PRB Welcomes Inaugural Cohort of Public Health Reporting Fellows

PRB announced today the launch of its Public Health Reporting Corps with a group of 18 journalists based in India and Nigeria. The new fellowship program supports international journalists in investigating and documenting systemic public health challenges and solutions and incorporating evidence and data into their coverage of these topics. The first cohort will focus on health equity and COVID-19 recovery. Read more

New TB treatment breakthroughs must reach those in-need without delay

[watch video interview | listen to podcast | हिंदी] Recently, results of a phase-3 study of a potentially game-changing TB treatment therapy were announced that give us enormous hope that shorter, all-oral (no injectables), more effective and less toxic treatments will reach those in-need globally without any delay.

[video] เสวนาแลกเปลี่ยน: แนวทางป้องกันของภาคประชาชนจากการถูกฟ้องปิดปาก | #StopSLAPP

[video] Sex work is work. Human rights of sex workers are non-negotiable, says Kiran Deshmukh of NNSW

Youth ChangeMakers: An idea can change the world…

So said Sivananthi Thanenthiran, Executive Director of The Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW), echoing the famous words of American civil rights leader Robert Williams. She was speaking to the youth changemakers who gathered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the three-day long Asia Youth Festival (19-21 September 2022) on innovation and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Youth Changemakers at the forefront of advocating for sexual health and rights

A regional initiative across countries in Asia is helping young people find innovative solutions to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights in their communities. 

[video] Effectiveness of new drug-resistant TB treatment regimen is maintained with reduced dosage and duration of Linezolid: finds study

[podcast] Changemakers: Yuvraj Lama of Nepal | Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for SRHR

This podcast features changemaker Yuvraj Lama of Nepal, who is among the changemakers featured at the 2022 Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - hosted by Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women (ARROW, https://arrow.org.my). He is in conversation with noted journalist and development communication expert Sumita Thapar of CNS.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[podcast] Changemakers: Lian Cambel in Philippines | Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for SRHR

This podcast features changemaker Lian Cambel of Philippines, who is among the changemakers featured at the 2022 Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - hosted by Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women (ARROW, https://arrow.org.my). She is in conversation with noted journalist and development communication expert Sumita Thapar of CNS.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[podcast] Changemakers: Danica Marie F Supnet of Philippines | Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for SRHR

This podcast features changemaker Danica Marie F Supnet of Philippines, who is among the changemakers featured at the 2022 Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - hosted by Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women (ARROW, https://arrow.org.my). She is in conversation with noted journalist and development communication expert Sumita Thapar of CNS.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[video] Changemakers: Danica Marie F Supnet of Philippines | Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for SRHR

[video] Changemakers: Lian Cambel in Philippines | Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for SRHR

[video] Changemakers: Yuvraj Lama of Nepal | Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for SRHR

[podcast] Effectiveness of new drug-resistant TB treatment is maintained with reduction in dosage and duration of Linezolid

This podcast features Dr Conor Tweed, Honorary Clinical Lecturer, Medical Research Council (MRC) Clinical Trials Unit at University College London (UCL), who is in conversation with CNS founding Managing Editor and Executive Director Shobha Shukla. Jessica Wiggs, Senior Communication Specialist of TB Alliance (Global Alliance of TB Drug Development, www.TBalliance.org) joins the conversation. 

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[podcast] Changemakers: Joshua Dilawar of Artivism Academy | Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for SRHR

This podcast features changemaker Joshua Dilawar of Artivism Academy, who is among the changemakers featured at the 2022 Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - hosted by Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women (ARROW, https://arrow.org.my). He is in conversation with Sumita Thapar of CNS.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[podcast] Changemakers: Sabir Ali | Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for SRHR

This podcast features changemaker Sabir Ali of Rural Development Foundation in Pakistan, who is among the changemakers featured at the 2022 Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - hosted by Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women (ARROW, https://arrow.org.my). He is in conversation with Sumita Thapar of CNS.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[podcast] Changemakers: Arefin Noman Bin Awal of Bangladesh | Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for SRHR

This podcast features changemaker Arefin Noman Bin Awal of Bangladesh, who is among the changemakers featured at the 2022 Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - hosted by Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women (ARROW, https://arrow.org.my). He is in conversation with noted journalist and development communication expert Sumita Thapar of CNS.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[video] Changemakers: Joshua Dilawar of Artivism Academy | Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for SRHR

[video] Changemakers: Sabir Ali | Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for SRHR

[video] Changemakers: Arefin Noman Bin Awal of Bangladesh | Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for SRHR

[video] Changemakers: Tanya Khera of Samanta | Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for SRHR

[podcast] Changemakers: Tanya Khera of Samanta | Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for SRHR

This podcast features changemaker Tanya Khera of Samanta in Uttarakhand, India, who is among the changemakers featured at the 2022 Asia Youth Festival on Innovation for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - hosted by Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women (ARROW, https://arrow.org.my). She is in conversation with Sumita Thapar of CNS.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

Growing support globally to end HIV medicine stockouts in India

Several networks of people living with HIV are pouring in support to the ongoing indefinite sit-in (since 21st July 2022) outside offices of India's AIDS programme, to demand an end of stockout of HIV medicines, and ensure minimum one-month dispensation of these medicines nationwide.

Shortage of HIV medicines ails India: People’s indefinite sit-in continues since a month

[हिंदी] The indefinite sit-in of HIV affected communities which began on 21st of July 2022 has continued for over a month to demand end of stockouts of lifesaving antiretroviral therapy across India, and minimum one-month dispensation of medicines to people living with HIV nationwide.

Hepatitis: Will new evidence for "same-day test and treat" be a game-changer?

[watch the video interview | listen to the podcast] [हिंदी] A new study published last month in the Journal of Hepatology can prove to be a game-changer as it provides strong evidence that “same-day test and treat model” for hepatitis is feasible and possible. In the light of this strong evidence, if governments have to keep their promise to end viral hepatitis by 2030, there must be no delay in fully making this model a reality for every person who needs hepatitis-care.

[video] Is 17 years (since rollout began of HIV medicines) not enough to fix stockouts of essential medicines?

[video] We are fighting for #RightToLife as guaranteed by Indian constitution's Article 21, says CyCy

[podcast] When will 1-month dispensation of lifesaving HIV medicines become a reality for ALL people with HIV?

This podcast features Loon Gangte, who along with many other people living with HIV are on an indefinite sit-in demonstration outside office of National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) - Indian government's apex programme on HIV, to demand end of stockouts of lifesaving antiretroviral medicines across the nation, and minimum one month supply of medicines to people across India. This podcast was recorded on 20th August 2022 which marks 31 days of this indefinite stir. The struggle is ongoing and continues.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[podcast] Why has India not fixed recurring stockouts of HIV medicines in past 17 years since its free rollout began?

This podcast features Hari Shankar Singh who along with many other people living with HIV are on an indefinite sit-in demonstration outside office of National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) - Indian government's apex programme on HIV, to demand end of stockouts of lifesaving antiretroviral medicines across the nation, and minimum one month supply of medicines to people across India. This podcast was recorded on 20th August 2022 which marks 31 days of this indefinite stir. The struggle is ongoing and continues.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

Staff shortage remains a bottleneck in viral hepatitis services

[watch the video interview | listen to podcast] Indian state of Manipur, hard-hit by HIV and hepatitis both, should be providing free screening, diagnosis, and treatment services for hepatitis B and hepatitis C. But despite commendable progress in recent years, acute staff shortage is crippling the programme implementation.

Local coordinated actions firewall the HIV response from threats posed by TB, hepatitis, NCDs

[watch recording here | slides of Dr Paula Fujiwara] Over 28.7 million people living with HIV were receiving lifesaving antiretroviral therapy by end of 2021. While we push for efforts to ensure every person living with HIV is receiving full spectrum of HIV care and remains virally suppressed (so that undetectable equals untransmittable becomes a reality), we also have to safeguard against threats that can wither away gains made in fighting AIDS.

Long-awaited goal of ensuring every child is born HIV-free

[watch video interview | listen to podcast] Science has gifted us tools and evidence-based approaches to ensure that there is minimal risk of transmission of HIV virus from HIV-positive parents to the child during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding. Despite these tools existing since almost two decades now to ensure every child is born HIV-free to positive parents, we have failed to implement them fully. As per UNAIDS, despite substantial progress made in the last two decades to ensure that every child born to positive parents is HIV-free, 150,000 children were born with HIV in 2020. This is nearly eight times more than the desired “goal of achieving less than 20,000 children born with HIV worldwide by 2020”. More worrying is that the pace of the decline has slowed in recent years.

We cannot #endAIDS if we blindly depend on the Global North

[Watch the recording] If we look back over the past four decades since the first case of HIV was diagnosed, we cannot miss the stark writing on the wall: had the whole world depended only on the rich nations of the Global North, then we would have miserably failed to deliver lifesaving antiretroviral therapy to over 28.7 million people living with HIV by end of 2021. It will also become amply clear how vital remains the central driving force of key affected communities as well as the Global South in making medicines affordable and accessible. Rich nations have spurred health innovations indeed. But it is the people most at risk of HIV and the countries in the Global South that have made the dream partially come true of making these scientific breakthroughs reach those who are most in need.