- AU, EU Deepen Health Partnership with €100 Million Investment in Africa’s Health Systems
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- Merck Once-Daily ARV Pill Could Reach Market Soon
- Global South Pressures EU to Finalise Equity Clause in Pandemic Agreement
- Health Minister Dr Mombeshora Appeals for End to Nurses’ Strike
Eye Health A Neglected Public Health Issue In Africa
By Michael Gwarisa Sightsavers have warned that the continued neglect of Eye Care as a public health issue on the African continent was derailing efforts to respond eye-related diseases, resulting in more people developing blindness and irreversible eye complications. This comes amidst indications that globally, a billion people have a visual impairment that could have
Read MoreScientists Test Travel Vaccine Against Malaria
Following the successful rollout of a Malaria Vaccine, scientists are now testing the efficacy of a vaccine that protects travelers against malaria in other groups first. This also comes in the wake of field trials in older age groups – including people who are thinking of becoming pregnant – are in the works, while vaccines
Read MoreU.S. Government Delivers First Shipment of Injectable PrEP to Zambia
LUSAKA – Today, February 9, the United States government delivered to Zambia the first shipment of injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medicine for HIV prevention, making Zambia the second country in the world (after the United States) to offer injectable PrEP outside of a study setting. Injectable PrEP is a safe and effective HIV prevention tool
Read MoreMadagascar approves new law to remove testicles of paedophiles
Madagascar’s parliament recently passed a new law authorising the surgical castration of paedophiles convicted of their crimes. This move mirrors a similar law recently enacted in Kazakhstan, where the most egregious child sex offenders will undergo surgical genital removal. On February 2, the National Assembly of Madagascar approved the legislation, which permits the castration of
Read MoreAVAC Facilitates Translation of Health and Scientific Terms Into 10 African Languages
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
Read MoreCameroon Introduces Malaria Vaccine Into Routine Vaccination
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
Read MoreWHO certifies Cabo Verde as malaria-free, marking a historic milestone in the fight against malaria
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
Read MoreZambia Postpones School Opening Due to Cholera Surge
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
Read MoreWHO prequalifies a second malaria vaccine
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
Read MoreWHO Africa welcomes Gavi’s commitment to Africa vaccine manufacture, immunization and pandemic preparedness
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
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