Category Archives: Press Release

Study reveals new mechanism for rapid evolution of multi-drug resistant infections in patients

A research study led by the University of Oxford provides a transformational new insight into how antimicrobial resistance (AMR) emerges in patients with bacterial infections. The findings, published today in the journal Nature Communications, could help develop more effective interventions to prevent AMR infections developing in vulnerable patients. The study’s findings challenge the traditional view…

India’s Qure AI Wins Japan Smart Healthy Aging Initiative

Qure.ai, a leading company in AI-based radiology solutions, has been announced as one of the recipients of the Japan Smart Healthy Aging Initiative QuickFire Challenge, organized by Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC in Japan. Qure.ai’s proposal for the challenge focuses on revolutionizing stroke diagnosis and treatment using their AI-based head CT interpretation software called qER.…

Opioid pain relievers do not reduce acute lower back and neck pain, Lancet study suggests

There was no significant difference in pain levels in patients with lower back or neck pain who were given opioid pain relievers compared to those given a placebo, according to a randomised controlled trial published in The Lancet.  Lower back and neck pain are very common worldwide. Clinical guidelines currently recommend opioid pain relievers for…

WHO outlines 40 research priorities on antimicrobial resistance

WHO has published its first global research agenda for the world’s scientists to address the most urgent human health priorities to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It outlines 40 research topics on drug-resistant bacteria, fungi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis that must be answered by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. The WHO Global Research Agenda…

Emergency Care in Kenya: $18 million project for saving Moms and Babies

The Government of Kenya, the U.S. Government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Vodafone Foundation, Safaricom Plc, and M-PESA Foundation agreed to a new public-private partnership to bring the emergency transportation system m-mama to Kenya. Efficiently accessing transport in the case of obstetric emergencies can save the lives of mothers and newborns.  m-mama is an emergency referral…

160 cross-border women traders affected by the pandemic to benefit from a safe trade market

TradeMark Africa (TMA) jointly with Busia County Government, the Ministry in charge of EAC Affairs and development partners, have today officially launched a safe space market that will benefit 160 women cross-border traders, who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The construction of the market started in July 2021 as part of the Safe Trade Emergency Facility (STEF)…

Disorient the malaria parasite to prevent it from causing harm

When a human is bitten by a Plasmodium-infected mosquito, the parasite enters the bloodstream and travels to the liver, where it thrives for around ten days without causing any symptoms. After this period, Plasmodium re-enters the bloodstream, where it parasitizes red blood cells. Once inside the red blood cells, the parasites multiply in a synchronized 48-hour cycle. At the end…

Africa Health ExCon 2023: Showcasing Africa’s potential for investment in manufacturing, pharmaceutical business and innovative health technology

The Director General of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, has called for concerted efforts to protect the African population and ensure citizens have access to high quality health products through strengthening local manufacturing. This, he said, can happen if Africa must decrease its dependence on global agreements,…

Mailing at-home HPV sampling kits nearly doubles cervical screening uptake among hard-to-reach populations, US clinical trial suggests

At-home high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) sampling kits can help increase cervical cancer screening among under-screened women from low-income backgrounds, according to findings from a US-based clinical trial published in The Lancet Public Health journal.  The trial shows mailing kits to low-income, under-screened women and helping them book an in-person clinic appointment led to a two-fold…

Taking a common diabetes medication after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 reduces risk of developing long COVID by 40%, study finds

Taking a two-week course of metformin, a safe and affordable diabetes medication after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 leads to 40% fewer long COVID diagnoses over the following 10 months, compared to individuals taking a placebo, finds a new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal.  The long-term symptoms some people experience after SARS-CoV-2 infection,…