CONSECRATED LIFE
The painting on the front cover entitled “The disciples of Emmaus” reflects our journey of hope. Jesus not only walks with us, but gives us the wisdom to perform our ministries and opens our eyes to see Him in the people that we are serving.
RADAR
WORLD’S FIRST MALARIA VACCINE ROLLOUT BEGINS IN CAMEROON
According to the 2023 World Malaria Report, 249 million malaria cases were reported globally in 2022, including 608 000 deaths; 94 % of those cases were in Africa, which accounted for 95% of the total deaths. Some 78% occurred in children under the age of five.
BY KAAMIL AHMED AND JOSIANE KOUAGHEU IN DOUALA | CAMEROON
THE ROLLOUT of the world’s first malaria vaccine began in Cameroon on 22 January. Another 19 African countries have plans to join the programme.
The RTS,S vaccine will be administered to children in the west African country, the first to be vaccinated after successful trials of the drug in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi between 2019 and 2021.
“We are not just witnessing but actively participating in a transformative chapter in Africa’s public health history,” said Dr Mohammed Abdulaziz, from the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, at a joint online briefing with the World Health Organisation. “For a long time, we have been waiting for this day … it brings not only hope, but a reduction in the mortality and morbidity associated with malaria.”
Kate O’Brien, the director of the WHO’s immunisations and vaccines department, said that RTS, S – also known as Mosquirix – would saves tens of thousands of lives. Deliveries are due for Burkina Faso, Liberia, Niger and Sierra Leone with hopes that 6.6 million children can be reached this year.
Dani Widal, a mother in Douala said: “I have three children and all are always sick with malaria. I hope that the vaccine will finally help them.” Widal had queued with her six-monthold daughter for three hours. “I live in a neighbourhood where there are a lot of mosquitoes. I spend more than 30,000 francs [R940] every three months because of malaria.”
Cameroon recorded more than 6m cases in 2022 and malaria accounted for 12% of deaths among children under five in 2021.
Thomas Breuer, the chief global health officer at GlaxoSmithKline, which produced the vaccine, said: “After more than 35 years of dedicated work to develop the world’s first malaria vaccine, Mosquirix, it’s rewarding to see it in routine use for the first time.” A second malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, produced by the University of Oxford, is due to be rolled out later this year.
Source: theguardian.com
JUBILEE 2025 OF CONSECRATED LIFE
THE JUBILEE with the slogan “Pilgrims of hope, on the way of peace” takes the form of a call to consecrated men and women throughout the world to reconciliation, conversion and sacramental penance, as well as to solidarity, justice and joy in God’s service.
NO CEASEFIRE, BUT SOUTH AFRICA WINS SUBSTANTIVE RIGHTS MEASURES IN THE GAZA GENOCIDE CASE
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to stop killing and harming people in Gaza and to report provisional measures to the ICJ and South Africa by 26 February.
THE YOUNGEST MIGRANT WHO HAS SET AN EXAMPLE
Mohamed fled his home in Morocco, at the age of nine, seeking a future in Europe.
AFRICA’S UNTAPPED FOOD POTENTIAL
Wheat, maize and rice account for 60% of all calories consumed globally and in Africa