WHO calls on policy-makers, local authorities, civil society, public, media to raise awareness and encourage people to KNOW HEPATITIS and ACT NOW! Here are some ideas on what you can do.

WHO | What you can do: World Hepatitis Day 2016: "! Here are some ideas on what you can do. Find out if there is a national focal point for hepatitis in your country. If not, encourage your Ministry of Health to identify one – or ask an NGO (nongovernmental organization) - this is key! Encourage the focal point, Ministry of Health and partners to commemorate World Hepatitis Day  Organize events (e.g. sports activity, fun run/walk, concert, fundraiser event) to raise political support and public awareness. Talk to health professionals and interest groups, such as doctors, nurses, patient groups and civil society – hold a workshop to spread the word about hepatitis, the risks, and mobilize for action. Talk to the media, hold a press conference or push TV/radio to feature interviews with Ministry of Health leadership and national partners; raise publicity and make viral hepatitis subject visible. Hold a public hepatitis testing event. Invite high-level leaders, such as presidents, prime ministers, ministers, celebrities and high-profile artists, to take hepatitis test. This will encourage other people to step forward and get tested. Public testing (keeping results confidential) worked well for campaigns against HIV/AIDS. Promote and share communications materials prepared by the World Health organization and adapt / translate to suit your audience. Develop a factsheet, including a national or local success story, for your country. If possible, include estimates of people with chronic hepatitis B and C, main routes of transmission of hepatitis B and C, and describe what the country is doing. A factsheet can be a great information source for advocacy."



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World Hepatitis Summit World Hepatitis Summit 2017, 1–3 November in São Paulo, Brazil, promises to be the largest global event to advance the viral hepatitis agenda, bringing together key players to accelerate the global response. Organised jointly by WHO, the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) and the Government of Brazil, the theme of the Summit is "Implementing the Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis: towards the elimination of hepatitis as a public health threat".

WHO | Eliminate hepatitis: WHO: "GENEVA - New WHO data from 28 countries - representing approximately 70% of the global hepatitis burden - indicate that efforts to eliminate hepatitis are gaining momentum. Published to coincide with World Hepatitis Day, the data reveal that nearly all 28 countries have established high-level national hepatitis elimination committees (with plans and targets in place) and more than half have allocated dedicated funding for hepatitis responses. On World Hepatitis Day, WHO is calling on countries to continue to translate their commitments into increased services to eliminate hepatitis. This week, WHO has also added a new generic treatment to its list of WHO-prequalified hepatitis C medicines to increase access to therapy, and is promoting prevention through injection safety: a key factor in reducing hepatitis B and C transmission. From commitment to Action "It is encouraging to see countries turning commitment into action to tackle hepatitis." said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "Identifying interventions that have a high impact is a key step towards eliminating this devastating disease. Many countries have succeeded in scaling-up the hepatitis B vaccination. Now we need to push harder to increase access to diagnosis and treatment." World Hepatitis Day 2017 is being commemorated under the theme "Eliminate Hepatitis" to mobilize intensified action towards the health targets in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. In 2016, the World Health Assembly endorsed WHO’s first global health sectors strategy on viral hepatitis to help countries scale up their responses. The new WHO data show that more than 86% of countries reviewed have set national hepatitis elimination targets and more than 70% have begun to develop national hepatitis plans to enable access to effective prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care services. Furthermore, nearly half of the countries surveyed are aiming for elimination through providing universal access to hepatitis treatment. But WHO is concerned that progress needs to speed up. "The national response towards hepatitis elimination is gaining momentum. However, at best one in ten people who are living with hepatitis know they are infected and can access treatment. This is unacceptable," said Dr Gottfried Hirnschall, WHO's Director of the HIV Department and Global Hepatitis Programme. "For hepatitis elimination to become a reality, countries need to accelerate their efforts and increase investments in life-saving care. There is simply no reason why many millions of people still have not been tested for hepatitis and cannot access the treatment for which they are in dire need." Viral hepatitis affected 325 million people worldwide in 2015, with 257 million people living with hepatitis B and 71 million people living with hepatitis C - the two main killers of the five types of hepatitis. Viral hepatitis caused 1.34 million deaths in 2015 – a figure close to the number of TB deaths and exceeding deaths linked to HIV. Improving access to hepatitis C cure Hepatitis C can be completely cured with direct acting antivirals (DAAs) within 3 months. However, as of 2015, only 7% of the 71 million people with chronic hepatitis C had access to treatment. WHO is working to ensure that DAAs are affordable and accessible to those who need them. Prices have dropped dramatically in some countries (primarily in some high-burden, low-and lower middle income countries), facilitated by the introduction of generic versions of these medicines. The list of DAAs available to countries for treating hepatitis C is growing. WHO has just prequalified the first generic version of one of these drugs: sofosbuvir. The average price of the required three-month treatment course of this generic is between US$260 and US$280, a small fraction of the original cost of the medicine when it first went on the market in 2013. WHO prequalification guarantees a product’s quality, safety and efficacy and means it can now be procured by the United Nations and financing agencies such as UNITAID, which now includes medicines for people living with HIV who also have hepatitis C in the portfolio of conditions it covers. Hepatitis B treatment With high morbidity and mortality globally, there is great interest also in the development of new therapies for chronic hepatitis B virus infection. The most effective current hepatitis B treatment, tenofovir, (which is not curative and which in most cases needs to be taken for life), is available for as low as $48 per year in many low and middle income countries. There is also an urgent need to scale up access to hepatitis B testing. Improving injection safety and infection prevention to reduce new cases of hepatitis B and C Use of contaminated injection equipment in health-care settings accounts for a large number of new HCV and HBV infections worldwide, making injection safety an important strategy.Others include preventing transmission through invasive procedures, such as surgery and dental care; increasing hepatitis B vaccination rates and scaling up harm reduction programmes for people who inject drugs. Today WHO is launching a range of new educational and communication tools to support a campaign entitled "Get the Point-Make smart injection choices" to improve injection safety in order to prevent hepatitis and other bloodborne infections in health-care settings."



/New WHO data reveal that an estimated 325 million people worldwide are living with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The WHO Global hepatitis report, 2017 indicates that the large majority of these people lack access to life-saving testing and treatment. As a result, millions of people are at risk of a slow progression to chronic liver disease, cancer, and death. The report was launched at the International Liver Congress 2017.

• View photo story of the launch at the International Liver Congress 2017
• Read news release and access report Http://who.int/hepatitis/news-events/en/

Eliminate hepatitis Some 325 million people were living with chronic hepatitis infections worldwide in 2015. Use of contaminated injection equipment in health-care settings accounts for a large number of hepatitis B and C virus infections worldwide. On World Hepatitis Day, WHO is calling on countries to continue to eliminate hepatitis through injection safety practices and increased health services.

WHO | What is hepatiti: What is hepatitis? A: Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world but other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis. There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. These 5 types are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer. Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C and D usually occur as a result of parenteral contact with infected body fluids. Common modes of transmission for these viruses include receipt of contaminated blood or blood products, invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment and for hepatitis B transmission from mother to baby at birth, from family member to child, and also by sexual contact. Acute infection may occur with limited or no symptoms, or may include symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Q: What are the different hepatitis viruses? A: Scientists have identified 5 unique hepatitis viruses, identified by the letters A, B, C, D, and E. While all cause liver disease, they vary in important ways. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is present in the faeces of infected persons and is most often transmitted through consumption of contaminated water or food. Certain sex practices can also spread HAV. Infections are in many cases mild, with most people making a full recovery and remaining immune from further HAV infections. However, HAV infections can also be severe and life threatening. Most people in areas of the world with poor sanitation have been infected with this virus. Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent HAV. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is transmitted through exposure to infective blood, semen, and other body fluids. HBV can be transmitted from infected mothers to infants at the time of birth or from family member to infant in early childhood. Transmission may also occur through transfusions of HBV-contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use. HBV also poses a risk to healthcare workers who sustain accidental needle stick injuries while caring for infected-HBV patients. Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent HBV. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. This may happen through transfusions of HCV-contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common. There is no vaccine for HCV. Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infections occur only in those who are infected with HBV. The dual infection of HDV and HBV can result in a more serious disease and worse outcome. Hepatitis B vaccines provide protection from HDV infection. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is mostly transmitted through consumption of contaminated water or food. HEV is a common cause of hepatitis outbreaks in developing parts of the world and is increasingly recognized as an important cause of disease in developed countries. Safe and effective vaccines to prevent HEV infection have been developed but are not widely available."



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PHL Situation: AFP calls on the public to observe the concept of “shared responsibility” in security

"Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr. said the public has to remain alert, and vigilant of their surroundings to ensure their safety.

“Upon seeing suspicious individuals or things, they should immediately report these to authorities,”  Padilla said.

He explained the monitoring of security is not just the job of the uniformed personnel but of everyone as well.

Through this, the military official said, the safety of the community can be ascertained.

“Again we call on everyone to unite against this common threat on terrorism because if we work together we can secure and keep our community safe from all kinds of threats,” he said.

He added that it is better to remain prepared even if there’s no threat monitored yet in major cities across the country.

“But then again as I mentioned the threats never stops there will always be threat coming from anywhere, anytime of the day, anytime of the week and hence the issue here is readiness,” said Padilla.

The general explained that with continuous cooperation of the public to authorities, lawless elements will be deterred from committing crimes. – Lea Ylagan | UNTV News & Rescue

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'via Blog this'AFP calls on the public to observe the concept of “shared responsibility” in security:

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) meet to tackle arsenic in rice, pesticide residues

United Nations News Centre - UN food standards body kicks off session by tackling arsenic in rice, pesticide residues: "The Codex Alimentarius Commission, charged with protecting consumer health and ensuring fair practices in the food trade, is meeting in Geneva from 17 to 22 July 2017. Standards-setting for food is a joint initiative of two UN agencies – the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

At today’s session, the Commission set maximum residue limits for medicines Ivermectin, which is used to kill parasites in tissues from cattle; Lasalocid sodium, which is used for a similar purpose in tissues from chicken, turkey, quail and pheasant; and insecticide Teflubenzuron used in salmon.

The Commission also adopted revisions to its risk-based Code of Hygienic Practice for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables to provide detailed guidance to stakeholders along fresh fruit and vegetable value chains – from producers through to final consumers.

The aim is to minimize microbial hazards, avoid risks to health, and maximize the safety of these nutritious food products, which are also of major economic importance for many countries in global trade.

The Commission also adopted the Nutrient Reference Values for vitamins D and E to be used for nutrient content labelling that would help consumers make informed choices to support healthy diets.

On spices and culinary herbs, the Commission adopted commodity standards, such as tolerances for defects, permitted levels of food additives and labelling, for cumin, dried thyme and pepper, which are among the world’s most widely used seasonings."



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WELLNESS IN ENVIRONMENT: Pililla windmill farm among selected venues for celebration of ASEAN’s 50th anniversary

 "RIZAL, Philippines — Alongside the Philippines’ chairmanship of the ASEAN Summit is the celebration of ASEAN’s 50th founding anniversary.

For this, various activities will be held in different parts of the country for the celebration.

One of the activities will be held at the windmill farm in the town of Pililla, Rizal.

The town of Pililla is preparing special and memorable activities for the participants of the ASEAN founding anniversary celebration.

“So we’re planning activity here at the wind farm, and we’re going to try to light up some of the turbines in the ASEAN colors of red, blue and yellow. It will be done at 7:00 pm,” said Pililla tourism office OIC Jojo Masinsin.

The windmill farm in Pililla is a private electricity producing farm that supplies electricity to over 60,000 households in many parts of Luzon.

There are 27 wind turbines that stand on a hill overlooking Laguna de Bay.

said this is a chance to show the world the beauty of Pililla despite being a small town.

“This wind farm is operated by the private corporation Altenergy Wind One Corporation. But even though they’re a private corporation they help promote tourism for us. They’re very generous in allowing us to use their place for the tourists,” Masinsin said. — Mirasol Abogadil | UNTV News & Rescue

 

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'via Blog this'Pililla windmill farm among selected venues for celebration of ASEAN’s 50th anniversary:

WHO Update: Investing in health targets within the Sustainable Development Goals could prevent 97 million premature deaths globally between now and 2030, and add as much as 8.4 years of life expectancy reports the new publication, "The SDG Health Price Tag

"World Health Organization estimates cost of reaching global health targets by 2030

News release

17 JULY 2017 | GENEVA - The SDG Health Price Tag, published today in The Lancet Global Health, estimates the costs and benefits of progressively expanding health services in order to reach 16 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) health targets in 67 low- and middle-income countries that account for 75% of the world’s population.

The analysis shows that investments to expand services towards universal health coverage and the other SDG health targets could prevent 97 million premature deaths globally between now and 2030, and add as much as 8.4 years of life expectancy in some countries. While most countries can afford the investments needed, the poorest nations will need assistance to reach the targets.

"Universal health coverage is ultimately a political choice. It is the responsibility of every country and national government to pursue it," Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, wrote in a commentary accompanying the paper in The Lancet Global Health.

The SDG Health Price Tag models two scenarios: an “ambitious” scenario in which investments are sufficient for countries to attain the health targets in the SDGs by 2030, and a “progress” scenario in which countries get two thirds or more of the way to the targets.

In both scenarios, health systems investments such as employing more health workers; building and operating new clinics, hospitals and laboratories; and buying medical equipment account for about 75% of the total. The remaining costs are for medicines, vaccines, syringes and other commodities used to prevent or treat specific diseases, and for activities such as training, health campaigns and outreach to vulnerable communities.

Under the "ambitious" scenario, achieving the SDG health targets would require new investments increasing over time from an initial US$ 134 billion annually to $371 billion, or $58 per person, by 2030.

The analysis shows that 85% of these costs can be met with domestic resources, although as many as 32 of the world’s poorest countries will face an annual gap of up to US$ 54 billion and will continue to need external assistance. High-income countries were not included in the analysis but other estimates show they can all afford to provide universal health coverage with essential health services to their citizens.

The ambitious scenario includes adding more than 23 million health workers, and building more than 415 000 new health facilities, 91% of which would be primary health care centres.

These investments would boost health spending as a proportion of gross domestic product across all 67 countries from an average of 5.6% to 7.5%. The global average for health spending as a proportion of GDP is 9.9%. Although higher spending does not necessarily translate to improved health, making the right investments at the right time can.

The investments could prevent 97 million premature deaths – one every five seconds over 15 years – including more than 50 million infants and children who are either stillborn or die before their fifth birthday, and 20 million deaths from non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Life expectancy would increase by between 3.1 and 8.4 years, and 535 million years of healthy living would be added across the 67 countries.

The "progress" scenario would require new investments increasing from an initial US$ 104 billion a year to $274 billion, or $41 per person, by 2030. These investments would prevent about 71 million premature deaths and boost health spending as a proportion of GDP to an average of 6.5%. More than 14 million new health workers would be added, and nearly 378 000 new health facilities built, 93% of which would be primary health care centres.

The analysis includes targets in Sustainable Development Goal 3 (health and well-being) as well as targets from Goal 2 (zero hunger), Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation) and Goal 7 (affordable and clean energy). Some targets and diseases were excluded because of the difficulty of estimating their associated costs and health impact, or a lack of robust data.

The SDG Health Price Tag does not prescribe what countries should spend on health, but is intended as a tool to inform further research. It also highlights that achieving universal health coverage and the other health targets requires not only funding but political will and respect for human rights.

WHO plans to update the estimates every five years and will include other health-related targets and diseases as more evidence becomes available.

Note to editors

The Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by the Member States of the United Nations in 2015 as the world’s to-do list for the next 15 years. They comprise 17 ambitious, interlinked goals and 169 targets for a healthier, safer and fairer world by 2030. While the SDGs are for all countries, the SDG Health Price Tag focused on 67 low- and middle-income countries that face the greatest challenges in terms of expanding health services.

The SDG Health Price Tag updates WHO estimates published in 2009 of the resources needed to strengthen health service delivery in low-income countries to reach the Millennium Development Goals.

For more information, please contact:

Simeon Bennett
Communications Officer
Telephone: +41 22 791 4621
Mobile: +41 79 472 7429
Email: simeonb@who.int

Christian Lindmeier
Communications Officer
Telephone : +41 22 791 1948
Mobile: +41 79 500 6552
E-mail: lindmeierch@who.int"

SDG Health Price Tag: Cost of reaching global health targets by 2030

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WHO Update: Environmental risk factors – including air, water and soil pollution; chemical exposures; ultraviolet radiation; and climate change – contribute to more than 100 different diseases and injuries. Climate change and variations particularly impact many aspects of life that are inextricably linked to health

WHO estimates that 12.6 million people die each year as a result of living or working in an unhealthy environment, contributing to nearly one-quarter of deaths globally. Similarly, a WHO assessment concluded that climate change is expected to cause approximately 250 000 additional deaths per year between 2030 and 2050. The health impacts of climate and environmental change are and will continue to be disproportionately greater among vulnerable populations.

Renewed global commitment

Fortunately, there is renewed global commitment to tackle climate change and implement the Paris Agreement, adopted at the UN Climate Change Conference in December 2015.

Opportunities exist not only to tackle environmental health risk factors, including air safety, food security and water and sanitation, but also to transform the development of health care delivery systems by using low-carbon, more environmentally-friendly approaches. For example, access to health care can be made more reliable in resource-constrained settings through renewable energy sources that can supply power for lifesaving procedures that might not otherwise be possible. This could be game changing for people who rely on the between 200,000 and 400,000 hospitals and health clinics in developing countries that lack or have unreliable electricity supplies.

Source: World Health Organization