Events

Neglected Tropical Diseases: Progress Made, but Challenges Remain

Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its latest progress report on the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) entitled “Global report on neglected tropical diseases 2023.” The report highlights the progress and challenges of delivering NTD care around the world, against a backdrop of COVID-19-related disruptions. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, says, “Around the world, millions of people have been liberated from the burden of neglected tropical diseases, which keep people trapped in cycles of poverty and stigma.”

Nigeria: Program launched in Oyo state to expand HIV treatment coverage among children and pregnant women

The United States Government, through the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), launched the Accelerating Progress in Pediatrics and PMTCT (AP3) program in Oyo State to scale up HIV case identification among pediatric and adolescent populations and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT). Through AP3, the US CDC supports Nigeria’s efforts to close existing treatment gaps in these populations and work towards sustained HIV epidemic control. At the AP3 launch in Ibadan, US Consul General Will Stevens emphasized that “existing

New study shows Nigerians are turning elsewhere for diabetes education

New research from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reveals that only 47% of people living with diabetes in Nigeria find their healthcare practitioner to be the most useful source for information to help manage their condition. This means people are turning elsewhere  to receive education, with the figures – released ahead of World Diabetes Day on Monday 14 November  – showing people in Nigeria using a number of other sources, with one in five (21%) turning to Google for

Less than half of people living with diabetes in Africa know their status

Only 46% of people living with diabetes in the African region know their status, raising the risk of severe illness and death, potentially worsening the situation in the region which already has the world’s highest mortality rates due to the disease, a new analysis by World Health Organization (WHO) shows. Globally, 55% of people with diabetes know they have diabetes. In the African region, lack of testing facilities and equipment, inadequate number of trained health personnel, poor access to health facilities

Over $4bn committed to end malaria and neglected tropical diseases by 2030

Global leaders led by African Heads of State have today announced the first in a series of pledges to accelerate progress against malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) at the historic Kigali Summit on Malaria and NTDs. Hosted by His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, the Kigali Summit featured commitments totalling more than $US 4 billion including funding from governments, international organisations, philanthropists, and private sector support. In addition, 18 billion tablets have been donated by pharmaceutical companies for

We can accelerate our efforts to achieve a malaria-free Africa — Moeti

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa expressed optimism in the actualization of a malaria-free Africa. In a statement to mark the World Malaria Day 2022, Moeti said there is the need to urgently scale up innovation and the deployment of new tools in the fight against malaria, while advocating for equitable access to malaria prevention and treatment, within the context of building health system resilience. The past year has seen significant breakthroughs in malaria prevention and control, in spite

COVID-19 deaths are increasing in Africa, WHO warns

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concerns about the trend of COVID-19 deaths in Africa. Addressing the 150th Executive Board Meeting of the WHO, the organization’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that while the number of deaths from the pandemic is rising, it is particularly increasing in Africa where the least proportion of citizens have been vaccinated. “So far, the explosion in cases has not been matched by a surge in deaths, although deaths are increasing in all regions,

WHO warns COVID-19 more deadly in Africans with diabetes

Africa’s sharp increase in diabetes is clashing with the COVID-19 pandemic and poor access to vaccines. Africa’s death rates from COVID-19 infections are significantly higher in patients with diabetes, according to a preliminary analysis which the World Health Organization (WHO) presented today in advance of the World Diabetes Day on 14 November. “COVID-19 is delivering a clear message: fighting the diabetes epidemic in Africa is in many ways as critical as the battle against the current pandemic,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti,

Chivita Celebrates World Juice Day

Leading fruit juice brand, Chivita has held its 3rd Annual Chivita World Juice Day. This year’s edition of the event provided the platform to educate and encourage consumers to be focused in taking control of their own well-being with fruit juices as part of their daily nutrition for wellness.  It was also an opportunity to showcase creative expressions with Chivita fruit juices from mixologists, availing discerning consumers the license to create their own exciting recipes and experience the combos to boost

Patients diagnosed with breast cancer need to have right information and expectations — Expert

Ifeoma Joy Okoye, Professor of Radiology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka has stressed the need for patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer or even metastatic breast cancer to have the right information and expectations. “It is our duty to encourage them to have open conversations with their healthcare teams to understand how they can be supported but also how they can participate in their own care – taking an active role in their treatment can help