Random good news stories…

….as the year gradually comes to an end and we take stock, find here a few good news stories. Enjoy…

• Our new Minister for Information, Professor Dora Akunyili is reported by The Punch as making statements that has brought smiles to our faces…

“Today, we live in an information age where access to information should be made readily available, and yet information about Nigeria from Nigeria is not easily accessible. I find it disheartening that the Ministry of Information and Communications does not have a website. It is also very discomforting that our flagship corporation, Nigerian Television Authority, does not have a website. It is unfortunate that the official government website www.nigeria.gov.ng, which was launched in 2005, has been shut down for many months. This website, which serves as a gateway to Nigeria, must be reactivated”.

Every parastatal must have an active and vibrant website up and running before the end of March 2009!”…..YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!

The only small issue Madam did not mention was that the excellent NAFDAC website…has been down for almost 1 year…. http://www.nafdacnigeria.org/

• We are often critical of the quality of health reporting out of Nigeria…but here is one piece I would recommend. I am not sure what the circulation of Daily Trust is but I found this article very good. It is written by a colleague; Dr Dahiru of the Dept of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria…details here: Nigeria: Why Country Cannot Achieve the Health MDGs

• Last week, the Carter Center announced that Guinea worm had reached a record low of less than 5000 cases worldwide, clustered in six African countries-Ghana, Ethiopia, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, and Sudan. The push in Nigeria is being led by former Nigeria head of state General (Dr.) Yakubu Gowon. …details here: Guinea-worm The Carter Center, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the UK Department for International Development have pledged US$55 million to eradicate Guinea-worm disease.

• Some State governments are evolving new ways of working…finally. The Kaduna State government says its roll back malaria programme has been successful due to its collaboration with NGOs. Details here in the Daily Trust:

…..who says there are no good news stories out of the health scene in Nigeria….