Latest news with #MinistryOfHealth
RNZ News
4 hours ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Travellers to Pacific cautioned against mosquito bites as dengue fever cases soar
Lautoka City Council carrying out anti mosquito spraying after a Dengue Clean Up campaign in April. Photo: Ministry of Health & Medical Services - Fiji Travellers heading to the Pacific are being told to protect themselves from mosquito bites, as cases of dengue fever soar to the highest level in almost a decade. Health New Zealand said Samoa has been particularly affected by the disease, with more than 2000 cases reported since 17 April. Some people have died after becoming infected. Dr Susan Jack said 34 confirmed cases have been reported in Auckland in July alone from people returning from the Pacific. Around half of those cases were acquired in Samoa. In the seven months to the end of July, there have been 103 cases recorded in Auckland, double the amount of the whole of last year. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Malay Mail
5 hours ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Dzulkefly: Over 400 contract medical officers decline permanent posts from 2023 to mid-2025, citing location and career concerns
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — A total of 414 contract medical officers rejected permanent appointments and resigned between 2023 and June 2025, according to the health minister. Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said this represents 3.5 per cent of the 11,901 officers offered permanent posts during that period. Key reasons included reluctance to serve in Sabah, Sarawak, and the Federal Territory of Labuan, a stronger preference for urban healthcare facilities, and concerns over career progression in specialist fields if posted to rural or remote areas. 'Personal factors such as family care responsibilities, health issues, logistics, and financial concerns also influenced their decisions,' he added in a written reply posted on the Parliament website today. Dzulkefly was responding to a question from Mohammed Taufiq Johari (PH–Sungai Petani) on the number of health officers leaving the Ministry of Health (MOH) due to lack of permanent placement. He said the ministry remains committed to retaining medical officers through various initiatives. These include an 8 per cent salary increase from December 1, 2024 and a further 7 per cent rise starting January 1, 2026, the filling of 4,352 permanent medical officer posts in 2025, and lateral appointments to Grade UD10, which offer better pay than Grade UD9. So far, 4,006 contract medical officers have been offered permanent appointments — 92 per cent of the 2025 target set by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. MOH has also expanded benefits such as Paid Study Leave with the Federal Training Award, the Specialist Training Programme with MOH scholarships, and the introduction of Pre-Publication Incentive Payments from 1 July 2025 for officers undergoing supervised work experience. The ministry is exploring cooperation with state governments to offer incentives aimed at retaining healthcare workers in the public sector. 'These measures are vital to maintaining a high-quality, comprehensive, and resilient national health system, while safeguarding the welfare of MOH staff,' Dzulkefly said.
Zawya
20 hours ago
- Health
- Zawya
Nigeria takes bold steps toward Hepatitis-free future with World Health Organization (WHO)'s support
The World Health Organization (WHO) has collaborated with the Government of Nigeria and hepatitis stakeholders to raise awareness and promote early diagnosis and treatment for World Hepatitis Day 2025. The global event, observed annually on 28 July, raises awareness about viral hepatitis- an inflammation of the liver that can lead to chronic liver disease and liver cancer. Hepatitis includes five types: A, B, C, D, and E. In the WHO African Region, over 70 million people suffer from chronic hepatitis B or C, but fewer than 10% are diagnosed or treated. Nigeria, with 325,000 new infections in 2022, ranks third globally in hepatitis prevalence. Chronic hepatitis B and C can lead to liver damage and cancer, even though they are preventable, treatable, and, in the case of hepatitis C, curable. This year's theme, 'Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down,' calls for action to remove financial, social, and systemic barriers, including stigma, that prevent hepatitis elimination and liver cancer prevention. For 2025 World Hepatitis Day, WHO joined the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and its partners to mark the occasion with a ministerial press briefing at the Federal Secretariat, and launched a three-day hepatitis B screening, on the stop vaccinations for those who test negative, and linkage to treatment programme for those who test positive at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. The event at the National Assembly in Abuja brought together health officials, legislators, and the public to address the issue of hepatitis. Addressing journalists at the press briefing, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Pate, represented by Dr Godwin Ntadom, Director Public Health Department, FMOH, reiterated Nigeria's commitment to combating hepatitis. He noted that the burden and cost of hepatitis treatment in the country is still very high and, as such, has a huge economic impact on the country and called for collective action in eliminating the disease. Dr Ntadom said, 'hepatitis costs Nigeria between ₦13.3 trillion and ₦17.9 trillion annually in direct and indirect costs. He also announced, 'Project 365,' a nationwide campaign aimed at eliminating Hepatitis C and halting Hepatitis B transmission by 2030. 'The project will support the ongoing efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis, and STIs, alongside expanding local pharmaceutical manufacturing through funding, the establishment of the Viral Elimination Fund, tax incentives, regulatory reforms, and legislative support. Nigeria must no longer hold the third-highest hepatitis burden globally. We have the science, we have the strategy, and we will act together, boldly and urgently, toward a hepatitis-free Nigeria, he said. WHO's Acting Representative in Nigeria, Dr Alex Gasasira, represented by Dr Mya Ngon, cluster lead for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) praised Nigeria's triple elimination initiative for HIV, hepatitis, and STIs, and emphasized the importance of reducing treatment costs, boosting local production, and expanding screening to achieve healthcare equity. WHO urges Nigeria and other nations to: • Ensure hepatitis B vaccination within 24 hours of birth; • Integrate hepatitis testing and treatment into primary healthcare services; • Address stigma and misinformation; • Secure sustainable domestic funding for hepatitis programs; and • Protect the rights of individuals living with hepatitis, especially in healthcare and employment. She reiterated WHO's commitment to supporting Nigeria's efforts to strengthen its health systems and expand access to affordable diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments. A beneficiary of the screening, Fash Yommie, 53, from Abuja, shared that he took the test to know his status. 'I took the test to know my status, and I am relieved to have tested negative. I now understand the importance of hepatitis prevention. I will start taking precautionary measures, such as avoiding sharing needles and ensuring proper hygiene with food and water, to protect myself and my loved ones from infection. I encourage everyone to get tested and vaccinated, as early detection is key to preventing this disease. "Early detection and vaccination are crucial in preventing the spread of hepatitis. Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with infected blood or fluids, hepatitis C via blood-to-blood contact like sharing needles, and hepatitis A and E through contaminated food or water. Nigeria has enhanced hepatitis B prevention by adding the vaccine to the national schedule, supported by WHO, Gavi, UNICEF, and partners, to vaccinate all newborns and children and reduce early transmission. This year's activities reflect the broader goal of integrating hepatitis services into Nigeria's primary healthcare system, making screening and treatment more accessible to vulnerable populations. The National Assembly event is part of WHO's ongoing collaboration with Nigeria to achieve universal health coverage and align with the 2030 Global Health Agenda. Through national and local partnerships, WHO supports Nigeria in reducing the hepatitis burden and improving public health outcomes. The three-day screening serves as a reminder that hepatitis is preventable, and everyone has a role in raising awareness and preventing its spread. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Nigeria.
RNZ News
a day ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Another child dies from dengue in Samoa - more than 2200 cases since January
Map of lab-confirmed dengue cases by village, January 2025 to last Ministry of Health update covering July 21-27. Photo: Samoa Ministry of Health A third child has reportedly died from dengue fever in Samoa. Samoa has recorded more than 2270 dengue cases since the start of the year. In its lastest update, for the week of 21-27 July, the Ministry of Health reported there were 1350 dengue-like illness cases reported, 521 of which were laboratory-confirmed to be dengue fever. Local media are reporting a third dengue death from the country - a five-year-old who died at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital. The child's mother told the Samoa Observer: "She had a fever, was vomiting, and she kept saying her head and tummy hurt. We took her to the hospital on Sunday, and by Tuesday at 8am, she passed away. I miss her every moment." There is also an unconfirmed report of a fourth death - another child. The Health Ministry said that, of lab-confirmed cases, 71 percent of those affected are under 15 years old. It is reiterating its messages for people to clean up and remove stagnant water sources which are potential breeding sites for mosquitoes; and to wear suitable clothing and use mosquito nets and repellents. The Oceania Football Confederation said it is monitoring the outbreak with the under-16 women's championship scheduled to begin on Friday . Last week, the World Health Organisation's Pacific technical support director Dr Mark Jacobs told Pacific Waves that July regional data showed the number of suspected dengue cases at 18,766 - the highest since 2016 . A breakdown of the WHO July data showed spread of the disease had been highest in Fiji, which had 13,702 suspected cases, followed by Tonga (2087) and French Polynesia or Mā'ohi Nui (1079).
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Poisons Act amended: Expanded powers for police, broader enforcement scope
PUTRAJAYA, July 29 — The Dewan Rakyat passed the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025 yesterday, signalling the government's continued commitment to curbing the misuse of controlled substances through more robust and inclusive enforcement. In a joint statement today, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Home Ministry (KDN) said the Bill aims to enhance the effectiveness of enforcement under the Poisons Act 1952, which governs the use, possession, and distribution of poisons and psychotropic substances in Malaysia. 'These amendments are intended to allow for faster, more comprehensive and responsive action in addressing threats to public health and national security,' the ministries said. The Bill was passed by a majority voice vote after being debated by 12 Members of Parliament from both the government and the opposition. Key provisions include expanding enforcement authority to all police officers regardless of rank, and to other officers appointed by the health minister — including those from other ministries or agencies — as needed. Under the current provisions, only three categories of officers have enforcement authority — Drug Enforcement Officers (pharmacists in the public service), police officers ranked Inspector and above, and senior Customs officers. 'However, in practice, patrol and inspection duties are usually carried out by lower-ranked officers such as constables and corporals. Therefore, expanding enforcement powers to all police personnel will improve operational efficiency and coverage,' read the statement. The Bill also addresses enforcement gaps in areas where authorised officers are not present. The health minister is now empowered to appoint other officers, under set terms and conditions, to assist in enforcement when needed. Additional focus has been placed on enhancing officer training, supervision, and coordination of control over listed poisons and prohibited substances, including those found in vape products, to ensure stronger safeguards for both public health and national safety. — Bernama
