15 minute read
News Updates
by www.healthcareafrica.info
DIGITAL HEALTH
Morocco starts construction of US$599 million Ibn Sina Hospital to bolster healthcare
MOROCCO – Moroccan King Mohammed VI has officially initiated the construction of US$559 million Ibn Sina Hospital with a capacity of more than 1,000 beds to strengthen healthcare delivery in the Rabat-SaleKenitra region.
The construction of the Moroccan Ibn Sina Hospital involves a hospitalization tower, a medicaltechnical center with five floors, 11-floor tower dedicated to the National League for the Fight against Cardiovascular Diseases, a Conference Center, Training Center and a Boarding School.
The facility will offer quality health services including intensive care, outpatient care, emergencies, severe burns and follow-up care, rehabilitative services, respiratory illness treatment, dialysis care among other medical services.
The hospital tower project covering an area totaling 11.4 hectares meets the standards of bio-climatic and sustainable development and it is estimated to be complete in 4 years. It will be 140 meters high with 34 floors and 3 floors below ground level.
HEALTHCARE DELIVERY
Apollo Hospitals introduces new foot reconstruction treatment for diabetic patients
INDIA – Apollo Hospitals has opened a unique multidisciplinary Centre of Excellence for Diabetic Foot Management (CoEDFM) for diabetic patients who are known to be prone to foot-related ailments at its Jubilee Hills location.
Apollo Hospitals will offer a novel Diabetic Foot Reconstruction & Management procedure for the first time in India to patients at the new multidisciplinary health facility in collaboration with King’s College Hospital in London.
CoEDFM will use a multidisciplinary treatment protocol for diabetic foot ailments, which can be traumatic and life-threatening. The new technique employs the international fixation method, which includes the use of special devices such as beams, bolts, and specially designed plates and nails.
Abu Dhabi Sovereign Fund buys 3% stake in Intas Pharma
UAE – The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), a sovereign wealth fund owned by Abu Dhabi Emirate has acquired approximately 3% of Intas Pharmaceuticals for US$250US$270 million (2,000 crore) at a valuation of US$8.5 billion (65,000 crore).
ADIA is set to purchase 3% stake from current investor Temasek Holdings, which currently owns about 10% of the Indian drug company. ADIA, which has property worth approximately US$800 billion, has received a lot of attention in India, and has invested more than US$3 billion in India since 2018. It has invested in major Indian companies like Flipkart, Reliance Retail, Mindspace REIT, HDFC Capital, Mphasis, Paytm, Nykaa and Mobikwik.
The Chudgar family, Intas’ promoters, currently owns 84% of Intas, while homegrown PE fund ChrysCapital owns 6%.
Pfizer to buy Biohaven in US$11.6 billion deal, marks comeback in neuro arena
USA – Pfizer Inc has announced that it will pay US$11.6 billion for Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Co, a large bet on the company’s ability to increase sales of the top-selling pill in a new class of migraine drugs.
The acquisition follows a Nurtec commercialization agreement signed by the companies in November 2021.
The current transaction follows Pfizer’s US$6.7 billion acquisition of Arena Pharmaceuticals to gain access to the latter’s S1P modulator for inflammatory diseases. In a smaller deal, Pfizer will pay US$525 million for respiratory syncytial virus specialist ReViral.
INNOVATIONS
Letshego inks partnership deal with BrandMed to promote digital health solutions
UGANDA – Africa’s inclusive finance provider Letshego Group has entered into a strategic partnership with healthcare group BrandMed to launch an instant digital access to wellness and affordable health solutions for African communities.
The collaboration will enable Letshego to offer quality digitized wellness services, health facts and advice to communities including virtual medical consultations through a multichannel digital platform called LetsGo Digital Mall.
The online platform provides instant digital access and affordable health solutions in various dimensions while supporting customers with better health, fitness, nutrition and wellbeing awareness.
In partnership with BrandMed, wellness services in the LetsGo Digital Mall will be the first in Letshego’s LetsGo Lifestyle series of solutions and offerings aimed at improving healthcare delivery and saving lives.
The partnership with Letshego Africa will allow BrandMed to fully leverage the Group’s regional digitalization strategy to promote equality in accessing wellness solutions that assist in closing the gap in broader communities being able to expert medical care.
Moreover, it will help bridge the gap between demand and delivery of reliable, quality healthcare at a time when the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the health inequity existing across communities.
Kenya unveils sexual and reproductive health online platform
KENYA – Kenya’s Ministry of Health has launched a digital platform dubbed Lifeyangu.com to improve access to sexual and reproductive health-related information among young people.
The health ministry inaugurated the platform in partnership with a consortium of local and international organizations led by Deutsche Stiftung Welbevölkerung (DSW) and Bayer East Africa to address information gaps in areas of reproductive health.
The Lifeyangu.com platform will provide credible information about relevant reproductive health facilities, contraceptive options among other topics on sexual reproductive health services to Kenyans aged between 18 to 24 years.
It enables users to access sexual and reproductive health services in a confidential manner by identifying nearby health facilities near as well as providing a safe environment for the youth to share information.
It will address the challenge of accessing credible reproductive health specialists and information online while covering the growing need to promote additional information about sexual health to the youth.
The platform will also enhance youth’s access to comprehensive information about sex, knowledge about the risks they may face and their vulnerability to adverse consequences of unprotected sexual activity along with ability to access sexual health care.
DISEASE NEWS
South Sudan intensifies efforts to contain cholera outbreak
SOUTH SUDAN – The South Sudan Government has collaborated its health sector partners and stakeholders to conduct two rounds of oral cholera vaccination in Rubkona County, Unity State.
The rounds conducted in January and March 2022 were aimed at containing a Cholera outbreak that has been ravaging the country.
South Sudan’s Ministry of Health also deployed a rapid response team in Rubkona county to support the state-level response as well as to provide adequate medical supplies to aid in the investigation and treatment of cholera cases.
In addition, the health ministry has activated a national cholera taskforce at the onset of the outbreak to coordinate all response interventions as well as heighten surveillance in the Internal Displaced Persons camps and at community levels.
South Sudan has further collaborated with relevant partners to support ongoing cholera preparedness, prevention, vaccination drive and response training efforts to protect people and save lives.
Moreover, the government has urged the general public to observe all the precautionary measures to prevent community transmission in populations with inadequate access to safe drinking water, poor personal hygiene and inadequate access to improved sanitation facilities.
HEALTHCARE DELIVERY
South African National AIDS Council secures US$547M grant in fight against HIV
SOUTH AFRICA – The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) has been awarded a grant of US$547 million from the Global Fund to support prevention and treatment programs for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis across the country for the period April 2022 – March 2025.
The funding will further support the SANAC in bringing together government, civil society and the private sector to create a collective response to HIV, TB and STIs with the ultimate goal of eliminating the three epidemics as public health threats in South Africa.
In addition, a new highly effective, long-acting injectable HIV preventive treatment has been rolled out by UNITAID in South Africa to bolster the fight against HIV virus.
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority also approved the use of the monthly dapivirine vaginal ring for women 18 years and older to help reduce the risk of developing HIV resistance.
Advocate Aurora, Atrium Health unveil mega merger, creating US$27B system
USA – Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health have announced a merger agreement to form a six-state, 67-hospital nonprofit juggernaut with US$27 billion in combined revenues.
According to a joint announcement, the merger plans have been approved by each system’s board of directors and are now subject to regulatory review. The joint system would serve approximately 5.5 million patients, operate over 1,000 care sites, employ 148,000 people, and provide US$4.8 billion in annual community benefits under the new Advocate Health brand.
REGULATORY AND APPROVALS
US National Institutes of Health warrants Covid-19 technologies to WHO and MPP
USA – The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has agreed to license 11 Covid-19 technologies to the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) via the World Health Organization’s Covid-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP).
The US government announced the move during the second Global Covid-19 Summit, co-hosted by the US, Belize, Germany, Indonesia, and Senegal.
The technologies include SARSCoV-2 stabilized spike protein, early-stage vaccine and diagnostic candidates, and research tools to aid in vaccine and therapeutic development. The list the research tools include an RNASEH-assisted detection assay for RNA, detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other RNA viruses, and a high-throughput diagnostic test.
The global and non-exclusive licenses will enable manufacturers to work with MPP and C-TAP to use the technologies to make Covid-19 diagnosis and treatment available to people in low and middle-income countries.
During the summit, developed countries also committed to provide an upwards of US$960 million in to help establish a new Pandemic Preparedness and Health Security Fund.
HEALTHCARE DELIVERY
NIGERIA – Nigeria has introduced the Nigeria National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) in partnership with the World Health Organization and the Global Fund to enhance diagnostic testing in healthcare.
The overall goal of the Essential Diagnostics List is to improve access to testing, diagnostic capacities amid the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak along with affordability, regulation and quality of the diagnostic test.
The introduction of the Nigeria National Essential Diagnostics List is also in line with the Federal Ministry of Health mandate to implement policies aimed at strengthening the national health system for effective, efficient, accessible and affordable delivery of health services.
Moreover, Nigeria flagged off the dissemination of the NEDL to boost access to qualitative and affordable diagnostic testing services in an effort to accelerate diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.
Amref Health Africa selected to host Gavi’s Civil Society Organization platform
AFRICA – Gavi, the Vaccines Alliance has appointed Amref Health Africa as the new host of its Civil Society Organization (CSO) platform effective from 1 January 2022 for a period of 3 years ending 2024.
Amref has been selected to host the CSO platform to support implementation of immunization policies and programs through engaging the civil society to amplify the community voices and work with all partners at global, regional, national and subnational levels.
The organization will mobilize and support civil society organizations working to strengthen health systems and deliver immunization services to underserved communities.
It will also oversee that all countries supported by Gavi allocate at least ten percent of their combined Health System Strengthening, Equity Accelerator Funding and Targeted Country Assistance ceilings for activities undertaken by CSO partners.
Consequently, Amref will collaborate with civil society partners to help Gavi to strengthen its political commitment and accountability, build trust in vaccines and support delivery of immunization services for all.
Uganda introduces US$38M malaria control project in partnership with the US
UGANDA – The Ugandan Government has introduced a new US$38 million health project with an aim to reduce malaria infections in the country by 50 percent over the next five years in collaboration with the United States government.
The Uganda Malaria Reduction Activity will also help reduce malariarelated deaths by 75 percent in regions with the highest malaria burden, namely West Nile, Lango, Acholi, Karamoja and Busoga.
It will facilitate malaria control and elimination to save lives, ease access to medical supplies to communities and health facilities as well as efficiently train health workers to properly diagnose and treat malaria.
Samsung Biologics shells US$2.3 bln to complete acquisition of Samsung Bioepis
SOUTH KOREA – Samsung Biologics has completed the US$2.3 billion acquisition of Biogen’s stake in the Samsung Bioepis joint venture after signing a stake acquisition agreement in January of this year.
According to the terms of the agreement, Samsung Biologics made an initial cash payment of US$1 billion and fully acquired Samsung Bioepis as its wholly owned subsidiary.
The proceeds will be used to support Samsung Biologics’ strategic growth plans. The acquisition of the joint venture will provide Samsung Bioepis with increased autonomy and agility in business operations, resulting in faster sales growth and higher operating margins. It will also provide the company with biosimilar development expertise as well as future performance in new drug development.
DIGITAL HEALTH
Elton John AIDS Foundation grants US$1M to Triggerise Kenya for mental healthcare
KENYA — Triggerise has received a US$1 million grant from Elton John AIDS Foundation to empower young people in Kenya to take control of their mental and physical health.
The grant will fund essential mental health offerings that will be fully integrated with Triggerise’s preexisting sexual and reproductive health services for young people between the ages of 15 and 24 over the next three years.
Triggerise partnered with the Elton John Foundation to ensure that Triggerise associated clinics in Mombasa County, Kenya provide mental health screening and other related services.
The partnership will also ensure that pre-exposure prophylaxis and antiretroviral therapy services are a part of Triggerise’s established offerings in Mombasa together with boosted access to reproductive health services.
Triggerise will collaborate with its existing private sector network of clinics and expand its platform coverage to incorporate public sector clinics that provide essential HIV services as well as to support young people who test positive for HIV.
In addition, HIV positive people will be enrolled onto Triggerise’s mobilepowered platform to connect them to appropriate health services at no cost while allowing youth to give feedback on service experience.
DISEASE NEWS
KENYA – Kenya has put in place a national incident management structure to manage Yellow Fever after an outbreak was recorded in Isiolo County.
The country declared an outbreak of Yellow Fever in March 2022 which has seen 53 suspected patients presenting with fever, jaundice, muscle pain and joint pain including six fatalities reported so far.
Subsequently, Kenya has developed a public health response plan to contain further spread of the viral disease such as deploying a rapid response team to Isiolo and neighboring counties to determine the extent of the outbreak.
The national health authorities are also identifying the at-risk population, implementing integrated vector control measures, conducting a risk assessment along with initiating risk communication and community engagement activities.
In addition, the Kenyan government is working together with the World Health Organization and partners including Amref Health Africa, Kenya Red Cross, World Vision, Action Aid among other global institutions to pull resources to help support response activities.
Hologic secures FDA approval for Aptima CMV Quant assay, poised to challenge Abbott, Roche
USA – Hologic, a medical technology company based in the United States, has received FDA approval for its Aptima CMV Quant assay.
The test has been approved to assess cytomegalovirus (CMV) viral load in patients undergoing solid organ or stem cell transplants, allowing Hologic to compete with companies such as Roche and Abbott. Following last year’s CE mark, the FDA’s approval of the Aptima CMV Quant assay allows Hologic to sell a post-transplant pathogen detection and monitoring test for its Panther system in the United States for the first time.
The recently approved Aptima CMV Quant assay will aid in the detection of post-transplant pathogens and improve patient outcomes. It also adds to the company’s existing portfolio of HIV-1, Hepatitis C, and Hepatitis B diagnostic and viral load testing. As COVID-19 testing declines, Hologic is looking to transplant assays to help drive growth.
Siemens Healthineers launches “integrated” cath lab imaging system
USA – Siemens Healthineers has expanded its cardiology portfolio with the introduction of the Artis icono biplane, an angiography system with detectors that have been optimized in size for integrated use in the cath lab.
The system incorporates new features for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmia, coronary heart disease, and structural heart disease. It also simplifies clinical workflows while providing excellent image quality at a low radiation dose.
Artis icono biplane allows for simple positioning of the C-arm for complex cardiovascular diseases and their interventional treatment, especially when displaying images at steep angulations. Furthermore, it allows capturing of images from various angles at the same time.
Meanwhile, Siemens Healthineers has launched revolutionary new imaging technology, which has been described as the most significant breakthrough in CT technology in more than a decade. Siemens’ NAEOTOM Alpha scanner combines CT with artificial intelligence to help identify patients at risk of heart attacks. The new system employs a novel detector material known as cadmium telluride crystals, which converts X-ray photons directly into electrical signals, improving imaging quality, thereby avoiding the information loss seen in conventional CT.
Sysmex America introduces first hematology analyzer for malaria detection
USA – Sysmex America, a subsidiary of Japanese-based Sysmex Corporation has introduced its XN-30 research use only automated hematology analyzer for malaria detection.
The XN-30 RUO analyzer can distinguish Plasmodium falciparum from non-falciparum species and determine the life cycle staging of the parasites detected using specialized reagents, a violet laser, and advanced algorithms. The XN-30 RUO can report the level of parasitemia in an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) sample with a sensitivity as low as 20 malaria-infected red blood cells per microliter in as little as one minute.
The analyzer is intended to boost the productivity of research labs that currently use manual microscopy for malaria detection or rely on rapid diagnostic tests to screen symptomatic patients.
