Tag: Assist

WHO to continue support for Chagas disease programme that promotes patient self-care
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Catalan Ministry of Health say they’ll collectively support the dissemination of a programme that gives support to sufferers affected by Chagas disease to handle their very own well being and promote self-care.

The Catalonian ‘Expert Patient Programme on Chagas disease’ includes interplay and sharing of knowledge amongst individuals affected by the disease and is performed by an knowledgeable patient. The programme is taken into account to have completed very properly because it was first initiated in 2017.

“Over the previous few years we now have seen exceptional improve in consciousness and confidence amongst sufferers to pursue medical care and follow-up with physicians” stated Dr Pedro Albajar Vinas, who’s accountable for WHO’s Chagas disease programme. “When sufferers discuss to each other there may be higher deal with general perceptions of well being, life-style, bettering shallowness, self-care and particular person satisfaction.”

The programme additionally encourages self-responsibility and features as a part of the Chronic Disease Prevention and Care Programme of the Government of Catalonia. It is predicated on three key approaches:
- support supplied by sufferers and observing professionals to these in power part of the disease;
- promote interplay in teams by 9 fastidiously deliberate periods;
- consider efficiency of previous periods by questionnaires earlier than a brand new session begins.
Many individuals who attended the programme over time say they might suggest it to household and associates because it vastly helps to enhance information about disease.

Initiators of the programme are assured that the methodology used, and classes discovered can type a part of a broader technique to push for complete care for a disease that continues to be largely uncared for. For instance, regardless of the efforts of the previous decade, the worldwide detection fee for Chagas disease is lower than 10%.

Through this settlement, WHO will present support in facilitating the interpretation of supplies and paperwork in languages utilized in its Member States in addition to help within the improvement of any mobile-based software if the necessity arises. The Government of Catalonia will print and distribute for advocacy functions.

To promote international advocacy for the disease, the World Health Assembly – WHO’s decision-making physique – in 2019 adopted a call to have a good time World Chagas Disease Day on 14 April.

The disease

Chagas disease was as soon as confined to rural areas of Latin American international locations the place the primary route of transmission is vectorial transmission.

But over the previous many years, the disease has been more and more reported in lots of international locations exterior Latin America primarily due to motion of populations and migration.

According to WHO estimates, round 6-7 million individuals are contaminated with Trypanosoma cruzi – the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease.

Vectorial transmission happens when people are available in contact with the faeces or urine of triatomine bugs (referred to as ‘kissing bugs’, amongst many different native names).

These bugs – the vectors that carry the parasites – reside within the wall or roof cracks of properties – the place they disguise in the course of the day and lively at evening after they feed on human blood. They often chew an uncovered space of pores and skin such because the face (therefore its widespread identify ‘kissing bug’).

Right after a chew, the bug defecates/urinates shut to the chew space. The parasites enter the physique when the particular person instinctively reacts to the chew and smears the bug faeces or urine into the chew, the eyes, the mouth, or into any pores and skin break.

The parasite may also be transmitted by:
- consumption of meals contaminated with T. cruzi by, for instance, contact with faeces or urine of contaminated triatomine bugs or marsupials (this type of transmission sometimes causes outbreaks with extra extreme morbidity and better mortality – infecting teams of individuals concurrently with extra frequent instances of extreme disease and better variety of deaths);
- blood or blood product transfusion from contaminated donors;
- passage from an contaminated mom to her new child throughout being pregnant or childbirth;
- some organ transplants utilizing organs from contaminated donors; and
- laboratory accidents.
There is not any vaccine in opposition to Chagas disease. Domiciliary vectorial management and transfusional management, along with congenital transmission, stay the simplest strategies of stopping transmission in Latin America.

Chagas disease was named after Carlos Ribeiro Justiniano Chagas, a Brazilian doctor and researcher who found the disease in 1909.

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https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/29-03-2020-who-to-continue-support-for-chagas-disease-programme-that-promotes-patient-self-care

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April 3, 2020

Medical Product Alert N°3/2020

This Medical Product Alert warns consumers, healthcare professionals, and health authorities against a growing number of falsified medical products that claim to prevent, detect, treat or cure COVID-19.

The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic (caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2) has increased demand for medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and reagents, all related to COVID-19, creating an opportunity for ill-intended persons to distribute falsified medical products

Due diligence is required from all actors in the procurement, use and administration of medical products, in particular those affected by the current crisis of, or related to, COVID-19.

1. FALSIFIED IN VITRO DIAGNOSTICS AND LABORATORY REAGENTS

WHO has received multiple reports regarding falsified in vitro diagnostics (IVDs) and laboratory reagents for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. Please refer to WHO’s Emergency Use Listing for a list of diagnostics approved for clinical use by WHO. To date, eight countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, PR China, Russian Federation, Singapore, Republic of Korea, United States of America) have listed IVDs for COVID-19 diagnosis based on expedited regulatory assessments. Please note that, in the European Union, regulatory compliance for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics are self-declared by the manufacturer.

To assist Member States and stakeholders, WHO has published the links to these emergency lists, together with contact details. These links provide information on IVDs authorized for use in the jurisdictions of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum, as well as policies and guidance. WHO will provide updated versions as new information becomes available.

End-users are encouraged to check the labelling against the information posted by regulatory authorities upon listing to ensure they are in possession of the genuine product. This information might include product name, product code, expiry date, instructions for use and manufacturer details.

Unregulated websites supplying medicines and/or vaccines, particularly those concealing their physical address or landline telephone number, are frequently the source of unlicensed, substandard and falsified medical products. WHO has been made aware of various unregistered websites claiming that products on sale can treat or prevent COVID-19. Such products are likely to be falsified medicines. In addition, some websites may appear to provide easy access to legitimate medicines that are otherwise not readily available. End-buyers and consumers should be especially wary of such online scams and exert due diligence when purchasing any medical product, whether online or not.

2. FALSIFIED MEDICINES AND VACCINES

At this stage, WHO does not recommend any medicines to treat or cure COVID-19. However, the SOLIDARITY trial, led by WHO, is reviewing potential treatments for COVID-19.

WHO requests increased vigilance from national health authorities, healthcare professionals, members of the public and supply chain stakeholders worldwide to prevent the distribution of these falsified medical products. Increased vigilance should focus on hospitals, clinics, health centres, clinical laboratories, wholesalers, distributors, pharmacies and any other suppliers of medical products. All medical products must be obtained from authentic and reliable sources. Their authenticity and condition of the product should be carefully checked. Consumers are advised to seek advice from a healthcare professional in case of doubt.

National health authorities are requested to immediately notify WHO if these falsified products are discovered in their country. If you have any information concerning the manufacture, distribution, or supply of these products, please contact rapidalert@who.int

WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System for Substandard and Falsified Medical Products
For further information, please visit our website: https://www.who.int/medicines/regulation/ssffc/en/

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https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/31-03-2020-medical-product-alert-n-3-2020

April 2, 2020

Felda defers deduction on settlers’ income until June

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) is deferring deduction of its settlers’ income for repayment of crop and socio-economic loans for the month of April to June to help them cope with the situation brought about by the Covid-19 crisis.

Its general manager, Datuk Dr Othman Omar, said it would involve their harvest for the month of March to May, but would not involve deduction for Kedai D’Mart and the agency’s development and security department (JKKR).

“All setters automatically get it. There is no need for them to apply to the Felda management. The deferred deduction will be rescheduled after the postponement period is over. This initiative will benefit more than 92,000 settlers,” he said in a statement today.

Apart from that, Felda has taken proactive steps by setting up the community food centre to assist settlers having financial problems during these trying times.

The centre was set up following an initiative by the Settlers Consultancy Committee (JKPP) and the Settlers and Community Development Department, he added.

Any inquiry on the deferment of the deduction or other matters can be e-mailed to jkk@felda.net.my or Felda Facebook.

Othman said Felda is also offering the use of its hostels and other facilities as quarantine centres to help the government, especially the Ministry of Health (MOH), with its preparation in anticipating the increase in Covid-19 patients next month.

Besides the three hostels in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Kuantan in Pahang, Felda also has three training centres (in Kuala Lumpur, Kerteh in Terengganu and Chini in Pahang) and four Felda Residence, at Tanjung Leman in Johor, Sugai Tekam in Pahang, Trolak in Perak and an Felda Sahabat in Sabah.

All these facilities are suitable for use as quarantine centres and can accommodate more than 1,500 people, he said, adding that Felda Sahabat has been activated as a quarantine centre that accommodates 52 patients. – Bernama

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March 31, 2020
UiTM assures welfare of 8,5000 students during MCO duration

SHAH ALAM: Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) has assured students who could not return home following the Movement Control Order (MCO) ruling, that there is sufficient food, and the meals are offered to them free of charge.

UiTM deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs) Prof Dr Azizan Abdullah said 8,500 students still residing at 35 campuses nationwide have been receiving the food assistance of three meals a day since the MCO was enforced on March 18.

“The food assistance is offered to all on-campus and off-campus students.

“In taking care of the students’ welfare, UiTM also provides medical and counseling services. So parents do not have to worry,“ he told Bernama, here today.

Azizan called on the 800,000-strong UiTM alumni to donate to the university’s Covid-19 Student Aid Fund to cover food expenses for students who have been forced to stay on until the MCO ruling ends on April 14.

In addition to financial contribution, alumni members as well as the public, could also assist UiTM by providing food items which would be distributed to the needy students.

Azizan said the items could be delivered directly to the food collection centre at Kolej Mawar or the Students Service Centre in Shah Alam, while for other states, those wishing to donate could contact the respective campuses.

Donations for UiTM Covid-19 Student Aid Fund are to be deposited through UiTM Treasury Affin Bank Account No:1051-4000-3422. – Bernama

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March 30, 2020
TNB pledges RM150m to support tiered electricity rebate

KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has pledged RM150 million to support the government’s announcement of a tiered electricity rebate to assist affected Malaysians following the extension of the Movement Control Order (MCO) period until April 14.

TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the reduced electricity bills would be jointly subsidised by the government, TNB as well as funds from the Kumpulan Wang Industri Elektrik (KWIE).

“TNB is fully supportive of the government’s effort to provide some relief to the affected households as well as committed to channel funds towards initiatives that can directly assist the Malaysians,” he said.

He said TNB has also recently pledged RM10 million to the Ministry of Health to help replenish diminishing medical supplies at the front lines of the nation’s medical and healthcare institutions in the fight against Covid-19.

On Friday, the Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced a tiered rebate for electricity bills of between 15% and 50% for domestic users in Peninsular Malaysia, with almost 90% of residential consumers in Peninsular Malaysia would automatically receive the rebate effective on April 1 until Sept 30.

It said under the tiered rebate, three million domestic consumers with monthly consumption below 200 kilowatt hour (kWh) would receive 50% rebate, 1.5 million consumers with monthly consumption between 201kWh and 300kWh would receive 25% rebate and 2.2 million consumers with monthly consumption between 301kWh and 600kWh would be receiving 15% rebate.

Those among the B40 group would be benefiting from the highest rebate rate of 50% that would be reflected in electricity bills beginning May. — Bernama

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March 27, 2020
Socso launches programme to assist workers who have lost jobs

KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry, through its agency, the Social Security Organisation (Socso), has launched the Employment Retention Programme (ERP) to assist workers who have lost their jobs.

Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan (pix) said the programme which was introduced as part of the 2020 Economic Stimulus Package, will be implemented through the Employment Insurance System.

“The assistance will be provided in the form of temporary financial benefits and employment services,” he said in a Public Service Announcement today.

In this connection, Kumpulan Wang Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (KWPSM) also launched a 2020 Training Stimulus Package which will benefit more than 40,000 local workers in the hotel, tourism management and air transport sectors which have been affected by Covid-19.

Saravanan reminded employers not to impose employee pay cuts or force employees to use their annual leave during the length of the government’s Movement Control Order aimed at containing Covid-19.

“It is the responsibility of employers to ensure the well-being and health of their workers,” he stressed.

The minister also called on Malaysians to abide by the Movement Control Order which took effect on March 18 and was recently extended to April 14.

“Stay calm, stay home,” he urged. – Bernama

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March 26, 2020
Sultan Nazrin consents to setting up of Special Zakat Distribution Fund

IPOH: The Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah (pix) has consented to the Special Zakat Distribution Fund, involving RM11.95 million, to ease the burden of the people affected by the Covid-19 outbreak and assist efforts by various quarters in addressing the crisis.

Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk) chief executive oficer Shahrul Azam Shaari said the special fund was set up by the council, with the cooperation of several of its strategic partners.

This special fund, involved RM11.11 million from the zakat allocation, RM30,000 from SP Setia Foundation chairman and RM800,000 in tithe from the corporate sector,“ he said in a statement here today.

He said Sultan Nazrin consented to the setting up of the fund so that it could be used to help those who are affected by the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) which has been extended until April 14.

“Sultan Nazrin is concerned and aware that the Covid-19 pandemic has a direct impact on the lives of the people, especially among those with unstable income and those in the low-income group,“ he added.

Shahrul said the special fund would cover the cost of the Food Box Aid, involving RM240,000, which would be channeled through the Covid-19 Operations Room under the respective District and Land Offices tin the state.

He said RM5.8 million would be for the Emergency Survival Assistance, which is targeted for households earning RM2,000 and below whose income were affected due to either termination of employment, unpaid leave or other reasons.

A total of RM2 million is allocated for Special Capital Assistance to assist MAIPk traders, hawkers and entrepreneurs whose business were affected by the MCO; RM100,000 for management and welfare assistance to Perak students studying abroad and RM100, 000 to provide food supply to students at public and private institutions of higher learning in Perak who are still at their respective colleges, he added.

Shahrul said a special contribution of RM500,000 would be made to the Perak Health Department, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Malaysian Armed Forces and other agencies for the welfare of their Covid-19 frontline personnel.

RM1 million is for health and medical equipment to be donated to hospitals in Perak, RM1.5 million for purchase of medical equipment to combat Covid-19, like face masks, gloves and disinfectant to be distributed to mosques, suraus and the general public, and RM710,000 for contingency plan, he added. – Bernama

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March 25, 2020
Private hospitals urged to provide more assistance to govt hospitals

PETALING JAYA: Private hospitals are asked to put profits aside for now and in the name of service, support the Health Ministry in combating the Covid-19 pandemic.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) CEO Datuk Dr Paul Selvaraj said in this time of crisis, private hospitals, especially those run by government-linked companies, should give their utmost to assist the government given that public hospitals are called to treat the rising number of Covid-19 patients.

“Put service as priority and put aside profits for now,“ he told theSun today.

Suaram adviser Kua Kia Soong suggested that private hospitals step forward to take some of the burden off the public sector by providing some sort of subsidised charges or no cost at all. They should also help with cases which are not related to the viral pandemic, fill the need for special wards, offer intensive care unit space and equipment such as ventilators and oxygen supply.

“In the best of times, private hospitals reap the benefits of the much touted Malaysian product known as ‘medical tourism’ and attract the best medical talents from the public sector.

“Now that we are in the worst of times, private hospitals don’t seem to be doing too badly either.

“According to the Affin Hwang Capital Research, the coronavirus pandemic is likely to have only a muted impact on private hospital operators as they are required to report such cases to public hospitals and the national infection centre,“ Kua said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, in response to the many questions broached of late, president of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said they (private hospitals) have made available 51 ventilators to the Health Ministry.

“We will be accepting non Covid-19 cases from the Health Ministry hospitals too. Discussions on taking on cases are in the final stages,“ he said in a statement on Tuesday.

He also said the APHM and its member hospitals see this as an opportunity for the private hospitals to work with the Health Ministry and the government in facing this national crisis.

“We have the support of all private hospitals in cancelling electives and reducing non urgent consultation while some private hospitals have even started Covid-19 screening for walk-ins and drive-ins,“ he added.

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March 25, 2020
Ensuring continuity of TB services during the COVID-19 pandemic

GENEVA As the world comes together to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to ensure that essential health services and operations are continued to protect the lives of people with TB and other diseases or health conditions. Health services, including national programmes to combat TB, need to be actively engaged in ensuring an effective and rapid response to COVID-19 while ensuring that TB services are maintained.

In the lead- up to World TB Day, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General emphasized in a news release, “COVID-19 is highlighting just how vulnerable people with lung diseases and weakened immune systems can be. The world committed to end TB by 2030; improving prevention is key to making this happen.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) Global TB Programme, along with WHO regional and country offices, has developed an information note, in collaboration with stakeholders. This note is intended to assist national TB programmes and health personnel to urgently maintain continuity of essential services for people affected with TB during the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by innovative people-centred approaches, as well as maximizing joint support to tackle both diseases.

“We stand in solidarity with those affected by COVID-19 and those at the frontlines of the fight to combat the disease,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the WHO Global TB Programme. “We need to act with urgency to ensure that in line with our vision of Health for All, no one with TB, COVID-19 or any health condition will miss out on the prevention and care they need. It’s time for action.”

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https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/24-03-2020-ensuring-continuity-of-tb-services-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

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March 25, 2020
WHO Information Note: Ensuring continuity of TB services during the COVID-19 pandemic

As the world comes together to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to ensure that essential health services and operations are continued to protect the lives of people with TB and other diseases or health conditions. Health services, including national programmes to combat TB, need to be actively engaged in ensuring an effective and rapid response to COVID-19 while ensuring that TB services are maintained.

In the lead- up to World TB Day, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General emphasized in a news release, “COVID-19 is highlighting just how vulnerable people with lung diseases and weakened immune systems can be. The world committed to end TB by 2030; improving prevention is key to making this happen.”

WHO Global TB Programme, along with WHO regional and country offices, has developed an information note, in collaboration with stakeholders. This note is intended to assist national TB programmes and health personnel to urgently maintain continuity of essential services for people affected with TB during the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by innovative people-centred approaches, as well as maximizing joint support to tackle both diseases.

“We stand in solidarity with those affected by COVID-19 and those at the frontlines of the fight to combat the disease,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the WHO Global TB Programme. “We need to act with urgency to ensure that in line with our vision of Health for All, no one with TB, COVID-19 or any health condition will miss out on the prevention and care they need. It’s time for action.”

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https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/20-03-2020-who-information-note-ensuring-continuity-of-tb-services-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

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March 25, 2020