African Health Ministers Pledge Accelerated Action to End Malaria Deaths

Ministers of Health from African countries burdened with the highest malaria rates committed today to intensified efforts to eradicate fatalities from the disease. They vowed to address the menace of malaria sustainably and equitably across the African region, which accounts for a staggering 95% of malaria-related deaths globally. Gathered in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the Ministers ratified…

Wave of new commitments marks historic step towards the elimination of cervical cancer

Governments, donors, and international organizations have pledged significant new commitments totaling nearly US$600 million to combat cervical cancer, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against this preventable disease. The announcements were made at the inaugural Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Forum held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. The forum, attended by experts and stakeholders from…

Experts Raise Concerns Over Blood Wastage at Africa Society for Blood Trsnsfusion Congress in Uganda

Experts at the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion (AfSBT) congress in Munyonyo are raising concerns about blood wastage in hospitals, highlighting the need for proper stock management and optimal blood utilization practices. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that while developed countries have a blood wastage rate between 0.1% and 6.7%, there is limited information…

SynaptixBio Earns Second FDA Orphan Drug Designation for Rare Disease Treatment

  SynaptixBio, a prominent biotech firm dedicated to combating rare and deadly diseases, has achieved a significant milestone by securing a second Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).   The company’s initial ODD, obtained in early 2023, targeted Hypomyelination with Atrophy of the Basal ganglia and Cerebellum (H-ABC), the…

Preterm infants at disproportionately high risk from RSV

Researchers call for closer monitoring of this group, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. 26 February 2024 by Linda Geddes Preterm infants are at disproportionately high risk of serious illness caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – a threat that continues into their second year of life, research suggests. The finding implies that interventions to prevent…

African-made Auto-disable Syringes are Bolstering Immunisation on the Continent

In Kenya, Joyce Chimbi spoke to the first African manufacturer of WHO-prequalified, safe, single-use syringes.  27 February 2024 by Joyce Chimbi Reusable syringes are risky. They’re more likely to cause infection, and have been linked to the transmission of blood-borne diseases like HIV, and hepatitis B and C. They’re also able to be used, resold, and…

Mass Measles Vaccination Begins in Hoima

Hoima district has launched a massive measles vaccination campaign following a confirmed outbreak in several villages along Lake Albert’s shores. The outbreak was identified in four villages in Kiganja and Buseruka sub-counties after samples from affected individuals tested positive for measles at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI). To date, 302 people have been affected,…