The SG Holdings Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to contributing meaningfully toward Sustainable Development Goal 3, which is focused on Good Health and Well-being by 2030, recognising the essential role of the private sector in advancing public health outcomes and supporting global development efforts. The foundation, in a statement through the leadership of philanthropist and chief executive of SG Holdings Limited, Deji Somoye, on Monday, said, “As Nigeria strives to meet the Universal Health Coverage targets and SDG 3 by 2030, it has become increasingly clear that the private sector must lend a hand to government efforts to reach that goal. “Nigeria’s most underserved health challenges don’t make headlines. They don’t trend on social media. But they keep millions of families locked in cycles of poverty and pain,” Somoye said. He said rather than chasing optics, the foundation has quietly emerged as a model for what truly impactful Corporate Social Responsibility can and should look like; one rooted in compassion, sustainability, and dignity for every Nigerian life. “We are not waiting for perfect systems before acting. “Healthcare is one of those needs that cannot wait. Beyond outreaches, the SG Holdings Foundation has tackled issues often ignored due to their complexity or lack of media appeal,” he added. According to Somoye, in 2018, the foundation sponsored hernia surgeries for 200 patients in Ogun State, targeting a condition that is treatable yet financially out of reach for many. “More recently, in 2023, the foundation donated 100 wheelchairs to rural and peri-urban health centres across Odeda, Obafemi-Owode, and Abeokuta, beyond enabling mobility but dignity, inclusion, and systemic equity. “Healthcare should not be a privilege limited to a few. Through the SG Holdings Foundation, we are committed to supporting the health and well-being of vulnerable populations across Nigeria. “SG Holdings Limited, as a responsible private sector organisation, is doing just that, particularly in remote locations across the country,” he stated. He noted that founded as the social impact arm of SG Holdings Limited, the foundation has demonstrated a sustained commitment to healthcare access and equity, especially within underserved regions of Ogun state. “These are not just one-time gestures but are part of a broader philosophy that sees health as both a human right and a national asset. “In Ijemo, Abeokuta, the SG Holdings Foundation executed a large-scale free medical outreach deploying a team of 50 healthcare professionals to serve over 600 residents. “The programme delivered diagnostic tests, eye screenings, medication, and wellness education free of charge. “For a region where primary care is often inaccessible, the outreach was more than a medical service; it was a public health intervention,” he stressed. Somoye added that as Nigeria grapples with widespread health inequities and resource limitations, the foundation stands as proof that the private sector can step into the breach not just with resources, but with empathy and sustainable strategies for impact.

The World Health Organisation has validated Senegal as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. The WHO, which disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noted that the validation makes Senegal the ninth country in the WHO’s African Region to have achieved this feat. Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease. It is caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which spreads from person to person through contaminated surfaces, fomites, and flies that have come into contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person. Environmental risk factors for trachoma transmission include poor hygiene, overcrowded living conditions, and inadequate access to clean water and sanitation. Trachoma remains a public health problem in 32 countries, with an estimated 103 million people living in areas requiring interventions against the disease. Trachoma is found mainly in the poorest and most rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, the Western Pacific, and the Middle East. WHO’s African Region is disproportionately affected by trachoma, with 93 million people living in at-risk areas in April 2024, representing 90 per cent of the global trachoma burden. The global health body stated that significant progress has been made in the fight against trachoma over the past few years, and the number of people requiring antibiotic treatment for trachoma in the African Region fell by 96 million from 189 million in 2014 to 93 million as of April 2024, representing a 51 per cent reduction. There are currently 20 countries (Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe) in WHO’s African Region that are known to require intervention for trachoma elimination. A further three countries in the Region (Botswana, Guinea-Bissau, and Namibia) claim to have achieved the prevalence targets for elimination. The Director-General of WHO, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, said, “I commend Senegal for freeing its population from this disease. “This milestone is yet another sign of the remarkable progress being made against neglected tropical diseases globally, and offers hope to other countries still working to eliminate trachoma.” Trachoma has been known in Senegal since the early 1900s and was confirmed as a major cause of blindness through surveys in the 1980s and 1990s. Senegal joined the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma in 1998, conducted its first national survey in 2000, and completed full disease mapping by 2017 with support from the Global Trachoma Mapping Project and Tropical Data. Trachoma control was consistently integrated into national eye health programmes, first under the National Program for Blindness Prevention, and later through the National Programme for the Promotion of Eye Health, maintaining its commitment to trachoma elimination. Senegal’s Minister of Health and Social Action, Dr. Ibrahima Sy, noted, “Today we celebrate our victory against trachoma, 21 years after the one against dracunculiasis. “This new milestone reminds us that our overarching goal remains a Senegal free from neglected tropical diseases. We are fully committed to this, and we are making good progress, notably against human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and onchocerciasis.” To eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, WHO recommends the SAFE strategy: a comprehensive approach to reduce transmission of the causative organism, clear existing infections, and deal with their effects. The SAFE strategy consists of surgery to treat the blinding complication (trachomatous trichiasis); antibiotics to clear the infection, particularly mass drug administration of the antibiotic azithromycin (which has been donated by the manufacturer, Pfizer, to elimination programmes through the International Trachoma Initiative); facial cleanliness; and environmental improvement, particularly improving access to water and sanitation. “Senegal implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy to eliminate trachoma with the support of partners, reaching 2.8 million people who needed them across 24 districts. These activities included provision of surgery to treat the late blinding stage of the disease, conducting antibiotic mass drug administration of azithromycin donated by Pfizer through the International Trachoma Initiative, carrying out public awareness campaigns to promote facial cleanliness, and improvement in access to water supply and sanitation. “Trachoma is the second neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Senegal. In 2004, the country was certified free of dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease) transmission. Globally, Senegal joins 24 other countries that have been validated by WHO for having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. “These are Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Gambia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Ghana, India, Iraq, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Togo, Vanuatu, and Viet Nam. These countries are part of a wider group of 57 countries that have eliminated one or more neglected tropical diseases,” WHO stated. The organisation added that it is supporting Senegal’s health authorities to closely monitor communities in which trachoma was previously endemic to ensure there is no resurgence of the disease. “Trachoma has cast a shadow over communities in Senegal for more than a century. This long-awaited validation is not only a milestone for public health but a powerful tribute to the tireless dedication of frontline health workers, communities, government leaders, and partners who never gave up. “Today, we close a chapter that began over a hundred years ago, united with pride, gratitude, and resolve. WHO remains committed to supporting Senegal as the country continues to lead in sustaining this hard-earned achievement,” said the WHO Representative in Senegal, Dr Jean-Marie Vianny Yameogo.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, on Monday, said Nigeria has recorded 152 deaths from Lassa fever so far in 2025. The Case Fatality Rate now stands at 18.7 per cent, higher than the 17.3 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024. As of epidemiological Week 28, Nigeria has reported a total of 6,520 suspected cases and 811 confirmed cases across 21 states and 105 Local Government Areas. The NCDC also noted that the number of new confirmed cases in week 28 remained the same as in week 27, with fresh infections reported in Ondo, Edo, and Benue states. A significant majority of 89 per cent of confirmed Lassa fever cases were recorded in five states -Ondo (32 per cent), Bauchi (23 per cent), Edo (17 per cent), Taraba (14 per cent), and Ebonyi (three per cent). The remaining 11 per cent of confirmed cases were reported from 16 other states. The most affected age group is between 21 and 30 years, with a median age of 30 years. The report stated, “In week 28, the number of new confirmed cases is the same as epi week 27 of 2025. These were reported in Ondo, Edo, and Benue States. “Cumulatively, as at week 28, 2025, 152 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.7 per cent, which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (17.3 per cent). In total for 2025, 21 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 105 Local Government Areas. “Eighty-nine percent (89 per cent) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from five states (Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi), while 11 per cent were reported from 16 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 89 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 32 per cent, Bauchi 23 per cent, Edo 17 per cent, Taraba 14 per cent, and Ebonyi three per cent.” It added that there is no new healthcare worker affected in the reporting week 28, and the national Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group is coordinating the response activities at all levels.

Raith Rovers stunned 10-man Falkirk with three late goals to ensure the Scottish Championship title race goes on and boost their own play-off hopes. The majority of the 7,500 crowd turned up hoping for a party, but the celebrations are on hold as defeat leaves John McGlynn's side three points clear of nearest challengers Livingston with two matches remaining. Falkirk, aiming for a return to the top flight for the first time 2010, have a vastly superior goal difference. So three points from games away to Partick Thistle - live on the BBC - and at home to Hamilton Accies should be enough to seal a second successive promotion. Calvin Miller cracked the hosts in front on 17 minutes following good work from Ethan Ross. After the interval, it took a super save from Josh Rae to deny Ross from close range. On the hour, the flow of the game changed when Sean Mackie picked up a second yellow card. Rovers enjoyed lots of possession after the dismissal but Falkirk goalkeeper Nicky Hogarth was well protected by his defence until Aiden Marsh squeezed in a header on 88 minutes. And the Kirkcaldy team found two more goals in stoppage time as Paul Hanlon crashed in a shot and Dylan Easton converted a penalty. The comeback moves Rovers level on points with fourth-placed Partick Thistle in the scrap for the last remaining play-off spot. Falkirk manager John McGlynn: "For an hour, we were very, very good. The sending off put us on the back foot and came back to bite us in the second half. "We're disappointed to come away with nothing when we put so much into it." Raith Rovers manager Barry Robson: "I didn't think there was much in the game when it was 11 v 11. We were really brave, really high pressing. "When the sending off happened it was just sheer belief, the players really wanting it. That's now eight games unbeaten."