Tag: Economic

Nigeria’s Unhealthy Healthcare In Eye Of Coronavirus By Runcie C.W. Chidebe

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is right here to show us a lesson; I hope we be taught. Nigeria’s healthcare is unhealthy. But as an alternative of fixing it our rulers have been busy flying up and down to profit from different nation’s productive well being system. With Coronavirus, actuality is upon us. No extra operating abroad for medical trip. Our rulers can’t journey to the United Kingdom, United States of America or India anymore for medical care. These nations are additionally hanging on their final breath, battling to outlive the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2017, President Muhammadu Buhari spent 103 days in London receiving medical therapy for an undisclosed sickness, spending taxpayers’ cash as an alternative of investing within the nation’s healthcare. Thousands of Nigerians died in the identical interval from totally different sicknesses. More than 3,000 girls died of breast most cancers, greater than 2,000 girls died of cervical most cancers and greater than 1,500 males died of prostate most cancers, in line with World Health Organization (WHO) figures on annual most cancers mortality.

I had hoped that on his return to Nigeria, President Buhari would declare a state of emergency within the nation’s well being sector. Painfully, nothing of such occurred. Nigeria’s funds allocation to healthcare has remained lower than 5% of the whole funds for the previous 5 years. Simply put, in 2020 the federal authorities budgeted N2,000 (£4.2) for every Nigerian with a complete of N427.Three billion as funds allocation to the well being sector whereas the United Kingdom budgeted £2,159.6 for every citizen with a complete well being funds of £143.4billion. It is similar dismal story within the states throughout Nigeria. Healthcare isn’t a precedence. In some states in Nigeria, a hospital is a 20-minute boat journey and an hour-long automobile journey. Because many poor Nigerians don’t personal boats, a girl in labour may bleed to loss of life earlier than she reaches the hospital.

On March 22, 2018, Bill Gates, founding father of Microsoft and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, criticized Nigerian authorities’s poor funding of healthcare within the nation. In his phrases, “One in three children is chronically malnourished.” This tragedy has large implications for the economic system. According to the World Bank, addressing the stunting disaster in Nigeria would add virtually $30 billion to Nigeria’s GDP. It is painful that regardless of Mr. Gates assertion, nothing has modified. Nigeria has remained one of many nations on this planet with the worst healthcare system with over 60 deaths per 1000 stay births. Nigeria has one of many worst most cancers survival charges on this planet, with solely 2 to three most cancers radiotherapy machines working at any time and fewer than 70 oncologists for a inhabitants of over 200 million.

COVID-19 is exposing the insensitivity of our leaders to issues that matter most to us. That Nigerians are disobeying the federal government’s security recommendation on COVID-19 is a transparent reflection of residents’ distrust for his or her leaders. Many Nigerians belief their non secular leaders greater than they belief our political leaders. Successive governments have failed the nation, and it doesn’t appear like factor will change anytime quickly.

Nigeria is a rustic the place our rulers make legal guidelines as we speak and break the identical legal guidelines tomorrow. The Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline and strongly inspired all Nigerians coming from sure nations to self-isolate and monitor themselves, as a method to comprise or to delay the unfold of COVID-19. The president’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, returned from Germany and as an alternative of isolating himself he was leaping from one state to a different, attending occasions and conferences with totally different folks, breaching the federal government’s personal advice and inserting the lives of different Nigerians in danger!

Now that COVID-19 is in Nigeria we have to face it with all that we’ve. But can we? The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is now the nation’s solely perceived hope. Many Nigerians have been calling NCDC scorching traces, criticizing NCDC for not testing sufficient folks. But we must always face the music and never the dancer. NCDC is crippled and never effectively outfitted to guard Nigerians from the illness.

In 2016, NCDC budgeted N3.7m for its recurrent and N248m for capital allocations. That is a complete of N251.7m. Out of this, solely N155m was launched to the centre. In the identical 12 months, 1,166 Nigerians died of Cerebrospinal Meningitis. In 2017, the NCDC had a funds of N1.5b. Only N782m was launched. In the identical 12 months, greater than 120 Nigerians contracted Monkeypox and 7 folks died from the illness. That identical 12 months, the Presidency budgeted N77m for Aso Rock lease, N1b for journeys and sitting allowances, and N94m for meals. In 2018, the NCDC had a funds of N1.9b. Only N654m was launched. In the identical 12 months, N7.2b was proposed for Presidential Air Fleet. N440m was proposed for necessary improve and set up of stay TV and web service within the presidential aircrafts, N375m for brand spanking new cabin administration, N418m for the touchdown gears. In whole, over N1b was budgeted for the presidential aircrafts which is used for medical tourism and frequent journeys overseas.

On November 12, 2018, the NCDC institution invoice was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, because of the efforts of Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, the then Chair, Senate Committee on Primary Healthcare and Communicable Diseases. On this premise, the NCDC was empowered with a laws for its work in stopping and making ready for outbreaks of infectious illnesses. Interestingly, the NCDC acquired the worst funds in 2019, the 12 months following the passage of the NCDC Act. The Centre had a funds of N1.4b, however solely N224m was launched. In the identical 12 months, over 472 Nigerians have been identified with Lassa fever and over 110 folks died from this viral hemorrhagic fever. Clearly, NCDC can’t carry out magic. They need assistance. Nigeria is grossly under-testing for COVID-19, the laboratories usually are not sufficient, and NCDC and its affiliate businesses wouldn’t have sufficient manpower and sources.

Months in the past, being unwell evoked empathy; as we speak being unwell evokes concern. The concern of COVID-19? No! It is the concern of not gaining access to the care that you just want, the concern of absence of ventilators, the concern of a damaged well being system. It is the concern of loss of life. Our political leaders have stolen from the sick by corruption. Many Nigerian governors construct non-functional hospitals of their states. Usually, after the commissioning of those hospitals, all of the CT Scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and different medical machines—a few of them faux—are returned to the place they have been bought or left to rot.

Hospitals in Nigeria are among the worst on this planet. Our educating hospitals at the moment are museums the place lower than 5% of medical trial and analysis is occurring due to poor laboratory. Medical tourism has due to this fact grow to be the norm. Dubai hospitals, Saudi Arabian hospitals, and so on., are promoting in Abuja and Lagos for Nigerian sufferers. They are recruiting Nigerian docs, together with consultants. Nigeria isn’t solely going through “brain drain,” we’re additionally going through “patient drain.” Our docs and nurses work within the worst situations. Hazard allowance for well being staff is about N5,000 whereas wardrobe allowance for members of the National Assembly runs into hundreds of thousands.

Now is the time for Nigeria to confront its healthcare disaster. The Nigerian authorities should settle for its failure. Our political leaders should brace as much as their duty and critically replicate on the issue their greed has delivered to Nigeria. This is the time to put money into a result-oriented healthcare system. Health is wealth because the saying goes. healthcare system is the muse of any nation.

If we survive COVID-19, we have to contemplate a legislation to limit all public officers from searching for medical care overseas. It could also be perceived as strict, however it can save future generations since we don’t know which pandemic would come subsequent and when.

Let’s give each Nigerian an area to stay and a not probability to die.

Runcie C.W. Chidebe is Executive Director, Project PINK BLUE. He is at the moment a Commonwealth Scholar on Transforming and Leading in Health Care at Birmingham City University, United Kingdom. He tweets @runciecwc

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April 4, 2020
Information Department reminded to focus on government’s policies, activities

PUTRAJAYA: The Information Department (Japen) should focus on its fundamental obligation, that’s to clarify to the individuals in regards to the legal guidelines, government’s insurance policies and activities, mentioned Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah (pix).

He mentioned public perspective on the division’s integrity relies upon on its skill to clarify and disseminate info to the individuals about government’s insurance policies, and the division has by no means been entrusted with the duty to defend any politician or political get together.

“I would like to remind Japen officers that in disseminating information, they must know how to differentiate between politics and official duties.

“If a politician made a blunder, it is not Japen officer’s job to clarify it. The politician will have to fix it or clarify it himself,” he mentioned after attending a particular briefing with Japen officers right here at present.

Saifuddin mentioned a cynical perspective in the direction of politics is typical in any democratic international locations, however Japen should at all times defend the federal government as all actions taken by the federal government had been for the sake of the individuals.

“Rejection towards a political party is normal, but it must not go to the extent of rejecting the government, because that would cause (political and economic) instability in the country,” he mentioned.

When requested on a further allowance for media personnel, who’re additionally the frontliners within the combat in opposition to Covid-19, the minister mentioned he had introduced the matter to the Cabinet’s consideration and was nonetheless awaiting suggestions.

“I do hope media personnel, including our information officers in the field, will be given the additional allowance. It is not my decision to make, but I did raise the matter up at the Cabinet meeting,” he mentioned. — Bernama

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April 3, 2020
WHO to accelerate action to reduce the harmful use of alcohol
The
harmful use of alcohol causes roughly Three million deaths yearly and the
general burden of illness and accidents attributable to alcohol consumption
stays unacceptably excessive. The tempo of improvement and implementation of
alcohol insurance policies has been uneven in WHO areas, and assets and capacities
for implementation of the WHO Global technique to reduce the harmful use of
alcohol 10 years after its endorsement don’t correspond to the magnitude of
the issues. On this foundation, the WHO Executive Board in its choice EB146
(14) known as for accelerated action to reduce the harmful use of
alcohol.

The Board thought of the report on the political declaration of the third high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, notably Annex 3, entitled “Implementation of the global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol,” and the report on the findings of the consultative process on implementation of the global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol and the way forward.

The Board, in its choice EB146 (14), requested the WHO Director-General, inter alia, “to develop an action plan (2022-2030) to effectively implement the Global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol as a public health priority, in consultation with Member States and relevant stakeholders, for consideration by the 75th World Health Assembly through the 150th session of the WHO Executive Board in 2022”, and “to develop a technical report on the harmful use of alcohol related to cross-border alcohol marketing, advertising and promotional activities, including targeting youth and adolescents, before the 150th session of the WHO Executive Board, which could contribute to the development of the action plan”, in addition to “to adequately useful resource the work on the harmful use of alcohol.

In response to choice EB146 (14), the WHO Secretariat will implement the following:
- March– April 2020: Commissioning of the scoping evaluate on the harmful use of alcohol associated to cross-border alcohol advertising and marketing, promoting and promotional actions, together with concentrating on youth and adolescents. Commissioning background papers for the report improvement.
- April-May 2020: Producing zero draft of the working doc for improvement of an action plan (2022-2030) to successfully implement the Global technique to reduce the harmful use with proposed important parts and parts.
- June 2020: Technical professional conferences organized by WHO headquarters to talk about zero draft of the working doc for improvement of the action plan and the content material of the technical report on the harmful use of alcohol associated to cross-border alcohol advertising and marketing, promoting and promotional actions.
- July-September 2020: Finalization of the working doc for subsequent session course of. Web-based session on the working doc for improvement of the action plan open to Member States, UN organizations and different worldwide organizations, and non-State actors. All related suggestions acquired will probably be revealed on WHO web site.
- October 2020 – March 2021: Regional technical consultations with Member States on the working doc for improvement of the action plan (2022-2030).
- March– April 2021: Development of the first draft of the action plan primarily based on the enter acquired on the working doc in the course of of the regional consultations.
- April -June 2021: The web-based session on the first draft of the action plan open to Member States, UN organizations and different worldwide organizations, and non-State actors. All related suggestions acquired will probably be revealed on WHO web site. Discussion of the first draft at the Third WHO Forum on alcohol, medication and addictive behaviours attended by technical focal factors from Member States, representatives of UN entities, civil society organizations, WHO collaborating centres, and academia. Consultation with financial operators in alcohol manufacturing and commerce on their contribution to decreasing the harmful use of alcohol inside their core roles. An casual session with Member States on the first draft of the action plan.
- July-August 2021: Development of the second draft of the action plan primarily based on the suggestions acquired on the first draft throughout the earlier levels of the session course of.
- August-November 2021: Briefings on the second draft of the action plan organized at the Regional Committee conferences. Release of the technical report on the harmful use of alcohol associated to cross-border alcohol advertising and marketing, promoting and promotional actions, together with concentrating on youth and adolescents, with a abstract of fundamental findings and conclusions out there in six languages. A proper assembly of Member States for consideration of the second draft of the action plan. Finalization of the draft action plan considered suggestions and inputs acquired from Member States and different stakeholders throughout the session course of in April -October 2021. Development and submission of the report by the Secretariat to 150th session of the Executive Board.
- January/February 2022: The 150th session of the WHO Executive Board will think about the report of the WHO Director-General containing the draft action plan (2022-2030) to successfully implement the Global technique to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.
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April 3, 2020
IPA, WHO and UNICEF launch Read the World on International Children’s Book Day to support children and young people in isolation

Geronimo Stilton creator to kickstart unique children’s e-book studying initiative amid COVID-19 pandemic

Much-loved children’s authors are becoming a member of an initiative to learn extracts of their books to tens of millions of children and young people at the moment dwelling in isolation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the World is a collaboration between the International Publishers Association (IPA), the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. It kicks off right now, on International Children’s Book Day, at 15.00 GMT/17.00 CET with Italian creator Elisabetta Dami, creator of the fashionable character Geronimo Stilton.

“These are uncharted waters for us all, and the psycho-social effects of prolonged isolation and social distancing are yet to be seen and understood,” mentioned IPA President Hugo Setzer. “All of us should take particular care of our mental health at the moment, and especially that of young minds. The IPA wanted to do something positive to bring children and their favourite writers closer, to stimulate their interest in books and to create a carefree moment for families to share during this difficult period of confinement.”

“Children’s lives and routines have been turned upside down in just a few short weeks,” mentioned UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “Even when the outside world is out of bounds for now, reading can remind children and young people that the transportive power of books is unlimited.”

“WHO is committed to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic on all fronts, especially when it comes to protecting young people,” mentioned WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “We understand the fear and anxieties many feel and know how the joy of reading can stimulate young minds, ease tensions and provide hope.”

Elisabetta Dami will learn on her private Instagram account in English from 15.00-15.30 GMT 17.00-17.30 CET. Dami, whose books have offered greater than 180 million copies round the world and are printed in 50 completely different languages, will even reply to feedback and questions by way of the platform.

Several different famous children’s authors have agreed to be a part of the Read the World initiative, particulars of which will likely be out there quickly at https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/read-the-world

About IPA

The IPA is the world’s largest federation of publishers associations. Established in 1896, it is an business physique with a human rights mandate, whose mission is to promote and shield publishing and elevate consciousness of publishing as a drive for financial, cultural and social improvement. Working in cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and different supranational our bodies, the IPA champions the pursuits of e-book and journal publishing at nationwide and supranational stage. Internationally, the IPA actively opposes censorship and promotes copyright, freedom to publish (together with by the IPA Prix Voltaire), and literacy.

Follow the IPA on Twitter and Facebook

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in a few of the world’s hardest locations, to attain the world’s most deprived children. Across greater than 190 international locations and territories, we work for each youngster, in every single place, to construct a greater world for everybody.

Follow UNICEF on Twitter and Facebook

About WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations’ specialised company for well being. It is an inter-governmental group and works in collaboration with its Member States normally by the Ministries of Health. The World Health Organization is accountable for offering management on world well being issues, shaping the well being analysis agenda, setting norms and requirements, articulating evidence-based coverage choices, offering technical support to international locations and monitoring and assessing well being tendencies. Learn extra at www.who.int.

Follow WHO on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

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April 3, 2020
PDP Calls For Free Electricity, Tax Holiday For Nigerians During Lockdown

The Peoples Democratic Party, House of Representatives Caucus, has known as on the Nigerian Government to offer free electrical energy, tax vacation in addition to stimulants for medium and small scale enterprises to cushion the impression of Coronavirus lockdown on the lives of individuals.

The social gathering in a press release by Ogundu Kingsley Chinda, PDP House of Representatives Caucus chief, mentioned authorities should keep in mind measured responses that alleviate the poor financial circumstances of Nigerians and assure the rights of residents.

The assertion reads, “The President ought to as a matter of utmost urgency challenge an Executive Order, pursuant to his powers preserved by Section 5 of the 1999 structure, directing the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, National Food Reserve Agency and National Emergency Management Authority to launch and handle the distribution of meals in our nationwide reserves.

“The govt order should set out clear penalties for breach, notably as they relate to public officers who seize on the occasions to make brisk companies and positive factors from the miseries of the folks.

“Other measures such as food prices control should be ramped up; though specific, targeted and temporary legislation for enforcement.”

The PDP caucus known as on authorities to maximise the 2 weeks lockdown and open free testing and therapy centres in all zones of the nation, step down VAT and provides partial tax vacation on important commodities for 2 months, make electrical energy obtainable and free for residents throughout the interval of whole lockdown.

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April 3, 2020
Ensure Accountability For Donated Funds, Civil Society Group Tells Nigerian Government

A coalition of civil society organisations has urged the Nigerian Government to make sure transparency and accountability within the administration of over N30bn donated by teams, establishments and well-meaning people to assist cease the unfold of Coronavirus.

In a press release on Thursday by the Centre for Democracy and Development, Women Advocacy Research and Documentation Centre, Journalists for Democratic Rights, Civil Society Network Against Corruption, HURIDAC, Green Peoples Environmental Network, Nigerian Human Rights Community, COPEAIDS Foundation, a health-concern rights group, Civil Society Coalition for Mandate Protection, HELP Center for Development, stated nobody ought to be inspired to revenue from human distress.

The assertion reads, “We respect all contributors and donors within the emergency funds and supplies in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

“The finest that may occur is accountability. No one ought to be inspired to revenue from the present human distress.

“We urge all government MDAs and special task force to uphold procurement and operational standards and policies in awards and payments of services and distribution of materials.”

The coalition referred to as for strict monitoring and analysis of the disbursed funds by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to make sure that it’s used for public good.

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April 3, 2020
Muhyiddin inspects implementation operation of Prihatin package

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pix) immediately visited the Economic Stimulus Implementation & Coordination Unit Between National Agencies (Laksana) on the Ministry of Finance right here to watch the implementation of the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package (Prihatin) introduced final Friday.

Muhyiddin stated Laksana is accountable for making certain the initiatives price RM250 billion introduced beneath Prihatin package is effectively carried out.

“I understand the allocation channels to register taxi drivers and tour guides would be carried out starting today.

“I hope the registration and review process for Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) would proceed smoothly,” he stated.

During the go to, Muhyiddin was briefed by the National Budget Office director cum Laksana unit head Johan Mahmood Merican on the operation of Prihatin implementation.

Laksana was established on March 16 to watch the implementation of the Economic Stimulus Package 2020 (PRE).

Laksana has been tasked with the preparation of periodic experiences on the standing of implementation and achievement of initiatives referring to PRE to the Economic Action Council chaired by the Prime Minister.

Also current within the go to had been Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz; International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Ahmad Badri Mohd Zahri.

Members of the general public can enquire about PRIHATIN with the Finance Ministry at 03-8882 9089, 03-8882 9087, 03-8882 9191, 03-8882 4565, 03-8882 4566 (workplace hours) or electronic mail to : bsh@treasury.gov.my pre2020@treasury.gov.my or telegram: PRE PRIHATIN or through Finance Ministry Facebook.

The folks also can contact the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) at 1-800 882 747 or 03-8911 1000 for enquiries.

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April 2, 2020
Prihatin: ‘No record’ individuals can make new applications, says IRB

KUALA LUMPUR: Individuals who received a ‘no record’ result when checking the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) aid via the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) official portal can make new applications online until April 30.

All they have to do is to click on the ‘new application’ icon and follow the instructions given to make the application.

IRB said in a statement today that manual applications using the form was not possible now as all IRB premises would be temporarily closed until the Movement Control Order (MCO) period ends on April 14.

According to IRB, appeals on unsuccessful applications could be submitted through the agency’s official portal https://www.hasil.gov.my or https://bpn.hasil.gov.my starting April 3.

However, Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) aid recipients in the B40 group and the M40 who have income tax data with the IRB do not need to register for the BPN.

The BSH recipients are automatically eligible for BPN, while the M40 group will be evaluated based on the amount of income and other criteria set by the government.

Due to high traffic to access the official portal, the public were advised to check their status during non-peak hours.

The situation occurred because the application for BPN was opened today.

BPN is part of the initiatives under the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package (Prihatin) announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin recently.

The Hasil Care Line (HCL) call centre, which resumed operation on March 30, operates throughout the MCO period from 9am to 5pm from Sundays until Fridays and could be reached at 03-89111000 or +603-89111000 for those who are abroad.

Any enquires concerning the BSH can be directed to the toll-free line at 1800-88-2747. – Bernama

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April 1, 2020
Medical Product Alert N°2/2020
This Medical Product Alert relates to a confirmed falsified human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in vitro diagnostic medical device (IVD) that has been identified circulating in Guyana and Kenya.

Through its Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS) for substandard/falsified medical products,
WHO was informed that at least 8,240 falsified rapid diagnostic tests to detect HIV-1/2 have been distributed in Guyana at end-user level. The product is Uni-Gold™ HIV and claims to be manufactured by
Trinity Biotech plc. Subsequent reports
revealed that the same falsified product is also circulating in Kenya.

Uni-Gold™ HIV is a single-use rapid diagnostic test – an immunoassay for the qualitative detection of antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2 in serum, plasma and whole blood. Uni-Gold™ HIV is intended for use in point of care settings as an aid
in diagnosis of HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection.

The WHO testing strategy recommends three HIV reactive test results to confirm an HIV-positive status in a
patient. The use of this falsified Uni-Gold™ HIV, subject of WHO medical product alert n°2 of 2020, is likely to lead to delayed diagnosis of HIV status.

Table 1: Specific details of the falsified product Uni-Gold™ HIV, subject of WHO Medical Product Alert n°2 of 2020

Product Name

Uni-Gold™ HIV

Lot Number

HIV7120026

Expiry Date

5 DEC 2020

Stated manufacturer

Trinity Biotech

The packaging of this falsified HIV test kit is in English.

The genuine manufacturer (Trinity Biotech plc) has confirmed that:
- They did not manufacture the falsified product in Table 1.
- Genuine lot HIV7120026 was made by Trinity Biotech plc and expired in 2019.
- The expiry date is incorrect and does not correspond with their batch manufacturing records.
Photographs and advice to the public are available below.

Figure 1 – Falsified Uni-Gold™ HIV, lot number HIV7120026, displaying falsified expiry date

Figure 2 – Falsified Uni-Gold™ HIV, displaying labelling inconsistencies

Advice on action to be taken by end-users:
- Please check to see if any Uni-Gold™ HIV test kits in your facility have lot number HIV7120026.
- If you are in possession of these falsified test kits with lot number HIV7120026:
1. Please do not use.
2. Please immediately contact the organization that supplied you with the product (either your HIV testing programme, nongovernmental organization or local distributor).
3. Please contact Trinity Biotech plc
Phone : +353 1 276 9800

E-mail : hiv@trinitybiotech.com
1. Please contact your national health authorities
All medical products must be obtained from authentic and reliable sources. Their authenticity and condition should be carefully checked.

Advice on action to be taken by national health authorities:

WHO requests increased scrutiny within the supply chains of all countries, particularly at testing sites (health facilities, community-based), clinical laboratories, medical stores/warehouses, and at the facilities of relevant economic operators (agents,
authorized representatives, distributors, wholesalers, etc.).

If these falsified test kits with lot number HIV7120026 are discovered, please do not use.

National health authorities are asked to immediately inform WHO, if these falsified products are discovered in their country using the WHO IVD complaint form.

If you have any information concerning the manufacture, distribution, or supply of this product, 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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April 1, 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

*Product Name*	Uni-Gold™ HIV
Lot Number	HIV7120026
Expiry Date	5 DEC 2020
Stated manufacturer	Trinity Biotech