Health
WHO reveals that Hepatitis may kill more people than malaria, TB, HIV combined

The World Health Organisation has raised the alarm that viral hepatitis could kill more people than malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV combined by 2040 if the current infection rate continues.
According to WHO, hepatitis causes liver damage and cancer and kills over a million people annually. Of the 5 types of hepatitis infections, hepatitis B and C cause most of the disease and deaths.
WHO made this known in a statement it issued as the global health body joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 2023 World Hepatitis Day, themed, “One life, one liver”.
The health organisation noted that while Hepatitis C could be cured, only 21 per cent of the people living with the infection are diagnosed and only 13 per cent have received curative treatment.
WHO added that only 10 per cent of people living with chronic hepatitis B are diagnosed, and only 2 per cent of those infected are receiving lifesaving medicine.
“Viral hepatitis could kill more people than malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV combined by 2040 if current infection trends continue.
“Hepatitis causes liver damage and cancer and kills over a million people annually. Of the 5 types of hepatitis infections, hepatitis B and C cause most of the disease and deaths. Hepatitis C can be cured; however, only 21% of people living with hepatitis C infection are diagnosed and only 13% have received curative treatment.
“Just 10 per cent of people living with chronic hepatitis B are diagnosed, and only 2per cent of those infected are receiving the lifesaving medicine.”
WHO emphasised the importance of protecting the liver against hepatitis for living a long, healthy life, saying, “Good liver health also benefits other vital organs – including the heart, b, rain, and kidneys – that rely on the liver to function.”
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that despite available preventive measures and treatment, many people are undiagnosed.
“Millions of people are living with undiagnosed and untreated hepatitis worldwide, even though we have better tools than ever to prevent, diagnose and treat it.
“WHO remains committed to supporting countries to expand the use of those tools, including increasingly cost-effective curative medication, to save lives and end hepatitis,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
To combat viral hepatitis, WHo called for global communities to ensure access to treatment for all pregnant women and vaccines for babies at birth.
“To reduce new infections and deaths from hepatitis B and C, countries must: ensure access to treatment for all pregnant women living with hepatitis B, provide hepatitis B vaccines for their babies at birth, diagnose 90% of people living with hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C, and provide treatment to 80% of all people diagnosed with hepatitis.
“They must also act to ensure optimal blood transfusion, safe injections, and harm reduction.
“The reduction of hepatitis B infections in children through vaccination is a key intervention to limit viral hepatitis infections overall. The target for hepatitis B incidence is the only Sustainable Development Goal health target that was met in 2020 and is on track for 2030.
“However, many countries in Africa do not have access to the birth dose hepatitis B vaccines. Gavi’s recent restart of its Vaccine Investment Strategy 2018 – which includes the birth dose hepatitis B vaccine – will jumpstart newborn vaccination programs in West and Central Africa, where mother-to-child hepatitis B transmission rates remain very high.
“To help eliminate mother-to-child transmission, WHO recommends that all pregnant women should be tested for hepatitis B during their pregnancy. If positive, they should receive treatment and vaccines should be provided to their newborns. However, a new WHO report shows that of the 64 countries with a policy, only 32 countries reported implementing activities to screen for and manage hepatitis B in antenatal clinics.
“For people who want to maintain liver health, WHO recommends hepatitis testing, treatment if diagnosed, and vaccination against hepatitis B. Reducing alcohol consumption, achieving a healthy weight, and managing diabetes or hypertension also benefit liver health,” WHO stated.
Health
Chinese Scientists Developing Pregnancy Robots
Dr Zhang Qifeng, who founded the company IT Kaiwa Technology, said the robot will replicate the entire process from conception to delivery where the sperm and egg will be fertilised inside the robot then it will grow to term 9 months later.

Scientists in China are developing the world’s first life size ‘pregnancy robot’ capable of carrying a baby to term and giving birth.
Dr Zhang Qifeng, who founded IT Kaiwa Technology, said the robot will replicate the entire process from conception to delivery where the sperm and egg will be fertilised inside the robot then it will grow to term 9 months later.
The robot aims to offer a pregnancy alternative for women who wish to avoid the burdens of pregnancy and the dramatic changes it makes to woman’s body.
The robot will be equipped with an artificial womb that receives nutrients through a hose.
It is expected to be released next year, with a selling price of around US $13,555.
Feminist activists have been strongly opposed to the use of artificial wombs because it could lead to the ‘end of women’.’
The real question now is, will men, once the artificial womb is perfected, want to keep women around? How would the baby feel the emotions and the bond between mother and child?
(Facebook)
Health
Customs intercept expired pharmaceuticals at Apapa port
Adeniyi explained that on receipt of credible information, a 40ft container with registration number, MRSU6407089, was jointly examined by officers of the NCS and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The Nigeria Customs Service seized seven containers of expired drugs and prohibited medications, three containers of expired food items, particularly margarine, and three containers of absolutely prohibited used clothing at the Apapa port.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, estimated that the duty paid values of the seizures made on Monday, arms included, was more than N10 billion.
Adeniyi explained that on receipt of credible information, a 40ft container with registration number, MRSU6407089, was jointly examined by officers of the NCS and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
The container was adjudged clean, but a secondary search by the two agencies revealed the concealment of 202 cans of Colorado loud, that is, Canadian drugs.
Health
Chikungunya: Could It Happen in Nigeria?
WHO’s Technical Lead for Arboviruses, Dr Diana Rojas-Alvarez said the warning was being sounded early to give countries a fighting chance.

The World Health Organisation, WHO, on Monday warned of a global resurgence of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease, following major outbreaks in La Réunion, Mayotte, and Mauritius since March.
However, Nigeria is not yet on the list of countries currently battling chikungunya outbreaks, but public health experts warn that the nation’s environmental conditions make it highly susceptible.
The outbreaks, WHO said, have now spread to South and East Asia, mirroring patterns seen 20 years ago when a wave that began in the Indian Ocean swept across continents, infecting nearly half a million people.
“This further spread is highly concerning because it follows a trajectory we’ve seen before-one that can quickly escalate into a global public health emergency,” WHO stated in its advisory.
The agency also confirmed that the virus continues to spread in endemic regions, with the Americas already reporting over 200,000 cases this year alone.
WHO said that about 5.6 billion people worldwide now live in areas suitable for the spread of Aedes mosquitoes-the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus which transmit chikungunya along with other diseases such as dengue and Zika.
Chikungunya has been detected or transmitted in 119 countries globally. In communities with little or no immunity, WHO warned that the disease can infect up to three-quarters of the population in a short period, severely straining healthcare systems.
WHO’s Technical Lead for Arboviruses, Dr Diana Rojas-Alvarez said the warning was being sounded early to give countries a fighting chance.
“We are raising the alarm early so countries can prepare early through surveillance, mosquito control, and public awareness-to avoid overwhelming health services,” she explained
-
Health2 days ago
Chinese Scientists Developing Pregnancy Robots
-
News2 days ago
NITDA shuts down 13.5 million social media accounts for code violations
-
Entertainment2 days ago
‘Things Fall Apart’ actor Fabian Adibe dies at 82
-
International5 hours ago
Trump pledges to maintain federal forces in Washington amid mounting criticism.
-
Crime5 hours ago
Female Corps Member Recalls Harrowing Assault by Anambra Security Forces
-
Politics24 hours ago
What ERGAF -Africa’s Report Reveals About Nigeria’s Lawmakers
-
News2 hours ago
BREAKING: FG, state, local governments share N2.001trn July revenue
-
Sports3 days ago
Bayelsa to host 2028 National Sports Festival