Health

Twelve African countries across different regions are set to receive eighteen million doses of the first-ever malaria vaccine to help curb the parasite over the next two years, this was revealed by the Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI), the World Health Organisation and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) on 6th June 2023. The statement noted that the allocations have been determined through the application of the principles outlined in the framework for allocation of limited malaria vaccine supply that prioritizes those doses to areas of highest need, where the risk of malaria illness and death among children are highest.

The Biosecurity leaders, Livetec has launched an industry-first app which aims at assisting poultry farmers and backyard keepers tackle the spread of Avian Influenza (AI) amid UK’s ongoing outbreak. The development was made public in the a press release from the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA). The Livetec Systems App is a disease management mobile app which helps farmers get ahead of the spread of the highly pathogenic H7 avian influenza in poultry, and provides the tools they need to manage and protect their livestock. It comes amid the worst ever outbreak of AI in the UK, with tough laws imposed by government towards curbing the devastating spread. Designed as an easy-to-use tool which can accompany farmers throughout their day-to-day activities, the Livetec Systems App has been fashioned using Livetec’s signature lab to farm philosophy to bring contemporary technology to over a decade’s real-world experience on farm.

The World Health organization (WHO) said that a scientific review of existing evidence found that consumption of such sweeteners was also linked to an increased risk of Type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality in the long run. Artificial sweeteners provide sweetness to food and beverages like tea and coffee, without adding significant calories. They are also widely used ingredients in pre-packed food. Hence, they have become a popular choice, especially among those who are trying to burn extra calories or loose weight. WHO made the caution on Monday recommending against the use of ‘non sugar sweeteners’ (NSS) to control body weight or reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs. “Because weight loss and maintenance of healthy weight must be sustained over the long term to have a meaningful impact on health, evidence of minor weight loss or reduced BMI over several months or less, as observed in the … trials, without additional evidence of long term impact, does not represent a health benefit,” WHO said in its report.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) after a virtually held National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on 15th May 2023, declared a five-day warning strike following the failure of the Federal Government to meet her demand. The five-day strike commences on Wednesday, May 17, and ends on Monday, May 22. Recall, On April 29, 2023, the association issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement the agreements or face industrial action of which the ultimatum elapsed on Saturday, May 13, 2023.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday said mpox is no longer a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Director-General of the agency, Tedros Ghebreyesus, made the declaration following a recommendation by the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee at its fifth meeting on Friday, May 12. Mpox is a less severe cousin of the now-eradicated smallpox virus. It is endemic to parts of West and Central Africa and has typically been contracted from a rodent or small mammal. The virus can spread through contact with body fluids, sores or items such as clothing and bedding contaminated with the virus. Also, it can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets, typically in a close setting.

Contrary to the news making rounds online that indomie noodles have been banned by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the agency has come out to debunk the news of ever placing a ban on the product, assuring consumers not to fret as the product is safe for consumption. Despite the scare the Director-General/Chairperson, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye has requested the public who consume the product to go ahead with its consumption “NAFDAC did not ban Indomie,” Professor Adeyeye said yesterday. Indomie has been on the government prohibition list for many years to encourage local manufacturing.”