Major Health Stories Across Nigeria in September

From maternal deaths due to poorly equipped and non-functional primary health centres, to the stigma of infertility, warnings about hypertension, and global debates on vaccines, September was packed with significant health stories in Nigeria and beyond.

PREMIUM TIMES brings you a roundup of the top developments that shaped health conversations this month.

In Akwa Ibom, pregnant women, babies die due to poorly equipped PHCs, while govt wastes billions

The report opens with Queen Purple, 25, who was keenly looking forward to the arrival of her first child. She, however, lost the child due to the absence of a functional PHC in her community.

“It was one of the worst days of my life. The pregnancy stress I went through for nine months was without a reward. If the health centre functions day and night, my baby would not have died because I would have given birth there.”

Beyond the Wound: Nigerian women bearing weight of infertility stigma

In a culture where marriage is often expected to produce children within months, infertility is not only a medical challenge but also a social wound. Experts stress the need for broader awareness and access to fertility care.

Bill Gates warns vaccine scepticism, misinformation fuelling child deaths

Speaking during a panel at the 2025 Goalkeepers event in New York, Mr Gates raised concerns about the impact of misinformation surrounding vaccines.

“It is tragic that we see this vaccine scepticism because when poor countries hear that, it spreads there as well,” he said.

World Heart Day: Why undiagnosed hypertension is driving Nigeria’s heart disease crisis – Expert

Marked every 29 September, the day is dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular diseases- the world’s leading killer. In Nigeria, the occasion brought renewed attention to hypertension, the biggest driver of heart attacks and strokes.

The Nigerian Cardiac Society (NCS) estimates that between 30 and 40 per cent of Nigerian adults have high blood pressure, but fewer than one in five are aware of their condition.

Trump claims paracetamol use in pregnancy raises autism risk in children

The comments were captured in a video shared on the Facebook page of an Australian media outlet, news.com.au.

In the footage, Mr Trump said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was preparing new guidance on the use of paracetamol in pregnancy.

PT Health Watch: What to know about Endometriosis, pain beyond menstruation

Many women experience pain during their monthly period. But when the pain begins days before menstruation, continues after it ends, and becomes so severe that it affects normal activities, it may not be ordinary cramps.
Health experts say this kind of pain could be a sign of endometriosis.

Speaking with PT Health Watch, Qudus Lawal, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist (Oncology) at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, said many people still believe all menstrual pain is normal.

Uncontrolled hypertension threatens millions of lives, economies- WHO

The global health body, in a report, noted that hypertension also poses a serious threat to health systems and economies.

Gates Foundation pledges $912 million to global disease fight

The Foundation Chair, Bill Gates, said the funds aim to shore up lifesaving health initiatives at a time when global health funding has fallen to its lowest level in 15 years.

Mr Gates said low global funding is threatening decades of progress in reducing child mortality.

He described the situation as a crossroads for the world and urged renewed commitment to saving children’s lives and eradicating preventable diseases.

Frequent ejaculation may lower prostate cancer risk- Expert

The National Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Uche Nwokwu, has explained that frequent ejaculation may help reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men.

Mr Nwokwu made this known during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in response to viral social media claims suggesting that men needed to ejaculate 21 times a month to prevent prostate cancer.

Nigeria records 15,000 suicide deaths annually as stigma, criminalisation deepen the crisis

Despite an estimated 15,000 deaths annually, attempted suicide in the country is still criminalised, worsening fear and discouraging people in distress from seeking help.

These laws, dating back to the colonial era, criminalise what is often a desperate cry for help.