Under the guidance of WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi evaluation offices, the Euro Health Group conducted an independent mid-term evaluation of the EYE Strategy.

This evaluation was conducted in order to assess the strategy's current state of development.

The evaluation also aimed to identify the most effective path forward for safeguarding nearly 1 billion people in Africa and the Americas from yellow fever by 2026.

The evaluation covered the EYE strategy from 2017 to 2021.

Data from the EYE Strategy shows that since 2017, 226 million more Africans have received a single-dose vaccination that offers lifetime protection against yellow fever.

The EYE partners reiterate that they are dedicated to stepping up their efforts in order to:

The Vaccine Alliance assured that it will keep collaborating with nations and partners to support:

The fifth annual meeting of the Buruli ulcer PCR laboratories (BU-LABNET) network at Noguchi Memorial Institute marked a pivotal moment in addressing Buruli ulcer and skin NTDs.

Transitioning to Skin NTD LABNET signified an expanded collaborative focus in the WHO African Region.

This will help enhance skin disease diagnosis, management, and health access in endemic regions.

BU-LABNET was formed in 2019 under WHO.

The BU-LABNET unites 13 labs across nine countries to advance Buruli ulcer diagnosis using standardized PCR protocols.

They are supported by global organizations with a broader aim, encompassing skin NTDs for cost-effective, quality diagnosis expansion.

Recommendations for BU-LABNET include:

National programs are advised to do the following:

Partners were urged to support integration goals, assist in sample collection, and identify funding sources.

BU-LABNET envisions expanding its molecular platform to include additional skin NTDs and laboratories.

Thereby optimizing cost–effectiveness and increasing access to quality-assured diagnosis.

WHO warns of alarming disease surges in Gaza due to conflict, overcrowding, and disruptions in healthcare, water, and sanitation.

Over 33,000 cases of diarrhea, 9,000 scabies, 55,000 upper respiratory infections, and disruptions in vaccination have been reported since mid-October.

WHO urges urgent humanitarian aid and adherence to international law in Gaza.

On the other hand, Missouri's Benton County faces an avian flu outbreak at a 16,600-bird broiler breeder farm.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) noted 21 new H5N1 detections in wild birds.

Further, Florida recorded 12 new locally acquired dengue cases, totaling 110 this year.

Miami-Dade County saw the majority, with additional cases reported in Broward, Hardee, Palm Beach, and Polk counties.

WHO released the second edition of the classification of digital interventions for advancing health goals.

This will help aid the health, development, research, and technology sectors

The publication is an update and describes how digital health interventions can be used to address personal and health system challenges

Digital tools help to address the following:

The updated classification serves to:

As the health sector embraces digital advancements, the classification ensures up-to-date resources for stakeholders.

This will help foster collaboration between health and technology experts to prioritize and implement responsive digital solutions.

Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) is a major initiative to improve our understanding of foodborne diseases.

Through one health strategy, WGS will improve:

A new WHO publication, "Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) as a Tool to Strengthen Foodborne Disease Surveillance and Response," is a guide to using WGS as a surveillance tool.

The publication has three sections:

A multistate outbreak of the REPJJP01 strain of MDR Salmonella resulted in 255 illnesses and 60 hospitalizations between June 2018 and March 2019.

The outbreak investigations showed a Mexican connection between the infections—43% of the infected had visited Mexico and consumed Mexican-style soft cheese that was purchased there.

The investigators also discovered connections between the strain and beef products, including dried beef from Mexico and the US, indicating that cattle/ beef were vehicles of the virus in both nations.

While efforts to locate illness sources are being made in collaboration with state and local health agencies, the CDC cautioned travelers to observe food safety precautions overseas.

The CDC advised safe practices like:

The 10th Joint Technical Symposium on "Facing the Future: Human Health and Climate Change" was organized by WHO, WIPO, and WTO on November 14, 2023.

The event emphasized the crucial intersections between public health, trade, and intellectual property (IP) in addressing climate change's impact on human health, particularly among disadvantaged communities.

The symposium highlighted the urgent need to align actions with lessons from the COVID-19 response for cross-sectoral activities against threats to climate.

Emphasis was given on the following:

The symposium included panels covering:

The closing remarks emphasized the role of strong partnerships to tackle the health effects of climate change.

After the nationwide launch eight months ago by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 3HP TB preventive treatment rollout is experiencing delays in drug supply to states.

Despite the delays, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have taken the initiative to implement 3HP for TB preventive treatment for all recently diagnosed contacts.

The 3HP regimen, involving once-weekly isoniazid-rifapentine for 12 weeks, offers a more manageable and economical course with 12 doses compared to the current daily isoniazid treatment requiring 180 pills.

This therapy is very beneficial to contacts, as around 20% of TB can be traced back to home exposure.

It can also stop the progression of highly prevalent latent TB for a long period of time.

Dr. Padmapriyadarsini underscores the benefits of 3HP, such as:

TPT is a high-reward project that needs more attention and investment to tackle tuberculosis.

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has launched the National Efficient Cooking Program (NECP) and the Energy Efficient Fans Program (EEFP).

This was launched with the aim of achieving independent and sustainable energy consumption.

NECP promotes non-solar/electricity-based induction cookstoves, aligning with the Go-Electric initiative.

EESL aims to distribute 20 lakh induction cookstoves, reducing environmental impact and offering low-cost cooking solutions.

EEFP focuses on deploying one crore 5-star energy-efficient ceiling fans, aiming to reduce residential electricity consumption by nearly 20%.

This also benefits consumers by cost-cutting their electricity bills.

This initiative complements the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group's efforts.

Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy, Shri R. K. Singh, emphasized the strategic shift to electric cooking, highlighting the affordability and benefits for ordinary citizens.

The transition will reduce the reliance on outside sources of energy.

It can reduce the expense of cooking fuel for the ordinary person.

The NCEP and EEFP programs will target promoting efficient, sustainable, safe, and affordable cooking and appliance use.

EESL CEO Shri Vishal Kapoor noted the impact of past initiatives like UJALA and the Street-lighting National Program in reducing energy consumption and cutting CO2 emissions.

A recent study published in the JAMA network analyzed Canadian children born between February 2018 and June 2022.

The aim of the study was to draw conclusions about the effects of the pandemic on preschool children.

The children were surveyed at ages 2 and 4.5 and included those who lived through four periods of nationwide lockdown and many school closures during the pandemic.

The sample consisted of 718 children aged 24 months and 703 aged 54 months.

In both age groups, some were studied before the pandemic and the rest during the pandemic.

Those aged 24 months were assessed using the Ages and Stages questionnaire for:

Early childhood cognitive battery was completed by children in the 54-month age group.

The study concluded that:

The National Medical Commission published a notice addressing the issues faced by foreign medical graduates.

The clarifications for FMGs in Ukraine are:

NITI Aayog hosted a one-day workshop on "Harnessing Data for Development (D4D) for Accelerating Progress on SDGs" at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi.

The workshop was conducted as part of the Feeder Thematic Workshops series.

The workshop focused on the G20 Principles of Harnessing Data for Development, emphasizing relevance within the Indian context.

Key sessions included discussions on the specific aspects of data-driven development, such as:

The workshop aimed to gather insights from think tanks and academics to contribute to future national workshops.

The workshop series consisted of ten thematic workshops scheduled from November 1-9, 2023, covering diverse topics such as: