Category: AFRICA

AVAC Facilitates Translation of Health and Scientific Terms Into 10 African Languages

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a bid to bridge information gaps between scientific research and community understanding, AVAC has launched the Translation Index, a translation of health and scientific terms into vernacular languages for Six African countries. The Translation Index offers health journalists accurate translations of commonly used and essential medical terms in their native languages in six African countries namely Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. At this time the Translation Index supports the following languages: Bemba, Cichewa, Dholuo, Kiswahili, Luganda, Ndebele, Runyankore, Shona, Tonga, and Tumbuka. We welcome…

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Cameroon Introduces Malaria Vaccine Into Routine Vaccination

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Cameroon has become the first of many countries to introduce the RTS,S malaria vaccine into its routine immunisation programme. Cameroon’s move comes hot on the heels of a malaria vaccine pilot programme that was carried out in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi. The introduction comes as efforts gather pace to scale up vaccination against the disease in high risk areas in Africa. The vaccine is being rolled out across 42 health districts in the country’s 10 regions in public and private health facilities. The launch comes after Cameroon…

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WHO certifies Cabo Verde as malaria-free, marking a historic milestone in the fight against malaria

Healthtimes

A total of 43 countries and 1 territory have now been certified as malaria-free The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Cabo Verde as a malaria-free country, marking a significant achievement in global health. With this announcement, Cabo Verde joins the ranks of 43 countries and 1 territory that WHO has awarded this certification. Cabo Verde is the third country to be certified in the WHO African region, joining Mauritius and Algeria which were certified in 1973 and 2019 respectively. Malaria burden is the highest on the African continent, which…

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Zambia Postpones School Opening Due to Cholera Surge

Healthtimes

Lusaka Times In response to a surge in cholera cases, the Zambian government has announced the deferment of the 2024 Term One school opening from the initially scheduled date of January 8th to January 29th. Education Minister Hon. Douglas Syakalima made the official announcement today in Lusaka, emphasizing the need to prevent and mitigate the spread of the disease. Minister Syakalima clarified that this postponement applies to all public, private, aided, and community learning institutions, including Early Childhood Education (ECE) centers, primary, and secondary schools. Learners at all levels are…

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WHO prequalifies a second malaria vaccine

Michael Gwarisa

WHO has added the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine to its list of prequalified vaccines. In October 2023, WHO recommended its use for the prevention of malaria in children following the advice of the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization and the Malaria Policy Advisory Group. The prequalification means larger access to vaccines as a key tool to prevent malaria in children with it being a prerequisite for vaccine procurement by UNICEF and funding support for deployment by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The R21 vaccine is the second malaria vaccine…

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Road Accidents Kill More Young People Than HIV and AIDS- Data

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Even though the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) report on Road Safety shows a 5 percent reduction in traffic deaths globally, data from the same report confirm that road accidents are increasing at an alarming rate. The report shows that road traffic deaths have fallen slightly to 1.19 million per year. However, the price paid for mobility remains far too high as countries continue to lose more young productive people to road-related accidents. According to the report, there were an estimated 1.19 million road traffic deaths in…

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WHO Africa welcomes Gavi’s commitment to Africa vaccine manufacture, immunization and pandemic preparedness

Healthtimes

Brazzaville – The quest to protect Africa from vaccine-preventable diseases has received a significant boost, with the commitment of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance to invest US$ 1.8 billion to support  African vaccine manufacturing, catching up missed children and pandemic preparedness. The decision taken last week by the Gavi Board at its meeting in Accra, Ghana will help the continent to recover from the impact COVID-19 pandemic and be better prepared to respond to future public health emergencies. This commitment comes at an opportune time when the sub-Saharan African region is…

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Harare Declaration For African Women Who Use Drugs Launched

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a move that is to end discrimination, as well as promote harm reduction interventions for African women who use drugs, women who use drugs recently read out content to the Harare Declaration by and for African Women who Use Drugs at the 22nd edition of the ICASA conference. Despite the growing adoption of policies and  mechanisms to protect women on the continent, Sub-Saharan African women who use drugs continue to experience inequality, violence, stigma, high exposure to HIV and discrimination from all sections of society. Even…

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#BREAKING: Zimbabwe Among Five Africa Countries Battling Anthrax Outbreak

Michael Gwarisa

By Own Correspondant Brazzaville – Five countries in East and southern Africa are experiencing anthrax outbreaks, with more than 1100 suspected cases and 20 related deaths reported since the start of the year. A total of 1166 suspected and 37 confirmed cases have been recorded in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe – where the disease is endemic, with seasonal outbreaks every year – according to data reported to World Health Organization (WHO). Of the five countries, Zambia is witnessing its largest outbreak since 2011, with nine of its 10…

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Fragile Health Systems Expose Africa To Untold Climate Change Disasters Says AMREF

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa For a long time, discourse on climate change has revolved around the effects of Climate Change on the environment in particular air pollution, an issue most prevalent in the Global North. Very little focus was being given to the impact of climate change on the health and well-being of the human population. However, for the first time in many years, African health Ministers and their counterparts from around the world converged in Dubai for the COP28 where they delivered a strong message regarding the impact climate change…

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