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  • WHO releases guidelines to help countries maintain essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic

    WHO releases guidelines to help countries maintain essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic

    The COVID-19 pandemic is straining health systems worldwide. The rapidly increasing demand on health facilities and health care workers threatens to leave some health systems overstretched and unable to operate effectively.

    Previous outbreaks have demonstrated that when health systems are overwhelmed, mortality from vaccine-preventable and other treatable conditions can also increase dramatically. During the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak, the increased number of deaths caused
    by measles, malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis attributable to health system failures exceeded deaths from Ebola
    [1,2]. 

    “The best defense against any outbreak is a
    strong health system,” stressed WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
    “COVID-19 is revealing how fragile many of the world’s health systems and
    services are, forcing countries to make difficult choices on how to best meet
    the needs of their people.”

    To help countries navigate through these challenges, the World Health Organization (WHO) has updated operational planning guidelines in balancing the demands of responding directly to COVID-19 while maintaining essential health service delivery, and mitigating
    the risk of system collapse. This includes a set of targeted immediate actions that countries should consider at national, regional, and local level to reorganize and maintain access to high-quality essential health services for all.

    Countries should identify essential services that will be prioritized in their efforts to maintain continuity of service delivery and make strategic shifts to ensure that increasingly limited resources provide maximum benefit for the population. They
    also need to comply with the highest standard in precautions, especially in hygiene practices, and the provision of adequate supplies including personal protective equipment This requires robust planning and coordinated actions between governments
    and health facilities and their managers.

    Some examples of essential services include: routine vaccination; reproductive health services including care during pregnancy and childbirth; care of young infants and older adults; management of mental health conditions as well as noncommunicable diseases
    and infectious diseases like HIV, malaria and TB; critical inpatient therapies; management of emergency health conditions; auxiliary services like basic diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, and blood bank services, among others.

    Well-organized and prepared health systems can continue to provide equitable access to essential service delivery throughout an emergency, limiting direct mortality and avoiding increased indirect mortality. 
     

    The guidelines stress the importance of keeping up-to-date information. This requires frequent transparent communications with the public, and strong community engagements so the public   can maintain trust in the system to safely meet their
    essential needs and to control infection risk in health facilities. This will help ensure that people continue to seek care when appropriate, and adhere to public health advice.


    1. Elston, J. W. T., Cartwright, C., Ndumbi, P., & Wright, J. (2017). The health impact of the 2014–15 Ebola outbreak. Public Health, 143, 60-70.

    2. Parpia, A. S., Ndeffo-Mbah, M. L., Wenzel, N. S., & Galvani, A. P. (2016). Effects of response to 2014–2015 Ebola outbreak on deaths from malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis, West Africa. Emerging infectious diseases, 22(3), 433.

     

    For interviews please contact:  Tarik Jasarevic

    To access the full guidance please visit: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/maintaining-essential-health-services-and-systems

    For further information and guidance on COVID-19 please visit: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

     

     

    WHO releases guidelines to help countries maintain essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic
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    https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/30-03-2020-who-releases-guidelines-to-help-countries-maintain-essential-health-services-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

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  • World TB Day 2020 Newsletter

    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter

    Latest news and updates from WHO

    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter 1

    Dear colleagues and friends,

    World TB Day, this year, comes at a sobering time – as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. We stand in solidarity with those affected, those at the frontlines of the fight to combat COVID-19, as well as those who continue efforts to support
    those ill with longstanding health problems like TB, HIV and other diseases. However, we cannot forget the millions and their families who battle TB every day and lose their lives to this ancient disease – which remains the world’s top
    infectious killer.

    As eloquently emphasized by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in his press briefing on COVID-19 yesterday, “I’d like to remind everyone that although COVID-19 is dominating the world’s attention-there is another respiratory
    disease that is both preventable and treatable, but kills 1.5 million people every year – that disease is tuberculosis”

    “It’s Time”, the focus for World TB Day this year is therefore on urgently accelerating the TB response to save lives and end suffering, even in times of crisis. This will be essential if we are to reach the targets and commitments made
    by Heads of State at the 2018 UN High Level Meeting on TB. 

    We have made important strides against the TB epidemic to date.

    We announced last year, that more people received life-saving treatment for tuberculosis in 2018 than ever before, largely due to improved detection and diagnosis. Globally, 7 million people were diagnosed and treated for TB – up from 6.4 million in 2017
    – enabling the world to meet one of the milestones towards the United Nations political declaration targets on TB and the WHO Director-General Flagship Initiative Find.Treat.All End TB jointly with Stop TB Partnership and the Global Fund. This
    has been a big win for the TB community.

    WHO is working with countries to roll out important guidelines, including a comprehensive package on TB preventive treatment released today, and updated MDR TB guidelines to promote the use of all-oral regimens for patients with drug-resistant TB which
    would be helpful – particularly at this point, when visiting health centers is a challenge. Furthermore, WHO has developed a note to guide and urge countries to ensure continuity of TB services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    We are strengthening our collaboration with civil society – more information is highlighted in the WHO Civil Society Taskforce Progress Review released today.

    Youth mobilization is being ramped up through the WHO 1+1 Youth Initiative to end TB and the Global Youth Declaration to End TB. Multisectoral accountability is being promoted in countries through our framework and we have finalized a new global strategy
    on TB research and innovation, that will be reviewed by the World Health Assembly.

    Yet, the gains we have made are at risk – if there is any slackening of commitment and action, especially in times of crisis.

    We are at a crossroads and we need to unite forces to take the path of success that will save lives and end suffering.

    I was especially heartened today, to see the TB community coming together like never before. We all took our events to the virtual realm due to COVID-19 lockdowns. The WHO Online Talk Show held this afternoon, had a powerful line up of speakers that included,
    TB survivors and advocates, civil society, high level government representatives, heads of agencies, researchers and partners. As of this evening we have surpassed 10,000 views on YouTube. I also participated in townhalls organized by Stop TB Partnership.
    Our joint efforts have indeed ensured a continuing spotlight on those affected by TB, and clearly shows that no matter what the barrier, we can surpass it if we work together.

    I am proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you all virtually – and recommit to champion End TB efforts till we reach the finish line.

    It’s time to deliver on our promises and ensure no one is left behind.

    It’s time to End TB!

    Dr Tereza Kasaeva
    Director
    Global TB Programme
    World Health Organization


    World TB Day Talk Show

    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter 2

    In the backdrop of the global battle against COVID-19, WHO organized a special online talk show to mark World TB Day 2020. The talk show had a powerful line up of speakers from among TB survivors and advocates, civil society, high-level government representatives,
    heads of agencies, researchers and partners. The video was streamed live on WHO’s Youtube channel crossing over 10,000 views in a few hours. Watch the talk show video


    Spotlight on TB Preventive Treatment

    New WHO recommendations to prevent tuberculosis aim to save millions of lives

    24 March 2020 News release

    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. Read more

    The full package is available below and at our World TB Day Campaign Page


    WHO Civil Society Taskforce on TB: Progress Review

    The WHO Civil Society Taskforce provides a platform for meaningful engagement of civil society, building on the commitment of the Director-General, with emphasis on harnessing the untapped potential in engagement with civil society and affected communities
    al all levels. To mark World TB Day 2020, the Task Force has released a Progress Review highlighting key achievements since its formation in 2018.

    Access link here


    WHO eTB guidelines: A digital platform to promote adolopment of TB recommendations

    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter 3

    WHO Global TB Programme / McMaster University

    The WHO Global Tuberculosis (TB) Programme, in collaboration with McMaster University, Canada, is developing a smart platform to improve access to and use of all WHO recommendations on TB prevention and care. The WHO eTB guidelines platform will facilitate
    the adoption, adaptation and implementation (“adolopment”) by countries of recommendations across the continuum of care. This digital platform will provide a variety of users – TB programme managers, healthcare workers including
    nurses, researchers, patients and affected communities – with easy access to all essential information about WHO-s current policy guidance on TB.

    The first set of recommendations on TB preventive treatment were released on this new platform on World TB Day.

    WHO eTB guidelines platform

    Infographic


    TB and COVID-19

    24 March 2020 News release

    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. Read more


    Let’s never forget: It’s time to end TB

    Ksenia Schenina

    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter 4

    Ksenia Schenina

    24 March 2020 Photo story

    On World TB Day 2020, the theme – “Its time” – stresses the urgency to end the TB epidemic. TB survivor and advocate, Ksenia Schenina, talks about her struggle with the disease, the persistence of stigma and the role that remembrance can play
    in fighting it.   Through her TB memorial project, she aims to remember those who passed away from this terrible and ancient disease. “We do it to show what kind of people they were – what kind of things they liked, what kind of music
    they listened to and what their favorite movies were; if they liked fishing or dreamt of a flight to space,” she says. Read more


    Commentary

    To end TB, we must invest in research and innovation

    24 March 2020 Commentary

    If the world is to get anywhere near ending TB, a disease that killed more than 1.5 million people in 2018, something significant needs to change.

    TB remains the world’s leading infectious killer and yet, in the last 50 years, only three new drugs and regimes have been developed to combat the disease. “What we need is more research and more tools in the pipeline; better diagnostics,
    more effective vaccines, and safer, shorter drug regimes,” explains Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the World Health Organization Global Tuberculosis Programme. Read more


    Emily: A Day in the Life of a TB Nurse

    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter 5

    Maria Emily C. Ballesteros

    Watch this story of Emily, a nurse managing the tuberculosis (TB) program of the City Health Office in Tuguegarao City. Her dream for Tuguegarao is to one day see zero TB cases and that no one dies from this infectious disease. Nurses and healthcare workers
    play a critical role in TB prevention and care. It’s time to invest in them to improve healthcare for all. We thank all the nurses, midwives and healthcare workers working to #EndTB! Watch the video


    Updates and messages

    New research tool supports scale-up of digital technologies to End TB

    24 March 2020 TDR news item

    National anti-tuberculosis efforts are increasingly involving digital technologies, such as mobile applications to support treatment adherence and electronic surveillance systems that enable real-time monitoring of a country’s TB situation. Read more

    World TB Day 2020: It’s Time for solidarity

    24 March 2020 HIV/TB news item

    At this unique time in history when the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes stands in solidarity with governments and communities as they seek to maintain health services
    and continue to address the needs of patients suffering from HIV and tuberculosis (TB).  Read more

    New, shorter treatment to prevent TB to be rolled out in five high TB burden countries

    24 March 2020 news item

    Three-month regimen expected to prevent TB in those at highest risk of developing the disease, including people living with HIV and children under the age of five
    Today, the Aurum Institute and its partners, as part of the IMPAACT4TB project, announced that five high-burden TB countries will roll out a new, shorter drug regimen (known as 3HP) to prevent TB. The announcement comes as countries around the world mark World TB Day, which takes place every year on March 24th. Countries that will initially provide the new regimen with funding from Unitaid, U.S. PEPFAR and the Global Fund include Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe. More than 120,000 patient courses of 3HP will be delivered by the project to 12 countries in 2020. An additional 1 million patient courses are expected to reach low- and middle-income countries by the end of the year, through the combined support of Unitaid, Global Fund, the Stop TB Partnership’s Global Drug Facility (GDF) and PEPFAR. Read more
    World TB Day 2020 Newsletter
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    https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/30-03-2020-world-tb-day-2020-newsletter

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  • Pahang announces RM4.25m additional initiatives

    Pahang announces RM4.25m additional initiatives

    Pahang announces RM4.25m additional initiatives 6

    KUANTAN: The Pahang state government today announced five additional initiatives totalling RM4.25 million to help those affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.

    Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said through the additional initiatives, a cash assistance of RM100 and essential items worth RM50 would be handed over to 21,000 recipients in all 42 Pahang state assembly constituencies.

    “The assistance involves an allocation of RM3.15 million and we will work with penghulu and village headmen to identify the eligible recipients.

    “A total allocation of RM596,250 has also been set side to provide RM100 cash aid and essential items worth RM50 to 3,975 recipients from the Orang Asli community,” he said in a statement, here today.

    Wan Rosdy said a sum of RM304,500 had also been approved for the distribution of 500 rice packets to the needy in all state assembly constituencies.

    Besides that he said the state government had also approved a RM75,000 allocation to give out RM50 worth of essential items to 1,500 hardcore poor in the state.

    Wan Rosdy also announced a RM132,400 allocation to provide RM300 cash assistance to 80 penghulu and RM200 each to the Village Community Management Council chairmen.

    “I hope the assistance provided by the state government will complement the Federal Government’s efforts to help ease the burden of the people throughout the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO),” he said.

    On March 23, the state government announced eight Covid-19 initiatives worth RM14.99 million.

    The MCO which should have ended tomorrow has been extended to April 14. – Bernama

    Pahang announces RM4.25m additional initiatives
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    https://www.thesundaily.my/local/pahang-announces-rm425m-additional-initiatives-IN2197318

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  • Surveying Your Customers is Important – Fact

    Congratulations – you’ve decided to set up a business; you have a fabulous range of products to sell and now you’re ready to hit the market. So what’s your next step?…

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    http://www.associationofmarketing.org/articles/view.php?article_id=7068

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  • 3 Elements of Network Marketing Success

    There are great deals of people that are making moves online, and they are profiting at every turn. You might see them living lavish lives without having to wake up and work the traditional 9 to 5 job. If that’s something that you want to jump into, you’ll need to master a few elements of network marketing success. Working on the net and having a lot of money doesn’t come without its own set of headaches. There are millions of people that realize that too late and end up losing a lot of money in the process. Instead of making those common mistakes that most people make, you can dodge bullets with ease if you just think about the 3 elements below…

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    http://www.associationofmarketing.org/articles/view.php?article_id=7064

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  • Information sharing on COVID-19

    WHO’s focus at all times is to ensure that all areas of the globe have the information they need to manage the health of their people. In a recent interview, the WHO official who headed the joint international mission to China, did not answer a question on Taiwan’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

    The question of Taiwanese membership in WHO is up to WHO Member States, not WHO staff. However, WHO is working closely with all health authorities who are facing the current coronavirus pandemic, including Taiwanese health experts. 

    The Taiwanese caseload is low relative to population. We continue to follow developments closely. WHO is taking lessons learned from all areas, including Taiwanese health authorities, to share best practices globally.

    With respect to the COVID-19 outbreak, the WHO Secretariat works with Taiwanese health experts and authorities, following established procedures, to facilitate a fast and effective response and ensure connection and information flow.

    • There is a Taiwanese International Health Regulations Point of Contact, who receives IHR (2005) communications and has access to the Event Information Site (EIS) Platform (a password-protected database and information exchange mechanism supporting the IHR (2005)). 
    • The Taiwanese Field Epidemiology Training Program is a member of the Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (also known as “TEPHINET”). WHO shares Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network alerts and requests for assistance with TEPHINET, and those messages are cascaded to the TEPHINET members.
    • Two Taiwanese public health experts participated in the Global Research and Innovation Forum organized by WHO on 11-12 February 2020, thus contributing, alongside other world scientists, including from mainland China, to critical research questions and to finding ways to work together to advance the response.

      WHO staff work around the world to respond to this pandemic with the best evidence-based guidance and operational support available for all people, based on public health needs.  Membership in WHO and status issues are decided by Member States and the rules they set at WHO’s governing body, the World Health Assembly.

      Information about COVID-19 can be found here: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

       

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    https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/29-03-2020-information-sharing-on-covid-19

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  • Police close four roads in PJ

    Police close four roads in PJ

    Police close four roads in PJ 9

    KUALA LUMPUR: Police today closed four roads in the Petaling Jaya area under the Movement Control Order (MCO).

    They are Jalan 5/46 Gasing Indah (Petaling Jaya); Jalan Persiaran Mahogani (Section 9); Jalan Persiaran Jati (Section 8); and Jalan Persiaran Sungai Buloh (TSB) in Kota Damansara.

    Petaling Jaya District Police chief ACP Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal said the closures were to control the movement of residents and reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection.

    He said motorists could use alternative routes like Jalan Pantai-New Pantai Expressway (NPE), Jalan Persiaran Kenanga-Kota Damansara Toll, Jalan Persiaran Surian-Palm Spring Kota Damansara and Jalan Persiaran Tropicana-Casa Tropicana.

    “After 11 days of the MCO, we found that people are beginning to get used to it and becoming more responsible, although there are defiant individuals who used alternative routes to avoid the six road blocks that have been set up,” he said in a statement today, adding that the road closures were being carried out after reviewing the Health Ministry’s infection trend and statistics.

    He, however, said that the closed roads could still be accessed by ambulances, police vehicles and those from the Fire and Rescue Department and Petaling Jaya City Council.

    “We suggest that those affected by the closures obey the MCO and be patient in facing the difficulties in a bid to stem the spread of the virus,” he said, adding that four personnel would be stationed at each road closure for 24 hours daily. — Bernama

    Police close four roads in PJ
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  • Gardenia increases production by 5% to meet high demand

    Gardenia increases production by 5% to meet high demand

    Gardenia increases production by 5% to meet high demand 10

    SHAH ALAM: Gardenia Bakeries (KL) Sdn. Bhd has increased its production to 2.2 million loaves of bread a day through its five factories operating 24 hours a day.

    Its senior general manager Desmond Tan said the production was a five per cent increase in total production before the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO).

    “This supply is able to meet 60% of the demand for bread from all over Peninsular Malaysia, other bread brands have also been in high demand since the Movement Control Order was implemented,“ he said after welcoming Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP), Datuk Rosol Wahid who visited the factory here today.

    He said despite the increase in bread production, it has always complied with standards set including aspects of cleanliness, delivery and date of expiry.

    In the meantime, Rosol has agreed that retailers carry out their own limited bakery purchases according to the needs of their localities so as to look after the welfare of others. — Bernama

    Gardenia increases production by 5% to meet high demand
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    https://www.thesundaily.my/local/gardenia-increases-production-by-5-to-meet-high-demand-HH2191559

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  • Effective Ways to Market to Teenagers and Their Parents

    Marketing has a certain set of common rules that apply to both online and offline strategies. There should always be a definite target group to which advertisers communicate their ideas instead of voicing them out to the whole global population. There are many products and services centered on teen and parent audiences who are the toughest audiences that marketers have to face…

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    http://www.associationofmarketing.org/articles/view.php?article_id=7484

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