Page 9 - World Health Organisation

WHO worried about surge of Covid cases in China amid lack of information

The head of the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday the agency is concerned about the risk to life in China amid the coronavirus' explosive spread across the country and the lack of outbreak data from the Chinese government. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency recently met with Chinese officials to underline the importance of sharing more details about COVID-19 issues including hospitalisation rates and genetic sequences, even as the pandemic continues to recede globally since it began in late 2019. Data remains essential for WHO to carry out regular, rapid and robust risk assessments of the global situation, Tedros said at a press briefing. Tedros said he understood why numerous countries have recently taken measures against travellers coming from China, saying it's understandable that some countries are taking steps to prevent their citizens given the void of information about COVID-19. WHO emergencies chief Dr. Michael Ryan said the testing ..

Patchy recovery: How 2022 swung from despair to hope to caution

Even as it grappled with new viruses, the human race hit another milestone

Hyderabad-based drug major Hetero prices Paxlovid generic at $60 per course

Generic version of Pfizer's Covid antiviral treatment would be exported for $70

As Covid-19 cases fall, Indians drag feet to get their booster shots

Less than 30,000 booster doses daily in December, vaccine coverage flat for two months

WHO "very concerned" about reports of severe COVID in China

The head of the World Health Organisation said the agency is very concerned about rising reports of severe coronavirus disease across China after the country largely abandoned its zero COVID policy, warning that its lagging vaccination rate could result in large numbers of vulnerable people getting infected. At a press briefing on Wednesday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the UN agency needs more information on COVID-19 severity in China, particularly regarding hospital and intensive care unit admissions, in order to make a comprehensive risk assessment of the situation on the ground. WHO is very concerned over the evolving situation in China with increasing reports of severe disease, Tedros said. He added that while COVID deaths have dropped more than 90% since their global peak, there were still too many uncertainties about the virus to conclude that the pandemic is over. Some scientists have warned that the unchecked spread of COVID-19 in China could spur th

WHO stands by action of issuing alert against Maiden Pharma cough syrup

Asserts that testing done in labs in Ghana and Switzerland confirmed excess levels of contaminated syrups that are "dangerous and should not be in any medicine, ever"

India sees most number of cervical cancer cases, deaths in Asia: Lancet

Lancet report titled, "Global estimates of incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in 2020: a baseline analysis of the WHO Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative," highlights glaring reality

WHO chief asks China to share data for identifying origins of Covid-19

World Health Organization (WHO) head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday called on China to share the requested data concerning Covid-19 in a bid to understand the origins of the virus

Covid burden falls in Africa but vigilance crucial in year-end season: WHO

Although the level of COVID-19 infections across the African continent is at its lowest since the start of the pandemic two years ago, a recent four-week sustained increase calls for maintaining vigilance as the year-end holiday season sets in, the World Health Organization's Africa director has said. Despite the recent uptick, there is hope that Africa will be spared the challenges of the previous two years, when surging cases and deaths withered normal life and caused deep devastation. While the current trends keep the pandemic under control, we are carefully monitoring its evolution, said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa at an online media briefing Thursday. The investments made in the COVID-19 fight over the last three years were paying off, with the region better able to cope with the virus and its health emergency response systems bolstered, he said. We must remain vigilant, continue to increase vaccination coverage and be ready to adopt more stringent ..

Global tally of malaria cases, deaths remained stable in 2021, says WHO

The global number of malaria cases and deaths generally remained stable in 2021, thanks to redoubled efforts by affected countries, the WHO said

Mumbai measles outbreak, missed vaccination: Here's all you need to know

According to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, currently India has the highest number of cases in the world at 9,489

Top 300 drug brands to now have QR codes on label for ensuring authenticity

Govt finalises the draft notification issued in June

Over 1 bn young people potentially at risk of hearing loss: WHO research

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that over 430 million people worldwide suffer from disabling hearing loss

Novartis signs world's first licensing deal for high-priced cancer drug

The oral drug, nilotinib, is used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia and may be made in Egypt, Guatemala, Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Tunisia

Single-dose approach: Global cholera outbreak leads to vaccine crunch

One dose of vaccine has proven effective in stopping outbreaks, even though evidence on the exact duration of protection is 'limited'.

Govt forms panel to study WHO reports on deaths linked to 4 Indian syrups

The government on Wednesday formed a four-member panel of experts to examine the details and adverse event reports received from the WHO on the deaths of 66 children in The Gambia being linked potentially to the four made-in-India cough syrups, official sources here said. They said the committee will recommend further course of action to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) after examining and analysing the adverse event reports, causal relationship and all related details already shared by or to be shared by the World Health Organization. The development comes on a day the Haryana government ordered the halting of drug manufacturing at the Sonipat unit of Maiden Pharmaceuticals while the state drug regulator has asked it to explain within a week "many contraventions" found during a recent inspection, or face suspension or cancellation of license. The order to halt production came days after the WHO potentially linked four cough syrups manufactured at the facility to the ...

Dr Vivek Murthy appointed as US representative on WHO executive board

President Joe Biden has nominated US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy to serve as the country's representative on the executive board of the World Health Organisation. Dr Murthy, 45, will serve in the new position alongside his continued duties as the US Surgeon General, the White House said in a statement. He was confirmed by the US Senate in March 2021 to serve as the 21st Surgeon General of the country. He previously served as the 19th Surgeon General under President Barack Obama. As the nation's doctor, the Surgeon General's mission is to help lay the foundation for a healthier country, relying on the best scientific information available to provide clear, consistent and equitable guidance and resources for the public. "While serving as the 21st Surgeon General, Dr Murthy is focused on drawing attention to and working across government to address a number of critical public health issues, including the growing proliferation of health misinformation, the ongoing youth mental heal

WHO warns against Covid complacency, urges for joint action to save lives

The World Health Organization warned against complacency in fighting Covid-19, urging for coordinated action and political commitments to save lives and prevent health damages from the pandemic

Health ministers of WHO South-East Asia Region to discuss priority issues

WHO officials and ministers from south-east region will meet for a week-long programme starting Monday to discuss various health-related issues such as battling pandemic-like threats, universal health coverage, and addressing mental health issues through primary care. The 75th Regional Committee Session of WHO South-East Asia, the annual governing body meeting of the World Health Organization in the region, being hosted by Bhutan this year, will be held from September 5 to 9. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia, officials from WHO headquarters, senior officials from health ministries of member countries, representatives of UN agencies, partners, donors, and members of civil society, will be participating in the meeting, a WHO statement said. The meeting will discuss progress for ending noncommunicable diseases and TB, how to accelerate elimination of cervical cancer and strengthen the health workforce education and training, said the highest decision

Monkeypox can be eliminated in Europe, says WHO as case count slows

There are encouraging signs of a sustained week-on-week decline in the onset of cases in many European countries, including France, Germany, and Britain, as well as a slowdown in some parts of the US