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kspp · 8 months ago

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Countdown Begins for TB Mukt Bharat.

24th March is observed as World Tuberculosis Day in the memory of Dr. Robert Koch.

In 1883, Dr Robert Koch discovered the bacteria that causes TB. However, it took 60 years since then for the discovery of its’ cure and another 6 years to actually test it on a human patient. Since then, there have been many scientific breakthroughs to detect and cure this disease, however, it continues to haunt many developing nations as a major public health challenge. WHO has recognized TB as one of the top 10 causes of morbidity and mortality in 2019. Even though it is prevalent in Asia, Africa, Caribbean countries etc, India alone accounts for over one-third of deaths in the world. COVID-19 pandemic has only made it worse.

In 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced to make India free of Tuberculosis in 2025, which is 5 years before the SDG 2030 timelines. This was a huge commitment. To bring this to fruition, multiple stakeholders, especially the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women and Child, ICMR, National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT) and the States have engaged and planned to eliminate this communicable disease, but how close are we from the intended goal?

In the recent report released by NIRT, Chennai – ICMR on 25th March 2022, there are revelations and insights that policymakers working in this area must actively look into. The report indicates that a mammoth nationwide survey, targeting over 3.5 lakh people was conducted before and during the COVID pandemic. NIRT aimed to cover 625 clusters across all states of which only 448 could be covered. The BIMARU states along with Haryana, which have higher incidences than the national average, defaulted the most from the protocol with each targeting less than 60% of the intended clusters. But, to give credit where its’ due, the will to complete this survey showed the commitment of all stakeholders to eliminate TB from India.

The report contains a study on the ‘Health Seeking Behavior’ of over 3 Lakh symptomatic participants across India, which clearly shows that of the 14k people showing symptoms eligible for a sputum test, 65% did not consult for TB symptoms due to various reasons, the most alarming being “Ignored symptoms – 68%” and “Could not afford to seek care – 11%”. Even though Government of India under various programmes and schemes is provisioning for free-of-cost diagnosis and cure along with awareness campaigns in all mediums, the impact is clearly questionable.

India has done well, but time is ticking away. 2025 is not far and we are way behind in achieve the goal of eliminating TB from India. If we only talk about pulmonary TB cases, the policymakers must consider recommendations given by NIRT with respect to including X-Ray and Molecular testing for more effective detection of TB. Given the current inflation (both urban and rural) in India because of various global phenomena, Nikshay Poshan Abhiyaan scheme to give direct cash transfers to patients of Rs. 500 for 6 months each, might not meet its intended goal of improving nutrition levels. Also, research shows that the duration DOT treatment can be reduced from 6 months to 4 months in cases where the severity of infection is lower. Making detection, escalation and treatment more robust is imperative.

We need a targeted approach for eliminating TB. The targeting must be done to cater to the most infringed and untouched parts of the populations in tribal areas, as well as remote parts of India, who have a deviant lifestyle with respect to prescriptions for TB, owing to traditions, social interactions or education levels. Women and Children must be given special attention to this approach as per their nutrition needs. States which are performing ineffectively, must catalyze their efforts and align with the national mission and create real-time dashboards for transparency and public involvement. Every state must trickle down district based targets for each day.

Lastly, the most vital means is awareness. Effective messaging should be given utmost importance to hammer the gravity of the situation in the minds of all sections and sub-sections of India, especially the states where the curative health infrastructure is in tatters. Early detection for better response should be one of the mantras going forward. Simultaneous capacity building for health infrastructure and awareness programmes to nudge people to take the tests will catalyze detection and give a better picture for conceiving subsequent mitigation strategies.

If we wish to make India ‘TB Mukt’ as early as possible, we take the right steps in the right direction. This cannot be done by Government alone as seen in the reports as well, support from private sector and Civil Soceity Organizations are a must. With ongoing research for easier solutions and a potential one-time vaccination for TB elimination underway, it is not an impossible dream but a tedious one at that.

#kautilyaschoolofpublicpolicy #policymakers #public policy

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publicadclerk · 1 year ago

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Who Is Involved in the Global Response to HIV and AIDS?

There are many nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), foundations, and other key partners engaged in the global response to HIV and AIDS. Below are some of the largest NGOs working to prevent new HIV infections and scale up access to treatment and related health services for people with HIV.

The Global Fund

The Global FundExit Disclaimer is a partnership designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria as epidemics. An international organization founded in 2002, the Global Fund mobilizes and invests more than US$4 billion a year to fight the deadliest infectious diseases, challenge the injustice that fuels them, and strengthens health systems in more than 100 countries. The Fund works in partnership with governments, civil society, technical agencies, the private sector, and people affected by the diseases to challenge barriers and embrace innovation..The Global Fund raises funds on a three-year cycle, bringing longer term predictability in the fight against AIDS, TB and malaria and in reinforcing resilient and sustainable systems for health. Governments, the private sector and nongovernmental organizations pledge funds to support our mission. The Global Fund provides 30% of all international financing for HIV programs and has invested $24.2 billion in programs to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS as of June 2022. Since 2020, the Global Fund has also stepped up to support countries to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the HIV response.

International AIDS Society

Founded in 1988, the International AIDS SocietyExit Disclaimer (IAS) is the world’s largest association of HIV professionals, with members from more than 170 countries. IAS convenes, educates and advocates for a world in which HIV no longer presents a threat to public health and individual well-being. After the emergence of HIV and AIDS, concerned scientists created the IAS to bring together experts from across the world and disciplines to promote a concerted HIV response. Today, the IAS and its members unite scientists, policy makers and activists to galvanize the scientific response, build global solidarity and enhance human dignity for all those living with and affected by HIV. The IAS also hosts the world’s most prestigious HIV conferences: the International AIDS Conference, the IAS Conference on HIV Science and the HIV Research for Prevention Conference. For more information, visit www.iasociety.orgExit Disclaimer.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDSExit Disclaimer (UNAIDS) is an international organization that leads the global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development GoalsExit Disclaimer. The organization provides strategic direction, advocacy, coordination, and technical support to help catalyze and connect leadership from governments, the private sector, and communities to deliver life-saving HIV services. It generates strategic information and analysis that increases the understanding of the state of the HIV epidemic and progress made at the local, national, regional, and global levels. It also leads the world’s most extensive data collection on HIV epidemiology, program coverage, and finance and publishes the most authoritative and up-to-date information on the global HIV epidemic. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizationsExit Disclaimer—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners to achieve its mission.

World Health Organization

The World Health OrganizationExit Disclaimer (WHO) is a United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable so that all individuals can attain the highest level of health. Within WHO, the Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections ProgrammesExit Disclaimer(WHO/HHS) leads the development and implementation of the global health sector strategy on the elimination of these three diseases as public health threats. WHO/HHS develops global evidenced-based guidelines and provides technical support to address public health gaps and challenges common to the three diseases. Visit WHO’s HIV/AIDS health topic pageExit Disclaimer for more country-specific information, data, and more.

KFF

The Kaiser Family FoundationExit Disclaimer (KFF) is a nonprofit organization focusing on national health issues, as well as the U.S. role in global health policy. KFF’s global health policy workExit Disclaimer focuses on providing the latest data and information on the U.S. role in global health to offer a comprehensive picture of the U.S. global health policy landscape, focusing on key issues facing policymakers, journalists, non-governmental organizations, and others working in the global health arena. In the area of HIV policy, KFF conducts research and analysis on current HIV-related policy issues, with a focus on the U.S. government’s response to the epidemic domestically and around the world. It also maintains a dashboardExit Disclaimer monitoring the status of PEPFAR countries’ progress toward achieving global HIV targets.

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thxnews · 1 year ago

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UK Government Funding Transforms Global Health

UN's Sustainable Development Goals in Focus

UK Pledges Support for Resilient and Inclusive Health Systems In a significant move to address future pandemics, advance vaccine research, and reduce infectious disease fatalities, the UK government has unveiled a comprehensive funding package. The announcement, made by International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell and Health Minister Will Quince during a series of health meetings at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, underscores the UK's commitment to achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Pioneering Research and Development Initiatives

Tackling Infectious Diseases and Saving Lives The funding, totaling up to £103.5 million, will primarily support the development of affordable vaccines and health products. These groundbreaking initiatives aim to curtail the spread of infectious diseases and enhance women's sexual and reproductive health, ultimately reducing preventable deaths worldwide. The UK Vaccine Network and various health research programs will benefit from this funding, ushering in a new era of health security.

Empowering Healthcare in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Investing in Cutting-Edge Technology The UK will allocate an additional £295 million to research and development efforts, with a focus on innovative technologies for responding swiftly to disease outbreaks. This investment aims to improve healthcare for mothers, newborns, and children in low- and middle-income nations. It will also facilitate the development of novel drug administration methods to ensure life-saving care reaches even the most remote areas.

Strengthening Partnerships in Africa

Tackling Deadly Diseases in Africa To bolster global health security further, the UK has earmarked £95 million for the Tackling Deadly Diseases in Africa Programme II. This program collaborates with several African nations, including Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside organizations like the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Its mission is to detect and combat future epidemics, and drug-resistant infections, and address climate change challenges in Africa.

Government Officials Express Commitment

UK's Transformational Contribution to Global Health Minister for International Development Andrew Mitchell emphasized the UK's dedication to revitalizing progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. He described the funding as "truly transformational" in creating more resilient and inclusive health systems worldwide. Health Minister Will Quince also underscored the life-saving impact of global health research. He also underscored the importance of vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics in preventing outbreaks, limiting their spread, and protecting populations both at home and abroad.

Paving the Way for Pandemic Preparedness

Accelerating Vaccine and Treatment Availability The third UN Sustainable Development Goal aims to "ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages." The UK's newly announced research and development funding is set to help partners prepare for, prevent, and rapidly respond to disease outbreaks with pandemic potential, including threats such as Ebola. The investment in vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics, along with strategic partnerships, will expedite the availability of vaccines and treatments during future pandemics.

A Commitment to Fighting Tuberculosis

Additional Funding for TB Alliance As part of its steadfast commitment to global health, the UK is set to provide an additional £5 million in funding to the TB Alliance for the year 2023/24. This significant contribution actively supports the research and testing of new or enhanced tuberculosis treatments, particularly those designed to combat multi-drug-resistant TB. It is expected to reduce the time required to cure TB and build upon the UK's cumulative funding of nearly £70 million since 2017.

A Legacy of Health Security Investment

The UK's Ongoing Efforts This week's UK government health announcements build upon the nation's extensive track record of investing in health security through international development. Since 2017, UK-supported initiatives have brought more than 30 new products to market, distributed over 1 billion courses of malaria treatments, potentially saving 13 million lives, and developed critical diagnostics for diseases like drug-resistant tuberculosis. The UK's comprehensive health package includes: - Up to £295 million for health research and development partnerships, promoting open and collaborative science. - £5 million of additional funding for the TB Alliance for 2023/24. - Up to £103.5 million for the UK Vaccine Network Project, supporting critical research into combating infectious diseases in developing countries. - £95 million for the Tackling Deadly Diseases in Africa Programme II, strengthening Africa's ability to combat future epidemics, drug-resistant infections, and climate change challenges. The UK's unwavering commitment to global health security is firmly positioned to create a lasting and profound impact, effectively aligning with the global community's visionary goal of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and collaboratively working towards creating a better world by 2030. Sources: THX News, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Department of Health and Social Care, Will Quince MP, & The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP. Read the full article

#Africanhealthcarepartnerships #diseaseoutbreaksresponse #globalhealthresearch #healthsecurityinvestment #infectiousdiseaseresearch #pandemicpreparedness #Sustainabledevelopmentgoals #TBAlliancefunding #UKGovernmentfunding #vaccinedevelopmentfunding

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pharmatimesng · 4 years ago

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COVID-19 Highlights Urgent Need to Reboot Global Effort to End Tuberculosis

An estimated 1.4 million fewer people received care for tuberculosis (TB) in 2020 than in 2019, according to preliminary data compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO) from over 80 countries- a reduction of 21% from 2019. The countries with the biggest relative gaps were Indonesia (42%), South Africa (41%), Philippines (37%) and India (25%). “The effects of COVID-19 go far beyond the death…

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#Global TB Programme #Tuberculosis #United Nations General Assembly

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sagunpaudel · 1 year ago

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World leaders commit to new targets to end TB

World leaders at the United Nations General Assembly’s High-Level Meeting on Tuberculosis have approved a Political Declaration with ambitious new targets for the next five years to advance the global efforts towards ending the TB epidemic. The targets include reaching 90% of people with TB prevention and care services, using a WHO-recommended rapid test as the first method of diagnosing TB;…

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#EndTB #Global Tuberculosis Programme #Global Tuberculosis Report #Political Declaration #Public Health Update #Tuberculosis

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joseamooney · 4 years ago

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20 Health Tips for 2020

The start of a new decade brings with it new resolutions to improve one’s life, including a healthier lifestyle. Here are 20 practical health tips to help you start off towards healthy living in 2020.

1. Eat a healthy diet Photo: FAO/J. Grey Eat a combination of different foods, including fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains. Adults should eat at least five portions (400g) of fruit and vegetables per day. You can improve your intake of fruits and vegetables by always including veggies in your meal; eating fresh fruit and vegetables as snacks; eating a variety of fruits and vegetables; and eating them in season. By eating healthy, you will reduce your risk of malnutrition and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer.

2. Consume less salt and sugar Photo: WHO/C. Black Filipinos consume twice the recommended amount of sodium, putting them at risk of high blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Most people get their sodium through salt. Reduce your salt intake to 5g per day, equivalent to about one teaspoon. It’s easier to do this by limiting the amount of salt, soy sauce, fish sauce and other high-sodium condiments when preparing meals; removing salt, seasonings and condiments from your meal table; avoiding salty snacks; and choosing low-sodium products. On the other hand, consuming excessive amounts of sugars increases the risk of tooth decay and unhealthy weight gain. In both adults and children, the intake of free sugars should be reduced to less than 10% of total energy intake. This is equivalent to 50g or about 12 teaspoons for an adult. WHO recommends consuming less than 5% of total energy intake for additional health benefits. You can reduce your sugar intake by limiting the consumption of sugary snacks, candies and sugar-sweetened beverages.

3. Reduce intake of harmful fats

📷 Photo: WHO/S. Volkov Fats consumed should be less than 30% of your total energy intake. This will help prevent unhealthy weight gain and NCDs. There are different types of fats, but unsaturated fats are preferable over saturated fats and trans-fats. WHO recommends reducing saturated fats to less than 10% of total energy intake; reducing trans-fats to less than 1% of total energy intake; and replacing both saturated fats and trans-fats to unsaturated fats. The preferable unsaturated fats are found in fish, avocado and nuts, and in sunflower, soybean, canola and olive oils; saturated fats are found in fatty meat, butter, palm and coconut oil, cream, cheese, ghee and lard; and trans-fats are found in baked and fried foods, and pre-packaged snacks and foods, such as frozen pizza, cookies, biscuits, and cooking oils and spreads.

4. Avoid harmful use of alcohol

📷 Photo: WHO/S. Volkov There is no safe level for drinking alcohol. Consuming alcohol can lead to health problems such as mental and behavioural disorders, including alcohol dependence, major NCDs such as liver cirrhosis, some cancers and heart diseases, as well as injuries resulting from violence and road clashes and collisions.

5. Don’t smoke

📷 Photo: WHO/Y. Shimizu Smoking tobacco causes NCDs such as lung disease, heart disease and stroke. Tobacco kills not only the direct smokers but even non-smokers through second-hand exposure. Currently, there are around 15.9 million Filipino adults who smoke tobacco but 7 in 10 smokers are interested or plan to quit. If you are currently a smoker, it’s not too late to quit. Once you do, you will experience immediate and long-term health benefits. If you are not a smoker, that’s great! Do not start smoking and fight for your right to breathe tobacco-smoke-free air.

6. Be active

📷 Photo: WHO/Y. Shimizu Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. This includes exercise and activities undertaken while working, playing, carrying out household chores, travelling, and engaging in recreational pursuits. The amount of physical activity you need depends on your age group but adults aged 18-64 years should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity throughout the week. Increase moderate-intensity physical activity to 300 minutes per week for additional health benefits.

7. Check your blood pressure regularly

📷 Photo: WHO/F. Tanggol Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is called a “silent killer”. This is because many people who have hypertension may not be aware of the problem as it may not have any symptoms. If left uncontrolled, hypertension can lead to heart, brain, kidney and other diseases. Have your blood pressure checked regularly by a health worker so you know your numbers. If your blood pressure is high, get the advice of a health worker. This is vital in the prevention and control of hypertension.

8. Get tested

📷 Photo: WHO/F. Tanggol Getting yourself tested is an important step in knowing your health status, especially when it comes to HIV, hepatitis B, sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) and tuberculosis (TB). Left untreated, these diseases can lead to serious complications and even death. Knowing your status means you will know how to either continue preventing these diseases or, if you find out that you’re positive, get the care and treatment that you need. Go to a public or private health facility, wherever you are comfortable, to have yourself tested.

9. Get vaccinated

📷 Photo: WHO/F. Tanggol Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent diseases. Vaccines work with your body’s natural defences to build protection against diseases like cervical cancer, cholera, diphtheria, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, pneumonia, polio, rabies, rubella, tetanus, typhoid, and yellow fever. In the Philippines, free vaccines are provided to children 1 year old and below as part of the Department of Health’s routine immunization programme. If you are an adolescent or adult, you may ask your physician if to check your immunization status or if you want to have yourself vaccinated.

10. Practice safe sex

📷 Photo: WHO/F. Tanggol Looking after your sexual health is important for your overall health and well-being. Practice safe sex to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhoea and syphilis. There are available prevention measures such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) that will protect you from HIV and condoms that will protect you from HIV and other STIs.

11. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing

📷 Photo: WHO/I. Brown Diseases such as influenza, pneumonia and tuberculosis are transmitted through the air. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, infectious agents may be passed on to others through airborne droplets. When you feel a cough or sneeze coming on, make sure you have covered your mouth with a face mask or use a tissue then dispose it carefully. If you do not have a tissue close by when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth as much as possible with the crook (or the inside) of your elbow.

12. Prevent mosquito bites

📷 Photo: WHO/Y. Shimizu Mosquitoes are one of the deadliest animals in the world. Diseases like dengue, chikungunya, malaria and lymphatic filariasis are transmitted by mosquitoes and continue to affect Filipinos. You can take simple measures to protect yourself and your loved ones against mosquito-borne diseases. If you’re traveling to an area with known mosquito-borne diseases, consult a physician for a vaccine to prevent diseases such as Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever or if you need to take antimalarial medicines. Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants and use insect repellent. At home, use window and door screens, use bed nets and clean your surroundings weekly to destroy mosquito breeding sites.

13. Follow traffic laws

📷 Photo: WHO/D. Rodriguez Road crashes claim over one million lives around the world and millions more are injured. Road traffic injuries are preventable through a variety of measures implemented by the government such as strong legislation and enforcement, safer infrastructure and vehicle standards, and improved post-crash care. You yourself can also prevent road crashes by ensuring that you follow traffic laws such as using the seatbelt for adults and child restraint for your kids, wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle or bicycle, not drinking and driving, and not using your mobile phone while driving.

14. Drink only safe water

📷 Photo: WHO/F. Guerrero Drinking unsafe water can lead to water-borne diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio. Globally, at least 2 billion people use a drinking water source contaminated with faeces. Check with your water concessionaire and water refilling station to ensure that the water you’re drinking is safe. In a setting where you are unsure of your water source, boil your water for at least one minute. This will destroy harmful organisms in the water. Let it cool naturally before drinking.

15. Breastfeed babies from 0 to 2 years and beyond

📷 Photo: WHO/T. David Breastfeeding is the best way to provide the ideal food for newborns and infants. WHO recommends that mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth. Breastfeeding for the first six months is crucial for the baby to grow up healthy. It is recommended that breastfeeding is continued for up to two years and beyond. Aside from being beneficial to babies, breastfeeding is also good for the mother as it reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type II diabetes, and postpartum depression.

16. Talk to someone you trust if you're feeling down

📷 Photo: WHO/F. Guerrero Depression is a common illness worldwide with over 260 million people affected. Depression can manifest in different ways, but it might make you feel hopeless or worthless, or you might think about negative and disturbing thoughts a lot or have an overwhelming sense of pain. If you’re going through this, remember that you are not alone. Talk to someone you trust such as a family member, friend, colleague or mental health professional about how you feel. If you feel that you are in danger of harming yourself, contact the National Center for Mental Health hotline at 0917-899-USAP (8727).

17. Take antibiotics only as prescribed

📷 Photo: WHO/F. Tanggol Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest public health threats in our generation. When antibiotics lose their power, bacterial infections become harder to treat, leading to higher medical costs, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality. Antibiotics are losing their power because of misuse and overuse in humans and animals. Make sure you only take antibiotics if prescribed by a qualified health professional. And once prescribed, complete the treatment days as instructed. Never share antibiotics.

18. Clean your hands properly

📷 Photo: WHO/F. Tanggol Hand hygiene is critical not only for health workers but for everyone. Clean hands can prevent the spread of infectious illnesses. You should handwash using soap and water when your hands are visibly soiled or handrub using an alcohol-based product.

19. Prepare your food correctly

📷 Photo: WHO/A. Esquillon Unsafe food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances, causes more than 200 diseases – ranging from diarrhoea to cancers. When buying food at the market or store, check the labels or the actual produce to ensure it is safe to eat. If you are preparing food, make sure you follow the Five Keys to Safer Food: (1) keep clean; (2) separate raw and cooked; (3) cook thoroughly; (4) keep food at safe temperatures; and (5) use safe water and raw materials.

20. Have regular check-ups

📷 Photo: WHO/Y. Shimizu Regular check-ups can help find health problems before they start. Health professionals can help find and diagnose health issues early, when your chances for treatment and cure are better. Go to your nearest health facility to check out the the health services, screenings and treatment that are accessible to you.

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verycleverboy · 4 years ago

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Dr. Fauci is still on the clock

The U.S. will remain a member of the World Health Organization under President Joe Biden, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Thursday, and intends to join a global alliance that aims to deliver coronavirus vaccines to low-income countries.

Speaking from Washington by videoconference one day after Biden was sworn into office, the U.S. chief medical advisor told the WHO’s executive board: “President Biden will issue a directive later today which will include the intent of the United States to join COVAX and support the ACT-Accelerator to advance multilateral efforts for Covid-19 vaccine, therapeutic, and diagnostic distribution, equitable access, and research and development.”

The Biden plan was released later Thursday. Here are the details.

The U.S. will also remain a member of the WHO and “fulfill its financial obligations,” Fauci said. In May, then-President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would withdraw from the WHO, but the process wasn’t expected to be finalized until this July.

(continue reading)

The Guardian reports another important rollback of Trump-era health policy:

“President Biden will be revoking the ‘Mexico City policy’ in the coming days as part of his broader commitment to protect women’s health and advance gender equality at home and around the world,” Fauci told the group’s annual executive board meeting.

The Mexico City policy, also known as the “global gag rule”, bans foreign NGOs from performing or promoting abortions as a condition of receiving US family planning aid. Introduced by Ronald Reagan in 1984, it has been repealed by every Democratic president and reinstated by every Republican one since.

Donald Trump implemented a more stringent version of the ban, under which organisations that refused to sign on were cut off from receiving any health aid, including for HIV, nutrition, tuberculosis and malaria programmes.

One family planning group that refused to sign the agreement, MSI Reproductive Choices, lost $30m a year in funding, money it says would have helped to prevent an estimated 6m unwanted pregnancies, 1.8m unsafe abortions and 20,000 maternal deaths.

#anthony fauci #Joe Biden #COVID-19 #World Health Organization

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vulcanette · 5 years ago

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Hozier’s music marketing team won the “Best Use of Podcasts” award from Music Ally for the Cry Power podcast. The accompanying article is VERY impressive, stating that,

“The podcast shot to the top of the iTunes Music podcast chart and appeared in the top 200 of all podcasts in 20 countries. At the time of writing, over 200k listens across all episodes and platforms have been recorded. Most importantly, the podcast has had a tangible impact on people taking action via the Global Citizen platform, driving over 27k visitors to the hub so far with almost 1k new registrations. Impressively, 54% of those who signed up have been converted into actiontakers, suggesting that listeners are inspired enough by the content to commit to making a real difference.

For example, the Annie Lennox episode drove listeners to get the UK government to grant funding to UNFPA Supplies – the world’s largest provider of family planning services like contraception. It worked: a month later, Britain committed £425m of UK aid money to the programme.

It’s not a one-time deal either — each new action-taker goes on to take an average of 4.47 actions on the platform. The podcast has also highlighted key campaigning moments, with strategic timing of episodes drawing attention to historic global development progress.

For example, in the same week that the conversation with Bono aired, $14bn was committed to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, a key focus of Global Citizen’s advocacy. Social media sentiment is 99% positive in reaction to all content relating to the podcast.”

#hozier #cry power podcast #global citizen #music marketing #music ally #WOWZA this is fucking impressive #CONGRATS TEAM HOZIER

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biotecnika · 5 years ago

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In a significant development, an Indian molecular assay has been included as an initial test for the detection of tuberculosis disease and for identifying resistant strains of the TB bacteria, by the WHO Global Tuberculosis Programme. WHO’s Global TB Programme released the rapid communication document on Molecular Assays which included this assay, named TrueNet. This […] The post An Indian diagnostic Test Included in Global TB Programme By WHO appeared first on BioTecNika .

#Biotech News #biotech #biotecnika

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philanthropicsblog · 5 years ago

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Pale faces…hollow cheeks…thin skin….sunken eyes...lack of muscle mass, this was what I find when I look at the faces of the unprivileged population of India.

Malnutrition is the name given to all the above listed problems. Malnutrition refers to the condition which results from lack of having a proper balanced diet. The diet they intake does not contain either enough nutrients or the nutrients contained are too less that it causes various health problems. In such diets there is lack of vitamins, carbohydrates, minerals, proteins and so on which may lead to severe health problems such as poor mental health, respiratory disease and so on as well.

Malnutrition can be in three forms: UNDERNUTRITION: This includes wasting that is low weight-for-height, stunting that is low height-for-age and underweight that is low weight-for-age.

MICRONUTRIENT-RELATED MALNUTRITION: This includes micronutrient deficiency that is a lack of important vitamins and minerals or micronutrient excess.

OVERWEIGHT: This includes obesity and diet related non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer.

If we talk in terms of data and statistics, sources from World Health Organization say, that around 1.9 billion adults are overweight or obese while 462 million are underweight. 52 million children under 5 years of age are wasted, 17 million are severely wasted and 155 million are stunted, while 41 million are overweight or obese. Around 45% of deaths among children under the age of 5 years are linked to undernutrition. These mostly occur in low and middle income grouped people. MALNUTRITION weakens every part of our body which in turn reduces our immune system and may give birth to many infections and infectious diseases as well. It is a major risk factor in the onset of active tuberculosis. Protein and energy related malnutrition and deficiency in micronutrient including zinc, iron, and vitamins increase susceptibility to infection. Malnutrition affects HIV transmission as well by increasing the risk of transmission from the mother to the child.

UNDERNUTRITION: This can cause: weight loss, loss of fat and muscle mass, hollow cheeks, a swollen stomach, dry hair and skin, fatigue, difficulty in concentrating and depression. Some serious effects of under-nutrition are Kwashiorkor which a severe protein deficiency and Marasmus which is severe calorie deficiency. It may lead to night blindness, diarrhea etc.

OVERNUTRITION: The main signs of overnutrition are overweight and obesity, but it also can lead to nutrient deficiencies. Preventing and treating malnutrition involves addressing the causes which led to malnourishment. Researchers have discovered that the most effective way to prevent malnutrition includes providing iron, zinc and iodine pills and food supplements and nutrition education to the population at risk. Interventions that encourage to intake healthy and balanced food diet and physical activity can also help a lot. The diet should contain variety of food that includes enough of carbs, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals and water as well.

MALNUTRITION IN INDIA:

If we talk about malnutrition in India, despite of 50% increase in GDP since 1991 more than one third of the world’s malnourished children live in India. One of the major causes for malnutrition in INDIA is economic inequality. Due to low social status these low income grouped people are not able to afford a balanced diet and their diet often lags behind both in terms of quality and quantity as well. The women who are malnourished often tend to give birth to unhealthy children as well. Deficiencies in nutrition inflict long-term damage to both society as well as individuals. Due to malnutrition, the person is less productive, and as a result of low productivity their earning is also low trapping them in the vicious circle of malnourishment. THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT has launched several programs to reduce the number of malnourishment cases in India. They include ICDS, NCF, National Health Mission. Midday meal scheme in Indian schools were started on 15 August 1995. It serves millions of children with fresh cooked meals in almost all the government schools or the schools which are aided by the government fund. Apart from this Food for Life Annamrita run by ISKCON Food Relief Foundation and the Akshaya Patra Foundation run the world’s largest NGO-run midday meal programmes serving freshly cooked food to over 1.3 million school children in government school in India. WHO aims for a world free of all forms of malnutrition. According to the 2016-2025 nutrition strategy , WHO works with its member states and partners to achieve this by using effective food system and effective nutrition intervention. The Global strategy for women’s, children’s and adolescent’s health is adopted for 2016-2030.

MALNUTRITION in all its forms affects all countries to some degree. So the solutions with which, WHO has come up can help us to eradicate this complex problem once and for all. The time has come to address the root causes of malnutrition in all its form and become the first Zero Hunger generation.

BY: Priyanshi Tiwari (Intern at Prayaas Corps)

PRAYAAS CORPS:

Prayaas Corps is a non-profit organization in Jaipur, whose primary aim is to spread happiness to the life of unprivileged children. They work in area of Shiksha mission wherein they train kids in Prayaas ki Pathshala. They have library mission, blood donation camps. And are working in areas such as social and environmental issues.

#malnutrition #fightagainstmalnutrition

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