Author: Priscilla Akorfa Fomevor

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised an alarm about falsified batches of HEALMOXY 500mg capsules, a critical antibiotic, detected in Cameroon and the Central African Republic. The issue was reported to the WHO in March 2025. The counterfeit product lacks the life-saving active ingredient amoxicillin, posing severe risks to patients relying on them to treat bacterial infections.  Genuine HEALMOXY capsules contain amoxicillin, an antibiotic prescribed for infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and skin conditions. However, laboratory tests confirmed the counterfeit versions contain no amoxicillin, rendering them ineffective. The WHO identified inconsistencies in manufacturing and expiry dates on…

The Health Community of West Africa Association (HCOWAA) convened its 6th international seminar on the National Intelligent CDC Deployment Framework and Application Standards, under the theme: “Transforming Public Health with AI: National Frameworks for Smarter Disease Control and Emergency Response.” Held in Accra, the event brought together experts from healthcare, technology, academia and policy sectors to explore the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing public health systems, improving disease surveillance, and strengthening emergency response across Ghana and the West African sub-region. The seminar addressed the increasing relevance of AI in national development and public health infrastructure. From outbreak prediction…

Doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) have announced an indefinite suspension of all emergency and outpatient services, effective immediately, citing a “hostile working environment,” chronic shortages of basic medical supplies, and perceived insults to their dignity by government officials. The decision, declared on Tuesday, 22 April, 2025 following an emergency general assembly meeting, marks an escalation in tensions between healthcare workers and authorities.  In a statement released by the Doctors’ Association of Tamale Teaching Hospital (DATTH), the suspension affects the General Outpatient Department (OPD), Antenatal Clinic, Specialist Clinic, and Pediatrics OPD. However, inpatient care will continue for currently admitted…

Researchers at King’s College London in collaboration with Imperial College London have achieved an innovative milestone in regenerative dentistry, they have successfully replicated the intricate process of tooth development in a lab. By harnessing a specialized material that enables cells to communicate and self-organize, they’ve effectively mimicked the natural signaling that occurs during embryonic growth, instructing cells to form tooth structures. This state of the art leads us closer to a future where missing teeth can be replaced with biologically engineered alternatives transforming dental care. Although clinical applications are still years away, this advancement marks a crucial leap forward in…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the ongoing spread of poliovirus a continued Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), citing intensifying transmission in prevalent regions and new outbreaks of vaccine-derived strains across Africa, Asia, and Europe. The decision, announced on April 9, 2025 followed a stark rise in wild poliovirus (WPV1) cases in Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as the detection of vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) in 34 countries, including recent outbreaks in Europe.  The 41st meeting of the WHO’s Polio Emergency Committee revealed alarming trends in WPV1 transmission. Afghanistan and Pakistan, the last two endemic countries, reported a…

Patients prescribed lercanidipine, a common high blood pressure medication, are being urgently advised to check their medication packets following a recall over incorrect dosage labeling. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced that certain batches of the drug, manufactured by Recordati Pharmaceuticals, were mistakenly labeled as containing 10mg tablets when they actually hold 20mg doses.  More than 7,700 packs which have been distributed across the UK are affected by the recall. The MHRA warned that taking a 20mg dose instead of the prescribed 10mg could lead to side effects such as dizziness and excessive sleepiness. While the agency…

The Ghanaian government has introduced the Mahama Cares Initiative, an innovative program designed to provide life-changing financial support to citizens battling chronic and debilitating illnesses. Announced by the Ministry of Health, the initiative seeks to eliminate the stark choice many Ghanaians face between affording medical care and their financial stability. The Mahama Cares initiative aims to provide direct financial assistance to cover out-of-pocket expenses for treatments, medications, and therapies linked to chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and kidney disease. By removing financial barriers, the initiative ensures that marginalized and low-income populations access critical care. The program also establishes a…

Togo’s student health insurance program, SCHOOL AMU, has made notable strides in providing financial protection to students across the country by raising CFA356 million (€540,000) as at January 2025 to safeguard the health and academic futures of students nationwide. Launched to address systemic gaps in healthcare affordability, the program is transforming how families manage medical costs while advancing the government’s vision of equitable access to care.  Togo’s healthcare system faces significant challenges, including insufficient staff, outdated medical instruments, and ineffective financial resources, resulting in a “pay or die” approach for many patients However, the Ministry of Health and Education has…

After more than three years of intense negotiations, the World Health Organization (WHO) is poised to finalize a historic Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response Agreement, with adoption expected at next month’s World Health Assembly (WHA). The deal aims to rectify systemic failures exposed by COVID-19 particularly the stark inequities in vaccine and treatment access but last-minute debates over pharmaceutical profits and technology transfers risk weakening its potential impact. The draft agreement, set for approval in May 2025, includes several critical measures designed to prevent a repeat of the “vaccine apartheid” seen during the COVID-19 pandemic: Priority Access for Frontline Workers:…

Recent breakthroughs in medical research have led to the development of new treatments for advanced breast cancer. Two treatments for advanced breast cancer have shown promising results, offering renewed hope for patients with limited options. Capivasertib (Truqap) and Datopotamab Deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) represent the latest advancements in targeted therapies, providing more effective ways to combat aggressive forms of the disease.  Capivasertib: is a kinase inhibitor, that works by blocking abnormal proteins that drive cancer cell growth, effectively slowing or stopping disease progression. It has been approved for adults with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer harboring specific genetic mutations (PIK3CA, AKT1,…