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Billions More Required for UN-Backed Global Collaboration against COVID-19

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The supply of COVID-19 vaccines to developing countries needs to be stepped up, according to the UN.

A new strategy announced recently by the world Health organization(WHO) calls for $23.4 billion to combat inequities in accessing COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments, as cases of the disease mount globally for the first time in three months.

The funding for the Access to COVID Tools (ACT) Accelerator – the UN-backed global initiative to end the pandemic – is critical to prevent some five million additional potential deaths, as well as $5.3 trillion in global economic losses.

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Unfulfilled potential

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WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said through its vaccine pillar, COVAX, the ACT Accelerator has so far delivered 425 million doses to 144 countries alone.

Nearly 130 million tests, as well as increased supply of oxygen, personal protective equipment (PPE) and treatments, have also been distributed.

“But the ACT Accelerator has so far been prevented from fulfilling its potential by severe supply and financing constraints,” said Tedros, speaking during the regular press briefing from WHO headquarters in Geneva.

He warned that unless the pandemic is controlled everywhere, the virus will mutate and continue to circulate everywhere.

“The high transmissibility of the Delta variant has reinforced what we have been saying since we set up the ACT Accelerator: vaccines alone will not end the pandemic. We need all tools – vaccines, tests, treatments, PPE and public health measures – to fight COVID-19 and save lives and livelihoods now.”

Europe driving case rise

The spike in COVID-19 cases globally is a reminder that the pandemic is far from over. Numbers are increasing for the first time in two months, largely due to an ongoing rise in Europe, which outweighs declines elsewhere.

Tedros said the pandemic persists mainly because inequitable access to tools persists.

“If the 6.8 billion vaccine doses administered globally so far had been distributed equitably, we would have reached our 40 per cent target in every country by now,” he told journalists.

Appeal to G20 leaders

Ahead of the G20 summit this weekend in Rome, Tedros issued an appeal to the world’s leading industrial nations, as they “have the ability to make the political and financial commitments that are needed to end this pandemic, and to prevent future crises.”

He urged leaders to fully fund the ACT Accelerator and to support creation of legally-binding global treaty on pandemic preparedness and response.  He further called for creation of a Health Threats Financing Board, supported by a Financial Intermediary Fund, hosted by the World Bank.

Actions louder than words

Despite lofty rhetoric about global solidarity, the goal of a “people’s vaccine” against COVID-19 is far from being reached, the UN and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement said in a joint statement recently.

Stressing that “it is time for actions to speak louder than words”, the partners have united to reinforce a joint call for global vaccine equity ahead of the G20 Rome summit.

“Profits and short-sighted vaccine nationalism continue to trump humanity when it comes to the equitable distribution of vaccines,” they said.

‘A humanitarian imperative’

Although some 48 per cent of the world’s population has received at least one vaccine dose, the number plummets to barely three per cent in low-income countries, and the situation is “particularly worrying” in countries suffering humanitarian crisis.

“It is a humanitarian imperative and our shared responsibility to ensure that lives everywhere are protected, not only in the few countries that have the means to buy protection,” they said.

The partners issued a five-point call to governments, partners, donors, the private sector, and other stakeholders, urging them to scale up COVID-19 vaccine supply and access to COVAX, including through donations, and to increase funding and support so that vaccines can reach all people.

They appealed for strengthening vaccine production and distribution capacity, particularly in low and middle-income countries and accelerating technology transfers, and urged manufacturers to lift all remaining barriers to allow humanitarian agencies access to vaccines.

 

 

Health

Kano Nurses Consider Separation from National Body Over Leadership Concerns

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A significant number of nurses, particularly younger professionals, are expressing their intention to withdraw from the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) due to perceived failures in leadership at the state level. Many nurses and midwives have voiced their frustrations regarding the union’s inability to advocate effectively for their welfare, leading to widespread discontent within the healthcare community.

The primary concerns driving this potential breakaway include:

1. Ineffective Representation: Nurses are increasingly worried about the union’s failure to address critical issues such as the implementation of hazard allowances, upgrading CONHESS to 100%, timely promotions, inadequate salaries, poor working conditions, and improper placement of graduate nurses upon employment. Additionally, there have been delays in approving changes in cadre for registered nurses to officer status, as well as a review of allowances for NYSC graduate nurses.

2. Insufficient Advocacy for Nurses’ Rights: There is a growing sentiment among nurses that their rights are not being adequately represented. Many face workplace challenges and instances of abuse without the support of a strong advocacy system to negotiate fair treatment and justice.

3. Lack of Transparency: Concerns have been raised about the financial governance of the union, particularly regarding monthly rebates and overall financial activities. Nurses are calling for a detailed financial report to ensure transparency in how union funds are managed.

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Additional issues contributing to the unrest include low morale, stagnation of professional growth, and a general loss of trust in union leadership.

Young nurses in Kano State are demanding immediate action to address these pressing concerns. If these issues remain unresolved, they may feel compelled to sever ties with the union altogether.

“We urge the management and leadership of NANNM to take these concerns seriously and engage with the necessary authorities to improve the welfare of nurses in our state,” said a representative of the concerned nurses. “Failure to act promptly may leave us with no choice but to pursue separation from the union.”

The situation remains fluid as nurses await a response from union leadership regarding their demands.

One of the nurses who pleaded anonymity released their stand to news men in Kano.

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Health

Kano Vows to Mitigate Cholera Outbreak

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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf

 

Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim

The Kano State government has said that it has taken proactive measures to safeguard people against the Cholera outbreak.

Commissioner of Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, made this disclosure on the “Zauren Premier” program at Premier Radio Kano.

He explained that, in response to the pandemic’s spread across 31 states in Nigeria, the Kano government has launched a sensitization campaign to educate people, particularly in rural areas, on how to protect themselves.

Although Cholera has not been reported in Kano, with no cases recorded in any local government area, Mr. Yusuf explained that the government has procured medicines to combat the disease in the event of an outbreak. Dr. Yusuf attributed the state’s cholera-free status to the prayers of its people.

“We cannot take credit for Kano’s freedom from the pandemic; it is the people’s prayers that have helped.

As a government, we have taken necessary measures, including informing our Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) committee two weeks ago when the disease broke out in Lagos.”

“The committee, comprising health practitioners, surveillance and notification officers, health educators, and ward volunteers, is tasked with reporting any strange disease or pandemic and taking prompt measures to halt its spread,” he said.

He also said that they have designated Zana Hospital as a referral center for suspected Cholera cases. Additionally, they have embarked on a sensitization campaign targeting food vendors and fruit sellers to ensure they maintain proper hygiene practices.

We will soon distribute flyers containing information on first aid and disease prevention to hawkers and the general public. Furthermore, we have commenced treating public wells at risk of contamination in the Kano metropolis.

The Commissioner of Health urged the public to cooperate in preventing the outbreak by maintaining a clean environment and avoiding open defecation.

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Health

A Leading Kano Hospital Offers Expert Urology Care

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BEST CHOICE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, a renowned healthcare facility, has reiterated its commitment to providing effective service delivery, a conducive atmosphere, and hospitality to save lives.

The CEO of Best Choice Specialist Hospital, Auwal Lawal Muhammad, made this assertion in an exclusive interview with newsmen in Kano.

Lawal emphasized that the hospital is well-equipped with ultramodern infrastructure and sophisticated health apparatus. Its team of esteemed urologists is dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions for various urological issues.

According to him, the hospital has broadened its routine healthcare services to include treatments for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), kidney stones, bladder control problems, prostate issues, and other urological concerns.

As a registered health facility, BEST CHOICE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL possesses board-certified urologists with extensive experience, state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, personalized care, and a compassionate approach.

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In addition, the management assured patients of hospitable welfare with advanced treatment options, including minimally invasive procedures.

According to Lawal, when patients visit the hospital, they will have a healthier tomorrow. He noted that scheduling an appointment with their expert urologists helps regain control over one’s urological health.

He urged patients not to let urological issues, kidney stones, bladder, and prostate problems hold them back.

The CEO added that BEST CHOICE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL has moved to its permanent site along Tal’udu Roundabout, near Shekh Bashir El-rayya College, Aminu Kano Way, Kano, Nigeria, where its present headquarters is located. The hospital is not in any way related to any hospital around its former site.

In addition to its renowned urology services, Lawal told newsmen that the hospital offers a broad spectrum of medical services. These include general surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, dental care, dermatology, orthopedics, physiotherapy, obstetric gynecology, a general outpatient clinic, laboratory services, pharmacy, and a neonatal intensive care unit.

He noted that the dental department at BEST CHOICE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL is particularly notable for its extensive range of services where  patients can access tooth extractions, tooth whitening, crowns, bridges, scaling, and polishing. The hospital’s advanced whitening techniques promise to brighten teeth in less than an hour, ensuring patients can smile confidently.

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