Under a new project arrangement, renowned internet search engine, Google, has opened up on plans to make funding available for research to advance the course of healthcare in Nigeria.
 
In a report posted on its website, the search engine giant said the project to be worked on in partnership with Google. org and Google’s University Relations programme would help academics and non-profits develop AI techniques that can improve people’s lives — especially in underserved communities that haven’t yet benefited from advances in AI.
 
“They reported on the impact of six such projects in 2020. And today, Google is sharing 30 new projects that will receive funding and support as  part of their AI for Social Good programme,” the report said. It noted further that “during the application process, Googlers arranged workshops involving more than 150 teams to discuss potential projects…
 
More details through:
https://www.newtelegraphng.com/healthcare-google-targets-nigeria-others-for-improved-research-care/
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The African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim) has disclosed its plans to support infrastructural development in Ogun State with $200 million. The fund, according to the bank, will be dedicated towards projects and other developmental initiatives embarked upon by the incumbent administration in the state. Its President, Benedict Oramah, who made this known when he led management of the bank on a courtesy visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun at his Oke-Mosan Office, Abeokuta, on Monday, equally said the bank would partner Ogun in ensuring that the 250-bed Specialist Hospital, Abeokuta, is completed and brought into operations soon.
 
Oramah, while noting that the bank has been investing heavily in the health sector in Africa to develop vaccines and other drugs, declared that AfreximBank was ready to collaborate with the state-owned Gateway Pharmaceuticals in similar direction. “We are willing to dedicate an envelope of $200 million for projects and initiatives here in Ogun State; we will also be happy to see the hospital project completed. We will be very pleased to look at this asset and see how we can partner with your government…
 
More details through:
https://www.sunnewsonline.com/afreximbank-to-support-ogun-infrastructural-development-with-200m/
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Nigerian hospitals have imported syringes and needles valued at N557billion ($1.2billion) in the last one year. It was gathered that most of the imports, which came from India,
 
China and other foreign countries, were cheap, substandard, used, rewashed and unsterile, thereby exposing the country to health hazards and loss of huge foreign exchange.
 
Finding from International Trade Statistics (ITS) on Nigerian trade revealed that imports from China in 2020 were valued at N340.5billion ($709.29million) or 61.13 per cent of the total imports as Federal Ministry of Health lacked policy on procurement of syringes and needles used by government hospitals and agencies…
 
More details through:
https://www.newtelegraphng.com/nigerian-hospitals-import-n557bn-used-inferior-syringes-needles/
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Outpost Health, a Canadian digital health provider, has partnered with HealthPlus Limited to deliver its award-winning telemedicine platform in Nigeria.
 
According to a statement by the management of HelathPlus, the partners held a meeting on the pact where Outpost Co-founders Dr. Didi Emokpare and Dr. Jude Emokpare spoke about the platform.
 
The Outpost platform connects providers, patients, payors, pharmacies, labs and health facilities globally and serves to provide seamless access and enhanced quality of care to all…
 
More details through:
https://dailytrust.com/healthplus-canadian-firm-partner-on-telemedicine
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Nigeria’s health care sector attracted the highest private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) deals in the last five years, according to data obtained from Africa Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA). Africa’s most populous nation outperformed four other countries that made the top list to account for 15 percent of the continent’s private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) deals …
 
More details through:
https://businessday.ng/companies/article/nigeria-beats-peers-to-most-pe-vc-investments-in-healthcare/
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Despite complaints and restriction by the Federal Government to curb importation of counterfeit pharmaceutical products, India has exported N304.9 billion ($635.39 million) drugs to Nigeria in the last one year. 
 
Worried by the influx of fake drugs into the country, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said that it would start pre-shipment analysis of drugs imported into Nigeria from India and China, countries suspected exporting most fake and counterfeit drugs as demand for generic drugs increased. It was gathered that India’s    pharmaceutical exports last year grew by 18.7 per cent to $24.44 billion in the financial year ended March 31, 2021, spurred by strong demand for the country’s generic drugs…
 
More details through:
https://www.newtelegraphng.com/nigeria-imports-n304-9bn-drugs-from-india/

Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc says it has put together a two-pronged expansion plan to boost its performance and increase value for investors. It said this on Monday in a statement titled ‘Neimeth Plans two-pronged expansion’.
 
The firm said the plan involved an upgrade of the current plant at Oregun, Lagos to take up new products while increasing manufacturing capacity for existing products; and the construction of a new multi-product facility that would be tailored to comply with the World Health Organization’s current standards of Good Manufacturing Practice at Amawbia in Anambra State…
 
More details through:
https://punchng.com/neimeth-to-implement-two-expansion-plans/
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The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on Monday informed that Nigerian Scientists have produced at least two local COVID-19 vaccines which are awaiting clinical trials and certification.
 
The chairman of the PTF, Boss Mustapha speaking at the Force briefing, called on all relevant agencies to provide the required support and enabling environment for smooth conduct of the remaining protocols for the certification of these vaccines with a view to encouraging and motivating other researchers.
 
He the feat which he described as significant and a welcome development, will open a new vista in scientific breakthrough and will boost the morale and image of the medical industry in Nigeria…
 
More details through:
https://businessday.ng/coronavirus/article/two-locally-made-covid-19-vaccines-in-nigeria-awaiting-clinical-trials-ptf/
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As the world continues to adapt to the limited physical interactions following the COVID-19 pandemic, several business sectors have adapted to carrying on their activities remotely by leveraging Information & Communication Technology (ICT). However, an essential industry – the Health industry more than ever needs to adapt to the ‘new normal’ of rendering services without being physically present. Hence, the growing importance of Telemedicine.
 
Globally, the telemedicine market size stood at $41.63 billion in 2019. The global impact of COVID-19 gave an unprecedented positive demand shock to the industry across all regions. Telemedicine was poised to grow by a staggering 91.7% to $79.79 billion in 2020 and also grow at a 25.8% CAGR between 2020 – 2027. For example, during the early days of the pandemic in Nigeria, between 2nd February and 3rd May 2020, Hudibia, a mobile health application, got a 400% increase in downloads…
 
More details through:
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/03/21/telemedicine-a-panacea-for-nigeriashealthcare-ills/

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire to ensure judicious use of $890 million health grant from Global Fund and set up an accountability framework to monitor the use of the fund.
 
Nigeria received $890 million, as a grant from the Global Fund in 2020 to tackle HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, and support Health Systems Strengthening Programmes over an implementation period of three years, beginning from 2021 to 2023.
 
President Buhari who launched the grant virtually on Thursday directed the minister to provide periodic performance reports to his office…
 
More details through:
https://businessday.ng/health/article/buhari-launches-890m-health-grant-to-tackle-malaria-hiv-tb/
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