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There are only 687 dentists in the Northern part of Nigeria in 2022
  • There are 3,112 dentists in Nigeria as of 2022, highlighting the limited availability of dental professionals in a population of over 200 million.
  • The Southwest geopolitical zone has the highest number of dentists, totaling 1,176 (37.8%), indicating a concentration of dental services in this region.
  • Collectively, the North (Northwest, North Central, and Northeast) has only 687 dentists, which is approximately 22% of the total, showcasing significant regional disparities in healthcare access.
  • The Southeast zone has the fewest dentists, with only 141 (4.5%), underlining a shortage of dental professionals in this region.
  • The concentration of dentists in zones like the Southwest likely reflects urbanization trends, leaving rural areas in other regions underserved.

Treatment of birth asphyxia in Nigeria varies significantly across zones
Birth asphyxia is a condition where a baby does not receive sufficient oxygen before, during, and after birth. It is a leading cause of early neonatal mortality and was selected as an indicator in the assessment of the management of maternal and neonatal complications in Nigeria. The percentage of health facilities surveyed that provide appropriate treatment for birth asphyxia varies from as low as 19.4% in the North West to as high as 50.3% in the South-South. With no zone exceeding 50%, significant gaps remain in reducing infant mortality in Nigeria.

The North East leads the country in the provision of accurate PPH treatment
Management of maternal and neonatal health complications is crucial to reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in Nigeria. In a newly released National Health Facility Report 2023 by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, competence in managing postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) varies across zones and states. PPH is a situation where a woman experiences heavy bleeding after giving birth and is the leading cause of maternal mortality. Across the health facilities surveyed, the North East has the highest percentage of facilities providing appropriate treatment for PPH at 50.2%, which reflects the generally low provision of the needed care for PPH across the country.

Five of Nigeria's six North Eastern states rank among the bottom ten states in terms of the number of doctors
The distribution of doctors across Nigeria shows disparities, with regional inequities in healthcare professionals. The North East, with only 2,420 doctors, has the lowest number of doctors among all geopolitical zones. This is less than half of the North West's total and significantly lags behind the South West, which leads with 13,624 doctors. The gender gap is also evident, as there are more male doctors across all regions. Lagos State stands out with 7,385 doctors, far surpassing the next in line, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. Meanwhile, five of the six states in the North East rank among the bottom ten states. N.B. Unspecified bar represents doctors with unverifiable location identities.

The North Eastern region of Nigeria has the fewest doctors, with less than half the number available in the North West
The distribution of doctors across Nigeria shows disparities, with regional inequities in healthcare professionals. The North East, with only 2,420 doctors, has the lowest number of doctors among all geopolitical zones. This is less than half of the North West's total and significantly lags behind the South West, which leads with 13,624 doctors. The gender gap is also evident, as there are more male doctors across all regions. Lagos State stands out with 7,385 doctors, far surpassing the next in line, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. Meanwhile, five of the six states in the North East rank among the bottom ten states. N.B. Unspecified bar represents doctors with unverifiable location identities.

Almost 50% of products registered with NAFDAC from 2020 to 2022 are food and packaged water
Food and packaged water dominate NAFDAC registration, as close to 50% of all products registered between 2020 and 2022 were either food or packaged water. This suggests a significant focus on ensuring the safety and quality of these essential commodities. Human drugs also make up a substantial portion of registered products, reflecting the importance of regulating medications to protect public health. Cosmetics and herbal drugs follow closely with 13.2% and 6.5%, respectively.

Lagos State boasts more than three times the number of dentists in other Nigerian states
Lagos State leads the dental healthcare workforce in Nigeria with an impressive 713 dentists, a figure over three times higher than any other state. This dominance shows Lagos' position as a hub for healthcare professionals. Trailing far behind are the FCT (Abuja) with 208 dentists and Oyo with 185. The gap becomes even more glaring when examining the bottom states like Taraba, with only eight dentists, and others such as Jigawa and Abia, with just nine each. These numbers paint a concerning picture for residents of these regions, who may face long travel distances or extended waiting times to access basic dental care. Interestingly, Borno State, which faces security challenges, has 53 dentists, surpassing several other states.

African teenage births are projected to peak at 6.86 million in 2029.
In many communities across Africa, young girls face societal pressures that often cut short their education and lead to early motherhood. Teenage births have consistently risen since 1950 but are projected to peak at 6.86 million in 2029, after which a gradual decline is expected. This projection, from the United Nations Population Division, offers hope for progress as efforts to empower young women and improve access to education and healthcare take root. Note: Data for teenage births refers to women aged 15 to 19.

Lassa fever death rate shows an overall decline, despite a rise in 2023

Lassa fever cases and deaths have shown significant variations over the years, but the death rate decreased in the first ten months of 2024 despite rising in 2023. This downward trend reflects improvements in early detection, medical interventions, and public health measures.

For many communities across Nigeria, Lassa fever remains a serious health concern, especially in rural areas with limited access to healthcare facilities. As efforts to combat the disease intensify, public awareness campaigns, proper hygiene, and access to treatment have played a vital role in reducing fatalities and giving hope to affected families.

Note: Data for 2024 only include the first ten months of the year

The Western Pacific region has 205.6m people living with diabetes, the highest globally
Today, World Diabetes Day, we’re reminded of the urgent need to address the growing impact of diabetes across the globe. This day is a call to action to support preventive measures, raise awareness, and improve healthcare access for those affected by this chronic condition. In the Western Pacific region alone, 205.6 million people are living with diabetes, and it also has one of the highest percentage of diabetes-related deaths (7.0%) in people under 60. By comparison, Europe, while also heavily impacted, reports a lower death rate among this age group. Though Africa has the lowest number of people living with diabetes, it has a high percentage of diabetes-related deaths in people under 60.

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