Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: WHO

  • Liberia advances domestication of amended International Health Regulations with multisector roadmap

    Liberia advances domestication of amended International Health Regulations with multisector roadmap

    Liberia advances domestication of amended International Health Regulations with multisector roadmap

    As reported in a WHO update carried via Africa Newsroom, Liberia convened a multisector workshop to drive domestication of the amended International Health Regulations (IHR), aligning national systems with updated global health-security rules.

    The report says the process produced an implementation roadmap and included senior-level commitment, aimed at strengthening coordination, surveillance, and response readiness for cross-border threats.

    Domestication is where global standards become national practice—through legislation, procedures, budgets, and accountability across ministries and agencies.

    WHO AFRO noted the workshop ended with the signing of a “national declaration” supporting implementation. Liberia’s NPHIL also described the step as “significant” for enhancing health security and preparedness.

    Echotitbits take:
    The credibility test is capacity. Watch for budget lines, training cycles, labs and surveillance upgrades, and real simulation exercises—those are the signals that domestication becomes real readiness.

    Source: afro.who — January 2, 2026 — https://www.afro.who.int/countries/liberia/news/liberia-advances-implementation-amended-international-health-regulations

    World Health Organization (WHO) 2026-01-02

    Photo Credit: afro.who

  • Polio cases drop sharply in Kano, Katsina as eradication push intensifies

    Polio cases drop sharply in Kano, Katsina as eradication push intensifies

    An illustration depicting a particle of the polio virus – New York Times
    2025-12-14

    According to The Punch, Nigeria’s polio-response managers say reported circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) cases have fallen, with Kano and Katsina recording the biggest declines, even as officials warn outbreaks can rebound if immunisation gaps persist.

    The update was presented during a National Economic Council (NEC) review, where officials linked the improvement to intensified campaigns, tighter monitoring and stronger coordination in high-risk areas.

    State House reporting on the same NEC meeting referenced a national reduction figure and stressed that progress depends on sustaining high coverage and rapid response where surveillance detects new risks.

    The Whistler also reported the NEC briefing and echoed the warning that gains will only hold if surveillance and response remain consistent across states.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Kano and Katsina are pivotal in Nigeria’s polio history—progress there is meaningful but fragile. Watch for stronger routine immunisation (not only campaigns), improved surveillance quality, and faster close-out of ‘zero-dose’ pockets that can reseed outbreaks.

    Source: The Punch — 14 Dec 2025 (https://punchng.com/govt-warns-as-polio-drops-in-kano-katsina/)

  • WHO, UNICEF Raise Fresh Alarm over Threats of Measles Epidemic

    WHO, UNICEF Raise Fresh Alarm over Threats of Measles Epidemic

    World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have called for urgent action to check the impending measles and polio epidemic especially as the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to disrupt immunisation services in Nigeria and poorest countries in the world.

    WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, explained that COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on health services and in particular immunisation services worldwide.

    According to him, “We cannot allow the fight against one deadly disease to cause us to lose ground in the fight against other diseases. Addressing global COVID-19 pandemic is critical.

    “However, other deadly diseases also threaten the lives of millions of children in some of the poorest areas of the world.

    “That is why today we are urgently calling for global action from country leaders, donors and partners.

    “We need additional financial resources to safely resume vaccination campaigns and prioritize immunisation systems that are critical to protect children and avert other epidemics besides COVID-19.”

    To UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Peter Hawkins, immunisation is the best way to secure the future of children.

    He said: “All caregivers and parents need to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated and protected from childhood killer diseases – including ensuring that all doses are taken so that the vaccine can be effective.

    ‘We must continue to engage traditional and religious institutions, as well as other key stakeholders at the community level, to stay vigilant and keep up vaccination rates to avert a resurgence of the wild poliovirus

    “Also, we must continue to address the continued threat of vaccine-derived polio and other vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, including measles.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • WHO Director-General, Ghebreyesus, Hasn’t Tested Positive for COVID-19

    WHO Director-General, Ghebreyesus, Hasn’t Tested Positive for COVID-19

    Contrary to some reports, the Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, has not tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

    The clarification was made by WHO through its official Twitter handle, saying: “Contrary to some incorrect reports, @DrTedros hasn’t tested positive for #COVID19. He has been identified as a contact of a person who tested positive.
    Dr. Tedros is feeling well and is in self-quarantine as a precautionary measure, in line with WHO protocols.”

    It would be recalled that Ghebreyesus has announced in a series of tweet via his verified handle that he’s in self-isolation over the coming days and self-quarantine from home.

    READ ALSO: 

    In a Daring Operation in Northern Nigeria, US Special Forces Rescue American Hostage

    According to him: “I’ve been identified as a contact person of someone who has COVID-19 symptoms, I am well and without symptoms but will self quarantine over the coming days and self quarantine from home.

    “It is critically important that we all comply with health guidance. This is how we will break chains of #COVID19 transmission, suppress the virus, and protect health systems.

    “My colleagues and I at WHO will continue to engage with partners in solidarity to save lives and protect the vulnerable.”

    READ ALSO: 

    Climate Change Financing: AfDB Appoints 80 Experts towards Accessing $10bn Green Climate Fund

    Ghebreyesus and other WHO officials have been at the forefront of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic since it broke out early in the year.

    Idowu Sowunmi