Tag: The Union

Safer, Shorter, And More Effective Treatment Discovered For Tb

Michael Gwarisa

· Breakthrough research presented at The Union World Conference for Lung Health includes new drug with potential to shorten and improve treatment for nearly all forms of TB; · Trial is underway for “universal regimen” for drug-sensitive and drug-resistant TB; · New research suggests that rats are able to detect TB; · Pioneering battery-operated tests herald new opportunities for rapid diagnostic capabilities Paris; November 16th 2023: Researchers have announced a drug that has the potential to shorten and improve treatment for nearly all forms of TB, on the second day…

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Economic Challenges Derail National TB Response

Patricia Mashiri

THE country’s continued woes are taking the National Tuberculosis (TB) response off rails as many people are failing to access TB screening and testing services, resulting in them presenting late at health facilities. By Patricia Mashiri The country has been recently removed from the TB high burden risk country but it however remains one of the country with high TB drug resistance. Speaking during a TB media café, Mrs Edna Masiyiwa, Director Women Action Group (WAG) said lack of funding was one of the problems why people get late diagnosis…

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Zim Removed From TB high Burden Countries List

Patricia Mashiri

THE World Health Organisation (WHO), has  removed Zimbabwe from the list of Tuberculosis (TB) high burden countries in its recent global updated list of high burden countries. By Patricia Mashiri The new lists are for 2021–2025 and replace those previously used between 2016 and 2020. Zimbabwe together with other high TB burden countries such as Cambodia, the Russian Federation transitioned  out of the list. Speaking to HealthTimes, Dr Charles Sandy, the Deputy Director, TB and HIV Services  in the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) said there was some…

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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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51st Union World Conference on Lung Health to be held virtually 20-24 October 2020

Healthtimes

IN light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) has announced today that the 51st Union World Conference on Lung Health (Union World Conference) will be virtual. HealthTimes Reporter Originally planned to be held in Seville in Spain, the event will continue to host a programme featuring cutting edge science around tuberculosis (TB), air pollution and tobacco control, but also deliver a track and special sessions dedicated to COVID-19 and its intersection with lung health and infectious diseases. Dr Anthony Fauci, Director of NIAID and…

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COVID-19 and clinical distancing

Michael Gwarisa

THE International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) has today described the development of two novel devices, a negative pressure procedural tent and a portable helmet device, as having the potential to protect healthcare workers and transform the care of COVID-19 patients across the globe. The devices were developed by a team of engineering and medical staff at the University of Michigan. Both devices create a negative pressure environment for the wearer, which is essential for severely ill COVID-19 patients as a negative pressure environment prevents the infected…

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De-funding WHO Will Be Catastrophic- The Union Warns

Michael Gwarisa

THE International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) expressed its indignation at the decision by US President Trump to announce the suspension of its funding of the World Health Organization (WHO). The Union President,Professor Guy Marks said,“Undermining the WHO at a time when it is courageously leading the global coordination of the COVID-19 response is appalling public health policy. Infectious respiratory diseases know no borders and now is not the time to hinder global collaboration. The main game at present is to save lives, not to put them…

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Shortened DR TB Treatment Offers Ray Of Hope For TB Patients

Michael Gwarisa

A Study by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) shows long-term effectiveness for shortened DR-TB treatment regimen up to 24 months after treatment completion Results from a Union-led observational study (1) published in The Lancet’s EClinicalMedicine, show that a nine-month shortened treatment regimen for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) delivered to patients under programmatic conditions maintains a good level of effectiveness up to 24 months after completion. Until now there has been limited data on the long-term effectiveness of this treatment regimen after completion. The study reports on…

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The Union Commences Targeted TB Screening In Communities

Michael Gwarisa

THE International Union Against Tuberculosis (TB) and Lung Diseases has commenced targeted screening  in Seke and Chitungwiza, with the aim of identifying screening treatment and treatment initiatives on the spot. By Michael Gwarisa According to The Union, the program is targeting high HIV and TB risk groups which include People Living with HIV (PLHIV), former and present miners, congregate settings, smokers, people in contact with TB patients, the elderly, malnourished persons, under 5s, health workers, ex prisoners and lost to followup TB patients. The Union has already released screening schedules …

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100 000 People Die Of Asthma Everyday- Report

NewsRoom

NOT less than 100 000 people are dying each day from Asthma, owing to inadequacies in treatment for people living with the disease, the 2018 Global Asthma Report has gathered. By Michael Gwarisa According to the report, more than 300 million have Asthma globally and the report launched today (31 August 2018) by the Global Asthma Network, highlights that around 1000 people each day are dying from asthma, yet many people, especially in low- and middle-income countries, are unable to access the quality-assured essential asthma medicines and care they need.…

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