Often described as the world’s most trafficked mammals, pangolins are relentlessly hunted for their scales—prized in traditional Asian medicine—and for their meat, which is treated as a luxury delicacy in some markets. A conservation advocacy group, Wild Africa, has sounded the alarm over Nigeria’s prominent role in the global pangolin trafficking network, disclosing that over 500,000 pangolins have been lost to illegal trade in under a decade. In a statement marking World Pangolin Day 2026, issued by its Nigeria Representative, Festus Iyorah, the organisation pressed for urgent legal reforms to stem the growing crisis. Wild Africa urged the administration of Bola Tinubu to accelerate the passage and assent of the proposed Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, warning that continued delays could edge the species closer to extinction. Often described as the most trafficked mammals on earth, pangolins are targeted for their scales—highly valued in parts of Asia for traditional medicine and for their meat, which commands premium prices in certain markets. Despite protections under international treaties and domestic laws, illegal demand continues to fuel widespread poaching and trafficking across Africa. Data cited by Wild… Wild Africa Urges Nigerian Government to Protect Endangered Wildlife, Warns Over 500,000 Pangolins Wiped Out by Traffickers

Here’s how to recognize the warning signs. Sleep apnoea is a serious condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. In severe cases, sufferers can stop breathing every minute, for more than 10 seconds at a time. Most people are unaware it’s happening, but wake up feeling inexplicably drained and struggle with extreme daytime fatigue. A recent report in The Lancet estimates that around eight million people in the UK may have sleep apnoea, but only a small proportion have been diagnosed. The number of cases is rising, particularly among younger people, partly due to increasing obesity rates. Left untreated, sleep apnoea can shorten life expectancy by up to 10 years and significantly increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. “We urgently need to improve awareness,” says Dr Prina Ruparelia, a respiratory consultant at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. She suggests I undergo a sleep study to see what’s happening. I agree, and she sends me home with a monitoring kit. It includes a nasal tube to track airflow, belts around my chest and abdomen to measure… Sleep apnoea impacts millions of people, yet many are unaware they have it.

Endocrinologists have called for more public awareness to encourage early detection of diabetes, saying delayed diagnosis exposes patients to life-threatening complications. The call was made on Friday during the free diabetes screening exercise organised by the Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital to commemorate World Diabetes Day. The free screening started with a 10-minute walk of public sensitisation to raise awareness, educate the public, and promote early detection of diabetes. Speaking with Saturday PUNCH during the exercise, the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Planning Committee at the College of Medicine, Lagos State University, Dr Wale Bello, said the programme was aimed at helping the participants “know their numbers” by offering free checks for weight, height, blood pressure, and blood sugar. Bello, who represented the Chief Medical Director, Prof Wasiu Adeyemo, described the current prevalence of diabetes as alarming, noting that early screening remains the most effective way to curb rising cases. He said, “The Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Committee has made arrangements that include partnerships with various companies of hospital management to put together this screening programme. Like I said,… “Early Detection: The Secret Weapon Against Diabetes”

A total of 4,193 doctors and dentists left Nigeria for greener pastures in 2024, according to the Nigeria Health Statistics Report released by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The report, obtained by our correspondent on Friday, shows that the migration of health workers surged by 200 per cent across all cadres between 2023 and 2024. It notes that thousands of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and allied health workers, left the country in search of better opportunities abroad. An analysis of the document reveals that 43,221 doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and medical laboratory scientists migrated out of the country between 2023 and 2024. The figures highlight a deepening brain drain within Nigeria’s health sector, with highly skilled professionals relocating to countries offering better remuneration, career prospects, and working conditions. The report warns that the exodus poses a serious challenge to Nigeria’s healthcare system, especially in underserved areas, and underscores the urgent need for policies aimed at retaining health workers and strengthening domestic capacity. It reads in part: “Nigeria’s health workforce recorded steady growth between 2022 and 2024 across major professional groups, with notable… “Nigeria Bleeds White Coats: Over 4,000 Doctors, Dentists Jet Out in 2024.”

NARD to FG: “Enough Waiting — Fix Our Pay Now!” Doctors’ Strike Hits Day 15 The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has urged the Federal Government to immediately conclude the long-stalled Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) as its indefinite strike entered Day 15 on Saturday. The union also demanded an urgent review of the outdated Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), insisting the current system no longer reflects Nigeria’s economic realities. In a statement posted on X, NARD wrote:“Dear Nigerians, Doctors Deserve a Fair Deal! We’ve waited far too long for a CBA a simple written promise for fair pay and clear work terms. Yet the delays continue, while doctors battle rising costs and dwindling morale. “We demand the immediate conclusion of the CBA and a review of the obsolete CONMESS salary structure.” vibeslyfe reports that the strike, which began earlier this month, has affected 91 hospitals nationwide, including federal teaching hospitals, specialist institutions, and federal medical centers, disrupting medical services across the country. NARD said the union’s 19-point demand list is reasonable and necessary for the welfare of doctors and patients. The list includes the… “Stethoscopes Down: Doctors Press On Until Government Plays Fair”

Story Highlight :As the dust settles on this fragile ceasefire, a harder question emerges: can this pause in fighting become something more—or will it collapse into yet another cycle of violence? After two years of relentless bloodshed, the war in Gaza has finally paused. Israeli hostages, held captive since Hamas’s brutal October 2023 attack, have been released in a dramatic exchange brokered by US President Donald Trump. Families torn apart by violence have reunited amid tears and cheers. For Israelis who wore yellow ribbons and marched weekly demanding their loved ones’ return, this moment represents a profound victory. Yet across the border, Palestinians await the release of hundreds of prisoners, including many held without charges. As the dust settles on this fragile ceasefire, a harder question emerges: can this pause in fighting become something more—or will it collapse into yet another cycle of violence? The scenes were undeniably moving. Twenty hostages freed in two groups, handed over to the Red Cross, then rushed to medical facilities for evaluation before reuniting with families. Tens of thousands of Israelis erupted in celebration as live broadcasts showed their… Hostages walk free—but is lasting peace still possible?

Story Highlights : After losing 95 kg, a British woman flew to Turkey for a tummy tuck and liposuction — but a surgical mistake nearly cost her life. A blood clot formed during the procedure, reaching her lungs and causing two heart attacks. A woman in England nearly died after undergoing surgery to remove excess skin following a weight loss of 95 kg. Sarah Dyson lost so much weight over two-and-a-half year, but says it didn’t feel like it since there were loose folds of skin hanging around. She found a way to tuck in the excess skin every morning and had to wear baggy clothes to hide it. So she decided to have it removed. But the surgery would have cost £17,000 in the UK. Someone suggested having it in Turkey, as it would cost less. So Sarah left Manchester for Istanbul on September 1 and spent £6,500 for a tummy tuck, an arm lift and liposuction. But she had a near-death experience after the surgeons reportedly “forgot” to give her blood thinners, Daily Mail reported.

Story Highlight :Kerala has reported another case of the deadly “brain-eating amoeba,” Naegleria fowleri, raising the total number of cases this year to 104. The latest patient is a 3.5-year-old child from Kannur. Health Minister Veena George earlier confirmed the statewide tally. In India’s Kerala, another case of the fatal brain infection popularly referred to as ‘brain-eating amoeba’ was confirmed on Monday (Oct 13). The latest patient, as per reports, is a three-and-a-half-year-old boy from Thayyil in Kannur district. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples confirmed the presence of Naegleria fowleri. This comes as the death toll from the fatal brain infection went up to 23, as of Sunday (Oct 12), reported the state’s health minister Veena George. In a statement, the minister said that, so far this year, a total of 104 cases of amoebic encephalitis, aka brain fever, have been reported in Kerala. He also revealed which Kerala districts have been hit worst by the brain fever. Here’s all you need to know.

Centenarians  have become the fastest-growing demographic group in the world, with numbers approximately doubling every 10 years since the 1970s. Many researchers have sought out the factors and contributors that determine a long and healthy life. The dissolution isn’t new either, with Plato and Aristotle writing about the ageing process over 2,300 years ago. Understanding what is behind living a longer life involves unravelling the complex interplay of genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors and how they interact. In a study published in GeroScience, researches have unveiled common biomarkers, including levels of cholesterol and glucose, in people who live past 90. The study is one of the largest that has been conducted in this area, comparing biomarker profiles measured throughout life among those who lived to be over the age of 100 and their shorter-lived peers. Data came from 44,000 Swedes who underwent health assessments at ages 64-99. These participants were then followed through Swedish register data for up to 35 years. Of these people, 2.7 percent (1,224) lived to be 100 years old. 85 percent of these centenarians were female. The study’s findings conduced that lower levels… Scientists discover that people who live past 90 have key differences in their blood