A new study implemented by the Aurum Institute and Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU) in South Africa, the Ohio State University, Global One Health initiative in Ethiopia, and by Centro de Investigação de Saúde de Manhiça (CISM) in Mozambique has found that a single course of weekly rifapentine and isoniazid for three months (3HP) provides…
New global plan to end TB
The Stop TB Partnership launched the Global Plan to End TB 2018-2022 that calls for 2.6 billion USD per year for vital research and development of new tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic tools, new drug regimens and a new vaccine, and 13 billion USD per year for TB care and prevention. With the new Global Plan, the…
Strengthening health systems to better fight infectious diseases in Africa
The WHO reports that 13 million people die from infectious diseases each year. In some countries, one in every two deaths is a result of an infectious disease; while in Africa, diseases like HIV/Aids, TB, malaria and hepatitis account for the majority of these deaths. Dr Izukanji Sikazwe, CEO of the Centre of Infectious Disease…
Public vs Private: Massive investments in the former still fail to attract Patients
Despite a significant proportion of the population qualifying for free care, patients in South Africa still prefer to attend private sector facilities. This is according to Statistics South Africa’s General Household Survey (GHS) of 2015, in which user satisfaction surveys revealed that only 57.6% of patients in the public sector were satisfied with the services…
Global leaders from across Africa meet to counter microbial resistance, help global fight
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) will convene a landmark summit of key regional stakeholders and international experts today to discuss antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and diagnostics. During the event, a significant Memorandum of Understanding will be signed between the two organizations, pledging a commitment to identify…
TB Alliance Sublicenses Promising Anti-Tuberculosis Drug from the Medicines Patent Pool
Herman Opondo On World Tuberculosis Day, TB Alliance and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) announced a licensing agreement for the clinical development of sutezolid, an antibiotic drug candidate which demonstrated encouraging results in early studies. The sublicense pertains to the development of sutezolid in combination with other TB drugs and follows the MPP’s license for…
SMS for Life 2.0 Nigeria launch to help improve essential medicine access
Novartis (www.Novartis.com) has announced in Kaduna State, Nigeria the launch of an innovative technology-based healthcare program called SMS for Life 2.0. The program aims to increase the availability of essential medicines and improve care for patients across the region by using simple, available, and affordable technology. SMS for Life 2.0 is a joint public-private partnership…