Cancer is rising and is expected to become the leading cause of global deaths in the 21st century, according to experts from a World Health Organization research agency on cancer. Lung cancer is the most common and the leading cause of cancer deaths, the agency found in its newly published study, the first since 2012. However, political commitment lags behind when it comes to prevention, speakers said at a press briefing at the UN in Geneva today. Continue reading ->
Negotiators' agreed draft text for a United Nations political declaration on ending tuberculosis worldwide has been posted for all member states to see, and negotiators hope, not comment on. Under a UN procedure, the text has been placed "under silence" until 10:00am New York time on 14 September. If no one breaks the silence, the text is considered agreed and will advance to the High-Level Meeting on tuberculosis on 26 September as part of the annual UN General Assembly. Continue reading ->
In a continent where most countries are struggling to provide for the basic needs of their citizens, investing in innovation, research and development for solutions that could ensure citizens’ well-being is an uphill task. Continue reading ->
Some 60 percent more Africans die from cancer than malaria, and the number of cancer deaths is expected to increase almost 70% by 2030, according to experts. Breast, cervical, prostate, lymphoma and colorectal constitute the top five cancers diagnosed on the continent. In order to address this emerging cancer crisis, the African Access Initiative (AAI) was launched over a year ago. Continue reading ->
Many of the products critically needed to fight some of the world’s most prevalent infectious diseases are not likely to be developed. This is the outcome of a new analysis, which reveals significant gaps in funding for health innovation. Continue reading ->
A new pilot project conducted in a remote region of Zambia, MAMaZ Against Malaria, has demonstrated that with the right combination of access to medicines, trained community healthcare workers and rapid response rural transportation systems, malaria mortality in rural areas can be prevented, according to the project partnership. Continue reading ->
As many voices in Europe are getting louder about the increasing threat of medicines shortages, the European Medicines Agency and the Heads of Medicines Agencies task force on improving the availability of medicines in Europe just released its 2019/2020 work programme. Working groups tasked to tackle specific issues as well as a multi-stakeholder workshop in November are being set up. Continue reading ->
The president of Senegal has called on African leaders to increase their investment of resources into health. Continue reading ->
A record more than 41,000 children and adults in the World Health Organization European Region have been infected with measles - one of the most vaccine-preventable infectious diseases known to man – in the first 6 months of 2018, according to a newly published WHO press release. The total number for this period far exceeds the 12-month totals reported for every other year this decade, and this has policymakers grasping for ways to address the rise, while a WHO official says elimination is possible. Continue reading ->
Faced with the growing challenge of lifestyle diseases - already the second biggest killers in Kenya after HIV/AIDS, with cardiovascular diseases leading in the category - the government recently launched guidelines for cardiovascular disease management. Continue reading ->