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Tag: healthcare services

  • Tijani Secures Chinese Support For 3,700 Telecom Towers Targeting Underserved Communities

    Tijani Secures Chinese Support For 3,700 Telecom Towers Targeting Underserved Communities

    The Federal Government has received renewed support from China Industrial Bank (CIB) for the implementation of the Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project (NUCAP), a major digital infrastructure initiative designed to connect more than 20 million Nigerians living in underserved and unserved communities.

    Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, disclosed this following a meeting with a delegation from the Chinese financial institution led by Peng Shuang.

    According to Tijani in a statement posted on his X handle, the meeting reaffirmed CIB’s commitment to supporting NUCAP, a flagship project that aims to deploy 3,700 telecommunications towers across Nigeria to expand access to digital services and bridge the connectivity gap in remote communities.

    The minister described NUCAP as a transformative initiative that will provide telecommunications infrastructure to previously unconnected areas, particularly rural and riverine communities where access to reliable communication services remains limited.

    He noted that the project will establish a wholly green network of modern telecommunications towers, helping to extend connectivity and digital opportunities to millions of Nigerians currently excluded from the digital economy.

    Tijani said CIB’s backing is significant as it marks the bank’s first investment in Nigeria and reflects growing international confidence in the country’s digital transformation agenda.

    “The support demonstrates confidence in our vision of expanding meaningful connectivity for all Nigerians and building the digital foundations needed for inclusive economic growth,” he said.

    The minister expressed optimism over the bank’s commitment to support the government’s target of delivering at least 1,000 telecommunications tower sites before the end of the year.

    He added that the planned rollout would accelerate efforts to bring connectivity, economic opportunities and digital inclusion closer to millions of Nigerians, particularly those in hard-to-reach locations.

    The NUCAP initiative is a key component of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to expand broadband penetration, strengthen digital infrastructure and ensure equitable access to communication services across the country.

    Industry stakeholders believe the successful implementation of the project could unlock new economic opportunities, improve access to education and healthcare services, and support Nigeria’s drive toward a more inclusive digital economy.

  • Lafarge Africa Plc Partners Leadway Health to Deliver Free Breast Health Screening in Lagos

    Lafarge Africa Plc Partners Leadway Health to Deliver Free Breast Health Screening in Lagos

    In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026, Lafarge Africa Plc, in partnership with Leadway Health, successfully organised a free breast health screening on Thursday, March 26, at the Primary Health Care Centre, Akerele, Surulere, Lagos State.

    The initiative provided women with access to vital health checks while raising awareness on the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer. Participants benefited from professional screenings, expert guidance, and education emphasising the need for regular check-ups as a preventive measure. Comprehensive health education sessions encouraged women to adopt proactive health practices, highlighting the role of screening, awareness, and community support in reducing the burden of breast cancer.

    “At Lafarge Africa, empowering women goes beyond creating opportunities; it also involves safeguarding their health and wellbeing. By bringing essential healthcare services closer to the community, we remove barriers that often prevent women from seeking timely medical attention. Our goal is to create lasting impact by inspiring women to adopt intentional health practices, prioritise regular screenings, and share this knowledge within their communities,” the company stated.

    Gabriel Pollyn, Head, Sustainability and Sponsorship, Lafarge Africa Plc, noted that the initiative bridges gaps in access to information and healthcare services, encouraging women to take ownership of their health. He emphasised that breast cancer, while prevalent globally, is highly treatable when detected early, making awareness, education, and screening essential for stronger families, resilient communities, and a productive society.

    Dr. Olukemi Albert-Udoh, Occupational Health Coordinator, Lafarge Africa Plc, gave an overview of the screening exercise, clarifying its purpose and process, and encouraged participants to share their learnings with family, friends, and the wider community to amplify awareness.

    Dr. Atere Abisola, Team Lead, Client Services and Wellness, Leadway Health, provided practical insights on breast cancer, helping women understand what screenings entail and the importance of early detection.

    Adetoro Baiyewu, Supervisor for Health, Surulere Local Government Area, commended Lafarge Africa Plc for bringing essential healthcare services to the grassroots, ensuring women have access to life-saving information and early detection opportunities.

    The initiative aligns with Lafarge Africa Plc’s broader commitment to women’s empowerment, following its International Women’s Day 2026 celebration themed, “The Give to Gain Blueprint: Investing in Women for Sustainable Impact.” By integrating health-focused interventions with empowerment-driven initiatives, the company continues to reinforce that women’s health is vital and that early detection remains one of the most effective tools in saving lives.

  • Oyo Govt Seals 5 HealthCare Facilities Over Quackery

    Oyo Govt Seals 5 HealthCare Facilities Over Quackery

    The Oyo State Government, on Wednesday sealed five private health facilities in Ibadan, as part of measures towards protecting the health and well-being of residents. 

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Rotimi Babalola, made available to newsmen on Thursday. 

    According to the statement, the healthcare facilities were sealed for non-compliance with regulatory standards, employing unqualified and unlicensed doctors, commonly called quack doctors.

    During an inspection recently at Olodo and Moniya axis of Ibadan, the Director for Secondary health care and training, Dr. Wale Falana stated that the action became necessary after an extensive monitoring and evaluation of hospital facilities was carried out within the state. 

    “The inspection revealed alarming evidence of malpractice, misdiagnoses and inappropriate treatments being administered to unsuspected patients,” he said.

    According to him, The five healthcare facilities sealed were found to be lacking in terms of equipment, personnel, and compliance with standard medical regulations.’

    ‘Also, some hospitals were staffed with unqualified personnel who were practising medicine without the required qualifications and license.’

    Dr. Falana further expressed deep concern and warned hospitals not to compromise on the quality of healthcare offered to patients, stressing that the facilities will remain closed until they meet the requirements and standards set by the regulatory bodies.

    “This administration underscores its commitment to ensuring that healthcare services in the Oyo State adhere to the highest standards of quality and professionalism.” 

    “The government of the day, distinguished health as one of the cardinal programmes, consequently, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde takes the health of the people as essential, which is the reason behind the Omititun free health mission held quarterly throughout the state.” 

    “We will not tolerate any compromise in medical standards that could put lives at risk. Closing these hospitals demonstrates our commitment to maintaining quality healthcare delivery within our state.” 

    Dr. Falana added further that the state government had urged citizens to be more cautious when seeking medical attention and reminded them to verify the qualifications and licenses of healthcare providers they visit for treatment, encouraging citizens to report any suspected cases of quack doctors or substandard medical practices to the Ministry of Health. 

    “This will enable the government to take swift action and ensure that the healthcare system in Oyo State remains trustworthy, reliable, and patient-centric.

  • NigComSat partners Canadian firm, Ethnomet to Launch Digital Healthcare Platform ‘NigComHealth’

    NigComSat partners Canadian firm, Ethnomet to Launch Digital Healthcare Platform ‘NigComHealth’

    Nigeria Communications Satellite Ltd (NigComSat) in partnership with Ethnomet, a Canadian leading firm in healthcare technology recently launched ‘NigComHealth’, a telemedicine platform that will allow millions of Nigerians to have access to quality healthcare. ‘NigComHealth’ will transform the way patients and healthcare providers connect will transform the way patients and healthcare providers connect in the country by providing convenient and accessible medical consultations by licensed healthcare professionals anytime, anywhere via mobile app.

    The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami unveiled NigComHealth in Abuja this week. The Minister, who was represented by his Chief of staff, Professor Sahalu Junaidu, said the platform would promote a “more efficient and effective healthcare system that could be accessible to all Nigerians.”

    The minister also added that the current situation is worsening, with “each physician attending to more than 5,000 patients. This represents a stark contrast with WHO’s recommendation of 1 doctor to 600 patients. And with 218 million people to cater for, he said that Nigeria requires at least 363,000 additional doctors to meet this target,” which he believes NigComHealth will help achieve.

    The new telemedicine platform combines innovative technology with advanced medical tools and pre-vetted licensed healthcare practitioners, enabling virtual medical visits that are secure, efficient, and personalized. The Federal Government and Ethnomet have partnered with indigenous tech implementation company, Sawtrax to implement the platform across Nigeria. This will make it possible for Nigerians in any part of the country, including rural and remote areas, to book and attend appointments with qualified and specialized doctors.

    ‘NigComHealth’ Multi-tenant Virtual Healthcare Service Platform is designed for all hospitals to be able to integrate their healthcare professionals and offer digital health services to the Nigerian population.

    The Honourable Minister continued, ‘To bridge the gap, there is an urgent need to leverage on disruptive technology to improve access to healthcare services and quality medical practitioners available within Nigeria and across the globe. Therefore, NigComHealth Platform is a timely solution that could ensure that quality healthcare services are available to all Nigerians, irrespective of their locations.” He further encouraged “stakeholders in the health sector, both public and private to onboard into the initiative.”

    Mr. James Christoff, the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria said the platform will be a game changer in improving health outcomes especially in underserved and remote areas.

    “The technology has been developed with the vision and strategic objective of having over 80 Federal and State-owned Government hospitals coexist on the platform. The platform is also meant to provide digital health services to 1.7 million public sector workers and their families in Nigeria,” he said.

    He applauded both the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy and the Federal Ministry for Health, for their vision, and unparalleled commitment to the promotion, technology and health innovation in Nigeria.

    Engineer Tukur Lawal, the Managing Director of NigComSat Ltd said that the platform will reduce the massive capital flight spent by Nigerians on medical tourism annually.

    He opined that the platform will provide Nigerians with the opportunity to access affordable and world-class services from professionals regardless of their geographic location, without the need to travel to urban areas.

    Ethnomet CEO, Ms. Garnette Weber, who joined the event virtually, described the digital health solution as a demonstration of the Nigeria Government’s commitment to leveraging innovative technologies to provide quality and accessible healthcare for Nigerians in all regions.

    Weber said that “Telehealth has proven to be very effective in addressing these healthcare challenges as indicated in the Commonwealth Fund’s International Health Policy Survey of Primary Care Physicians. In 2022, General Practitioners from 10 different countries reported that 52% of encounters would have been clinically appropriate through video interactions with patients.  Telehealth services improve health resource utilization and access to care. “

    Mike Amanyi, Product Director for Ethnomet, presented and demonstrated the technology’s capabilities. In addition to booking and attending appointments with doctors and specialists, the opportunity also exists for community virtual health centers, and integrating health data from smartwatches and other wearable devices. NigComSat and Ethnomet have scheduled training for industry stakeholder leaders in days to come”

  • Stanbic IBTC Set To Boost Nigeria’s Health Sector

    Stanbic IBTC Set To Boost Nigeria’s Health Sector

    Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings has demonstrated its commitment to support the Nigerian health sector by making available special financing solutions for healthcare providers to effectively render services to Nigerians.

    As one of its key initiatives, the financial institution announced that it has made available flexible loan facilities to stakeholders in the Nigerian healthcare industry to enable them to purchase equipment and improve healthcare services.

    Speaking on the solutions, Remy Osuagwu, Executive Director, Business and Commercial Clients, Stanbic IBTC Bank said the loans were created to make available world-class healthcare and reduce the pressure on the limited health services in the country.

     “Healthcare is a basic need that everyone should be able to access easily. The pandemic has increased the pressure on the health sector and there is a need to adequately equip healthcare facilities to enable hospitals and laboratories deliver quality service and boost the confidence of Nigerians in that sector” he said.

    Nigeria’s health care system is underfunded and the least robust in Africa. Stanbic IBTC has decided to provide capital that will enhance the health frameworks and bridge the gaps in healthcare.

    “From health insurance cover to funding for quality medical equipment, we have product offerings tailor-made to serve our clients in this space” Remy added.

    According to the Business and Commercial Clients Executive Director, the scheme will contribute to the overall development of the Nigerian healthcare system while highlighting that the term loan offers a maximum loan amount of N2 billion naira.

    Furthermore, the financial organisation also offers loans for asset finance to purchase equipment required to provide optimum healthcare service.

    Remy noted that the institution’s team of experts are available to offer expert advice to its customers and the loans are available to key players in the health sector such as pharmaceutical and medical product manufacturers, logistics and healthcare service providers.

    Stanbic IBTC remains committed to the expansion and delivery of excellent healthcare services to all Nigerians through various initiatives.