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MSF nurse emerges winner of HIV-TB prize for life-saving TB test research.

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Chenai Mathabire, Zimbabwean Doctors Without Borders (MSF) nurse and researcher has won an HIV/TB Research Prize at this year’s International Aids Society Conference on HIV Science (IAS2017). Through a study conducted in Malawi and Mozambique, Chenai has provided strong evidence that an easy-to-use point-of-care TB LAM test, which quickly diagnoses tuberculosis (TB) in severely ill HIV patients, is feasible to use in real-life clinics with high numbers of HIV-TB patients.

TB is the biggest killer of people living with advanced HIV, with over 400,000 patients dying each year from the disease. People with advanced HIV, also known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have very weakened immune systems, leaving them susceptible to common infections, which can quickly become deadly.

Successfully treating ill AIDS patients involves rapidly assessing the strength of their immune systems and putting them on the right treatment straight away, whether they have TB or another disease deadly to HIV patients, cryptococcal meningitis.

However, in poorer countries, limited laboratory and X-ray facilities, and the time spent waiting on results can mean long and often deadly delays for sick patients arriving at clinics or hospitals. At the same time, people with late-stage HIV often can’t produce enough sputum for more common TB sputum tests so common tests such as sputum microscopy cannot be done. X-rays are also less useful to detect TB in people with advanced HIV.

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At $3 per test, the TB LAM test offers a quick, simple and cost-effective alternative that gives on-the-spot results in 30 minutes. Yet despite being available since 2010, only 140,000 TB LAM tests are used each year.

“In Malawi, some HIV patients with suspected TB were waiting months for laboratory or X-ray results to come back. Clinicians don’t like to start patients on treatment based only on clinical signs and symptoms, they prefer to have a diagnostic test result,” says Chenai, who was responsible for implementing and supervising the study. “The TB LAM test helped them make that decision, and they felt better about starting HIV patients on TB treatment. It doesn’t replace existing tests, but adding this test helps us identify more TB cases and can improve the patients’ chances of survival.”

The test uses the HIV patient’s urine to detect LAM (Lipoarabinomanan), a protein created when TB bacteria cells break down. The lower the patients’ immunity, which is measured by numbers of CD4 T-cells, the more LAM appears in the urine and the more sensitive the test becomes. This is why the test is recommended for use in patients with CD4 cells below 100. The MSF study found the test was well accepted by staff, easy to use, and led to better, faster results than sputum or X-ray tests. Nearly 99% of TB LAM test patients received a timely result, versus 70% with sputum and 35% with X-rays.

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Currently the main barrier to wider use of the TB LAM test by national governments is that it isn’t included in country guidelines and national TB programmes are not actively pushing it. Use of the TB LAM test has been recommended by the new WHO guidelines for advanced HIV for use in severely ill patients in hospitals but not yet in primary care, given the test’s decreased accuracy in patients with stronger immune responses.

MSF will use the study to advocate for health ministries in countries with high HIV TB burdens to use the TB LAM test in primary care and hospital centres, as well as include TB LAM within a diagnostic package for patients with advanced HIV. This would include point-of-care tests for CD4 (to allow rapid bed-side assessment of immune strength), cryptococcal meningitis and TB to help quick diagnosis and, most importantly, improve patients’ chances of survival.

MSF currently uses TB LAM as part of a diagnostic package in HIV projects in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Uganda and Zimbabwe. MSF currently supports over 230,000 people living with HIV on antiretrovirals in 19 countries, with a focus on free quality care, and provides free hospital-based care for people living with advanced HIV in DRC, Kenya Guinea, and Malawi.

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Your Commitment Reignites Hope – Oyo Rep, Oseni Hails Tinubu at 72

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Oyo state House of Representatives member, Engr. Aderemi Oseni has added his voice to the chorus of well-wishers celebrating the 72nd birthday of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal constituency, in a statement on Friday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, extolled President Tinubu as a committed and visionary leader, whose unwavering dedication has reignited hope among Nigerians.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), lauded Tinubu’s doggedness, leadership acumen, and courageous approach to governance.

He emphasised the pivotal role played by the President in charting a course for national development and fostering unity across diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Reflecting on President Tinubu’s illustrious political career, Oseni highlighted the transformative policies and initiatives spearheaded by the celebrated leader, which have significantly impacted the socio-economic landscape of Nigeria.

“Undoubtedly, your track record speaks volumes about your commitment and visionary leadership. Your unwavering dedication has rekindled hope among Nigerians, positioning you as a pivotal figure in charting the path for national development and fostering unity among diverse ethnic groups.

“Your transformative policies and initiatives are already making a significant impact on the socio-economic landscape of our beloved country”, the statement partly read.

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The APC chieftain applauded President Tinubu’s resilience in the face of challenges, expressing confidence in his ability to steer the nation toward greater prosperity.

As Nigeria confronts multifaceted challenges, Oseni urged Nigerians to rally behind President Tinubu’s vision for a brighter future, underscoring the importance of unity, peace, and collective effort in realising the nation’s development aspirations.

The lawmaker added, “I comprehend that as a nation, we confront various challenges, and President Tinubu is confronting these issues directly for the betterment of all. This period, too, shall pass; hence, in such times, let us unite in support of the President and uplift our leaders in prayer.

“Together, we can realise the vision of renewed hope and leave behind a more prosperous Nigeria for the generations to come.”

 

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Kidnappers Must Be Treated As Terrorists – Tinubu Declares

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In a stern address at a Ramadan dinner with members of the Federal judiciary, President Bola Tinubu declared that individuals involved in despicable crimes such as kidnapping must be treated as terrorists.

The President, speaking passionately, reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to defeating banditry, labeling those who engage in kidnapping as cowards incapable of confronting the might of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

“We must treat kidnappers as terrorists,” President Tinubu asserted, as reported by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale. “They are cowardly. They have been degraded. They look for soft targets. They go to schools and kidnap children and cause disaffection. We must treat them equally as terrorists in order to get rid of them, and I promise you we will get rid of them.”

The President made these remarks during the dinner attended by serving and retired judicial officers, including notable figures such as former Chief Justices of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, and Justice Walter Onnoghen.

The event provided a platform for discussions on various issues, including the escalating security challenges faced by Nigeria, particularly in the North-West and North-East geopolitical zones.

Nigeria has grappled with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and oil theft, with the aforementioned regions experiencing a surge in insurgent and bandit attacks over the last decade.

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President Tinubu’s government has remained steadfast in its stance of not negotiating with bandits, despite the continued abduction of schoolchildren and residents for ransom.

The recent mass abduction of 137 schoolchildren from Kuriga in Kaduna State serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security threats.

The President also addressed the need for judicial reforms and improved welfare for judicial officers.

Recognising the challenges faced by the judiciary, President Tinubu pledged to implement necessary reforms to enhance the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers. He emphasised the importance of fair compensation and support for the judiciary, acknowledging their pivotal role in upholding the respectability of the judicial arm of government.

In response, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, commended President Tinubu for his commitment to judicial reforms and for hosting the Ramadan dinner in honour of judicial officers.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, also expressed gratitude to the President for forwarding the executive bill aimed at addressing the stagnant state of judges’ salaries and allowances since 2007.

President Tinubu’s declaration underscores the government’s resolve to combat insecurity and hold perpetrators of heinous crimes accountable.

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Abiodun Unveils 50% Discount Rice Scheme to Aid Ogun Residents

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Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has said that his administration will commence the sale of rice at half the market price across the state to alleviate the prevailing economic challenges in the country..

Addressing attendees at a special Iftar organised for the League of Imams and Alfas in Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun emphasised the importance of alleviating the economic burden on the public, particularly civil servants.

He stated, “We have decided to commence the sale of rice. We will be selling it at the rate of 50% of the actual price.”

Highlighting the significance of restoring the purchasing power of public servants, the governor affirmed that the initiative aims to counter the impact of inflation.

He asserted, “What we are trying to do is put them in the position they were before the inflation.”

The governor disclosed the establishment of a committee to oversee the distribution of rice to residents, ensuring transparency and accessibility.

He emphasised the sustainability of the programme, stating, “If we sell at the price it was sold before it becomes expensive, it will allow us to use the money to buy more and continue to sell.”

Also, the governor pledged free rice distribution to the less privileged segments of society, including the poor, elderly, and vulnerable individuals.

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Encouraging Muslims to uphold virtuous behavior beyond the fasting period, Governor Abiodun urged continuous prayers for the well-being of the state and the nation.

He reiterated his commitment to constructing a modern secretariat for the League of Imams and Alfas, promising a landmark facility that would set a standard for other states.

In recognition of his efforts towards peace and empowerment, Governor Abiodun was honoured with the title of Ambassador of Peace in Islam during the event.

Attendees also offered special prayers for the upcoming 72nd birthday celebration of President Bola Tinubu, scheduled for March 29th.

Imam Tajudeen Adewunmi, the Secretary of the League of Imams and Alfas, commended Governor Abiodun for his dedication to empowering Muslim youths and fostering goodwill within the community.

 

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