Fact sheet on H1N1 Influenza

     FAQs  H1N1 Influenza

Q.  What is the (H1N1) Influenza virus?
A.  - The H1N1 Influenza virus  can cause acute infection in the respiratory tract.   It was the  influenza virus that caused the Pandemic Influenza Outbreak in 2009 but after that the H1N1 virus causes Seasonal Influenza

Q. How do people become infected with the virus?
A. - The H1N1 virus is spread from person to person.
- It can be passed to other people by exposure to infected droplets expelled by coughing or sneezing that can be inhaled, or that can contaminate hands or surfaces.
- The time from infection to illness known as the incubation period is about 2 days
- To prevent spread, people who are ill should cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, stay home when they are unwell, clean their hands regularly, and keep some distance from other people, as much as possible.

Q. What are the signs and symptoms of typical infection?
A. - Signs of the H1N1 influenza includes general body weakness,  fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea.
- The majority of people with H1N1 influenza experience mild illness and recover fully without treatment.

Q. When should someone seek medical care?
A. - People should seek medical care if they experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or if a fever, and especially high fever, continues more than three days. For parents with a young child who is ill, seek medical care if a child has fast or labored breathing, continuing fever or convulsions (seizures).
- Supportive care at home - resting, drinking plenty of fluids and using a pain reliever for aches and pains - is adequate for recovery in most cases. A non-aspirin pain reliever should be used for children or adolescents under age 18.

Q. What about Vaccines for H1N1 Influenza?
A. -The most effective way to prevent the disease is vaccination. Safe and effective vaccines are available and have been used for more than 60 years. Among healthy adults, influenza vaccine provides protection, even when circulating viruses may not exactly match the vaccine viruses.
- WHO recommends annual vaccination for pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy, children aged between 6 months to 5 years, elderly individuals (aged more than 65 years), individuals with chronic medical conditions, health-care workers.

Q. Are the vaccines safe for pregnant women?
A. - To date, studies do not show harmful effects from the H1N1 influenza vaccine with respect to pregnancy, fertility, or a developing embryo or fetus, birthing or post-natal development

Q. What about my child's safety from a reaction?
A. The most frequent vaccine reactions in children following influenza immunization are similar to those seen after other childhood immunizations (such as soreness at the injection site, or fever). A child's health care provider or vaccinator can advise on the most appropriate methods for relief of the symptoms. - If there are concerns about a child's safety from a reaction, consult a health care provider as soon as possible. Please note that a child may suffer from a condition not related to immunization, which coincidentally developed after vaccination.

Q. How can I protect myself and family from H1N1 Influenza ?
A. You can prevent getting infected by taking the following measures:
keeping your distance from people who show symptoms of influenza-like illness, such as coughing and sneezing (trying to maintain a distance of about 1 metre if possible);
- clean hands thoroughly with soap and water, or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub on a regular basis (especially if touching surfaces that are potentially contaminated);
- avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes as much as possible;
reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible;
- improve airflow in your living space by opening windows;
- practise good health habits (including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active); and
- getting yourself (or family members age 6 months and older) vaccinated against H1N1 influenza, if possible.

Q. How do I know if I have H1N1 Influenza?
A. Typical symptoms to watch for include fever, cough, headache, body aches, sore throat and runny nose.

Q. What should I do if I think I have H1N1 Influenza?
A. - If you feel unwell, have a fever, cough or sore throat:
- stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds;
- rest and take plenty of fluids;
- cover your coughs and sneezes. If using tissues, make sure you dispose of them carefully. Clean your hands immediately after with soap and water or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub;
- if you do not have a tissue close by when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth as much as possible with the crook of your elbow;

Q. Should I take an antiviral drug now just in case I catch the H1N1 virus?
A. - In general, WHO does not recommend the use of antiviral drugs for prevention of H1N1 Influenza. Antiviral drugs should be taken if your health care provider advises you to do so.
- These drugs are generally available by prescription. 
- Caution should be exercised when buying antiviral drugs over the Internet.

Q. What about breastfeeding? Should I stop if I am ill?
A. - No, not unless your health care provider advises it. Studies on  influenza infections show that breastfeeding is most likely protective for babies - it passes on helpful maternal immunities and lowers the risk of respiratory disease.
- Breastfeeding provides the best overall nutrition for babies and increases their defense factors to fight illness.

Q. Can I travel?
A.  - If you are feeling unwell or have symptoms of influenza, you should delay travel. If you have any doubts about your health, you should check with your health care provider.

Q. Who is more at risk of severe illness from H1N1 Influenza?

A. - Some groups of people appear to be at higher risk of more complicated or severe illness, including:
- pregnant women;
- infants, and young children particularly under age 2;
- people of any age with certain chronic health conditions (including asthma or lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or some neurological conditions);
- people with severely compromised immune systems.

Q. Are there special recommendations for pregnant women or other higher risk groups?
A. - WHO recommends that pregnant women, or others at higher risk of severe illness and their caregivers, be vaccinated against H1N1 influenza and take all the necessary precautions, including hygiene measures, to prevent the spread of illness.

Q. What about risk of death?
A. - The majority of people with H1N1 influenza experience mild illness and the overall risk of dying from this infection is low.

Q. Is it safe to eat pork and pork products?
A. - Yes. The H1N1 Influenza virus has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and prepared pork (pig meat) or other products derived from pigs.

Q. What is the Treatment for H1N1 Flu?
A. - Antiviral drugs for influenza are available and may reduce severe complications and deaths. Ideally they need to be administered early (within 48 hours of onset of symptoms) in the disease.

Source: who.int

Healthcare costs are pushing millions into extreme poverty. This outrage must end

A friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago.

He had two options. He could be treated, but it would cost him most or all of the money he had put aside for his family’s future.

Or he could forego treatment, allow the disease to run its course and die knowing his family would have a more comfortable life, even if he was not there to enjoy it with them.

He chose the latter.

He chose death because he could not afford the treatment that could have kept him alive.

This is an outrage. No one should have to choose between death and financial hardship.

But the shocking truth is that this is a reality for millions of people every year. New data from the World Health Organization and the World Bankreveal that at least half of the world’s 7.3 billion people still do not have access to essential health services, such as having a skilled birth attendant, vaccinations for children or treatment for HIV.

As a result, more than 1 billion people live with uncontrolled hypertension, which can kill without treatment. Every day, more than 800 women die from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. And because nearly 20 million infants do not receive the immunizations they need, they run the risk of dying from diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and measles.

Even when health services are available, using them can mean financial ruin. Every year, 100 million people are pushed into poverty because of health spending, and 179 million people spend more than a quarter of their household budget on health care – a level we consider to be “catastrophic health spending”.

Almost 70 years ago, WHO was founded on the conviction that health is a human right, not a privilege. This is a conviction I share. No one should get sick and die just because they are poor, or because they cannot access the health services they need.

Why should a child die from drinking unsafe water?

Why should a woman die from complications of childbirth that are treated easily even in most middle-income countries?

Why should a family have to choose between buying food and buying medicine?

Universal health coverage (UHC) is the practical expression of the right to health. It means that all people, including the most disadvantaged, can access the quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without facing financial hardship.

But UHC is about more than health insurance, or treating the sick – it’s about protecting the healthy by promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing disease.

The power of UHC is that it doesn’t only result in improved health. It also reduces poverty by eliminating one of its causes; it creates jobs for health and care workers; it drives inclusive economic growth by ensuring people are healthy and able to work; it promotes gender equality, because it is often women who miss out on health services; and it protects people against epidemics by ensuring outbreaks are prevented, detected early and contained.

Image: World Health Organization/The World Bank

UHC is not a new idea. But its inclusion as one of the targets in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has given new political impetus to the global movement that has been gathering pace for some years. It is also the one target that, if achieved, will catalyze progress towards all the other health targets and many of the other goals.

Far from being a luxury that only rich countries can afford, UHC is achievable and affordable for all countries, at all income levels.

Senegal, for example, is making progress towards a publicly-funded health insurance system.

In Vietnam, more than 60% of the population, and 90% of the poor, are now covered by state-subsidized social health insurance. That’s six times more than 20 years ago.

In Peru, budget-funded health insurance for the poor and those who do not work in the formal sector has led to significant improvements in the health of women and children, and large reductions in the death of newborns and infants.

Similar stories can be told in countries as diverse as the Czech Republic, Indonesia and Rwanda.

A WHO study earlier this year predicted that among 67 low- and middle-income countries that account for 75% of the world’s population, 85% of the costs of achieving the SDG health targets by 2030 could be met with domestic resources.

Yes, some of the most fragile countries will continue to need external assistance. But for most countries, UHC is affordable and achievable.

Ultimately, it’s a matter of political will.

Governments with the determination, courage and foresight to invest in strengthening their health systems towards UHC will reap the benefits long into the future.

This is our vision. We back it up with hard evidence, technical know-how and lessons from around the world about what works and what doesn’t.

At the UHC Forum in Tokyo this week, more countries are committing to making the investments in a future that is healthier, safer and fairer for their citizens.

  - Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (WHO) 

Source: weforum.org 

Global response to malaria at crossroads

WHO report shows gains are levelling

News release

29 NOVEMBER 2017 | GENEVA - After unprecedented global success in malaria control, progress has stalled, according to the World malaria report 2017. There were an estimated 5 million more malaria cases in 2016 than in 2015. Malaria deaths stood at around 445 000, a similar number to the previous year.

“In recent years, we have made major gains in the fight against malaria,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. “We are now at a turning point. Without urgent action, we risk going backwards, and missing the global malaria targets for 2020 and beyond.”

The WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria calls for reductions of at least 40% in malaria case incidence and mortality rates by the year 2020. According to WHO’s latest malaria report, the world is not on track to reach these critical milestones.

A major problem is insufficient funding at both domestic and international levels, resulting in major gaps in coverage of insecticide-treated nets, medicines, and other life-saving tools.

Funding shortage

An estimated US$ 2.7 billion was invested in malaria control and elimination efforts globally in 2016. That is well below the US $6.5 billion annual investment required by 2020 to meet the 2030 targets of the WHO global malaria strategy.

In 2016, governments of endemic countries provided US$ 800 million, representing 31% of total funding. The United States of America was the largest international funder of malaria control programmes in 2016, providing US$1 billion (38% of all malaria funding), followed by other major donors, including the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, France, Germany and Japan.

The global figures

The report shows that, in 2016, there were an estimated 216 million cases of malaria in 91 countries, up from 211 million cases in 2015. The estimated global tally of malaria deaths reached 445 000 in 2016 compared to 446 000 the previous year.

While the rate of new cases of malaria had fallen overall, since 2014 the trend has levelled off and even reversed in some regions. Malaria mortality rates followed a similar pattern.

The African Region continues to bear an estimated 90% of all malaria cases and deaths worldwide. Fifteen countries – all but one in sub-Saharan Africa – carry 80% of the global malaria burden.

“Clearly, if we are to get the global malaria response back on track, supporting the most heavily affected countries in the African Region must be the primary focus,” said Dr Tedros.

Controlling malaria

In most malaria-affected countries, sleeping under an insecticide-treated bednet (ITN) is the most common and most effective way to prevent infection. In 2016, an estimated 54% of people at risk of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa slept under an ITN compared to 30% in 2010. However, the rate of increase in ITN coverage has slowed since 2014, the report finds.

Spraying the inside walls of homes with insecticides is another effective way to prevent malaria. The report reveals a steep drop in the number of people protected from malaria by this method – from an estimated 180 million in 2010 to 100 million in 2016 – with the largest reductions seen in the African Region.

The African Region has seen a major increase in diagnostic testing in the public health sector: from 36% of suspected cases in 2010 to 87% in 2016. A majority of patients (70%) who sought treatment for malaria in the public health sector received artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) – the most effective antimalarial medicines.

However, in many areas, access to the public health system remains low. National-level surveys in the African Region show that only about one third (34%) of children with a fever are taken to a medical provider in the public health sector.

Tackling malaria in complex settings

The report also outlines additional challenges in the global malaria response, including the risks posed by conflict and crises in malaria endemic zones. WHO is currently supporting malaria responses in Nigeria, South Sudan, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) and Yemen, where ongoing humanitarian crises pose serious health risks. In Nigeria’s Borno State, for example, WHO supported the launch of a mass antimalarial drug administration campaign this year that reached an estimated 1.2 million children aged under 5 years in targeted areas. Early results point to a reduction in malaria cases and deaths in this state.

A wake-up call

“We are at a crossroads in the response to malaria,” said Dr Pedro Alonso, Director of the Global Malaria Programme, commenting on the findings of this year’s report. “We hope this report serves as a wake-up call for the global health community. Meeting the global malaria targets will only be possible through greater investment and expanded coverage of core tools that prevent, diagnose and treat malaria. Robust financing for the research and development of new tools is equally critical.”

Source: who.int

RISE FOR OUR RIGHT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 12.12.2017

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that all UN Member States have agreed to try to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030.

Despite dramatic gains–including a substantial reduction in maternal and child mortality, lack of access to essential healthcare for all remains problem in the country.

Observing this year’s Universal Health Coverage Day (five years after the United Nations unanimously endorsed universal health coverage) with the theme: Health for all; Rise for Our Right, the Divine Mother and Child (DMAC) Foundation has called on policy makers and stake holders to strengthen health services at the community level.

 In a statement to the press, Mr. Owurani Charles Oduro (programs manager) called on government to strengthen the idea for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ghana, which was to abolish the cash and carry system of health delivery and provide affordable, quality health care to every person, everywhere they need without financial hardship.

Basic investigative equipment’s should be made available at the primary clinics for effective diagnosis and referral.

We call on all community opinion leaders, civil society organization and cooperate bodies/institutions to support the health services in mobilization and reaching out communities to make health care at the door step of local communities feasible.

“We Rise for Our Right that every Ghanaian no matter where they are, where they live, or how much money they have should have access to quality basic care they need”

Health for all

Rise for our right

Media contact:

Owurani Charles Oduro

(Programs Manager - DMAC Foundation)

Mobile: +233 50 398 4128

 www.dmacfoundation.org

LINK ART's TO CHPS

PRESS RELEASED, 1st December 2017



Observing this year's World Aids Day With  the theme; Right to Health, the Divine Mother and Child Foundation has called on policy makers to link ART (Anti Retroviral Therapy) centers to CHPS (Community-Based Health Planning and Services) for progress in ART adherence.

 In his state addressing the press, Mr. Owurani Charles Oduro (programs manager) said  linking ART centers to CHPS will ensure progress in ART adherence in the country.


Despite improved and highly successful programmatic coverage with ART, significant numbers of adults and children drop out of care at various points along the treatment pathway and treatment gains fail to reach sufficient numbers of children and adolescents.

It is essential to deal with reasons why people drop out of treatment plan, since retention on ART and ensuring adherence to treatment are important  determinants of successful long-term outcomes.


Loss to follow-up and long distance to ART centers can negatively impacts on the immunological benefit of ART and increases AIDS-related morbidity, mortality, and hospitalizations.

Loss to follow-up in patients receiving ART can result in serious consequences, such as discontinuation of treatment, drug toxicity, treatment failure due to poor adherence, and drug resistance; this results in an increased risk of mortality.


The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that all UN Member States have agreed to try to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030.

 This includes financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.


?We therefore appeal to policy makers and stakeholders to ensure strong linkage of ART centers to CHPS for prompt and adequate follow-up to Persons? Living with HIV to improve adherence to treatment for a successful long-term outcome?.

The DMAC foundation also believes that the use of community health nurses and volunteers at the community level will ensure all persons living with HIV  Will have access to treatments and to ensure we achieve the 90-90-90 agenda in Ghana


Leave no one behind
Everybody counts

Media contact:
Owurani Charles Oduro
(Programs Manager - DMAC Foundation)
Mobile: +233 50 398 4128
 _www.dmacfoundation.org_


###

Don't Be Ashamed

Ladies, don't be ashamed, go and see your nurse or doctor for a check-up if you have any of these symptoms.
. Lumps in your breast or in your armpit
. A change of skin colour on your breasts or nipple
. Wrinkles on your breast
. Fluid discharge(not associated with breastfeeding) or change in nipple shape
. Change in breast site

Note: The earlier breast cancer is found, the greater your chance of survival.

"HANDLE IT WITH CARE"

President of Breast Care International Dr. Beatrice Wiafe-Addai has entreated men not to squeeze breast like mango or orange when having sexual intercourse with them.

She described the breast ‘as fragile’ calling on men to handle it with care.

Dr Wiafe-Addai discounted claims that frequent sucking of breast prevents the risk of women getting breast cancer.

“It is not true that the more you suck a woman’s breast it prevents the risk of getting breast cancer. What is true is that women who have children should breastfeed, and breastfeeding has some positive effect on the woman as far as breast cancer is concerned.

‘But not adult men to go and suck the breast thinking it will protect the woman from breast cancer, that is not true, it is very fragile so let’s handle it with care…don’t squeeze it like you have some mango or orange that you are squeezing to get some fluid out,” she told Morning Starr host Francis Abban.

The President of Breast Care International encouraged families to support women with breast cancers.

“If you find something in a woman’s breast don’t send her to her family home because she has been diagnosed of breast cancer. Give her all the morale even if not financial. So that she knows that someone is with her through the fight. The fight against breast cancer is not an easy one so women need all the support from men, society and the nation,’ she advised.

Source: peacefmonline.com

THE WORLD IS RUNNING OUT OF ANTIBIOTICS

News release

20 SEPTEMBER 2017 | GENEVA - A report, Antibacterial agents in clinical development – an analysis of the antibacterial clinical development pipeline, including tuberculosis, launched today by WHO shows a serious lack of new antibiotics under development to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Most of the drugs currently in the clinical pipeline are modifications of existing classes of antibiotics and are only short-term solutions. The report found very few potential treatment options for those antibiotic-resistant infections identified by WHO as posing the greatest threat to health, including drug-resistant tuberculosis which kills around 250 000 people each year.

"Antimicrobial resistance is a global health emergency that will seriously jeopardize progress in modern medicine," says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. "There is an urgent need for more investment in research and development for antibiotic-resistant infections including TB, otherwise we will be forced back to a time when people feared common infections and risked their lives from minor surgery."

In addition to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, WHO has identified 12 classes of priority pathogens – some of them causing common infections such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections – that are increasingly resistant to existing antibiotics and urgently in need of new treatments.

The report identifies 51 new antibiotics and biologicals in clinical development to treat priority antibiotic-resistant pathogens, as well as tuberculosis and the sometimes deadly diarrhoeal infection Clostridium difficile.

Among all these candidate medicines, however, only 8 are classed by WHO as innovative treatments that will add value to the current antibiotic treatment arsenal.

There is a serious lack of treatment options for multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant M. tuberculosis and gram-negative pathogens, including Acinetobacter and Enterobacteriaceae(such as Klebsiella and E.coli) which can cause severe and often deadly infections that pose a particular threat in hospitals and nursing homes.

There are also very few oral antibiotics in the pipeline, yet these are essential formulations for treating infections outside hospitals or in resource-limited settings.

"Pharmaceutical companies and researchers must urgently focus on new antibiotics against certain types of extremely serious infections that can kill patients in a matter of days because we have no line of defence," says Dr Suzanne Hill, Director of the Department of Essential Medicines at WHO.

To counter this threat, WHO and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) set up the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (known as GARDP). On 4 September 2017, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Wellcome Trust pledged more than €56 million for this work.

"Research for tuberculosis is seriously underfunded, with only two new antibiotics for treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis having reached the market in over 70 years," says Dr Mario Raviglione, Director of the WHO Global Tuberculosis Programme. "If we are to end tuberculosis, more than US$ 800 million per year is urgently needed to fund research for new antituberculosis medicines".

New treatments alone, however, will not be sufficient to combat the threat of antimicrobial resistance. WHO works with countries and partners to improve infection prevention and control and to foster appropriate use of existing and future antibiotics. WHO is also developing guidance for the responsible use of antibiotics in the human, animal and agricultural sectors.

For more information, download the following reports:

Antibacterial agents in clinical development – an analysis of the antibacterial clinical development pipeline, including tuberculosisPrioritization of pathogens to guide discovery, research and development of new antibiotics for drug-resistant bacterial infections, including tuberculosis

The clinical pipeline analysis data can be explored in an interactive way through:

WHO Global Observatory on Health Research and Development

Sarah Cumberland
Communications Officer
Telephone: +41 22 791 2570
Mobile: +41 792 061 403
Email: cumberlands@who.int

Fadéla Chaib
Communications Officer
Telephone: +41 22 791 3228
Mobile: +41 794 755 556
Email: chaibf@who.int

Daniela Bagozzi
Senior Information Management Officer
Telephone: +41 22 791 1990
Mobile: +41 796 037 281
Email: bagozzid@who.int

Monica Dias
Technical Officer
Mobile: +41 794 770 435
Email: diash@who.int

The Safe Motherhood Initiative and beyond

In 2007, the Safe Motherhood Initiative is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Many countries have been able to improve the health and well-being of mothers and newborns over the last 20 years. However, countries with the highest burdens of mortality and illness have made the least progress, and inequalities between countries are increasing. In many places, inequalities within countries are increasing too, between those who live in better conditions and have access to care, and those who for a variety of reasons are excluded.

Globally, the numbers remain staggering: each year there are at least 3.2 million stillborn babies, 4 million neonatal deaths and more than half a million maternal deaths. The majority of these deaths are avoidable. HIV/AIDS and malaria in pregnancy are having an impact on maternal mortality and could reverse the progress that has been made.

A total of 11–17% of maternal deaths occur during childbirth itself; 50–71% occur in the post-partum period. The time spent in labour and giving birth, the critical moments when a joyful event can suddenly turn into an unforeseen crisis, needs more attention, as does the often-neglected post-partum period. These periods account not only for the high burden of post-partum maternal deaths, but also for the associated large number of stillbirths and early newborn deaths.

A total of 98% of stillbirths and newborn deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries: obstetric complications, particularly in labour, are responsible for perhaps 58% of them. The care that can reduce maternal deaths and improve women’s health is also crucial for newborns’ survival and health.

During the early years of the 20th century, standard maternity care in Europe, North America and Japan consisted of a home delivery with regular, frequent visits by an obstetric specialist. The advent of modern obstetric care in the late 1930s did not alter this practice, but gradually moved the process to institutional settings, with post-partum follow-up and care by a skilled health-care provider. Antenatal care is a relatively new concept, and pregnant women in most developed countries now receive an integrated package of antenatal, childbirth and post-partum care.

This contrasts with the situation in developing countries, where antenatal care tends to be the first service to receive resources and is commonly widely implemented within maternal health programmes. Most pregnant women in developing countries visit antenatal care services at least once. Far less available and accessible is provision of professional childbirth care, either institutional or at home, and of emergency obstetric and newborn care services. In many settings, systematic and regular post-partum follow-up care is rarely available. Even women who deliver in a health facility are often discharged within hours post-partum and are not seen again until some considerable time afterwards.

Very few developing countries have accurate data on maternal and newborn deaths and morbidities, and less than one developing country in three reports national data on post-partum care. Unlike the situation for disease-specific programmes, for maternal and child health very little attention has been paid to monitoring progress and evaluating programmes, even for the analysis and use of existing data. Policy decisions and programme planning are therefore often carried out without evidence-based information and programme evaluation.

This issue of the Bulletin contains several papers that focus on important technical areas, particularly the management of post-partum complications and saving pregnant women’s and newborns’ lives by providing evidence and recommendations for policy changes and programme implementation. Other papers provide evidence that simple but effective monitoring of programmes in developing countries is possible.

However, the challenges to be met are not new technologies nor new knowledge about effective interventions, because we mostly know what needs to done to save the lives of mothers and newborns. The real challenges are how to deliver services and scale up interventions, particularly to those who are vulnerable, hard to reach, marginalized and excluded. Effective health interventions exist for mothers and babies such as those described in this issue of the Bulletin, and several proven means of distribution can be used to put these in place. However, none will work if political will is absent where it matters most: at national and district levels.

A key constraint limiting progress is the gap between what is needed and what exists in terms of skills and geographical availability of human resources at local, national and international levels. Other challenges are how to address deteriorating infrastructures; how to maintain stocks of drugs, supplies and equipment in the face of increased demand; lack of transport; ineffective referral to and inadequate availability of 24-hour quality services – particularly emergency obstetric care services – and weak management systems. We need to challenge our policy-makers and programme managers to refocus programme content and to shift focus from development of new technologies towards development of viable organizational strategies that ensure a continuum of care and account for every birth and death.

ockos.blogspot.com

Source: who.int

STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH

61 maternal deaths out of 31,380 deliveries was recorded for the period of January to June in the Eastern Region of Ghana as compared to 58 deaths out of 30,945 deliveries and 52 deaths with 30,220 deliveries for the same period in 2016 and 2015 respectively.

The situation is described as unacceptable by the Health Services and therefore put in place several strategies to improve maternal health outcome in the region and even beyond.

PICCAM (professionals working with Passion, Innovation, Commitment, Compassion, and being Accountable to Maternal and Child Health), zoning the region into five zones, with obstetrician/gynaecologists' assigned to each zone who will provide service in diverse forms as and when necessary.

Also, setting up of maternal and neonatal deaths audit committee and tracking the committees to follow up and ensure that recommendations made during maternal mortality audits are implemented, and building the capacity of health professionals. 

Dr Mrs Charity Sarpong, Eastern Regional Director of the GHS, made these known during her speech at the recent mid-year review meeting of the directorate in Koforidua.

She said to further enhance efforts in addressing the challenges of high maternal deaths, all midwives in charge of labour units and specialists were invited to attend the review meeting to plan the way forward.

She mentioned some other challenges that hindered work to include the shortage of critical staff, especially in the rural and hard-to-reach areas, dilapidated and poor infrastructure, lack of ambulances for prompt referrals and inadequate funds.

Success story
Dr Mrs Sarpong said despite the challenges, the region had chalked up some successes, including an improvement in data management at all levels and surveillance activities, which had gone a long way to enable the directorate to achieve its targets.

She noted that to improve logistics and the availability of medicines in health facilities, the region, with support from the GHS and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), had successfully implemented the Last Mile Distribution Project which involves service delivery points making requests based on their needs.

Success Story
She said to improve upon the care of newborns, including pre-term babies, the region, as part of an ongoing project, had trained 845 staff in newborn care and had also put in place a first-class Kangaroo Mother Care Centre at the Koforidua Regional Hospital and the Nsawam Government Hospital.

Aknowledgement
Dr Mrs Sarpong thanked all stakeholders, including health workers who continued to work hard despite the challenges, and hoped they would continue to work harder to support better care delivery in the region.

The Deputy Director-General of the GHS, Dr Mrs Gloria Quansah-Asare, urged the participants to come out with ideas on how to improve health delivery in the region.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Eric Kwakye Darfour, said although there had been an improvement in the health sector over the years, the sector still had to work hard to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SGD) Three, which seeks to provide good health and well-being for all people.

ockos.blogspot.com

Source: graphic.com.gh

CALL FOR ACTION

PRESS RELEASE, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017

Maternal mortality still inflict pain on motherhood.
The magnitude of maternal mortality in the eastern region and its disparity with similar statistics across the country has touched the responsive cord of a Primary Health Nurse, the Programmes Manager for DMAC foundation and representative of eastern regional secretariat of the Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health (GCNH) after witnessing the recent mid-year performance review of the Ghana Health, Eastern Regional Health Directorate in Koforidua.
Speaking to the media,  Mr Charles Oduro Owurani called on primary health nurses in the region and beyond for action.
"We have a wide range of roles to intensify to address the needs of clients in the community across their lifespan to improve Maternal and Child Health despite the increasing caseloads".
According to Mr Owurani, employing community education, home visitations and other community-based interventions including through community mobilization efforts as strategies is a key way to increase the demand for maternal and child health services at the community level.
In addition to this he  said "communities have responsibilities in improving their own health outcomes: Our women should report/visit the nearest health post during the first month of pregnancy for care, husbands, family's and the community should support the women before, during and after birth to improve health at the community level".
He ended his speech by quoting the PICCAM slogan "No woman should die while giving life".

Media contact
020 607 3693

VIRAL HEPATITIS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Hepatitis: What you need to know

Q: What is hepatitis?

A: Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world but other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis.

There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. These 5 types are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.

Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C and D usually occur as a result of parenteral contact with infected body fluids. Common modes of transmission for these viruses include receipt of contaminated blood or blood products, invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment and for hepatitis B transmission from mother to baby at birth, from family member to child, and also by sexual contact.

Acute infection may occur with limited or no symptoms, or may include symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Q: What are the different hepatitis viruses?

A: Scientists have identified 5 unique hepatitis viruses, identified by the letters A, B, C, D, and E. While all cause liver disease, they vary in important ways.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is present in the faeces of infected persons and is most often transmitted through consumption of contaminated water or food. Certain sex practices can also spread HAV. Infections are in many cases mild, with most people making a full recovery and remaining immune from further HAV infections. However, HAV infections can also be severe and life threatening. Most people in areas of the world with poor sanitation have been infected with this virus. Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent HAV.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is transmitted through exposure to infective blood, semen, and other body fluids. HBV can be transmitted from infected mothers to infants at the time of birth or from family member to infant in early childhood. Transmission may also occur through transfusions of HBV-contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use. HBV also poses a risk to healthcare workers who sustain accidental needle stick injuries while caring for infected-HBV patients. Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent HBV.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. This may happen through transfusions of HCV-contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common. There is no vaccine for HCV.

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infections occur only in those who are infected with HBV. The dual infection of HDV and HBV can result in a more serious disease and worse outcome. Hepatitis B vaccines provide protection from HDV infection.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is mostly transmitted through consumption of contaminated water or food. HEV is a common cause of hepatitis outbreaks in developing parts of the world and is increasingly recognized as an important cause of disease in developed countries. Safe and effective vaccines to prevent HEV infection have been developed but are not widely available.

Q: How can viral hepatitis be prevented?

A: To prevent viral hepatitis, it is recommended that:
- Visit a nearby health post to get tested to prevent it. 
- All individuals who are diagnose (tested positive) any form of viral hepatitis should seek and adhere to clinical advice to prevent the spread of the condition
- Wash hands regularly: (with soap under wholesome water) before meal, after social gather, among others to prevent viral hepatitis
- Eat well cooked warm meal and drink wholesome water at all time to prevent HAV and HEV
- Practice safe sex
- Infants and high risk group (including health workers) should be immunize against HAV and HBV to prevent the conditions

Reference:
www.who.int
www.hpa.org.uk
Oxford handbook of primary care and community nursing. page 724-725.

ELIMINATE HEPATITIS

  -- The World Hepatitis Day, 28 July, is an opportunity to add momentum to all efforts to implement the WHO's global health sector strategy on hepatitis for 2016-2021 and help countries achieve the final goal - to eliminate hepatitis. The World Hepatitis Day activities are designed to: showcase emerging national responses to hepatitis in heavy burden countries; to encourage actions and engagement by individuals, partners and the public.
         Source:  ---http://www.who.int/campaigns/hepatitis-day/2017/en/

            

Professionalism in #Nursing

This is Ghankey Moses, a community health nurse and the first staff in the Kwawu Afram Plains South district to have accepted posting to an Island community.

Moses works at Bumpata, an Island community with other several smaller island communities.

Like Jesus did, when asked who will go to this area, he wholeheartedly said 'send me and I will go'

I have great respect to such a selfless nurse who lives in a community with no electricity and no proper accommodation.

He sleeps in an uncompleted church building which also serves as the health facility.

Help me show appreciation  and celebrate to this wonderful and dedicated staff.

Vitiligo is not spread by contact

Did you know Vitiligo occurs when the cells that produce melanin die or stop functioning. Vitiligo affects people of all skin types, but it may be more noticeable in people with darker skin. The condition is not life-threatening or contagious.

Reference
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vitiligo/home/ovc-20319041