Health
U.S. identifies 109 cases of severe hepatitis, including 5 deaths, in children

U.S. health officials on Friday said they are investigating 109 cases of severe hepatitis of unknown origin in children, including five reported deaths, updating a nationwide alert issued in April for doctors to be on the lookout for such cases of the liver disease.
The cases have been identified over the past seven months in 25 states and territories, Dr. Jay Butler, deputy director for infectious diseases at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said during a conference call.
Fourteen of the children required liver transplants.
Butler said around half of the 109 children diagnosed with hepatitis were also infected with a type of adenovirus, a virus that causes the common cold, but the agency is still investigating the exact cause of the illness.
Hepatitis linked to this type of adenovirus has almost exclusively been associated with immunocompromised children, but many of the cases first reported to the CDC did not have immunocompromising conditions, Butler said.
He said the “vast majority” of the identified children were not eligible for COVID vaccination, which “appears to be unrelated to these cases.”
The CDC is investigating whether COVID infection may be playing a role, as well as exposure to other pathogens, medications and animals.
Compared to pre-pandemic rates, the agency said it has not seen an overall increase in the incidence of severe hepatitis in children, which remains rare.
The update follows investigations in the United States and Europe of clusters of hepatitis in young children.
The World Health Organization earlier this week said it had received reports of at least 228 probable cases from 20 countries with over 50 additional cases under investigation.
The CDC said it is working with counterparts in Europe to understand the cause of the infections that can cause liver damage and lead to liver failure.
Health
200-bed specialized cancer hospital to open soon in Kabul, says health ministry

The Ministry of Public Health has announced that a 200-bed hospital dedicated to cancer treatment will soon be inaugurated in Kabul.
According to health officials, the Ministry also plans to establish cancer treatment centers in other regional zones and efforts are underway to build the capacity of healthcare workers, particularly doctors, in this specialized field.
Doctors in Afghanistan consider the lack of a dedicated cancer treatment facility a serious challenge. They emphasize that Afghan doctors are capable of treating many illnesses, but due to insufficient resources, cancer patients face significant difficulties accessing care.
Specialists stated that once the cancer hospital in Kabul becomes operational, patients will no longer need to travel abroad for treatment.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have a center in the country that can provide comprehensive treatment for all illnesses — neither in the public sector nor in the private sector,” said Mohammad Hashim Wahaj, a doctor in Kabul.
According to reports from international organizations, due to limited healthcare infrastructure in Afghanistan’s remote areas, cancer has become a “silent killer” across the country.
The health ministry reports that breast, stomach, and esophageal cancers are the most common types in Afghanistan, claiming hundreds of lives each year. In search of treatment, Afghans spend millions of dollars annually outside the country.
Health
NGO shifts focus from war injuries to comprehensive trauma care in Afghanistan
Mullah Abdul Wasi, Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office, met with Dejan Panic, the Director General of the humanitarian health organization Emergency

Mullah Abdul Wasi, Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, on Monday met with Dejan Panic, the Director General of the humanitarian health organization Emergency for discussions on the health situation in the country.
Mohammad Asif, Director of Relations for Emergency, also attended the meeting, ARG said in a statement.
According to ARG, Wasi welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for Emergency’s continued commitment to providing essential healthcare services to the Afghan people.
He commended the organization’s dedication and its long-standing contributions to the country’s health sector.
Panic provided a comprehensive overview of Emergency’s operations both in Afghanistan and internationally.
He highlighted the organization’s evolution from primarily treating war-related injuries to offering a broad range of free trauma care, particularly for victims of traffic accidents and other emergencies.
He also outlined the organization’s financial plans for the coming years, ongoing efforts to attract donor support, and future strategies aimed at expanding services across the country.
Wasi reaffirmed the Islamic Emirate’s full support for Emergency and other humanitarian organizations committed to improving the well-being of the Afghan population.
He emphasized the importance of their work and assured that the government remains ready to provide necessary assistance and facilitate their operations.
The meeting concluded with mutual recognition of the vital role of healthcare services in Afghanistan’s development and the shared goal of strengthening access to quality medical care for all.
Health
India donates 11,000 doses of vaccines to Afghanistan

The Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan announced that the Government of India has donated 11,000 doses of vaccines to support the country’s healthcare system.
The consignment includes 5,500 doses of influenza vaccine and 5,500 doses of meningitis vaccine.
The ministry expressed its gratitude to India for the contribution and described the donation as a vital step in preventing the spread of influenza and meningitis in Afghanistan.
According to the Ministry, the vaccines will help save the lives of thousands of Afghans.
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