WHO

Namibia’s Battle Against Cancer: A Conversation with Rolf Hansen, CEO of the Cancer Association

Rolf Hansen, CEO of the Cancer Association of Namibia, shed light on Namibia's evolving role in the global cancer landscape. Hansen addressed the changing dynamics of cancer, emphasizing the shift towards lifestyle-related factors as significant contributors. The interview delved into the impact of these changes on Namibia's cancer landscape, urging collective efforts to bridge the care gap for vulnerable community members. The Rise of Lifestyle-Related Cancers: Hansen began by highlighting […]

5 February, 2024

Health / Medical

Global cancer burden growing, amidst mounting need for services

Ahead of World Cancer Day, the World Health Organization (WHO)’s cancer agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), released the latest estimates of the global burden of cancer. WHO also published survey results from 115 countries, showing a majority of countries do not adequately finance priority cancer and palliative care services, as part of universal health coverage (UHC). The IARC estimates, based on the best sources of data available in […]

2 February, 2024

Health / Medical

Surge in Syphilis Cases Leads Some Providers to Ration Penicillin

Vials of injectable penicillin in cold storage at the Metro Public Health Department in Nashville, Tennessee. Injectable penicillin is the go-to treatment for syphilis and the only treatment considered safe for pregnant people with the disease. In mid-2023, the health department began rationing the injectable to just pregnant women because of a nationwide antibiotic shortage. Patients who test positive for syphilis and are not pregnant are given an oral antibiotic […]

2 February, 2024

World

Cancer cases to rise by 77% by 2050, according to WHO

Global cancer cases are predicted to rise by more than 75% by 2050, according to new estimates from the World Health Organization. The W-H-O's International Agency for Research on Cancer says tobacco, alcohol, obesity and air pollution are behind the predicted rise. Sally Patterson has more.

2 February, 2024

Africa

World NTD day: What are neglected tropical diseases and how is Africa successfully eliminating them?

Edith Magak, via bird story agency As the world observes the 5th annual Neglected Tropical Diseases Day on January 30, 2024, Africa’s commitment and progress in combating these devastating forgotten diseases is one of its greatest achievements. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), out of the 50 countries globally that have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease as a public health problem, 21 are in Africa. […]

30 January, 2024

Health / Medical

WHO awards countries for progress in eliminating industrially produced trans fats for first time

WHO has awarded its first-ever certificates validating progress in eliminating industrially produced trans fatty-acids to five countries. Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand have each demonstrated they have a best practice policy for industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFA) elimination in effect, supported by adequate monitoring and enforcement systems. WHO also released results from the first five years of its REPLACE initiative to eliminate iTFA. While the ambitious target set by WHO […]

29 January, 2024

Lifestyle

Geingob’s Transparency Helps to Break Stigma Regarding Men’s Health

By Vitalio Angula When the Presidency issued a press release two weeks ago regarding President Geingob being diagnosed with “cancerous cells” it sent shock waves amongst citizens, the media and political commentators alike. In a country were machismo is still deeply rooted in the culture of what a man ought to be, certain sectors of society applauded Geingob for his transparency regarding his health and took it as a reassurance […]

29 January, 2024

World

WHO and partners bring fuel to Al-Shifa, as remaining hospitals in Gaza face growing threats

WHO and partners completed another high-risk mission on Monday to resupply fuel to the Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people remain cut off from aid. Across the Gaza Strip, the few remaining hospitals find themselves in ever more dire circumstances, with hostilities often preventing access for patients and supplies, and health workers managing on little rest and scarce supplies. The mission was carried out along […]

24 January, 2024

World

Gaza Is Cleaning Up Its Piles of Garbage From the War, Including Human Waste

A new Unicef cash-assistance program is helping Gazans remove piles of garbage accrued during the war, including human feces. The goal is to stop the spread of infectious diseases in the enclave as millions of civilians are forced into flimsy shelters or to live in the streets. By Dawn Clancy via PassBlue Bombs, bullets and the suffocating weight of bodies trapped under slabs of fallen concrete where houses once stood […]

24 January, 2024