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Zawya
9 hours ago
- Zawya
Uganda Strengthens Emergency Response Capacity Through African Volunteers Health Corps (AVoHC) - Strengthening and Utilizing Response Groups for Emergencies (SURGE) Training
With support from the Foreign, Commonwealth&Development Office (FCDO), the World Health Organization (WHO) is collaborating with the Government of Uganda to train 78 multidisciplinary One Health responders under the Strengthening and Utilizing Response Groups for Emergencies (SURGE) flagship programme. The AVoHC-SURGE training, a cornerstone of WHO's Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) strategy, is designed and led by WHO to equip countries with skilled, coordinated teams capable of deploying rapidly during health emergencies. In Uganda, WHO has convened and facilitated a diverse group of participants from multiple sectors, including health, agriculture, internal affairs, animal and fisheries industries, and the Uganda Defence Forces, reflecting the One Health approach to managing threats at the human–animal–environment interface. 'This training equips Uganda with the human capacity to respond quickly and decisively when emergencies occur. I commend the Ministry of Health for its leadership and commitment to strengthening emergency readiness,' said Dr Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Representative to Uganda. Through WHO's technical guidance, the training immerses participants in intensive sessions covering outbreak investigation, risk assessment, coordination, Gender based violence and Prevention and response of sexual exploitation, abuse and Harassment and rapid deployment operations. Practical simulations and scenario-based exercises replicate the realities of emergency response, ensuring participants are ready for coordinated action in the field. For many participants, the experience is transformative: 'I am honoured to attend the AVoHC-SURGE training by WHO Uganda. I gained critical skills in rapid response, coordination, and outbreak investigation, which empowers me to protect lives and build stronger, safer communities,' shared Dr Andama Adinani, one of the participants from the district local government. Others echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing how WHO's training builds technical capacity and strengthens networks across ministries and disciplines; connections that are critical to a cohesive national response when emergencies strike. The inclusion of responders from multiple ministries underscores the Government of Uganda's commitment to a multisectoral approach, supported by WHO's technical expertise. Emergencies such as Ebola, Marburg, cholera, and zoonotic diseases require coordination between human health, animal health, and environmental sectors. By strengthening this integrated response capacity, Uganda, through WHO's SURGE programme is better prepared to contain outbreaks before they escalate. 'Preparedness is an investment in the future. Every skill gained here, every relationship built across ministries, will help us act faster, smarter, and more effectively to protect Ugandans,' Lubwama Benard, Deputy Incident Commander, Ministry of Health. The AvoHC-SURGE initiative, supported by FCDO and implemented by WHO across Africa, has been rolled out in several countries. So far 27 out of the 30 countries have completed their trainings and the details of the trained teams have been uploaded in the responders database. As health threats grow increasingly complex, WHO's continued support to Uganda in strengthening its national response capacity offers a model for other countries in the region. With a trained cadre of 78 multidisciplinary responders ready for deployment, the country is poised to respond to public health emergencies with speed, precision, and confidence. Designed for impact, this training represents a best preparedness and readiness practice model to improve capacity to manage emergencies, disasters and other climate related emergencies on the African content. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization - Uganda.
Zawya
16 hours ago
- Zawya
Johnson & Johnson launches The 3rd Opinion in Asia Pacific: a new term to elevate the patient voice in the lung cancer treatment journey
Newly published research shows up to 77% of patients in Asia Pacific trust and rely on their physicians to decide their treatment for them despite 69% of physicians encouraging patients to engage in shared decision making 1. A new term, coined The 3rd Opinion, is designed to spark a social movement that empowers patients to recognize their vital role in shared decision-making, in a region that is disproportionately impacted by lung cancer 2. SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 1 August 2025 - Today, on World Lung Cancer Day, Johnson & Johnson announced the launch of The 3 rd Opinion, the patient's own opinion, a new term that seeks to elevate the patient voice and transform the treatment journey of lung cancer across Asia Pacific by enhancing shared decision making. With significant scientific advancements and more lung cancer treatments becoming available, it is essential for patients to understand their options and actively engage in their care. Johnson & Johnson seeks to empower patients, amplify their voices and ensure that collaborative care becomes a reality for every patient. According to newly published data on NSCLC patient preferences in Future Oncology, up to 77% of patients in Asia Pacific trust and rely on their physicians to decide their treatment for them despite 69% of physicians encouraging patients to engage in shared decision making [1]. Cultural norms around stigma, not questioning authority, and limited understanding of the disease can often be major barriers causing patients not to voice concerns or ask questions, even when healthcare professionals actively encourage their input. "Being diagnosed with lung cancer is overwhelming. It's natural for patients to seek clarity, often by pursuing a second opinion, to better understand their condition and treatment options. However, patients often hesitate to express their concerns and treatment goals, causing them to be overlooked in the decision-making process. By creating space for the patient's own opinion, The 3 rd Opinion, creates a new way of thinking about lung cancer treatment and empowers patients to find their voice," said Anthony Elgamal, Vice President of Oncology, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Asia Pacific. Lung cancer has the highest incidence and mortality rate of all cancers worldwide, with more than 2.5 million people diagnosed every year, and Asia makes up 63% of all patients [2]. Up to 85% of lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and Asians are more prone to certain genetic mutations than the rest of the world. One of the most prevalent is a mutation known as EGFR where 30-40% of all NSCLC diagnoses are in Asia, compared to 10-15% in the United States and Europe [3][4][5]. Often being diagnosed at a late stage, less than 20% of people with these genetic mutations survive beyond five years [6], and up to 40% never get the chance to receive a subsequent therapy after first-line treatment. [7][8][9] "With the disproportionately high prevalence of certain NSCLC mutations in Asia Pacific, we need to think differently about how we treat patients and what more we can achieve with the first treatment. Treatment options have become increasingly complex and clinical decision making should comprehensively consider disease characteristics, patient treatment goals and values, and aim for an individualized balance between survival, longer lasting disease control and side effects. When shared decision making includes all available options, the final decision can be made collaboratively," said Prof James Chih-Hsin Yang, Director of National Taiwan University Cancer Center and key advocate for The 3 rd Opinion initiative. Mark Brooke, Chief Executive Officer of Lung Foundation Australia, co-author of the Future Oncology publication and an advocate of The 3 rd Opinion agreed, "The physician and patient dynamic is one of trust, but we cannot rely on that alone. The consequence is a potential disconnect between the patient and their healthcare professional around treatment preferences and personal goals. For patients, they often want more time above all else - to witness life's milestones, more moments with loved ones, and more opportunities to simply live. Patients need to be equipped with adequate disease and treatment information, so they can communicate what matters most to them". The 3rd Opinion will be launched across multiple markets with educational resources, including a Lung Cancer Book of Answers in China, a patient empowerment video and various shared decision making tools across Asia Pacific to spark a social movement that encourages patients to confidently articulate their personal goals for treatment. The creation of a neologism, like The 3 rd Opinion, ensures shared decision making becomes accepted into clinical practice and in turn fosters an environment where the doctor's expertise and the patient goals come together to design the best treatment plan. [1] Chee Khoon Lee et al. Navigating advanced lung cancer care, patient–physician alliance, cancer stigma, and psychosocial support in Asia-Pacific: perspectives from patients, caregivers, and physicians. DOI: 10.1080/14796694.2025.2499511 [2] Natia Jokhadze MD, Arunangshu Das MBBS, Don S. Dizon MD. Global cancer statistics 2022: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. Volume 74Issue 3CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians pages: 224-226 First Published online: April 4, 2024 [3] Keedy VL, et al. American Society of Clinical Oncology Provisional Clinical Opinion: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Mutation Testing for Patients with Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Considering First-Line EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2011; 29(15): 2121-2127. [4] Ellison G, et al. EGFR Mutation Testing in Lung Cancer: a Review of Available Methods and Their Use for Analysis of Tumour Tissue and Cytology Samples. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2013; 66(2): 79-89. [5] Korpanty G, et al. Biomarkers That Currently Affect Clinical Practice in Lung Cancer: EGFR, ALK, MET, ROS-1, and KRAS. Frontiers in Oncology. 2014; 4: 204. [6] Bazhenova L, Minchom A, Viteri S, et al. Comparative clinical outcomes for patients with advanced NSCLC harboring EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations and common EGFR mutations. Lung Cancer. 2021;162:154-161. [7] Nieva J, Karia PS, Okhuoya P, et al. A real-world (rw) observational study of long-term survival (LTS) and treatment patterns after first-line (1L) osimertinib in patients (pts) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive (m) advanced non-small cell lung cancer [ESMO abstract 1344P]. Ann Oncol. 2023;34(suppl 2):S774 [8] Lee JY, Mai V, Garcia M, et al. Treatment patterns and outcomes of first-line osimertinib-treated advanced EGFR mutated NSCLC patients: a real-world study [IASLC abstract EP08.02-082]. Presented at: IASLC 2022 World Lung Conference on Lung Cancer; August 6-9, 2022; Vienna, Austria. [9] Girard N, Leighl NB, Ohe Y, et al. Mortality among EGFR-mutated advanced NSCLC patients after starting frontline osimertinib treatment: a real-world, US attrition analysis. Presented at: the European Lung Cancer Congress; March 29-April 1, 2023; Copenhagen, Denmark. Poster 19P. Hashtag: #Johnson&Johnson The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About The 3rd Opinion "The 3 rd Opinion", the patients own opinion, is a new term that sparks a social movement in the lung cancer treatment journey – designed to elevate the patient voice and empower individuals to take an active role in shaping their treatment plan. By prioritizing shared decision-making between patients and healthcare professionals, this collaborative approach ensures that treatment choices are aligned to each patient's goals, preferences and circumstances. This results in more informed decisions, greater patient satisfaction, and the best possible outcomes. About Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Worldwide, lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, with NSCLC making up 80 to 85 percent of all lung cancer cases. [10], [11] The main subtypes of NSCLC are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. [12] Among the most common driver mutations in NSCLC are alterations in EGFR, which is a receptor tyrosine kinase controlling cell growth and division. [13] EGFR mutations are present in 10 to 15 percent of Western patients with NSCLC with adenocarcinoma histology and occur in 40 to 50 percent of Asian patients. [14], [15],[16],[17],[18],[19] EGFR ex19del or EGFR L858R mutations are the most common EGFR mutations. [20] The five-year survival rate for all people with advanced NSCLC and EGFR mutations treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is less than 20 percent. [21], [22] EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations are the third most prevalent activating EGFR mutation. [23] Patients with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations have a real-world five-year overall survival (OS) of eight percent in the frontline setting, which is worse than patients with EGFR ex19del or L858R mutations, who have a real-world five-year OS of 19 percent. [24] By comparison, other common cancers, such as breast and prostate cancer have a 5-year real world OS of 90% and 97% respectively [25]. [10]The World Health Organization. Cancer. Accessed March 2025. [11] American Cancer Society. What is Lung Cancer? Accessed March 2025. [12] Oxnard JR, et al. Natural history and molecular characteristics of lung cancers harboring EGFR exon 20 insertions. J Thorac Oncol. 2013 Feb;8(2):179-84. doi: 10.1097/JTO.0b013e3182779d18. [13] Bauml JM, et al. Underdiagnosis of EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Mutation Variants: Estimates from NGS-based Real World Datasets. Abstract presented at: World Conference on Lung Cancer Annual Meeting; January 29, 2021; Singapore. [14] The World Health Organization. Cancer. Accessed March 2025. [15] American Cancer Society. What is Lung Cancer? Accessed March 2025. [16] Pennell NA, et al. A phase II trial of adjuvant erlotinib in patients with resected epidermal growth factor receptor-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. J Clin Oncol. 37:97-104. [17] Burnett H, et al. Epidemiological and clinical burden of EGFR exon 20 insertion in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic literature review. Abstract presented at: World Conference on Lung Cancer Annual Meeting; January 29, 2021; Singapore. [18] Zhang YL, et al. The prevalence of EGFR mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Oncotarget. 2016;7(48):78985-78993. [19] Midha A, et al. EGFR mutation incidence in non-small-cell lung cancer of adenocarcinoma histology: a systematic review and global map by ethnicity. Am J Cancer Res. 2015;5(9):2892-2911. [20] American Lung Association. EGFR and Lung Cancer. Accessed March 2025. [21] Howlader N, et al. SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2016, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, based on November 2018 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site. [22] Lin JJ, et al. Five-Year Survival in EGFR-Mutant Metastatic Lung Adenocarcinoma Treated with EGFR-TKIs. J Thorac Oncol. 2016 Apr;11(4):556-65 [23] Arcila, M. et al. EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations in lung adenocarcinomas: prevalence, molecular heterogeneity, and clinicopathologic characteristics. Mol Cancer Ther. 2013 Feb; 12(2):220-9. [24] Girard N, et al. Comparative clinical outcomes for patients with NSCLC harboring EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations and common EGFR mutations. Abstract presented at: World Conference on Lung Cancer Annual Meeting; January 29, 2021; Singapore. [25] Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, National Cancer Institute, 2024. About Johnson & Johnson At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at or at Follow us at @JNJInnovMed. Johnson & Johnson International (Singapore)
Zawya
a day ago
- 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.
