icddr,b’s Post

A recent study assessed access to mifepristone, misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines in eight Eastern Mediterranean countries, highlighting significant gaps. Despite their critical role in reducing maternal mortality, most countries did not include all World Health Organization essential contraceptives in national guidelines. Only Lebanon and Pakistan had comprehensive family planning guidelines, and only Afghanistan and Lebanon included mifepristone in post-abortion care guidelines. Libya and Somalia lacked regulatory authorities for medicine registration, and while misoprostol was listed and registered in six countries, only three procured it. These findings underscore the need to expand national essential medicines lists and strengthen regulatory and procurement systems to improve access to these vital medicines. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dV_vJfKe

Addressing Preeclampsia: The Critical Role of Africa in Clinical Trials Preeclampsia is a significant condition affecting pregnant women, characterized by high blood pressure and potential complications for both mother and baby. Understanding and managing this condition is essential for improving maternal and fetal health outcomes globally. Africa plays a vital role in the advancement of research on preeclampsia through clinical trials. Here’s why our continent’s involvement is crucial: 1. Diverse Population: Africa's rich genetic diversity and varying socio-economic factors provide valuable insights into how preeclampsia presents and affects women differently across populations. 2. Urgent Need for Research: With high rates of maternal mortality related to preeclampsia in many African countries, there is an urgent need for localized research to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies. 3. Innovative Solutions: Clinical trials conducted in Africa can lead to innovative approaches tailored to the unique challenges faced by healthcare providers and patients in the region. 4. Collaboration Opportunities: Partnering with local healthcare institutions and communities ensures that research is culturally relevant and addresses the specific needs of populations at risk. As we continue to advance our understanding of preeclampsia, the involvement of African researchers, clinicians, and patients in clinical trials is essential. Together, we can develop strategies that improve outcomes for mothers and babies, not only in Africa but globally. Let’s work together to raise awareness and support research initiatives focused on maternal health! Please reach out via info@evanjo-med.com #Preeclampsia #MaternalHealth #ClinicalTrials #Africa #HealthcareInnovation #GlobalHealth

📋 NOTICE OF INVITATION FOR BID Endline Survey for National Campaign for Promoting Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavioral Change in Population and Reproductive Health in Ethiopia (SHaPE Phase 2) in two cities and six regions Total budget: approximately USD 180,000 (Including VAT) 1. Yonsei Global Health Center Ethiopia Office (YGHC ETH) on behalf of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is seeking a qualified proposal for the above-mentioned services. Your consultancy is kindly invited to submit your best technical and financial proposals for the requested services. Your bid could form the basis for a contract between your consultancy and YGHC ETH. 2. The consultancy services include but are not limited to: 1) Provide research methodology and develop data collection tools; 2) Technical suggestions on developing proper research methodology and collection tools(including each methodology’s pros and cons); 3) Implementation of the survey and data analylsis, including field data collection; 4) Providing cleaned datasets, code books, and analysis scripts; 5) Deliver research plan, preliminary results and final report; 6) Compile and finalize the report book (print out of publication). 3. Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information and the bidding documents by 29 October 2024 from YGHC ETH via email only. Also, an expression of Interest (EOI) - attached to this posting - should be submitted by the same date at 17:00 International Time (UTC +3) 4. An online orientation will be provided on 21 October 2024. If you wish to join the orientation session, please email YGHC ETH at yghc@yonseiethiopia.org 5. Additional information including the complete set of bidding documents in English can be obtained from YGHC Ethiopia Office via email (yghc@yonseiethiopia.org) 6. Bids shall reach YGHC ETH no later than 1 November 2024 at 17:00 International Time (UTC +3). The bid shall be opened on 4 November 2024, at 10:00 International Time (UTC +3) at YGHC ETH, address: Yonsei Global Health Center Ethiopia Office P.O. Box 17856, Room no. 304, Lidiya Building, Woreda 05, Kirkos Sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 7. The awarding of the bid shall be notified by YGHC ETH through either email or an official letter.

Under representation of ethnic minorities and migrants continues to be challenge in research, especially in health research of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). We explored the barriers and facilitators of effective recruitment and retention of ethnic minorities and migrants in community-based obesity prevention RCTs. Employing culturally sensitive strategies, having multiple communication channels, incentives, recruiting community champions, and participant convenience facilitate increased participation. Key barriers to participation were limited access to study sites, time constraints, limited trust, perceived fear, and anxiety. Read our full paper here: https://lnkd.in/gFedQxd6. published in the International Journal of Obesity, Springer Nature Group. Distinguished Prof. Andre M.N. Renzaho, PhD, MPH, Dr. Md Nazmul Huda, PhD, TimothyGill, JulieGreen.

Sub-Saharan Africa has made notable progress toward the Millennium Development Goals, but significant challenges remain. The 2017 Lancet Commission highlighted the need for #policyreforms to achieve healthier lives for all by #2030. The latest issue of The Lancet Haematology features key findings from African experts on #haematology priorities. Iron deficiency anaemia continues to be a major health issue, with recommendations for enhanced national iron supplementation, especially for pregnant women. Local initiatives in sickle cell disease are improving care through neonatal screening and awareness campaigns to reduce stigma. Additionally, the East Africa Centres of Excellence project demonstrates successful collaboration to advance education and specialised care for haematological malignancies. #Bloodavailability is critical, necessitating #innovative strategies to enhance transfusion services and recruit #voluntarydonors. #Investing in #haematology is essential for #strengthening healthcare infrastructure and developing innovative therapies. It's important to empower the next generation of African researchers and healthcare professionals to drive this change for a healthier future. #Haematology #HealthForAfrica #SDGs #InnovationInHealthcare

Module 4 - End of Life Care & Euthanasia Euthanasia. It's a tricky and emotional topic, with a lot of clinical responsibility. Learn a little more about quality of life assessments, hear about premeds, the process of euthanasia, and get some pointers for how to approach euthanasia discussions with your clients. Find it here: https://lnkd.in/g9brTPN3

As African leaders convene at the United Nations General Assembly #UNGA79, it is imperative to bring attention to the pressing issue of sickle cell disease #SCD in Africa. Despite its significant impact on millions of lives, SCD remains inadequately prioritised on the continent. Africa bears 75% of the global sickle cell burden, with Nigeria serving as the epicentre, where access to basic healthcare, early diagnosis, and effective management remains limited. A call to action on this public health crisis should be to advocate for investment in research, treatment, and public awareness by African leaders. This should include prioritizing SCD screening in newborn health programs and making medicines, including hydroxyurea, available at an affordable cost with comprehensive patient care. SCD incidence can be reduced by advocating for genetic compatibility before marriage through expanded education on genetic counseling. Collaboration from African countries is necessary for funding infrastructure development and specialized training for health professionals to be involved in the care of SCD. As deliberations unfold at the UNGA, and concrete action should be urged from Africa's leaders. Thus, policies advocated for should regard SCD as a health and social issue and ensure no child is denied from avoiding a manageable disease. For further insights, it is recommended to review the comparative study on existing sickle cell laws in four states in Nigeria conducted by #Nguvucollective change leader- Onor-Obasi Tawo and the Nigeria team.

Canada euthanasia now accounts for nearly one in 20 deaths https://lnkd.in/gb6raWV4 "Around 15,300 people underwent assisted dying last year, accounting for 4.7% of deaths in the country." But that's not the reasons for posting this. This is: "It was set to broaden access once again to people with mental illnesses earlier this year. But that was delayed for the second time after concerns were raised by Canadian provinces, which oversee healthcare delivery, about whether the system could cope with such an expansion." Could cope. The Netherlands already offers enthanasia to those whose suffering is not (wholly) physical to also include mental suffering. And there's been a few scientific debates about this and some decisions that have been made: e.g. Euthanasia and assisted suicide for people with an intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder: an examination of nine relevant euthanasia cases in the Netherlands (2012–2016) https://lnkd.in/gMF4pq-Q As England starts to debate further on this topic, I think it's time to accept that if 'assisted dying' becomes law, it will inevitably lead to that law at some point being offered beyond the current proposal. It would be naive to think otherwise. It'll be a court case. A human rights case. A case that argues that mental and physical suffering are on a par with each other, which decides this. And all the safeguards in the world won't stop it.

#EndOfLifeChoiceNZ Almost three years ago, the New Zealand Parliament passed the euphemistically titled – End of Life Choice Act (EOLC Act).  This made legal both euthanasia and physician assisted suicide (PAS) in New Zealand.   Since then, hundreds of New Zealanders have ended their lives prematurely through the use of lethal drugs (note, we don’t call such death causing drugs medicine!) CLICK ON THE FACT SHEET >>>  to remind you of NZ's current law. Now the government is reviewing the law. The review has been structured into two parts. The first is for the Ministry of Health to review the operation of the Act.  The second is seeking the public’s feedback – and this is where we need your help. Unfortunately, and in our view, the review by the Ministry of Health is designed to expand euthanasia / PAS in New Zealand. They are only talking to select people and appear to have a starting point that the law is working well, so it is just about how to ‘improve things’. Your public feedback remains important as the answers will be collated and made available to all MPs when a new law is proposed. We expect the likes of the ACT Party and others to push for an expansion of the law, putting even more vulnerable New Zealanders at risk. What are the big changes that euthanasia advocates want? As you would expect, they want to expand how many people can access euthanasia / PAS. This is both by increasing the range of conditions that are included (moving away from just terminal illness) but also by increasing the timeframe – so no longer simply ‘six months to live’. Don’t forget, the current law talks about suffering as defined by the patient themselves. They want to allow medical and health professionals to raise the possibility of euthanasia / PAS with patients. This is very dangerous! Those seriously ill are often very vulnerable and impressionable. It is an incredibly bad idea to put the idea of assisted suicide and euthanasia into anyone’s head at the best times, let alone when suffering. The possibility of undermining conscience rights. Some are arguing that as euthanasia is now legal, then all doctors and nurses should have to participate when required. This is a direct attack on the rights to conscientiously object. If the law is expanded, even more people will seek assisted suicide and this means even more doctors will be exposed to such requests. It is of paramount importance that doctors and nurses who oppose the idea of euthanasia are allowed to object and not be forced to take part. There is also some talk of forcing hospices and faith-run facilities to allow euthanasia to be provided on their premises. All good hospices prevent euthanasia on-site as it opposes the very principles of palliative care. If a patient seeks euthanasia, they have the choice to go elsewhere. However, some euthanasia proponents want to force hospices and faith run hospitals to provide assisted suicide.

🔥 𝐇𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬! 𝐌𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨-𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐲! 🔥 I am incredibly excited to share that my first co-authored research on multimorbidity has just been presented at the Zimbabwe Medical Association (ZIMA) Annual Conference and released as a preprint on MedRxiv! https://lnkd.in/d3c7ETN3 🎉 As part of the OptiMuL project, this research explores the critical area of multimorbidity in Zimbabwe, a region where the convergence of HIV, TB, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is creating unique challenges. This marks a significant step in my academic journey as I begin my PhD at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) under the supervision of Dr. Justin Dixon. 🌍 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝: Multimorbidity is more than a clinical issue—it's a whole-system challenge requiring integrated care. The need for a paradigm shift in Zimbabwe’s health system towards person-centered, holistic care is greater than ever. Our findings are already contributing to the growing conversation around global health priorities! I’m beyond grateful to my collaborators at Organisation for Public Health Interventions and Development, (Karen Webb and Pugie Chimberengwa (MD, PhD)) Biomedical research and training Institute (Fionah Mundoga), and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, U. of London for their support. As I dive deeper into the field of multimorbidity and person-centered care, I’m eager to contribute to research that redefines how we approach healthcare for those living with multiple long-term conditions. 📢 Let’s connect if you’re passionate about global health, multimorbidity, or health systems transformation! There’s so much exciting work ahead. #Multimorbidity #NewResearch #FirstCoAuthor #GlobalHealth #PersonCenteredCare #NCDs #PublicHealthResearch #PhDJourney #LSHTM #Zimbabwe #HealthcareInnovation