Category: Global Health

We also look at whats happneing across the world

TREATS tuberculosis (TB) study launches COVID-19 study using existing mobile TB testing facilities in Zambia

Healthtimes

A major TB study currently underway and aimed at investigating methods to reduce TB prevalence and infection in Zambia and South Africa will soon begin testing for COVID-19 using existing mobile TB testing facilities in the Bwacha – Ngungu community of Kabwe in Zambia. HealthTimes Reporter The 18-month study will be nested within the ongoing TREATS study to measure the prevalence and spread of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) in Zambia working with one urban community with a target population of 28,000. The country has recorded 11,345 confirmed cases with 282 COVID-19 deaths (classified…

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Retesting No Longer Required Before Discharging COVID-19 Patient- New Guidelines

Healthtimes

ACCORDING to new Centres for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, there is no longer need for health institutions to retest COVID-19 patients to determine whether they have recovered from the virus or not. The new guidelines  based on revisions made on July 17, 2020  state that “except for rare situations, a test-based strategy is no longer recommended to determine when an individual with a COVID-19 infection is no longer infectious (i.e., to discontinue Transmission-Based Precautions or home isolation).” Diagnostic testing categories have been edited to focus on testing considerations and actions…

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Nine COVID-19 Vaccines Under Assessment- WHO

Michael Gwarisa

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus says at least nine vaccines are part of a dynamic portfolio; which is constantly being reviewed and optimised to ensure access to the best possible range of products. By Michael Gwarisa In a Press Statement, Dr Tedros said 172 countries were now engaging with the COVAX Global Vaccines Facility, which has both the largest and most diverse COVID-19 vaccine portfolio in the world. At present there are nine vaccines that are part of this dynamic portfolio; which is constantly being reviewed…

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Every 23 Minutes, A Woman/Girl Dies F Unsafe Abortion- MSF

Michael Gwarisa

UNSAFE abortions remain one of the leading causes of maternal deaths the world over, with majority of the deaths being reported in the developing countries, the Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) has warned. By Michael Gwarisa According to the MSF, at least 7 million women are hospitalized every year due to complications from unsafe abortions whole a woman or girl dies after every 23 minutes from an unsafe abortion. Although the past two decades have seen major decreases in most leading causes of maternal deaths worldwide, one glaring exception remains: unsafe…

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How to recognize Covid-19 symptoms in children, based on pediatricians’ advice

Healthtimes

(CNN)Are parents really supposed to be reassured by all this talk about “mild” cases of Covid-19 in children? What about the unfortunate “few” youngsters who have died or come down with a strange and severe associated illness? No parent wants to take the odds that their child might be the exception to the rule. “We’ve had 90 deaths in children in the United States already, in just a few months,” Dr. Sean O’Leary, vice-chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, told CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Monday.…

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Safety Remains Top Priority As United States Government Develops Vaccine

Healthtimes

AS America and the world is working swiftly to develop a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, the United States Government has emphasized that they would prioritize safety above anything else in developing the much awaited vaccine. Many people are pinning their hopes on the development of a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19 that can stop the spread of the virus. Through its Operation Warp Speed initiative, the Trump administration is investing billions of dollars to accelerate efforts in the U.S. to develop, manufacture and distribute…

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Children Under 5 Could Spread Coronavirus More Than Adults- New Study

Michael Gwarisa

CHILDREN below the age of five could be major carriers of the coronavirus as compared to adults, a new study has found. By Michael Gwarisa According to the study “Age-Related Differences in Nasopharyngeal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Levels in Patients With Mild to Moderate Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19),” which was  published in JAMA Pediatrics and led by Dr. Taylor Heald-Sargent, a pediatric infectious diseases expert at the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, children are susceptible to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2…

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Heated tobacco use on the increase worldwide: Philip Morris International

Michael Gwarisa

PHILIP Morris International (PMI) has announced its 2020 second-quarter results, including reporting that its net revenues were down by 13.6 percent while certain categories within the company is seeing gains, including heated tobacco. By Michael Gwarisa In its latest report, PMI reported that cigarette and heated tobacco unit shipments were down by 14.5 percent. This included cigarette shipment volume being down by 17.6 percent and heated tobacco unit shipment volume being up by 24.3 percent to a total of 18.7 billion units. PMI’s market share for heated tobacco units in…

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Merck Foundation Marks World Artificial Reproductive Technology Day, Trains Embryologists and Fertility Specialists across Africa and Asia

Michael Gwarisa

MERCK Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks ‘World ART Day 2020’ through providing long term hands-on embryology training and clinical fertility specialists training to develop local Embryologists and fertility specialists to improve access to quality and cost-effective fertility care in Africa and Asia, this is as part of Merck More than a Mother campaign. Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, President of Merck More than a Mother and One of 100 Most Influential Africans (2019) emphasized, “I strongly believe in the critical role of Embryologists and…

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New study reveals Oxford coronavirus vaccine produces strong immune response

Healthtimes

A team of scientists at Oxford University’s Jenner Institute and Oxford Vaccine Group has taken the next step towards the discovery of a safe, effective and accessible vaccine against coronavirus. HealthTimes Reporter The results of the Phase I/II trial published today in the scientific journal, The Lancet, indicate no early safety concerns and induces strong immune responses in both parts of the immune system. The vaccine provoked a T cell response within 14 days of vaccination (white blood cells that can attack cells infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus), and an antibody…

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