Category: AFRICA

Zimbabwe Among 17 African Nations to Receive WHO and Africa CDC Support for Targeted Mpox Vaccine Rollout

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe has been selected as one of 17 African countries to receive targeted support for mpox vaccine development, a major initiative spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The initiative aims to bolster vaccine preparedness and deployment efforts across the continent, with a focus on effectively reaching populations most at risk of mpox. Other countries benefiting from this support include Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia,…

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One Health and Climate: Dr. Onyango Speaks On Transforming Africa’s Health Resilience

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In 2024, African health ministers adopted a 10-year framework to build climate-resilient and sustainable health systems across the continent. This framework aims to guide World Health Organization (WHO) African region member states in translating global climate and health initiatives into concrete, actionable steps at the country level. For over a decade, the WHO has collaborated with member states and partners on policies and research initiatives to strengthen multisectoral efforts on health and environmental issues in Africa. These initiatives focus on creating strategies and frameworks that address the…

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Inaugural Climate and Health Conference Rallies Africa To Take Action Against Climate-Induced Health Threats

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Although Africa contributes less than 4% of global carbon dioxide emissions, it faces some of the harshest impacts of climate change on health and the environment, leaders at the inaugural Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC2024) have stated. Public health data shows that Africa is experiencing numerous climate-linked health hazards more than other regions in the world. This largely has to do with an already weakened health system and the absence of reliable early warning systems amongst a host of other factors. According to the World Health…

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Sierra Leone Nurses Empowered With Nurse Anaesthesia Diploma Programme

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter In a groundbreaking partnership to address the critical shortage of anesthesia providers in the country Mercy Ships (www.MercyShips.org), Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health, and the University of Sierra Leone have launched a Nurse Anesthesia Diploma Programme. This initiative aims to improve surgical care capacity by training specialized nurse anesthetists, ensuring lasting healthcare improvements even after Mercy Ships the port of Freetown. Suzanne Thomas, Mercy Ships Director of Education, Training, and Advocacy emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “Our partnership with the Ministry of Health and the University…

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Urgent action needed to accelerate mental health progress in African region

Michael Gwarisa

The African region has made progress over the past decade to strengthen mental health systems, including investments to improve care, health workforce as well as national policies to steer the delivery of vital services. However, the pace of the progress is slow and further efforts are needed to address mental health challenges and ensure well-being. Notable advancements in the region include a 14% improvement in the ratio of mental health specialists to population in the six years to 2020, as well as the introduction of mental health care training for…

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Zambia records first mpox case: Health minister

Healthtimes

Zambia’s Health Minister Elijah Muchima announced Thursday the first-recorded mpox case in the country. The 32-year-old Tanzanian male patient traveled from a neighboring country last month and presented symptoms earlier this month. He is currently admitted to a health facility in the Central Province. Given the patient’s extensive travel history and interaction at multiple points in Zambia, there is a heightened risk of local transmission and potential cross-border spread. Following the confirmation of his test results, the Ministry of Health, through the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), has heightened…

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Mercy Ships and West African College of Surgeons Collaborate to Elevate Surgical and Anesthesia Training in Africa

Michael Gwarisa

By Own Correspondent In a landmark collaboration, the West African College of Surgeons (WACS) has granted an accreditation to Mercy Ships’ (www.MercyShips.org) surgical and anesthesia training programmes. This partnership reflects the shared commitment of both organizations towards advancing medical education in the region, offering medical trainees unparalleled opportunities to gain specialized qualifications through their experience aboard the international charity’s hospital vessels. The clinical and scholarly endorsement from WACS has been celebrated by Mercy Ships as a huge milestone in continuing to deliver of the organization’s Education Training and Advocacy (ETA)…

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Zimbabwe Amongst African Countries With Growing Disabling Hearing Loss Burden

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The World Health Organization (WHO) has projected an increasing burden in disabling hearing loss in Africa at the back limited capacity to handle hearing loss ailments, an ill-equipped workforce amongst a host of other factors. Data from 43 African countries show that while 36 countries provide EHC services at the tertiary level, similar services are not offered at primary care level. This is despite the fact that the common causes of hearing loss are mostly preventable through simple public health interventions, or measures to mitigate the risk…

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3-Month Dapivirine Vaginal Ring for HIV Prevention Demonstrates Superior Drug Release Compared to 1-Month Ring

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter Lima, Peru – The Population Council, an international nonprofit research organization, announced today at HIVR4P 2024, the 5th HIV Research for Prevention Conference, the results of a phase I open-label randomized crossover relative bioavailability trial (IPM 054). The trial found that a 3-month dapivirine vaginal ring delivers the active antiretroviral drug, dapivirine, at higher levels than the 1-month dapivirine vaginal ring. The trial, conducted among   124 women in South Africa, suggests that the longer-acting ring will be as effective as the 1-month ring, offering a more cost…

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WHO approves first mpox diagnostic test for emergency use, boosting global access

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed the first mpox in vitro diagnostic (IVD) under its Emergency Use Listing (EUL) procedure, an important step in improving global access to mpox testing. The approval for emergency use of the Alinity m MPXV assay, manufactured by Abbott Molecular Inc., will be pivotal in expanding diagnostic capacity in countries facing mpox outbreaks, where the need for quick and accurate testing has risen sharply. Early diagnosis of mpox enables timely treatment and care, and control of the virus. Limited testing capacity…

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