Despite what some observes called an encouraging “change of tone”, this week’s round of World Trade Organization (WTO) debates over a proposed waiver on IP restrictions for COVID vaccines, treatments and other health products have concluded with no signs of substantive progress.  Meanwhile, Médecins Sans Frontières lashed out again at the European Union on Friday, […] Continue reading ->
Some 70 cases of Zika virus were identified in India’s Kerala State over the course of July – what represents the first cases to be reported in the southern Indian state, said WHO on Thursday. WHO provided no explanation as to why the report was first published months after the outbreak was initially identified. Subsequently, […] Continue reading ->
Brazil’s official death toll from COVID-19 reached 600,000 late Friday, the second-highest in the world after the US – and a leading epidemiologist blames the Bolsonaro administration for deliberately spreading the virus to achieve “herd immunity”. “Brazil’s federal government put in place a deliberate policy of exposing the population to the pandemic,” according to Cesar […] Continue reading ->
Discussions over a controversial World Trade Organization waiver on intellectual property related to COVID vaccines, treatments and other tools, have become more “constructive” said a senior WTO spokesman on Thursday, in a press briefing on the first day of the WTO’s two-day General Council meeting.  There has been a “subtle shifting in the direction of […] Continue reading ->