How MSF supported the fight against the meningitis outbreak in northwest Nigeria

By: Abdulkareem Yakubu

For several weeks, MSF teams in Northwest Nigeria battled a meningitis outbreak, providing vital care for hundreds of patients and supporting a mass vaccination campaign. It was a mobilization that significantly contributed to saving lives and reducing the number of cases.

In the first days of February 2025, many men, women, and children in northwestern Nigeria suddenly became very ill. Some experienced convulsions or became unconscious. For those affected, the cause of the mystery disease was not immediately clear.

“I woke up one morning with pain in the neck, stiffness in one leg, and back pain,” said 26-year-old Aisha Faruq, while recovering in the MSF-supported General Hospital of Gwandu, a local government area (LGA) in Kebbi, the most northwestern state of Nigeria. “I vaguely remember what happened next, like going to school. That’s where I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I was here.”

As hospitals filled with patients, MSF health educators connected with the hardest hit communities to raise awareness and direct residents to MSF-supported medical facilities.

“Initially, community members often thought they had contracted malaria, as they were suffering from fever and headache,” said David Musa, an MSF community health educator in Gwandu. “But some distinct symptoms such as neck stiffness or brain swelling in infants alerted health professionals that we were dealing with something else.”

Soon after, the cause was officially confirmed: meningitis was behind the surge in admissions to health facilities in Kebbi and Sokoto states.

Rapid care is vital

Meningitis is considered a major global health threat. According to a study based on 2021 data and published in The Lancet, more than 2 million cases of meningitis are estimated to occur globally each year, with over 200,000 resulting in death.

The disease, which records recurrent outbreaks in the vast African belt area stretching from Senegal to Ethiopia – known as the “meningitis belt” – is highly lethal if left untreated. Studies show that 50 to 80 percent of patients may die without prompt medical care.

Meningitis can be caused by viral or bacterial infections and spreads from person to person by respiratory droplets, throat secretions, or by faecal contamination. Bacterial meningitis – commonly found in Nigeria – is the most serious type of meningitis and can cause inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

To help authorities respond to this very dangerous outbreak, MSF teams in Kebbi and Sokoto states quickly provided support by deploying staff and medical supplies to hard-hit areas, expanding bed capacity in several health facilities, training medical staff from the state ministries of health, and launching awareness-raising campaigns.

“In Kebbi, where most cases were reported, we admitted over 500 patients in the first 12 days of our intervention in the LGAs of Gwandu, Jega, and Aliero,” said Dr. Sham’un Abubakar, MSF’s emergency coordinator in Kebbi. “Even with the additional beds we installed, we had to place mattresses on the floor to accommodate the overflow of patients.”

Over a nine-week period, 2,095 patients were admitted for meningitis in the facilities supported by MSF in Kebbi.

In neighbouring Sokoto state, MSF teams supported case management (including remote assistance), training, and the supply of medical supplies in five primary health care centres and two general hospitals in Tambuwal LGA.

By early May, MSF teams in Sokoto had treated a total of 880 meningitis patients in MSF-supported facilities.

Meningitis can affect people of all ages, but the highest proportion of reported cases is among children aged 1 to 15 years. Children under the age of five, due to their weaker immune systems, are especially at high risk of dying.

“Unfortunately, survivors are also at risk of developing long-term neurological and cognitive problems,” said Dr. Abubakar. “Patients may suffer hearing loss, vision problems, and seizures, as well as increased pressure on the skull and brain. Many survivors also remain at risk of experiencing a stroke.”

Ten-month-old Sha’ayau was admitted to the Jega General Hospital in late April with multiple symptoms, including brain swelling. He was discharged many days later but referred to a specialist to evaluate potential neurological complications.

“His older brother was hospitalized [for meningitis] weeks ago,” said his mother, Saratu Hamza. “But now he has lost his hearing.”

A mass vaccination campaign

While providing rapid treatment is key to preventing fatalities and long-term consequences, fighting meningitis also requires vaccinating as many people as possible to break the transmission chain.

“Conducting a mass vaccination is essential, as it provides immunity against the disease for up to five to eight years, hence significantly reducing the risk of infection – even in the event of another outbreak,” said Dr. Abubakar.

In Kebbi state, MSF teams partnered with UNICEF and WHO to support the state Ministry of Health in setting up an immunization campaign. In just one week, close to half a million people were vaccinated, with two thirds of them under the age of 15.

While official figures are still being compiled, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recorded more than 4,000 meningitis cases nationwide between early February and early May. Seventy percent of those cases were treated in MSF-supported facilities in Kebbi and Sokoto states.

Today, thanks in large part to MSF’s swift and effective response, the number of cases in both states has declined, and our teams could gradually wind down emergency responses and transition back to routine treatment and regular medical activities, continuing to support Ministry of Health staff.

How MSF supported the fight against the meningitis outbreak in northwest Nigeria

UMTH ICT Centre: Another addition to Professor Ahmed Ahidjo’s strong track record in hospital management.

By: Dr. James Bwala

The establishment of the UMTH ICT Centre marks a significant milestone in the trajectory of Professor Ahmed Ahidjo’s distinguished career in hospital management. This center exemplifies his commitment to integrating modern technology within healthcare systems to enhance operational efficiency and patient care. This professor of interventional radiology has added to his thinking cap a digital innovation. The UMTH ICT Centre serves as a pivotal resource for streamlining hospital processes, improving data management, and supporting clinical decision-making, thereby reinforcing Professor Ahidjo’s reputation for forward-thinking leadership.

Professor Ahidjo’s successful records in hospital administration are characterized by his ability to implement sustainable strategies that optimize resource allocation and promote technological advancement. The inauguration of the UMTH ICT Center further consolidates these achievements by providing healthcare professionals with robust tools for managing information systems effectively. This initiative aligns with contemporary trends emphasizing digitization in healthcare institutions, reflecting an understanding of the critical role that information communication technology plays in modern medical environments.

The UMTH ICT Centre stands as another testament to Professor Ahmed Ahidjo’s exemplary contributions to hospital management. His visionary approach not only advances institutional capabilities but also sets a benchmark for integrating ICT solutions within healthcare frameworks, ultimately enhancing service delivery and patient outcomes. His efforts not only exemplify a commitment to excellence but also inspire future leaders in the healthcare sector to embrace technological advancements as a means of driving positive change. His legacy in healthcare management continues to inspire innovation and excellence, ensuring that the UMTH remains at the forefront of medical technology integration. 

Through his dedication to fostering a culture of innovation, Professor Ahidjo has ensured that the UMTH continues to adapt to the evolving needs of healthcare delivery in the digital age. His leadership exemplifies the transformative impact of integrating cutting-edge technology into healthcare systems, ensuring that UMTH not only meets current demands but is also well-prepared for future challenges. His strategic foresight in leveraging ICT not only enhances operational efficiencies but also significantly contributes to the overall improvement of patient care quality and safety. His commitment to integrating ICT solutions is not just about keeping pace with technological advancements but about setting a new standard for excellence in healthcare management.

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Although this does not come easily, the establishment of the ICT Centre at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) under the leadership of Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo has played a crucial role in enhancing both internal and external communication systems, managing hardware and software infrastructure, and supporting health management information systems. Prof. Ahidjo’s stewardship has been instrumental in expanding this department to include 17 dedicated staff members who ensure seamless operation and continuous improvement of ICT services.

This development is not merely administrative but transformative, as it facilitates efficient healthcare delivery through improved data management and connectivity. The integration of advanced ICT tools under Prof. Ahidjo’s guidance underscores his visionary approach to modernizing UMTH’s operations. Consequently, the establishment of this center will undoubtedly remain an indelible legacy that reflects his commitment to innovation and institutional growth.

For Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, the establishment of the ICT Center at UMTH represents the realization of a long-held vision to propel the institution into the future of medicine. This initiative aligns with global efforts to integrate advanced technology within healthcare systems, thereby enhancing service delivery and medical research capabilities. The ICT Center is designed to facilitate efficient data management, telemedicine, and digital diagnostics, which are critical components in meeting international health standards.

The implementation of cutting-edge information and communication technologies has further strengthened the CMD’s position as an all-rounder in both health and management. The ICT center indeed shows that Professor Ahmed Ahidjo aims to transform UMTH from a traditional health institution into a modern medical hub capable of addressing contemporary challenges. This transformation not only improves patient outcomes but also fosters collaborative opportunities with global health organizations. The development of the ICT center at UMTH underscores the commitment to innovation and excellence in healthcare education and service provision, which the professor of interventional radiology has brought to play. 

* James Bwala, PhD, writes from Abuja.

UMTH ICT Centre: Another addition to Professor Ahmed Ahidjo’s strong track record in hospital management.

UMTH: Interventional Radiology Centre, a High-tech Medical Solution.

By: Balami Lazarus 

After the devastating flood of September 2024, UMTH counted so many losses that ran into billions of naira. Little did the public expect too soon that another gigantic medical center that is not found in other hospitals in Nigeria, but only in Maiduguri, situated and being at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital-Borno State.

The IR Centre, or Interventional Radiology Centre, in the words of the Director of the Centre, Dr. Mohammed Lawan, is a hospital within a hospital, describing the massive building equipped with the latest medical equipment as a center for carrying out radiology services, for training, and for research purposes. 

The Chief Medical Director, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, Midas touch has produced and added medical value to nourish the healthcare delivery services through the new Interventional Radiology Center (IRC). “This center is another medical solution to interventional radiology treatments…. We are proud to have this as a medical facility”.

What is interventional radiology? According to Dr. Mohammed Lawan, who spoke to NEWSng. Interventional Radiology It is a medical specialty that performs various minimally invasive procedures and techniques to treat many medical conditions that once required open surgery. The use of medical imaging guidance through sophisticated and high-tech medical equipment like x-ray fluoroscopy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, etc., are some major working medical gadgets to qualify interventional radiology. Therefore, the center is meant to offer specialized medical surgery/treatment and healthcare delivery services to patients at UMTH through interventional radiology surgery.

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In furtherance of NEWSng findings, a walk into the center opens up to so many clinics and equipment that draw attention. The center is an imposing building beautifully designed with offices equipped with furniture, medical equipment, and materials of high quality. Ultrasound, computed tomography, and other working tools are used to give it a full certification to be known, called, and addressed as the Interventional Radiology Center of standard offering international best practices.

Prof. Ahidjo told NEWSng that “we are the only ones that see the inside at all times when and where there are medical radiology cases. He further said that the center will also serve as a reference point for radiologists, consultants, doctors, and medical students. “The Interventional Radiology Center is meant to make a difference in providing quality healthcare services in medicine. IRC is my new baby”. e center has male and female wards with what it takes to have in a specialized sentence like IRC of UMTH. To make it easy for those with mobility challenges, the building is designed to ease their movement within the facility. The reception area and the patient’s waiting room, as well as the recovery room, are of worth according to standards obtainable in any medical center or hospital.

When NEWng entered into the building, Dr. Mohammed Lawan was already attending to patients, and this afforded our special team to see things firsthand. This concludes that with the emergence of IRC, UMTH has finally revealed the true medical specialty of Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo to so many people out there who see him like any other professor of medicine. The CMD and/or hospital administrator. “Prof. Ahidjo is a surgeon consultant and interventional radiologist, one of the best brains in this particular field of medicine, within and without,” said one radiologist.

UMTH: Interventional Radiology Centre, a High-tech Medical Solution.