For years, malaria has ruled mercilessly in certain regions of the world. Especially in Africa. Yet over the past decade, despite the absence of a malaria vaccine, one anti-malarial strategy sought to make a difference: more than 700 million doses of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) were distributed to young children, globally. The evidence is now […] Continue reading ->
One of the most intense debates in the pandemic accord negotiations is over how to fast-track the development and equitable rollout of vaccines and medicines, with pharmaceutical companies insisting that any infringement on intellectual property (IP) rights will stifle innovation and that voluntary arrangements are the way forward. A recent event to showcase voluntary licensing […] Continue reading ->
More R&D into already known emerging disease threats, from Mpox to Lassa fever would go a long way to both bolster developing countries’ preparedness as well as protecting the world, experts argue. Member state negotiations resume next week over a draft WHO convention on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response – which is supposed to be […] Continue reading ->
China will report around 11 million COVID-19 cases per week in June in its second major outbreak, data research firm Airfinity predicts. The current outbreak is caused by the XBB variant of the virus. This outbreak will be much smaller than the numbers reported during the first wave in late 2022, immediately after the country […] Continue reading ->
The United for Self-Care Coalition made calls to expand the current World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines on self-care during a panel event, “Self-Care a Foundational Component of Health System Sustainability,” at the 76th World Health Assembly on Wednesday. The United for Self-Care Coalition, a new coalition of like-minded groups and experts, marked their call to action […] Continue reading ->
As the world continues to learn the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new set of principles aiming the help guide the future of human rights in global medical emergencies was published and discussed on Tuesday at an event of the 76th World Health Assembly (WHA). The event, titled “Beyond Panic & Neglect: Building a […] Continue reading ->
A new “Zero+” version of a proposed World Health Organization pandemic accord being negotiated by member states has dropped previously strong language that conditioned use of public R&D funds to private sector commitments to price transparency and tech transfer of end products, among other measuress. However, the updated draft text, obtained by Health Policy Watch, […] Continue reading ->
As a wave of cholera outbreaks spreads around the world, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance said it expects the global shortage of oral cholera vaccines to continue until the end of 2025. Supply of oral cholera vaccines for preventative use could catch up to demand by 2026, but “urgent action is needed,” according to a vaccine […] Continue reading ->
The call and response of “Yes we can, end TB” at the Multi-Stakeholder Hearing (MSH) on tuberculosis (TB) made one thing clear — the voices of the community will be heard. With negotiations of the UN Political Declaration now underway, what does the TB community expect to see? Members of the global TB community, including […] Continue reading ->
The HIV pandemic has affected over 2.3 million people in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European Region, with nearly 300 new diagnoses made daily in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical turbulences in the region impacted the course of the HIV pandemic and the response, displacing populations, and disrupting access to care and HIV testing. […] Continue reading ->