Lors de la Conférence internationale sur le sida 2024 à Munich, Linda-Gail Bekker, professeure à l’Université du Cap, Desmond Tutu HIV Center, a reçu une standing ovation lorsqu’elle a présenté le lenacapavir, nouveau médicament destiné à prévenir la contamination par le VIH. Parmi les milliers de filles et de jeunes femmes d’Afrique du Sud et d’Ouganda qui ont participé à l’étude, et qui ont donc reçu l’injection semestrielle, aucune n’a été infectée par le virus. Il s’agit sans aucun doute d’un grand succès. Mais la question demeure : qui peut s’offrir ce nouveau produit miracle, à 40 000 euros par an. Certainement pas beaucoup de ceux pour qui cette prévention serait la plus nécessaire !
Une fois de plus, la conférence a mis en évidence le fait que la pauvreté, le chômage (des jeunes), l’inégalité des sexes, la criminalisation et la marginalisation des groupes à risque représentent les principaux moteurs de l’épidémie de VIH. Winnie Byanyima, directrice de l’ONUSIDA, a donc lancé un appel pressant à la société pharmaceutique Gilead pour qu’elle mette le médicament à la disposition de tous ceux qui en ont besoin. Dans le domaine médical, les percées n’ont de sens que si les personnes pour lesquelles ces médicaments sont nécessaires peuvent aussi y avoir accès.
Les chiffres parlent d’eux-mêmes. Selon le dernier rapport de l’ONUSIDA, environ 1,3 million de personnes sont encore infectées par le VIH chaque année : un enfant toutes les 5 minutes et environ 4000 jeunes femmes et filles par semaine, principalement en Afrique subsaharienne (ONUSIDA, 2024). Malgré d’importants progrès ces dernières années, l’objectif d’en finir avec le sida d’ici 2030 semble compromis : les groupes à risque sont plus vulnérables que jamais et les ressources diminuent. L’année dernière, l’ONUSIDA a bénéficié de 9,5 milliards de dollars de moins pour la lutte contre le VIH. Par ailleurs, le financement mondial a diminué de 6 %. De plus, de nombreux gouvernements à travers le monde ont menacé de réduire encore leurs investissements dans des initiatives mondiales, telles que le Fonds mondial ou le PEPFAR.
Ainsi, tout au long de la semaine, de sombres rapports concernant le financement futur des programmes de lutte contre le VIH n’ont cessé d’être présentés. Les communautés, en particulier, se considèrent comme les principales victimes des mesures d’économie. Malgré leur grande importance politique dans la lutte contre le VIH/sida depuis des décennies, les programmes qu’elles ont initiés ne bénéficient toujours pas d’un financement suffisant. Les études le montrent : les organisations gérées par les communautés sont au cœur de l’efficacité des mesures de lutte contre le VIH. Elles sont les expertes de leur épidémie locale de VIH et obtiennent des résultats que d’autres ne peuvent pas atteindre. Elles demandent une restructuration du financement, l’abandon de fonds liés à des projets au profit d’un financement plus flexible et durable, ainsi que l’élimination des obstacles rencontrés par les bailleurs de fonds qui les empêchent d’obtenir les moyens nécessaires.
Put people first ! Les représentantes et représentants des communautés concernées ont réclamé avec véhémence ce slogan pour la conférence. Leur message est clair : ils en ont assez de remplir questionnaire sur questionnaire sans que ces données soient intégrées dans les programmes. Ils veulent pouvoir les piloter et ne plus avoir à mendier un droit de regard et des moyens financiers.
Martina Staenke
Réseau Medicus Mundi Suisse
E-Mail
"GENEVA/MUNICH, 22 July 2024—A new report released today by UNAIDS shows that the world is at a critical moment that will determine whether world leaders meet their commitment to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The report, The Urgency of Now: AIDS at a Crossroads, brings together new data and case studies which demonstrate that the decisions and policy choices taken by world leaders this year will decide the fate of millions of lives and whether the world’s deadliest pandemic is overcome. Whilst the end of AIDS is within our grasp, this decade, currently the world is off track. Globally, of the 39.9 million people living with HIV, 9.3 million, nearly a quarter, are not receiving life-saving treatment. As a consequence, a person dies from AIDS-related causes every minute."
Our 8 Asks for the 8th Replenishment
"In 2022, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria set its most ambitious financial target yet: US$18 billion for the 7th Replenishment. While donors pledged a record US$15.7 billion, we still fell short. As we approach the 8th Replenishment, this is our final opportunity to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. Our latest report outlines four funding scenarios for the 8th Replenishment, each with its own set of consequences. It is essential to fully fund our ambitious strategy, enhance Universal Health Coverage, and prepare for future pandemics in the face of growing challenges."
"Parliamentarians are vital to building and sustaining the political will to invest in HIV and global health responses. Engaged and committed parliamentarians exist across the world, but until now there has been no mechanism for global knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and coordination of these lawmakers and their advocacy; both within and between parliaments. The new Global Parliamentary Platform on HIV and AIDS will provide the space, tools, and other resources to unite, strengthen, and amplify the leadership of parliamentarians committed to ending AIDS and new HIV transmissions. In doing so, it will help restore political momentum behind what is not only achievable, but what would be one of humanity’s greatest achievements of global solidarity; ending the global pandemic of HIV and AIDS."
Rede bei der Eröffnungsveranstaltung der 25. Welt AIDS Konferenz in München
"Bundeskanzler Scholz hat zur Eröffnung der Welt AIDS Konferenz in München eine ermutigende Rede gehalten in der die zentrale Bedeutung des Globalen Fonds und von UNAIDS im globalen Kampf gegen HIV/Aids vorgehoben wurde. Bundeskanzler Scholz unterstrich die Notwendigkeit einer kontinuierlichen und verlässlichen Finanzierung, um die bisher erreichten Fortschritte zu sichern und auszubauen. Zur Erreichung der auf Gesundheit bezogenen nachhaltigen Entwicklungsziele, insbesondere die Beendigung von Aids als Bedrohung der öffentlichen Gesundheit, setzt dies wichtige Impulse."
SRF Podcast mit Niklaus Labhardt
SRF Interview mit Niklaus Labhardt, Leiter der Abteilung für klinische Epidemiologie am Universitätsspital Basel, zur Welt-Aids-Konferenz 2024 in München und der Problematik der steigenden HIV-Neuinfektionen in Osteuropa.
"Du 22 au 26 juillet 2024, Munich a accueilli la 25e Conférence internationale sur le SIDA, la rencontre la plus importante au monde sur le thème du VIH et du sida. Avec plus de 10'000 participant.e.x.s, la conférence est l'une des plus importantes dans le domaine de la prévention et de la médecine. Elle offre une plateforme unique pour l'échange de connaissances et d'expériences. Une délégation d'une quinzaine de membres de l'association Aide Suisse contre le Sida était sur place. L'Academy Library de l'Aide Suisse contre le Sida contient des rapports de conférence concis qui résument les principaux enseignements tirés des ateliers, des exposés et des tables rondes."
"Globally, around 2.6 million children and adolescents are living with HIV, with the majority of them residing in sub-Saharan Africa. These young people are more likely to experience treatment failure compared to adults. While experts have long assumed that testing for viral drug resistance could improve treatment in cases of failure, a research team led by the University of Basel, in collaboration with Swiss TPH and other partners, now shows that supporting patients in taking their medication regularly is far more important. The results were published today in the journal The Lancet Global Health."
The HIV Policy Lab’s July 2024 issue brief “Unlocking Access: Reforming HIV Age of Access for Adolescents in Africa” examines age of access for HIV testing, treatment, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Africa and a human rights framework to support policy reform.
"Sub-Saharan Africa remains disproportionately impacted, with HIV/AIDS being the leading cause of death among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. Globally, over a quarter of new HIV infections occur among young people and adolescents. In the Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026, UNAIDS calls for countries to address “structural and age- related legal barriers faced by adolescents” and “ensure adolescent and young key populations are reached with effective services early on.” Laws and policies setting the age of access to HIV services must not limit adolescent autonomy and the ability to independently access the services, tools, and resources to protect themselves and their health."
"As the disease burden in developing countries shifts from infectious to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), governments and patient advocates are grappling with how to re-engineer healthcare systems to address both. The extraordinary global focus on HIV has resulted in a siloed network of HIV clinics to treat the virus – but there is growing acknowledgement that countries’ HIV gains will be lost if they don’t get NCDs under control. “People living with HIV are disproportionately affected with NCDs. It is estimated that one in three people living with HIV have either hypertension or other NCDs,” says Professor Kaushik Ramaiya, General Secretary of the Tanzania NCD Alliance and a member of the NCD Alliance Board."
A cut in funding could be particularly consequential for community-based programs that support key populations. In Botswana, these programs are dependent on PEPFAR and Global Fund support.
"Concerns abound over the Biden administration’s planned funding cuts to the U.S. global AIDS initiative in fiscal year 2025. Politico revealed that the Biden administration plans to cut PEPFAR funding by more than 6% in fiscal 2025, which has been confirmed by the State Department. The cuts include reductions in programs for key populations."
The first in a three-part series explores why the popular global health program is under threat
"In March 23, 2024, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) was reauthorized for one year as part of an omnibus funding bill. The legislation capped a nine-month roller coaster in which expectations of a fast, "clean" reauthorization (for five years, with no changes to the legislative language) gave way to a fraught, chaotic fight just to preserve the program that lawmakers from both sides of the aisle had previously dubbed America's most successful global health foreign aid initiative in history. (...) With a shortened timeline, PEPFAR no longer sends a clear signal that the U.S. government is serious about ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat to the governments in its partner countries. Countries could default to more modest investments or, worse, scale back programs for some populations at the highest risk of HIV."
"Der Entscheid von Gambia ist ein Sieg für die Menschenrechte und für die Rechte von Frauen.» Am 15. Juli hat das gambische Parlament beschlossen, das seit 2015 bestehende Verbot der weiblichen Genitalbeschneidung NICHT aufzuheben. Die Erleichterung ist gross. Gambia wäre das erste Land weltweit gewesen, das ein gesetzliches Verbot der weiblichen Genitalverstümmelung aufhebt. Bei einer ersten Abstimmung des nationalen Parlaments war eine überwältigende Mehrheit der Abstimmenden dafür, die weibliche Genitalbeschneidung wieder zu erlauben. Das wäre ein verheerendes Signal für alle Gegener*innen der weiblichen Genitalbeschneidung und auch für die umliegenden Länder gewesen. Fatou Diatta, Gründerin und Leiterin von EUSOBUL, einer senegalesischen Partnerorganisation von IAMANEH Schweiz, war aktiv an den Diskussionen vor der entscheidenden Parlamentsdebatte beteiligt. Sie begleitete die Direktorin des Netzwerks der Parlamentarier*innen aus afrikanischen und arabischen Staaten nach Gambia. Der Einsatz hat sich gelohnt."
Entretien : A l'occasion de son départ à la retraite, Manuela Di Marco, co-directrice, revient sur les 22 ans de IAMANEH Suisse.
"Manuela Di Marco a travaillé pendant 22 ans à la collecte de fonds chez IAMANEH Suisse. Depuis 2020, elle partage la codirection avec Alexandra Nicola. Manuela Di Marco va maintenant prendre sa retraite. Miriam Glass reprendra son poste à la codirection de IAMANEH Suisse à partir du mois d'août. Dans son interview, Manuela Di Marco jette un regard en arrière et se souvient de rencontres particulières, de défis et de succès."
"A partir d'août 2024, Miriam Glass prendra la codirection de IAMANEH Suisse avec Alexandra Nicola, qui fait déjà partie de l'équipe de direction depuis 2020. Elle succède à Manuela Di Marco, qui partira à la retraite fin juillet. Miriam Glass travaille depuis août 2023 comme responsable de la collecte de fonds publics chez IAMANEH Suisse. Elle apporte plusieurs années d'expérience dans la communication pour des organisations à but non lucratif. Auparavant, elle a travaillé comme journaliste dans différentes rédactions de la presse quotidienne et hebdomadaire."
"Le directeur de FAIRMED Lorenz Indermühle est depuis la mi-août le nouveau président de l'Alliance suisse contre les maladies tropicales négligées (SANTD). Matthew Harold, Head of External Affairs and External Partner de l'entreprise pharmaceutique Novartis, a été nommé vice-président. "Afin de donner plus de visibilité à la lutte contre les maladies tropicales négligées en Suisse et de faire progresser les investissements nécessaires dans la recherche et l'éducation, nous travaillons en étroite collaboration avec toutes les parties concernées au sein de l'Alliance : ONG, instituts de formation, instituts de recherche et entreprises pharmaceutiques", explique Lorenz Indermühle."
A holistic approach to security
"The topic of security is currently dominating the political debate in Switzerland. However, it revolves around a very limited understanding of security. Those who take a holistic approach to security policy, on the other hand, recognize the importance of various actors. Development cooperation, for example, makes a significant contribution to the prevention of crises. At the beginning of June, the Council of States decided to cut the budget for international cooperation by two billion Swiss francs, or a third, in order to upgrade the Swiss army. The flimsy argument behind the massive savings: Security has priority. This proposal reveals a lack of foresight and a limited understanding of security on the part of the majority in the Council of States."
"Seit Februar steht Mwansa Ketty Lubeya in Sambia dem Projekt zur Förderung der klinischen Berufsausbildung (ACEZ) von SolidarMed vor. Die Gynäkologin engagiert sich für das Fachpersonal, weil die praktische Ausbildung unter anderem aufgrund fehlender Infrastruktur mangelhaft ist. Ein Vorbild zu haben, das ist inspirierend. So ging es auch Mwansa Ketty Lubeya. Die 42-Jährige wuchs mehrheitlich im ländlichen Sambia auf und war stets eine sehr gute Schülerin. «Wer in meiner Heimat gute Schulleistungen aufweist, studiert meist Medizin, Ingenieurwesen oder Recht. Es gab viel zu wenig medizinisches Fachpersonal und ich wollte deshalb unbedingt Medizin studieren."
"Les décès dus à la chaleur sont recensés chaque année à l’échelle cantonale et nationale. Ce monitorage s’inscrit dans la stratégie d’adaptation aux changements climatiques de la Confédération. La chronologie actuelle couvre la période de 1980 à 2023. Les températures élevées peuvent être éprouvantes pour la santé humaine et causer des décès. Ces dernières décennies, les températures moyennes estivales ont augmenté en raison du changement climatique. Cette tendance persistera à l’avenir. En été 2023, 542 décès ont été causés par la chaleur, dont environ la moitié survenus durant la canicule (14 jours) de la deuxième moitié du mois d’août."
"Après bientôt trois ans de sécheresse, la pluie est de nouveau tombée dans le sud de l’Ethiopie. Mais la crise alimentaire perdure. Nombre de familles de bergers ont perdu leur bétail et donc leurs moyens de subsistance. La Croix-Rouge les soutient à travers une aide en espèces et une meilleure préparation à la sécheresse."
"La crise climatique est une réalité. Les plus vulnérables en ressentent déjà l’impact sur leur existence. Ils craignent pour leur lieu de vie. L’Afrique australe enregistre en ce moment sa plus forte vague de sécheresse depuis plus de 100 ans. 24 millions personnes. C’est le nombre de personnes touchées par la famine actuelle. Informe-toi sans tarder des répercussions du dérèglement climatique sur les populations du monde entier et découvre l’action de la Croix-Rouge dans ce domaine."
"La Lituanie se retire officiellement de la Convention sur les armes à sous-munitions, le président lituanien ayant approuvé la décision du Parlement de quitter la Convention le 25 juillet. Le retrait prendra effet six mois après en avoir été notifié les États parties à la Convention et le Conseil de sécurité des Nations unies. La Lituanie est le premier pays à se retirer de la Convention depuis son adoption à Dublin le 30 mai 2008. Cette décision crée un précédent préjudiciable pour la Convention et, plus généralement, pour le droit international humanitaire. Elle représente un recul majeur pour la lutte mondiale contre les armes à sous-munitions."
"Je jouais avec mes amis, j'ai vu quelque chose par terre. Je l'ai touché. Ça explosé." Nous lui avons fourni deux prothèses et des soins en réadaptation pour s'adapter à ses nouvelles jambes. Après l’appareillage, nos physiothérapeutes lui ont appris à marcher. Il a également reçu un fauteuil roulant."
Season 7 - Aider les jeunes à devenir entrepreneurs en Zambie
La saison 7 du podcast MMS "Health for All" présente des personnes qui appliquent des approches innovantes pour mieux soutenir les jeunes en matière de santé sexuelle et reproductive. Malgré des progrès significatifs dans le domaine de la santé sexuelle et reproductive des jeunes, les questions liées à la sexualité stagnent en raison des normes sociales, de la stigmatisation, de la discrimination et des tabous.
Young People's Priorities for Their Reproductive and Sexual Self-Determination
"Africa is home to the largest youth population in the world today: almost 60 percent of the total population are under 25 years old. Achieving sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is a key factor in ensuring young people lead healthy and empowered lives. SRHR, in turn, are an important foundation for gender equality as well as sustainable and equitable development. Africa has made significant strides in recent decades, yet there is still room for improvement. Based on interviews with youth activists, youth-led organizations and other experts in three focus countries - Nigeria, Zambia and Tanzania - this study highlights the biggest gaps in care and describes solutions to better support young Africans."
"Devex, an official media partner for the Gates Foundation, the World Economic Forum, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, OECD, United Nations, Clinton Global Initiative, and many others, has ended its partnership with Nestlé following complaints from a number of NGOs, academics and global health networks, including members of the Infant Feeding in Emergencies (IFE) Core Group.(1) Devex also called off a webinar scheduled to take place on 17th July."
"Joint statement from WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNAIDS and UN Women published on the occasion of World Population Day, calling for stronger access to sexual and reproductive health care as part of universal health coverage. In April, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, governments renewed their commitment and determination to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). It's principles are embedded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including commitments to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services and to advance reproductive rights."
Renforcer la résilience aux crises récurrentes grâce au droit humain à un environnement sain et durable en Europe. L' analyse de Valentina Darbellay, terre des hommes schweiz
L’adoption d’un Protocole additionnel à la Convention européenne des droits de l’homme (CEDH) sur le droit à un environnement sain et durable complèterait le dispositif de protection des droits des générations actuelles et futures, et renforcerait la responsabilité de la Suisse et des États du Conseil de l‘Europe (CoE). L’exercice effectif de ce droit par l’élaboration de lois et politiques nationales accélérant le développement durable dans ses 3 dimensions - économique, sociale et environnementale – garantirait la sécurité juridique et humaine ainsi que l’équité générationnelle.
"Geneva Global Health Hub (G2H2) is one of the few rare venues for critical discussion on global health policy - Priti Patnaik, Geneva Health Files
"2023 was a trying year for billions of people across the globe. It was marked by a sharp worsening of the global cost of living crisis that commenced in 2022, the exacerbation of violent conflicts and wars in countries like Ukraine, Yemen, Haiti and the DRC and the fresh flames of war in Sudan, and in Gaza, where almost 20,000 people, most of whom were women and children, were killed between 7 October and the end of the year. In the midst of this disenchanted world of sorrow, tears and blood, negotiations in the World Health Organization for the review of the International Health Regulations and formulation of a Pandemic Agreement took centre stage in international health politics.
We, the undersigned, are calling for a stop to funding from Development Finance Institutions to private for-profit healthcare providers.
"Mounting evidence shows that this funding is going to expensive out-of-reach private hospitals and clinics in low- and middle-income countries that are widening healthcare inequalities, exacerbating poverty and gender-based discrimination and violating human rights. Far from advancing progress towards Universal Health Coverage as governments have committed, this form of development finance is undermining it."
"Human-centred design (HCD) is an approach to problem-solving that prioritises understanding and meeting the needs of the end-users. Researchers and designers practice empathic listening as users share their perspectives, thereby enabling a variety of stakeholders to cocreate effective solutions. While a valuable and, in theory, straightforward process, HCD in practice can be chaotic: Practitioners often struggle to navigate an excess of (often conflicting) ideas and to strike a balance between problem-understanding and problem-solving. In this practice paper, we outline our own experiences with HCD, which ultimately resulted in the development of a successful video-based intervention to bolster vaccine confidence in the Philippines. We highlight the use of ‘radical circles’ to overcome roadblocks and navigate tensions."
"The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) plans to declare mpox a public health emergency of continental concern next week, marking the first such declaration in the agency’s history. The decision follows a surge in mpox cases across Africa in 2024, matching 2023’s total in just six months. Since January 2022, over 38,000 cases and 1,456 deaths have been reported. This year, 10 African Union states have recorded more than 14,000 cases and 450 deaths, with 2,750 confirmed — 160% higher than the same period in 2023. Recent outbreaks in Ivory Coast, Kenya and Uganda highlight the virus’s expanding reach. Mpox infections in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda are the first on record in these countries."
Health conditions in Gaza deteriorate daily as the waste disposal system collapses and poliovirus is detected in sewage water, raising outbreak concerns
"Poliovirus has been detected in Gaza’s sewage water by the World Health Organization (WHO), raising concerns about a possible outbreak. While no cases of poliomyelitis have been reported yet, the dire conditions in which displaced people in Gaza live increase the likelihood of such an event. The disease can cause paralysis, breathing difficulties, and death, and its elimination remains among the WHO’s goals. However, ongoing Israeli attacks on sanitation infrastructure and public health capacities could lead to its resurgence in Gaza."
"Worldwide, traditional medicine is used by billions of people for their health and well-being. At a signing ceremony in Geneva, the Government of India committed US$ 85 million over 10 years, 2022–2032, to support the programming of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre. India’s 10-year financial contribution will support a cross-sectoral program of work to strengthen the evidence base for traditional medicine by providing data and evidence on traditional medicine policies, practice, products, and public use. The WHO-India donor agreement is part of a US$ 250 million investment from India in support of the establishment of the WHO Global Centre of Traditional Medicine in 2022, which includes financial support for the workplan of the Centre, interim premises and a new building. This support will scale up WHO’s capacities on traditional medicine across technical divisions and regions in the spirit of global collaboration and solidarity."
Young people have taken to streets in Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria amid cost of living crises and lack of jobs
"Young protesters in Kenya successfully demanded the withdrawal of a bill that would have raised taxes on everything from bread to vegetable oil and sanitary towels. Inspired by their neighbours, Ugandans marched against corruption. Nigerians rallied against “bad governance” and the soaring cost of living. Since the Covid pandemic, people have also taken to the streets in several other African countries including Ghana, Angola, Malawi and Senegal. While each protest has had unique drivers, they have some things in common – booming young populations struggling with high inflation, a lack of good jobs and a political class that they don’t trust."
Natalie Roberts, Executive Director of MSF UK, has defended the changes following a series of criticisms. Talha Burki reports.
"On June 25, 2024, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) announced that it was replacing its Access Campaign with a new structure that will start operating from next year. The announcement was met with uproar. As of July 1, an open letter urging MSF to reverse its decision had been signed by 155 organisations and 392 individuals, including high-profile figures such as Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, and Unni Karunakara, former International President of MSF."
"Zimbabwe has received substantial external assistance for health since the early 2000s, including funding earmarked for, or framed as, health systems strengthening (HSS). This study sought to examine whether external assistance has strengthened the health system (i.e. enabled comprehensive changes to health system performance drivers) or has just supported the health system (by increasing inputs and improving service coverage in the short term)."
This story tries to unpack some of these closed-door discussions. We spoke to trade diplomats at the WTO this week in Geneva
"Intellectual Property (IP) rules have long determined the policy space for countries especially when it comes to regulating the interface between trade and health. WTO’s Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), that governs and enforces this multilateral system has not been reviewed in the 30 years since the Agreement was concluded on April 15, 2024. Some developing countries are seeking a review of the Agreement as enshrined in the law itself."
Unique opportunity for the continent
"The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the risks of over-reliance on global supply chains for essential health products. Disruptions led to severe delays and shortages of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics, with low- and middle-income countries bearing the brunt. Vaccine inequality starkly highlighted Africa’s vulnerability. Yet this crisis unveiled a unique opportunity for the continent: a chance to revolutionize its vaccine manufacturing sector, crucial for health security and economic empowerment. Strengthening local manufacturing capabilities ensures timely, equitable access to life-saving products and lays the foundation for a healthier, more self-reliant Africa. Despite representing about 20% of the global population, Africa’s vaccine industry only meets about 0.1% of the worldwide demand."
Progress has been made, but difficult issues need resolving before a pandemic treaty can make the world safer and fairer. By Suerie Moon
"In July 16 and 17, member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) gathered for the tenth round of negotiations on a pandemic agreement. Governments missed their self-imposed deadline to conclude the agreement before the World Health Assembly meeting in May. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) resumed the talks as wars, elections, inflation, climate crises, and other issues push pandemics down the global political agenda. (...) A meaningful pandemic agreement is within reach, but the INB needs to resolve complex and controversial issues, especially the establishment of a pandemic pathogen access and benefit-sharing system."
"RIO DE JANEIRO, 30 July 2024: The Global Pandemic Preparedness Summit 2024, co-hosted by Brazil’s Ministry of Health, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) and CEPI, concluded today in Rio de Janeiro with a strong call for global leaders to reignite efforts to transform the world's ability to prepare and respond to future pandemics. Amid the heightened risk of new deadly disease outbreaks that can strike anywhere at any time, 350 experts from governments, civil society, industry and health organisations around the world gathered at the Summit—held during Brazil’s 2024 G20 presidency—to harness scientific progress and political will to reinvigorate momentum around the pandemic preparedness agenda."
"Born into a digital world, young people are embracing the opportunities that technology brings, including access to education, jobs, and quality information on sexual and reproductive health. At the same time, technology can fuel harmful digital divides, perpetuating racism and misogyny and exposing young people – especially adolescent girls – to increased risks of gender-based violence. As we mark International Youth Day this year, this future is at the fingertips of young people. They have the power to make our digital and physical world more equal, just, peaceful and safe."
Findings from global youth consultations
"The Digital Transformations for Health Lab (DTH-Lab) is collaborating with young people around the world to develop a blueprint for digital first health systems. This blueprint will set out young people’s vision for digital first health systems and guide different actors—from policy makers to technology companies—on the steps required to make this vision a reality. The DTH-Lab’s work builds on the report of The Lancet and Financial Times Commission on Governing health futures 2030: Growing up in a digital world. The Commission recommended that for young people’s health and well-being to thrive in an age of digital transformations, stakeholders must enfranchise and empower youth to co-design and critically engage with digital first health systems as part of efforts to increase public participation and digital health citizenship."
"Accurate health data is an asset that has enormous personal and societal value. It contains intimate information about each one of us, that could allow us to make more informed decisions about our own health. When used for public good purposes it can allow health planners, researchers and innovators to respond more effectively to a population’s health, both within and across borders. However, many people are not aware of their rights and many still consider their own data to be a by-product of the visit to the health centre. Many health workers are not aware of the rights of patients and their responsibilities in relation to health data, and continue to treat it as a bureaucratic necessity, part of the increasing automation of the workplace. The lack of clarity over the rules and regulations that govern health data compound this situation."
"Pharmacists Without Borders (PSF) Switzerland is seeking a pharmacist interested in working in development cooperation for our project in Tanzania. Duration: As soon as possible for a period of one year. Candidate’s role: pharmaceutical support to strengthen local capacities, local staff training (transfer of pharmaceutical skills). He/she also participates in the daily routine tasks of the supported health centre. Join Pharmacists Without Borders Switzerland to make a difference ✨ You are a Swiss resident with at least 2 years of professional experience? Don’t hesitate to apply to our job announcement. We look forward to receiving your application (CV and letter of motivation) by email at the following address: info@psf.ch."
Swiss TPH "Tauchen Sie mit uns ein in die faszinierende Welt der Viren, die von Mücken und Zecken übertragen werden. Insbesondere wollen wir der Frage nachgehen, ob wir in Zukunft mit der Einschleppung und Verbreitung tropischer Viren auch in unseren Breitengraden rechnen müssen. Vortrag: PD Dr. med. Andreas Neumayr, Co-Leiter des Zentrums für Tropen- und Reisemedizin, Swiss TPH."
Unité "Unité fête cette année ses 60 ans d'existence. A cette occasion, nous organisons une conférence sur la localisation de la coopération au développement. Nous vous invitons à fêter cet événement et à échanger avec nous et d'autres acteur·trice·s de la coopération internationale suisse le 19 septembre 2024 à Berne. Des débats stimulants sur la localisation de la coopération au développement et la manière dont elle a évolué au cours des 60 dernières années avec nos organisations membres et leurs partenaires du Sud global, des opportunités pour réseauter et, bien sûr, un grand gâteau d'anniversaire vous attendent."
Swiss TPH "Noma is a devastating disease that mainly affects children living in extreme poverty. If not treated at an early stage, up to nine in ten people die from noma. Those who survive often suffer life-long disabilities and stigma due to disfigurement. Invisible for centuries, the World Health Organization officially recognised noma as a neglected tropical disease in December 2023. Using this momentum of increased global attention, we now want to bring together experts and stakeholders from different fields to set a common noma research agenda."
Medicus Mundi Suisse Notre prochaine table ronde portera sur le triple Nexus : la coopération internationale, l’aide humanitaire et la promotion de la paix le mercredi 25 septembre 2024 (13h00-17h30) à Lausanne (Casino de Montbenon). Plus d’informations seront communiquées très prochainement. Pour toute question contactez : contact@medicusmundi.ch
Medicus Mundi Suisse Le monde entier comme en Suisse sont confrontés à une pénurie de professionnels de la santé qualifiés. Les pays à faible revenu, où les soins de santé sont déjà peu développés, sont particulièrement touchés. Cependant, la pénurie de personnel menace les soins de santé pour tout•e•s dans le monde. Le symposium MMS 2024 explore les conséquences et les solutions possibles à la crise du personnel de santé et discute des moyens de sortir de la misère qu'elle engendre.