National News
HIV, TB, COVID-19 pose challenge and opportunity- US-CDC
HIV, TB, COVID-19 pose challenge and opportunity- US-CDC
By: Our Reporter
The Country Director of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Mary Adetinuke Boyd has said, “the triple epidemic of HIV, TB, and COVID-19 poses a challenge and an opportunity.”
She explained that “the challenge is that all three diseases are relentless, damaging, and continue to cost countless lives in our communities. However, because detection, treatment, and prevention exist and are readily available to us right here and right now, we have an opportunity to respond and save many lives.”
She made the statement during the launch of the Rivers State Integrated screening and service delivery for TB, HIV, and COVID-19, in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, October 25.
A statement by the US Embassy on Monday said with the support of the US-CDC, the integrated screening and service delivery for these three diseases aims to integrate COVID-19 screening into points where HIV and TB services are already being provided, thereby improving access to early detection and prevention, and mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in healthcare facilities and communities.
The statement further added that in addition, this novel initiative will scale up the utilization of an Antigen-based Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) for timely and efficient triage, Infection Prevention Control (IPC), and accelerated vaccine uptake by creating additional access points and communication that promote the importance of the COVID-19 vaccines, thereby reducing the chances of severe illness and death.
Boyd urged healthcare workers to be the champions against vaccine misinformation and disinformation, and to lead by example in promoting the use of vaccines against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
To date, Nigeria has had three COVID-19 waves, and Rivers State has been deeply affected, reporting the 3rd most considerable burden of COVID-19 and COVID-19 deaths in the country. Moreover, due to the government’s commitment to active surveillance, the data shows that each subsequent COVID-19 wave in Rivers has higher peaks in cases and deaths.
Boyd said: “While we battled the COVID-19 pandemic, other disease outbreaks didn’t give us a break; instead, the intensity of cholera and environmental polio in Nigeria soared higher than we’ve experienced in years. It reminds us that these devastating health threats are unpredictable, and even worse, if we are not ready to respond with agility.”
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Integrating screening and service delivery for COVID-19, HIV, and TB in Rivers State will also strengthen the health system to detect and respond robustly to emerging outbreaks while putting the patient at the center of healthcare service delivery.
Earlier, during a courtesy visit to the Honorable Commissioner of Health, Prof. Princewill Chike, and the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Weneke Danagogo, the Country Director discussed efforts at supporting Rivers State towards tackling HIV, TB, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and other vaccine-preventable diseases. She commended the exemplary leadership of the state government towards the health sector leading to essential milestones in HIV epidemic control and the strong collaboration with US-CDC and its implementing partner, the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN). CDC’s robust support to the HIV response in Rivers has resulted in demonstrable progress, with the state attaining 90% treatment coverage within 24 months.
The Country Director noted the success recorded in Rivers despite the pandemic demonstrates the incredible resilience of the PEPFAR infrastructure, but she agreed with Rivers State government officials that these successes are at risk if programming for the other rampant preventable causes of death like tuberculosis and COVID-19 are not mainstreamed and addressed.
The U.S. Government is at the forefront of providing support to Rivers and other states in Nigeria for HIV epidemic control, TB elimination, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through strong collaboration with the USG and other multilateral including WHO, UNICEF, and the Global Fund, integration of triple disease screening and service delivery for COVID-19, HIV, and TB will enable states like Rivers to close the HIV treatment gap further, increase COVID-19 vaccination and ultimately reduce infectious disease morbidity and mortality. To date, the U.S. has donated over 7.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Nigeria.
HIV, TB, COVID-19 pose challenge and opportunity- US-CDC
Chinese Embassy Mourns Buhari
By: Michael Mike
The Chinese Embassy has mourned the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Embassy in a message on X commiserate with the government and the people of Nigeria.
The message read: “The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria extends our deepest condolences to the people of Nigeria on the passing of His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd), Former President of Nigeria.
“We mourn a resolute leader whose unwavering dedication to Nigeria’s unity and progress leaves an enduring legacy.
“His pivotal contributions to advancing China-Nigeria relations will forever remain etched in our shared history. Our thoughts are with his family and Nigerian people.”
Chinese Embassy Mourns Buhari
National News
NTAC DG Mourns Former President BuhariAdvocates the Naming of the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, after the Deceased
NTAC DG Mourns Former President Buhari
Advocates the Naming of the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, after the Deceased
By: Michael Mike
Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub has joined numerous individuals, groups and countries across the globe to mourn the passing of Nigeria ‘s former President, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (Retd) who passed away at 82.
In a message he personally signed and made available to the public, late Sunday, the former lawmaker said the entire nation was particularly saddened by the sudden passing of a man who gave his all to Nigeria as a soldier, a politician, a mentor to many as well as a nationalist.
Yakub, who emphasized that the former Nigerian leader, would forever live in the hearts and minds of generations of Nigerians who knew him and those who would, eventually, read about his incorruptibility and altruistic approach to service, conveyed heartfelt sympathies to President Tinubu, the former President’s immediate family and to all Nigerians.
Yakub message read in part: “On behalf of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) and its Management, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the family, government and good people of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“While we mourn this great soldier, nationalist and Leader, we remember his dedication to democracy, regional stability, and the unity of Nigeria, as well as his unwavering commitment to the anti-corruption crusade, which endeared him to many Nigerians.”
The NTAC boss while praying for the forgiveness of the sins of Buhari, suggested
that a great national monument, like the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, be named after the late leader.
He said: ” May Allah grant him Aljana firdausi and grant his family and entire Nigerians the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Born in Daura, Katsina State in 1942,the former President distinguished himself as a soldier,a politician and a national hero of all time.Having held the position of Nigerian leader twice, a Federal Commissioner of Petroleum,a Military Governor of what is today the Northeast Geopolitical Zone as well as the head of Abacha’s development behemoth,the Petroleum Trust Fund,among others, Buhari in service was acknowledged to have lived above board and held his head high as an incorruptible Nigerian.
He will be remembered more by the principles he espoused in leadership than the monuments he built for self, kith or kin.
NTAC DG Mourns Former President Buhari
Advocates the Naming of the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, after the Deceased
Tuggar: Buhari was a Statesman of Uncommon Integrity
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has described late President Muhammadu Buhari as a statesman of uncommon integrity, and a towering figure in our nation’s history.
The Minister gave this description in an official condolence message on Sunday.
The message read: “It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of national loss that I mourn the passing of His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR — former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a statesman of uncommon integrity, and a towering figure in our nation’s history.
“President Buhari served Nigeria with unwavering dedication, both in uniform and in civilian leadership. His legacy is marked by a lifelong commitment to discipline, national unity, and the fight against corruption. His calm resolve in moments of turbulence and his steadfast belief in the promise of Nigeria will continue to inspire generations.
“At home and abroad, he was a symbol of Nigeria’s strength and dignity — a leader who carried the burdens of state with humility and a deep sense of duty.
“When President Muhammadu Buhari spoke at his inauguration in 2015, he said: ‘I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.’ He was sending a signal not just to Nigerians, but also to the region, to Africa and the world. He was not for sale, Nigeria was not for sale, Africa was not for sale. He was a soldier by training and a patriot by instinct – and a committed champion of democracy: he was instrumental in the peaceful resolution of Gambia’s electoral crisis in 2016, and an unprecedented transfer of power. He worked tirelessly to support regional efforts to roll back the scourge of violent extremism in the Sahel, just as in the 1980s he supported the liberation movements fighting for democracy in South Africa and Namibia.
“He was committed to the rules-based international order and worked to deepen ties between Nigeria and ECOWAS, the AU, UN and Commonwealth, and was a firm advocate of institutional reform. He had friends and allies in the four corners of the globe, but national interest always trumped sentiment: he bought fighter planes from the US, fertiliser from Russia and sealing the gas pipeline deal with Morocco. Nigeria has lost a dedicated patriot; Africa has lost a noble son. We salute you.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria’s diplomatic community, I extend heartfelt condolences to his family, the Government and People of Nigeria, and all who mourn this irreparable loss.
“May Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdaus.”
Tuggar: Buhari was a Statesman of Uncommon Integrity
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NTAC DG Mourns Buhari, Conveys Sympathies to President Tinubu, Nigerians
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