India’s sanitation economy to double by 2021
It would be worth $62 billion in three years and the credit would go to Swachh Bharat Mission, say speakers at 18th World Toilet Summit
‘We could eradicate malaria by 2040’ says expert after revolutionary vaccine is approved by WHO
R21/Matrix vaccine was developed by Oxford University together with the Serum Institute of India and can reduce malaria by 75%
Consider updating COVID-19 vaccine composition to include omicron: WHO to authorities
The only other precedent we have for updating vaccines regularly based on the circulating strain is for flu. But the comparison may not be fair
Uganda declares end of Ebola disease outbreak: WHO
Uganda recorded a total of 164 cases & 55 deaths since the outbreak began September 20, 2022
5 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2021, 1.9 million stillborn: UN reports
A death of child or youth every 4.4 seconds; many could have been prevented with equitable access to high-quality healthcare
Pandemic treaty draft negotiations to begin in February 2023
Ensuring equity and solidarity, promoting preparedness while respecting sovereignty will form the crux of this document
WHO’s updated priority pathogen list to be out by early 2023
The current list includes COVID-19, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Ebola and Marburg
Global pandemic treaty: Soumya Swaminathan promises draft in 18 months
WHO chief scientist says most countries on board for pact to ensure fair sharing of vaccines, data during future pandemics
WHO launches global facility for pathogen storage, sharing and analysis
The sharing of pathogens is currently done bilaterally between countries; WHO BioHub will expedite the process
Progress against malaria continues to plateau: Report
Africa continues to carry the highest burden: It accounted for 94% of the world’s malaria cases and deaths in the last 20 years
Multiple crises: the cost of wasted time
Much like COVID-19, when WHO procrastinated, FAO too is “considering”when to declare the locust upsurge as a plague
Ideas for a pro-poor and pro-women approach to COVID-19
How economic and gender inequalities play out in a public health crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic; how local governments can respond …
World not on track to achieve TB targets for 2020: WHO
Between 2015 and 2018, only 6.3 per cent TB cases showed a cumulative decline, against the 20 per cent target by END TB strategy: Global …
WHO’s Ebola vaccination strategy ineffective in DRC: MSF
The aid agency has also called for an independent, international committee to manage Ebola vaccine stocks and their use
Minister claims no data for pollution-related deaths in India, studies say otherwise
Dr Harsh Vardhan said in Parliament on Friday that there is no conclusive data available in the country to establish direct correlation …
World No Tobacco Day: Tobacco farming adding to global food crisis, says WHO
Growing sustainable crops can help address acute global food insecurity, governments urged to stop tobacco farming subsidies
Governments discuss over 300 proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations
This is the 2nd meeting where countries worldwide came together to strengthen the mechanism in place to mitigate public health threats
World @ 8 billion: WHO handbook now covers family planning during epidemics, high-risk HIV
Practical measures detailed to support the continuity of family planning services during emergencies
Blame global warming for Pakistan floods; here’s why
Study finds five-day & 60-day maximum rainfall events this season were once in a 100 years events
Declare lumpy skin an epidemic, say Uttar Pradesh cattle owners; seek aid
Experts say mortality rate may have gone up to 10-15%, WHO has to declare the disease an epidemic first
Uncertain outcome, high cost: Why WHO doesn’t recommend convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19
Studies published in late 2020 and early 2021 made a case for plasma therapy in treating COVID-19
Wealthy nations starved the developing world of vaccines. Omicron shows the cost of this greed
10 high-income countries will be sitting on more than 870 million excess doses by end of 2021
Cervical cancer: 90% deaths in low and middle income countries with least access to HPV vaccine, screening
These countries also have low rates of vaccination against HPV
India’s first bird flu death: Back to zoonotic diseases
The disease has been on India’s radar since 2006; need to strengthen disease surveillance, train workforce and build robust …
WHO, Unicef target to avoid 50 million vaccine-preventable infections this decade
UN and other agencies launch new programme that aims to ensure immunisation benefits are shared equitably by humanity