Diseases & Conditions

Malaria is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Nigeria carries one of the highest malaria burdens in the world, with tens of millions of cases recorded annually. The disease disproportionately affects children under five and pregnant women, though it can strike anyone. Malaria is both preventable and curable — early diagnosis and prompt treatment are critical to a full recovery.

Measles is a highly contagious acute viral illness caused by the measles virus (a paramyxovirus). It spreads through the air via respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles is one of the most infectious diseases known — one infected person can transmit the virus to 12–18 unvaccinated contacts. Before widespread vaccination, measles was a leading cause of childhood death in Nigeria. Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, Nigeria continues to experience large measles outbreaks due to low and uneven vaccination coverage. Measles is not a mild childhood illness — it can cause pneumonia, encephalitis, blindness, and death, particularly in malnourished children and those with vitamin A deficiency.

Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges — the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is most commonly caused by bacterial or viral infection. Bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening emergency that can kill within hours or cause permanent disability without immediate treatment. Nigeria lies within the African "meningitis belt," where large seasonal epidemics of meningococcal meningitis occur, particularly during the dry season. Nigeria also has significant meningitis burden from pneumococcal infection in children and cryptococcal meningitis in people living with HIV/AIDS.

Menopause is the natural, permanent end of menstrual periods, marking the end of a woman's reproductive years. It is officially confirmed retrospectively, after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, and typically occurs between ages 45 and 55, with the average age around 50. Menopause results from the natural decline in ovarian function and the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, and is preceded by a transitional period called perimenopause, which can last several years and is when most of the noticeable symptoms begin. Menopause is a normal life stage, not a disease, but the hormonal changes involved can cause symptoms significant enough to affect quality of life, and effective treatments are available for women who need them.

Migraine is a common neurological condition characterised by recurrent, often severe headaches, typically on one side of the head, frequently accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. It affects roughly 1 in 7 people worldwide and is more common in women than men. Migraine attacks can last from a few hours to several days and can significantly disrupt work, school, and daily life, though it is not life-threatening.