馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Seychelles and Eritrea enhance efforts to combat HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B
via Punch Nigeria10 min read
Seychelles and Eritrea have adopted Abbott鈥檚 Determine Antenatal Care Panel, a World Health Organization-prequalified integrated diagnostic test, to intensify their fight against mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. This integrated test allows for simultaneous screening of these three infections from a single finger-prick blood sample, providing results within minutes. The innovation aligns with WHO's goals for the triple elimination of these infections and is particularly beneficial in regions where pregnant women may have limited antenatal visits. The Determine ANC Panel is the first and only WHO prequalified rapid diagnostic test that includes a 4th-generation HIV test. Both Seychelles and Eritrea's Ministries of Health have highlighted the significance of this adoption, with Eritrea building on its previous success in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Experts emphasize that without early diagnosis, syphilis and hepatitis B can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes and long-term health complications. Dr. Andrew Mulwa, head of Kenya's National AIDS and STIs Control Programme, noted Kenya's updated national PMTCT guidelines to reflect triple elimination. Aziz Abdi, Abbott鈥檚 General Manager for Rapid Diagnostics in Central, East and West Africa, stated that the test empowers healthcare workers to detect infections and act immediately to prevent transmission.
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Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission, expressed optimism that Team Nigeria's athletics contingent could secure between seven and eight gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Track and field events commenced on Monday, with Nigeria participating in various categories including the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 100m heats, women鈥檚 hammer throw, and women鈥檚 F57 para shot put. Favour Ashe and Fakorede Adekalu will represent Nigeria in the men鈥檚 100m heats, while Miracle Ezechukwu will compete in the women鈥檚 100m heats. Sade Olatoye is set for the women鈥檚 hammer throw, and Eucharia Iyiazi will contest the women鈥檚 F57 para shot put. Olopade highlighted the high morale within the athletics team and the positive projections from the NSC鈥檚 elite board. She also emphasized the commission's commitment to athlete welfare, stating it is a key pillar of the current administration. In other news, weightlifter Ruth Nyong added a silver medal to Team Nigeria's tally in the women鈥檚 48kg event, bringing the total for Nigerian lifters to three gold and four silver medals before the event's conclusion on Sunday.
A suspect has been arrested and confessed to stealing cash from several Super Falcons players at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco. The incident occurred days before Nigeria's opening match at the 2026 Women鈥檚 Africa Cup of Nations. Midfielder Esther Okoronkwo stated on social media that she, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Michelle Alozie, and captain Rasheedat Ajibade were among those from whom over $1,000 was stolen. Okoronkwo also accused hotel staff of disrespect and failing to address the matter properly. Following public complaints, Nigerian journalist Colin Udoh confirmed the arrest and confession, adding that full restitution would be made to the players. The Super Falcons, who had been training in Mohammedia before moving to Rabat, are now focused on their tournament campaign, set to begin against Malawi on Tuesday.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation has selected Ogun State as a key Nigerian state to lead the country's transition to a circular economy. This recognition is based on Ogun's environmental sustainability initiatives and climate change programs. Ogun is now part of Project 220145 Component 2, which aims to advance Nigeria's green and just transition to net-zero emissions through circular economy efforts. The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, stated that this recognition validates the state's environmental policies and adds to its achievements in climate change programs and circular economy projects. Ogun State's environmental interventions include distributing biomass smokeless stoves to over 3,000 residents, deploying electric motorcycles and compressed natural gas buses, and implementing the Blue Box waste segregation scheme, Plastic for Cash recycling program, community recycling projects, cement industry decarbonisation initiatives, and senatorial material recovery centers. These initiatives aim to promote resource recovery, reduce pollution, and create green jobs. Emem Umana, National Field Coordinator of the UNIDO Nigeria Office, commended Ogun State for its commitment and urged it to continue its environmental and socio-economic reforms, highlighting its international recognition and role as a model for other states pursuing green development.