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Tag: WHO

  • African countries heading for coronavirus peak in weeks – WHO

    African countries heading for coronavirus peak in weeks – WHO

    Some African countries could see a peak in coronavirus cases in the coming weeks and testing should be urgently increased in the region, World Health Organisation (WHO) officials have said.

    “During the last four days, we can see that the numbers have already doubled,” Michel Yao, the WHO Africa programme manager for emergency response, told a media teleconference yesterday.

    “If the trend continues, and also learning from what happened in China and in Europe, some countries may face a huge peak very soon,” he said, adding that it could arrive in the coming weeks, but without naming countries.

    The numbers of recorded coronavirus infections in Africa have been relatively low so far – with nearly 11,000 cases and 562 deaths, according to a Reuters tally based on government statements and WHO data.

    Yesterday, Zambia imposed several measures, including the closure of all education institutions, banning public gatherings of 50 or more people and suspending non-essential foreign travel.

    The WHO’s Africa chief, Matshidiso Moeti, said there is an urgent need to expand testing capacity beyond capital cities in Africa as the virus spreads through countries.

    “Without help and action now, poor countries and vulnerable communities could suffer massive devastation,” WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told diplomats in Geneva.

    Meanwhile, the African Union (AU) said yesterday that a controversial suggestion made by French doctors to test a coronavirus vaccine in Africa smacks of colonialism and will not be pursued.

    “We condemn in no uncertain terms any attempt to come and try this vaccine on Africa and we reject it totally.

    “The times of the colonialists are past gone,’’ Kwesi Quartey, the Deputy Chairperson of the AU said in Addis Ababa.

    He noted that the continent has had the “least amount of casualties’’ from the virus, with a total of 572 deaths recorded and suggested that any vaccine be tested in the worst-affected places such as New York, Paris or Italy.

    During a programme that aired on French television recently, Camille Locht from France’s National Institute of Health and Medical Research and Jean-Paul Mira from the Cochin Hospital in Paris suggested Africa as a location for vaccine tests.

    According to them, people there do not have masks, treatments or resuscitation.

    The doctors’ comments caused uproar and were condemned by the French embassy in South Africa, among others.

    Quartey also took issue with recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump criticising the coronavirus response by the World Health Organisation, which is led by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, an Ethiopian national.a

  • COVID-19: WHO reacts to Trump’s threats to cut funding

    COVID-19: WHO reacts to Trump’s threats to cut funding

    The World Health Organisation, WHO on Wednesday replied U.S. President Trump and advised him not to cut funding amid an “acute phase of a pandemic”.

    The UN agency debunked Trump’s accusation that it “very China-centric,”.

    It said that continuing work with China is vital for research to combat the virus around the world.

    Mr. Trump on Tuesday criticised the organization in a tweet. He said the organisation “really blew it,” adding that he will review the U.S.’ funding.

    But Dr. Bruce Aylward, a senior advisor to director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a virtual press conference Wednesday from Geneva explained the agency’s operations.

    He said it “was absolutely critical in the early part of this outbreak to have full access to everything possible, to get on the ground and work with the Chinese to understand this.”

    “This is what we did with every other hard hit country like Spain and had nothing to do with China specifically,” he added.

    Dr. Hans Kluge, the WHO’s Regional Director for Europe, during the briefing hit back on Mr. Trump’s suggestion to cut funding to the organization and insisted that because the world remains in the “acute phase of a pandemic … now is not the time to cut back on funding.”

    Reuters said the U.S. contributed more than $400 million to the WHO in 2019.

    China, the second largest contributor, paid $44 million.

  • World Health Day: WHO pays tribute to health workers battling COVID-19

    World Health Day: WHO pays tribute to health workers battling COVID-19

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, has paid tribute to all healthcare workers battling the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) around the world.

    The UN’s health agency paid the tribute on its official twitter account @WHOAFRO to commemorate the World Health Day.

    The World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated every April 7, under the sponsorship of the WHO, as well as other related organisations.

    WHO declared 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife; and the day has been set aside to celebrate the work of the caregivers.

    “On World Health Day, let’s say thank you to all the nurses and midwives who put themselves at risk to help people everywhere, including in times of outbreaks.

    “Today is a day to celebrate the critical role of nurses and midwives in keeping the world healthy.

    “Thank you Midwife Helen Masika who worked tirelessly to protect newborns from Ebola infection in Butembo in Democratic Republic of Congo,” WHO stated.

    Meanwhile, WHO headquarters in Geneva has launched a new report that provided an in-depth look at the largest component of the health workforce globally to commemorate the day.

    In the new report on “The State of the World’s Nursing 2020,’’ WHO provided an in-depth look at the largest component of the health workforce.

    The report highlights the nursing contribution and confirms that investment in the nursing profession is a benefit to society, not a cost.

    “The world needs millions more nurses, and we are calling on governments to do the right thing, invest in this wonderful profession and watch their populations benefit from the amazing work that only nurses can do.

    “About 90 per cent of all nurses are female, yet few nurses are found in senior health leadership positions – the bulk of those positions are held by men.

    “But when countries enable nurses to take a leadership role, for example by having a government chief nursing officer (or equivalent), and nursing leadership programmes, conditions for nurses improve,” the report noted.

    The report also said to equip the world with the nursing workforce, it required WHO and its partners recommend that all countries increase funding to educate and employ more nurses; strengthen capacity to collect, analyse and act on data about the health workforce.

    It also expects WHO and its partners to monitor nurse mobility and migration and manage it responsibly and ethically.

    Additionally, it wants WHO and partners to, “Educate and train nurses in the scientific, technological and sociological skills they need to drive progress in primary health care; establish leadership positions including a government chief nurse and support leadership development among young nurses.

    “Ensure that nurses in primary health care teams work to their full potential, for example in preventing and managing non-communicable diseases.

    “Improve working conditions including through safe staffing levels, fair salaries, and respecting rights to occupational health and safety; implement gender-sensitive nursing workforce policies.”

    The report similarly wants WHO and its partners to, “Modernise professional nursing regulation by harmonising education and practice standards and using systems that can recognise and process nurses’ credentials globally.

    “Strengthen the role of nurses in care teams by bringing different sectors (health, education, immigration, finance and labour) together with nursing stakeholders for policy dialogue and workforce planning.”

  • COVID-19: Don’t rush to lift restrictions too quickly, WHO urges Nations

    COVID-19: Don’t rush to lift restrictions too quickly, WHO urges Nations

    The World Health Organisations (WHO) has urged nations not to be in a hurry to rescind lockdown policies implemented to forestall the coronavirus pandemic.

    The WHO’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, made the call at a COVID-19 media briefing on Friday.

    Ghebreyesus warned that if countries rushed to lift restrictions, “the virus could resurge and the economic impact could be even more severe and prolonged.”

    “Financing the health response is, therefore, an essential investment not just in saving lives, but in the longer-term social and economic recovery,” he added.

    The WHO chief advised countries to focus on three key areas – the implementation of core public health measures, the strengthening of health workers’ welfare and the removal of financial barriers to healthcare for all citizens.

    “If people delay or forego care because they can’t afford it, they not only harm themselves, they make the pandemic harder to control and put society at risk,” Ghebreyesus said.

    He advised governments to “consider using cash transfers to the most vulnerable households to overcome barriers to access.

    “This may be particularly important for refugees, internally displaced persons, migrants and the homeless.”

  • FACT CHECK: False! Coronavirus is not an airborne disease

    FACT CHECK: False! Coronavirus is not an airborne disease

    CLAIM: Novel coronavirus aka Covid-19 is an Airborne Disease

    CONCLUSION: False

    EVIDENCE: World Health Organisation (WHO) said coronavirus is not airborne, rather it is transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneeze or speaks.

    FULL TEXT: Since February 27, the day the novel coronavirus found its way to Nigeria, there has been quite alot of misconceptions about the pandemic. No doubt the disease caused a lot of panic among citizens. One among many of the misconceptions was that the Virus is airborne. TNG fact checkers attempted to find out from medical experts. For Doctor Haruna Gidado a consultant with the Barau Dikko specialist Hospital Kaduna, the Covid-19 can only be airborne if it is light enough to be carried by air, but its not. “The virus is handicap and can be wiped out with antiseptic” Dr Gidado said.

    Another fact announced by the world health organisation on its official twitter handle states; “COVID19 is not airborne. The coronavirus is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks.

    “To protect yourself: -keep 1m distance from others -disinfect surfaces frequently -wash/rub your Open hands -avoid touching your. These droplets are too heavy to hang in the air. They quickly fall on floors or surfaces.

    “You can be infected by breathing in the virus if you are within one meter of a person who has COVID-19. You can be infected by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth before washing your hands.

    “To protect yourself, keep at least one meter distance from others and disinfect surfaces that are touched frequently. Regularly clean your hands thoroughly and avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose,” WHO said.

    CONCLUSION: The Covid-19 not being an Airborne Disease can be prevented and managed where necessary. Citizens should therefore adhere to safety regulations currently in the media.

  • COVID-19: Holding breath, hot weather does not prevent transmission–WHO

    COVID-19: Holding breath, hot weather does not prevent transmission–WHO

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) says holding breath for 10 seconds or more without coughing or feeling discomfort does not mean an individual is free from the COVID-19
    disease.

    WHO in a statement on Sunday said that the best way to confirm if an individual has the virus was through a laboratory test

    “You cannot confirm it with this breathing exercise, which can even be dangerous,” WHO said.

    It added that evidence had shown that the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in all areas, including areas with hot and humid weather.

    “Regardless of climate, adopt protective measures if you live in, or travel to an area reporting COVID-19.

    “The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands.

    “By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose,” it said.

    The health agency noted that taking a hot bath does not prevent COVID-19, adding that normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the temperature of the bath or shower.

    “Actually, taking a hot bath with extremely hot water can be harmful, as it can burn you,” it said

    It stresses that COVID-19 cannot be transmitted through mosquito bites, saying there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes.

    “The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.

    “To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Also, avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing and sneezing,” it said.

    WHO warned that spraying alcohol or chlorine all over the body would not kill viruses that have already entered the body, adding that spraying such substances could be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes like eyes and mouth.

    It added that both alcohol and chlorine could be useful to disinfect surfaces, noting that the use should be under appropriate recommendations.

  • COVID-19: Six things countries must do to successfully tackle pandemic during lockdown – WHO

    Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General, has urged countries that had introduced “lockdown” measures to use this time to attack Coronavirus (COVID-19).

    Ghebreyesus gave the advice in a speech read at a news conference in Geneva, posted on the agency’s website.

    The director-general said that no fewer than 16,000 lives had been lost to the virus.

    “We know we will lose more – how many more will be determined by the decisions we make and the actions we take now.

    “To slow the spread of COVID-19, many countries have introduced unprecedented measures, at a significant social and economic cost. They have closed schools and businesses, cancelled sporting events and asked people to stay home and stay safe.

    “We understand that these countries are now trying to assess when and how they will be able to ease these measures.

    “The answer depends on what countries do while these population-wide measures are in place.

    “Asking people to stay at home and shutting down population movement is buying time and reducing the pressure on health systems.

    “But on their own, these measures will not extinguish epidemics. The point of these actions is to enable the more precise and targeted measures that are needed to stop transmission and save lives,’’ he said.

    Ghebreyesus further advised countries that had adopted “lockdown” measures to take some actions to attack the virus.

    According to him, the countries have created a second window of opportunity, but “the question is, how will you use it?

    “There are six key actions that we recommend. First, expand, train and deploy your health care and public health workforce.

    “Second, implement a system to find every suspected case at the community level; third, ramp up the production, capacity and availability of testing.

    “Fourth, identify, adapt and equip facilities you will use to treat and isolate patients; fifth, develop a clear plan and process to quarantine contacts;

    “And sixth, refocus the whole of government on suppressing and controlling the Coronavirus.’’

    He said the measures were the best way to suppress and stop transmission so that when restrictions are lifted, the virus doesn’t resurge.

    “The last thing any country needs is to open schools and businesses, only to be forced to close them again because of a resurgence.

    “Aggressive measures to find, isolate, test, treat and trace are not only the best and fastest way out of extreme social and economic restrictions – they are also the best way to prevent them.

    “More than 150 countries and territories still have fewer than 100 cases.’’

  • No cure yet for coronavirus – WHO

    There is currently no treatment that has been proven to be effective against coronavirus (COVID-19),” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organisation director-general said on Monday.

    At a virtual news conference in Geneva, Tedros warned against the use of drugs not shown to work against the disease.

    His remarks came as the number of deaths soared past 15,000, with more than 341,000 people infected worldwide.

    “Using untested medicines without the right evidence could raise false hope and even do more harm than good,” he said.

    Among other things, countries are looking at using antimalarial drugs as a treatment against the new coronavirus.

    He praised the great energy being put into research and development to find a vaccine and of drugs to treat COVID-19.

    He said there were “alarming” reports of large numbers of infections among health workers.

    Protecting them from the virus should be a top priority because otherwise “many people will die because the health worker who could have saved their lives is sick,” he said.

  • ‘Heartbreaking’ says WHO as Coronavirus cases jump to 300,000 worldwide

    ‘Heartbreaking’ says WHO as Coronavirus cases jump to 300,000 worldwide

    The coronavirus is spreading ever faster, and there are now over 300,000 confirmed cases recorded worldwide, the World Health Organisation’s figures said on Monday.

    “It took 67 days for the first 100,000 cases to be confirmed, 11 days for the next 100,000, and only four for the last 100,000,’’ it said.

    WHO director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called the development “heartbreaking.”

    He also said that the number of coronavirus infections among doctors and care personnel is especially alarming.

    “When the people who take care of the sick become ill themselves, many more people will die,’’ Tedros warned.

    He also called on Group of 20 countries to work together to ratchet up the production of protective gear.

    Tedros also said that those materials must be distributed fairly and arrive where they are needed most.

    Report says the G20 includes the most important industrialised and emerging countries, which together account for over 80 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product.

  • WHO recommends ‘airborne precautions’ after coronavirus found to survive in air

    The World Health Organization is considering new “airborne precautions” for medical professionals after a new study suggested that the coronavirus can survive in the air for hours.

    Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, head of WHO’s emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, emphasized Monday the importance of health care workers taking additional steps to protect themselves when performing some procedures on infected patients.

    The everyday person shouldn’t be concerned, Van Kerkhove said, but medical staff may be susceptible when performing procedures such as intubation — where a tube is placed down a patient’s throat and into their airway to assist with breathing.

    “When you do an aerosol-generating procedure like in a medical care facility, you have the possibility to what we call aerosolize these particles, which means they can stay in the air a little bit longer,” Van Kerkhove said.

    She added that it’s “very important that health care workers take additional precautions when they’re working on patients and doing those procedures.”

    The virus is typically transmitted through respiratory droplets, such as when someone sneezes or coughs, but a new study indicated that it can remain suspended in the air for up to three hours.

    The CDC currently recommends health care workers wear N95 masks — which are able to filter out about 95% of all liquid or airborne particles.

    Van Kerkhove’s remarks come as health care professionals across the world battle on the front lines of COVID-19, which has infected more than 190,000 people as of Tuesday afternoon, according to a tally from John Hopkins University.