The Enugu State Government has placed all health facilities on high alert over the rising cases of Lassa fever in neighbouring states, urging strict adherence to preventive measures by healthcare workers and residents.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, disclosed this on Wednesday in Enugu while briefing journalists on the state’s preparedness.

He noted that although no confirmed case has been recorded in Enugu, the state has activated enhanced surveillance due to its shared borders with Benue and Ebonyi states.

According to him, neighbouring Benue State recently reported 250 suspected cases, 45 confirmed infections and 10 deaths among healthcare workers, while Ebonyi State has recorded more than six confirmed cases.

“At present, Enugu has no confirmed case. However, we are in a high-alert phase and engaging partners to prevent any outbreak,” Ugwu said.

Mandatory Measures for Health Facilities

The commissioner directed all healthcare facilities to enforce mandatory patient triage at designated points and promptly refer suspected infectious cases to centres equipped to manage them.

Tertiary institutions are required to establish holding areas for suspected cases and immediately notify the state through approved reporting channels. He stressed strict compliance with Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) protocols, including the appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Healthcare workers were also advised to maintain a high index of suspicion for persistent fever unresponsive to malaria treatment and to ensure proper waste disposal and disinfection procedures.

Public Advisory

Residents were urged to maintain rodent-free environments by keeping homes clean, sealing holes in walls and floors, clearing surrounding bushes, and storing food items in tightly sealed containers.

The government also cautioned against drying food in open spaces where rodents can contaminate them, handling or consuming rats, and contact with bodily fluids of sick individuals.

Members of the public experiencing symptoms such as persistent fever, headache, weakness, vomiting, abdominal pain or unexplained bleeding were advised to seek immediate medical attention and avoid self-medication.

Emergency Response Activated

Ugwu revealed that the state has activated “Enhanced Mode” surveillance across all 17 Local Government Areas, with Rapid Response Teams on 24-hour standby.

Personal Protective Equipment, essential medicines and safe-burial materials have been pre-positioned, while risk communication materials are being distributed in local languages.

Nigeria has recorded 1,469 suspected cases, 318 confirmed cases and over 70 deaths nationwide, with outbreaks reported in Taraba State, Ondo State, Bauchi State, Edo State, Benue State, Nasarawa State, Kogi State and Ebonyi State.

The commissioner urged media organisations to disseminate only verified information from the Ministry of Health and to amplify accurate public health messages.

Residents were encouraged to report suspected cases through designated state emergency lines.

The Enugu State Government says it achieved 101 per cent coverage in the just-concluded national measles and rubella immunisation campaign, surpassing the national target of 85 per cent.

The Commissioner for Health, disclosed this in Enugu while reacting to the exercise conducted between February 4 and February 13.

Ugwu attributed the outcome to strong field operations and broad inter-ministerial collaboration, noting that the campaign benefited from coordinated efforts across ministries and engagement with traditional rulers, religious bodies and local government structures.

He commended the support of , stating that investments in primary healthcare centres and vaccine cold-chain systems ensured effective distribution and preservation of vaccines.

“With the governor’s backing, all our Primary Healthcare Centres received the vaccines, which were preserved at the right temperatures to maintain efficacy,” he said.

The commissioner also cited ongoing recruitment of primary healthcare workers as a key factor in strengthening service delivery across the state.

Ugwu further praised the administration’s engagement with health workers and attention to their welfare, adding that improved infrastructure had increased interest among medical graduates seeking internships and residency placements at facilities including the .

He recalled a recent visit by a National Assembly Health Committee team, which, according to him, commended the state’s progress in the health sector.

The immunisation campaign targeted children aged nine to 14 years.

The Enugu State Government says over 1.5 million children have so far received vaccination against measles and rubella within a week in the ongoing statewide immunisation against the diseases.

Dr Ifeyinwa Ani-Ocheku, Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), announced this during the flag off of integrated Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign held at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu on Wednesday.

Ani-Ocheku added that the number represented about 68 per cent of the target population of 2.2 million children in the state, describing the figure as unprecedented and the state’s commitment to achieving zero cases of the diseases.

She equally described the exercise as a “historic and deliberate” move to protect the future of the state.

“We are gathered here today not just for a ceremony but for a declaration. We declare that the life of a child in Nsukka is as valuable as the life of a child in New York.

“In Enugu, the health of our children is non-negotiable. We declare zero measles and zero rubella in Enugu State,” she said.

According to her, health workers embarked on aggressive community mobilisation, moving from house to house, schools, churches and mosques to ensure that no child was left out.

She said that no serious adverse effects had been recorded since the exercise began.

The executive secretary explained that measles incubates for 10 to 14 days, and can cause blindness, deafness, brain swelling and even death, while rubella, incubating for 14 to 21 days, posed serious risks including congenital disabilities in unborn children.

“Science has gifted us a vaccine, one shot, double protection. The vaccine is safe and effective, and this success belongs to our communities”.

She commended Gov. Peter Mbah for his administration’s reforms in the health sector, including the transformation of primary healthcare departments into functional Local Government Health Authorities and timely release of counterpart funding,

Flagging the exercise off earlier, Gov Mbah, represented the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, described the vaccination campaign as a “sacred obligation” of government.

He said, “Our future is not in the roads we build or the industries we attract. Our future is sitting in classrooms, playing in courtyards and lying in cradles across Enugu State. Our future is our children”.

The governor stressed that health remained a central pillar of his administration’s economic strategy, noting that a sick child could not learn or grow into the Innovator, Engineer or leader.

He highlighted key reform carried out by the government to include granting autonomy to local government health authorities to remove bottlenecks in service delivery and sanitising primary healthcare payroll systems,

According to him, the reforms include revitalising health training institutions, and ensuring access to Basic Health Care Provision Funds.

He urged parents and caregivers to take advantage of the remaining days of the campaign to close the immunity gap, by ensuring their children between nine months and 14 years received the vaccines.

“In vaccination, 68 per cent is commendable, but it is not enough. The virus looks for the gaps. Let us find the remaining children. Our goal is simple, zero measles, zero rubella, full protection,” he said.

In goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu and the Chairman of Oji River Local Government Area, Mr Greg, Anyaegbudike, urged parents and caregivers who have children of nine months to 14 years to be vaccinated.

Ugwu called on them to make their children available for the vaccines before the Feb. 15 deadline, assuring residents that the vaccines were safe, effective and critical to safeguarding the health and future of Enugu children.

The two-week exercise began on Feb. 3 will end in Feb. 15.

The Federal Government has ordered the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to suspend all enforcement actions on the proposed ban of sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic drinks.

The government also directed the agency to immediately stop sealing factories and warehouses linked to the policy, warning that premature enforcement could have negative economic and security implications.

The directive was contained in a statement by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), on Wednesday in Abuja.

Kuanum explained that the order followed a joint intervention by the SGF’s office and the Office of the National Security Adviser, which raised concerns over the risks of enforcing the ban in the absence of a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy.

“Accordingly, all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the ongoing ban on sachet alcohol are to be suspended pending the final consultations and implementation of the National Alcohol Policy and the issuance of a final directive,” the statement read.

He added that although the policy had been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health under the directive of President Bola Tinubu, NAFDAC must refrain from any action, including factory closures, warehouse sealing, or public enforcement, until the policy is fully operational.

The government said the continued sealing of warehouses and the unofficial ban were already disrupting businesses, threatening jobs, and creating risks to security, particularly in informal distribution networks nationwide.

Kuanum noted that the directive reinforces an earlier SGF order in December 2025, which suspended enforcement of the proposed ban pending consultations and a final decision. The government is also reviewing legislative resolutions and public health considerations, as well as the economic and national interest implications of the policy

The Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation (CALMHAF) has equipped students with hearing and speech impairments at the Special Education Centre, Ogbete, Enugu, with art-based communication skills aimed at improving self-expression and emotional wellbeing.

The session, which engaged 15 students, formed part of CALMHAF’s year-long mental health and empowerment programme in the school.

Executive Director of the foundation, Rev. Chukwudiebube Nwachukwu, said the intervention, themed “Expressing Me Without Words,” was designed to help students navigate communication barriers in a world dominated by spoken language.

Nwachukwu, a certified mental health practitioner, noted that art offers a potent therapeutic avenue for children who cannot rely on verbal communication. Using canvases, colours and brushes, participants produced personal artworks that mirrored their emotions, aspirations and lived experiences.

“Every student went home with a painting a reminder of their creativity and worth,” he said, adding that global authorities, including WHO, UNICEF and the American Art Therapy Association, recognise art therapy as an effective tool for people with communication difficulties.

According to him, many of the students used colours and imagery to articulate their dreams ranging from professional careers to family aspirations while several who appeared withdrawn at the start became visibly animated by the end of the session.

Teachers at the centre described the transformation as remarkable, noting that some students displayed levels of confidence they had never previously observed.

CALMHAF Co-Founder and child psychologist, Mrs Uzoamaka Nwachukwu, said the team witnessed “silence turning into colour and invisible children becoming boldly visible,” stressing that the foundation’s long-term commitment to the school was driven by the need to ensure no child is left without avenues for expression.

Headmistress of the centre, Mrs Virginia Eze, thanked the foundation and called for art therapy to be incorporated into the school’s regular programmes.

CALMHAF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the students and staff to ensure that no child, regardless of disability, remains unseen or unheard.

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Body Without Spot (BWS), has called for increased uptake of periodic Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screening among Nigerian men to enable early detection and timely treatment of prostate cancer, a disease experts say continues to pose a major health threat to men of African descent.

The Founder and Convener of BWS, Emeritus Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, made the appeal during a prostate health awareness soirée organised in partnership with the Enugu Sports Club on Sunday.

Prof. Okoye, a renowned radiologist and cancer prevention advocate, warned that prostate cancer remains one of the leading cancers in Black men globally, with Nigerian men disproportionately affected due to genetic predisposition, late presentation, and low awareness.

According to her, many Nigerian men either know very little about prostate diseases or avoid simple screening tests, preferring instead to “manage” symptoms for years until the condition progresses to advanced stages.

“By the time they arrive in hospital, treatment becomes complex, expensive, and survival chances are poorer. Choosing not to screen has become a deadly decision,” she said.

Prof. Okoye regretted that despite years of advocacy, awareness remains low, often compounded by a culture of silence, fear, and stigma around male reproductive health.

She noted that the event marks BWS’s flagship prostate awareness launch in the South-East, chosen deliberately for the Enugu Sports Club because it draws influential men whose decisions impact communities across business, politics, culture, and family life.

Formerly Breast Without Spot, BWS has, since 2008, engaged in community cancer education, early detection campaigns, and partnerships with global research institutions including Stanford University, Mayo Clinic, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Johns Hopkins University.

Prof. Okoye envisioned a future where:

“Men aged 40 and above would know their PSA levels the same way they know their blood pressure. Let us be the generation that refused to keep quiet while our men died of a preventable, treatable disease.”

Understanding the Prostate and Cancer Risk

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland situated below the bladder and surrounding the urethra. Its primary function is the production of prostatic fluid, a key component of semen that nourishes and protects sperm.

It typically develops slowly and may remain asymptomatic in its early stages one reason screening is vital.

Experts Highlight Symptoms and Importance of Early Detection

A consultant urologist at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Dr. Okezie Mbadiwe, explained that every man has a prostate gland and that optimal sexual and reproductive function depends on its health.

Another urologist at UNTH, Dr. Chinweuba Odimba, listed warning signs that should prompt immediate medical evaluation. These include:

frequent urination, especially at night;

weak or interrupted urine stream;

difficulty starting or stopping urination;

burning sensation during urination;

persistent feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.

Dr. Odimba, however, noted that some men may exhibit no symptoms at all, making routine screening essential.

“Most early cases do not present symptoms. That is why PSA screening is strongly encouraged. When detected early and properly evaluated, outcomes are significantly better,” he said.

A consultant clinical oncologist, Dr. Vitalis Okwor, advised men between the ages of 40 and 50 to undertake PSA screening at least once or twice yearly, emphasising that early detection saves lives.

Leaders, Government Officials Back Call for Prostate Awareness

The Chairman of the event and former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, urged men across the region to break the silence surrounding prostate health and adopt screening as a routine health practice.

“This partnership between BWS and Enugu Sports Club is inspired and timely. Men must overcome cultural barriers and prioritise their health,” he said.

The Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, said the initiative aligns with Governor Peter Mbah’s commitment to strengthening healthcare services and expanding access to preventive care.

Prof. Ugwu reiterated government’s willingness to collaborate with health-focused NGOs such as BWS and called for a reduction in the cost of screening and prostate cancer treatment to widen access for more families.

Chairman of the Enugu Sports Club, Mr. Ifeanyi Nweke, pledged continued support for BWS’s cancer-awareness initiatives and appealed to government and private health providers to make prostate cancer care more affordable.

A Call for Collective Action

The event ended with a renewed call for Nigerian men especially those over 40 to prioritise their health, undergo regular PSA screening, and seek medical attention at the earliest signs of discomfort.

Stakeholders agreed that silence, stigma, and delayed intervention continue to fuel preventable deaths, and that community-driven awareness is vital to reversing the trend.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) have donated vehicles, equipment, and various training items to the Enugu State Colleges of Nursing at Park Lane, Enugu, and Awgu, lauding Governor Peter Mbah’s bold and strategic investments in health system development in the state.

The items donated include two 15-seater Toyota Hiace commuter buses, two Mikano diesel generators, 145 desktop computers, five suction machines, eight sets of 3D electronic boards, 13 Sharp three-in-one photocopiers, and numerous laboratory, training, nursing, and hostel equipment and accessories, among others.

Speaking at the handover ceremony at Government House, Enugu, on Monday, the WHO Country Director and Head of Mission, Nigeria, Dr. Pavel Ursu, said the donations followed a comprehensive infrastructure readiness assessment conducted on the Enugu State College of Nursing, Park Lane Campus, and the Enugu State College of Nursing, Awgu Campus by WHO, in collaboration with the Enugu State Government, as part of the Equipment Support for Health Training Institutions (ESHTI) initiative.

He said Mbah had set a commendable example in health system investment, listing several remarkable interventions of the administration in health sector development.

“WHO commends your administration for the bold and strategic investment in health system strengthening. Under your leadership, Enugu State has made remarkable investments in health infrastructure expansion and primary healthcare revitalization,” he said, listing the construction of 260 Type 2 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across all political wards, solarisation of health facilities, and the ongoing construction of the quaternary Enugu International Hospital, which has the potential to position Enugu State as a medical tourism destination.

He cited the digital transformation of health facilities by the Mbah Government, naming the digitisation of PHC and secondary health facilities, equipping of over 360 health facilities with tablets, internet, and Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, and the institutionalization of real-time data dashboards for clinical and operational monitoring.

“These efforts are expected to reduce patient wait times, improve quality of care, and enable evidence-based decision-making,” Dr. Ursu stated.

He equally commended Mbah for his investment in human resources for health through the approval of the recruitment of 2,200 health workers across all cadres, with 450 already onboarded, as well as for the administration’s support to health training institutions through accreditations, approval of National and Higher National Diplomas, and integration of the schools into the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) portal, among others.

In his remark, FCDO Nigeria Health Advisor and representative at the ceremony, Dr. Ebere Anyachukwu, praised the governor’s efforts in transforming the state’s health system.

“We have been a key supporter, and we have also been observing the efforts that Enugu State has been making to transform health under your leadership. That is why we are proud to have partnered with Enugu State and the World Health Organization to provide this support, and we hope that this will strengthen your efforts to improve the quantity, quality, and effectiveness of the health workforce in Enugu State,” he stated.

Speaking, Governor Mbah, while conveying the profound gratitude of the state to WHO and FCDO, said the donations would help in realising his administration’s vision to eradicate poverty and grow the state’s economy sevenfold.

“We know that all that will be contingent on the well-being of our people, and as they say, a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. So, this donation is fit for purpose.

“You have done all the gap analysis and identified where it hurts us most. And it is quite auspicious because it is also happening at a time when we have been targeting to train at least 3,000 healthcare professionals annually here in Enugu State. So, these tools will strengthen these training institutions and also improve our standards,” he said.

He, however, assured that his government was not ready to rest on its oars, as it was set to construct more hostels and classrooms in the various campuses of the Enugu State College of Nursing, including the one in Oji River.

He added that the government was completing two new six-floor blocks at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital to provide world-class healthcare to the people of the state.

In his remark, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters, Dr. Yomi Jaye, described the WHO and FCDO’s donations as an endorsement of the transformation of the state’s nursing training institutions, which the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria had almost written off before the coming of the Mbah Administration.

The Co-Founder of the Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation (CALMHAF), Mrs Uzoamaka Nwachukwu, has warned of the dangers of poor nutrition in children’s mental development and stability

Nwachukwu gave the warning while speaking on World Food Day (on Oct. 16) and the Growing Incidences of Malnutrition among Children in Nigeria on Thursday in Enugu.

She noted that there were links between quality nutrition and children’s mental health, brain development and function; adding that the brain requires essential omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to develop and function properly.

According to her, diets high in sugar and processed foods are linked to increased risks of anxiety and depression in children as well as cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, which can affect mood stability.

Nwachukwu, a mental health advocate, said, “Nutrients like magnesium (found in leafy greens and nuts) and vitamin D (from sunlight or fortified foods) support serotonin production, a neuro-transmitter that stabilises mood.

“Studies show that children with diets high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains tend to have better academic performance and fewer behavioral issues compared to those consuming high-sugar, high-fat diets.

“For example, a 2019 study found that children with poor diets were more likely to exhibit hyperactivity and inattention, symptoms often associated with Attention -Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).”

She called on mothers and caregivers to replace costly foreign foods with cheaper and available Nigerian alternatives to ensure that their children get essential mental health sustaining nutrients.

“Nigeria’s markets offer household foods that deliver Omega-3s, iron, B vitamins, and more at a fraction of imported costs (often between ₦100 and N500 per family serving).

“Swap expensive salmon for dried or smoked mackerel (Titus) or sardines, and almond/walnuts for groundnuts or egusi seeds.

“Replace lean meats with affordable beans (“akidi” or brown beans), dried fish, and “ugu” (pumpkin) leaves.

“These cover daily needs; pair with vitamin C-rich fruits for better absorption. Try bean porridge with “ugu” or fish stews,” she said.

For Vitamin B for energy and mood stability; she advocated use of leafy greens like “ugu” or spinach (green), plus fermented ogi from corn or millet, boost serotonin precursors. Blend “ugu” into “ogi” for a nutrient-packed breakfast.

For Vitamin D for serotonin and mood support; Nwachukwu urged families to leverage Nigeria’s abundant sunlight (15-20 minutes daily) alongside small portions of dried fish or eggs; while outdoor playtime doubles as free therapy.”

The child mental expert noted that a balanced and nutritious diet provides the nutrients needed for optimal brain function, while poor nutrition can contribute to mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and attention issues.

She, however, noted that in a world where good nutrition is key to children’s mental well-being; many families in Nigeria face steep challenges on getting a balanced diet on their dining tables.

“Rising food prices, food insecurity, and limited access to diverse foods make it hard to follow expert advice on preventing anxiety, depression, and ADHD through nutritious diet.

“Yet, with Nigeria’s rich array of local staples like “ugu” leaves, beans, and fermented “ogi”, low-income households can still nourish their children’s brains affordably,” she added.

The Enugu State Government has assured that it would surpass the 30 per cent reduction in maternal and neo-natal (newborn) mortality target set by the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Innovation Initiative (MAMII) project.

The Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, gave the assurance while inaugurating the state’s 30-member MAMII Task Team and distributing MAMII kits to pregnant women at Enugu East Secretariat, Edem, Enugu.

Ugwu noted that although, the MAMII project targets 30 per cent reduction; the state would aggressively pursue the project to achieve a 100 per cent reduction.

According to him, this means zero record of maternal and neo-natal (or newborn) mortality in all 17 council areas in the state.

He said that some council areas, such as Enugu East council area, are already enrolling women of child bearing age into Enugu State Health Insurance Scheme and other programmes to enhance their health even during pregnancy and baby delivery.

Ugwu said the task team inauguration followed the outcome of several weeks of articulation and work especially the one week of co-creation document to be used to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths in the state.

He revealed that under Gov. Peter Mbah had adopted holistic approach towards healthcare delivery through revamping all levels of healthcare from PHC to tertiary level.

The commissioner called on all stakeholders at the community level to inform, insist and assist pregnant women and babies to access these healthcare facilities especially the 260 Type-2 PHC centres and others to reduce maternal and newborn deaths to zero.

Mr Abraham Ahmadu, the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) National Lead Team to Enugu, explained that MAMII project team for Enugu State would help to coordinate, monitor and drive multi-sectorial actions that would accelerate the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality in the state.

According to Ahmadu, the programme is currently being implemented in 33 states and 172 local government areas across Nigeria to address systemic health care delivery challenges.

He urged stakeholders to collaborate, pool their resources, and commit to ensuring that no pregnant woman or newborn would die from preventable causes in Enugu State.

He said that the project had set a target of 30 per cent maternal mortality reduction and 60 per cent increase in health facility usage by 2030.

The Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Samuel Asudu, assured that royal fathers would cascade the message of MAMII project to the members of their communities.

Represented by Igwe Emmanuel Anichebe, the Traditional Ruler of Akokwu Umana Community, Asudu lauded Federal and Enugu State Governments for the MAMII project meant to tackle maternal and neonatal death at the grassroots.

The State Coordinator, World Health Organisation, Mrs Adaeze Ugwu, pledged to partner with the state and also provide technical support for the project to succeed.

In her welcome address, Dr Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, Executive Secretary, Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, stressed that the initiative was geared at ensuring that “no woman in Enugu State dies from pregnancy-related causes”.

She noted that Nigeria had one of the highest burdens of maternal and neonatal deaths world over, pointing out that every 10 pregnant women that die, three die in Nigeria.

“And this is the kind of astronomical figures that we have chosen to reverse. When it comes to under five-year mortality, it is said that eight out of every 1,000 children are unlikely to see their 5th birthday.

“Imagine that these children are the future leaders of tomorrow. That is what we seek to reverse,” she said.

She, however, called for collaboration of all stakeholders to end the menace in the state, assuring the Federal Government that the state would “surely surpass the MAMII target”.

The MAMII project workshop, which began on Oct. 6, 2025 in Enugu, ended Oct. 1, 2025 with the inauguration of state task team to implement the project.

The members of the task team were drawn from health professionals in hospitals and state health agencies as well as health donor agencies and partners in the state.