Experts say accurate, proactive health communication by the government, civil society and skilled journalists could fight the spread of dangerously inaccurate information in Nigeria.
Healthcheck Reports
Does one SA doctor treat 4,000 patients in public care, but fewer than 300 privately?
Claims
Two claims on doctor-patient ratios in SA’s public and private health sectors
Source: Treatment Action Campaign (June 2018)
checked
Verdict
Both claims are incorrect
Do 10 Nigerians die from cancer every hour?
Claim
At least 10 Nigerians die from cancer every hour
Source: Health reporter Ayodeji Ake (May 2018)
unproven
Verdict
Data on cancer deaths in Nigeria is unreliable
Hit or miss? 5 claims by Kenyan governors fact-checked
Claims
Five claims about devolution in Kenya
Source: State of Devolution Address
checked
Verdict
Ratings ranging from correct to misleading and unproven
Do 80% of Nigerians lack safe drinking water? It’s worse than that
Claim
Close to 80% of Nigerians lack potable water.
Source: Journalist Dele Sobowale (May 2018)
downplayed
Verdict
90.8% of Nigerians’ household drinking water contaminated by E coli bacteria.
As help from Cuba arrives, is there only one Kenyan doctor for every 16,000 people?
Claim
Kenya’s doctor-to-patient ratio remains 1 doctor to every 16,000 patients.
Source: Nzioka Waita, chief of staff in the Kenyan presidency
incorrect
Verdict
Latest data puts ratio at 1:6,355
Do 200,000 abortions – many a ‘repeat’ – take place in South Africa each year?
Claim
There are 200,000 abortions a year in South Africa, and many of these are “repeat” abortions.
Source: Cheryllyn Dudley, South African MP (March 2018)
unproven
Verdict
Official figures show half this number. Data on illegal and “repeat” abortions aren't available.
Health minister quoted outdated TB stats for Nigeria, South Africa
Claim
Nigeria also ranks fourth among the 30 highest TB burden countries in the world and first in Africa
Source:
Nigeria’s junior health minister, Dr Osagie Ehanire (March 2018)
incorrect
Verdict
Newer estimates places Nigeria second in Africa, 7th worldwide for its TB burden
Claim that malaria kills 756,000 Nigerian children each year incorrect
Claim
Malaria kills 756,000 under five Nigerian children each year
Source:
The Guardian newspaper (April 2018)
incorrect
Verdict
Figure closer to deaths from all causes
Factsheet: FACTSHEET: Frequently asked questions about autism in South Africa
What is autism? What do we know about this developmental disorder in South Africa, and what is still unknown? One thing is for sure: it’s not caused by vaccines.