insert_link Africa WHO approves first Mpox vaccine for Africa The World Health Organization has approved the use of an Mpox vaccine for the first time, which it says should facilitate “timely and increased access” for millions at risk in Africa where the latest outbreak has infected more than 20,000 so far this year. Matt Wells from UN news reports. today16 September, 2024
insert_link Africa Africa records nearly 1 million new cancer cases annually The CEO of the Cancer Association of Namibia, Rolf Hansen, is attending the 74th Session of the World Health Organisation Regional Committee for Africa in Congo Brazzaville. Hansen highlighted the urgent cancer crisis in the region, noting that over 900,000 new cancer cases and 586,000 cancer deaths occur annually in Africa. In response, the UICC community has welcomed the proposed framework as a crucial step forward. To maximize […] today29 August, 2024
insert_link Africa Mpox outbreak in Africa was neglected – it could now turn into the next global pandemic By Wolfgang Preiser, Stellenbosch University; Cheryl Baxter, Stellenbosch University, and Jean Nachega, Stellenbosch University The mpox outbreak in Africa is yet another example of how infectious diseases perceived to be “someone else’s problem”, and affecting mainly poor, developing countries, may suddenly pose unexpected global threats. Other examples of neglected diseases include the West Nile, Zika and Chikungunya viruses. Mpox was discovered in 1958 (in captive monkeys, hence the […] today19 August, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical WHO launches mRNA bird flu vaccine project The World Health Organization and its partners launched a bid on Monday to speed up the development and distribution of H5N1 avian influenza, also known as bird flu vaccines in low and middle-income countries. The mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, collaboratively developed by WHO and MPP, was launched in July 2021 to enhance the capacity of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for the development and production of mRNA-based vaccines. As a […] today30 July, 2024
insert_link Africa Africa leads in reducing new HIV infections – report By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Africa's prevention measures in the fight against new HIV infections are paying off, according to a new report by UN AIDS. The report, "The Urgency of Now: AIDS at a Crossroads," unveiled on July 22 at the 25th International AIDS Conference in Munich, highlights that sub-Saharan Africa has achieved the steepest reduction in HIV cases compared to 2010. “Four […] today29 July, 2024
insert_link Africa Foreign healthcare volunteers in Africa can harm local relationships – Zambian study By James Wintrup, Chr. Michelsen Institute Thousands of global health volunteers, most from the United States, travel to Africa every year. These volunteers come from diverse backgrounds and have varying levels of experience. They include surgeons, anaesthesiologists, nurses and medical students. They arrive with the ambition to improve health outcomes in Africa and learn about “global health”. In my research I have studied the […] today6 June, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical Pharma firm urged to share new ‘game-changer’ HIV drug By Daniel Lawler Paris, May 30, 2024 (AFP) - More than 300 politicians, health experts and celebrities on Thursday called for US pharmaceutical giant Gilead to allow cheap, generic versions of a promising new HIV drug to be produced so it can reach people in developing countries most affected by the deadly disease. The drug lenacapavir could be a "real game-changer" in the fight against […] today30 May, 2024
insert_link Africa How expensive it is to be poor: Prof. Abdoulaye Diabaté inspires global action against malaria at TED2024 In a stirring address at TED2024, Prof. Abdoulaye Diabaté, Head of Medical Entomology and Parasitology at the Research Institute in Health Sciences in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, and Principal Investigator of Target Malaria Burkina Faso, shared his journey with malaria and his resolute commitment to eradicating it. Prof. Diabaté's talk shed light on the devastating toll of malaria, particularly in Africa, and stressed the urgent need for transformative solutions. […] today30 April, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical Namibia marks World Immunisation Week This week is World Immunisation Week, with this year celebrating 50 years of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation. The World Health Organisation director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, says they are calling on world leaders to advocate, support, and fund vaccines and immunisation programmes. The week is marked under the theme of ‘Humanly Possible’. Here is the Minister of Health and Social Services Dr. Kalumbi Shangula for his message. Vaccines Save […] today29 April, 2024
