分类： health

In a significant move to combat HIV in Africa, the United States has initiated the delivery of Lenacapavir, a revolutionary injectable treatment, to Eswatini and Zambia. This development comes despite President Donald Trump’s substantial reductions in global aid earlier this year. The initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and Gilead Sciences, the pharmaceutical company behind the drug. Approximately 1,000 doses have already been dispatched, with administration set to commence this week, according to Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund. Jeremy Lewin, a State Department aid coordinator, revealed plans to fund two million doses for low- and middle-income African nations, aiming for completion by 2028, potentially as early as mid-2027. Lenacapavir, requiring only biannual administration, marks a significant advancement over daily pill regimens, offering a promising reduction in new HIV infections, particularly among pregnant and breastfeeding women. Despite the Trump administration’s drastic cuts to foreign aid and HIV/AIDS prevention programs, this initiative underscores a targeted approach to health assistance. Gilead Sciences’ Chairman and CEO, Daniel O’Day, highlighted the historic nature of this rollout, noting it as the first instance of a medication being introduced in Africa the same year it was approved in the US. However, this effort is shadowed by grim forecasts regarding the impact of reduced global aid, with experts predicting an additional 22.6 million preventable deaths by 2030 due to aid cuts by the US and European countries.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which devastated five parishes in western Jamaica, Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton has issued a stark warning about the escalating health risks posed by environmental diseases. Speaking at a meeting with public health workers in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, Tufton emphasized that water-borne and food-related illnesses now represent the most significant threat to residents in the affected areas. The Category 5 hurricane, which struck on October 28, left widespread destruction, including power outages, limited access to clean water, and disrupted communication networks. Tufton highlighted that while immediate post-storm threats like mosquitoes and dead animals were minimal, the current risks include diseases such as leptospirosis and gastroenteritis, which can lead to severe health complications or even death. He urged health workers to remain vigilant and proactive in managing these risks over the next six weeks to two months. The minister also acknowledged logistical challenges, such as blocked roads and limited telecommunication services, and encouraged the use of innovative methods like town criers to disseminate health information. Additionally, he praised the efforts of local health departments, which are equipped with hand-held foggers and receiving support from other regions and institutions like the University of Technology, Jamaica. With approximately 3,000 health workers deployed across the country, the ministry is intensifying its vector control programs to mitigate the health crisis.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s health authorities have ramped up measures to prevent the spread of water-borne illnesses and other health hazards. Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton emphasized the critical need to manage dead livestock and contaminated food products, which can rapidly lead to disease outbreaks, foul odors, and water source contamination if not handled properly. Speaking at a webinar titled ‘Let’s talk recovery: Protecting against food and water-borne illnesses after a disaster,’ Tufton detailed the ministry’s collaboration with the veterinary public health unit, the Ministry of Agriculture, and local public health inspectors to remove, bury, or destroy animal carcasses and related waste in accordance with strict national and international standards. Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck western Jamaica on October 28, causing widespread displacement and the deaths of numerous animals, whose remains now pose a significant public health risk. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie highlighted several post-hurricane factors exacerbating health issues, including power loss, compromised water and food supplies, solid waste accumulation, and overcrowding in shelters. These conditions increase the likelihood of infections and diseases, including food, water-borne, vector-borne, and air-borne illnesses. The hurricane has also severely impacted health facilities across the island, with many hospitals and clinics either partially operational or completely out of service. Efforts are underway to restore healthcare services, including the establishment of field hospitals to address the immediate needs of affected communities.

GENEVA, Switzerland—The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning about the growing threat of new tobacco and nicotine products targeting young people. Speaking at the opening of a global conference on tobacco control, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the alarming rise in the use of disposable e-cigarettes and flavored nicotine pouches among adolescents. He emphasized that these products are fueling a new wave of addiction, with schools becoming the new battleground in the fight against tobacco.