Health
WHO says COVID-19 Increased Nearly 30% Past Two Weeks
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the global reported cases of COVID-19 have increased by nearly 30 per cent over the past two weeks.
Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said this on Wednesday during an online COVID-19 media briefing.
Ghebreyesus said that four out of six of the WHO sub-regions saw cases increasing in the last week.
“In Europe and America, BA.4 and BA.5 are driving waves.
“In countries like India, a new sub lineage of BA.2.75 has also been detected, which we’re following,’’ he said.
According to him, compounding the challenge are a number of factors.
Ghebreyesus said the first was that testing has reduced dramatically in many countries.
He said it was obscures the true picture of an evolving virus and the real burden of COVID-19 disease globally.
The director said it also meant that treatments are not given early enough to prevent serious illness and or death.
“Second, new treatments, especially promising new oral antivirals, are still not reaching low and low-middle income countries, depriving whole populations that need them.
“Third, as the virus evolves, vaccines protection while still really effective at preventing serious disease and death does wane.
“Decreasing immunity underscores the importance of boosters, especially for the most at-risk.
“Fourth, each wave of the virus leaves more people with long-COVID or post-COVID condition,’’ he said.
According to Ghebreyesus, it obviously impacts individuals and their families but it also puts an extra burden on health systems, the wider economy and society-at-large.
He said the challenges required action at a global, national and local level.
He said that governments, scientists, manufacturers, WHO and citizens themselves all have their part to play
According to him, essential steps to take include one, vaccinate and boost those at most risk.
Ghebreyesus said such included older people, people with chronic illnesses, the immunocompromised and health workers and then build up the wall of immunity throughout the population.
He said the second was to make new oral antivirals and other treatments available to all.
The director said that working with Global Fund and UNICEF, WHO developed an allocation mechanism to support countries as antivirals become available.
“So far, 20 countries have accepted allocations of Molnupiravir, which has moved into distribution.
“For Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir, – or Paxlovid – 43 countries have expressed interest.
“However, our organisations are still trying to finalise with Pfizer the appropriate terms and conditions for low- and middle-income countries,’’ he said
According to him, this is delaying access and some countries may choose to wait for a generic version of the antiviral, probably available only early 2023 and this will cost lives.
“I call on Pfizer to work closely with health agencies and countries to ensure its new oral antiviral is available quickly and effectively,’’ he said.
Ghebreyesus said the third was especially if you’re in a place where cases are on the rise, use tried and tested public health measures to mitigate risk.
“For example, if you’re in a crowded place or inside and there’s poor ventilation, put on a mask. And if you’re sick, and you can, stay home.”
The fourth, he said, was crucial to accelerate research and development into next generation vaccines, tests and treatments.
“WHO is working with scientists and researchers around the world to make this happen.
“Through the Solidarity Trials, WHO can ensure maximum efficiency of clinical trials so that new tools are developed quicker.
“We don’t know how the next variant will be like.
“This requires that we apply the tools we have now and that we develop the next generation of counter measures quickly,’’ he said.
The WHO boss said the fifth was to continue to work to strengthen the global health architecture for health emergency and response at all levels.
According to him, the organisation welcomes the news about the creation of the financial intermediary fund (FIF), which will focus on strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capacities.
He said the organisation would operate at a national, regional, and global level, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries.
“WHO and the World Bank will take the design forward with the founding donors and broader stakeholders.
“We hope the fund will expand and that this will become an important component of a comprehensive financing solution for health emergencies.
Also, it is important that the pandemic accord process continues at pace.
This remains a generational opportunity to improve how countries prepare for and respond to new pathogens,’’ he said.
On monkeypox, the boss said the organisation has continued to be concerned by the scale and spread of the virus.
According to him, across the world, there has now been more than 6000 cases recorded in 58 countries.
“Testing remains a challenge and it’s highly probable that there are a significant number of cases not being picked up.
“Europe is the current epicentre of the outbreak, recording more than 80 percent of cases globally.
“In Africa, cases are appearing in countries not previously affected and record numbers are being recorded in places which have previous experience with monkeypox.
He said his teams were following the data closely as he planned to reconvene the emergency committee so they are updated on the current epidemiology and evolution of the outbreak, and implementation of counter measures.
“I will bring them together during the week of 18 July or sooner if needed.
“WHO is working with countries and vaccine manufacturers to coordinate the sharing of vaccine, which are currently scarce and need to be accessible to the most at risk people.
“WHO is also working closely with civil society and LGBTIQ+ community, especially to break the stigma around the virus and spread information so people can protect themselves,’’ Ghebreyesus said.
“I want to particularly commend those that are sharing videos online via social media channels talking about their symptoms and experiences with monkeypox.
“This is a positive way to break down the stigma about a virus that can affect anyone, the boss said.
Ghebreyesus said that in Syria, the humanitarian needs are at their highest level since the war started 11 years ago.
According to him, WHO works across the country to provide lifesaving health support.
“In the northwest of the country, some 4.4 million people, including more than 3.5 million women and children, are in need of humanitarian assistance.
“They depend on the cross-border access for their healthcare, their vaccines and medicines.
“We hope the Security Council will continue to find agreement to preserve the health and welfare of this highly vulnerable population,’’ he said (NAN)
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, Professor Abdulrahman Shehu, has called for more investment in healthcare delivery
The Chief Medical Director particularly woos philanthropists, the Federal Government and the Kogi State Government to invest more in the health sector to improve healthcare delivery and strengthen hospital infrastructure.
Prof. Shehu made the call while interacting with members of the Correspondent’s Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kogi State Council who were in his office to clarify some issues affecting the hospital on Friday.
The renowned medical practitioner who was represented by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) Dr Raphael Odekunle, said increased private-sector and philanthropic support would complement government efforts in providing modern facilities, medical equipment and other essential resources required for hospitals to deliver quality and affordable healthcare services.
The CMD, who spoke on efforts by the new management to reposition the hospital, said the administration was committed to improving infrastructure, enhancing service delivery and ensuring that healthcare workers remained responsive to patients’ needs.
He stressed that the management would continue to introduce reforms aimed at making services more accessible, efficient and patient-friendly.
Shehu urged patients experiencing difficulties in the course of receiving treatment to channel their complaints through the hospital’s Servicom platform, describing it as an effective avenue for prompt attention to their concerns.
According to him, the platform provides patients with an opportunity to report challenges encountered while accessing healthcare services, enabling the management to identify and address such issues without unnecessary delays.
To reduce the stress of moving between departments in search of medical services, the CMD disclosed that the hospital had introduced a clinical system that brings essential service units together in one location.
He explained that the arrangement accommodates revenue, pharmacy, laboratory and National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) units, allowing patients to access the services they need more conveniently.
Shehu said the management planned to extend the system to other parts of the hospital to further improve service delivery and minimise the difficulties patients encounter while seeking treatment.
He, however, appealed to the Federal Government to intervene in the hospital’s infrastructure, noting that improved facilities were necessary to bring its operations in line with the standards expected of a teaching hospital.
On the hospital’s wallet payment system, the CMD defended the arrangement, describing it as a measure designed to promote transparency, accountability and curb fraudulent practices.
He explained that the system enables the hospital to manage patients’ payments in an accountable manner while ensuring that funds are used to provide the required services.
Shehu acknowledged concerns over delays in refunding patients’ unspent balances, assuring that the management was working to remove the bottlenecks associated with the process.
“We are working on how best we can remove the bottlenecks associated with delays in refunding unspent money to patients,” he said.
The CMD also appealed to the Federal and Kogi State governments to intensify public awareness and encourage more residents to enrol in the National Health Insurance Scheme to improve access to healthcare.
He noted that measures were being put in place to ensure the availability of drugs under the scheme, while clarifying that not all medications were covered by the NHIS.
Shehu urged enrollees to familiarise themselves with the scheme’s drug coverage to avoid misunderstandings when accessing prescribed medications.
On emergency care, the CMD assured that the hospital would continue to prioritise saving lives, stressing that emergency cases were attended to before payment was demanded.
He said the hospital’s primary responsibility was to preserve lives, adding that financial considerations would not take precedence over urgent medical attention in emergency situations.
The CMD further pledged that the management would sustain the training and retraining of medical and non-medical personnel to improve professionalism, strengthen patient relations and ensure that patients received satisfactory care.
He expressed confidence that the ongoing reforms, combined with improved infrastructure and support from government and private benefactors, would enhance the hospital’s capacity to provide quality healthcare services to the people.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi State Council, Comrade Segun Ademola Salami, commended the management of the hospital for upgrading its facilities to enhance effective healthcare delivery to residents of Kogi State and Nigerians at large.
He urged the Chief Medical Director (CMD) not to relent in his efforts to ensure that the hospital lives up to its status as a teaching hospital through the provision of quality and accessible healthcare services.
Comrade Salami, however, appealed to the management to address the challenges patients encounter while accessing medical services at the facility.
By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
The Senate yesterday ordered mandatory health screening for every international passenger arriving Nigeria airports, seaports, land borders as Ebola resurfaces in the Democratic Republic of Congo with a scare case reported in the FCT.
The resolution followed an urgent motion by Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who warned that with Lassa fever already ravaging states, Nigeria cannot afford another outbreak.
“Protecting our entry points is far cheaper than managing Ebola,” Fadahunsi told the chamber.
Lawmakers insisted screening must be total and indiscriminate — no exemptions based on nationality or departure country because infected travellers can transit through safe-listed nations.
Senator Diket Plang raised the stakes further, demanding immediate funding for NCDC and Port Health Services, including release of withheld funds and emergency budget.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the Federal Government has started releasing Ebola response funds but ordered relevant committees to track every kobo.
“Ascertain whether the funds were released and judiciously utilised. Any outstanding debt must be released by the Finance Ministry without delay,” Akpabio directed.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Federal Government (FG), on yesterday confirmed one case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following laboratory confirmation.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof.
Muhammad Ali Pate, stated this while briefing journalists in Abuja.He said the patient, a woman, who was from Uganda, was admitted in Abuja and the diagnosis has been confirmed.
The statement reads, “The patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received care for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.
She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.“The Federal Minister of Health and Social Welfare and NCDC are working closely with the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities to contain the infection and prevent further spread..
“Contact tracing has commenced with 44 close contacts identified presently, with public health teams identifying and monitoring people who may have been exposed, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts. Surveillance has been intensified, and the hospital is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
“The FG calls on all public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to be on high alert. Healthcare workers must maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control measures, and immediately report suspected cases to public health authorities.
“What Nigerians Should Know and Do
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of someone who is sick with the disease or has died from it, or through contact with contaminated materials. A person with Ebola cannot spread the disease before symptoms begin”.
The Federal Government therefore advised residents to remain calm but vigilant.
“Remain calm but vigilant. There is no need for panic. Practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected to have Ebola.
Watch for symptoms, including fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly following possible exposure.
“Report any possible exposure immediately, even if you feel well. If you develop symptoms, avoid close contact with others and call public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
” Cooperate with public health teams. Anyone contacted during contact tracing, including relevant airline passengers, should provide the necessary information and follow public health advice.
“Avoid rumours and stigma. Share only verified information from official health authorities” .
The Minister recalled, “Our Assurance to Nigerians. Nigeria successfully contained Ebola in 2014, and we have the experience and public health systems to respond to this case. However, containing Ebola requires everyone to play their part.
“The Federal Government, FCT authorities and other partners are working together to protect healthcare workers, patients and the wider public. Investigations are ongoing, and we will continue to provide accurate and timely information.
” We urge Nigerians to remain calm, stay vigilant and cooperate with public health authorities. Early detection, prompt reporting and everyone’s cooperation are critical to preventing further spread.
“The Government of Nigeria through the Presidential Taskforce on EVD and NCDC will continue to provide updates.
NCDC free call centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For information or to report a suspected case, please call NCDC toll-free number 6232″.
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