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New WHO recommendations to prevent tuberculosis aim to save millions of lives
Geneva – New World Health Organization (WHO) guidance will help countries accelerate efforts to stop people with tuberculosis (TB) infection becoming sick with TB by giving them preventive treatment.

A quarter of the world‘s population is estimated to be infected with TB bacteria. These people are neither sick nor contagious. However, they are at greater risk of developing TB disease, especially those with weakened immunity. Offering them TB
preventive treatment will not only protect them from becoming sick but also cut down on the risk of transmission in the community.

As we mark World TB Day 2020, the disease remains the world’s top infectious killer. In 2018, 10 million people fell ill with TB worldwide and 1.5 million people lost their lives to this disease.

“COVID-19 is highlighting just how vulnerable people with lung diseases and weakened immune systems can be,“ said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “The world committed to end TB by 2030; improving prevention is key
to making this happen. Millions of people need to be able to take TB preventive treatment to stop the onset of disease, avert suffering and save lives”.

Dr Tedros highlighted the importance to continue efforts to tackle longstanding health problems, including TB during global outbreaks such as COVID-19. At the same time, programmes already in place to combat TB and other major infectious diseases
can be leveraged to make the response to COVID-19 more effective and rapid.

Although some progress has been made towards targets set at the UN high-level Meeting on TB in 2018, TB preventive treatment has been largely neglected. Global leaders committed to ensuring access to TB preventive treatment to at least 24 million contacts
of people with active TB and 6 million people living with HIV by 2022. To date only a fraction of that target has been reached, with countries putting less than 430,000 contacts and 1.8 million people on TB preventive treatment in 2018.

TB remains the top cause of death among people with HIV. TB preventive treatment works synergistically with antiretroviral therapy to prevent TB and save lives. Reinvigorated efforts by governments, health services, partners, donors and civil society
will be needed to increase access to TB preventive treatment to the levels targeted.

The new consolidated guidelines recommend a range of innovative approaches to scale up access to TB preventive treatment:
- WHO recommends a scale-up of TB preventive treatment among populations at highest risk including household contacts of TB patients, people living with HIV and other people at risk with lowered” immunity or living in crowded settings.
- WHO recommends an integration of TB preventive treatment services into ongoing case finding efforts for active TB. All household contacts of TB patients and people living with HIV are recommended to be screened
  for active TB. If active TB is ruled out, they should be initiated on TB preventive treatment.
- WHO recommends that either a tuberculin skin test or interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) be used to test for TB infection. Both tests are helpful to find people more likely to benefit from TB preventive treatment
  but should not become a barrier to scale-up access. Testing for TB infection is not required before starting TB preventive treatment in people living with HIV, and children under 5 years who are contacts of people with active TB.
- WHO recommends new shorter options for preventive treatment in addition to the widely used 6 months of daily isoniazid. The shorter options that are now recommended range from a 1 month daily regimen of rifapentine plus isoniazid
  to 3 months weekly rifapentine plus isoniazid, 3 months daily rifampicin plus isoniazid, or 4 months of daily rifampicin alone.
“As people around the globe come together to commemorate World TB Day, WHO is calling on governments, affected communities, civil society organizations, health-care providers, donors, partners and the industry to unite forces and step up
the TB response – notably for TB preventive treatment – to ensure no one is left behind,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Global TB Programme. “The new WHO guidance shows the way forward for millions to rapidly
access new tools and shorter, safer options for preventive treatment. The time for action is now.”

TB preventive treatment is an affordable intervention that can prevent families from sliding into poverty and preserve the health and economy of whole communities. WHO anticipates that as new and safer drugs come onto the markets, and as prices
fall, it will become a highly-cost effective way to save millions of lives.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

WORK BY WHO AND PARTNERS

WHO works closely with Member States including the US Government and technical and funding partners such as UNITAID to enhance access to shorter TB preventive treatment regimens. UNITAID-supported projects such as IMPAACT4TB and Cap-TB projects
enabled by WHO with partners in Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and
Zimbabwe are leading the way. The new treatment options are also now more affordable, thanks to the significant price drop of rifapentine – a key drug – facilitated recently by UNITAID, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
and global biopharmaceutical company Sanofi, along with forthcoming arrangements underway with generic manufacturers.

MORE ABOUT THE GUIDELINES

The new consolidated WHO guidelines come with an operational handbook to help guide countries step-by-step as they take TB preventive treatment to scale. This includes guidance on how to prioritize and invest from demand creation for TB prevention
to supervision and monitoring of the programme.

The guidelines and operational handbook are also accompanied by an innovative mobile application – Prevent TB –to help health-care workers manage TB preventive treatment in their communities. Its online dashboard allows programme
managers to visualize and monitor data in real time. The application can be customized by countries to suit their specific settings and is currently being adopted in India and Philippines.

WORLD TB DAY

The new guidelines and tools are being released ahead of World TB Day. World TB Day is observed on March 24 each year to raise public awareness and understanding about the world’s deadliest infectious killer – TB and its devastating
health, social and economic impact on people around the world. Under the theme “It’s Time”, the spotlight this year is on urgently accelerating the TB response to save lives and end suffering.

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https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/24-03-2020-new-who-recommendations-to-prevent-tuberculosis-aim-to-save-millions-of-lives

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March 24, 2020
Coronavirus: Risk of death rises with age, diabetes and heart disease

People who have the new coronavirus are more likely to die if they are older or show signs of sepsis or blood clotting problems, suggests a study of patients in two Wuhan hospitals

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https://www.newscientist.com/article/2236846-coronavirus-risk-of-death-rises-with-age-diabetes-and-heart-disease/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home

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March 23, 2020
Coronavirus: Hospital ward staffed entirely by robots opens in China

A temporary coronavirus hospital ward in China is being staffed entirely by robots. Around 200 patients with mild symptoms will be fed and treated by machines, while medical staff issue commands from outside

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https://www.newscientist.com/article/2236777-coronavirus-hospital-ward-staffed-entirely-by-robots-opens-in-china/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home

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March 23, 2020
11 Malaysian participants of Sulawesi tabligh rally detected in Tawau

PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Health today confirmed that 11 Malaysians who had travelled to Sulawesi, Indonesia to attend the international tabligh gathering had been detected in Tawau, Sabah yesterday.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pix) said all of them had undergone Covid-19 screening and had been quarantined pending test results.

“It is true that we have been waiting for them in Tawau and we have detected 11 of them … the swab test has been carried out, we are just waiting for the result,“ he told a Covid-19 daily press conference here.

He said about 80 to 100 Malaysians had travelled to Sulawesi to attend the gathering based on an engagement session between him and the tabligh leaders.

Asked about the remaining Malaysians who attended the rally, he said they were likely still in the neighbouring country.

Local media reported that the Ijtimak Asia 2020 function planned for March 19 to 22 was cancelled in view of the worsening Covid-19 situation.

Meanwhile, Dr Noor Hisham said of the 1,306 cumulative positive cases in Malaysia as of noon today, 62% of the cases or 743 patients were linked to the to the tabligh gathering cluster at Masjid Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur.

“This means that one in every 10 individuals who attended the tabligh gathering tested positive of Covid-19,“ he said.

He said based on his discussions with leaders of the tabligh group, the gathering in Sri Petaling involved 16,000 people.

Of the total, 14,500 were Malaysians while the rest were foreign citizens from 25 countries, he said.

Dr Noor Hisham added that so far, 11,000 participants had undergone screening.

He said there had been no Covid-19 cases from other gatherings in the country. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/11-malaysian-participants-of-sulawesi-tabligh-rally-detected-in-tawau-JN2168946

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March 22, 2020
Health Ministry can conduct 16,000 screenings a day by April

PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry expects to be able to carry out 16,000 Covid-19 screenings a day by April compared to just 3,500 now.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that tests are currently being conducted by 18 Health Ministry and five private laboratories.

“The Institute for Medical Research will train several other laboratories, including in military and university hospitals, to enhance Malaysia’s ability to conduct Covid-19 detection tests,” he said at the Covid-19 daily press conference today.

Meanwhile, he said the ministry will deploy more nurses in states with a very high number of Covid-19 patients like at the Sungai Buloh Hospital in Selangor as well as recall retired specialist doctors and nurses.

Other than that, the ministry is also cooperating with private hospitals to jointly tackle the health problem. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/health-ministry-can-conduct-16000-screenings-a-day-by-april-IN2168684

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March 22, 2020
MMA calls on Nadma to resolve shortage of face masks

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) is calling on the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and relevant ministries to resolve the shortage of face masks for healthcare workers.

Its president Dr N. Ganabaskaran said some doctors had gone to the extent of recycling their masks while seeing patients and some had chosen to close their clinics because there are no face masks and hand sanitizers to protect themselves and their patients.

“The issue of face mask shortage has been highlighted since the outbreak in early February 2020, it has made national news and every citizen is aware about this. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) like face masks are a basic necessity when seeing patients who may carry this infectious disease.

“It is a requirement to provide hand rubs and face mask when seeing patients under investigation and it is indeed frustrating and not to mention unsafe not to have these items,” he said in a statement today.

He said healthcare workers in the private sector be it general practitioners, specialists, dental surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, radiographers, high-risk patients undergoing hemodialysis are all exposed to possible infection due to the inaction by the relevant ministries in addressing this issue.

Dr Ganabaskaran added, the failure to address this issue will result in higher risks of infections among patients and healthcare workers at healthcare facilities where people should feel safe.

“MMA wishes to reiterate that combating Covid-19 is a collective responsibility and not solely the responsibility of our health ministry,“ he said. — Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/mma-calls-on-nadma-to-resolve-shortage-of-face-masks-NA2165906

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March 21, 2020
Adequate blood supply in the country: National Blood Centre

KUALA LUMPUR: The supply of blood in the country is still sufficient at a safe level so far, said National Blood Centre (PDN) director Dr Noryati Abu Amin.

However, she said PDN and other blood centres are still in need of blood donors to continue replenishing blood stock at an optimum level all the time.

According to her, blood donation is still available during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period as the activity is considered an essential service under the Health Ministry for the treatment of patients.

While it cannot be denied that blood donation throughout the country would be affected following Covid-19 and the enforcement of MCO, Dr Noryati said various efforts including stepping up promotions via social media as well as extending the operation hours at collection centres have been carried out.

“So far, the supply of all types of blood is sufficient, however many blood donation campaigns were cancelled over fears that the people maybe infected with Covid-19 which also caused a drop in the number of donors,” she told Bernama.

Dr Noryati added that several additional measures were taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19 when individuals came to donate blood, among them was limiting the number of donors at a location at any one time.

“Apart from that, measures such as social distancing and practice of good hygiene especially washing hands with soap and water as well as providing initial screening such as checking body temperature and inquiring the travel history of the donor, she said.

In this regard, she urged the people to continue donating blood regularly to ensure the supply of blood is always at a safe level.

“Having an adequate supply of blood at all time is very important to treat patients such as emergency victims, expecting mothers who may experience bleeding complications during delivery, cancer and thalassemia patients as well as patients undergoing major surgeries,” she said.

Members of the public can donate blood at three locations in the Klang Valley namely PDN in Jalan Tun Razak on Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 8pm and on Saturday and Sunday, from 8am to 6pm.

Besides that, the PDN Donation Suite in Midvalley Megamall starts daily from 10am to 5pm while the Puspanita Blood Donation Suite in Putrajaya operates from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 7pm and on weekends from 9am to 6pm.

Meanwhile, the blood supply at the Blood Centre of Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital Seremban (HTJS) is also sufficient, said Negri Sembilan Health acting director Dr Mohammad Faid Abd Rashid.

Speaking to Bernama, he said the centre has enough blood for patients,

“During the MOC period, the centre is still operating on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 3pm and on Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4.30 pm.

“The supply of blood however depends on healthy and non-risky donors who have to adhere to the regulations of the hospital,” he said.

Dr Mohammad Faid said those who display Covid-19 symptoms or have just returned from abroad or have close contact with suspected Covid-19 cases would not be allowed to donate blood. — Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/adequate-blood-supply-in-the-country-national-blood-centre-BA2165883

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March 21, 2020
Selangor Zakat Board allocates RM15m aid for hawkers and small traders

PETALING JAYA: The Selangor Zakat Board (LZS) has allocated RM15 million in emergency aid for the welfare for hawkers and small traders in the B40 category.

“The special allocation is for traders and who are affected by the Movement Control Order (MCO) so they can continue to survive under the measure,“ the board’s CEO, Saipol Yazan M. Yusop said in a statement.

He added that the allocation would also be channelled to meet medical equipment needs in hospitals handling Covid-19 patients as well food aid for Institute of Higher learning students.

Affected parties can apply for the aid begining March 25 by contacting the LZS hotline at 1-300-88-4343 on working days 10am to 3pm.

In the same development, Saipol that the board would bring forward payout date of its Monthly Financial Assistance to March 23 for existing recipients

“Monthly financial aid will usually come in on the 25th day of the month, but this month, it will be brought forward to the 23rd day,“ Saipol said, further clarifying that other forms of assistance would be paid on the usual date.

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/selangor-zakat-board-allocates-rm15m-aid-for-hawkers-and-small-traders-HA2165854

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March 21, 2020
Malacca hospital appeal for blood donors

MALACCA: The Transfusion Medicine Department of the Malacca hospital is urging members of the public to donate blood, to ensure sufficient daily supply, especially with Ramadan approaching next month.

In a statement on its Facebook page, the department said on average 80 to 90 blood bags are needed every day, and due to the Covid-19 outbreak, many of its blood donation campaigns had to be cancelled.

“Although we are dealing with a pandemic currently, there are patients in the hospital who need blood transfusion every day for their survival.

“Therefore, we called out healthy and non-risky individuals, to come to the Malacca hospital blood bank to donate blood, since in this situation, transfusions can only be done there,” according to the statement.

The Transfusion Medicine Department is now also open during lunch break on Mondays to Thursdays (1-2pm), and Fridays (12.15-2.45pm), effective yesterday.

Operation time has also been extended which are Mondays to Fridays (8am to 9pm) and Saturdays and Sundays (11am to 4pm).

For further information, members of the public can refer to the department’s official Facebook page ‘melakabloodbank’ or call 06-2892873/2871. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/malacca-hospital-appeal-for-blood-donors-XE2152624

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March 19, 2020
(Video) Time for tough action against those flouting MCO

PETALING JAYA: Faced with the deadly Covid-19 virus, the government implemented the movement control order (MCO) as a lesser measure to contain the pandemic.

The MCO was favoured to a full lockdown as the latter might cause deep inconvenience to the people.

While the move, as a preliminary measure to counter the spread of the disease, was welcomed by the majority, it is not the case with a segment of obstinate Malaysians who are not adhering to the MCO and are going about their daily lives as usual, totally unperturbed by the pandemic.

Members of the police force are at their wits end.

Since the MCO came into force on Wednesday, it has been a gruelling task for personnel nationwide who are “chasing” those who continue to treat the order lightly. These selfish and stubborn individuals are taking to the outdoors without any concern for their own safety, that of their families and others who come in contact with them.

Should they become infected with the feared virus from their careless behaviour, these irresponsible individuals are a threat to the health of other Malaysians including those who abide by the MCO.

Law-abiding Malaysians viewed with utter disgust several videos which went viral since yesterday, showing a number of people who are turning the MCO into an outdoor leisure-seeking break.

One video taken in Johor Baru showed more than 50 adults and children passing their time at a playground in a residential area, playing basketball or idling away.

A police car arrives at the scene with its sirens blaring and beacons switched on but the crowd does not budge.

When a personnel makes an announcement with a hailer urging the people to return indoors in accordance with the MCO, it falls on deaf ears.

It was not until an exasperated policeman steps out of the patrol car and walks towards the people does the crowd decide to disperse.

Another video showed a group of men who were playing checkers in the open at an unnamed location in Selangor being advised to head indoors by police.

In Alor Star, police cars arrived at a house to advise its dwellers to call off a large kenduri they were holding.

Dozens of other videos of people enjoying meals, gathering, loitering and setting up food stalls, all outdoors, are making the rounds.

With the reckless behaviour of such Malaysians, perhaps it is time they face the full brunt of the law.

Laws of the Penal Code and Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 should be invoked and police be given consent by the higher-ups to arrest and prosecute those who fail to adhere to the MCO.

This will not simply serve as a lesson to those who flout the law but also a deterrent to the rest.

This should be done at the soonest to further counter the pandemic and in honour of the sacrifices our frontliners who put their lives on the line – the hundreds of medical personnel caring for over 900 infected patients battling the disease and the thousands of police personnel upholding the MCO.

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/video-time-for-tough-action-against-those-flouting-mco-MD2151817

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March 19, 2020