The World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported drug resistance to the world’s gold-standard antiretroviral medicine, dolutegravir  “exceeding levels observed in clinical trials” – with resistance ranging from 3.9% to 19.6%. This was potentially very bad news as dolutegravir has been the recommended first- and second-line HIV treatment for all population groups since 2018 – but […] Continue reading ->
Average concentrations of small and fine particulates (PM2.5 and PM10)  decreased across Europe between 2003-2019 – with the largest reductions in PM10,according to a new study published in Nature on trends over the past two decades. Despite air quality improvements, more than 98 of the European population lives in areas exceeding the WHO recommended annual […] Continue reading ->
The number of children who died before their fifth birthday has dropped to 2.9 million in 2022, reaching a historic low, according to the latest estimates of under-5 mortality released today by the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME).  And since 2000, the global under-five mortality rate has declined by more […] Continue reading ->
Many practical questions about how the pandemic agreement will be implemented – including how to finance countries’ pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPPR) – seem likely to be ceded to the Conference of Parties (COP). According to the latest pandemic agreement draft, a “Coordinating Financial Mechanism” will support the implementation of the pandemic agreement and […] Continue reading ->
The new draft of the pandemic agreement “is a step backwards rather than forwards”, according to Thomas Cueni, Director General of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA).  “It is critical that any agreement takes steps to ensure equity in access to medicines and vaccines in future pandemics, whilst preserving the innovation ecosystem […] Continue reading ->
The atmosphere at the Sokoto Noma Hospital, named after the city and state in north-west Nigeria bordering the Republic of Niger, is serene. The buildings are modest structures painted in soft, earthy tones. Several large trees form lush green canopies, providing shade from the afternoon sun. Huddled under the shade trees, caregivers — mainly mothers […] Continue reading ->