Connect with us

Health

WHO Identifies 17 Pathogens as Top Priorities for new Vaccine Development

Published

on

Share

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed 17 bacteria, viruses and parasites that regularly cause disease as top priorities for new vaccine development.

WHO, in a study published on Tuesday, reconfirmed long-standing priorities for vaccine research and development (R&D), including for HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis – three diseases that collectively take nearly 2.
5 million lives yearly.
The study is the first global effort to systematically prioritise endemic pathogens based on their regional and global health impact.Attention is also given to pathogens such as Group A streptococcus, which causes severe infections and contributes to 280,000 deaths from rheumatic heart disease, mainly in lower-income countries.
Another new priority is Klebsiella pneumoniae — a bacteria that was associated with 790,000 deaths in 2019 and is responsible for 40 per cent of neonatal deaths due to blood infection (sepsis) in low-income countries.The new study supports the goal of ensuring that everyone, everywhere, can benefit from vaccines that protect against serious diseases.It aims to shift the focus in vaccine development away from commercial returns towards regional and global health needs, WHO’s Dr Mateusz Hasso-Agopsowicz, who works in vaccine research, said in a statement.He explained that in the past, vaccine R&D typically was influenced by profitability.“As a result, diseases that severely affect low-income regions received little attention.“We hope this represents a critical shift where we want to change the focus from commercial perspective profitability of new vaccines towards the actual health burden so that the new vaccine research and development is driven by health burden and not just commercial opportunities,” he said.To carry out the study, WHO asked international and regional experts what they think is important when prioritising pathogens for vaccines R&D.Criteria included deaths, disease and socioeconomic impact, or antimicrobial resistance.“We had asked experts that have expertise in pathogen epidemiology, clinicians, paediatricians, vaccine experts from all of the WHO regions, to ensure that the list and the results that we produce really reflect the needs of diverse populations worldwide,” Hasso-Agopsowicz said.Analysis of those preferences, combined with regional data for each pathogen, resulted in the top 10 priority pathogens for each of WHO’s six regions globally.The regional lists were then consolidated to form the global list, resulting in the 17 priority endemic pathogens for which new vaccines are urgently needed.To advance vaccine R&D, WHO has categorised each pathogen based on the stage of vaccine development and the technical challenges involved in creating effective vaccines.Hasso-Agopsowicz said the study is expected to guide future vaccine R&D investments, including funders, researchers and vaccine developers, and also policymakers as they “can decide whether to introduce these vaccines into immunisation programmes.” (NAN)

Health

FG Prioritises Cancer Prevention, Maternal Health in 2025 Budget

Published

on

Share

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to health education and prevention strategies, with a strong focus on cancer prevention and maternal health in its 2025 budget.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq  Salako, made this known during a meeting on Thursday in Abuja, with a delegation from the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), led by its Executive Vice-President for Infectious Diseases, Dr David Ripin.

Salako highlighted the heavy burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including cancer, hypertension, and diabetes, stressing that early detection and prevention would be a major focus of the ministry’s budget next year.

“This year in our budget, we are focusing a lot of attention on cancer. A lot of that funding will go into prevention at both primary and secondary levels, including screening and population prevention,” he said.

The minister also disclosed that the government had inaugurated the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative to tackle high maternal deaths, particularly in high-burden local government areas.

According to him, introducing low-cost technologies like ultrasound scans in maternal care will help drive more women to seek antenatal care, ultimately reducing mortality rates.

He commended CHAI for its partnership, emphasising that collaborations would enhance healthcare outcomes for Nigerians.

Dr Olufunke Fasawe, CHAI’s Country Director, detailed the organisation’s contributions to improving healthcare access in Nigeria.

She revealed that CHAI has supported over 20 cancer treatment centres across the country.

“The organisation worked with the Federal Ministry of Health to cut the cost of chemotherapy by 50 per cent to improve affordability.

“HPV screening for cervical cancer has been expanded, with over 57,000 women screened so far.

“CHAI successfully reduced the price of HPV test kits from 20 dollars to seven dollars, making screening more accessible to women,” she highlighted. (NAN)

Continue Reading

Health

Suspected Cholera Outbreak kills 9 in Rivers

Published

on

Share

The Rivers government has announced the death of nine individuals following a suspected cholera outbreak in Andoni and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas.

Dr Ada Oreh, the state Commissioner for Health, confirmed the development on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

She said that three deaths occurred in Andoni, while six others were recorded in Akuku-Toru, with 41 suspected cases currently under monitoring across the two areas.

“We urge the public not to panic, as the state government has already implemented measures to contain this outbreak,” Oreh said.

The commissioner noted that health officials were conducting tests to determine definitively whether the deaths were caused by cholera.

She, however, said: “The symptoms observed align with the surveillance case definition for the disease.

“The ministry is also investigating a suspected outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea caused by cholera in the Isiodun community in Andoni LGA.

“The symptoms analysed are consistent with cholera.”

According to Oreh, the bacteria responsible for cholera thrives in environments lacking access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, and hygienic conditions.

She said that the bacteria could be transmitted through the consumption of contaminated water or food and contact with infected surfaces.

“Rivers is particularly prone to outbreaks of acute watery diarrhoea and cholera during the dry seasons.

“This poses significant public health challenges due to the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with such outbreaks.

“The ministry, in collaboration with its partners and the authorities in Andoni LGA, has activated emergency response measures.

“Our rapid response team has also been deployed to the affected areas to enhance disease surveillance, strengthen case detection in health facilities, and supply essential supplies to the communities,” Oreh stated.

Oreh said the response team had distributed oral rehydration solutions, intravenous fluids, and vital medicines to health centres in the affected areas.

She advised residents to practice frequent hand washing with soap and clean water, particularly before eating and after using the toilet.

Oreh also urged them to drink only boiled or chorine-treated water to ensure safety. (NAN)

Continue Reading

Health

FCTA to Begin 2024 Mass Deworming Campaign for Children in February

Published

on

Share

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Public Health Department has announced that the 2024 Spill-over Mass Administration of Medicine (MAM) to deworm children against schistosomiasis and soil helminthiasis would begin on Feb.

17.The initiative, which will run from February 17 to 21, was discussed at a stakeholders meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday.
Reports also said that the MAM exercise will be carried out in four area councils of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, and Kuje, targeting children between the ages of 5 and 14 years.
The campaign follows the suspension of the earlier MAM exercise in Abaji and Kwali in December 2024, which was delayed due to the planned strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Dr Eunice Ogundipe, FCT Coordinator for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), who was represented by Mrs Lami Ndayako, explained that the stakeholders meeting was aimed at sensitising the public to the upcoming MAM exercise.She stressed that the medicine for schistosomiasis and soil helminthiasis should be administered to children only after they have eaten.Ogundipe emphasised that local community stakeholders would play a crucial role in spreading awareness about the importance of the medicine.“These stakeholders are respected in their communities and will help ensure the exercise is successful,” she stated.Mr Achai Ijah, Programme Officer at the FCT Health and Development Support Programme (HANDS), noted that the involvement of key community leaders, including traditional and religious leaders, would help boost acceptance of the MAM programme.Mrs Imaobong Okorie-Umah, Deputy Director at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said the ministry would review its approach and adopt new strategies to ensure that people accept the medicine.Okorie-Umah, who is also the Programme Manager for Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis at the ministry, encouraged parents to ensure their children eat enough food before taking the medicine.Mr Joseph Agbana, Coordinator of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), promised to ensure that private school proprietors educate parents about the deworming campaign.(NAN

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS1 day ago

Ode Omi Seeks Capital Status for Proposed Lagoon State

ShareBy David Torough, Abuja Ode Omi Kingdom in Ogun State has formally requested to be designated as the capital of...

Uncategorized1 day ago

NNPCL Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthen Oil, Gas Stakeholder Collaboration

Share Malam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPCL), has reiterated the company’s commitment...

POLITICS2 days ago

Prove Your Innocence in Court, INEC Tells Suspended Adamawa REC

Share Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa, Mr Hudu Yunusa-Ari, to...

NEWS2 days ago

Nigeria, UK Partner to Boost Security Measures

Share The Nigeria Police Force and the British Embassy in Nigeria have launched a collaboration to enhance security and combat...

NEWS2 days ago

Lawyers Debate Marriage Dissolution Jurisdiction

Share Some Lagos-based lawyers have argued that dissolving a marriage that has broken down irretrievably is not the exclusive preserve...

NEWS2 days ago

Ogun to Commence Phase 2 of 200 Housing Units in Aviation Village

ShareThe Ogun Government says it’s planning to commence the second phase of the 200 housing units in Aviation Village, Iperu-Remo,...

NEWS2 days ago

 FG Begins Appointment Process for New Accountant-General, Perm Secs

ShareThe Federal Government has commenced the selection process for the appointment of new Accountant-General of the Federation and permanent secretaries...

NEWS2 days ago

Police Arrest 3 for Allegedly Vandalising Transformer Cables

ShareThe Police command in Adamawa has arrested three suspects for allegedly vandalising and stealing transformer cables at Wuro Dole in...

NEWS2 days ago

Valentine’s Day: Oyo Govt Organises Cruise on Eleyele Lake

Share The Oyo State Government is set to organise the first-ever Ibadan Valentine Cruise on Eleyele Lake on Friday. Your...

NEWS2 days ago

Police Arrest Suspected Child Trafficker in Imo

Share Police operatives in Imo have arrested a suspected child trafficker, Onyinyechi Emeka, 40, during a stop-and-search operation in the...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc