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
World Health Assembly to adopt resolution to strengthen preparedness for health emergencies
The resolution urges WHO members to increase domestic investment and ensure public funding for health emergency preparedness
India should not prefer Russian COVID-19 vaccine over own: Vaccinologist Peter Hotez
India has a golden chance to emerge as a superpower; vaccine dissemination would be a paramount challenge, Hotez says in an …
WHO includes an Indian diagnostic test in its global TB programme
The TrueNet assay, a new molecular test to diagnose TB, also checks for resistance to the rifampicin drug in about 90 minutes
New report flags use of antibiotics on animals
Out of 155 countries, 45 acknowledged using antibiotics on animals, says report by World Organisation for Animal Health; wake up call for India
Africa not on track to eliminate malaria by 2030 as envisioned: Report
Disruptions in access to health facilities, supply chain during COVID-19 pandemic impacted management of malaria cases
Former UK PM Gordon Brown now WHO ambassador for global health financing
Brown had warned that 100 million COVID-19 vaccines would go waste unless global leaders shared surplus supplies with the poorest countries
COVID-19: India may see 1.25 million excess deaths by November 1, says IHME
Daily rate of excess deaths due to COVID-19 was greater than 4 per million in Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya and Sikkim, the report …