Latest news with #childhealth
Khaleej Times
18 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE, WHO launch joint effort to cut child mortality from malnutrition by 20% in Yemen
The UAE and the World Health Organisation launched a joint initiative to reduce mortality rate caused by poor health and malnutrition among children in Yemen by 20 per cent. The global body said on Sunday that the project aims to enhance maternal and child health services — targeting 80 per cent across health facilities within the next 24 months. The initiative is led by the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Work, and in close coordination with Yemen's Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP). The focus of the programme is Socotra, a Yemeni island in the Indian Ocean, where malnutrition and disease outbreaks continue to pose a serious threat. Socotra is grappling with severe food insecurity and repeated outbreaks of cholera, measles, and dengue fever. The island's under-resourced health and nutrition services leave children under five, along with pregnant and lactating women, at especially high risk of preventable diseases and death. With a population of over 83,000, Socotra is served by just 32 strained health facilities. It currently lacks essential infrastructure such as a central public health laboratory, a functional drug warehouse, and a system for pre-positioning medical supplies — all critical for timely emergency response and sustainable healthcare delivery. The healthcare system faces chronic shortages of skilled personnel, essential medicines, and emergency preparedness mechanisms. Maternal health indicators are particularly concerning: over 92 per cent of pregnant women suffer from anaemia, and antenatal care remains minimal. Additionally, nearly 37 per cent of children have not received any vaccinations. Malnutrition levels are also alarming, with the global acute malnutrition (GAM) rate at 10.9 per cent and the severe acute malnutrition (SAM) rate at 1.6 per cent — figures that reflect a serious public health emergency. As part of the programme, WHO and the UAE will focus on enhancing epidemic preparedness and disaster risk reduction. This includes equipping healthcare facilities, training staff to better respond to disease outbreaks and cyclone-related emergencies, and creating a multisectoral coordination platform. Quarterly strategic planning meetings will bring together WHO, UAE, MoPHP, and other partners to ensure ongoing collaboration and effective implementation. 'We are determined to effectively address food and health challenges faced by women and children in Socotra, in collaboration with the WHO,' said Mohamed Haji Al Khouri, director-general of the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Work. Al Khouri explained that the Khalifa Foundation, an affiliate of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, would work with the WHO to develop appropriate solutions to nutritional and health challenges using a new survey based on current data. 'The joint initiative aims to reduce maternal and child mortality caused by malnutrition through a comprehensive plan of action. This will enhance maternal, infant, and child care services, and improve emergency preparedness and response to epidemics,' he added.' 'This programme reflects a joint commitment by WHO and the UAE to improving the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly mothers and children, while reinforcing healthcare systems in crisis-affected areas," said Dr Ferima Coulibaly-Zerbo, acting representative of WHO in Yemen. "We are working to create more resilient, equitable, and responsive health services for the people of Socotra, establishing a foundation for long-term health security on the island and contributing to a stronger and healthier Yemen,' she added.
The Guardian
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Momentum to revive Sure Start is long overdue – it's been a lifeline for my son and me
Child health clinics, breastfeeding support, groups for new parents, sleep and weaning workshops, speech and language therapy, drop-in physio sessions, parenting courses in child development and mental health, stay and play sessions (including specifically for dads and male carers), music therapy classes, support groups for women and children who have suffered domestic violence, a housing clinic, groups for children with Send and cookery courses. These are just some of the services available to parents in the borough where I live: Islington, in north London. They exist under the banner of Bright Start, a clever – and I suspect slightly sneaky – rebranding of Sure Start. Sure Start was the Blair government's leading early years policy, offering area-based holistic support to families with children under five in England (it was Flying Start in Wales and Best Start in Scotland). But since 2010, as a direct result of Tory austerity, 1,416 Sure Start centres in England have closed. Now that the child poverty taskforce is to recommend to the Labour government a return of the scheme, I thought that it was worth examining what it's like to live in an area that kept it. I didn't realise that Islington had retained Sure Start until I took my baby to be weighed at the local children's centre after the necessity for home visits ceased. There it was, next to the reception desk: a sign reading 'Sure Start', evidence of what had once been a dedicated service for families not just here, but throughout England. Children's centres offered all kinds of services like the ones listed above, and they also provided childcare to working parents, those in need and those entitled to the free government hours. In Islington, they still do. Of the three closest to where I live, two are rated 'outstanding' and one is 'good'. Childcare is in high demand in Islington, and childcare places aren't allocated on the basis of a waiting list but on a complex calculation based on proximity, the age balance of the existing children in the room and staffing ratios. Priority childcare places exist for those who need them most: looked-after children, children whose families are homeless, children whose parents suffer from mental health problems, children with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. Health visitors and other professionals can refer these children to a panel for consideration. It's one way in which the Bright Start services fulfil their remit of helping the most vulnerable families in the borough, an ethos that underpinned the very reason for Sure Start's existence. I owe so much of my experience of early parenthood to Bright Start. As someone whose family does not live close, feeling part of a community has been vital to my wellbeing and to my son's. Like many others, we do not own our flat and we live in an area where we are increasingly surrounded by millionaires (Islington has lots of very rich people in it, but also shocking levels of child poverty). That feeling of community becomes even more important in such a divided borough. Just knowing that there are people there who can help when things get tough means so much. In the three years since I had my son, we have accessed various forms of support, from health visitor advice to sleep and weaning workshops, not to mention some of the best therapy I have ever had. I highlight these things not to boast, but because it's important to emphasise the postcode lottery of parenthood that exists in the UK. Were I a parent living in a borough without these services, I expect I would feel angry reading about the support that exists elsewhere, because everyone should have access to them. Many local authorities do their best and charities try to plug the gaps, but there is no replacement for fully integrated early years services. The Institute for Fiscal Studies recently found that the positive impacts of Sure Start were widespread and 'remarkably long-lasting', producing better health, education and social care outcomes for families who enrolled in the programme. It may sound obvious, but when services are integrated, they communicate better with one another. Referral pathways are more straightforward; professionals understand the systems they are working in and are able to signpost other services that might help specific children and their families, such as benefits and housing advice. If a child has a nursery place and needs an education, health and care plan for when they start school, the parents do not have to apply for this themselves. Supporting and safeguarding those who are vulnerable is less challenging because, with a proper safety net around them, people are less likely to drop off the map, or to feel that no one is looking out for them. Seeing how these services operate first-hand and benefiting from some of them has been, quite simply, amazing. That's not to say the system is perfect: there are funding pressures and high demand, and gaps in services (to cite one example, Bright Start speech therapists don't work with neurodivergent children, who are on a different pathway. As a result those children, who arguably need it most, don't get any one-to-one speech therapy). Nevertheless, it should be a blueprint for Labour, which should reinstate the scheme throughout England. Certainly, it will be a challenge. Concerns raised by a government source include fragmentation of services and cost as barriers to reinstating Sure Start. Neither is a convincing argument. Reintegrating fragmented services may be a challenge, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth doing, and the payoff is worth it. IFS analysis has found that Sure Start children's centres in England generated £2 of financial benefits for every £1 spent. We know that supporting the youngest in society from the outset means less pain, less social exclusion and less cost later on. More than that, it is simply the right thing to do. Senior Labour figures should visit one of Islington's children's centres and see for themselves how wonderful they are. Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett is a Guardian columnist
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
U.K. ban on disposable vapes goes into effect
A ban on disposable vapes goes into effect across the U.K. on Sunday in a bid to protect children's health and tackle a 'throwaway' culture. 'For too long, single-use vapes have blighted our streets as litter and hooked our children on nicotine,' junior environment minister Mary Creagh said. She said the government was calling 'time on these nasty devices' -- a type of e-cigarette which are very popular with young people -- and banning sales of single-use vapes or their supply in a crackdown on UK corner shops and supermarkets. Those caught flouting the ban will face a £200 fine (US$269), while repeat offenders risk up to two years in prison. Young people and children in particular have been attracted to cheap and colourful disposable vapes, which have snazzy flavours such as mint, chocolate, mango or watermelon, since they were introduced in the UK in 2021. In 2024, nearly five million disposable vapes were thrown away each week, according to Material Focus, an independent UK-based non-profit. More than 40 tonnes of lithium, a key metal used in the technology industry, was discarded each year along with single-use vapes -- enough to power 5,000 electrical vehicles, the NGO said. Fire services have also warned about the risk of discarded vapes catching light among household rubbish. 'Every vape has potential to start a fire if incorrectly disposed of,' said Justin Greenaway, commercial manager at electronic waste processing company SWEEEP Kuusakoski. The new law, first proposed by the previous Conservative government, also aims to stem a rise in vaping. 'This new law is a step towards reducing vaping among children, while ensuring products are available to support people to quit smoking,' said Caroline Cerny, deputy chief executive for health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). A recent ASH survey said 11 per cent of adults vape, or about 5.6 million people, and 18 percent of 11 to 17 year olds -- about 980,000 under-18s. Among vapers, some 52 percent of young adults aged between 18 to 24 preferred single-use vapes. The long-term health risks of vaping remain unclear. E-cigarettes do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, two of the most harmful elements in tobacco smoke. But they do still contain highly addictive nicotine. The upcoming ban has already led to a fall in disposable vapes. According to ASH, the use of disposables by 18-24-year-old vapers fell from 52 percent in 2024 to 40 percent in 2025. Black market fears The UK ban follows similar European moves. Belgium and France became the first EU countries to ban sales of disposable vapes. Ireland is also preparing to introduce new restrictions. But critics have argued many users will simply switch to refillable or reusable vaping devices, which will limit the impact on nicotine consumption. And industry experts say the ban could lead to more illegal products entering the UK market. The bill 'only makes it illegal to sell disposable vapes -- it does not prohibit their use,' warned Dan Marchant, director of Vape Club, the UK's largest online vape retailer. 'We risk a surge of illegal and potentially dangerous items flooding the black market.'
ABC News
2 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Palestinian children sent back to war-ravaged Gaza after medical treatment in Jordan
Family reunions are normally times of happiness and joy. For Palestinian mother Enas Abu Daqqa, any relief in seeing her children after more than two months away has been tempered with deep anxiety. Earlier this year she was evacuated from Gaza to Jordan along with her baby daughter Niveen, who desperately needed open-heart surgery. "The treatment was excellent, she underwent surgery and the preparation was thorough," Enas told the ABC. "The doctors in Jordan, at a specialised hospital, were highly dedicated." Enas and Niveen left Gaza in March, while a ceasefire was in force. They have returned to an intense bombardment, with the family now living in a tent in "suffocating heat". "We were deeply afraid of returning, coming back to war and fear," Enas said. "We would have preferred not to come back at this time — a ceasefire would have made things easier." Enas also said her daughter, who was born with a hole in her heart, had been sent back to Gaza before her treatment was completed — a claim Jordanian authorities have denied. "I was not able to obtain her medical records, which are essential for continuing her care," she said. "Of course I missed my children, my family, my parents and the ones I love in Gaza — yet … I fear for my daughter. "I am afraid that her health deteriorates — she is not gaining weight, I fear she'll experience heart failure." Niveen was among the first of a planned 2,000 Gazan children to be evacuated from the enclave and taken to Jordan for medical treatment. Now those children have started being sent back to the war-ravaged strip, despite protests from their families. Some parents, such as Enas, also claim their children have been sent back to Gaza before their medical treatment was finished. The ABC first met Enas and Niveen when they were brought into Jordan in early March. It had taken the ambulances a full day's travel cross-country from the European Hospital in southern Gaza before arriving at the King Hussein border crossing in the West Bank. But relief was etched across the young mother's face, despite the arduous journey. Her daughter, then just five months old, was finally getting help. The return trip in mid-May was very different. "The situation was terrifying as we made our way back," she said. "We had to stop constantly along the road, I had no diapers, no milk for her, and not even water to keep her hydrated." Along the way, Enas received distressing news. Her husband and their other children were injured in an attack while waiting for their return to the European Hospital. Then they arrived at the Gaza border and were searched by Israelis, who confiscated personal belongings before letting them cross. The Jordanian government said it was "unfortunately true" that Gazans had been searched. Enas and Niveen were not the only ones sent back into a war zone. Mohammed Qatoush and his nine-year-old son, Abdul, were in the same convoy that returned to Gaza from Jordan in mid-May. Abdul lost a leg in an Israeli air strike and needed a prosthesis fitted by doctors in Jordan. But Mohammed said Abdul's new prosthetic leg was too big for him. "When we fit a prosthetic leg, it's meant to avoid causing any damage to his remaining limb," Mohammed said. "However, this prosthetic is 2 centimetres longer than it should be. "We informed the doctors about the issue, but they gave the excuse that he would grow taller." Mohammed said the doctors insisted the larger prosthetic would last four to five years without needing to be replaced. "This means he's essentially stuck with it for four years, which could lead to additional problems with his hips," he said. "They address one issue, only to create another that will need treatment." Worried about his son's wellbeing, Mohammed sought other medical opinions in Jordan. "I met with Belgian doctors who examined the prosthetic — they informed me that using this particular prosthetic could cause long-term damage to his joint," he said. "We were deceived — instead of allowing us to complete our treatment, they brought us back to Gaza where the European Hospital was bombed. "I am truly grateful to the people of Jordan for their kindness, but the government did not provide any support for our expenses." Mohammed and Abdul's journey back from Jordan was also scarring. Israeli security contractors searched them when they were re-entering Gaza, Mohammed said. "We were freaking out," he said. "My son was under the seat in the bus. "They stopped the Jordanian bus that was taking us — 10 Jeeps surrounded us, they were pointing their guns at us, the children were terrorised." Israel's defense ministry confirmed searches were carried out. "During the security check of Gaza residents returning from medical treatment in Jordan, some individuals were found carrying undeclared cash amounts exceeding normal limits," it said in a statement. "The funds, suspected of being intended for terrorist use within Gaza, are being held while the circumstances are investigated." Jordanian officials said it was made clear to Palestinians being evacuated that they would have to return after completing their medical treatment "to allow Jordan to bring more patients". Seventeen children and their escorts were returned in mid-May, and another 10 Palestinian children needing cancer treatment have been evacuated from Gaza since. "Jordan's policy is to support Palestinians' steadfastness on their homeland, and not to contribute in any way to their displacement," Minister of Government Communication and Government spokesperson Mohammad Momani said in a statement. "These patients were brought to Jordan and returned to Gaza under the same circumstances." Mr Momani said it was "completely false" to suggest the children were returned to Gaza without finishing their medical treatment, and were not appropriately supported in Jordan. "They all received the best medical care at Jordan's top hospitals, and their families were provided with the best possible accommodations," he said. "Some of these patients underwent delicate surgeries, and they are all in good health now."
Reuters
2 days ago
- General
- Reuters
US CDC keeps recommendation of COVID vaccines for healthy kids, report says
WASHINGTON, May 30 (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is still recommending COVID vaccines for healthy children, the Washington Post reported on Friday, citing the CDC's latest published immunization schedule. The schedule, published late on Thursday by the public health agency, comes after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr - alongside the heads of the FDA and the NIH - earlier this week said the U.S. would stop recommending routine COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women.
