Page 266 – Public Health Update

World Oral Health Day – ''Live MOUTH SMART'' #WOHD17

by Public Health Update March 20, 2017

World Oral Health Day (WOHD) is commemorated annually on 20 March in order to support the improvement of oral health world wide. WOHD focused to highlight the importance of oral health for a healthy body. The aim is to provide an occasion for global, regional and national activities related to oral health.

”Live MOUTH SMART” #WOHD17

World Oral Health Day was launched in 2013 to raise awareness of the importance of good oral health and its significance in safeguarding general health and well-being. This is done through an international awareness campaign created and launched by FDI World Dental Federation, adapted and promoted locally by national dental associations in over 140 countries worldwide.

WOHD was officially launched in 2007 and was originally celebrated on 12 September, the birth date of FDI founder Dr Charles Godon. However, the campaign was not fully activated until 2013, when further to a decision by FDI’s General Assembly (governing body) in September 2012 the date was changed to 20 March. The main reason for this being to avoid conflict with FDI’s World Dental Congress which took place during the same period.

The new date was chosen to reflect that:

Seniors must have a total of 20 natural teeth at the end of their life to be considered healthy

Children should possess 20 baby teeth
Healthy adults must have a total of 32 teeth and 0 dental cavities
Expressed on a numerical basis this can be translated as 3/20 hence March 20

http://worldoralhealthday.com/

How can you Live Mouth Smart?

Protect your oral health through life

Practice smart oral hygiene Your mouth is important at all ages. A healthy mouth free of oral disease can be maintained by making smart choices when it comes to your oral hygiene, diet and lifestyle habits:

Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day using either a manual or electric toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste

Don’t rinse with water straight after brushing, spit out any excess toothpaste instead
Eat a healthy diet, with limited snacking of foods and drinks high in sugar
Quit tobacco use
Limit your alcohol consumption
Wear a mouthguard when engaging in contact sports How can you Live Mouth Smart?
Rinse with a fluoride mouthwash or chew sugar-free gum after meals and snacks when brushing isn’t possible
Visit your dentist or primary healthcare provider regularly for check-ups and cleanings Cleaning between teeth using floss or other interdental cleaners can also be beneficial to oral health.

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March 20, 2017 0 comments

Diseases Control Program in Nepal : Lymphatic Filariasis

by Public Health Update March 18, 2017

written by Public Health Update

Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) is a public health problem in Nepal. Nepal conducted LF mapping in 2001 and 2005 and remapping in 2012 by using ICT (Immunochromatography Test card) which revealed 13% average prevalence of LF infection in the country, ranging from <1% to 39%. Based on the ICT survey, morbidity reporting and geo‐ecological comparability sixty one districts of the country were mapped as endemic for LF.

The disease has been detected in different topographical areas ranging in altitude from 300 feet above sea level in the plain terai ecological zone to 5,800 feet above sea level in high hill areas. Comparatively, more LF cases are seen in the terai than in the hills, but valleys and river basin areas of hilly districts have also high disease burden. The disease is more prevalent in the rural areas of the country, predominantly affecting the poorer sector of the community. Wuchereria bancrofti is the only recorded parasite in Nepal and the mosquito, Culex.quinquefasciatus, an efficient vector of the disease has been recorded in all the endemic areas of the country.

Progress towards elimination

Epidemiology and Disease Control Division under the Department of Health Services has formulated a National Plan of Action (2003‐2020 AD) for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis in Nepal by establishing a National Task Force under the Chairmanship of Director‐General, Department of Health Services.

The division initiated the implementation of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) in Parsa district in 2003 which was gradually scaled up to all endemic districts achieving 100% geographical coverage by FY 2069/70 (2013). The target of scaling up MDA to all endemic districts was achieved in 2013.

By this fiscal year 2071/72 (2014/2015), MDA has been stopped (phased out) in 20 districts, post MDA surveillance has been initiated in at least five districts and morbidity management has been initiated in selected districts and high endemic areas. All endemic districts will complete the recommended six rounds of MDA by 2018. The LF elimination programme has also indirectly contributed to strengthening of health system through training and capacity building activities. Between these periods of twelve years, various surveys have been carried out including mapping, base line surveys, follow up surveys, post MDA coverage survey and transmission assessment surveys (TAS). TAS done in 21 districts has revealed that the prevalence of LF infection has significantly reduced and contributed in preventing disabilities and sufferings due to LF. Over the period of last 12 years, more than 90 million doses has been administrated to at risk population.

GOAL:

People of Nepal no longer suffer from LF

Objectives

To eliminate LF as a public health problem by 2020;

To interrupt the transmission of lymphatic filariasis;
To reduce and prevent morbidity;
To provide de‐worming benefit through use of Albendazole to endemic community especially to the children; and
To reduce mosquito vectors through application of suitable and available vector control measures (Integrated Vector Management).

Strategies

Interruption of transmission by yearly Mass Drug Administration using two drug regimens (DiethylcarbamazineCitrate and Albendazole) for six years.

Morbidity management by self‐care and with supports using intensive but simple, effective and local hygienic techniques.

Target

To scale up MDA to all LF endemic districts by 2014

Achieve <1% prevalence (microfilaraemia rate) in all endemic districts after 6 years of MDA by 2018

Major activities

Mass drug administration (MDA) campaign

Advocacy, IEC/BCC activities.

Coordination
Monitoring and supervision
Training of health workers
Volunteers orientation
Media mobilization and advertisement
Coordination and collaboration with all stakeholders
School health programme‐interactions in schools
Morbidity management‐ hydrocele surgery camps
care training and material distribution to lymphedema (elephantiasis) cases.

Source of Info: DoHS, Annual Report 2071/72 (2014/2015)

March 18, 2017 0 comments

Public Health Notes Public Health Programs

Early Warning Reporting System (EWARS), Nepal

by Public Health Update March 18, 2017

written by Public Health Update

Early Warning Reporting System (EWARS) is a hospital-based sentinel surveillance system currently operational in 40 hospitals throughout Nepal. EWARS is designed to complement the country’s Health Management Information System (HMIS) by providing timely reporting for the early 4 detection of selected vector-borne, water and food borne diseases with outbreak potential.

The hospital based reporting provides timely signal or alert and early detection of possible outbreak due to increased number of cases in the community leading to continuous transmission of the disease for timely response. This dynamics is lacking with HMIS being a monthly reporting system. The main objective of EWARS is to strengthen the flow of information on vector borne and other outbreak prone infectious diseases from the districts; and to facilitate prompt outbreak response to be carried out by Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) at Central, Regional and District level, which can be mobilized at short notice to support the local levels (DHO/HP/SHP) in case investigation and outbreak control activities. In the broader perspective, it also aids on program planning, evaluation, and the formulation of research hypotheses and to disseminate data/information on infectious diseases through appropriate feedback system It was established in 1997 first in 8 sentinel sites and expanded to 24 sites in 1998, 26 sites in 2002, 28 sites in 2003 and 40 sites in 2008.

The EWARS mainly focuses on the weekly reporting of number of cases and deaths (including “zero” reports) of six priority diseases: three vector-borne diseases Malaria, Kala-azar and Dengue and three outbreak potential diseases Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE), Cholera and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI). It equally focuses on immediate reporting (to be reported within 24 hours of diagnosis) of one confirmed case of Cholera, and severe and complicated Malaria and one suspect/clinical case of Dengue as well as 5 or more than 5 cases of AGE and SARI from the same geographical locality in a one week period. Based on the experiences of reported outbreaks of acute diarrhoeal diseases and influenza by several districts, these two diseases are included for reporting in EWARS from the year 2005. Likewise, Dengue and DHF case reporting will be required to be reported in EWARS due to its high potential of impending epidemics. Other communicable diseases besides these six prioritized diseases also need to be reported in EWARS, whenever the numbers of cases exceed the expected level.

Information Flow Mechanism in EWARS:

Elements

The four basic elements of surveillance that were the cornerstones for EWARS development were

a mechanism for hospital inpatient-ward-based case detection,

laboratories for identifying and characterizing microbes,
information systems, and
response (information feedback and mobilization of investigative and control efforts).

Objectives were:

to develop a comprehensive, computerized database of infectious diseases of public health importance

to monitor and describe trends of infectious diseases through a sentinel surveillance network of hospitals followed by public health action and research
to receive early warning signals of diseases under surveillance and to detect outbreaks
to instigate a concerted approach to outbreak preparedness, investigation and response
to disseminate data/information on infectious diseases through an appropriate feedback system.

The main focus of EWARS was reporting on a weekly basis the number of cases and deaths of the six priority diseases. These diseases were selected based on a number of criteria: widespread distribution; major causes of morbidity, mortality and disability; potential for causing outbreaks; already monitored under national programs; amenable to control through cost-effective means; and being a global priority for elimination, eradication and/or control. The selected EWARS diseases were divided into two groups:

(1) vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), which include acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), measles, and NNT; and

(2) vector-borne diseases (VBDs), which include KA, JE, and malaria. In addition, in the case of an outbreak, EWARS includes the immediate reporting of a single suspected/probable/confirmed case of AFP, NNT, severe and complicated malaria, and JE, as well as ten cases of measles from the same locality within 24 hours of diagnosis. Other communicable diseases are also reported periodically in EWARS.

EWARS began in September 1996 with the development of guidelines and the selection of eight sentinel sites (SSs). Training of the medical records assistants (MRAs) took place several months later, in November. Between December 1996 and March 1997 the SSs were visited to ensure that everything was in place so that EWARS could start functioning in April 1997.

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March 18, 2017 0 comments

PH Important Day Public Health

Kidney Disease & Obesity – Healthy Lifestyle for Healthy Kidneys! #worldkidneyday #move4kidneys!

by Public Health Update March 9, 2017

written by Public Health Update

World Kidney Day – 9 March 2017

“Kidney Disease & Obesity. Healthy Lifestyle for Healthy Kidneys”.

An opportunity to make a significant impact on kidney health awareness and disease prevention

Celebrated every year on the Second Thursday of March, World Kidney Day (WKD) is the global awareness campaign that aims at increasing awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our health and reduce the impact of kidney disease and its associated problems worldwide.

World Kidney Day was first celebrated in 2006. World Kidney Day is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF).

Why is World Kidney Day Important?

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a non-communicable disease that affects 1 in 10 people worldwide.

While severity can vary, CKD is incurable and causes the patient to need lifelong care. As the incidence of kidney disease escalates, World Kidney Day plays a crucial role in educating the public, the medical community and governments and encouraging prevention and early detection of kidney disease.

Kidney Disease & Obesity

Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. In 2014, worldwide over 600 million adults were obese. Obesity is a potent risk factor for the development of kidney disease. Obesity increases the risk of developing major risk factors of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), like diabetes and hypertension, and it has a direct impact on the development of CKD and end stage renal disease (ESRD).

The good news is that obesity, as well as CKD, is largely preventable. This year World Kidney Day promotes education about the harmful consequences of obesity and its association with kidney disease, advocating healthy lifestyle and health policy measures that make preventive behaviours an affordable option.

Key Messages

10% of the global population is affected by Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Globally, 2.6 million patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) received dialysis in 2010. This number is projected to almost double to 5.4 million by 2030.
600 million people in the world are affected by obesity, 220 million of which are schoolaged children.
Individuals affected by obesity have an 83% increased risk of CKD, compared to individuals with a healthy weight.
Obesity is a well-established risk factor for developing major precursors to CKD and ESRD, such as diabetes, hypertension and kidney stones
Strategies to reduce excess weight and prevent the development of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, will reduce the risk of kidney disease.

According to worldkidneyday.org, there are 8 golden rules for kidney health.

Keep regular control of your blood sugar. About 50% of people with Diabetes will develop kidney damage. Make sure you are doing all you can to stay in control!

Keep fit and active. Staying active helps in many areas to keep your kidneys healthy as well as promotes positive mood and weight loss.
Eat healthy and keep your weight in check. Making good food choices will go hand in hand with staying active to reduce weight and encourage good health.

Water, water, water! Keeping hydrated is good for your skin as well as your kidneys. Staying hydrated flushes the toxins out of the kidneys and reduces the chance of kidney stones.
No Smoking! Smoking is bad in many ways, but for the kidneys, the chance of developing cancer in them increases by 50% for smoke
rs.
Stay away from over-the-counter medicine for chronic issues. Many over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen can harm your kidneys if taken regularly. It is ok to take for emergencies, but see a physician if you are having chronic pain for options that will not cause harm.

March 9, 2017 0 comments

International Plan, Policy & Guidelines Public Health Research & Publication

Environmental pollution kills 1.7 million children each year – WHO

by Public Health Update March 8, 2017

written by Public Health Update

6 MARCH 2017 | GENEVA

More than 1 in 4 deaths of children under 5 years of age are attributable to unhealthy environments. Every year, environmental risks – such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, second-hand smoke, unsafe water, lack of sanitation, and inadequate hygiene – take the lives of 1.7 million children under 5 years, say two new WHO reports.

The first report, Inheriting a Sustainable World: Atlas on Children’s Health and the Environment reveals that a large portion of the most common causes of death among children aged 1 month to 5 years – diarrhoea, malaria and pneumonia – are preventable by interventions known to reduce environmental risks, such as access to safe water and clean cooking fuels.

“A polluted environment is a deadly one – particularly for young children,” says Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. “Their developing organs and immune systems, and smaller bodies and airways, make them especially vulnerable to dirty air and water.”

Harmful exposures can start in the mother’s womb and increase the risk of premature birth. Additionally, when infants and pre-schoolers are exposed to indoor and outdoor air pollution and second-hand smoke they have an increased risk of pneumonia in childhood, and a lifelong increased risk of chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma. Exposure to air pollution may also increase their lifelong risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer.

Top 5 causes of death in children under 5 years linked to the environmentA companion report, Don’t pollute my future! The impact of the environment on children’s health, provides a comprehensive overview of the environment’s impact on children’s
health, illustrating the scale of the challenge. Every year:
570 000 children under 5 years die from respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, attributable to indoor and outdoor air pollution, and second-hand smoke.
361 000 children under 5 years die due to diarrhoea, as a result of poor access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene.
270 000 children die during their first month of life from conditions, including prematurity, which could be prevented through access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in health facilities as well as reducing air pollution.
200 000 deaths of children under 5 years from malaria could be prevented through environmental actions, such as reducing breeding sites of mosquitoes or covering drinking-water storage.
200 000 children under 5 years die from unintentional injuries attributable to the environment, such as poisoning, falls, and drowning.

Ongoing and emerging environmental threats to children’s health

“A polluted environment results in a heavy toll on the health of our children,” says Dr Maria Neira, WHO Director, Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health. “Investing in the removal of environmental risks to health, such as improving water quality or using cleaner fuels, will result in massive health benefits.”

For example, emerging environmental hazards, such as electronic and electrical waste (such as old mobile phones) that is improperly recycled, expose children to toxins which can lead to reduced intelligence, attention deficits, lung damage, and cancer. The generation of electronic and electrical waste is forecasted to increase by 19% between 2014 and 2018, to 50 million metric tonnes by 2018.

With climate change, temperatures and levels of carbon dioxide are rising, favouring pollen growth which is associated with increased rates of asthma in children. Worldwide, 11–14% of children aged 5 years and older currently report asthma symptoms and an estimated 44% of these are related to environmental exposures. Air pollution, second-hand tobacco smoke, and indoor mould and dampness make asthma more severe in children.

In households without access to basic services, such as safe water and sanitation, or that are smoky due to the use of unclean fuels, such as coal or dung for cooking and heating, children are at an increased risk of diarrhoea and pneumonia.

Children are also exposed to harmful chemicals through food, water, air and products around them. Chemicals, such as fluoride, lead and mercury pesticides, persistent organic pollutants, and others in manufactured goods, eventually find their way into the food chain. And, while leaded petrol has been phased out almost entirely in all countries, lead is still widespread in paints, affecting brain development.

Making all places safe for children

Reducing air pollution inside and outside households, improving safe water and sanitation and improving h
ygiene (including in health facilities where women give birth), protecting pregnant women from second-hand tobacco smoke, and building safer environments, can prevent children’s deaths and diseases.

For example, multiple government sectors can work together to improve the following:

Housing: Ensure clean fuel for heating and cooking, no mould or pests, and remove unsafe building materials and lead paint.

Schools: Provide safe sanitation and hygiene, free of noise, pollution, and promote good nutrition.

Health facilities: Ensure safe water, sanitation and hygiene, and reliable electricity.

Urban planning: Create more green spaces, safe walking and cycling paths.

Transport: Reduce emissions and increase public transport.

Agriculture: Reduce the use of hazardous pesticides and no child labour.

Industry: Manage hazardous waste and reduce the use of harmful chemicals.

Health sector: Monitor health outcomes and educate about environmental health effects and prevention.

Under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) countries are working on a set of targets to guide interventions for children’s environmental health, as well as to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under five by 2030. In addition to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, other SDGs work to improve water, sanitation and hygiene, transition to clean energy to reduce air pollution, and reverse climate change – all of which will have an impact on children’s health.

SOURCE OF INFO: WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

March 8, 2017 0 comments

Public Health Notes

Best wishes!!! Important 12 Documents for your PSC Examination !!!

by Public Health Update March 3, 2017

written by Public Health Update

Best wishes!!! Important 12 Documents for your PSC Examination !!!

March 3, 2017 1 comment

International Plan, Policy & Guidelines Public Health

WHO priority pathogens list for research and development (R&D) of new antibiotics

by Public Health Update February 27, 2017

written by Public Health Update

27 FEBRUARY 2017,GENEVA

WHO today published its first ever list of antibiotic-resistant “priority pathogens” – a catalogue of 12 families of bacteria that pose the greatest threat to human health.

The list was drawn up in a bid to guide and promote research and development (R&D) of new antibiotics, as part of WHO’s efforts to address growing global resistance to antimicrobial medicines.

Image

The list highlights in particular the threat of gram-negative bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics. These bacteria have built-in abilities to find new ways to resist treatment and can pass along genetic material that allows other bacteria to become drug-resistant as well.

The WHO list is divided into three categories according to the urgency of need for new antibiotics: critical, high and medium priority.

WHO priority pathogens list for R&D of new antibiotics

Priority 1: CRITICAL

Acinetobacter baumannii, carbapenem-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenem-resistant, ESBL-producing

Priority 2: HIGH

Enterococcus faecium, vancomycin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant, vancomycin-intermediate and resistant
Helicobacter pylori, clarithromycin-resistant
Campylobacter spp., fluoroquinolone-resistant
Salmonellae, fluoroquinolone-resistant
Neisseria gonorrhoeae, cephalosporin-resistant, fluoroquinolone-resistant

Priority 3: MEDIUM

Streptococcus pneumoniae, penicillin-non-susceptible
Haemophilus influenzae, ampicillin-resistant
Shigella spp., fluoroquinolone-resistant

Source of info: WHO MEDIA CENTER

February 27, 2017 0 comments

PH Important Day

5th Health Service Day observed

by Public Health Update February 26, 2017

written by Public Health Update

5th Health Service Day observed in Pokhara

Pokhara

The 5th Health Service Day was observed in Pokhara.The slogan ”Healthy Citizens Healthy Nation : Qualified Manpower Progress & Prosperity”

Health Service Day is celebrated every year on 15th Falgun in the occasion of issuing day of the Health Service Act in Nepal.

February 26, 2017 0 comments

National Plan, Policy & Guidelines Public Health Public Health Notes Research & Publication

Nepal Health Sector Strategy(NHSS) Implementation Plan 2016-21

by Public Health Update February 20, 2017

written by Public Health Update

Nepal Health Sector Strategy(NHSS) Implementation Plan 2016-21

Background of NHSS

Under the auspices of National Health Policy 2014, Nepal Health Sector Strategy (NHSS) 2016/17-2020/21 is the primary instrument to guide the health sector for the next five years.

It adopts the vision and mission set forth by the National Health Policy and carries the ethos of Constitutional provision to guarantee universal access to basic health services. NHSS places health at the centre of overall socio-economic development.

It guides the health sector’s response in realizing government’s vision to graduate Nepal from ‘Least Developed Country’ to ‘Middle Income Developing Country’ by 2022. Developed within the context of Sector Wide Approach (SWAp), it sees partnership as a cornerstone for health development in Nepal. The strategy was developed jointly by the government and its development partners and commit to align their efforts to NHSS priorities and are jointly accountable to achieve the results. NHSS also harnesses multi sectoral approach to address social determinants of health.

Scope of NHSS Implementation Plan

The NHSS Implementation Plan (IP) and subsequent Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) will translate the NHSS into action. The MoH will lead the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of this strategy with participation of line ministries, development partners, nongovernmental agencies, civil society, private sector, cooperatives and local communities. The implementation plan is developed to achieve the outputs of NHSS and ultimately its outcome and goals. There are sub-sectoral implementation plans or chapters for each of the three Departments, Centres, Social Health Security Development Committee and National Health Research Council. Seven divisions, under Department of Health Services, and five Centres, each have their own chapter, followed by a results framework to monitor their performance. The NHSS Results Framework will be the basis to monitor its overall performance.

Annual reviews and a Mid Term Review (MTR) will measure progress across the sector and make necessary adjustments. While there were calls for reforms to the ministry’s organogram to effectively implement the NHSS-IP, Ministry of Health has not included such reforms in this document as the country is imminently being re-organised through federal form of governance outlined by the Constitution of Nepal (2015). The ministry felt, however, that proposed new structures should be used to inform the restructuring of the sector and has retained it in the Annex of this document (See Annex 1). The functions of different departments, divisions and centres within the Ministry will be reviewed and realigned as applicable during the restructuring process. As agreed in the Joint Annual Review (2016), this plan will be implemented between the fiscal years 2016/17 to 2020/2021; the MoH will submit the revised NHSS timeframe accordingly to the Council of Ministers. In this NHSS IP, year 1 refers to fiscal year 2073/74 (2016/17) and consecutively year 5 refers to 2077/78 (2020/21).

DOWNLOAD : Nepal Health Sector Strategy(NHSS) Implementation Plan 2016-21

February 20, 2017 0 comments

Public Health Public Health Events

International Condom Day: ‘Always in Fashion’

by Public Health Update February 13, 2017

written by Public Health Update

International Condom Day seeks to promote the use of condoms as a means of preventing unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Condoms are thin rubber covers that a man wears on his penis during sexual intercourse as a contraceptive or as protection against STIs.

Condoms are made from various materials such as latex, non-latex, lambskin and even female condoms. Condoms, latex and polyurethane versions, are the only method available to prevent transmission of STIs and HIV.

International Condom Day is promoted by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in an effort to reduce the spread of HIV through safe sex practices. Since its inception in 2009, it has been an informal observance celebrated in conjunction with Valentine’s Day.

http://www.wincalendar.com/International-Condom-Day

International Condom Day (ICD)—a February 13th holiday observed in conjunction with Valentine’s Day—by promoting prevention of STDs, HIV and unwanted pregnancies through free condom distribution and safer sex awareness events and activities.

READ MORE:AHF

February 13, 2017 0 comments

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Ongoing and emerging environmental threats to children’s health

Making all places safe for children

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