Mohammed Shosanya

Ghana-based health tech leader Rivia, announced today the acquisition of Waffle, a Ghanaian SaaS company specializing in software for small and medium-sized businesses.

The acquisition is expected to accelerate the digitization of Rivia’s network of primary care clinics and streamline the company’s operations.

The acquisition brings Waffle’s hospital and inventory management software under the Rivia umbrella, which was recently rebranded as RiviaOS. Waffle founder, Victor Nara, joined Rivia as its chief technology officer.

The RiviaOS platform functions as a Healthcare-as-a-Service (HaaS) solution, allowing healthcare providers to access features like appointment scheduling, a booking engine, services storefront, video consultations, e-pharmacy, e-lab, vitals capture, billing, expense, and revenue and inventory management.

The platform also offers cost-effective AI-powered health diagnosis on-demand.

Despite the fact that 87% of patient consultations take place in person, primary care in Ghana and other countries often lacks the infrastructure and technology for efficient service. This results in patient dissatisfaction, delayed visits, and a weakened healthcare system.

Rivia’s technology addresses this by creating an “asset-light” network that provides partner clinics with infrastructure upgrades, inventory supplies, and technology. Through standardized practices and protocols, Rivia delivers a consistent patient experience.

RiviaOS enables clinics to operate all aspects of their business on one platform.

On the acquisition, Rivia CEO Isidore Kpotufe said: “Victor is a brilliant entrepreneur and engineer. I was impressed by his insights on life, business and technology, and a deal was a natural order.

“I am very proud of what Waffle has achieved over the years,” said Nara. “When I was presented with the opportunity to join forces with Rivia – a company that shares similar vision, values, and culture – it was a no-brainer.

“By combining our strengths and resources, we can deliver more value, choices, and opportunities to clinics, customers, partners, and employees,” said Nara. “We will also be able to accelerate our innovation, expand our reach, and enhance our impact.”

Eric Osiakwan, Managing Partner of Chanzo Capital, an investor and Rivia board member, mentored Victor when he started his tech journey, and met Kpotufe, when he was a member of an accelerator cohort run by Chanzo Capital.

Osiakwan praised the recent acquisition: “Isidore and Victor will make an amazing team. This acquisition will help modernize and improve the efficiency of primary care clinics in Ghana using cutting-edge technology.”

Through this acquisition, Rivia aims to become the leading network of high-quality primary care clinics in emerging markets, operating with an asset-light model.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) on behalf of NAOC Joint Venture has donated medical equipment to tertiary health institutions and hospitals in its four states of operations in Niger Delta, Nigeria.

The commissioning and handover ceremonies were held recently during which the equipment were given to the medical facilities located in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Imo States. In particular, eleven (11) mobile ventilators were donated to hospitals in various cities.

According to the company,the initiatives were implemented to promote efficient health care delivery in the states and the communities in order to contribute to development of the regions through a healthy population.

The company and the institutions will establish a joint monitoring and evaluation team that will review periodically the performances and feedback on the utility and impact of the machines to the health care delivery in the institutions.

The company and its partners implement initiatives such as infrastructure, health, education and capacity building targeted at local socio-economic development to promote the sustainable development of the communities and states where it operates.

The Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) operates in the land and swamp areas of the Niger Delta under a joint venture agreement, popularly referred to as the NAOC JV. The NAOC JV includes the NNPC E&P Limited (NEPL), NAOC and Oando.

Mohammed Shosanya

Over one million persons/individuals from over 50 communities in Nigeria have benefitted from energy giant, Shell’s flagship health intervention programme, Health-in-Motion since it was introduced in 2010 to Niger Delta communities and across Nigeria.

The company disclosed this recently at the venue of a three-day Health-in-motion programme held for people in Elelenwo Community, in Obio Akpor Local Government Council of Rivers State.

Director of The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), and Head, Corporate Relations Department of the company, Mr. Igo Weli, said, “The Health-in-Motion programme is Shell’s health intervention programme that provides free comprehensive medical services to people where they live and work.”

He said, “Health-In-Motion is a mobile community health outreach programme that takes free medical services to communities across the Niger Delta and to other parts of the country. In the programme, we are offering health care services ranging from promotional to preventive and curative care. We hope that, by doing so, we will be able to support the Rivers State Government’s efforts at all levels to provide accessible healthcare to the people.”

Better health and well-being improve life outcomes and strengthen families, educational attainment, and business opportunities, Weli said.

Rivers State Commissioner of Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Adaeze Oreh (represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. (Mrs.) Aziemeola Egelege Pius) commended the success of the health programme and requested its extension to the 22 local government areas of the state.

Also, Vice Chairman of Obio Akpor LG Council, Mrs. Chinyeru Agbara said the programme would boost the efforts of the council to provide healthcare in the area. The paramount ruler of Elelenwo community, Eze Sunny Weli Chukwu (JP) who led the Council of Chiefs and community leaders, described the launch of the health programme as “an epoch-making event that would help satisfy the healthcare needs of the teeming populace.”

SPDC’s Health in Motion programme delivers a wide range of health care services with the assistance of on-site doctors and healthcare professionals. General health care provided include cardiovascular screening services, consultations and treatment of mild and chronic diseases, laboratory services, pharmaceutical services, dental care, deworming, and breast and cervical cancer screening for early detection and access to care including thermal oblation, mammogram, and pap smear.

Also, eye care services provided covers comprehensive eye screening including visual acuity and refraction, ophthalmic consultations and treatment, prescription of reading glasses, and surgical care for cataract and pterygium surgeries with post-surgical follow-up.

Mohammed Shosanya

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the successful implementation of a $2,305,695.03 budget allocated for Global Fund’s grant cycle 6, aimed at boosting its operations.

At a press conference in Abuja,Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, disclosed that a significant portion of the grant, $36,965.00, was dedicated to strengthening staff capacity in pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction (ADR) monitoring.

She also said,the agency’s commitment to staff capacity building in pharmacovigilance has been a longstanding practice, and this latest initiative reflects the agency’s ongoing dedication to maintaining and advancing the competence of its workforce.

According to her,the investment in capacity building has resulted in significant improvements in NAFDAC’s laboratory capabilities, enabling comprehensive analysis of various medicinal products.

Key procurements,she said, included equipment such as Liquid Chromatography, Dissolution Apparatus, Disintegration Apparatus, HPLC (with chiller), FTIR, UV Spectrophotometer, Top load balance, Ultra-Low Freezers, Polarimeter, Incubator, Digital Stopwatches, Digital Thermometers, PH Meters, and NIR Spectrophotometric Scanners.

She emphasized that the successful WHO Prequalification of the Central Drug Control Laboratory in Yaba, in part due to Global Fund’s support, will expand the testing of quality medicines in the laboratory, ensuring that Nigerians have access to high-quality pharmaceutical products.

She revealed that another critical aspect of the grant’s support was the phased implementation of traceability for health products, with an allocation of $1,131,328.82 (BL136).

She explained that the initiative has been instrumental in training a total of 1,561 stakeholders across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, comprising 832 in the public sector and 729 in the private sector. It also involved the deployment of 435 android-enabled mobile scanners and 315 internet routers to facilitate the traceability of essential health commodities.

She added that awareness campaigns have been conducted among health sector stakeholders about the Nigeria traceability initiative, and various stakeholders have been engaged in the development of the Pharmaceutical Traceability Regulation.

Global Fund’s support has also played a pivotal role in strengthening the NAFDAC ISO 17025 laboratories, notably the Central Drug Control Laboratory (CDCL) in Yaba. An investment of $944,605.00 (BL38) was directed towards enhancing the laboratory’s capabilities, enabling a comprehensive analysis of a wide range of medicinal products,she said.

This substantial support from Global Fund has had a profound impact on NAFDAC’s overarching goal of ensuring the availability of safe and high-quality health products for Nigerians,she added.

Ibrahim Tajudeen, the Acting Executive Secretary County Coordinator Mechanisms of the Global Fund, explained the grant monitoring mechanism and highlighted that Nigeria, as a country, has been privileged to receive additional resources due to the successful utilization of the previous grant cycle from 2021 to 2023.

He said,Nigeria is set to receive additional grants totaling $933 million, which will be disbursed between January 2024 and December 2026, focusing on key health areas such as HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and the strengthening of resilience systems.

These resources,he added,will play a crucial role in advancing Nigeria’s healthcare initiatives over the next three years.

Mohammed Shosanya

The House of Representatives said declaring a state of emergency on malaria could be a step in the right direction given the spate of the bacterial disease across the country.

The House implored the Federal Government to subsidise malaria drugs if it cannot make them free at all Government-owned health centres for the benefit of Nigerians.

At the inaugural meeting of the Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control on Thursday, Chairman of the Committee, Amobi Ogar said despite the rate of infection of malaria, most Nigerians cannot access drugs because they are quite expensive.

The lawmaker also promised that the Committee will do everything possible to rid the country out of sub-standard and fake malaria drugs and mete out appropriate sanctions to those producing them.

This is just as he maintained that the Committee would take a look at the operation and processes of the Global Fund in relation to intervention in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“I am concerned by the havoc malaria is wrecking on our populace and we are going to push and advocate that malaria drugs be subsidized if not made free at all Government Health Centres. It is no rocket science that most Nigerians are affected by malaria and yet, drugs are not readily available, while the ones available are very exorbitant.

“My vision is to see a Nigeria where malaria drugs will be given to our people free or subsidized.

“As you are all aware the Committee is saddled with the responsibility to formulate legislative measures for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, coordinating and harmonizing activities of Government and non -Governmental Agencies on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria generally to ensure effectiveness of the efforts at HIV/AIDS and Malaria control, remedy and cure for AIDS patients.

“It is our duty to protect our people, since we are their representatives. Therefore, producers and distributors of fake and substandard Malaria drugs will have no hiding place under our watch.

“We are also to oversight all agencies under our jurisdiction and annual budget estimates among other responsibilities pursuant to Standing Order 20 Rule 52 of the House of Representatives (10th edition).

“Following my appointment as the substantive Chairman of the Committee by Tajudeen Abbas in the 10th National Assembly, I have done extensive research in the area of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. I have also had interface and interactive meetings with key stakeholders within our purview and I must say to you all that there is work to be done.

“We are going to devise a new mechanism and approach in our engagements and fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria control in our country with a view to making a difference and avoiding the failures of the past” he said.

To achieve its mandate, Ogar stressed the importance of partnership and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

“Our oversight on National.Agency for the Control of AIDS, the core agency of the committee must be strategic and robust to ensure they brace up to their responsibilities. To achieve all our objectives, we are ready to partner and collaborate with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, donor agencies and non-governmental organisations. I assure you that we are ready to move mountains to ensure we succeed,” he added.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye,has expressed worries over the rate at which Nigerian export products are rejected abroad.

Adeyeye,who expressed this at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday,implored Nigerian exporters trading in NAFDAC regulated products to obtain necessary certifications for processing of their products.

She said:These could be processed, semi-processed, food-destined for further processing or bulk food such as cocoa, sesame seed, groundnut, melon or grains (e.g., beans, indigenous rice, etc.) tea materials, ogbonno and mellon; drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, agro-chemicals, beverages, fruit juices, and medical devices. All exporters should join hands with NAFDAC and contact the Agency for more information on Single Window Trade (SWT) portal: www.trade.gov.ng.

“They must leave ample time for processing unless their product is already registered (for destination country), the facility already has cGMP certification, and the client has been a regular exporter with good records with NAFDAC. They are all also enjoined to contact NAFDAC website to read up and comply to the stated steps on the guidelines. To NAFDAC’s credit, for hundreds of products whose export process passed through NAFDAC, none has suffered rejection to date.

“Going forward, to stem the worsening situation, no patriot should export any NAFDAC Regulated product without it passing through and being certified of its safety and quality status including full compliance with the destination country government requirements. This is also very important to avert colossal economic loss resulting from the rejection of non-compliant exports by the trading partners”, she said.

She said,the challenge bedeviling the export process of NAFDAC regulated products especially, assuring safety and quality status of food exports in Nigeria has been traced to non-compliance with advisory guidelines established by NAFDAC to encourage participatory exports.

She added:”Almost all exported food products are processed without the statutory testing by NAFDAC. Therefore, it is not surprising that all the items exported without NAFDAC quality control and safety tests are rejected.
Non-utilization of hitherto free laboratory testing by NAFDAC for export samples coupled with the connivance of unscrupulous agents.

“Exclusion of NAFDAC’s requirements for its regulated products in the mandatory pre-shipment inspection in the National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) as administered by the FGN appointed Pre-shipment Inspection Agents (PIAs).

“Unwillingness of exporters to comply with minimal sanitary and phytosanitary measures required for exports to countries with stringent market access.

“Poor packaging, disregard for importation requirements of trading partners countries.Penchant for sourcing from open markets for exports without any form of minimal safety or quality specifications and unwillingness to invest in pre-export activities that help to ensure sustainable export.

“Disinformation on the roles of NAFDAC in the pre-shipment inspection and verification exercise of container stuffing.

“To ratify all these and as an outcome of NAFDAC recent meeting with FSA, the agency is commencing on six regulatory-measure approaches to address the situation. These include: Immediate inclusion and implementation, as a matter of urgency, of NAFDAC Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Hygienic Practices (GHP) and Laboratory testings (e.g., mycotoxin, pesticide residue, and heavy metals) certification for the regulated products – food, drug, and others by the National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) as administered by the FGN appointed Pre-shipment Inspection Agents (PIAs).

“Inclusion of NAFDAC in the CBN Export Proceed (NXP) form processing. I am engaging very soon with the Comptroller General of Customs as the new administrator of the Nigeria Single Window Trade portal to facilitate this.
I had earlier engaged with CBN (Trade and Exchange Division) and Federal Ministry of Finance (Home Finance) on this same matter”.

Mohammed Shosanta

Dr. Micheal Ojo, Country Director of Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN),says over 90% of Nigerians cannot afford healthy diet which results in malnutrition and sometimes loss of lives.

Ojo, who disclosed this during his courtesy visit to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, in his office in Abuja, also said food and nutrition was a significant challenge for every Nigerian as over 90% of the population can’t afford healthy diet.

He noted that one of the aims of the organisation was to work and deliver healthy diet to over 25% of the population around the world, of which Nigeria was included, adding that the organisation intended to collaborate with the Ministry in the area of food value chain such as maize, rice, cassava, among others.

According to him, GAIN had enjoyed a good relationship with the Ministry over the years and hoped for its sustainability to transform the country’s food system.

Speaking,Kyari expressed the Ministry’s readiness to partner Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition to tackle food and nutrition security, post-harvest losses, among others.

He added that food security was one priority of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda which focuses on agriculture and food security as well as good nutrition.

He said: “We were given the mandate to ensure that the country is food secure and we are ready to collaborate with partners to ensure its actualisation and sustainability.”

The Minister emphasised that the current state of food security was threatened by issues of availability and affordability, adding that malnutrition and rate of food inflation required that “we work all year round to ensure increased food production while putting in place, measures to make food available, accessible, affordable and of the right nutrition on a sustainable basis.”

He urged the organisation to participate in the forth coming Agricultural Summit and requested for their document to be included in the Ministry’s document, pointing out that “it should be a workable and sustainable document for the benefit of the populace”.

Mohammed Shosanya

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC) has expressed its willingness to partner with South East Governors to creat industrial hub for the Igbos.

The new South East Zonal Director of NAFDAC, Pharm Martins Iluyomade,who stated this on Thursday during a media parley with Journalists in Enugu,described south east as the economic heartbeat of Nigeria.

He said:”My mission is to help harness all those potentials, to make sure that we are able to produce what cannot only be use locally by getting NAFDAC approval but also things we can export and this will lead to economy growth for our country.

“As South East Governor are forming a block with their several meetings to create lasting peace and generate economic activities. We will partner with the south East governors on some programmes to create industrial hub for the people in the region.

“I want to assure you that if that initiative is properly done, China will come and learn from us in the south East.

“We will send them our proposal as we are ready to assist them when they are setting factories that will produce original products in order create employment opportunity for the people,” he said

He advised companies to always produce standard and safety products

He said: “We are ready to partner with production companies in South East to produce standard products that everybody can use. For those people with the brain to manufacture imitation products, the same brain can be use to produce original products.

“My job is to assist them transit from imitation to original because they have brain to do it” he added

Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), has inducted new 205 foreign-trained medical doctors and dentists who were successful in the assessment test conducted by the Council .

MDCN Registrar, Dr. Tajudeeen Sanusi, told journalists after the induction ceremony that over 700 foreign-trained doctors mostly from Ukraine schools participated in the assessment test, out of which 495 (72.6%) failed the assessment examination.

According to him,the assessment examination was designed by MDCN to test the capacity of the doctors vis-a-vis the knowledge and skills they claimed to had acquired from their individual institutions abroad.

He said: “This time, we had over 700 applications from the foreign-trained doctors. Unfortunately, 205 passed the examinations indicating 27.4 per cent success rate. Ukraine trained doctors were more than candidates from other places. Unfortunately, the assessment test exposed that they never had enough clinical trainings that could have earned them MDCN certification.

“For the locally trained doctors, we have our own monitoring tools unlike the doctors that were trained abroad. Local institutions are always under our watch and we don’t hesitate to take actions whenever we suspect any foul play.”

He said that the newly inducted foreign-trained doctors would embark on compulsory one year housemanship, and would be expected to complete the exercise uninterrupted.

He added: “They are expected to spend 12 uninterrupted weeks in any of the postings. There’s 52 weeks in a year. They are expected to spend 48 weeks in active service and use the remaining four weeks as leave.”

Minister of state for health, Tunji Alausa, in his remarks, congratulated the inductees and urged them to be dedicated to the service of God and humanity, in line with the calling of the medical profession.

FCT Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Charles Ugwuanyi, in his remarks, advised the new doctors to work closely with their senior colleagues so they can be properly tutored and guided for a crisis-free career.

He advised them to love their patients and know their limit, suggesting that they refer patients when necessary and not allow cases to deteriorate before doing the needful.