Animashaun Urges Traditional Rulers to Lead Fight Against HIV in Lagos Communities

The Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, has urged traditional rulers across Lagos State to take a frontline role in the fight against HIV, emphasizing that the epidemic is not only a health issue but also a community concern.

Dr. Animashaun made this call during the monthly meeting of traditional leaders organized by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, where she highlighted the urgency of collective leadership in tackling the spread of HIV in Lagos communities.

According to her, over 160,000 people are currently living with HIV in the state, with thousands of new infections recorded annually, particularly among young people and women. “Every new HIV case affects more than the individual, it disrupts families, weakens communities, and threatens our heritage,” she said.

She noted that although HIV is no longer a death sentence due to the availability of free testing and treatment services, challenges such as stigma, silence, and misinformation continue to undermine efforts at curbing its spread. She further stressed the vital role of the traditional institution as a powerful force in shaping public attitudes and behaviour.

Dr. Animashaun therefore urged royal fathers to leverage their palaces, cultural festivals, and community gatherings to promote HIV awareness, encourage voluntary testing, and challenge stigma. She also disclosed that LSACA will extend free testing and counselling services to various communities across the state to ensure accessibility.

Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to sustaining HIV programmes, Dr. Animashaun maintained that traditional leaders remain the true catalysts for change.

“The government has medicines, programmes, and resources. But only you, our Royal Fathers, have the hearts and ears of the people. Together, we can protect our heritage, our families, and our future generations,” she concluded.

Lagos to Host 7th National Council on AIDS for Sustainable HIV Response

In a bold step to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against HIV and AIDS, the Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), is set to host the 7th National Council on AIDS (NCA)—a landmark event focused on reshaping the national HIV response amidst shrinking global support and growing local challenges.

Scheduled for August 5–7, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, the council will gather key players from across the country’s 36 states and the FCT to share knowledge, present research, and forge partnerships that can drive a more sustainable and people-focused HIV response.

At the heart of the event is the theme:

“Advancing National HIV Sustainability Agenda in the Changing Global Policy on Aid”

According to Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, CEO of LSACA, this timely theme reflects the urgent need for local innovation, stronger partnerships, and long-term sustainability as international donor support continues to decline.

“The 7th National Council on AIDS presents a unique opportunity for Lagos—and Nigeria—to recalibrate our strategies and foster stronger, people-centered approaches to ending the HIV epidemic,” she stated.

The event is being hosted in partnership with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA). It is expected to be a watershed moment in the nation’s public health journey.

Dr. Animashaun praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his visionary leadership and support for public health priorities, including HIV prevention, treatment, and awareness. 

This year’s Council will:

• Assess national and state-level progress on HIV control
• Explore ways to reduce reliance on foreign aid
• Embrace community-driven strategies
• Promote resilience in the health system
• Highlight equity, access, and inclusivity

Dr. Animashaun concluded by inviting all Nigerians to play their part, emphasising that sustainable progress in health begins when every citizen is informed, engaged, and involved.

“We all have a role in creating a healthier, more equitable society,” she affirmed.

Boosting Patient Safety: HEFAMAA Launches QR Code Initiatives for Health Facilities in Lagos State

 

The Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has commenced the pilot phase of its QR Code Sticker Initiative across government- and privately-owned health facilities in the state.

This move aims to promote patient safety, transparency, and continuous quality improvement in the healthcare system, while also making critical facility information easily accessible to the public.

According to the permanent secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, "With a simple scan using any smartphone device, healthcare seekers can now instantly access verified details about any registered health facility in Lagos State."

Dr. Idowu listed the information available via the QR code to include facility name, address, phone number, registration number, facility category, and accredited services.

Other information, she said, includes license renewal status, operating hours, contact person, service rating, and feedback option.

Idowu explained that this initiative empowers patients to make informed decisions about where to receive care and also provides a direct feedback mechanism to HEFAMAA on the quality of services received.

“By digitising and publicly displaying these key details, HEFAMAA aims to curb the growing menace of quackery and unethical practices, particularly among unaccredited private providers operating beyond their approved scope,” she said.

Dr. Idowu affirmed that this strategic innovation aligns with the agency’s core mandate to monitor and accredit all public and private health facilities in Lagos State.

“This innovation is a game-changer in our mission to uphold the highest standards of healthcare delivery in Lagos,” she noted. Adding, “We are reinforcing our zero-tolerance policy on quackery and sharp practices by ensuring that only duly registered and accredited facilities are permitted to operate.”

While assuring the public of the agency’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of all residents, Dr. Idowu encouraged Lagosians to always verify a facility’s status before receiving care and to use the feedback feature to report any suspicious or substandard practices.

She emphasised that HEFAMAA will continue to deploy innovative digital tools and enforce strong regulatory frameworks to ensure that only competent, ethical, and accredited healthcare providers serve the people of Lagos State.

LAGOS, ANPA EMPOWER HEALTH WORKERS TO COMBAT MATERNAL DEATHS

4th from left: Director of Medical Administration, Training and Programs at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho

...As ANPA Marks 30th Anniversary with Lifesaving Training for Lagos Health Workers

...Weeklong Capacity-Building Programme Targets Maternal Mortality Reduction, Emergency Response and Kidney Disease Management

In a powerful collaboration to reduce maternal and child mortality in Nigeria, the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), in partnership with the Lagos State Government, has commenced a weeklong intensive capacity-building training for health workers across Lagos State, marking ANPA’s 30th anniversary with impact and purpose.

 Apart from reducing maternal and child mortality, the training also aims to improve emergency medical response and boost chronic disease management in public health facilities.

The training exercise, which began on Thursday, April 3, 2025, brings together healthcare professionals from secondary and primary health facilities across the state to upskill in critical areas, including obstetric emergencies, trauma response, life-saving interventions, and the management of chronic kidney disease.

Kicking off the programme was a comprehensive training on Obstetrics Emergencies, specifically Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH), held at Demeros Hotel and Suites, Agidingbi, Ikeja. The session drew 20 healthcare workers selected from 10 health facilities identified with high incidences of maternal deaths.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Medical Administration, Training and Programs at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho described the training as a strategic move to curb maternal mortality by empowering frontline health workers. “This collaboration with ANPA is to build the capacity of our healthcare workers in managing one of the leading causes of maternal mortality—postpartum hemorrhage,” she said.

According to Dr. Erinosho, the selected facilities were chosen based on data indicating a high prevalence of PPH. She explained that the trained participants would not only return to improve care at their stations but would also be responsible for cascading the knowledge to colleagues, thereby institutionalising the life-saving skills across the state.

President of ANPA, Dr. Cliff Eke, who led the ANPA delegation from the United States, described this year’s ANPA Week as the most expansive in the association’s history. “This is the biggest of our ANPA weeks in 30 years. Lagos is the heartbeat of Nigeria, and what happens here can be replicated across the country,” he said.

Dr. Eke emphasized the importance of tackling postpartum hemorrhage, noting that it remains the number one killer of women during childbirth. “Losing over 500ml of blood after vaginal delivery, or 1000ml after a caesarean, can be fatal. This training equips our healthcare workers to prevent or manage such situations effectively,” he added.

The team lead for the obstetrics emergencies module at ANPA, Dr. Chinyere Anyaogu, reiterated the critical importance of early detection and aggressive intervention. “Postpartum hemorrhage can be catastrophic and happen quickly. Prevention and preparedness are key to reducing not just mortality but also long-term morbidity for mothers,” she noted.

She praised the Lagos State Ministry of Health for its commitment and described Lagos as a strategic launchpad for systemic change. “If we can make a dent in maternal mortality here, we can replicate the success across Nigeria,” she said.

Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at FMC Ebute Meta, Dr. Odofin James Taiye, one of the facilitators, said the hands-on training would prepare participants to make critical decisions during emergencies. “We’re not just teaching theory; this is practical, life-saving work. Knowing when to escalate care can be the difference between life and death,” he said.

Participants at the training expressed gratitude for the opportunity to gain advanced knowledge and skills. Dr. Juliet Obiorah, Senior Medical Officer at Amuwo Odofin Maternal and Child Centre, described the session as timely and impactful. “I have learned to assess post-delivery bleeding thoroughly and when to escalate care to prevent fatalities,” she said.

Dr. Ogheneovo Okpare, Medical Officer at General Hospital, Gbagada, praised the organisers for the initiative. “This training has sharpened our skills in estimating blood loss, using uterotonics, and identifying birth canal injuries. We are ready to step down the training and improve maternal care in our hospitals,” he said.

Other key training sessions in the weeklong programme include “Stop the Bleed” and “Basic Life Support” sessions on Friday, April 4, at the LCCI Conference and Exhibition Centre in Alausa. A Chronic Kidney Disease training is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, while a two-day “Helping Babies Survive” workshop will round off the programme from April 7 to 8.

The ANPA 30th anniversary celebration, anchored on health equity and capacity building, continues to underline the association’s commitment to “giving back to the motherland” through impactful partnerships and service delivery.

As Lagos State continues to battle challenges of maternal and child mortality, the collaboration with ANPA represents a significant step forward in strengthening the state’s health workforce and ultimately improving healthcare outcomes for its residents