Healing the mental scars of violence in northeastern Nigeria

It began as a hot autumn day like any other for Aisha (pseudonym). The girl with big eyes was looking out of the window of her house, watching a group of men approach her brothers who were harvesting crops. Aisha thought they were family friends because they came up close to her siblings.

MEDIA RELEASE: Top hierarchy of WHO to convene in Nigeria for the first time

Abuja, 8th April 2018 - The top hierarchy of the World Health Organization (WHO) will hold its Global Policy Group (GPG) Meeting in Nigeria for the first time from 10-12 April, 2018. 

The GPG consists of the Director-General, Deputy Director-General, six Regional Directors and the Executive Director of the WHO Emergencies Programme. The Group is an internal advisory mechanism to the Director-General (DG), established to ensure the coherent implementation of decisions, policies and strategies of WHO across all levels of the Organization.

Experts accede to impressive progress by Nigeria’s Polio Eradication programme.

Abuja, 28 March 2018 - The 35th Expert Review Committee for Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization (ERC) has expressed optimism that the Nigerian programme is on course to achieving polio eradication with ‘impressive progress’ recorded. The ERC meets periodically to evaluate progress towards the attainment of a polio-free Nigeria. The monitoring body provides guidance to the government and partners.

WHO partners with Fati Niger, popular Nigerian-based singer, to create awareness on ...

Maiduguri, 28 March 2018 -  “When I heard the voice of my favourite singer, Fati Niger, on radio this morning, she simply made my day,” says Mallam Usman, a 39 year old year old internally displaced person in Dalori camp, Maiduguri, Borno state. 

“My spirit was elated, and instantly I felt relieved of my worries. But more importantly, I learned how to protect myself and my household from cholera, meningitis and Lassa fever. I was keen to listen more, but the music was cut short. I wish it played on and on and on,” said Usman.  

WHO: Nigeria’s Lassa fever outbreak is slowing, but remains a concern

WHO: Nigeria’s Lassa fever outbreak is slowing, but remains a concern.After nearly 400 confirmed infections and 100 deaths, the spread of Lassa fever in Nigeria is beginning to slow but the epidemic is far from contained, the World Health Organization and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have warned. NCDC’s latest data shows that the number of new confirmed and probable cases has been falling for five consecutive weeks, indicating that public health measures are proving effective, but more infections are expected until the end of the dry season, as the viral haemorrhagic fever is endemic to the area. Between 1 January and 25 March 2018, the NCDC reported 394 laboratory confirmed cases. There were 18 new confirmed cases in the last reporting week (19-25 March 2018), compared to 54 confirmed cases a month earlier (19-25 February 2018). 

On the frontlines of the fight against Lassa fever in Nigeria

In early January, John had one of the most terrifying experiences of his life. The mechanic from a rural community in Edo state in southern Nigeria came down with Lassa fever.

“I was scared the illness would kill me,” says John, who prefers to go by a pseudonym.

Initially, he went to a hospital near his home and was discharged a few days later. But he was still feeling unwell, so he consulted another doctor who suspected Lassa fever.

Polio personnel support Lassa fever response in Nigeria for rapid containment of an ...

Abuja, 15 March 2018 - “When I received the confirmation of the first case of Lassa fever and request by  Nigeria Center for Disease Control to coordinate the contact tracing pillar of the outbreak, nothing prepared me for the tasks ahead other than my work in polio eradication, knowing that another responsibility beckons,”  said Mrs Faith Ireye, WHO State Coordinator in Edo state.

WHO supports Nigeria to respond to new cholera outbreak in Borno State

Maiduguri, Nigeria, 13 March 2018—The World Health Organization (WHO) and partners are supporting health authorities to respond to a new cholera outbreak in Borno State. Borno State Ministry of Health has detected more than 500 suspected cases, 23 of which are confirmed by laboratory culture testing including 3 deaths. Authorities declared the outbreak on 8 March.