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This paper discussed the application of water quality index for the assessment of selected water quality parameters within the Apo resettlement area of the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. The Apo resettlement area, a semi-urban residential settlement has since seen a rapid urbanization following the creation of Abuja as the new administrative capital of Nigeria on 3rd Feb 1976. This is through the promulgated Federal Capital Territory decree No. 6, 1976 resulting from the growing unsuitability of Lagos as Nigeria’s Federal Capital City. Water quality index (WQI) provides a single number that expresses the overall water quality, at a certain location and time, based on several water quality parameters. The water sourced from the Apo resettlement area was rated as a good water type with index of 76.0% by World Health Organization permissible limits, whilst the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv Limit) rates it at 45.6%. The study outlined that the surface water of the area is impaired due to the rapid urbanization and is not suitable for domestic consumption without treatment. However, the water body is suitable to support ecosystem functioning. This can be improved, or level of pollution reduced if proper measures are put in place to discourage the users from polluting the water in order to bring about improved health.

Background: A major factor contributing to poor health outcomes in Nigeria is the government's low investment in the health sector. Nigeria’s National Health Act (2014) proposed a radical shift in health financing by establishing Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) scheme. This study assessed clients’ satisfaction with service provision after two years of implementation of the scheme in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory.Methods: Health facility-based cross-sectional design and two-stage sampling method were used to select 400 adult clients at Primary Health Care facilities. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data analysis was done using Statistical Product and Service Solutions version 22.0 and the level of statistical significance was set at a p-value of Results: Median age of respondents was 30 years (Interquartile Range = 11), the majority were females; 326 (81.5%) and mostly married; 345 (86.3%). The majority; 357 (89.4%) experienced quick responses to emergencies and most of the enrolled clients; 76 (88.4%) benefitted from free services. The majority; 350 (87.5%) also received prescribed drugs and 369 (92.3%) were satisfied with the services. Factors associated with service satisfaction were being female client [AOR; 0.10, 95% CI: 0.01-0.80], p=0.03, having 3-4 children (AOR; 3.6, 95% CI=1.2-11.4), p=0.03 and Christian faith (AOR; 2.8, 95% CI=1.1-7.0), p=0.03.Conclusion: High client satisfaction was associated with the introduction of the BHCPF scheme at Primary Health Care facilities in the study area. The scheme provides an opportunity to improve the quality of maternal and child healthcare services at these facilities. The gains recorded should be sustained through regular supervision and continuous engagement with clients to address their concerns.

Background: COVID-19 is a pandemic disease that has ravaged the health systems of developed and developing countries. At the time of writing this article, Nigeria had recorded about 254 thousand cases and 3,141 mortalities. The Federal Capital Territory Abuja accounts for 12.4% of the total cases in Nigeria with a mortality rate of 0.9%. This study aimed at assessing the knowledge, risk perception, and level of uptake of the vaccine among the adult population in Abuja. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among 180 consenting adults from November to December 2021 in a selected community in Abuja. It was operational research conducted by the Advocacy and Social Mobilization Unit of the Primary Health Care Board. Results: The majority; 131(72.8%) of participants were aware of COVID-19 and 145 (80.6%) thought the disease was very dangerous. Over half, 91 (50.6%) felt they were at risk of contracting the disease. The most reported preventive measures taken were hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and social distancing. Three out of every ten persons, 57 (31.7%) had been fully or partially vaccinated against COVID-19. Over a third, 26 (38.8%), of those who were unwilling to get vaccinated reported safety concerns. We, therefore, recommend to the Advocacy and Social Mobilization Unit of the Federal Capital Territory Primary Health Care Board to develop clear messages that address vaccine safety issues.