As Mpox continues to devastate countries, especially in Africa, the WHO Africa Region says African countries are capable of diagnosing Mpox, thereby making for early detection.

Dr Abdou Gueye, Regional Emergency Director, World Health Organisation Africa Region (WHO AFRO), made the assertion in a virtual interview in Lagos.

Providing updates on WHO’s field efforts since the declaration of the mpox outbreak, Gueye said that WHO had been working effectively and collaborating with all entities to stem the public health emergency.

The Africa CDC declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security on Aug. 13.

On its heels, on Aug. 14, the WHO Director-General declared the resurgence of mpox to be a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), requiring a coordinated international response.

This was necessitated by the advice given by the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR or Regulations) Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024, during its first meeting held on Aug. 14.

It had noted that the ongoing upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a growing number of countries in Africa, constituted a PHEIC under the provisions of the International Health Regulations.

Also, given the detection and rapid spread of a new clade of mpox in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, its detection in neighbouring countries that had not previously reported mpox, and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond.

Gueye emphasised the importance of early detection, robust health systems, and community engagement.

He said that some of WHO’s efforts included supporting diagnostic capabilities, treatment guidelines, and community engagement across African countries.

“All the African countries are capable of diagnosing mpox. Thanks to our work and collaboration with all the entities.

“We checked with all our countries. 45 countries out of the 47 were able to do the diagnostic and the genomic sequencing, and we were able to support the two additional countries.

“We also worked with the countries to develop guidelines on the treatment and the care about mpox, and also, we provided some reagents.

“ The treatment of mpox is very rare, but as soon as it is possible, we try to make it available to the African country

“In the framework of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern, we have raised the advocacy for all partners that are capable of donating or contributing to supporting countries, and are put in touch with countries that need it,’’ he added.

According to Gueye, WHO is also working to make sure that all manufacturers that can produce vaccine, diagnostic and therapeutic are being put in touch with those who can fund it.

This will enable enough production for Africa, particularly also for low and middle-income countries.

He said close collaboration was also ongoing with researchers, all to stop Mpox.

“We are working in close collaboration with researchers to make sure that all the vaccines, therapeutic and diagnostic that are in the pipeline will be accelerated.

“This is in order to diversify the possibility and the tools to fight against the disease,” he said

Giving an insight into the current outbreak, he explains Mpox to be a viral disease, previously known as monkeypox.

According to him, it traditionally existed in West and Central Africa, with two viruses that are slightly different.

“The one in West Africa was called the clade two, and the one in Central Africa was called the clade one in 2022.

“An outbreak occurred, and the virus went beyond the traditional border and went through to some countries where it was never seen before.

“It affected some particular communities, mainly men who have sex with men.

“And the outbreak was addressed by the international community, but also by the affected community, and it was controlled.

“What happened in 2024 is there is a new outbreak with a new strain that is different to the one that existed before, that usually was seen in DR Congo, but has a little mutation.

“That made it more contagious, but also more serious, because the mortality rate increased.’’

He said that the outbreak was localised initially in North Kivu and South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, spreading in Congo first but also in neighbouring countries, including Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya.

According to him, when the outbreak reached that level, the WHO D-G called for an emergency committee to advise him, and the emergency committee advised to raise the highest alert possible in public health.

“We say the public health emergency of international concern, which means to make sure that the international community will be mobilised.

“Also, the mobilisation will be coordinated in order to stop the outbreak before it becomes more difficult to control.’’

Report says that the multi-country outbreak of Mpox has led to 116 countries and territories in all WHO regions reporting 99,176 confirmed cases and 208 deaths between May 2022 and June 2024.

The latest global mpox rapid risk assessment at the beginning of August 2024, showed that mpox risk in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries is high.

In Nigeria and other countries of West, Central and East Africa where mpox is endemic, it is moderate.

However, individual-level risk is largely dependent on individual factors such as exposure risk and immune status, regardless of geographic area, epidemiological context, biological sex, gender identity or sexual orientation. (NAN)

The Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA) and the state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on health insurance for its pensioners.

Speaking at the signing of the MoU on Monday in Kaduna, the Director-General (DG) of KADCHMA, Abubakar Hassan, said the benefits of the scheme for the pensioners were immense.

He explained that with the health insurance, pensioners would have access to health care services from any public or private health facility across the state without having to spend from their pockets.

With this, Hassan said, pensioners could receive the care they needed without worrying about the financial burden that often comes with accessing healthcare
services.

He disclosed that the annual premium for the health insurance scheme was N10,600, thereby making it affordable for the pensioners.

“This will facilitate access to quality healthcare to our pensioners, in line with the promises of governor Uba Sani’s administration to provide access to quality care through a state contributory health insurance scheme.

“As the State Health Insurance Manager, our objectives are clear. We aim to enroll more residents into the scheme to make healthcare more affordable and secure a
sustainable funding basis for our health facilities.

“We also seek to extend health insurance cover to poor and vulnerable citizens through the basic health care
provision fund, as well as enroll persons employed in the informal sector into the contributory health insurance scheme.

“Our ultimate goal is to build consensus
across the state for adopting contributory health insurance as the most affordable way to access healthcare in public facilities,”Hassan said.

He thanked the State’s Pension Bureau and the state chapter of NUP for embracing the scheme.

He urged other organisations, associations and bodies to follow suit and enroll their members in the social insurance scheme.

Also, the Chairman of NUP, Kaduna Chapter, Mr Aboman Ladan, said the MoU signing marked a significant milestone in their efforts towards ensuring that their members have access to quality healthcare without financial burdens.

“We believe that our pensioners deserve the best, and this scheme will go a long way in improving their overall well-being,”he said.

Ladan commended KADCHMA for their commitment to making healthcare affordable and accessible to all, while urging their members to take advantage of the scheme and enroll in the health insurance program.

Doing so, he said, the pensioners would live healthy and fulfilling lives, free from the worry of medical expenses.

Also, the National representative of the NUP, Ahmed Garzali, described pensioners as the most vulnerable, who were affected most by fuel subsidy removal.

He said the health insurance for their members in the state is a step toward addressing their out-of-pocket spending on health, while calling for sincerity of purpose and full implementation of the MoU.

Earlier, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Umma Ahmed, said the collaboration between KADCHMA and the NUP marked a monumental step in the state government’s collective efforts towards ensuring the health and well-being of its pensioners.

Ahmed added that Sani’s leadership was instrumental in advancing healthcare initiatives that prioritise the well-being of every citizen, particularly senior citizens who have served the state with distinction.

She also said that Kaduna State Government recognised that the health of every citizen was a priority, which extended especially to its pensioners who have dedicated their lives to serving the state and nation.

By enrolling pensioners into the State Contributory Health Scheme, the commissioner said, they were taking proactive steps to safeguard the pensioners health and enhance their quality of life in retirement.

According to her, the contributory health scheme plays a critical role in reducing the financial burden of medical expenses, particularly for those in their later years who are often more vulnerable to health challenges.

“The Kaduna State Health Insurance Scheme is designed to provide comprehensive and affordable healthcare coverage, ensuring that no one, regardless of age or economic status, is left behind.

“The partnership between KADCHMA and the NUP is a strategic initiative that aligns with our vision of universal health coverage for all residents of Kaduna State.

“This MoU is more than just a document; it is a covenant that reaffirms our shared commitment to upholding the dignity and well-being of our pensioners.

”It symbolises our dedication to creating a health system that is inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of every citizen,” she said.

She assured the pensioners that the government would implement the agreement effectively, while ensuring that the enrollment process is seamless, transparent, and accessible to all eligible pensioners.

“By doing so, we will not only fulfill our promise of providing quality healthcare but also demonstrate our commitment to the values of empathy, respect, and service,”Ahmed said.(NAN)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) hon Monday unveiled a global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan ( SPRP)to tackle human-to-human transmission of mpox.

This is contained in a statement issued by the world health body.

The plan which will run from September 2024 to February 2025, requiring 135 million U.

It also includes coordinating global, regional, and national efforts, it aims to enhance surveillance and response strategies, ensure equitable access to diagnostics and vaccines, reduce animal-to-human transmission, and empower communities in outbreak control.

The organisation made this known on Monday in a statement.

The WHO said the unveiling follows the declaration of a public health emergency of international concern by Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO, Director-General on Aug.

According to it, a funding appeal for what WHO needs to deliver on the plan will be launched shortly.

The WHO said  that the plan, which builds on the temporary recommendations and standing recommendations issued by the Ghebreyesus focuses on implementing comprehensive surveillance, prevention, readiness.

Others are response strategies; advancing research and equitable access to medical countermeasures like diagnostic tests and vaccines; minimizing animal-to-human transmission; and empowering communities to actively participate in outbreak prevention and control.

According to the WHO, strategic vaccination efforts will focus on individuals at the highest risk, including close contacts of recent cases and healthcare workers, to interrupt transmission chains.

“At the global-level, the emphasis is on strategic leadership, timely evidence-based guidance, and access to medical countermeasures for the most at-risk groups in affected countries.

“WHO is working with a broad range of international, regional, national and local partners and networks to enhance coordination across key areas of preparedness, readiness and response.

” This includes engagement with the ACT-Accelerator Principals group; the Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response; the R and D Blueprint for Epidemics; and the interim Medical Counter Measures Network (i-MCM Net),” it stated.

It said that WHO R and D Blueprint, along with Africa CDC, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, would host a virtual scientific conference on August 29 to 30 to align mpox research with outbreak control goals.

Ghebreyesus said that the mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries can be controlled and stopped.

He said that doing so required a comprehensive and coordinated plan of action between international agencies, national and local partners, civil society, researchers and manufacturers, and our Member States.

“This SPRP provides that plan, based on the principles of equity, global solidarity, community empowerment, human rights, and coordination across sectors.,” WHO boss said.

According to him, WHO headquarters and regional offices have established incident management support teams to lead preparedness, readiness and response activities, and are significantly scaling up staff in affected countries.

He said that within the Africa Region, where need was greatest, the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) in collaboration with Africa CDC, would jointly spearhead the coordination of mpox response efforts.

“WHO AFRO and Africa CDC have agreed on a one-plan, one-budget approach as part of the Africa Continental Mpox Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, currently under preparation.

“At the national and sub-national level, health authorities will adapt strategies in response to current epidemiological trends,” he said.(NAN)