Emmanuel Ebuka Elebesunu

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a significant global health issue, affecting over a billion people and hindering progress in economically disadvanta

This research explores the experience of people living with leprosy at leprosy settlements in Nigeria. This is a concurrent mixed methods design whereby questionnaires, focus groups and interviews are conducted simultaneously. Seven leprosy communities were visited, one from Nigeria’s six geographical zones and the Federal capital area. This study included 35 leprosy patients, 21 family members, seven community leaders, and seven officers in charge of the leprosy settlements. Also questioned were two heads of organisations involved with leprosy control in Nigeria. Majority (93.7%) of the respondents have access to healthcare in the health centres. Majority (95.2%) are interested in learning self-care practices for skin-related neglected diseases. About three-fourths (74.6%) receive free healthcare and accent that PLWL are admitted into the same ward as other patients. Whilst funding is a growing concern for leprosy control, the data from the interview confirmed that there is little support from the government but more from non-governmental organisations and implementing partners in Nigeria for people living with leprosy. Experts demonstrated that leprosy now ranks high among neglected diseases. The Nigerian government must work with partners to ensure the improvement and sustainability of leprosy control programs.

Background: Although Nigeria achieved the national leprosy elimination target of less than 1/10,000 population in 1998, factors such as culture, behavioural patterns and social determinants, among others, continue to contribute to an increase in leprosy cases and a poor state of living for individuals with leprosy in Nigeria. This study delves into the experiences of individuals residing in leprosy settlements in Nigeria.Methods: This study employed a community‐based cross‐sectional design, utilizing a concurrent mixed‐methods approach for comprehensive data collection. Questionnaires, focus groups and interviews are conducted simultaneously. The research involves participants from seven leprosy communities across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones and Federal Capital Territory. Qualitative methods, including 14 focus group discussions and 6 key informant interviews, are complemented by quantitative questionnaires, engaging residents, leaders and nongovernmental organization (NGO) representatives. Respondents comprised 35 leprosy patients, 21 family members, 7 community leaders, 7 settlement officers and 2 organizational heads involved in leprosy control.Results: The results indicate significant access to healthcare (93.7%) and interest in self‐care practices (95.2%), with a considerable proportion (74.6%) receiving free healthcare. Interview data underscore the limited government support, with NGOs and partners assuming a more substantial role. Qualitative insights from persons living with leprosy highlight financial struggles, stigmatization and substandard living conditions in settlements, exacerbated by limited government funding. This reliance on private and NGOs is further compounded by declining funding, hindering individuals’ ability to start businesses and provide self‐care.Conclusion: This study underscores the pressing need for increased government support, funding and better living conditions for individuals affected by leprosy in Nigeria. It highlights the significance of education, awareness campaigns and human rights promotion to combat stigma and enhance the quality of life for those living with leprosy. Moreover, the study advocates for the reintegration of affected individuals into their communities to foster societal inclusion and well‐being.

Background and Aims: Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in laboratory medicine, promising significant advancements in healthcare delivery. This study explores the potential impact of AI on diagnostics and patient management within the context of laboratory medicine, with a particular focus on low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs).Methods: In writing this article, we conducted a thorough search of databases such as PubMed, ResearchGate, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar within 20 years. The study examines AI's capabilities, including learning, reasoning, and decision‐making, mirroring human cognitive processes. It highlights AI's adeptness at processing vast data sets, identifying patterns, and expediting the extraction of actionable insights, particularly in medical imaging interpretation and laboratory test data analysis. The research emphasizes the potential benefits of AI in early disease detection, therapeutic interventions, and personalized treatment strategies.Results: In the realm of laboratory medicine, AI demonstrates remarkable precision in interpreting medical images such as radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Its predictive analytical capabilities extend to forecasting patient trajectories and informing personalized treatment strategies using comprehensive data sets comprising clinical outcomes, patient records, and laboratory results. The study underscores the significance of AI in addressing healthcare challenges, especially in resource‐constrained LMICs.Conclusion: While acknowledging the profound impact of AI on laboratory medicine in LMICs, the study recognizes challenges such as inadequate data availability, digital infrastructure deficiencies, and ethical considerations. Successful implementation necessitates substantial investments in digital infrastructure, the establishment of data‐sharing networks, and the formulation of regulatory frameworks. The study concludes that collaborative efforts among stakeholders, including international organizations, governments, and nongovernmental entities, are crucial for overcoming obstacles and responsibly integrating AI into laboratory medicine in LMICs. A comprehensive, coordinated approach is essential for realizing AI's transformative potential and advancing health care in LMICs.

Various infectious disease outbreaks linked to zoonotic sources have been recorded over the years, some of which have resulted in epidemics on a national, regional, or global scale. In Africa, a number of such outbreaks occur intermittently, especially in countries like Nigeria with a high-risk of epidemiological transmission. Three viral outbreaks with zoonotic links have hit the Nigerian healthcare system hardest, which are the Ebola virus disease, Lassa fever and Coronavirus disease 2019. Due to the fragile nature of the Nigerian health system, several challenges were encountered in the process of responding to these viral outbreaks, some of which included inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited diagnostic capacity, unfledged nature of emergency response, unsatisfactory remuneration of health workers, misinformation trends, amongst others. By reminiscing on the challenges and lessons learnt from these viral disease outbreaks, the Nigerian government and policymakers will be able to adopt more effective approaches towards emergency preparedness for future outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Universal health coverage (UHC) is aimed at ensuring that individuals and communities have affordable access to essential health care services without facing financial hardship. Achieving UHC and the third sustainable development goal of the United Nations requires that health systems transition from a vertical, top-down, curative approach toward one that puts people at the core of health care services, such as community-centered health interventions. Nigeria operates a decentralized health care system with the least focus on primary health care, making access to quality, and affordable health care for several citizens a challenge as the major percentage of the Nigerian population relies on primary health care services. The limited number of health care workers, the poor economic state, the inadequate health financing structures and high illiteracy rates have led to challenges such as low health service availability, hesitancy to utilize health interventions, high out-of-pocket expenditure rates, and health misinformation. These can be effectively tackled at the community level by revamping primary health care services, adequate and sustainable health financing, establishing Ward Development Committees, and the involvement of community stakeholders in health policy implementation. Employing such community-based approaches will ensure continuous progress of the Nigerian health care system toward UHC.