The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued updated temporary recommendations to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as authorities intensify efforts to contain the ongoing outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD).

The updated measures followed the second meeting of the Emergency Committee on the outbreak, held on August 18, 2026, under the International Health Regulations (2005).

According to the WHO, the recommendations provide more detailed guidance on surveillance, case detection and investigation, infection prevention and control, clinical care, risk communication and community engagement.

They also introduce additional measures covering social restrictions, mass gatherings and domestic movement in areas affected by the outbreak.

The WHO said its Secretariat assessed the risk associated with the outbreak in the DRC as “Very high” as of August 14, 2026.

The outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), a member of the Orthoebolavirus genus. The WHO noted that, unlike Ebola virus disease caused by other Ebola viruses, there are currently no approved vaccines or therapeutics specifically for BDBV, although clinical trials are ongoing.

The agency stressed that any effective BVD-specific vaccines or treatments developed would complement rather than replace established public health measures.

Under the updated recommendations, the DRC is expected to maintain the outbreak as a health emergency and strengthen its national emergency management structures, including an emergency operations centre and a unified national response plan.

The plan is expected to cover enhanced surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, case management, safe and dignified burials, continuity of essential health services, logistics and protection of healthcare workers.

The WHO also called for stronger community engagement, urging authorities to work with local and religious leaders, traditional healers, survivors and other trusted community representatives to improve public acceptance of health measures.

It recommended expanding surveillance and laboratory capacity through active case finding, investigation of alerts within 24 hours and increased access to decentralised RT-PCR testing.

Authorities were also advised to monitor contacts of confirmed and probable cases daily for 21 days following their last known exposure.

On social measures and domestic mobility, the WHO recommended postponing mass gatherings in areas experiencing community transmission of BDBV. Events in other areas should undergo specific risk assessments before proceeding.

The agency also recommended measures to reduce overcrowding in food and drink establishments and nightclubs, limit motorcycle passengers to one and support the safe reopening of schools.

In addition, 24-hour health checkpoints were recommended along roads connecting affected areas with locations considered at high risk of transmission. The WHO also called for surveillance of inland waterway vessels linking affected communities with major urban centres, including Kinshasa.

For international travel, the WHO advised stronger surveillance at border crossings and closer cooperation between the DRC and neighbouring countries to trace contacts who may have crossed international borders.

Suspected, probable and confirmed cases, as well as contacts based on their level of exposure, should be prevented from undertaking international travel except where medical evacuation is required.

The agency further recommended exit screening at airports, ports and land crossings, including exposure questionnaires, temperature checks and additional assessments for travellers presenting with fever.

The WHO urged authorities to strengthen infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities, maintain adequate supplies of personal protective equipment and provide healthcare workers with regular training and supervision.

It also recommended survivor follow-up programmes offering counselling, psychosocial support, clinical care, sexual health advice and stigma-reduction services.

The health agency called for further research into BDBV transmission patterns and the development of medical countermeasures, including candidate vaccines and therapeutics.

It urged the DRC to support ethically approved clinical trials and strengthen regulatory and ethics review systems to accelerate research into effective interventions.

The WHO said implementation of the recommendations must fully respect the dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals in line with the principles of the International Health Regulations.

The DRC is also expected to submit monthly reports to the WHO on implementation of the recommendations, including challenges encountered and gaps in the national response.

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By Jimmy Fatunbi

Yoruba Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, is reportedly battling stage 4 cancer.

In a viral video shared on Kokoroalate Facebook Reel, a woman who identified herself as Ogogo’s daughter appealed to the public for assistance, particularly alternative medical treatment for the veteran actor.

According to her, the hospital where Ogogo is currently receiving treatment has reportedly given up on his case.

She also expressed appreciation to Senator Olamilekan Adetola, whom she said has been responsible for settling Ogogo’s medical bills so far.

The woman said the purpose of her public appeal was not to solicit financial assistance but to seek alternative medical treatment for her father, who, according to her, has expressed his desire to live.
According to her, Ogogo appeared seriously ill, with a visibly protruding abdomen.

Details shortly.

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The management of the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital (FUTATH) has clarified the salary structure for its workforce following the institution’s transition from a state owned facility to a federal teaching hospital.

In a statement issued in Akure by the hospital’s Head of Public Relations, Tope Fayehun, the management explained that the institution currently operates with two categories of employees whose salaries are paid by different tiers of government.

According to the statement, permanent staff inherited from the former Ondo State owned hospital remain on the payroll of the Ondo State Government, while the Federal Government is responsible for paying the salaries of non regular staff recruited to sustain the hospital’s operations following its transition to a federal institution.

The clarification follows concerns generated by remarks attributed to the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Olusegun Ojo. The management stated that the comments had been misconstrued and were never intended to suggest that the Federal Government had assumed responsibility for the salaries of all categories of workers.

It explained that the Federal Government’s intervention is limited to the remuneration of non regular personnel employed to ensure uninterrupted healthcare service delivery during the transition period.

FUTATH further noted that the current arrangement is in line with the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Federal Government and the Ondo State Government at the point of the hospital’s transfer.

The management added that both governments have continued to fulfil their respective obligations to ensure the smooth operation of the institution while the transition process is being fully implemented.

Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and quality healthcare delivery, the hospital urged members of the public and stakeholders to disregard misinformation capable of creating unnecessary anxiety.

The management also expressed appreciation to both the Federal Government and the Ondo State Government for their continued support and called for sustained cooperation as the institution strengthens its role as a federal tertiary healthcare facility.

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The Lagos State Government has announced major safety and infrastructure upgrades at the Odan House Officers’ Residence on Lagos Island, three years after the tragic death of medical doctor, Vwaere Diaso, in a faulty elevator accident.

The State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, disclosed the development in a statement shared on his official X account, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring that a similar tragedy never occurs again.

According to Abayomi, the state has implemented a series of corrective measures, including the immediate decommissioning of the faulty elevator, a comprehensive renovation of the 10 storey House Officers’ Residence and the installation of brand new elevators.

He said the Lagos State Government engaged construction firm Julius Berger to undertake the complete refurbishment of the facility, while Kresta Laurel was contracted to install new lifts, adding that the installation phase has already been completed.

The commissioner also revealed that the government has strengthened the management of the facility by deploying a senior official from the Lagos State Health Service Commission to oversee its operations pending the appointment of a permanent facility manager.

He noted that stricter operational standards have been introduced through the implementation of the Lagos State Safety Commission’s guidelines for lift operations and maintenance to enhance safety within the building.

Abayomi explained that the renovation is being carried out in phases because the residence remains occupied by doctors serving at the Lagos Island General Hospital, Lagos Island Maternity Hospital and Massey Street Children’s Hospital.

According to him, the refurbishment is progressing from the upper floors downward, allowing resident doctors to return to their apartments as each section of the building is completed.

Following a recent inspection of the project, the commissioner expressed satisfaction with the quality of work already delivered, noting that residents who had returned to the completed upper floors had settled into accommodation finished to a high standard.

He added that although the new elevators have been fully installed, they will only be commissioned after the completion of all civil works to safeguard the equipment and ensure the highest level of safety for residents.

Dr. Vwaere Diaso died in August 2023 after a faulty elevator at the House Officers’ Residence of the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island, crashed while she was inside. The incident sparked widespread public outrage and renewed calls for improved safety standards across public health facilities in Nigeria.

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LAGOS — The Lagos State Government has reiterated its readiness to respond to infectious disease outbreaks, with Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, disclosing that the state remains on high alert due to its large population and status as a major gateway for human and commercial traffic in Africa.

Abayomi made the disclosure on Tuesday while speaking at the Invest Lagos 3.0 Summit themed “Lagos: The Business Gateway to Africa,” where he highlighted the state’s public health preparedness and disease surveillance measures.

According to the commissioner, Lagos faces constant vulnerability to infectious diseases because of the enormous volume of people, goods, and animals entering the state daily through its airports, seaports, and land borders.

He noted that with a population estimated at over 30 million people, the state must continuously monitor potential health threats to prevent outbreaks from spreading.

Abayomi explained that Lagos receives thousands of livestock and food supplies daily to meet the needs of residents, adding that the movement of people and animals increases the risk of disease transmission.

Drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, the health commissioner warned that diseases such as Ebola pose a significantly greater threat because of their higher fatality rates.

He stated that the state government has intensified efforts to strengthen its disease prevention and response mechanisms through a comprehensive initiative known as the “Lagos Bio-Shield.”

The programme, he said, focuses on preventing dangerous pathogens from entering the state while ensuring rapid detection and containment of any outbreak.

Abayomi identified the Murtala Muhammed International Airport as one of the key points of entry being closely monitored by health authorities. He explained that surveillance systems have been deployed to track travellers arriving from high-risk regions, particularly parts of Eastern and Central Africa.

According to him, Lagos maintains an extensive network of epidemiologists and public health officials who monitor potential threats and coordinate emergency responses across the state.

He added that the Bio-Shield framework also incorporates contact-tracing mechanisms, isolation facilities, and advanced biosafety laboratories designed to support swift intervention whenever infectious diseases are detected.

The commissioner stressed that the integrated approach is aimed at ensuring that any public health threat is identified and contained before it can spread widely within the state.

Abayomi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting residents and sustaining Lagos’ position as a leading commercial and investment destination through strong public health systems and emergency preparedness measures.

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Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has approved the conversion of the Adamawa State Specialist Hospital in Yola into the Adamawa State University Teaching Hospital as part of efforts to strengthen medical education and specialised healthcare delivery in the state.

The approval was announced by the Secretary to the State Government, Awwal Tukur, during the inauguration of a committee set up to oversee the transition process.

According to the government, the decision followed a request by the management of Adamawa State University for the establishment of a clinical training facility for medical students within the state.

Tukur said the development would reduce reliance on teaching hospitals outside Adamawa for clinical training while also enhancing healthcare services, medical research and manpower development.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Augustine Clement, described the inauguration of the conversion committee as a major milestone in the institution’s growth and expansion.

The committee has been mandated to work out modalities for the seamless transition of the facility ahead of the 2026/2027 academic session.

Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director of the Specialist Hospital Yola, Dauda Wadinga, and the Acting Provost of the Adamawa State College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Michael Misauno, commended the governor for approving the project.

They pledged their commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the teaching hospital initiative.

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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has threatened to embark on an industrial action following the alleged assault of a female house officer at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Ogun State.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its President, Mohammad Usman Suleiman, the association described the incident as “shocking and barbaric,” warning that failure to address the situation could trigger a nationwide strike.

According to NARD, the doctor was allegedly attacked by seven men suspected to be students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic following the death of a patient at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency unit. The association said the victim was targeted after being identified as part of the medical team that attended to the deceased.

NARD condemned the attack, stating that it represents a grave violation of the safety, dignity, and professional sanctity of healthcare workers. The association stressed that hospitals should remain safe spaces for healing, not environments where medical personnel are subjected to violence.

As part of its immediate response, NARD directed its members at the Sagamu-based hospital to withdraw their services pending adequate assurances of safety.

The association also called for the urgent identification, arrest, and prosecution of those responsible for the attack, insisting that justice must be served.

It further urged the management of Gateway ICT Polytechnic to collaborate with security agencies in apprehending the suspects and to take responsibility for the actions of its students, including covering the victim’s medical expenses and providing compensation.

NARD also called on the management of the teaching hospital to strengthen security within its premises and address welfare concerns affecting healthcare workers.

The association expressed solidarity with the assaulted doctor and wished her a speedy recovery, while warning that failure to meet its demands could lead to escalation into a broader industrial dispute.

It also appealed to government at all levels to prioritise the protection of healthcare workers and enforce strict penalties against violence in medical facilities, stressing that the safety of doctors remains non-negotiable.

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Nigeria has received 11,520 doses of , a long-acting injectable designed to reduce new HIV infections, marking a significant step in the country’s HIV prevention efforts.

The Federal Government took delivery of the medication on Wednesday at the Federal Central Stores in Oshodi, , as part of a phased rollout supported by the .

Officials disclosed that the shipment is the first tranche of a total of 52,000 doses expected in three batches later in the year.

Speaking on the development, Mohammed Patiko, Head of Procurement and Supply Chain Management at the , described the delivery as a major milestone in Nigeria’s response to .

He explained that the injectable drug is intended primarily as a preventive measure, particularly for individuals at higher risk of infection, including serodiscordant couples and key populations.

According to him, the rollout will occur in phases, with the first batch already received, while additional consignments are expected in May and October.

The initial deployment will take place in selected pilot locations, including , , , , the , , , and .

Patiko added that the medication would be provided free of charge during the pilot phase at designated health facilities, with distribution expected to commence next week using existing supply systems.

Health authorities say the introduction of lenacapavir strengthens Nigeria’s HIV prevention strategy by complementing ongoing testing and treatment programmes.

Also speaking, Oladipupo Fisher, Lagos State AIDS Programme Coordinator, noted that the development aligns with Nigeria’s target of eliminating HIV/AIDS by 2030.

He emphasised that expanding access to prevention tools alongside treatment remains critical to reducing new infections and controlling the epidemic nationwide.

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The State Epidemiologist, Dr Msuega Asema, disclosed this on Friday when the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ejeh-Ogwuche, visited isolation centres at Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi and the Federal Medical Centre in Apir, where affected patients are receiving treatment.

The commissioner had earlier declared a Lassa fever outbreak in the state following a rise in suspected cases. On February 16, he told journalists that four health workers had died from the disease, with more than 60 suspected cases recorded at the time.

Providing an update during the visit, Asema said the state is facing a devastating outbreak, with 45 confirmed cases and 10 cumulative deaths out of 250 suspected cases reported so far. He noted that a significant number of those affected are health workers, including five medical doctors, four nurses, two community health extension workers and one hospital porter.

Ejeh-Ogwuche urged residents not to panic, assuring that the state government had intensified efforts to contain the outbreak since it was officially declared on February 3. He said the visit was aimed at assessing the situation on the ground and showing solidarity with patients undergoing treatment at the two facilities.

According to him, the infection involves human-to-human transmission largely due to lapses in infection prevention. He stated that the government under Governor Hyacinth Alia remains fully committed to containing the disease and has activated necessary measures, including mobilising resources to curb further spread.

The commissioner announced that surveillance officers have been deployed across the 23 local government areas of the state to strengthen monitoring, contact tracing and community engagement. He appealed to residents to promptly report symptoms at designated health facilities for early diagnosis and treatment, stressing that timely intervention is critical in reducing fatalities.

He commended health workers for their dedication and sacrifice and expressed sympathy to families of those who lost their lives.

The Chief Medical Director of Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Dr Stephen Hwande, said the hospital had put measures in place to manage the outbreak and urged residents to adhere strictly to infection prevention protocols.

Chairman of the hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee, Prof Michael Agbir, described the situation as unusual compared to previous years. He revealed that between January and February 2026, the hospital recorded 28 admissions, with 17 confirmed cases currently on admission and three deaths.

At the Federal Medical Centre, Apir, the Chief Medical Director, Prof Joseph Kontor, represented by Dr Uche Augustine Azuka, said the laboratory has been handling diagnostic tests for Lassa fever, COVID-19, chickenpox, cholera, hepatitis B and C, among other conditions. He, however, lamented that inadequate power supply has hampered effective service delivery at the isolation centre, making it difficult to conduct tests and obtain timely results.

He appealed to the state government to intervene by improving power supply and providing consumables and personal protective equipment, noting that patients are currently being treated and discharged free of charge.

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Nigerian medical professionals in the diaspora are set to support healthcare delivery across the country as part of activities marking the 2026 Diaspora Day.

The initiative, themed “Harnessing Global Diaspora Medical Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development,” will be implemented under the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative 2026 (DHII 2026). It is being organised in collaboration with the (NiDCOM), the , the and the .

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, NiDCOM Chairman/CEO said DHII 2026 aims to leverage the expertise and global experience of Nigerian doctors abroad to strengthen local health systems, expand access to specialist care and mentor health workers in underserved communities.

She explained that the programme provides a structured national framework aligned with the National Diaspora Policy as well as federal and state health priorities.

Seven major diaspora medical associations have been assigned to specific states for the outreach. The will cover Imo, Abia and Enugu states, while the has been assigned to the Federal Capital Territory.

The will operate in Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto states, and the will focus on Borno State. The will serve the FCT and Nasarawa State, while the will cover Bayelsa, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states. The will lead activities in Lagos State.

The outreach is expected to provide specialist clinical services in maternal and neonatal health, sickle cell screening, women’s health, interventional radiology, neurosurgery, echocardiography and point-of-care ultrasound. It will also focus on medical leadership training and broader health systems strengthening, with an emphasis on sustainable capacity building and hands-on mentorship.

The initiative will be officially flagged off in Abuja at the start of Diaspora Week 2026, after which medical teams will deploy to their assigned states.

Participating associations are scheduled to reconvene in Abuja on July 24 ahead of the national Diaspora Day on July 25–26 to submit impact reports that will inform policy dialogue and potential expansion of the programme.

Dabiri-Erewa expressed appreciation to President for supporting diaspora engagement, as well as to relevant ministers, state governments, professional bodies, development partners and private sector stakeholders.

Representatives of the participating associations welcomed the initiative and called for its sustainability, noting that pre-event online sessions on women’s health, interventional radiology, neurosurgery and echocardiography have already commenced.

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