Health and medicine

Rwanda is on the verge of officially declaring its Marburg outbreak as resolved after successfully discharging the very last patient who had fully recovered. Over the course of this health crisis, the nation witnessed more than 60 cases of infection, leading to 15 tragic fatalities, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). With a significant number of individuals having emerged victorious against the virus, the mortality rate now sits at a concerning 23%. Furthermore, it's noteworthy that there haven’t been any…

Doctors Without Borders, an esteemed international medical charity, is urgently appealing to major pharmaceutical companies and every manufacturer of insulin to dramatically improve access to diabetes treatments in low- and middle-income nations. They’re advocating for the availability of insulin pen injection devices at a price point of just $1. In their recent announcement, they underscored a staggering fact: approximately 80% of individuals living with diabetes are found in low- and middle-income countries. These regions…

Recent reports have emerged of new cholera cases at the Gache Gache fishing camp and Nyamhunga village, not long after the previous outbreak was officially declared over. Alarmingly, this situation raises concerns about the potential for the highly mobile fishmongering community to facilitate the disease's spread throughout Kariba and its neighboring regions. Tragically, one individual has succumbed to the illness, while 14 others are suspected to be infected. In response, the health ministry has actively engaged…

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has celebrated a significant breakthrough in public health, marking its successful introduction of malaria vaccination into its nationwide immunization framework. As reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the DRC now stands as the 15th country in Africa to roll out malaria vaccines. Prior to this, 14 other nations—namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Niger, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and South…

Dr. Yvan Butera, the State Minister for Health in Rwanda, has issued a warning regarding the ongoing battle against the Marburg virus. While he noted some encouraging signs in the country's efforts to contain the outbreak, he emphasized that the crisis "is far from over." Yet, there’s a glimmer of optimism as Dr. Butera remarked, "we are making progress." In another concerning development, the Africa Centers for Disease Control (Africa CDC) reported that the mpox outbreak—another pressing health threat in the region—is still…

For many, the fascination with horror can appear insensible. With real-life nightmares like school shootings, child abuse, and war rampant in our society, why do we chase after fabricated fears for entertainment? This thought-provoking question raises eyebrows, as noted by Sarah Kollat in an insightful piece for The Conversation Africa. Unlike in some parts of the world, Halloween celebrations are low-key on the African continent. Discussions around "black magic" and "witchcraft" often accompany any mention of the holiday,…

In a recent announcement, Sabin Nsanzimana, the Minister of Health, disclosed that the current Marburg virus outbreak originated with a 27-year-old individual who had come into contact with fruit bats while working in a cave linked to mining activities. This patient sought care at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali. Initially misdiagnosed with malaria, further testing eventually confirmed he was infected with the Marburg virus, leading to a rapid spread of the disease among close contacts and several healthcare workers.…

Chad has launched a comprehensive vaccination initiative that includes the R21 malaria vaccine, representing a significant advancement in safeguarding the health of its younger population. This ambitious campaign is set to provide the PCV13, rotavirus, and malaria vaccines to an impressive total of 19.7 million children aged between six months and five years. Notably, the malaria vaccine will specifically benefit 168,522 children across 28 targeted districts. By incorporating the malaria vaccine into its national…

Rwanda’s Health Minister, Sabin Nsanzimana, recently announced some promising news regarding the country's battle against the Marburg virus. Since the outbreak first emerged in September, there’s been a notable decrease in the rate of new infections, a sign that has the nation hopeful. Nsanzimana described this trend as "very encouraging." Reflecting on the initial phase of the outbreak, he mentioned, "The first two weeks felt somewhat stagnant; we were still unearthing the nature of this virus." However, he expressed…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has bestowed Egypt with the distinguished title of malaria-free, a momentous achievement that signifies a remarkable triumph in public health. This accomplishment is the culmination of nearly a century-long commitment by this North African nation to eradicate a disease that has shadowed its history since the dawn of civilization. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Malaria has been intertwined with Egyptian civilization for millennia.…