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World AIDS Day 2023: Let Communities Lead in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS

Every year, on the 1st of December, the world unites to commemorate World AIDS Day, a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about HIV and AIDS. This day serves as a call to action, urging communities to take a leadership role in addressing the challenges posed by this ongoing public health issue.

The theme for World AIDS Day 2023 is ‘Let communities lead,’ emphasizing the effectiveness of programs and initiatives when driven by the most impacted communities. Despite significant progress achieved through medical research, increased access to treatment and prevention, and global advocacy, critical challenges persist in achieving the proposed 2030 goals.

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), HIV remains a significant global public health concern, with some countries witnessing increasing trends in new infections that were previously on the decline. The key to progress lies in empowering communities and promoting scientific research and innovation in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care worldwide.

Key Facts:

  • HIV has claimed 40.4 million lives so far, with ongoing transmission in all countries globally.
  • An estimated 39.0 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2022, with two-thirds in the WHO African Region.
  • In 2022, 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes, and 1.3 million people acquired HIV.
  • There is no cure for HIV, but with access to effective prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care, it has become a manageable chronic health condition.
  • Global organizations, including WHO, the Global Fund, and UNAIDS, have aligned strategies with the SDG target of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030.

Targets for 2025:

95% of all people living with HIV should have a diagnosis.

95% of those diagnosed should be taking lifesaving antiretroviral treatment (ART).

95% of PLHIV on treatment should achieve a suppressed viral load.

In 2022, these percentages were 86%, 89%, and 93%, respectively.

Overview:

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is an infection that attacks the body’s immune system. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the most advanced stage of the disease. HIV targets the body’s white blood cells, weakening the immune system and making it easier to get sick with diseases like tuberculosis, infections, and some cancers.

The virus is spread through the body fluids of an infected person, including blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal fluids. It is not spread by casual contact like kisses, hugs, or sharing food.

HIV can be treated and prevented with antiretroviral therapy (ART), but untreated HIV can progress to AIDS, often after many years.

AFHEG Foundation stands committed to the theme of ‘Let communities lead’ in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Our call to action centers on empowering communities through education, awareness, and access to essential HIV services.

Fact Check: Debunking Hypertension Myths and Understanding the Facts

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a medical condition characterized by persistently elevated blood pressure levels in the arteries.

Blood pressure is measured using two values: systolic pressure (the pressure when the heart contracts) and diastolic pressure (the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats).

Normal blood pressure is typically defined as values below 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). Hypertension is diagnosed when blood pressure consistently exceeds 130/80 mmHg.

Now let’s examine and fact-check the statements made earlier regarding hypertension:

1. Myth: Hypertension only affects older individuals.

Fact Check: This statement is false. Hypertension can affect individuals of all age groups, not just older adults. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global burden of hypertension has doubled over the past 30 years, affecting 1.28 billion adults worldwide. While age is a risk factor for hypertension, younger individuals can also develop high blood pressure due to factors such as genetics, obesity, lack of physical activity, an unhealthy diet, and excessive alcohol consumption.

2. Myth: Hypertension is harmless and does not require treatment.

Fact Check: This statement is incorrect. Hypertension is a serious medical condition that can lead to severe health complications if left untreated. According to the WHO, high blood pressure is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and contributes to a significant number of deaths worldwide. It can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other related health problems. Treating and managing hypertension through lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthier diet, increasing physical activity, and, if necessary, taking prescribed medications, is crucial for reducing the risk of complications.

3. Myth: Hypertension is primarily caused by stress.

Fact Check: This statement is misleading. While stress can temporarily elevate blood pressure, the primary risk factors for hypertension are diverse. The WHO highlights that age, genetics, obesity, lack of physical activity, high-salt diet, and excessive alcohol consumption are significant contributors to the development of hypertension. Stressful situations may lead to temporary spikes in blood pressure, but long-term hypertension is influenced by a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors.

4. Myth: People with hypertension will experience noticeable symptoms.
Fact Check: This statement is partially true. Hypertension is often asymptomatic or “silent,” meaning individuals may not experience noticeable symptoms. The WHO reports that almost half of the people with hypertension are unaware of their condition. Regular blood pressure monitoring is crucial for early detection, as hypertension is commonly identified during routine check-ups or screenings. This emphasizes the importance of proactive monitoring and preventive measures for the timely management of hypertension.

5. Myth: Medication is the only treatment option for hypertension.

Fact Check: This statement is incorrect. While medication may be necessary in some cases, lifestyle changes play a significant role in the management of hypertension. The WHO recommends lifestyle modifications as an essential part of hypertension control. These include adopting a healthier diet, reducing salt intake, maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, limiting alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking. These lifestyle changes, combined with prescribed medication when needed, can effectively control blood pressure and reduce the risk of complications associated with hypertension. Hypertension Factsheet.

Note; It is important to rely on accurate information when it comes to health-related topics like hypertension. By understanding the facts, debunking myths, and adopting a proactive approach to hypertension management, you can take control of your health and reduce the risk of associated complications. Regular monitoring, lifestyle modifications, and appropriate medical care are key elements in effectively managing hypertension and promoting overall cardiovascular well-being.

 

1400 healthcare workers to get Ebola preparation and response training from WHO and Kenya

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Kenya’s Ministry of Health will train roughly 1,400 healthcare professionals on how to be ready for an Ebola epidemic.

In a news statement, the ministry stated that as Uganda works to control the present epidemic, the Ebola response actions are a part of continuous efforts to protect against a potential importation of the deadly Ebola virus illness into the nation.

“The training, that kicked off this week, has seen 75 health workers drawn from the national level and Nairobi County receive essential information and techniques required to deal with the disease,” said the Ministry of Health.

The agency said that the training was connected in series to the county and sub-county levels in the 20 counties most vulnerable to the importation of EVD and that the health professionals had received training on readiness and reaction.

The training session comes in response to a notice issued by the Kenyan ministry to all counties nationwide and worries expressed by Ugandan health officials over an increase in confirmed Ebola cases to 109 with 30 fatalities.

“Ebola virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness in humans caused by the Ebola virus. The virus is normally found in animals but spread from animals to human beings and occurs when there is interaction between the infected animals and healthy humans,” the statement said.

Furthermore, a recent notice sent by the Ugandan government to Kenya is in accordance with East African Community Health standards on an epidemic of the illness discovered in Ngabano hamlet of Madudu Sub County in Central Uganda.

The Ministry of Health further warned that human-to-human transmission of Ebola happens through direct or indirect contact with bodily fluids including as blood, sweat, urine, sperm, vaginal secretions, diarrhea, and vomitus from an infected individual.

As a result, the Kenyan government has advised all county governments to be watchful and increase monitoring, particularly around borders.

“Screen at risk populations including travellers, truck drivers, bush meat handlers and healthcare workers as well as sensitize the community to identify suspected cases,” the ministry urged county administrations.

Additionally, county governments have been advised to mobilize fast-reaction teams to assist with case identification and prompt reporting.

They were also asked to engage key stakeholders to start preventative, readiness, and response efforts, as well as to educate healthcare personnel on infection, prevention and control measures, case management, and sample management.

New Measles-Rubella Dose for Children Is Introduced by the Health Ministry

As part of the routine immunization schedule, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has added a second dose of the measles-rubella vaccine for children older than one and a half years.

Dr Alfred Driwale, the manager of Uganda’s National Expanded Immunization Program (UNEPI), reassured the public that the global goal is to eradicate measles, and Uganda has chosen to start administering the vaccine in two doses since the current one only gives 85% protection.

A measles-rubella vaccination is administered to a kid at nine months of age, according to the current national schedule. The newly introduced second dosage, which will begin in March, will be given to infants aged one and a half years.

According to the Ministry of Health, all children between the ages of one and four will need to receive a second dose of the measles-rubella vaccine by October 2022; at that point, all children will need to have had doses of the vaccine in order to be deemed completely immunized.

While at the launch conference, countries discussed experiences on the introduction of vaccinations after the first year of life of children but also what Uganda may learn from abroad, which also included other immunization specialists from elsewhere in Africa.

According to Dr Simon Antara, Executive Director of the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Ghana has been an excellent example of a country that is performing well after one year of heavy coverage of recently launched vaccinations.

He stated that societies must be prepared to absorb new vaccinations when they become available, as immunization programs will evolve in response to the illness load that countries now experience.

Uganda, on the other hand, has plans to provide several new vaccinations for infants above the age of one year, including those against meningitis and yellow fever, initially in endemic regions. Dr Driwale notes that thus far, for children over a year old, they only have HPV for ten-year-old females and Tetanus for teenage girls.

As the COVID-19 pandemic reached its peak, the World Health Organization has been reporting that countries experienced significant disruptions in the uptake of routine vaccines. However, according to Dr Driwale, these disruptions only occurred early on in Uganda’s experience, and the nation quickly developed stability in its healthcare system that allowed it to connect with people with routine services.

 

Ethiopian National Influenza Laboratory has joined the World Health Organization’s worldwide influenza surveillance network.

The Ethiopian Public Health Institute’s (EPHI) National Influenza Laboratory has been designated as a World Health Organization (WHO) National Influenza Centre (NIC), and the Ethiopian laboratory has joined the WHO global influenza monitoring network, according to the WHO website.

The WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) now recognizes the Ethiopian Public Health Institute’s National Influenza Laboratory as a full member following an on-site examination by a team of WHO specialists.

According to WHO, the panel suggested that Ethiopia continue to participate to regional and global influenza monitoring, namely by increasing shipment of influenza-positive specimens to a WHO cooperating Centre for candidate influenza vaccine selection four times per year.

The evaluation team also advised Ethiopia to continue providing frequent influenza surveillance data to WHO and to continue participating in the yearly WHO GISRS external quality assurance program.

WHO emphasizes that the on-site evaluation was carried out by a WHO team comprised of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System Lead, a technical specialist from the WHO Regional Office for Africa, and a laboratory coordinator from the WHO Ethiopia Country Office.

Using a standardized assessment instrument, the assessment mission assessed the condition of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute’s National Influenza Laboratory against the WHO NIC Terms of Reference.

By identifying, prioritizing, and carrying out capacity development initiatives including training, the assessment’s recommendations will assist Ethiopia in further strengthening the recently established National Influenza Centre.

The 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework are two more initiatives that the Ethiopian National Influenza Laboratory is projected to support.

WHO and the WHO Collaborating Centres for Influenza will continue to provide the National Influenza Center with technical advice, assistance, influenza reagents, and training.

The Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System, established in 1952, is a global network designed to defend people from the threat of influenza by efficient collaboration and sharing of viruses, data, and advantages based on Member States’ dedication to a global public health paradigm.

The World Health Organization has recognized the National Influenza Center of Ethiopia as a member of the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System, which includes 155 institutions in 125 nations.

Africans’ average lifespan has increased by 10 years

CONGO BRAZZAVILLE – According to the World Health Organization (WHO) evaluation reports, advances in the delivery of essential health services between 2000 and 2019 led to an average rise of 10 years in healthy life expectancy per person in the African region.

About Us

AFHEG Foundation is a non-profit health organization in Uganda, that focuses on empowering young people and communities with accurate health and environmental information through creative storytelling, e-learning, and interactive gaming, enabling them to improve their quality of life while making informed decisions.

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