Tag: malawi

South Africa, Malawi Among African Countries Recording High drug-resistant gonorrhoea cases

Healthtimes

By Staff Reporter The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a renewed warning about the rapid rise of drug-resistant gonorrhoea, calling it a growing global threat that demands urgent action. The alert follows the release of new findings from the Enhanced Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (EGASP), which has tracked resistance patterns since 2015 and now reports sharp increases in resistance to key antibiotics. The data release coincides with World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2025, underscoring the global significance of the threat. According to the latest EGASP report, resistance to the…

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Zambia launches malaria vaccine to protect over half a million children

Michael Gwarisa

Lusaka – The Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the malaria vaccine (R21/Matrix-M) as part of its Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), marking a historic milestone in the country’s fight against malaria. Over 500 000 children aged 6‒8 months will be vaccinated in the months following the launch. Malaria remains one of Zambia’s leading causes of illness and death, particularly among children under five years of age. In 2023 alone, malaria incidence among this age group rose to 523 cases per 1000 population, according to the…

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Zimbabwe Among 14 African Nations Facing Alarming Rise in Drug-Resistant Infections

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  Results from a newly published study highlight the growing spread of drug resistance across 14 African countries, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen laboratory testing, data systems, and health planning to tackle hard-to-treat infections. The study, known as the Mapping Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use Partnership (MAAP), is the largest of its kind ever conducted in Africa. It was led by a coalition including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), One Health Trust, and other regional partners.…

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Malawi Launches Second Edition of Pathogen Genomic Surveillance Strategy and Implementation Plan

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter The Malawi Ministry of Health, launched its updated plan for the implementation of its Genomic Surveillance Strategy that was produced with technical support from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention – Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Africa PGI) on 3 July. As pathogen genomics provides a powerful approach towards the investigation, management, and surveillance of infectious diseases, the plan is geared to include integration of multi-pathogen genomic surveillance into existing public health systems, research and development. The second version of the plan is aligned to Africa…

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Zimbabwe Joins Rollout of First-Ever Oral Treatment for Deadly Sleeping Sickness

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is among five African countries that have started administering the world’s first all-oral treatment for Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense sleeping sickness—a rare but deadly disease that has long affected communities in East and Southern Africa. The development marks a turning point in the fight against this neglected tropical disease, especially in endemic regions like Zimbabwe, where tsetse fly infestations remain a concern. The new drug, Fexinidazole Winthrop, is now being offered free of charge in specialized treatment centres in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Zambia. Its approval…

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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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Africa must rope in private sector in funding HIV Programs

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere WITH the discourse on funding for HIV programs being dominated by the Government and donor partners, a leading Malawian researcher says involving players is critical through innovative means such as taxes and levies. While countries such as Zimbabwe came up with the innovative AIDS levy, it has been an envy of many African countries. Professor Ann Maureen Phoya while addressing the media at an ICASA press conference Wednesday said the private sector should be roped in the HIV response financing. “We also need to raise money through…

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New WHO Findings On Possible Links Between COVID-19 And Chinese Sea Food Market Call For Action Against Zoonotic Diseases

Michael Gwarisa

By Dingaan Mithi For many months, there has been speculation on the possible origins of Covid-19. While there is no conclusive proof or evidence as to where exactly the virus originated from, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) blamed the Chinese government, pointing to a laboratory leakage of the virus, a new report by public health experts finds that Covid-19 could have originated in raccoon dogs. On 4 March 2023, scientists discovered accessions posted publicly on the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID), a global science initiative…

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Zim on cholera high alert: Health Ministry

Kuda Pembere

With some Zimbabweans dreading a rebound of a cholera epidemic, a senior Ministry of Health and Child Care official has allayed the fears saying there are no cases in the country yet noting they are on high alert. By Kudakwashe Pembere The country was hit twice by the epidemic which was reported first in Glen View and Budiriro high density suburbs. Zimbabwe got affected by Cholera in 2008 which saw many mortalities and 2008 with low mortality rates but the disease was severe due to antimicrobial resistance. Malawi is currently…

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Merck Foundation Trains 100 African Cardiovascular Experts

Healthtimes

Merck Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany in partnership with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Medical Societies, and Academia celebrated the World Heart Day by providing one-year Post-Graduate Diploma and two-year Master degree in Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine to 100 doctors from 25 countries in Africa and Asia. By Patricia Mashiri The initiative shows commitment towards building Cardiovascular preventive care capacity in Africa, Asia and beyond. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation said he was proud of the training they have been providing so far in…

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