Global Health Forum Archives

Feb62025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India Advances Biomedical Research with Key Facilities and Partnerships

Breaking News, Fact Check, Learning & Developments

India has taken a significant step forward in biomedical research with the inauguration of its first-ever Ferret Research Facility, the launch of the GARBH-INi-DRISHTI data repository, and a pivotal technology transfer agreement, all aimed at strengthening its role in global health security and advancing research in maternal and child health. The groundbreaking event, held on February 3, 2025, at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) in Faridabad, Haryana, was led by Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Director General of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) and Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). First Ferret Research Facility: Boosting Disease Research The newly inaugurated THSTI Ferret Research Facility marks a significant milesto...

Feb42025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Uganda Races to Deploy Trial Ebola Vaccine Amid Kampala Outbreak

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

KAMPALA – Ugandan health officials are rushing to deploy a trial vaccine after an Ebola outbreak hit the capital, Kampala. The vaccine targets the Sudan strain of the virus, with over 2,000 doses prepared for emergency use. The World Health Organization (WHO) has pledged support, providing 2,160 doses while assisting with regulatory approvals. Researchers are working alongside surveillance teams to assess the vaccine’s safety and efficacy before its rollout. Ebola, spread through bodily fluids, is suspected to have originated from contact with infected animals. Kampala’s high mobility presents a major challenge in containing the virus. Despite Uganda’s history of battling epidemic diseases, no licensed vaccine exists for the Sudan strain, making this trial a critical step in the figh...

Feb12025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

England Reports New Mpox Case, Risk Level Stays Low

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Health officials in England have confirmed a new case of the mpox variant clade Ib, bringing the total to eight since October 2024. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported that the case was detected in London and involved a traveler returning from Uganda, a region where the variant is spreading locally. Despite concerns over mpox’s links to a WHO-declared global health emergency, UKHSA maintains that the overall risk to the public remains low. Authorities note that imported cases are expected as outbreaks persist in parts of Africa, but no direct links have been found between this patient and previous cases in England. Health officials continue to monitor the situation while urging awareness but not alarm, as containment measures remain in place. From News Desk

Jan232025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Change Fuels Kala-Azar Outbreaks in Kenya’s Turkana facing Deadly Poverty

Breaking News, Climate Actions

At just 15, Ekidor Kiyong from northern Kenya’s Turkana region is battling kala-azar, a deadly disease spread by sandflies. While receiving treatment at Lodwar County Referral Hospital, his recovery brings hope, but the cost of KES 30,000 (USD 230) has left his family struggling. Known scientifically as visceral leishmaniasis, kala-azar begins with malaria-like symptoms fever, fatigue, and headaches. If untreated, it is fatal in 95% of cases, warns the World Health Organization (WHO). In Turkana, where poverty, malnutrition, and inadequate healthcare prevail, the disease has become a symbol of intersecting crises: climate change, environmental degradation, and health inequity. Turkana's semi-arid terrain, marked by cracked soils and deforestation, has created ideal conditions for san...

Jan232025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

China Voices Strong Support for WHO Amid Global Health Debates

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

China has reaffirmed its unwavering support for the World Health Organization (WHO) in the face of past criticisms, notably from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused the global health body of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump had initiated U.S. withdrawal from the WHO through an executive order, a decision later reversed by President Joe Biden, signaling renewed U.S. commitment to international health cooperation. China’s Commitment to Global Health Governance Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized WHO’s crucial role in coordinating global health initiatives. “The WHO should be supported and strengthened,” Guo stated, pledging China’s backing to enhance the organization’s capacity and deepen international health collaboration. China’s endorse...

Jan72025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India Confirms First HMPV Cases Infants Affected in 3 States

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

India on Monday reported its first-ever cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a globally recognized respiratory virus, with five confirmed infections across Karnataka, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. The cases, involving infants under one year of age, have sparked concern and prompted health officials to issue guidelines for monitoring and prevention. First Cases in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Salem In Bengaluru, two infants a three-month-old who has been discharged and an eight-month-old recovering in a hospital were among the first cases identified. Ahmedabad reported a two-month-old baby infected with HMPV, while Tamil Nadu recorded one case each in Chennai and Salem. Authorities confirmed that the families of the infected infants in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad had no recent trave...

Jan62025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

First HMPV Cases Reported in Bengaluru: Health Ministry Gears Up for Monitoring

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment, Fact Check

India reported its first two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Bengaluru. The cases involve a 3-month-old infant, who has been discharged after recovery, and an 8-month-old infant, currently recovering in a hospital in the Karnataka capital. Both infants and their families have no recent travel history, ruling out exposure from other regions or countries. The cases were identified as part of routine surveillance for respiratory viral pathogens conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). “HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries,” the Centre stated. The Health Ministry convened a meeting on HMPV preparedness today, emphasizing monitoring and con...

Jan62025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

8 Month Old Bengaluru Suspected of HMPV Infection No Symptoms Reported

Breaking News, Disasters, Fact Check

An eight-month-old in Bengaluru is suspected to have tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), based on a laboratory report dated January 2. The infant’s family had no recent travel history and the child displayed no concerning symptoms, according to sources from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) health department. Although the Karnataka state health department has not independently verified the results, they have acknowledged the credibility of the private laboratory’s testing procedures. “We trust the accuracy of their findings,” stated a health department official. Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) identified in 2001 in the Netherlands, is a significant cause of acute respiratory infections, particularly in children. Globally, it accounts for about 0.7% of flu cases...

Dec312024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Each Cigarette Costs Men 17 Minutes, Women 22 Minutes of Life: Study

Breaking News, Environment, Learning & Developments

London: Smoking takes a far greater toll on life expectancy than previously believed, a new study from University College London (UCL) reveals. For men, each cigarette smoked shortens life by 17 minutes, while for women, the cost is even higher at 22 minutes per cigarette. These figures surpass earlier estimates, which suggested an 11-minute loss per cigarette. Commissioned by the UK’s Department for Health and Social Care, the study urges smokers to make quitting their top resolution for the New Year. The research concludes that a pack of 20 cigarettes robs an average smoker of nearly seven hours of life. Over a lifetime, smokers who don’t quit lose approximately a decade of life, according to Dr. Sarah Jackson, a principal research fellow at UCL. “Smokers lose about the same num...

Jun232024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

WHO introduces One Health ‘One World’ is a shared Agenda for globe, Even as Negotiators Wrangle Over Inclusion in WHO Pandemic Accord

Breaking News, Disasters, Idea & Innovations

As the debate over the World Health Organization’s (WHO) pandemic accord intensifies, the concept of One Health a holistic approach to health that integrates human, animal, and environmental health is at the forefront of discussions. Despite resistance from some negotiators, the principle of One Health is crucial for preventing future pandemics, according to experts gathered at a recent event hosted by the Geneva Graduate Institute’s Global Health Center. During the World Health Assembly (WHA), negotiators were given a mandate to continue discussions on the pandemic accord, aiming for a conclusion by the 2025 WHA. The inclusion of One Health principles, particularly in Article 5 of the draft text, has sparked opposition from several low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and some civi...