New UK Visa Rules Allow Exploited Care Workers to Leave Abusive Employers Without Losing Status
By Michael Gwarisa Thousands of migrant care workers in the United Kingdom facing exploitative or abusive working conditions could now have a crucial lifeline after the British Government changed visa rules to allow recognised victims of modern slavery to leave abusive employers without putting their immigration status at risk. The move could be particularly significant
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Once-Weekly HIV Pill Matches Daily Treatment in Landmark Phase III Trials Ahead of AIDS 2026
By Michael Gwarisa A once-weekly pill for HIV treatment has performed as well as standard daily therapy in two landmark Phase III clinical trials, bringing researchers a step closer to offering people living with HIV the world’s first complete once-weekly oral treatment regimen. The findings from the ISLEND-1 and ISLEND-2 studies will be presented at
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US Suspends Entry of Travelers From Uganda, DRC Over Ebola Outbreak Fears
Michael Gwarisa The United States has imposed emergency travel restrictions on travelers from Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and South Sudan following a growing outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, drawing concern from African health authorities who warned against punitive measures that could undermine outbreak response efforts. In an order issued
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Bahamas Eliminates Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission in Landmark Public Health Achievement
Michael Gwarisa In a significant public health milestone for the Caribbean, The Bahamas has been certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, marking a major step forward in the country’s long-running fight against the virus. The certification places The Bahamas among a small but growing group of countries
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Biggest Global Vaccine Catch-Up Delivers Over 100 Million Childhood Doses, but Millions Still Miss Routine Immunisation
Health Correspondent A global vaccination recovery drive launched in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has delivered more than 100 million vaccine doses to an estimated 18.3 million children across 36 countries, helping close dangerous immunity gaps caused by years of disrupted immunisation services. The initiative, known as The Big Catch-Up (BCU), was launched during
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Iran Conflict Could Push Condom Prices Up 30 Percent, Warns Manufacturer
Michael Gwarisa The world’s largest condom manufacturer, Karex Berhad, has signalled a potential 30 percent rise in condom prices due to pressures linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The company cautioned that prices could climb even further if the war continues to disrupt access to key raw materials needed for production. This development could
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Global South Pressures EU to Finalise Equity Clause in Pandemic Agreement
Michael Gwarisa With critical negotiations set to resume, countries in the Global South are ramping up pressure on the World Health Organization and the European Union to resolve a key gap in the Pandemic Agreement, the equitable sharing of vaccines, technologies and scientific benefits. The agreement, adopted in 2025 by the World Health Assembly following
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PEPFAR, Global Fund Expand Lenacapavir Access to Reach 3 Million in HIV Prevention Push
Michael Gwarisa Global efforts to scale up access to a groundbreaking HIV prevention injection have received a major boost after PEPFAR and The Global Fund announced additional investment in Gilead Sciences’ long-acting drug, lenacapavir, with the aim of expanding protection to millions at risk. The new commitment will support access for up to an additional
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EU Pledges US$750 Million to Fight HIV, TB and Malaria, Boosts AMR Response
Michael Gwarisa Amid declining donor support for health programmes in Africa and globally, the European Union has committed US$750 million (€700 million) to the Global Fund’s 8th replenishment to strengthen the fight against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. The announcement was made by Jozef SÃkela, Commissioner for International Partnerships, at the One Health Summit in Lyon,
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Gilead Refuses to Sell Lenacapavir to MSF Amid Rising HIV Risk
By Michael Gwarisa Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has accused pharmaceutical company Gilead of refusing to sell lenacapavir, a long acting injectable used to prevent HIV infection. MSF says the refusal follows multiple requests made over several months, including a formal meeting in which the organisation sought to purchase a
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