Fact Sheet: World AIDS Day 2008 Dec 2, 2008
In addition to the balanced, evidenced-based ABC (Abstain, Be faithful, and correct and consistent use of Condoms) approach, the United States also supports programs that address mother-to-child transmission, blood safety and safe medical injections, male circumcision, injecting drug users, HIV-discordant couples, alcohol abuse, and other key issues. In 2008, President and Mrs. Bush traveled to Africa, where they witnessed the effectiveness of PEPFAR firsthand. (White House News Releases)
Conference highlights how stronger science academies can strengthen policymaking in Africa Nov 1, 2008
Forums and workshops also have been convened by African science academies on a number of other issues including biosecurity, blood safety, and health systems. The importance of bringing scientific findings to bear on government decision making in Africa was noted by ASADI board member Speciosa Wandira, a physician and former vice president of Uganda. (EurekAlert!)
AfDB Supports Health System Development in Equatorial Guinea Oct 31, 2008
It will focus on maternal health, blood safety and immunization services. The direct beneficiaries will be some 101,500 pregnant women and women of child-bearing age who account for 10% of the population and some 223,300 children under 5 years old who constitute 22% of the population, as well as health workers, and the population in general. (allAfrica.com)
Some Health Insurance Covers Medica... Oct 4, 2008
Be Cautious About Rehab, Accreditation, Blood Safety Issues. One big drawback is that with joint replacement, patients need to take into account an extended stay in the overseas locale for initial rehab before they can take a long airplane flight home. (Suite101.com)
Rising need for transfusions may help Cerus blood cleaners Sep 15, 2008
A recent FDA decision and changing surgical needs are increasing demand for blood transfusions potentially boosting the long-term prospects for , which makes blood safety systems. The decision created safety-related restrictions on the use of drugs for stimulating red blood cell production in cancer patients. (East Bay Business Times, CA)
Pledge by African Ministers to stem health care-associated infectionsYaounde, Cameroon (PANA) - Following are the highlights of the pledge signed by39 African Ministers of Health to become part of a global movement to address health care-associated infections under the WHO's 'Clean Care is Safer Care' initiative. 04/09/2008 Full Text... Sep 4, 2008
Considering the use of WHO strategies and guidelines to tackle health care- associated infection, in particular in areas of hand hygiene, blood safety, inje c tion and immunisation safety, clinical procedure safety and water, sanitation an d waste management safety. Yaounde - 04/09/2008. (Panapress.com)
Cerus Corp. to supply blood safety system to German Red Cross Jun 12, 2008
Members: Not Registered. for free extra services. (San Francisco Business Journal)
Kashmir reports six times increase in AIDS Mar 2, 2008
Giving details about the state wise figures of reported HIV positive AIDS cases in Indian Parliament, Indias Minister of State for Health y Welfare, Panabaaka Lakshmi said Phase III of the National AIDS Control Programme has been formulated to control the spread of HIV by up scaling targeted interventions among the high risk groups, behaviour change communication for improved awareness, expanding, counseling and testing services, blood safety, support and treatment of HIV infected persons... (Kashmir Newz Communications)
Getting AIDS education on track in India Dec 9, 2007
The national AIDS organization has pledged the equivalent of almost $3 billion over the next five years for programs such as public education, blood safety, condom promotion and antiretroviral therapy. On Day 2 of its journey, the train pulled into Alwar, about 85 miles south of New Delhi, where folk performers sang about AIDS, calling it a "new danger in the country.". (Boston Globe)
China vows to tackle health care-associated infections Nov 28, 2007
Huang Jiefu, vice minister of health, said the ministry would establish and implement the technical standards for prevent and control health care-associated infections, intensify control and management of hand hygiene, blood safety, injection and immunization safety, safe clinical procedures, safe water and sanitation in health care. "China will strengthen international communication and cooperation, sharing experiences and techniques of health care-infection control with other countries," he... (Xinhuanet, China)
GCC to establish unified blood transfusion center Nov 21, 2007
Health officials of GCC countries will meet next February in Riyadh to develop a strategic plan for the proposed unified blood transfusion center, including the protocol for blood safety, the equipment to be used in blood transfusions and the necessary laboratory tests in screening blood, said the report. "All Gulf countries have enough stock in their blood banks, but it is important to have an agreement between them so that we can be prepared to meet any unexpected rise in demand for blood in... (Xinhuanet, China)
Kyrgyzstan: Officials Grapple with HIV Outbreak Oct 31, 2007
"Unsafe injections, poor quality of blood safety, and ... lousy sterilization of multiple-use medical instruments" were the main causes of the virus spread in both cases, said Michael Favorov, Regional Director of the CDC s Central Asia office. Health officials believe that the source of the Kyrgyz outbreak was a sick child admitted to the local hospital in the town of Nookat, who had gotten the virus either from his mother, or via a contaminated blood transfusion. (EurasiaNet.org)
Blood Donations in U.S. Testing Positive for Chagas' Disease Oct 21, 2007
Blood Safety Experts Investigating New Cases of Chagas' Disease Transmission via Bug Bites Transfusions ANAHEIM, Calif ... The test is manufactured by Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. Chagas'-positive donations have been reported in 34 states with the highest concentration in California, Florida and Texas, according to data compiled by the AABB. During presentations at the conference today, blood safety experts also said they are investigating new cases of transmissions of Chagas' disease that... (PR Newswire)
66 Million Eligible Blood Donors Lost Aug 2, 2007
Get facts on blood safety, find out about the donation process and learn about this "fluid of life." ... "Ever since the dark days of the AIDS epidemic, blood safety has skyrocketed. But if you look at all the factors you now screen for, nobody had ever thought to add those up." ... "Ever since the dark days of the AIDS epidemic, blood safety has skyrocketed. But if you look at all the factors you now screen for, nobody had ever thought to add those up," McCullough says. (CBS News)
China bans AIDS rights meeting, group says Jul 29, 2007
Planned topics included discrimination, blood safety and setting up a legal aid center for people with HIV/AIDS.. "Protecting legal rights is key to any successful fight against AIDS," said Davis in an emailed statement about the cancellation. (AlertNet)
Scapegoats for a real threat Jul 21, 2007
Investments in a blood safety and universal precautions also help to prevent other blood-borne diseases, including hepatitis C. According to Eric Friedman of Physicians for Human Rights, the lack of safety in hospitals and clinics in the developing world is one reason for the brain drain of healthcare personnel to the industrialized world. Improvements in working conditions could keep nurses and doctors in the places where they are most needed. (Boston Globe)
Campaign launched against illegal blood collection Jun 9, 2007
Since 1995, China has promulgated a series of laws and regulations to secure blood safety, and lab testing has been required at blood stations across the nation. The statement said that local health authorities should improve supervision of blood collection stations, especially those located in remote areas to prevent misconduct and malpractice. (Xinhuanet, China)
FDA Keeps Ban On Gay Men As Blood Donors May 24, 2007
Get facts on blood safety, find out about the donation process and learn about this "fluid of life.". Interactive. (CBS News)
Ministry of Health to get tough on illegal ads Apr 29, 2007
According to Ma Xiaowei, vice-minister of health, China has been running a campaign since April 2005 to promote blood safety and crack down on illegal medical practices and significant progress has been made. More than 174,000 unregistered medical professionals have been punished and 2,485 medical agencies, which violated the rules have had their licenses eliminated, Ma said. (Xinhuanet, China)
Blood safety warnings 'ignored' Apr 18, 2007
Blood safety warnings 'ignored. By Susan Watts BBC Newsnight, Science editor. (BBC News -- Health)
HIV cases hit record high in Shanghai Apr 16, 2007
It requires 90 percent of government officials to be trained in how to deal with the disease and calls for most citizens and migrants to receive some sort of education about preventing HIV/AIDS and blood safety. Sexually transmitted diseases are becoming increasingly common in Shanghai. (People's Daily Online, China)
FDA Approves Gen-Probe's TIGRIS(R) Instrument to Screen Donated Blood for West Nile Virus Mar 3, 2007
This level of productivity facilitates "individual donor testing," which increases screening sensitivity and blood safety. Blood testing sites typically screen for WNV using pooled samples. (PR Newswire)
Indonesia faces rapidly growing HIV/AIDS problem Feb 19, 2007
Melgaard said the challenges Indonesia had to deal with included poor healthcare, blood safety issues and weak prevention programs among high-risk groups, including injecting drug users, sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgendered people. He said Indonesia should focus on prevention programs, adding that the government could learn from other countries like Thailand that had successfully curbed the growth of the epidemic. (Jakarta Post)
Indonesia faces growing AIDS woes, Papua big worry-WHO Feb 17, 2007
The Southeast Asian country overall faced constraints dealing with the problem ranging from weak preventative programmes among high risk groups, blood safety issues and poor quality of clinical care, Melgaard said. The report did not provide estimates on cases in Indonesia, but Indonesian Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari warned in November that the country could see half a million HIV cases by 2010, and double that if preventive steps are not taken. (AlertNet)
EGYPT: Five million infected with Hepatitis C Feb 7, 2007
As part of its Unite for Children, Unite Against Aids campaign, UNICEF Egypt has also been trying to raise awareness of the more common dangers of contracting HCV. Changing peoples behaviour and attitudes toward blood safety is key, according to Wessam el-Beih, UNICEFs Unite Against Aids Egypt co-ordinator. Many people share razors and re-use syringes. (IRINnews.org)
