25/08/2022 Paul Adepoju

Ministers and government officials took on noncommunicable diseases, sickle cell disease, health system reforms in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and measures to fight tuberculosis among children in Africa during their meeting of the 72nd WHO Regional Committee for Africa this week. In an effort to curb Africa’s chronic disease crisis, African health ministers adopted […] Continue reading ->

WHO Advocates Prevention Focus in Africa

23/08/2022 Paul Adepoju & John Heilprin

African nations need to pivot to prevention in their fight against disease by “addressing its root causes” through a greater focus on improved diets, healthier environments, and better road safety, among other factors, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the 72nd WHO Regional Committee for Africa meeting, at the opening of the weeklong session of […] Continue reading ->

Open Access 240 Compound Collection Launched in Fight Against Infectious and Mosquito-Borne Illnesses for World Mosquito Day

22/08/2022 Raisa Santos

To mark World Mosquito Day, 20 August, the Global Health Priority Box has been launched to provide free access to 240 compounds to stimulate research into new drugs and insecticides. The initiative, launched by the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and the Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC), provides scientists with starting points to advance the […] Continue reading ->

Malaria Vaccine Rollout by WHO and Gavi to Proceed Despite Limited Efficacy

22/07/2022 Paul Adepoju

“It’s better to reduce the number of children affected than not to do anything at all” The World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance are planning to go ahead with the mass rollout of the RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine, starting with three countries in Africa — Ghana, Kenya and Malawi — despite the […] Continue reading ->

Sanofi Launches Nonprofit Pharmaceuticals Line with Insulin and Cancer Treatments for Low-Income Countries

05/07/2022 John Heilprin

French drugmaker Sanofi is the latest pharmaceuticals manufacturer to offer a package of essential medicines at cost to health systems in the world’s most impoverished countries – including much-needed cancer and diabetes treatments. Sanofi on Monday announced the launch of the new nonprofit Impact® brand for dozens of medicines, that is supposed to ease support […] Continue reading ->

Getting Malaria Control Back on Track and Reimagining Global Health

28/06/2022 Paul Adepoju

In the wake of last week’s Kigali Summit on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases, getting malaria elimination back on track is a top priority says a senior Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation official – in addition to ensuring the world learns from the COVID pandemic that “global health” is truly a global matter. The world […] Continue reading ->

Hill: ‘Vaccines for Malaria Could Have a Huge Impact on Malaria Control’

25/06/2022 Ochieng’ Ogodo

As the Kigali Summit unfolds, Adrian Hill, director of Oxford University’s Jenner Institute, describes the great strides made in malaria control, and the contribution new malaria vaccines can make, including one designed at the Jenner Institute. He spoke to Health Policy Watch just ahead of this week’s meeting by heads of Commonwealth nations, which galvanized […] Continue reading ->

Kigali Summit Calls for Renewed Investment to End Neglected Tropical Diseases

23/06/2022 Raisa Santos

The Kigali Summit has called for the renewal of commitments in the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) through the adoption of the Kigali Declaration on NTDs. Sponsored by the government of Rwanda, the Kigali Declaration on NTD is the successor to the ground-breaking London Declaration of 2012, which was a pledge made by governments, […] Continue reading ->

The Fuss Over Who Should Declare Public Health Emergencies in Africa

20/06/2022 Paul Adepoju

Africa CDC wants to be able to declare public health emergencies of continental security but the WHO warns this could be a risky move that could isolate African countries and create confusion regarding response. The World Health Organization’s African Regional Office (WHO AFRO) has found itself explaining its disapproval of the Africa CDC’s quest for […] Continue reading ->

Protecting Children: 10 Years of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention

16/06/2022 Andre-Marie Tchouatieu & Abena Poku-Awuku

On the Day of the African Child, Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) reflects on what 10 years of seasonal malaria chemoprevention has meant for young children in the Sahel, and how to protect more children going forward. Malaria, a disease that is both a cause and consequence of poverty, has plagued endemic-country health systems, economies […] Continue reading ->