By Michael Gwarisa The Director-General of the Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC), Dr. Jean Kaseya, told a media briefing that local production of the Mpox vaccine on the continent will commence this year, although he did not provide specific timelines. In 2024, Africa CDC partnered with Bavarian Nordic to enhance vaccine manufacturing capabilities
Read MoreBy Michael Gwarisa Nigeria has the highest prevalence of skin bleaching in Africa, with 77% of its population using skin-lightening products, a new report has revealed. The November 2023 Regional Fact Sheet on Skin Bleaching in Africa, compiled by the African Health Observatory (AHO) under the World Health Organization (WHO), warns that the widespread practice
Read MoreBy Apophia Agiresaasi, GPJ Uganda KAMPALA, UGANDA — Days after an emergency cesarean section at a private clinic, Barbara Kwarikunda experienced excruciating pain. “I couldn’t eat,” she says. “I would feel pain whenever someone touched me. My stomach was swollen. I felt like something was bursting in my uterus.” Visits to the clinic didn’t help.
Read MoreBy Michael Gwarisa Controversial South African Member of Parliament Gayton McKenzie has proposed an immediate halt to all medical assistance, including Antiretroviral Treatment (ART), in response to the gap left by the cessation of aid from the United States government. In the final week of February, PEPFAR-funded HIV organizations in South Africa, which receive funding
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By Staff Reporter The AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA) and its regional partners have strongly condemned the recent cuts in United States (US) funding for HIV and tuberculosis (TB) programs, warning of catastrophic consequences for millions of vulnerable people across East and Southern Africa. In January 2025, the US government implemented a
Read More The 6th edition of the Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) 2025 commenced with a powerful call to action, urging African nations to unite in strengthening health systems amid growing challenges. At the kick-off press briefing, held at the Kigali Convention Centre, global and African health leaders underscored the urgency of tackling pandemics, climate-driven health threats, and
Read MoreBy Staff Reporter The decision by the US government to temporarily freeze funding to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) alongside all other foreign aid for at least 90 days has had immediate effects on people living with HIV (PLHIV), said Doctors Without Borders (MSF) grams can continue at least until April, we
Read MoreThe head of the U.N. AIDS agency said Monday the number of new HIV infections could jump more than six times by 2029 if American support of the biggest AIDS program is dropped, warning that millions of people could die and more resistant strains of the disease could emerge. In an interview with The Associated
Read MoreBy Staff Reporter The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) are proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) among Africa’s WHO Maturity Level 3 National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs). These agencies have established robust systems to ensure
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By Michael Gwarisa The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has removed Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) programs from its list of HIV prevention and care initiatives set to benefit under the Life-Saving HIV Care and Prevention Services limited waiver. The 90-day limited waiver, which permits the continuation of critical HIV care, treatment,
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