COVID-19: Why social distancing does not work for Nigerian women

Religion holds an African woman responsible for all domestic chores, and saying no to husbands is not allowed, say Nigerian women 

COVID-19: Extensive research underway; how much will it help?

As many as 42 vaccines were in preclinical stage and two vaccines in Phase I clinical trials as of March 20, according to WHO  

COVID-19: WHO, UNICEF flag sharp decline in vaccination, warn of more lapses

There was a substantial drop in number of children completing three doses of vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis in first four …

WHO report flags spike in cases of vaccine-derived poliovirus

At least 149 immunodeficiency vaccine-derived poliovirus cases were reported to WHO between 1961 and 2019

Is that milk safe? CSE’s assessment of antibiotic misuse in dairy sector says it’s not

A recent assessment found that dairy farmers indiscriminately use antibiotics for diseases common in animals, and is likely to aggravate the …

COVID-19: 99% active cases are with mild symptoms

Spread of COVID-19 fastest in last seven months; the world added first million cases in four months, last million in four days  

Coronavirus update: 25 of 36 states / UTs record daily increase in cases

No decrease in number of deaths due to COVID-19 in any state

COVID-19 can reverse decades of progress in eliminating child deaths: UN

Almost 68% of 77 countries surveyed reported at least some disruption in health checks and immunisation services, which may lead to increase in …

Pandemic preparedness: Global spending needs 500 years to match COVID-19 rout

New report by WHO arm calls for robust global governance for preparedness to prevent the next pandemic

World Food Day: Looking for a new avatar in COVID-19 times

What we now need is smart, systemic action to get the food to those who need it and improve it for those who have it, says FAO Director-…

Nature’s bounty to boost immunity at a Greater Noida village

A look at 10 medicinal plants known to enhance immunity and strengthen brain power

Need emergency action to avert measles and polio epidemics, warn UN bodies

$655 million would be needed to address the immunity gaps in non-Gavi eligible countries and target age groups

WHO nod to first emergency use vaccine can tackle rising vaccine-derived poliovirus cases

Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus occurs if a population is poorly vaccinated and there are enough susceptible children for excreted …

In a first, WHO commits to eliminate cervical cancer globally

The global health body aims to reduce more than 40% new cases by 2050 through vaccination, screening and treatment

Antimicrobial resistance: The need to tackle access-excess problem

AMR, like every process, has its own drivers and determinants. The threat has evolved over time due to our acts of omission and commission

Current policy developments to contain AMR not enough: South Centre expert

Viviana Munoz Tellez, coordinator, South Centre, spoke on the gaps and challenges in the ongoing policy interventions to contain …

Anaemia in women, children aggravated in 2019: NFHS-5

As many as 68.4% children and 66.4% women surveyed suffered from anaemia in 2019

Antenatal care visits increase in most states: NFHS-5

Mothers consuming iron folic acid tablets for 100 days or more during their pregnancy period showed a heterogenous trend

Some key questions answered on COVID-19 vaccines for African countries

Vaccines for COVID-19 are generating a lot of talk. To shed some light on which vaccines are available for countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and …

Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine: What do WHO recommendations say

Health workers at high risk of exposure and older people — including those aged 65 or older — should be given priority for Oxford / …

What Tanzania’s COVID-19 vaccine reluctance means for its citizens and the world

Only a few months into the pandemic, the president declared Tanzania COVID-free following three days of national prayers. The argument was that …

COVID-19 vaccine update: South Africa may return Serum Institute of India doses

The WHO has approved the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus jab for emergency use. This means the vaccine can be rolled out globally 

First ever national survey shows the extent of South Africa’s TB problem

In 2019, 58,000 people died of TB in South Africa and 1.4 million people died from TB globally

COVID-19 vaccine update: AstraZeneca vaccinations should continue, benefits outweigh risks, says WHO

Strategic advisory group of experts on immunization called the one-dose Janssen shot as a safe and lifesaving addition to Pfizer, Moderna and …

What’s the new coronavirus variant in India and how should it change their COVID-19 response?

In 15-20% samples from Maharashtra, the state accounting for 62% of cases in the country, a new, double mutation in key areas of the virus has …