Speaking earlier, the Director/ Head, Food & Drug Services Department FMoHSW; Mrs. Olufowobi-Yusuf Adeola affirmed that the TWG meeting symbolised the commencement of coordinated technical engagement under the National Policy on Cosmetics Safety and Health, adding, it provided a platform to align expertise, expectations, and priority actions for effective implementation.

In his remarks, Dr. Paul Okhakhu, Chairman of the Technical Working Group and Director/Head of the Cosmetics Safety Management Programme, said the absence of a coordinated policy in the past had enabled the proliferation of substandard and unsafe cosmetic products.

“Improperly formulated cosmetics can disrupt the endocrine system, damage the kidneys and even affect unborn children,” he asserted. “This policy and the Technical Working Group were established to align Nigeria with global best practices and provide clear guidance for producers, regulators and consumers.”

Dr. Okhakhu added that between 2026 and 2030, Nigerians should expect stronger regulation, improved labelling, increased public awareness and safer cosmetic products that no longer pose long-term health risks.

Delivering a goodwill message, the World Health Organization (WHO), represented by Dr. Edwin Isotu Edeh, described the policy as “pro-health, pro-industry and pro-Africa,” warning that unregulated cosmetic production particularly at informal levels, can silently compromise the health of both present and future generations.

In a goodwill message, Prince Ikenna Usofor, Director in charge of Imported and Locally Manufactured Cosmetics, stressed that no cosmetic product, whether imported or locally produced, would be allowed into the Nigerian market without regulatory clearance.

Usofor explained that poorly formulated cosmetics often expose users to toxic substances such as mercury, lead and excessive fluoride, which can accumulate in the body over time, leading to kidney failure, hormonal imbalance and other systemic health conditions.

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has blamed the Federal Government for the prolonged strike by health workers, accusing the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of bias, insincerity, and a failure to engage meaningfully with the union to resolve the lingering dispute.

The union’s national chairman, Kabiru Minjibir, said "It may be tough, but we are now mentally conditioned for the battle to reshape our professional destiny.”

He said repeated attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue yielded no result, forcing the union to sustain its ongoing industrial action.

The industrial action, which began on 15 November 2025, has paralysed public hospitals across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and several states, with most facilities operating skeletal services.

He said the strike became unavoidable as a way of reminding the government that JOHESU members are also Nigerian citizens who deserve to enjoy the benefit packages they have earned. 

According to him, instead of addressing the issues raised, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has implemented policies that favour certain groups within the health sector, fuelling division and worsening dissatisfaction among non-physician health workers.

“The Federal Ministry of Health has been engaging in divisive politics by rewarding only a favoured group for labour,” Minjibir said, adding that the industrial action was aimed at drawing attention to the need for fairness, recognition and equitable compensation for all health workers.

On concerns about access to healthcare during the strike, Minjibir explained that industrial actions in the health sector are typically structured as a total withdrawal of services, although provisions are often made for emergency cases. 

He noted that health workers also have families and may themselves need medical care, making some level of discretion inevitable.

He, however, cautioned that such discretion could be abused, stressing the importance of proper oversight to ensure that emergency services are not misapplied or selectively offered.

Speaking on Salary structure dispute

Mr Minjibir said the union’s demand for an adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) has remained unresolved for 12 years, despite what he described as a favourable review report completed in 2021 and cleared through due process.

“The demand for adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) has been on for 12 years, and we got a seemingly impressive favorable report that has gone through due process since 2021 but remains unimplemented,” he said.

He explained that although health workers are classified as essential service providers and are required to issue a 15-day notice before embarking on industrial action, the government failed to use that window to avert the strike.

Minjibir identified the Federal Ministry of Health as the major obstacle in negotiations, stating that the union’s engagement with the ministry has deteriorated.

According to him, discussions that should involve genuine dialogue have increasingly become one-sided, with little consideration given to JOHESU’s position.

He accused the ministry of professional protectionism, arguing that the crisis is being managed in a way that prioritises the interests of a dominant professional group within the health sector.

He called on governments at all levels to end what he described as group-dominated control of the health sector, sustained through questionable appointments across ministries, departments and agencies.

By Otobong Gabriel 

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has resumed its enforcement to ban the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small-volume PET/glass bottles (below 200ml), in line with the recent directive of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This decisive action, ordered by the Nigerian Senate and backed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, underscores the Agencys statutory mandate to safeguard public health and protect vulnerable populationsparticularly children, adolescents, and young adultsfrom the harmful use of alcohol. 

This was disclosed in a statement igned by Prof Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, Director-General National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), that the proliferation of high-alcohol-content beverages in sachets and small containers less than 200 ml has made such products easily accessible, affordable, and concealable, leading to widespread misuse and resultant addiction among minors and some commercial drivers.

Prof Mojisola stated that this public health menace has been linked to increased incidences of domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and social vices across communities.

According to her, placing a label to read not for children on the sachets and the small containers will not work. It cannot be enforced because of the peculiarity of the society. Many parents dont know their children take alcohol in sachet because the pack size can be easily concealed and the sachet is cheap. 

She recall history of six years of moratorium given to manufacturers to reconfigure their product lines: In December 2018, NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) to phase out sachet and small-volume alcohol packaging by January 31, 2024. 

She explained, the moratorium was later extended to December 2025 to allow industry operators to exhaust old stock and reconfigure production lines.

NAFDAC emphasises that the current Senate resolution aligns with the spirit and letter of that agreement and with Nigerias commitment to the World Health Assembly Global Strategy Resolution to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol (WHA63.13, 2010), to which Nigeria is a signatory since 2010. The aim of the Resolution is to protect vulnerable population such as children and the youth.

          

The ban on sachet packaging and PET botttle less than 200 ml is to make it difficult for children to get to alcohol and its consumption. NAFDAC approves alcohol in bigger pack sizes. The small size of the sachet makes it easier for underage to conceal from parents and teachers. Report from schools show that children conceal the sachets. A teacher recently reported that a student said he couldnt take exam without taking sachet alcohol, she said. 

 

"NAFDAC did not close down any company that makes alcohol. The Agency only ban the alcohol in sachet and small containers less than 200ml".

According to the DG, "this ban is not punitive; it is protective. It is aimed at safeguarding the health and future of our children and youth by not allowing alcohol in small pack sizes. The decision is rooted in scientific evidence and public health considerations. We cannot continue to sacrifice the wellbeing of Nigerians for economic gain. The health of a nation is its true wealth.

NAFDAC reiterates that only two packages of alcoholic beverages are affected by this regulationspirit drinks packaged in sachets and small-volume PET/glass bottles below 200ml.

The Agency calls on all stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, to comply fully with the phase-out deadline, as no further extension will be entertained beyond December 2025.

The Agency will continue to work collaboratively with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to implement nationwide sensitization campaigns on the health and social dangers associated with alcohol misuse.

NAFDAC remains resolute in its mission to ensure that only safe, wholesome, and properly regulated products are available to Nigerians.

By Otobong Gabriel

As the world marks World Leprosy Day 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized that while leprosy is curable, the ongoing stigma and discrimination faced by those affected remain the biggest challenge.

Dr. Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge of WHO South-East Asia, stated that leprosy, one of humanity’s oldest diseases, continues to deny people dignity, opportunity, and basic rights, even as medical interventions make elimination increasingly achievable.

“The global vision of zero disease, zero disability, and zero stigma is closer to reality than ever before,” Dr. Boehme said. She highlighted Jordan’s achievement in 2024, becoming the first country verified by WHO for eliminating leprosy, a success largely attributed to making leprosy a notifiable disease, which ensured timely diagnosis and treatment.

Globally, leprosy surveillance has reached unprecedented levels. In 2024, 188 countries and territories reported leprosy data to WHO, with 55 countries reporting zero new cases. 

Multi-drug therapy and early interventions like contact screening have made leprosy curable, while preventive measures, including single-dose rifampicin as post-exposure prophylaxis, are being scaled up worldwide. 

Digital tools, such as DHIS2-based solutions, are improving patient management and program monitoring.

Despite these advances, stigma and social exclusion remain critical barriers.

Discrimination prevents patients from seeking care, adhering to treatment, and participating fully in society. Families of affected individuals also face marginalization, compounding mental health challenges. 

Many countries still maintain discriminatory laws limiting employment, education, and marriage for persons affected by leprosy.

The WHO urges governments, communities, and partners to uphold the UN Principles and Guidelines for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy, adopted in 2010, ensuring affected individuals enjoy full rights and protections.

Dr. Boehme emphasized that true elimination goes beyond zero new cases. It requires access to comprehensive care, rehabilitation, social protection, and economic opportunities, alongside repealing discriminatory laws and involving affected persons in policy and program design.

On this World Leprosy Day, WHO calls for continued government commitment, community engagement to fight stigma, and innovation in diagnostics, treatment, and prevention to address both medical and social challenges.

“With collective action and sustained commitment, a world free from leprosy is within reach,” Dr. Boehme concluded.

By Kayode Adebayo, Lagos

The President of Kelina Hospital, Dr. Celsus Undie, says the Lagos-based medical facility performed 212 prostate surgeries in 2025, a feat he described as a major contribution to saving lives and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on medical tourism.

Undie, a consultant urological surgeon, disclosed this on Saturday during a news conference in Lagos while highlighting the hospital’s achievements in advanced urological care.

He said the surgeries addressed both prostate cancer and benign prostatic enlargement (BPE), noting that the figure represents the highest annual volume of prostate surgeries recorded by any hospital in Nigeria.

“By January 2026, Kelina Hospital reached 101 prostate cancer surgeries in exactly two years. Completing 100 prostate cancer surgeries within two years without a single mortality is worth celebrating and commemorating,” Undie said.

According to him, the milestone demonstrates the untapped potential of Nigeria’s healthcare system despite existing challenges.

Undie explained that the hospital remains committed to providing world-class treatment for surgical diseases, with particular emphasis on urological conditions.

Benign prostatic enlargement, he noted, is a non-cancerous condition common among ageing men and often leads to urinary difficulties and severe complications if left untreated.

“Untreated BPE can threaten kidney function, while prolonged catheter use increases the risk of infection and endangers patients’ overall wellbeing,” he said.

Undie identified Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) as the most effective surgical option for the condition, citing its lower complication rate.

“HoLEP results in less bleeding, shorter catheter time, reduced hospital stay and fewer blood transfusions. At the end of 2018, Kelina Hospital became the first in Nigeria to commence HoLEP surgery,” he said.

He added that the hospital has performed over 600 HoLEP procedures since 2019, recording a mortality rate below 0.2 per cent.

Citing data from the United States National Institutes of Health, Undie said surgical mortality rates typically range between 3.2 and 6 per cent across hospital categories.

“Our mortality rate, which is under one per cent, is something we are extremely proud of, especially considering our limitations,” he said.

The urologist stressed the importance of regular screening for early detection of prostate cancer, noting that early diagnosis significantly improves treatment outcomes.

On treatment options, he listed radical prostatectomy approaches, including open, laparoscopic and robot-assisted procedures, describing robotic radical prostatectomy as the most advanced and precise.

“At present, we perform open radical prostatectomy only for kidney transplant patients. For all other cases, we carry out robotic radical prostatectomy exclusively,” he said.

Undie attributed the hospital’s success to effective teamwork, structured processes and strict adherence to safety protocols.

He called on the government to provide stronger support for the health sector, particularly as Kelina Hospital expands its services to further curb medical tourism.

He also urged authorities to exempt healthcare institutions from taxation, describing healthcare as a humanitarian service vital to national development.