Gambia MP defends bid to legalise female genital mutilation
Dakar, Senegal Reuters Gambian lawmaker Almaneh Gibba started his campaign to overturn a 2015 ban on female genital mutilation after the West African country imposed its first fines on those found guilty of the practice last year. Despite concerns about the leniency of the sentences – a $US220 fine for three women accused of cutting […]
Gambian parliament debates bill to reverse ban on female genital mutilation
Banjul, Gambia Reuters Gambian lawmakers on Monday debated whether to repeal a ban on female genital mutilation, which has been on the rise in recent years despite activist campaigns to end the practice. The small West African nation imposed steep fines and jail sentences in 2015 for those who carry out female circumcision, known by […]
India pledges “appropriate action” after completing cough syrup bribe probe
New Delhi, IndiaReuters India will take “appropriate action” after completing an investigation into a complaint that a drug regulator helped switch samples of cough syrup linked to the death of children in Gambia in return for a bribe, two officials said on Wednesday. The World Health Organization linked the syrups made by India’s Maiden Pharmaceuticals […]
Gambian lawsuit: The meds they bought were toxic. Now parents seek justice
EDWARD MCALLISTER, of Reuters, reports…
WHO says toxic syrup risk “ongoing”, more countries hit
London, UKReuters There is an ongoing global threat posed by toxic cough syrups, the World Health Organization told Reuters, saying it was now working with six more countries than previously revealed to track the potentially deadly children’s medicines. The UN agency has already named nine countries where tainted syrups may have been on sale, after […]
WHO investigating links between cough syrup deaths, considers advice for parents
Reuters The World Health Organization is investigating whether there is any connection between manufacturers whose contaminated cough syrups it has linked to the deaths of more than 300 children in three countries, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters. Citing “unacceptable levels” of toxins in the products, the WHO is seeking more information about […]
WHO urges “immediate action” after cough syrup deaths
London, UKReuters The World Health Organization has called for “immediate and concerted action” to protect children from contaminated medicines after a spate of child deaths linked to cough syrups last year. In 2022, more than 300 children – mainly aged under five – in Gambia, Indonesia and Uzbekistan died of acute kidney injury, in deaths […]
Gambia foils alleged coup attempt, arrests four soldiers
Banjul, GambiaReuters Gambian authorities have foiled a military coup attempt and arrested four soldiers plotting to overthrow President Adama Barrow’s administration, the government said on Wednesday. The Gambian Armed Forces High Command arrested four soldiers linked to the alleged coup after a military operation on Tuesday, it said in a statement. President of The Gambia […]
Immunisation backslide: COVID disrupted measles vaccinations in Africa and now cases are surging
EDWARD MCALLISTER and JENNIFER RIGBY, of Reuters, report on the surging cases of measles involving children around the world…
Indonesia finds some medicines with ingredients linked to fatal child kidney injury
Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters Some medicinal syrups available in Indonesia contained ingredients linked to fatal acute kidney injury (AKI) in children, its health minister said on Thursday, as it investigates a spike in cases and 99 child deaths this year. Indonesia has temporarily banned sales of all syrup-based medications and has been looking closely at paracetamol […]