By Peace Samuel

Civil society organisations have called for urgent and coordinated action to address the rising HIV burden in Delta State, where more than 51,000 people are reportedly living with the virus.

The call was made by the Delta State Coordinator of the Civil Society Organisation on Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Pastor Gregory Sifo, during a visit to the palace of the Ikejani-Enyi of Okpanam, Chief Felix Okafor, in Oshimili North Local Government Area.

Sifo said the figure placed Delta State second only to Benue in the number of people living with HIV among Nigeria’s states, warning that the situation required a collective response beyond government efforts.

He called for stronger collaboration among federal and state agencies, private organisations, foreign development partners and individuals to expand HIV testing and treatment programmes across the state.

According to him, increasing access to testing would encourage early detection, improve treatment outcomes and reduce the spread of the virus in communities.

The rising figures have also generated concern among young people, particularly students who have expressed fears about the continued spread of HIV.

Stephanie, a nursing student in Delta State, described the rising number of cases as “scary,” expressing concern that many people do not take the time to know their partners’ HIV status before engaging in sexual activity.

“It’s scary because a lot of people do not check their partners’ status before having sex, and this can contribute to the continued spread of the disease,” she said.

She urged individuals to take HIV testing seriously and to prioritise responsible sexual health practices, stressing that knowing one’s status could help reduce the spread of the virus.

Sifo said HIV prevention and treatment could no longer be left to the public sector alone, stressing the need for stronger partnerships among federal and state agencies, private organisations, foreign development partners and individuals.

Sifo said ACOMIN had previously supported the Ogbeobi Health Centre in Okpanam with medical supplies and HIV test kits, adding that the organisation was committed to strengthening its partnership with the community.

He disclosed that ACOMIN would seek a meeting with the Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area, Innocent Esewezie, to explore ways of establishing a stronger partnership on healthcare delivery.

The ACOMIN coordinator identified increased HIV testing, improved healthcare infrastructure and the recruitment of more trained health workers as key priorities for the organisation in Delta State.

He cited the recent conversion of the Obodogba Primary Healthcare Centre into a cottage hospital as an example of the kind of healthcare improvement that could be replicated in other communities.

Responding, Chief Okafor pledged to mobilise prominent sons and daughters of Okpanam, particularly those working in the healthcare sector abroad, to support the community with HIV test kits and other medical supplies.

The monarch also promised to brief the local government chairman on the visit and commended ACOMIN for engaging directly with communities in its healthcare advocacy efforts.

Meanwhile, Sifo also raised concerns about the shortage of nurses and other healthcare workers in primary healthcare centres across the state during a visit to the Delta State Local Government Service Commission in Asaba.

The Director of Nursing Services at the commission, Mrs Patricia Enagoma, confirmed that a formal request for the recruitment of additional nursing personnel had been forwarded to the state government.

Enagoma acknowledged that the shortage of healthcare workers was a statewide challenge and called on local government councils to support the state government in addressing the staffing gap.

By Goodness Agidy

A global shift to a single-dose HPV vaccine has made cervical cancer prevention cheaper and simpler, yet millions of Nigerian girls still lack reliable access to the shot, underscoring wider gaps in the country’s preventive medicine system.

Nigeria introduced the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its routine immunisation programme in October 2023, aiming to reach 7.7 million girls aged 9–14 in what was described as the largest single round of HPV vaccinations in Africa.

The rollout used a phased approach, 16 states in 2023 and 21 more in 2024, and since then about 17 million girls have received at least one dose, according to recent reports.

Health officials say the single-dose schedule is a major breakthrough.

The vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection from HPV types that cause at least 70 per cent of cervical cancers, and it is provided free at public primary health centres under support from Gavi, UNICEF and WHO.

From 2025, routine vaccination is expected to focus on 9‑year‑old girls, with older girls who missed the campaigns able to get the vaccine at health facilities.

But access remains uneven.

The national rollout targeted only public facilities, meaning people who rely on private clinics must pay out of pocket to receive the vaccine.

Misinformation, limited public engagement, and high costs for screening and treatment also hamper uptake and long-term programme scaling.

Around 17 million vaccinated girls is still far short of the estimated 60 million eligible, and below the World Health Organization’s target of 90 per cent coverage by 2030.

At the Delta State University Health Centre, staff said the campaign has been vigorously implemented despite the large turnout.

“Based on my assessment and my visit to the clinic, I think they are very serious about it. Despite the population that came for the vaccine, they attended to everyone; they are really serious about it,” said Mrs. Omorodion, who works in the health centre’s drug dispensary unit.

However, she cautioned against complacency.

“I don’t think Nigeria can celebrate zero fertility rate to cervical cancer, at least not now,” she said, pointing to persistent gaps in coverage, screening and treatment that keep the disease a major public health threat.

On the question of whether Nigeria is being sidelined in the global distribution of preventive medicine, Mrs. Omorodion said the issue is not international neglect.

“I don’t think Nigeria is not being prioritized in the availability of preventive medicine.

“If we say we want to contribute financially and human resources to world health bodies for Nigeria to receive greater attention, fine.

“But that’s not why we are not being prioritized,” she explained.

She identified domestic constraints, especially finance, governance and fraud, as the main barriers.

“The issues in the availability of preventive medicine, especially the HPV [vaccine], are finance, the people in charge and fraud,” she said.

“Financially we are capable; Nigeria is wealthy, but the money is being diverted to other resources.”

Advocates say the situation reflects a broader challenge: Nigeria often adopts effective preventive tools slowly and unevenly, with urban–rural and rich–poor divides shaping who benefits.

They are calling for stronger public awareness, better data systems and sustained funding to move from one-off campaigns to routine, equitable access.

By Judith Ajirioghene

Self-medication has remained a major public health concern among university students as many continue to treat illnesses on their own without first seeking professional medical advice. Health experts have repeatedly warned that while self-medication may appear to be a quick and affordable solution, it can expose individuals to serious health risks and delay proper treatment.

The practice, which involves taking medicines without a doctor’s prescription or professional diagnosis, has become increasingly common among students due to financial challenges, busy academic schedules and the belief that minor illnesses can easily be managed without visiting a healthcare facility.

Students experiencing symptoms such as headaches, fever, cough, stomach pain or body weakness often resort to purchasing medicines directly from pharmacies or patent medicine stores. Others rely on recommendations from friends, relatives or previous prescriptions without considering that similar symptoms may be caused by different medical conditions.

Health authorities have continued to discourage indiscriminate use of medicines, stressing that only proper medical examination can determine the actual cause of an illness and the appropriate treatment. They warn that taking the wrong medication or incorrect dosage may worsen a patient’s condition or lead to unwanted side effects.

The misuse of antibiotics has also remained a major concern in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. According to public health experts, taking antibiotics without proper prescription or failing to complete the recommended dosage contributes to the development of drug-resistant infections, making some diseases more difficult and expensive to treat.

Medical professionals also advise against sharing prescription medicines with friends or family members. Drugs prescribed for one individual may not be suitable for another because of differences in age, weight, allergies, medical history and the nature of the illness.

Experts encourage students to make use of available healthcare services whenever they feel unwell rather than depending solely on self-diagnosis or advice from non-professionals. Seeking medical attention early can help ensure accurate diagnosis and timely treatment while preventing avoidable health complications.

As universities continue to promote healthy learning environments, students are encouraged to adopt responsible health-seeking behaviours and avoid practices that may endanger their wellbeing. Public health awareness campaigns also continue to emphasize the importance of consulting qualified healthcare professionals before taking any medication.

Although self-medication may appear convenient, health experts maintain that proper diagnosis remains the safest approach to treatment. Students are therefore advised to seek professional medical care whenever symptoms persist, become severe or fail to improve after basic first aid measures.