This edition includes:
Focus on Resources
NEWS
ANTIBIOTICS RESISTANCE
Treatment of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Drug resistance has become a critical concern particularly in the treatment of tuberculosis. To view guidelines with evidence-based recommendations for evaluation and treatment of HIV/AIDS infected persons, pregnant women and children with this form of TB please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/tb/pubs/tbfactsheets/250112.htm
Other principles of antibiotic use for treatment of acute respiratory tract infections in adults can be viewed at: http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/134/6/479
HIV/AIDS
The dangers of breaking up tablets for paediatric dosing
In Sub-Saharan Africa where access to paediatric ARVs drugs is limited a child on ARV drugs who receives a portion of an adult’s prescribed amount may be in danger of receiving lower than recommended doses of the treatment. This is because tablets are difficult to split, the drugs are not equally distributed and there are no formal recommendations on how to divide them.
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/F612510C-677F-4286-BE95-91A637033A82.asp
Nevirapine-based triple-drug combinations safe for use in pregnant women
Triple-drug combinations containing nevirapine (Viramune) are safe and effective for most pregnant women in resource-limited settings. Nevirapine is often used in resource-limited settings for the treatment of HIV infection and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of the virus.
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/9534D9FE-849C-4ED3-94A0-42FA8CF6F241.asp
DIARRHOEA
Improved formula of oral rehydration salts
A new formula for the manufacture of oral rehydration salts (ORS) has been developed. The latest improved ORS formula contains less glucose and sodium. The lower concentration of the new formula allows for quicker absorption of fluids, reducing the need for intravenous fluids and making it easier to treat children with acute non-cholera diarrhoea without hospitalization.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2006/pr14/en/index.html
TUBERCULOSIS (TB)
Stigma and myths still harming TB treatment
Stigma and misinformation about TB are still major barriers to TB screening and treatment in some countries. According to a study carried out by the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ), some of the myths include: TB is incurable, TB treatment kills and TB can be contracted by sharing kitchen utensils. The respondents of the study generally did not recognize the enormous role of crowded places such as bars, buses and other poorly ventilated places in spreading TB. Rather the respondents emphasised dusty, polluted air, drinking, smoking, cold and wet weather as the main contributors in the spread of TB.
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/F1064B98-5293-4636-85F0-14D07AA15DD2.asp
MALARIA:
Counterfeit drugs causing death
In some countries in Southeast Asia malaria drugs are manufactured with fake artesunate. Artesunate is a vital component of anti-malarial drugs used to treat a deadly form of malaria. The component is relatively expensive hence a market for cheaper fake versions amongst the poorest and most vulnerable people. The consequences of using malaria treatments with fake artesunate are in most cases fatal.
http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0030197#JOURNAL-PMED-0030197-B1
For further information on counterfeit and substandard anti-malarial drugs please visit
http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travel/counterfeit_drugs.htm
FOCUS ON RESOURCES
REPORTS:
WHO World Health Statistics 2006
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently published the second edition of the “World Health Statistics 2006”. The report presents the most recent statistics since 1997 of 50 health indicators for WHO’s member states. The major highlights include the major inequalities in the distribution of health workers among countries, statistics on the distribution of selected health resources and interventions within countries. The statistics are disaggregated by gender, age, urban/rural setting, wealth/assets and educational level. For further details and to download the report please visit:
http://www.who.int/whosis/en/
14th Model List of essential medicines
The World Health Organization has issued the 14th Model list of essential medicines. It can be viewed at: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2005/a87017_eng.pdf
BOOKS
Where there is no doctor
Where there is no doctor the widely used manual is now available online. It is a valuable resource for health workers, clinicians and others involved in primary health care delivery and health promotion programmes around the world. It provides practical, easily understood information on how to diagnose, treat, and prevent many common illnesses.
http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download.php#wtnd
COURSES:
Course: International training course in promoting rational drug use in the community
Venue: Jaipur: Indian Institute of Health Management Research
Dates: 10th – 21st December 2006
For more information please visit: http://www.healthtraining.org/schools/jaipur.php#crs1
Course: ARV Drug Supply Management Training
Venue: Pretoria, South Africa
Dates: 22nd October – 4th November 2006
For additional information, please visit: www.aa4a.co.za or contact: ARV Access for Africa (Pty) Ltd
TEL +27 12 460 0914
E-mail: melinda@aa4a.co.za or beckmannm@aa4a.co.za
Course: Health District Management: Planning and Programme Design (Advanced Course)
Venue: Ifakara, Tanzania
Dates: 13th November – 1st December 2006
For more information please contact: Swiss Tropical Institute (www.sti.ch) – Course secretariat P. O. Box CH – 4002 Basel, Switzerland, email: courses-sti@unibas.ch
Course: Health Care and Management in Tropical Countries – University Professional (A limited number of scholarships are available)
Venue: Swiss Tropical Institute, Basel, Switzerland
Dates: 12th March – 8th June 2007
For more information please contact: Swiss Tropical Institute (as above)
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