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Nigeria expands free health tests for people living with HIV/AIDS

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Nigeria begins providing free annual liver and kidney function tests for people living with HIV/AIDS through expanded health insurance coverage.

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The Federal Government has begun providing people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) access to free annual liver and kidney function tests under expanded health insurance coverage.

Also read: Untreated Vaginal Infection Can Lead to Infertility, Experts Warn

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, announced the initiative during the 2025 World AIDS Day commemoration in Abuja, organised by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and partners.

The event carried the theme: “Overcoming disruption: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV response.”

World AIDS Day, observed annually on December 1, raises awareness about HIV/AIDS, promotes global solidarity, and reviews progress in combating the epidemic.

Salako said the government is moving towards full integration of HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, nutrition, and the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme into a single, accessible service.

“This integrated approach will ensure that children and adolescents can access multiple essential services during a single visit, thereby improving health outcomes,” he explained.

He also highlighted a recent decision by the National Council on Health to lower the consent age for voluntary HIV counselling and testing from 18 to 14 years, boosting testing among adolescents and promoting early diagnosis and care.

The Minister further encouraged states to integrate the National Clinical Mentorship Programme into their annual operational plans to ensure patients remain on treatment and prevent loss to follow-up.

“I call on all stakeholders—states, partners, civil society, communities, and the private sector—to strengthen collaboration, scale innovation, and accelerate our march toward the 2030 goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat,” he said.

Dr. Temitope Ilori, NACA Director-General, reported that Nigeria is on track to meet the 2030 target of ending HIV, achieving an 87–98–95 performance towards global 95–95–95 targets.

“Eighty-seven per cent of people living with HIV in Nigeria know their status; 98 per cent of those are on life-saving treatment, and 95 per cent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression,” she said.

Abdulkadiri Ibrahim, President of the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, stressed the need for domestic funding, improved community engagement, and greater access to viral load testing.

UN Resident Representative Elsie Attafuah highlighted the importance of domestic financing, human rights protection, community empowerment, and health system strengthening to sustain Nigeria’s HIV response.

Also read: Ogun East Residents Regain Sight through Gbenga Daniel Eye Care Outreach

“Together, we will sustain the response. Together, we will overcome distractions. Together, we will build a future where every person can live with health, dignity, and hope,” she said.

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GFF@25 Medical Mission Begins October 9 Across Ogun LGAs

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The Gateway Front Foundation’s GFF@25 Medical Mission will begin on October 9 and run through October 24, 2026, bringing free specialist medical services to residents across Ogun State as part of activities marking the foundation’s 25th anniversary.

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The 14-day intervention is being organised by the Gateway Front Foundation in partnership with Sharing Hope Medical Mission from the United States, Sharing Hope and Care Foundation and Redeemer’s Health Village. The programme is sponsored by Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

The mission is expected to provide free major and minor surgeries, eye care, gynaecological procedures, orthopaedic treatment, plastic and burn surgery, as well as other specialist medical services. Organisers say more than 15,000 patients are expected to benefit from the programme.

More than 50 doctors from the United States are expected to participate in the mission, while local healthcare practitioners are also expected to receive training as part of the broader programme.

Ahead of the main intervention, the foundation has already begun medical screening and clinical assessments in parts of Ogun. On September 21, residents in Sagamu were screened across four centres, while another exercise was held on September 30 at Redemption City and Simawa to identify cases requiring specialised and surgical treatment.
The screening exercises covered conditions including cataracts, pterygium, dental cases, tumours, lipomas, ganglions, hernias, fibroids, vesicovaginal fistula, prostate conditions, orthopaedic problems, fractures, dislocations, amputations, diabetes and gastroenterology-related ailments. Selected beneficiaries are expected to proceed to the surgical phase of the programme.

To widen access and reduce pressure on a single location, the foundation has scheduled screening and medical interventions across several Local Government Areas, according to the programme schedule released by the organisers.

The listed locations include Ijebu North, Ijebu North East, Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, Ogun Waterside, Ikenne, Odogbolu, Ijebu East, Remo North and the RCCG City area.

The schedule is as follows:

October 9: Ijebu North, Kabiesi Solaja Hall and Bojowa Street, Ago-Iwoye
October 10: Ijebu North East, GFF Care Centre, Erunwon
October 12: Sagamu, Asoludero Hall and Ogijo
October 13: Ijebu Ode, Obalofin Hall
October 14: Ogun Waterside, Abigi Community Town Hall
October 15: Ikenne
October 16: Odogbolu
October 17: Ijebu East, Hazelway Hotel, Ijebu Mushin
October 18: Remo North, Ode-Remo Main Market
October 9, 10 and 12–16: RCCG City/Health Village area

The Redeemers Health Village in Mowe, Redemption City, will serve as the main location for cases requiring surgery, according to the organisers. This arrangement is intended to provide sufficient space and facilities for surgical procedures.

Monitoring officers have also been assigned to the various locations to coordinate activities, manage the flow of beneficiaries and support the smooth delivery of the medical services.

The GFF@25 Medical Mission is one of the major programmes marking the foundation’s 25th anniversary. The Gateway Front Foundation, established by Daniel, has over the years undertaken healthcare and other community-focused interventions, including medical outreaches and eye-care initiatives.

Residents requiring medical attention have been encouraged by the organisers to visit the nearest designated venue on the appropriate date for screening and assessment.

The foundation said the anniversary programme is intended to extend its humanitarian activities to more communities, with healthcare forming a major part of the GFF@25 interventions.

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Governor Dauda Lawal Approves 95% Salary Increase for Health Workers

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The Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency Dauda Lawal, has approved a 95 percent salary increase for health workers across the state.

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The approval, which adopts the Federal Government’s Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), is aimed at improving the welfare of health workers and strengthening healthcare delivery in the state.

The development follows an earlier increase by the state government to bring the salaries of medical personnel in Zamfara in line with those of their counterparts in the Federal Government.

With the new approval, a health worker currently earning ₦100,000 will now take home ₦195,000, while someone on ₦200,000 will earn ₦390,000. A worker on ₦300,000 will now receive ₦585,000, and those on ₦500,000 and ₦1,000,000 will earn ₦975,000 and ₦1,950,000 respectively.

In effect, the 95 percent increase means the existing salary of every affected health worker is almost doubled.

The approval is expected to boost morale, attract and retain qualified health professionals, and ultimately improve healthcare delivery across the state.

It also comes shortly after the state government recruited new health workers last week, with the newly engaged staff set to benefit from the new salary structure.

Health workers in the state have since expressed appreciation to Governor Lawal for the gesture, describing it as a major boost to the sector.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers and the delivery of quality healthcare services to the people of Zamfara State.

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NAFDAC urged to probe KissKids diaper claims

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NAFDAC

Consumer advocates call for an independent quality assessment after a viral TikTok video alleged foreign material was found inside a baby diaper

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