IGIHE

Category: Health

  • Sierra Leone Shuts Borders to Fight Ebola

    Sierra Leone Shuts Borders to Fight Ebola

    {{Sierra Leone shut its borders to trade with Guinea and Liberia on Wednesday and closed schools, cinemas and nightclubs in a frontier region in a bid to halt the spread of the Ebola virus.}}

    Sixteen people have died of Ebola in Sierra Leone, a figure that has doubled in the last week, Ministry of Health figures showed.

    Authorities will also mount health checkpoints in the eastern Kailahun district and mandated that all deaths there be reported before burial. Anyone who dies of the virus must be buried under the supervision of health personnel, the Information Ministry said.

    The decision to close district schools came after a nine-year-old whose parents died of Ebola tested positive for the virus, Deputy Minister of Information Theo Nicol told Reuters.

    “There is more contacts between school-going kids than adults hence the closure of schools in the most affected district,” he said. The ban exempted churches and mosques but religious leaders should urge anyone with a fever to go to a clinic, he said.

    Local groups welcomed the measures given public concern over the virus, which can be transmitted by touching victims or their body fluids.

    The virus initially causes a raging fever, headaches, muscle pain and conjunctivitis, before moving to severe phases that bring on vomiting, diarrhoea and internal and external bleeding.

    Some 328 cases and 208 deaths are linked to Ebola in Guinea, according to the World Health Organization, making the outbreak one of the deadliest for years.

    More than half of new deaths in Guinea were in the southern region of Gueckedou, epicentre of the outbreak which began in February, near the Sierra Leone and Liberian borders. The town is known for its weekly market which attracts traders from neighbouring countries.

    agencies

  • Algeria Reports First MERS Death

    Algeria Reports First MERS Death

    {{ Algeria said a 66-year-old man died from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), the first deadly case of the virus in the North African country.}}

    The man died late on Monday at a hospital in western Algeria where he had been receiving treatment since the confirmation of his infection late last month, the Health Ministry said in a statement.

    The man was one of two identified with MERS after returning from a pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, which has seen a jump in cases.

    A 59-year-old man, the second confirmed case, is still being treated in hospital and his health has improved, the statement said.

  • President Zuma Misses Cabinet Meeting over Poor Health

    President Zuma Misses Cabinet Meeting over Poor Health

    {{South African President Jacob Zuma will miss a cabinet meeting on Tuesday as he continues to rest after being admitted to hospital for health checks over the weekend, the presidency said.}}

    “President Jacob Zuma continues to rest at home this week and will not attend the Cabinet Lekgotla,” a presidency statement said, adding that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa would chair the June 10-12 meeting.

    Zuma was admitted to hospital for tests on Saturday and was released the following day as doctors were satisfied with his condition, government officials said.

    The hospital stay followed an announcement from his office on Friday that the 72-year-old would take a few days off from public appearances after a tiring campaign for a May 7 election in which he was elected for a second term.

  • Ebola death toll hits 208 in Guinea

    Ebola death toll hits 208 in Guinea

    {{Some 208 people have now died from the Ebola virus in Guinea after a deadly spike in recent days, world health officials say.

    At least 21 people died and 37 new cases of suspected Ebola were found between 29 May and 1 June, bringing the total number of cases in the West African country to 328.

    Of these, 193 have been confirmed by laboratory tests.

    There is no cure or vaccine for Ebola – one of the world’s deadliest viruses.}}

    More than half of the new deaths were in the southern Guekedou region, where the outbreak is centred.

    Three confirmed and 10 suspected new cases were recorded in neighbouring Sierra Leone over the same period.

    Six people are believed to have died there, as well as 10 in Liberia.

    Medical charities say one reason for the increase is that some people are refusing to go to hospital for treatment, preferring to seek help from traditional healers.

    Ebola, a haemorrhagic fever, can kill up to 90% of those infected and is passed on through contact with the fluids of infected people or animals, such as urine, sweat and blood.

    But people have a better chance of surviving if it is identified early and they receive medical attention.

    Experts from the World Health Organisation and the Doctors Without Borders charity are in the region, and about 600 people are under observation after having possible contact with Ebola.

    wirestory

  • Mers Virus: Saudi Arabia Raises Death toll to 282

    Mers Virus: Saudi Arabia Raises Death toll to 282

    {{Saudi Arabia says 282 people are now confirmed to have been killed by the Mers virus, almost 100 more than initially thought.}}

    The increase came after a national review of hospital data from the time the virus emerged in 2012.

    The deputy health minister, who has been criticised for his handling of the crisis, was sacked on Monday.

    Cases of the virus, for which there is no known cure, have been confirmed in almost a dozen other countries.

    Saudi authorities said there had now been 688 confirmed Mers (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) infections in the kingdom. Before the revision the number of cases was believed to be 575.

    Saudi health ministry spokesman Tariq Madani said that despite the revised figures, fewer people were now contracting the disease.

    “Though the review showed confirmed cases that needed to be added, we are still witnessing a decline in the number of newly registered cases in the past few weeks” he said.

    {{The Mers virus has been indentified in almost a dozen countries but has hit Saudi Arabia the hardest}}

    wirestory

  • UK Firm Evacuates Staff from Sierra Leone over Ebola Virus

    UK Firm Evacuates Staff from Sierra Leone over Ebola Virus

    {{Iron ore producer London Mining has evacuated some non-essential staff from Sierra Leone and imposed travel restrictions due to an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, the company said on Tuesday.}}

    Sierra Leone last month recorded five deaths from Ebola, its first confirmed fatalities from an outbreak of the haemorrhagic fever that has is believed to have killed around 185 people in neighbouring Guinea and Liberia since March.

    London Mining said its output had not been affected and no cases of Ebola had been found in communities around the mine.

    But a spokesman for the company, which operates the Marampa mine some 120 km (75 miles) east of Freetown, said eight non-essential staff had left Sierra Leone at the weekend and those abroad on holiday had been advised not to return for now.

    “The company has also restricted non-essential travel and all such travels are approved by the managing director of London Mining,” Osman Lahai said.

    A spokesman for African Minerals, another British iron ore miner in the West African state, said it had also introduced travel restrictions on workers but operations were otherwise unaffected.

    Both firms said they had put in place systems to screen the body temperatures of people working on their sites.

    An Ebola outbreak began earlier this year in Guinea’s remote southeast, spreading later to Guinea’s capital, Conakry, and into neighbouring Liberia. Until last month, suspected cases of Ebola in Sierra Leone had tested negative.

    reuters

  • Tanzania Child Deaths Drop

    Tanzania Child Deaths Drop

    {{The United Nations Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, has applauded Tanzania for decreasing maternal and neonatal deaths in line with the 2015 Millennium Goals.}}

    According to a statement made available by the State House, Mr Ban made the remarks during the last day of a conference on discussions of mother and child health in Toronto, Canada.

    “I would like to congratulate President Kikwete for his efforts in reducing maternal and neonatal deaths. President Kikwete and [Canadian] Prime Minister [Stephen] Harper have revealed how they have grown up in their leadership skills,” said Mr Ban.

    He also urged other countries to emulate Canada in helping other countries to fight against the deaths. Despite these successes, President Kikwete said efforts were still needed to maintain the gains. “We still need health professionals, equipment and technologies.” He said concerted efforts were still needed to manage the success.

    Earlier, President Kikwete said at the dawn of the new millennium, maternal mortality was at 870 per 100,000 live births, infant mortality rate was 115 per 1,000 live births and under-five mortality rate was at 191 per 1,000 live births.

    He also noted that the coverage of contraceptives was 7 per cent, and only 43.9 per cent of women gave birth at the health facilities.

    under the care of skilled health professional.

    “Today, less than 600 days towards the deadline, Tanzania maternal mortality rates in 2010 were 454 deaths per 100,000 live births, neonatal rate was 21 (2012) deaths per 1,000 live births and under five mortality is at 54 deaths per 1,000 live births,” said Mr President.

    He added that the use of contraceptives had increased to 27 per cent from 7 and women who give birth at health facilities and attended by skilled midwives are 51 per cent.

    NMG

  • Government Spends $1.7M on Abortion Complications

    Government Spends $1.7M on Abortion Complications

    {{The government of Rwanda spends over $1.7Million to treat complications resulting from unsafe abortions according to a research study- {‘The Health System Cost of Post-Abortion Care in Rwanda’}.}}

    Expenditure on treatment of abortion complications has been found to be about 11% of total amount of public funds spent on reproductive health.

    Meanwhile, the average cost of treating a Rwandan woman for post-abortion complications is approximately $93 (Frw62,000). According to research study, this is higher than the cost of providing a woman with modern contraceptive methods for one year.

    According to the study conducted by researchers at the Guttmacher Institute, the University of Rwanda’s School of Public Health and the Rwandan Ministry of Health, it has been revealed that in 2012, about 18,000 Rwandan women needed treatment for complications resulting from unsafe abortion and this cost the government a whooping U$1.7Million.

    {{The Post Abortion Cost}}

    Most post-abortion care costs were incurred at health centers ($705,000) followed by district hospitals ($519,000) and referral hospitals ($235,000).

    These estimated costs include both direct costs such as drugs, supplies, tests, medical personnel and hospitalization fees, and indirect costs for overhead and capital expenses.

    The study’s findings are based on data collected in April and May 2012 from 39 public and private health facilities selected to be nationally representative.

    Although recent data on the cost of family planning services in Rwanda is unavailable, assuming the cost is similar to that of neighbouring countries (about $30 or 20,000 Rwf per user), every franc spent on family planning could save the health system more than three francs in post-abortion care costs that would be averted.

    The majority of women were treated for incomplete abortion (75%), and smaller proportions were treated for more serious complications such as sepsis (13%) and shock (9%).

    According to a 2012 study, about one-third of women who experienced post-abortion complications that required treatment did not receive the needed care in a health facility.

    “Unsafe abortion poses a serious threat to Rwandan women’s health and lives. It also places a significant and unnecessary burden on Rwanda’s health care system,” said Michael Vlassoff, the study’s lead author.

    “The vast majority of these abortions could be avoided by preventing unintended pregnancy, which is the root cause of most abortions. Family planning services must be expanded to ensure all Rwandan women are able to plan their pregnancies.”

    While Rwanda has made impressive progress in improving the proportion of married women using modern contraceptives, an estimated 47% of all pregnancies in the country were unintended in 2012.

    The study finds that more spending on family planning services to reduce unintended pregnancy would not only improve women’s health, but substantially reduce spending on postabortion care.

    “The results of the study are very informative and will be used to continue the government’s efforts to improve maternal health in Rwanda,” said Dr. Fidele Ngabo, Director of Maternal and Child Health at the Ministry of Health.

    “Until recently, abortion was legally permitted in Rwanda only when two physicians certified that it was necessary to save a pregnant woman’s life or protect her physical health.

    However, the May 2012 revision of the law also permits abortion in cases of fetal abnormality, rape, incest and forced marriage, so the country has already made progress on this issue.

    Moreover, the Ministry of Health is also extending postabortion care provision for all cases of abortion and increasing access to modern contraceptives.”

  • US Citizens Immunised: Measles on Rise

    US Citizens Immunised: Measles on Rise

    {{Public health experts in the US are urging people to get vaccinated after a spike in measles cases in the country this year.}}

    The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported 288 cases of measles in the first five months of 2014 – the largest number for 20 years.

    The outbreak is thought to be linked to US citizens travelling to the Philippines.

    The CDC says timely vaccination is the best way to prevent measles.

    Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of CDC’s National Centre for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases, said many US healthcare providers had never seen or treated a patient with measles because of the country’s robust vaccination efforts and rapid response to outbreaks.

    Measles was eliminated from the United States in 2000, meaning that for more than 12 months there was no longer any continuous measles transmission.

    She said: “The current increase in measles cases is being driven by unvaccinated people, primarily US residents, who got measles in other countries, brought the virus back to the United States and spread to others in communities where many people are not vaccinated.”

    “Many of the clusters in the US began following travel to the Philippines where a large outbreak has been occurring since October 2013.”

    Two doses

    Of the 288 cases, 280 were thought to have been imported from at least 18 countries.

    Ninety per cent of all measles cases in the US occurred in people who were not vaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.

    More than one in seven cases has led to stays in hospital.

    In the US, the CDC recommends two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine for everyone starting at age 12 months.

    For those travelling abroad, the CDC recommends that babies older than six months receive the MMR vaccine.

    Measles is a serious viral illness that is highly contagious.

    The initial symptoms of measles develop around 10 days after infection. These can include cold-like symptoms, red eyes and sensitivity to light, a high temperature or fever and greyish white spots in the mouth and throat.

    After a few days, a red-brown spotty rash will appear. This usually starts behind the ears and then spreads around the head and neck before spreading to the rest of the body.

    Measles is still common in many parts of the world, including countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa.

    BBC

  • UNFPA Statement on International Day to End Obstetric Fistula

    UNFPA Statement on International Day to End Obstetric Fistula

    {{The theme of this year’s International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, “Tracking Fistula – Transforming Lives,” reflects an important step forward in eradicating this preventable condition, which affects an estimated two million women and girls in developing countries.}}

    Obstetric fistula highlights persistent global inequalities in access to health care and basic human rights.

    Most women who develop fistula, a hole in the birth canal usually caused by prolonged, obstructed labour, remain untreated for their entire lives, and the condition can easily recur in women and girls whose fistula has been surgically treated but who receive little or no medical follow-up and then become pregnant again.

    To treat fistula and provide women with follow-up medical care, we need to know more about how many women and girls are in need of services and also where they live. In most instances, stigma forces women living with the condition to remain hidden and isolates them from families and communities.

    By systematically registering and tracking each woman and girl who has or had an obstetric fistula, we can make enormous strides in improving their well-being and increasing the chances of their babies’ survival in subsequent pregnancies.

    Eliminating the health crisis of obstetric fistula requires scaling up countries’ capacities to provide access to equitable, high-quality sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning and maternity care, especially comprehensive emergency obstetric care.

    Tracking and treating all fistula cases is crucial, but it is also necessary for countries to take steps to prevent fistulas by addressing underlying medical and socio-economic causes, eliminating gender-based social and economic inequities, preventing child marriage and early childbearing and promoting education, especially for girls.

    To address the neglected health and human rights violation of obstetric fistula, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, together with partners around the world, launched the global Campaign to End Fistula a decade ago.

    Much progress has been made. With support from UNFPA, 47,000 women and girls have undergone fistula repair surgery. Partner organizations have provided treatment to many more women and girls living with fistula.

    However, much remains to be done, and far more support and momentum are needed to enable the Campaign to expand its reach to all corners of the world where women suffering from fistula remain isolated and often unaware that treatment is available or even possible.

    The time has come to put an end to obstetric fistula and address the circumstances that perpetuate it, including poverty, lack of access to health care, child marriage and early childbearing. We have the resources and know-how.

    What we need now is the political will to elevate the status of women and girls, rectify inequalities and protect the human rights of every woman and girl, so that fistula may never again undermine a person’s health, well-being, dignity and ability to participate in and contribute to their communities.

    {Author is United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund}