 |
| About Bioline | All Journals | Testimonials | Membership | News |
|
||||||
|
||||||
Indian Journal of Medical Sciences, Volume 57, Number 10, October 2003, pp. 469-473 News Code Number: ms03034 WHO Pledges To Help Poorer Countries With Access To Generic Drugs Calling for speedy implementation of a new agreement allowing countries without proper capacity for pharmaceutical production to import cheaper generic drugs, the United Nations health agency has pledged to work with interested states to realize the full public health advantages of the measures. The agreement covers all medicines. Among the diseases that could be more effectively tackled as a result of this decision are AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. "For the agreement to have the intended impact on public health, countries will need to review the full range of medicines required from multiple suppliers, including generic producers, when making purchasing decisions," the World Health Organization (WHO) said of the accord reached on 30 August. "WHO will work with the countries which could make use of the new arrangements to assist them to achieve the full public health benefit from the lower prices," it added in a statement. "Given the urgency of the health needs in the poorest countries, the work to implement this agreement must proceed as quickly as possible. The full impact of the agreement will depend on how effectively it can be implemented in counties."
Source: UN Weekly Newsletter, FAO: Cause of SARS Must Be Found To Prevent Future Outbreaks The threat of future outbreaks of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) remains real as long as its source is unknown, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) warned on 1 September, calling for more research on the disease. "To date there is no evidence that farm animal species have been infected with SARS coronavirus found in humans," the UN agency said in a statement, which was based on the report of Laurie Gleeson, a senior Australian veterinarian who recently returned from a three-week UN mission to China aimed at reviewing data collected from animal sources. "Based on preliminary laboratory testing, a number of animal species is under investigation as a possible source for the virus, including the palm civet, racoon dog, a species of fruit bat, and one species of snake, yet we still don't know the original source," Dr. Gleeson said, adding that those animals could have been exposed to the virus in the markets. She recommended targeted surveillance studies of animal population considered to be at high risk of exposure to SARS. Source: UN Weekly Newsletter, Recommendations on Preventing Skin Cancer Research results on skin cancer prevention published in the October 17, 2003, issue of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Recommendations and Reports offer recommendations for educational and policy approaches in primary schools, as well as recreational and tourism settings, to encourage people to wear hats or other garments to limit sun exposure. Among other findings are conclusions that further research is needed to understand the effectiveness of interventions in areas such as child care centers and worksites, as well as mass media campaigns. The role that counseling by primary care clinicians plays in changing patient behaviors to reduce skin cancer risk also was reviewed. This is the first combined publication from two leading independent panels: the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which is supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Task Force on Community Preventive Services, which is supported by the CDC. By coordinating the release of their recommendations, the task forces provide a comprehensive perspective of what works in doctors' offices, worksites, schools, and communities to promote health and prevent disease. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. In 2003, it is estimated that about 54,000 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, which is expected to account for 7,700 deaths. The most preventable risk factor for skin cancer is unprotected ultraviolet exposure, yet at least 50 percent of children and adults do not protect themselves adequately from exposure to the sun's UV rays. While knowledge of the risk of sun exposure and the use of sunscreen and other forms of sun protection have improved over the past two decades, a gap still exists between knowledge and behavior. Source: http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r031016a.htm Reports on Violence Prevention The two newest sets of findings from the Guide to Community Preventive Services (Community Guide) add new depth to what is known about strategies to prevent violence. Information released in one set of findings indicates that home visitations by trained personnel play an effective role in the reduction of child maltreatment, including abuse and/or neglect. In the other findings, there is insufficient scientific evidence on whether firearms laws have impact on violence rates. These two findings stem from reports issued today by The Task Force on Community Preventive Services, published in the October 3, 2003 edition of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWR). The task force recommends home visits be considered for families at risk for maltreatment of children. Studies reviewed by the group suggest that approximately 40 percent of maltreatment episodes might be prevented through programs of early childhood home visits. Families considered at high risk of child maltreatment include those with low birth weight infants, or with single, young, or low-income mothers. Home-visitation programs include training of parent(s) on prenatal and infant care, training on parenting, child abuse and neglect prevention, family planning assistance, development of problem solving and life skills for parents, and linkage with community services. The Task Force review of the effects of various laws showed insufficient evidence to conclude whether firearms laws impact rates of violence. Among the areas under task force review were: bans on specific firearms or ammunition, restrictions on firearm acquisition, waiting periods for firearm acquisition, firearm registration and licensing of firearm owners, "shall issue" concealed weapon carry laws, child access prevention laws, zero tolerance for firearms in schools, and combinations of firearm laws. A finding of "insufficient evidence to determine effectiveness" means that, based on the current body of literature, the Task Force is unable to determine whether the intervention was effective or not. The task force agreed that additional scientific studies relating to these interventions might help to provide clearer answers. Source : http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r031002.htm Maternal mortality is disproportionately high in developing countries New findings on maternal mortality by WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA show that a woman living in sub-Saharan Africa has a 1 in 16 chance of dying in pregnancy or childbirth. This compares with a 1 in 2,800 risk for a woman from a developed region. These findings are contained in a new global report on maternal mortality released today online on 20th October 2003. Of the estimated 529,000 maternal deaths in 2000, 95 per cent occurred in Africa and Asia, while only 4 per cent (22,000) occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean, and less than one per cent (2,500) in the more developed regions of the world. Experience from successful maternal health programmes shows that much of this death and suffering could be avoided if all women had the assistance of a skilled health worker during pregnancy and delivery, and access to emergency medical care when complications arise. Worldwide, 13 developing countries accounted for 70 per cent of all maternal deaths. The highest number occurred in India where 136,000 women died, followed by Nigeria where there were 37,000 deaths. Most maternal deaths and disability occur as the result of one or more of three delays: a delay in recognizing complications; a delay in reaching a medical facility; or a delay in receiving good quality care. Efforts to address these delays are essential in order to save the lives of mothers and babies. Education on family planning and the provision of family planning services of high quality can also make a difference. Source: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2003/pr77 WHO-UNICEF call for intensified efforts to protect children against measles At a landmark World Health Organization (WHO)/United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) meeting in Cape Town, leading players in the fight against measles spelled out what it will take to stop 2000 children dying every day from this preventable disease. Together with UNICEF special ambassador Angelique Kidjo, they issued a call for intensified efforts and the resources necessary to ensure all children are protected against measles. The "Cape Town Measles Declaration" calls on governments to take strong action against one of the world's most vicious and prolific vaccine-preventable childhood killers a disease which kills 745,000 children every year. Of all the vaccine-preventable diseases, measles remains the leading childhood killer. Measles is an important cause of overall under 5 childhood mortality. Measles affects over 30 million children. More than 745,000 die each year from measles more than half of them in Africa.
Source: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2003/pr76/en/print.html VISION 2020 VISION 2020 is a joint initiative of WHO and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). Launched in 1999 in Geneva, VISION 2020 includes other UN agencies, governments, eye care organizations, health professionals, philanthropic institutions and individuals working in partnership to eliminate avoidable blindness. Globally, an estimated 40 to 45 million people are blind and 135 million have low vision. But 80 per cent of visual loss can be prevented or cured, say the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), which jointly support VISION 2020: The Right to Sight. On World Sight Day 9 October 2003, VISION 2020 launched a CDROM Tool Kit, which provides practical and technical guidance and support for governments and health professionals to develop National Prevention of Blindness Plans. VISION 2020: The Right to Sight aims to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020. "The latest research shows that the numbers of people who needlessly become blind are increasing. WHO is committed to reversing that trend," says WHO Director-General Dr LEE Jong-wook. "The cost of education, rehabilitation and lost productivity due to blindness has a significant impact on individuals, families, communities and nations - particularly in the poorest areas of the world. WHO will support countries in delivering the right to sight." The majority of blindness - an estimated 90 per cent - occurs in developing countries. The leading causes of avoidable blindness and visual impairment are cataract, trachoma, river blindness, some conditions in children, such as vitamin A deficiency and retinopathy of prematurity, and the lack of glasses and low vision aids. This year, governments around the world showed their commitment to VISION 2020 by unanimously adopting a resolution on Elimination of Avoidable Blindness at the 56th World Health Assembly in May 2003. The resolution urges all governments to develop and evaluate National Prevention of Blindness Plans, with a view to implementing them by 2007. The global initiative has already helped over a hundred member countries initiate national level VISION 2020-related projects and activities working towards the achievement of the Vision 2020 goal. The Tool Kit, which was developed to help countries follow through on the WHA resolution, aims to give those involved in developing and implementing national plans the necessary evidence-based information, templates, data and research knowledge. Source: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/releases/2003/pr73/en Copyright 2003 - Indian Journal of Medical Sciences |
| |||||||||
