Latest news with #Burundi
BBC News
20 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Health Check Do you really have a penicillin allergy?
Penicillin is the go-to antibiotic for many common infections - but in the UK more than 1-in-15 adults have a penicillin allergy label on their medical record. New research suggests that many with these labels are not actually allergic. Professor Sue Pavitt explains how more accurate allergy labelling might help fight the rise of antimicrobial resistance. Both Burundi and Senegal announced last week that they had eliminated trachoma. Dr Graham Easton walks us through the long road to this milestone. A passionate debate has caused division in Maharashtra, India, over the possibility of homeopaths being allowed to practice and prescribe conventional medicine. Reporter Chhavi Sachdev explains why doctors on both sides are striking. In the UK, eight babies made with the combined genetic material of three people have been born without the hereditary mitochondrial disease. We explore the implications of this breakthrough. Sex at birth might not be as random as we once thought; a new study found that families with three children of the same sex are more likely to have another child of the same sex. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Hannah Robins Assistant Producer: Alice McKee Studio Managers: Dyfan Rose and Andrew Garrett
Zawya
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
African Union Chairperson appoints H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, as his Special Envoy for the Sahel region
The Chairperson of the African Union, H.E. João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, is pleased to announce the appointment of H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi and African Union Champion for Youth, Peace and Security, as his Special Envoy for the Sahel region. The Chairperson of the African Union is most grateful to H.E President Évariste Ndayishimiye for accepting this strategic political assignment in the collective interest of the Union. President Ndayishimiye will spearhead the renewed African Union's high level diplomatic support and collaborative efforts aimed at addressing the prevailing security and humanitarian challenges in the Sahel. The Special Envoy's mandate covers intensifying engagements with the governmental authorities, opinion leaders, regional actors and organizations, civil society and all relevant stakeholders to foster dialogue, build consensus, and promote comprehensive strategies towards durable peace and stability within the Sahel region. President Ndayishimiye brings with him very rich political experience, and impeccable credentials of resolute commitment to Pan-Africanism, regional integration and cooperation. The appointment reflects the African Union's steadfast commitment to supporting peacebuilding and regional cooperation in one of Africa's most critical regions. The Chairperson of the African Union has expressed full confidence in President Ndayishimiye's ability to advance the Union's vision through his distinguished leadership and deep understanding of the continent's complex dynamics. In effect, this appointment is to foster the African Union's drive to permanently silence the guns and promote peace, security, stability, and political dialogue in the Sahel region. The Chairperson of the African Union therefore calls on the AU Commission, the AU Mission in the Sahel (MISAHEL); all stakeholders and the international community to extend support to the Special Envoy, who is expected to immediately commence his engagements in the region. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).
The Herald
14-07-2025
- The Herald
Heroin and tik worth about R54m seized at Cape Town home
A police raid that uncovered 6kg of heroin in a bedroom cupboard turned into a major drug bust when officers found more than 150kg of narcotics stashed in the roof of a house in Goodwood, Cape Town. Police received information and descended on the property in Molteno Street on Sunday. 'During the search members discovered and seized 6kg of heroin found in a cupboard in one room. The occupant of the room, a 32 year-old Tanzanian national, was arrested and charged for dealing in heroin with an estimated street value of almost R1m,' said police spokesperson Lt Col Malcolm Pojie. Another 100g of heroin, worth about R16,000, was found in a second bedroom, leading to the arrest of a 28-year-old Burundi national. 'While processing the suspects, the members received information about more drugs hidden at the residence. The members expanded the search, leading to the discovery of 145kg of tik and 16kg of heroin in the roof . The estimated street value is R53.3m, bringing the total value of the discovery to R54.3m,' said Pojie. The suspects are due to appear in the Goodwood magistrate's court on Tuesday. TimesLIVE
Zawya
11-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Burundi eliminates trachoma as a public health problem
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Burundi as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, making it the eighth country in WHO's African Region to reach this important milestone. Trachoma is also the first neglected tropical disease (NTD) to be eliminated in the country. 'Eliminating a disease like trachoma is a major public health achievement that requires sustained effort and dedication,' said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. 'I congratulate the government and the people of Burundi and commend them for their hard work and commitment. It is great to see Burundi join the growing group of countries that have eliminated at least one NTD'. Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through personal contact, contaminated surfaces and by flies that have been in contact with eye or nose discharge. Repeated infections can lead to scarring, in-turning of the eyelids, and ultimately blindness. Globally, the disease remains endemic in many vulnerable communities where access to clean water and sanitation is limited. 'This validation marks a major milestone in our commitment to health equity', said Dr Lydwine Baradahana, Minister of Public Health and the Fight Against AIDS, Burundi. 'It is a collective victory made possible by nearly 20 years of national mobilization and international solidarity. I thank all the partners, community actors and institutions in Burundi and beyond who made this historic achievement possible'. Burundi's progress Before 2007, with no reported cases or epidemiological studies, the extent of trachoma endemicity in Burundi was largely unknown. That year, the country launched an initiative to tackle NTDs, which included integrated mapping of soil-transmitted helminthiases, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis and trachoma. Following the mapping, the Ministry of Public Health and the Fight Against AIDS conducted further investigations. Baseline surveys carried out in 2009–2010 confirmed that trachoma was endemic in parts of the country. This prompted introduction of interventions based on the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy for 2.5 million people who needed them across 12 health districts. Burundi's trachoma elimination programme was supported technically and financially by CBM Christoffel Blindenmission, the END Fund, Geneva Global and WHO. The International Trachoma Initiative at the Task Force for Global Health donated azithromycin (Zithromax, Pfizer, New York NY, USA). WHO continues to support support the country's health authorities to monitor communities in which trachoma was previously endemic to ensure there is no resurgence of the disease. This achievement reflects the government's resolve to protect its most vulnerable populations. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Public Health and the Fight Against AIDS, and with the dedication of community health workers, support from key partners, and WHO's technical guidance, this success was made possible' said Dr Xavier Crespin, WHO Representative in Burundi. 'This win inspires us to press forward with the same determination to eliminate all remaining neglected tropical diseases.' Disease prevalence Trachoma remains a public health problem in 32 countries with an estimated 103 million people living in areas requiring interventions against the disease. Trachoma is found mainly in the poorest and most rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, the Western Pacific and the Middle East. The African Region is disproportionately affected by trachoma with 93 million people living in at-risk areas in April 2024, representing 90% of the global trachoma burden. Significant progress has been made in the fight against trachoma over the past few years and the number of people requiring antibiotic treatment for trachoma in the African Region fell by 96 million from 189 million in 2014 to 93 million as of April 2024, representing a 51% reduction. There are currently 20 countries in WHO's African Region that are known to require intervention for trachoma elimination. These include: Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The seven countries in the region previously validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem are Benin, Gambia, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania and Togo. A further 4 countries in the WHO African Region (Botswana, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia and Senegal) claim to have achieved the prevalence targets for elimination. Global progress With today's announcement, a total of 57 countries have now eliminated at least one NTD. Of these, 24— (including Burundi)—have successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Other countries that have reached this milestone include Benin, Cambodia, China, Gambia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Ghana, India, Iraq, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Togo, Vanuatu and Viet Nam. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO).
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
World Bank Group Appoints New Country Manager for Burundi
Mr. Babacar Sedikh Faye has been appointed as the World Bank Group (WBG) Country Manager for Burundi, effective July 1, 2025. His appointment is part of a global initiative by the World Bank Group aimed at unifying and strengthening its representation at the country level. Mr. Faye will be responsible for the operations of all the institutions in Burundi, including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). " It is an honor to represent the World Bank Group in Burundi and to continue strengthening our partnership with the country. The World Bank Group's interventions have seen significant growth and notable impact in recent years. Our goal is to continue this growth, with more efficiency and innovation, to better support the country in its efforts to improve the living conditions of Burundians and reduce inequalities," said Babacar Sedikh Faye, World Bank Group Country Manager for Burundi. Mr. Faye arrives at a time when the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) is being prepared with Burundi for the next six years. The new CPF is the strategic framework that allows the WBG to better align its interventions with Burundi's development priorities. " The CPF is an opportunity for the World Bank Group to better integrate the interventions of all its institutions to support the government in achieving the ambitions defined in its plan titled 'Vision Burundi: Emerging Country by 2040 and Developed Country by 2060'. The WBG is also convinced that this will require sustained support for the emergence of a dynamic private sector that drives inclusive and sustainable growth," noted Mr. Faye. A Senegalese national, Mr. Faye joined the World Bank Group in 2006 as a legal advisor, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. He has since worked in a dozen countries and held various positions of responsibility within the IFC, which focuses on the private sector in emerging countries. Mr. Faye has notably been the Resident Representative of the IFC in Nepal, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.
